Inventors:
Ellie E. Price - Charlotte NC
William C. Hardin - Lexington NC
Chris Bostian - Kannapolis NC
Assignee:
Tubular Textile LLC - Lexington NC
International Classification:
D06C 306
Abstract:
A improved upper level de-twisting mechanism is provided to facilitate the handling of rope form fabric as it is drawn from a bulk container, typically in wet condition, and conveyed to a processing operation, such as spreading. The mechanism includes a rigid support positioned under a lifting roller and mounting a poteye through which the fabric is drawn. Three or more grooved guide rollers engage the lower flange of the poteye, supporting it for rotation about its axis. A reversible drive motor is mounted along side the poteye and drive belts are trained about the drive motor output and the grooved external contours of the poteye for controllably rotating the poteye. Resiliently biased arms, each carrying a fabric engaging roller, are mounted on the top flange of the poteye, such that rope form fabric, passing through the poteye, is grippingly engaged between the rollers for positive twist control over the fabric when the poteye is rotated is response to a twist sensing device arranged to sense the condition of the fabric as it is conveyed from the container.