In or relating to creels

Abstract

A creel includes a yarn package of the rotational type, which is mounted on a yarn package holder, and yarn guiding apparatus. The yarn guiding apparatus includes a first, second, third and fourth yarn guiding means. The first yarn guiding means is attached to a first end of a pivoting member. The pivoting member pivots about a pivot axis spaced from the first end. In use yarn is drawn from the yarn package and about the first, second, third and fourth yarn guiding means. The yarn is unwound by applying tension to the yarn. During unwinding, the point at which the yarn leaves the yarn package traverses axially back and forth across the yarn package. Because the first yarn guiding means is free to rotate about the pivot axis, the tension in the yarn acts to move the first guide means to a position substantially in alignment with that point.

1 . A creel comprising at least one yarn package holder for mounting a yarn package of the rotational type, wherein each yarn package holder has a corresponding yarn guide apparatus that comprises a moveable first yarn guide means, the yarn being drawn from the yarn package to the first yarn guide means under tension, said tension causing the first yarn guide means to move towards the point at which the yarn leaves the yarn package. 
     
     
         2 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which the tension causes the first yarn guide means to move to a position substantially in alignment with the point at which the yarn leaves the yarn package. 
     
     
         3 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which the first yarn guide means is movable generally lengthwise in relation to the yarn package. 
     
     
         4 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which each yarn guide apparatus comprises a pivoted member, wherein the first yarn guide means is attached to said pivoted member. 
     
     
         5 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which each yarn guide apparatus comprises a second yarn guide means, wherein the yarn may be drawn from the first yarn guide means to the second yarn guide means and the location of the second yarn guide means substantially corresponds to the location of a pivot axis. 
     
     
         6 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which at least one of the yarn guide means is a rotatable roller. 
     
     
         7 . The creel according to  claim 6 , in which each roller retains the yarn such that the yarn does not move significantly in the axial direction of the yarn guide. 
     
     
         8 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which the pivoted member comprises a counterbalance, which is arranged on an opposing side of a pivot axis to the first yarn guide means. 
     
     
         9 . The creel according to  claim 8 , in which the counterbalance is balanced such that the only rotational force applied to the first yarn guide means about the pivot axis is generated by the tension in the yarn. 
     
     
         10 . The creel according to  claim 1 , in which a rotation radius is substantially longer than a width of the yarn package holder. 
     
     
         11 . A method of unwinding at least one yarn package of the rotational type comprising applying tension to a yarn that is routed from each yarn package on a creel, wherein for each yarn package the creel comprises a yarn package holder for mounting the yarn package and a corresponding yarn guide apparatus comprising a moveable first yarn guide means, the yarn being drawn from the yarn package via the first yarn guide means under tension, said tension causing the first yarn guide means to move to a position substantially in alignment with the point at which the yarn leaves the yarn package.