As is known, a creel is a structure supporting a plurality of bobbins or spools from which yarn directed to a textile machine is unwound for processing, such as for example a line for the manufacture of nappies or the manufacture of carpets.

Modular creels having a plurality of supports which can be coupled together and bear a further plurality of moving pins on which bobbins can be placed are known. These pins make it easier to load the spools. Yarn guides which are used to direct the yarn being unwound from these spools towards a textile machine in a guided way are also associated with these supports.

These modular creels can form frames of various sizes, which may or may not be ventilated. However these structures have large dimensions, both vertically and horizontally .

One example of such modules for creels is described in US patent 6, 676, 054. This relates to a device for unwinding an elastomer yarn from a bobbin according to a method for feeding the yarn of the head-to-tail type, that is connecting the end of the yarn from one bobbin with the start of the yarn from another bobbin. These two are supported on pins associated with uprights defining a structure having dimensions of not inconsiderable size.

This is a real disadvantage of known creels in that, as is known, when a large number of yarns have to be fed the creels can be of appreciably large size. This can give rise to major problems where available space is limited . Modular elements for creels which at least partly overcome the abovementioned problem are known. The Applicant is the proprietor of European Patent EP2501634 relating to a modular element for creels having a structure in the shape of a polygonal solid provided with a support for a bobbin or spool of yarn; the structure comprises a yarn feeder to feed the yarn unwound from the bobbin with a parameter, either the tension or velocity of the yarn, that is held constant and equal to a predefined value (or function of the operating stage of the textile machine to which the yarn is directed) . This structure can be modularly coupled to similar structures so that several yarns can be fed to such a machine, each yarn being able to have its own parameters defined by the feeder which passes it to the textile machine.

EP2920098, again in the name of the Applicant, relates to a solution similar to that in EP2501634 but in which the bobbin support moves with respect to the structure of the modular element and can adopt two positions, one within the element itself and one outside it .

Another example of a modular creel is present in GB1202991 which describes a creel obtained by coupling vertical support members interconnected by removably couplable horizontal support members.

Modules which can be interconnected together are thus defined .

Provision is made for fixed supports for said vertical support members which are capable of supporting bobbins of yarn.

Between the various sections or modules of the creel there is a corridor to allow an operator to reach the supports for the bobbins so that he can replace these when they are empty. Another creel is described in W02008 / 131252 , in which bobbin supports located angularly and moving with respect to each other allow yarn to be unwound continuously through a head-to-tail bobbin connection. The yarn being unwound passes through a device for picking up the yarn, a sensor for the tension in the yarn and a device for monitoring such tension which can act on the yarn pick-up device to alter its operating speed in relation to the tension data originating from the tension sensor.

The bobbin supports are fixed.

A similar solution to that in WO 2008/131252 is reported in JP04286574 which describes a creel supporting several bobbins with yarn connected in a head-to-tail manner .

JP02234949 describes a yarn feed device comprising a vertical support bearing a plurality of arms which project at right angles, as therefore do the bobbins of yarn on fixed pins. The arms can be rotated about the vertical support through suitable motors.

US2483160 describes a modular element for a creel comprising a frame having a support to support two or more bobbins whose yarns are connected in a head-to-tail manner. The modular element can support several similar frames so that several yarns can be fed to a textile machine.

Each bobbin support can rotate about a pin of a supporting arm.

In addition to this the supports have pins which can move about a hinge capable of supporting corresponding bobbins. The movement of such pins is brought about manually .

In the solutions in the aforesaid patents, which nevertheless make it possible to construct modular creels of variable size in an optimum way depending upon needs or the number of yarns which have to be delivered to a specific textile machine, there is however a limit to the bobbins or spools which can be inserted into the modular creel element.

Also, in the abovementioned known solutions empty bobbins cannot always be readily replaced with bobbins loaded with yarn; in addition to this, said known solutions have little or no possibility for automating the replacement of empty bobbins with full ones and do not allow the replaced bobbins to be tracked, even for the purposes of stock control.

The object of this invention is to provide a modular creel element which is nevertheless improved with respect to the known solutions.

In particular one object of the present invention is to provide a modular element for a creel of small size through which it is possible to set up creels in such a way as to manage a large number of yarns, and through which it is possible to simplify and speed up the replacement of bobbins which have been emptied of yarn with full bobbins.

Another object of the invention is to provide a modular creel element through which it is possible to automate the operations of replacing empty bobbins with new bobbins loaded with yarn.

Another object is to provide a modular creel element through which it is possible to track the consumption of yarn and consequently to manage yarn processing in an optimum way.

This and other objects which will be obvious to those skilled in the art are achieved through a modular element for creels according to claim 1.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly apparent from the indicative and therefore not limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a modular element for creels as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular element for creels according to the present invention in a first operating condition;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the element in Figure 1 in a different operating condition;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the modular element for creels in a third operating condition;

Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the element in Figure 3 in a fourth operating condition;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the modular element for creels in a fifth operating condition;

Figure 6 is a side view of the modular element for creels in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the modular element for creels in Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a magnified view of the detail indicated by A in Figure 6.

With reference to the appended figures, 1 indicates a modular element for creels according to the present invention as a whole.

Element 1 comprises a structure 2 which in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of a polygonal solid (rectangular solid) and extends vertically.

Structure 2 is bounded by sections 3 which are mechanically connected together. Sections 3 are located at the corners of structure 2.

In particular, structure 2 has a (vertical) front face 2A from which the yarn exits (subdivided into two parts by a vertical section 3A) , a (vertical) rear face 2B (subdivided into two quadrants by a cross-member or horizontal section 3B) opposite front face 2A, two (vertical) side faces 2C, 2D, a (horizontal) top face 2E and a (horizontal) bottom face 2F.

This structure may be enclosed over at least parts of faces 2A-E .

In the embodiment illustrated perimetral sections 3 define a plurality of upper cross-members, a plurality of lower cross-members and a plurality of lateral uprights which connect the upper cross-members to the lower cross-members. In the embodiment described the lower cross-members are provided with supporting feet 30.

Coupling means are provided on upper face 2E, but may also be provided on bottom face 2F to allow a plurality of identical structures 2 to be coupled together in a vertical direction (that is superimposed upon each other) .

By way of example, these coupling means may be seats or holes 5 located on upper face 2E (between sections 3) capable of engaging with pins associated with bottom face 2F . In the figures these pins are replaced by supporting feet 30. Seats or holes 5 are capable of receiving the pins from a different structure 2 which can be positioned on top of that illustrated in the figures.

The coupling means may also be located on at least one of side faces 2C, 2D to allow another identical structure 2 to be coupled in a horizontal (or side-by- side) direction.

In each case the abovementioned coupling means may be of the mechanical type, or of another type such as for example nesting means, or of another kind such as for example magnetic members.

The set of structures 2 may comprise a matrix or "molecular" structure where the individual "atoms" comprise structures 2 coupled together. Structure 2 comprises at least one support 6 provided with arms 7, each to support at least one corresponding bobbin B. In the figures there are four arms 7. Bobbins B supported on arms 7 present the corresponding yarns connected together in a "head-to-tail" manner, that is the start of the yarn from one bobbin B is connected to the "tail" or end of another bobbin B.

More particularly, arms 7 project from and are attached to a common load-bearing portion 8 attached to rear face 2B of structure 2 and located parallel to such (vertical) face 2B. In the case in the figures, the four arms 7 are arranged at 90° to each other and load-bearing portion 8 of support 6 is in turn attached to cross-member 3B.

Coupling is achieved in such a way that support 6 can rotate about an axis W at right angles to face 2B and cross-member 3B. In other words axis W is horizontal and perpendicular to vertical face 2B of structure 2.

In order to bring about this rotation provision is made for an actuator which may be an electric or pneumatic motor of one piece with cross-member 3B and having an output or "motor" shaft to which support 6 is attached through its load-bearing portion 8. Operation of the actuator, for example the electric motor, brings about rotation of "revolving" support 6 about axis W along which the output shaft of the abovementioned electric motor lies.

Between load-bearing portion 8 and bobbins B there is an "antiballoon" disc 8K which prevents yarn F from a bobbin B passing beyond support 8 in the event of a pull or tension anomaly, and for example reaching the actuator, preventing it from operating correctly. Disc 8K is of one piece with arms 7, but the latter project beyond that disc (see figures) . Each arm 7 supports (at a free end thereof or close thereto) a body 11 which is rotatably fixed to corresponding arm 7 or each body 11 is hinged (in a known manner) to said arm at one proximal extremity thereof 11A. More particularly, bodies 11 can move between a first operating position corresponding to a position which they adopt when a yarn is fed to a textile machine (drawn from one of bobbins B) (Figure 1), and a loading position in which they are rotated outwards from structure 2 (Figures 3-5) . In the loading position the empty bobbins (in practice tubular supports 15 on which the yarn sent to a textile machine was wound) are removed and replaced by full bobbins. The latter are advantageously associated with rear face 2B of structure 2 and inserted on fixed pins 16 fixed to sections 3 bounding aforesaid face 2B. This makes it possible to have full bobbins for loading onto bodies 11 when the bobbins placed upon them are empty. Loading may take place either manually or automatically (by means of robots, not shown) . Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the stages of detaching a support 15 from corresponding body 11 (Figure 3), the removal of a full bobbin from corresponding pin 16 and the insertion of that bobbin onto said body 11.

All this after body 11 has been rotated with respect to the arm outside face 2D of structure 2 (to ease replacement of the empty bobbin) .

As illustrated, a plurality of bobbins B is present within structure 2 and is supported by arms 7 of support 6; however it is only from one bobbin, for example that indicated by B100 in Figure 3, that yarn F is unwound and delivered to a textile machine (not shown) . The yarn passes over wheels or rollers 40 (which rotate and guide yarn F without generating friction forces on it) and a feed device 50 (advantageously capable of maintaining a constant tension and/or speed and/or quantity of yarn F delivered to the textile machine) , said device being in itself known and being associated, with wheels 40, with a section or bar 60 which is of one piece with a vertical section 3 of structure 2, but at right angles thereto. Preferably such bar 60 is of one piece with section 3A and lies in the axis W about which "revolving" support 6 rotates in order to minimise the angle which yarn F makes with feed device 50 and wheels or rollers 40, as any angle is a source of friction; reducing said angle in fact means that the tension of yarn F entering the feeder is reduced, or, better, that every possible variation in such tension, which is added to that of the yarn being unwound from bobbin B100, is reduced.

It will be noted that section or bar 60 can move along section 3A so that its height can be adjusted in relation to the point of entry of the yarn into the textile machine; this adjustment makes it possible to achieve an ideal guide as a result of which friction and tension on yarn F entering the machine is limited. This also makes it possible for the angle at which the yarn leaves bobbin B100 towards feed machine 50 not to be altered .

It will be noted that rollers 40 associated with (moving) section or bar 60 and at least one roller 90 (two are shown in the figures, see Figure 8) attached to (fixed) section 3A help to stabilise the tension of yarn F entering feed device 50, regardless of the angle which yarn F makes with bar 60. It should be noted that the pair of rollers 90 (or "the at least one roller 90") is placed at a height on section 3A which is central with respect to support 6, corresponding to the focal point for unwinding yarn from the bobbin.

In the figures yarn F leaves section 60 at a right angle, but it can leave it at any angle.

Bodies 11 are inclined: downwards, those which support the waiting bobbins such that these bobbins B remain in a stable position on the projections, supported by gravity. Bobbin B100 is instead inclined downwards to facilitate release of yarn F. In addition to this, arms 11 are inclined towards each other to assist the unwinding of yarn, which is connected head-to-tail between the bobbins .

Feed device 50, as stated, is preferably of the type capable of feeding yarn to the textile machine continuously or discontinuously, at a constant tension and/or velocity and/or in a constant quantity. Control is brought about by device 50 itself. Obviously the latter can be placed in another position on structure 2.

Element 1 also comprises at least one sensor 88 connected to a control unit and acting on the yarn to detect the unwinding of yarn F from bobbin B100 moment by moment, and checking when it has run out.

According to one embodiment this sensor 88 is located close to roller 90 and is associated with section 3A (see Figures 1, 2 and 8) . The sensor is for example of the type described in EP2635925 and makes it possible to determine from which of bobbins B associated with support 6 the yarn is coming. In this way, when one bobbin is empty and the yarn comes from a different adjacent bobbin sensor 88 can detect the change in origin of the yarn with the consequences which will be indicated below.

As an alternative (see Figures 5, 6 and 7), several sensors 88 are directly associated with support 6 (for example of one piece with disc 8K or arms 7) and are located between each pair of bobbins B associated with that support .

Sensors 88 act together with the tail of the yarn from a first bobbin connected to the head of the yarn from the (second) adjacent bobbin so as to detect immediately when the yarn from the first bobbin runs out and initiate delivery from the second bobbin.

Each sensor 88 (active or cooperating with the yarn being unwound) therefore generates a signal representing the unwinding of the yarn, a signal which is sent to the control unit (not shown) . This control unit can be incorporated in feed device 50 and be connected to a display device 61 of such device. Obviously such control unit may be independent of device 50 and be connected to the actuator associated with support 6 in any way.

The aforesaid signal is processed to generate a signal that is representative of the need to proceed with a change of bobbin. In other words, when the yarn from one bobbin runs out and unwinding of yarn begins from the other bobbin, abovementioned sensor 88 (Figures 1, 2 and 8) or a different sensor 88 (indicated in Figures 5, 6 and 7) detects this change and the control unit generates the signal representing the change of bobbin (as will be described below) .

As mentioned, the control unit is connected to the display device (61) which displays this signal, indicating to the operator that the empty bobbin can be replaced with a new one.

The sensor is also capable of checking when yarn is not present, following, for example, a break in it. In this case said sensor generates a signal representing the lack of yarn and sends it to the control unit which signals the occurrence through the display device.

In the case where unwinding of yarn F takes place without problems, it is assumed that a bobbin runs out. In such a case, thanks to the signal which reaches the sensor mentioned above, the control unit advises of the need to change the empty bobbin with one full of yarn or thread via display device 61.

The electric motor associated with rotatable or "revolving" support 6, which can rotate about axis W so as to bring body 11 carrying tubular support 15 without yarn to one side (that corresponding to arrow 2D) of structure 2 is therefore switched on automatically by the control unit (Figure 2) . Here body 11 is rotated at its proximal extremity 11A with respect to corresponding arm 7 by means of an operator or any known automated system (for example a robotic arm) and support 15 is moved away from that body 11 (Figure 3) . That body 11 may also be provided with a conventional motor, for example a stepping motor, which can bring about rotation independently, at its extremity 11A.

A bobbin full of yarn taken from a pin 16 is then loaded onto body 11 (Figures 4 and 5) and the latter is again rotated towards the interior of structure 2.

During this operating stage the yarn continues to be unwound in a controlled way from a bobbin (still indicated by B100 in the figures, but obviously different from the one which has emptied) .

Thanks to the invention it is possible to have high continuous productivity of the textile machine in that it can be fed in such a way (in the case in point continuously) through a plurality of bobbins (two, three, four or more) supported on support 6.

Thanks to the arrangement of the latter and its manner of operation structure 2 is of very small size, which facilitates its use in weaving shops.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. Yet others are possible (for example support 6 may have only two arms for two corresponding bobbins B) in the light of the above description, said solutions having the features of the invention as defined by the following claims.