Weft catcher with gripping device

Abstract

The weft yarn insertion mechanism exhibits at the side of the shed (6) where the weft yarn comes out a yarn holder device (13) for taking over and releasing the end (4') of the weft yarn, which comprises essentially two gripping parts (16, 17) and one nozzle (18). Preferably the one gripping part (16) is stationary and the other gripping part (17) movable and together they form a wedge shaped gripping gap (24). A blowing nozzle or suction nozzle (18) sucks or blows the end (4') of the end of the weft yarn into the gripping gap (24) at the moment when the weft insertion is finished. Upon blowing or respectively sucking the end (4') of the weft yarn into the gripping gap (24) by the impulse from the compressed air from the blowing nozzle (18) or respectively by the impulse from the suction into the suction nozzle, the end (4') of the weft yarn jams or wedges automatically as soon as that force of tension becomes effective in the weft yarn (4), which is built up in the weft yarn upon being braked by the yarn stopper (11) fitted at the weft insertion side. An actuator mechanism (20) acting upon the movable gripping part (17) releases the end of the weft yarn during or respectively after the beat up of the weft yarn (4') into the weave (10). The weft yarn device enables a considerable reduction in/ the consumption of air and waste of yarn.