Selvedge forming device for a Weft Thread
Technical Field
[0001 ] The invention relates to a selvedge forming device comprising a tucking device for
tucking a thread end of a weft thread into a subsequent shed , which thread end extends outside
a shed , and a moveable arm, wherein the moveable arm is controllable to move thread ends of
a fraction of inserted weft threads out of a working area of the tucking device so that the thread
ends of the fraction of inserted weft threads is not tucked in .
Prior Art
[0002] Selvedge forming devices, also named tucking devices, that are arrangeable near an
edge of the fabric next to a shed are known amongst others from EP 0 322 0 14 A 1,
WO 98/28474 A 1, WO 2006/027240 A 1 and WO 2009/007076. It is generally known to provide
a selvedge forming device at the insertion side of the weft threads and at the opposite side, this
means the side opposite the insertion side. When weaving two or more fabrics next to one
another, so called middle selvedge forming devices can also be provided between the fabrics.
[0003] A problem that occurs when thread ends are tucked into a subsequent shed , is that the
fabric obtained has a border at which two weft threads are woven into the fabric, namely the last
inserted weft thread and the thread end of the previous weft thread that is tucked in and beaten
up with the last inserted weft thread. Hence, this border is thicker than the rest of the fabric.
This causes problems when winding up the fabric, especially when weaving a thicker fabric.
[0004] To this end, US 3,457,966 proposes that only a limited number of the thread ends of
inserted weft threads, in particular only every second thread end is tucked into a subsequent
shed and the other thread ends are not tucked in. For this purpose, according to US 3,457,966
a moveable arm is provided that deflects the thread end in accordance with a pattern out of the
working area of a tuck-in needle.
Description of the Invention
[0005] It is an object of the invention, to provide a selvedge forming device comprising a tucking
device, a weaving machine comprising at least one selvedge forming device and a method for
tucking thread ends of a weft thread into a subsequent shed, wherein tucking in of a defined
number of thread ends of inserted weft threads is reliably avoided .
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a selvedge forming device comprises a
tucking device for tucking a thread end of a weft thread into a subsequent shed , which thread
end extends outside a shed , and a moveable arm , wherein the moveable arm is controllable to
move the thread ends of a fraction of inserted weft threads out of the working area of the
tucking device, and wherein the selvedge forming device further comprises a stationary
separator element, wherein the moveable arm is controllable to move the thread end beyond
the separator element out of the working area of the tucking device. In the context of the
application controllable means can be controlled at a certain moment, in other words can be
activated to move the moveable arm, in particular to move the moveable arm in accordance
with a predefined pattern and/or at a predefined moment in the weaving cycle for predefined
weft threads.
[0007] The thread end moved beyond the separator element is separated by the separator
element from the working area of the tucking device. In the context of the application the
working area of the tucking device is the area in which the tucking device can take up a thread
end in order to tuck the thread end in a subsequent shed . After an insertion of a weft thread , the
thread end of the inserted weft thread can pass at one side of the separator element at which
side the working area of the tucking device is located , wherein by means of a movement of the
moveable arm the thread end is moved beyond the separator element to the side of the
separator element opposite to the side of the working area. This allows the thread end that
could be tucked into the shed by the tucking device to be reliably kept out of the working area of
the tucking device. According to the invention the selvedge forming device allows to tuck-in only
a limited number of the weft threads and to not tuck-in the thread ends of a fraction of inserted
weft threads, in other words a defined number of weft threads, so that a selvedge can be
obtained on the fabric, which selvedge has a limited thickness.
[0008] According to an embodiment, the separator element is provided with a support surface
onto which at least the thread end moved out from the working area of the tucking device is
supported , which support surface is preferably arranged above an insertion level of the weft
thread. In the context of the application, the insertion level is defined as the height of the path
of the inserted weft thread. The moveable arm takes up the weft thread at the insertion level
and moves upwards beyond the separator element. When the moveable arm is moving back to
its lower position, the thread end moved above the separator element will rest on the support
surface of the separator element due to gravity forces and/or bending forces. Moving the thread
ends upwards is in particular advantageous in combination with a tucking device that
approaches the thread end to be tucked in from underneath the insertion level. In this case, a
collision of the moveable arm and the tucking device is avoided even if the moveable arm is
moved back to its lower position before the tucking device has finished its take-up motion. The
thread end continuously resting on a support surface of the separator element allows that the
thread end that is moved by the moveable arm beyond the separator element is kept
continuously separated from the working area of the tucking device. This offers the advantage
that a thread end that rests on the separator element can never return into the working area of
the tucking device, so that such a thread end will not be tucked in together with a thread end of
a later inserted weft thread.
[0009] The selvedge forming device in preferred embodiments comprises a holding device,
wherein a thread end held by the holding device is presented to the tucking device. The tucking
device in preferred embodiments pulls the thread ends to be tucked in out of the holding device.
In other embodiments, the thread ends are actively released by means of the holding device.
When the thread end is moved beyond the separator element, the thread end is also pulled out
of the holding device by the moveable arm and subsequently released by the holding device.
[001 0] In some embodiments, the tucking device is a needle, in particular a hook-shaped
needle, wherein the moveable arm is selectively activated, in other words is selectively
controlled , to move the thread end out of a working area of the needle. The needles are driven
to move the thread end below the insertion level. A possible drive for the needle is disclosed in
WO 98/28474 A 1. Other drives for the needle are also possible.
[001 1] In other embodiments, the tucking device is a pneumatic device, wherein the moveable
arm is selectively controlled to move the thread end out of the working area of airjets supplied
by the pneumatic device. A possible pneumatic tucking device is disclosed in
WO 2009/007076 A 1. Other pneumatic tucking devices are also possible, for example
pneumatic tucking devices with one or more airjets.
[001 2] Regardless of the tucking device used, in an embodiment at least one blowing device is
provided, which blowing device is controllable for moving the thread end out of the working area
of the tucking device. The blowing device assists the moveable arm to move a thread end
beyond the separator element or to keep beyond the separator element.
[001 3] In preferred embodiments, the moveable arm is provided with a first hook-shaped distal
end and/or the separator element is provided with a second hook-shaped distal end . Such a
hook-shaped distal end is advantageous for taking up and/or retaining the thread ends.
[001 4] In an embodiment, the moveable arm is mounted to be moved to and fro by means of a
drive system. In preferred embodiments, the moveable arm is mounted so as to be rotatable to
and fro about an axis to move the thread end beyond the separator element. With such an
arrangement, the movement of the moveable arm is guided in a better way.
[001 5] In preferred embodiments, a drive system with an eccentric drive is provided for driving
the moveable arm, in particular an eccentric drive comprising a pneumatic cylinder, which
pneumatic cylinder is acting on a drive plate coupled to the moveable arm. The pneumatic
cylinder is a single acting or, preferably, a double-acting pneumatic cylinder.
[001 6] According to a second aspect, a weaving machine comprising at least one selvedge
forming device is provided , which selvedge forming device is arranged near a fabric edge. The
weaving machine for example is a rapier weaving machine or an airjet weaving machine.
[001 7] According to a third aspect, a method for tucking a thread end of a weft thread in a
subsequent shed is provided, which thread end extends outside a shed, wherein thread ends
are tucked into a subsequent shed by means of a tucking device, wherein a thread end is
selectively moved out of the working area of the tucking device and beyond a separator element
by means of a moveable arm, and wherein the thread end moved beyond the separator element
is separated by a separator element from the working area of the tucking device.
[001 8] As described above, in some embodiments, a blowing device supplying an airjet is
provided to assist the moveable arm in moving the thread end beyond the separator element.
[001 9] In preferred embodiments, the thread end is moved upwards by the moveable arm.
[0020] Preferably, the moveable arm is rotatable to and fro about an axis to move the thread
end beyond the separator element. For example, the moveable arm is rotatable by means of a
pneumatic cylinder acting offset to the said axis on the moveable arm.
[002 1] In preferred embodiments, the tucking device comprises a needle. In some
embodiments, the needle is advanced to take up the thread end while the thread end is already
moved beyond the separator element. In other words, the moveable arm and the moveable
needle can move at overlapping times, however the moveable arm already moves the thread
end out of the working area of the moveable needle before the moveable needle can take up
the thread end.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0022] Further features and advantages of the invention derive from the following description of
the embodiments shown in the drawings and the dependent claims, wherein :
Fig. 1 shows schematically a rapier weaving machine with two selvedge forming devices
according to the invention ;
Fig. 2 shows the selvedge forming device of Fig. 1 in a front view with respect to the reed;
Fig. 3 shows the selvedge forming device of Fig. 1 in a first stage in use;
Fig. 4 shows the selvedge forming device of Fig. 1 in a second stage in use;
Fig. 5 shows the selvedge forming device of Fig. 1 in a third stage in use;
Fig. 6 shows a moveable arm and a separator element of Fig. 5 in another perspective view;
Fig. 7 shows schematically an airjet weaving machine for weaving two fabrics with three
selvedge forming devices according to the invention ; and
Fig. 8 shows schematically a rapier weaving machine with two selvedge forming devices
according to another embodiment of the invention .
Detailed Description of Embodiments
[0023] Figure 1 schematically shows a weaving machine with two selvedge forming devices 1
and 2 according to the invention. The selvedge forming device 1 of Fig. 1 is shown in more
detail in Fig. 2.
[0024] The weaving machine shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a rapier weaving machine with
a feed rapier 20 and a receiving rapier 2 1 that are arranged to insert a weft thread 10 in a shed
15. The selvedge forming device 1 is mounted near the fabric edge 4 of the fabric 3 at the
insertion side. The selvedge forming device 2 is mounted near the fabric edge 5 of the fabric 3
on the opposite side of the insertion side.
[0025] The selvedge forming device 2 as shown in more detail in Fig. 2 comprises a weft cutter
16 for cutting a thread end 12 which extends outside the fabric edge 5 of the fabric 3, a holding
device 17 for holding the thread end 12, and a tucking device 14 in the form of a hook-shaped
needle for tucking a the thread end 12 into a subsequent shed 15. In order to tuck the thread
end 12 into the subsequent shed 15, the tucking device 14 is rotated to and fro by a drive axis
41 to grip a thread end 12 presented to the holding device 17 and to tuck into the subsequent
shed 15. The thread end 12 tucked into the subsequent shed 15 is beaten up by means of the
reed 40 together with a subsequently inserted weft thread , in particular with the succeeding weft
thread .
[0026] According to the invention, the selvedge forming device 2 is arranged to optionally
prevent tucking in of a thread end 12 into a subsequent shed 15, so that only a defined fraction
of thread ends 12 is tucked in . For this purpose, a moveable arm 19 for selectively moving the
thread end 12 out of a working area of the tucking device 14 and a stationary arranged
separator element 18 for keeping separated the thread end 12 from the working area of the
tucking device 14 are provided. The thread end 12 is only presented to the tucking device 14
when the thread end 12 is located in the working area of the tucking device 14. A thread end 12
not presented to the tucking device 14 and separated from the working area will not be tucked
in .
[0027] Similarly, the selvedge forming device 1 provided at the opposite side comprises a weft
cutter 6 for cutting a thread end 11 which extends outside the fabric edge 4 of the fabric 3, a
holding device 7 for holding the thread end 11, a tucking device 13 in the form of a hook-shaped
needle for tucking in the thread end 11 into a subsequent shed 15, a moveable arm 9 for
selectively moving the thread end 11 out of the working area of the tucking device 13, and a
separator element 8 for retaining the thread end 11 moved out of the working area. The
selvedge forming device 1 is essentially identical in construction, but mirrored to the selvedge
forming device 2.
[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the moveable arm 19 is arranged to be rotated about an axis 32
parallel to the insertion direction . A thread end 12 is shown after this thread end 12 has been
inserted into the shed 15. The moveable arm 19 is arranged in order to move the thread end 12
to a position above the level of an inserted weft thread 10, also named insertion level. This is in
particular advantageous in case the tucking device 14 is advanced towards the presented
thread end 12 from underneath the insertion level. The moveable arm 19 is arranged to move
the thread end 12 towards and beyond the separator element 18.
[0029] The separator element 8 and the moveable arm 9 are arranged mirrored to the separator
element 18 and the moveable arm 19, and are arranged to bring or to move the thread end 11
to a position above the level of the inserted weft thread 10 and beyond the separator element 8.
[0030] In an embodiment, the holding device 7, 17 is a pneumatic holding device, in particular a
holding device as shown in WO 2013/007551 A2, the content of which is hereby incorporated
by reference. However, in other embodiments, different types of holding devices may be used ,
for example mechanical thread clamps.
[003 1] The selvedge forming devices 1 and 2 in the embodiment shown are mounted on a
support beam 42, wherein a position of the selvedge forming devices 1 and 2 along the support
beam 42 can be adapted to the weaving width of the fabric 3 to be woven .
[0032] As shown in Fig. 1 the thread end 11 of an inserted weft thread 10 is held by the holding
device 7 and subsequently, the weft thread 10 is cut by the weft cutter 6 while the thread end 11
of the weft thread 10 being held by the holding device 7. The tucking device 13 is advanced for
example towards the thread end 11 presented between the fabric edge 4 and the holding device
7 , takes up the presented thread end 11 and tucks the thread end 11 into a subsequent shed.
[0033] Fig. 3 to 5 show the separator element 18 and the moveable arm 19 of the selvedge
forming device 2 of Fig. 1 and 2 in a perspective view in different stages upon moving a thread
end 12, that not has to be tucked, out of the working area of the tucking device 14. When the
thread end 12 is not to be tucked, the moveable arm 19 as shown in Fig. 4 moves upwards and
moves the thread end 12 out of the working area of the tucking device 14, this means towards a
position where the tucking device 14 cannot take up the thread end 12. Upon moving the thread
end 12 upwards, the thread end 12 is pulled out of the holding device 17 and brought above the
separator element 18. Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the moveable arm 19 moves back to its lower
position . The thread end 12 moved above the separator element 18 is prevented by the
separator element 18 from moving back with the moveable arm 19. Due to gravity forces, the
thread end 12 will rest at a support surface 44 at the upper side of the separator element 18.
[0034] During the movement of the moveable arm 19 out of and back into its lower position, the
tucking device 14 can start its movement for taking up a thread end 12. The tucking device 14
will pass below the separator element 18 near the holding device 17 and attempt to take up a
thread end 12. When the thread end 12 has been moved out of the working area of the tucking
device 14, and is securely separated from the working area of the tucking device 14 by the
separator element 18, the tucking device 14 will not be able to take up the thread end 12 and
the thread end 12 will not be tucked in into the shed .
[0035] Tucking the thread end 11, 12 is only prevented when the moveable arm 9, 19 has
moved the thread end 11, 12. Hence, the tucking devices 13 and 14 of the selvedge forming
devices 1 and 2 can be operated as prior art selvedge forming devices 1, 2 that are intended to
tuck in all thread ends. A movement of the moveable arm 9, 19 in one embodiment is controlled
by a drive system 30 controlled by a control unit.
[0036] The stationary separator element 18 is fixedly arranged with screws 46 to a holder 31
and mounted by means of the holder 3 1 to the support beam 42. For example, the holder 31 is
arranged to the support beam 42 with fixing means as known from WO 2007/1 47541 A 1. The
moveable arm 19 is mounted rotatable about an axis 32 fixed to the holder 31. A drive system
30 is provided to rotate the moveable arm 19 to and fro. The drive system 30 comprises for
example an eccentric drive 45 with a drive element 33 moved linear to and fro and a drive plate
34 fixedly connected to the moveable arm 19. The moveable arm 19 and the drive plate 34 are
fixedly arranged together to the axis 32 rotatable arranged in the holder 31. The drive element
33 is arranged offset to the axis 32 and coupled to the drive plate 34. In preferred
embodiments, the drive element 33 is moved linear to and fro by means of a pneumatic cylinder
unit 43, of which only the housing is schematically shown in Fig. 6, in particular a double acting
pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder unit 43 for moving the drive element 33 to and fro
comprises for example a double acting pneumatic cylinder mounted inside the holder 31.
[0037] For obtaining stability in the movement of the moveable arm 19, a stationary arranged
guide element 38 and a collar 35 are provided, which collar 35 is integrally formed with the
moveable arm 19. Further, in the embodiment shown, the moveable arm 19 is provided with a
hook-shaped distal end 36. The separator element 18 is also provided with a hook-shaped
distal end 37. The hook-shaped distal ends 36, 37 improve taking up and retaining of thread
ends 12.
[0038] Fig. 6 shows the moveable arm 19 and the separator element 18 of Fig. 3 to 5 in another
perspective. In this case a blowing device 39 in the top 47 of the holder 31 is shown . By means
of the blowing device 39 at least one airjet 49 is supplied to blow the thread end 12 out of the
working area of the tucking device 14 and to assist in this way the moveable arm 19 to move
the thread end 12 to the separator element 18. As shown in Fig. 6 a number of thread ends 12
that are not tucked in the fabric 3 remain lying on the separator element 18 until these thread
ends 12 are moved in a direction P by means of the fabric 3 away from the hook-shaped distal
end 37 of the separator element 18. In Fig. 6 the shed 15 and the beat-up line 50 of the fabric 3
are shown schematically.
[0039] Fig. 7 schematically shows a weaving machine, in particular an airjet weaving machine
with a main blower device 22 and a stretching device 23, wherein two fabrics 3 and 48 are
woven next to each other. At each of the two outer fabric edges 4 and 5, an associated
selvedge forming device 1, 2 is provided . In addition, in this embodiment, a so called middle
selvedge forming device 27 is provided. The middle selvedge forming device 27 is similar to a
combination of the selvedge forming devices 1 and 2, wherein only one common thread cutter
26 is provided for cutting the inserted weft thread 10 in order to obtain two thread ends 24 and
25 to be tucked in , or in case the associated moveable arms 9, 19 are operated not to be tucked
in .
[0040] Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the weaving machine with two selvedge
forming devices 1 and 2 similar to Fig. 1. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the
thread ends 11 and 12 are not tucked into the shed 15 by means of a tucking device 13, 14
formed by needles. Instead of the needles, blowing devices are provided as tucking device 28,
29 for tucking in the thread ends 11, 12. In an embodiment, the blowing devices are embodied
as shown in WO 2009/007076 A 1, the content of this document is hereby incorporated by
reference. In an alternative the blowing devices can be embodied as shown in
EP 1 280 950 B1, the content of this document is hereby incorporated by reference. In case a
thread end 11, 12 is not to be tucked in, the moveable arm 9, 19 is controlled to move the
thread end 11, 12 out of the working area of airjets supplied by the tucking devices 28, 29, so
that the thread ends 11, 12 are not tucked into a subsequent shed.
[0041 ] The weft cutters 6, 16, 26, the holding devices 7, 17, the tucking devices 13, 14 and/or
the tucking devices 28, 29 can be embodied as a prior art selvedge forming device. Though it is
preferred to drive the moveable arm 9, 19 by means of a pneumatic drive system 30, as a
pneumatic drive system can deliver a large force to pull a thread end 11, 12 out of a holding
device 7, 17, of course also an electric drive system 30 can be used, or even a mechanical
drive system 30 that comprises a transmission device, such as a cam, driven by the main drive
shaft of the weaving machine.
[0042] It is clear to the person skilled in the art, that the selvedge forming devices 1, 2, 27
according to the invention can be arranged at any type of weaving machine. The position of the
selvedge forming devices 1, 2, 27 can be adapted to the weaving width of the fabric to be
woven .
[0043] Due to the fact that a separator element 8, 18 according to the invention is used , the
advantage is obtained that the thread ends 11, 12, 24, 25 which are not tucked in , can never
return to the working area of the tucking devices 13, 14 or 28, 29. This means that the separator
elements 8, 18 keep the thread ends 11, 12, 24, 25 continuously separated from the working
area of the tucking devices 13, 14 or 28, 29, and not only keep the thread ends 11, 12, 24, 25
separated from the working area for the last inserted weft thread . Of course, nothing prevents to
provide for example besides the separator elements 8. 18 even a blowing device 39 to keep the
thread ends 11, 12, 24, 25 of the last inserted weft thread additionally separated of the tucking
devices 13, 14 or 28, 29.
[0044] The selvedge forming device and the weaving machine are not limited to the
embodiments described by way of example and illustrated in the drawings, also alternatives and
combinations of the described and illustrated embodiments are possible that fall under the
claims.

Claims
1. A selvedge forming device comprising a tucking device (13, 14, 28, 29) for tucking a
thread end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) of a weft thread (10) into a subsequent shed (15), which
thread end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) extends outside a shed (15), and a moveable arm (9, 19),
wherein the moveable arm (9, 19) is controllable to move thread ends ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) of
a fraction of inserted weft threads (10) out of the working area of the tucking device
(13, 14, 28, 29), characterized in that the selvedge forming device ( 1 , 2, 27) further
comprises a stationary separator element (8, 18), wherein the moveable arm (9, 19) is
controllable to move the thread end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) beyond the separator element
(8, 18) out of the working area of the tucking device (13, 14, 28, 29).
2. The selvedge forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the separator
element (8, 18) is provided with a support surface (44) onto which the thread end
( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) moved out of the working area of the tucking device (13, 14, 28, 29) is
supported, which support surface (44) is arranged above an insertion level of the weft
thread (10).
3. The selvedge forming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
separator element (8, 18) is provided with a support surface (44) onto which a number of
thread ends ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) moved out of the working area of the tucking device
(13, 14, 28, 29) are supported.
4. The selvedge forming device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the
selvedge forming device ( 1 , 2, 27) comprises a holding device (7, 17), wherein a thread
end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) held by the holding device (7, 17) is pulled out of the holding device
(7, 17) by the moveable arm (9, 19) and is moved beyond the separator element (8, 18).
5. The selvedge forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
the tucking device (13, 14) comprises a needle, in particular a hook-shaped needle,
wherein the moveable arm (9, 19) is selectively controllable to move the thread end
( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) out of the working area of the tucking device (13,14).
6. The selvedge forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
the tucking device (28, 29) comprises a pneumatic device, wherein the moveable arm
(9, 19) is selectively controllable to move the thread end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) out of the
working area of airjets supplied by the pneumatic device.
7. The selvedge forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that
the moveable arm (9, 19) is provided with a hook-shaped distal end (37).
8. The selvedge forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that
the separator element (8, 18) is provided with a hook-shaped distal end (36).
9. The selvedge forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that
at least one blowing device (39) is provided, which blowing device (39) is controllable to
move a thread end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) out of the working area of the tucking device
(13, 14, 28, 29).
10. The selvedge forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that
the moveable arm (9, 19) is mounted so as to be rotatable to and fro about an axis (32)
in order to move the thread end ( 1 1, 12, 24, 25) beyond the separator element (8, 18).
11. The selvedge forming device according to claim 10, characterized in that a drive system
(30) with an eccentric drive (45) is provided for driving the moveable arm (9, 19), in
particular an eccentric drive (45) comprising a pneumatic cylinder unit (43), which
pneumatic cylinder unit (43) acting on a drive plate (34) coupled to the moveable arm
(9, 19).
12. A weaving machine comprising at least one selvedge forming device ( 1 , 2, 27) according
to any one of claims 1 to 10, which selvedge forming device ( 1 , 2, 27) is arranged near a
fabric edge (4, 5).
13. A method for tucking a thread end ( 11, 12, 24, 25) of a weft thread (10) into a
subsequent shed (15), which thread end ( 11, 12, 24, 25) extends outside a shed (15),
wherein thread ends ( 11, 12, 24, 25) are tucked into a subsequent shed (15) by means
of a tucking device (13, 14, 28, 29), and wherein a thread end ( 11, 12, 24, 25) is
selectively moved by means of a moveable arm (9, 19) out of the working area of the
tucking device (13, 14, 28, 29), characterized in that the thread end ( 11, 12, 24, 25) is
moved by the moveable arm (9, 19) beyond a separator element (8, 18) and is
separated by the separator element (8, 18) from the working area of the tucking device
(13, 14, 28, 29).
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the thread end ( 11, 12, 24, 25)
is moved upwards by the moveable arm (9, 19).
15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the moveable arm (9, 19)
is rotatable to and fro about an axis (32) to move the thread end ( 11, 12, 24, 25) beyond
the separator element (8, 18).