Abstract: In the case of a drafting arrangement for a spinning machine, at least one drafting zone has a sliver guide with a guiding surface for the travelling sliver. The sliver guide is arranged in a wedge-shaped gap, which is formed by a roller pair downstream of the drafting zone. According to the present invention, the sliver guide comprises a sliver brake with a pressing element which slides on the sliver. The pressing element is resilient with a pressure in the direction towards the guiding surface, and is disposable against the travelling sliver. The evenness of the drafting is thereby improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring sliver thickness in a drawing frame includes a sliver guiding device having converging inner wall faces for bringing a plurality of simultaneously introduced slivers together to form a sliver assembly constituted by side-by-side positioned running slivers arranged in a plane. The apparatus further includes a sensor element laterally contacting the sliver assembly; and a counterelement laterally contacting the sliver assembly. The counterelement is so supported that it may pivot parallel to the plane of the sliver assembly for purposes of adjustment and immobilization. The sensor element is urged into a resilient contact with the sliver assembly whereby the sensor element undergoes excursions upon variation of thickness of the sliver assembly. The sensor element and the counterelement together define a constriction through which the sliver assembly passes. A transducer converts excursions of the sensor element into electric pulses.

Abstract: A self-threading condenser for disposition within a drafting zone of a textile machine. The condenser includes a diminishing radii guide profile which directs a fiber strand contacting the guide profile into a fiber strand-carrying notch defined in the condenser. The condenser is allowed to float laterally in response to movements of strand passing through the drafting zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for gathering a running fiber web into a sliver, includes a web guide element having edge portions defining an outlet opening through which the web passes; a trumpet arranged downstream of the outlet opening of the web guide element as viewed in a direction of web advance, and an arrangement for guiding air, flowing against the direction of web advance and generated by web compression downstream of the web guide element, away from a zone extending between the outlet opening of the web guide element and the outlet opening of the trumpet.

Abstract: A fiber condenser is illustrated having a strand guiding and delivery opening for feeding fiber forwardly into a nip formed by a pair of superposed rolls wherein a flange is carried by the condenser and extends rearwardly therefrom for engagement by a bracket carried adjacent the rolls for limiting transverse movement of the condenser in either direction. The bracket may be carried by a transverse bar which also supports a cradle assembly for alignment. Normally, a tendency of the condenser to move laterally in relation to the rolls is limited or restrained by the presence of the fiber strand but when such becomes broken, there is a tendency for the condenser to become dislodged from the nip and fall to the floor of the mill.