Abstract: This invention relates to a coiler using tongue and groove rollers preferably for measuring sliver thickness and guiding sliver emerging from between these rollers, using guide means such as a pair of calender rollers driven for rotation in the same conveying direction.Optionally the sliver between the conveying nip at the tongue and groove rollers and the guide means (when embodied as calender rollers) is severed by intermittent operation of the conveying and guiding nips.

Abstract: A multi-position rotary spinning machine includes an endless belt guided along the machine past a plurality of open-end spinning units each having a valve for operation by cam means of the belt to bring an eccentric port into and out of gas communication with another eccentric port of the valve by virtue of rotation of a rotary valve member driven by engagement of cam studs and carried by the belt with projections, respectively, of the rotary valve member.The valves can be used for providing intermittent application of purging suction to the beater trash box of an open-end spinning or to a slub collection trough of a friction spinner.

Abstract: A friction spinning unit of a multi-position friction spinning machine includes a pressure tapping in the suction line to a suction port in the fibre feed duct. A suction transducer responsive to the suction in the tapping controls the fibre feed clutch of that particular friction spinning unit for disengaging the friction spinning unit when suction value sensed by the transducer deviates from a predetermined range of acceptable suction values, to shut-down the friction spinning unit well before the yarn quality has been impaired to a sufficient extent to cause a yarn break.

Abstract: Slubs are removed from an open-end spinning chamber by the application of suction to a debris-extraction duct by a valve opened to a suction line as the chamber is opened to a suction line as the chamber is opened for cleaning.

Abstract: A friction spinning unit employs two rotatable bodies to define the spinning gap, at least one of the bodies being in the form of a cone whose surface moves towards the friction spinning gap from the same side as that from which separated fibres are fed by a fibre feed means. This configuration of the bodies generates a self-conveying action which propels the bundle of fibres axially along the friction spinning gap so that the bundle itself enters twist-blocking means which facilitates the piecing action and dispenses with the need for a seed yarn to be returned to the friction spinning gap to piece up after a yarn break or after shutdown.

Abstract: The invention provides for the spinning units of a multi-position rotor spinning machine to be driven by a common AC drive motor powered by a static inverter enabling the power supply frequency to the AC motor to be controlled for controlling the rate of acceleration and the operating speed and the rate of deceleration of the AC drive motor. This facilitates a method of mass stopping.

Abstract: The invention provides for the spinning units of a multi-position open-end spinning machine to be driven by a common AC drive motor powered by a static inverter enabling the power supply frequency to the AC motor to be controlled for controlling the rate of acceleration and the operating speed and the rate of deceleration of the AC drive motor. This facilitates a method of mass start-up and mass stopping of a friction spinning machine are disclosed.

Abstract: An open-end spinning machine includes a low inertia sensing wheel frictionally engaging the package so that the rate of rotation of the frictional sensing wheel is sensed by a tachometer generator to provide a "winding rate" signal fed to a controller for controlling the speed of a stepper motor driving the fibre feed roller of the fibre opening unit during piecing, in response to the take-up of yarn at the package. Optionally, the sensing wheel is supported on a link such that the angular position of the link indicative of the diameter of the package is sensed by an angular position transducer and the signal of the transducer is also fed to the controller.Yarn delivery rolls are separated, during piecing, to allow the rate of withdrawal of the yarn from the doffing tube of the open-end spinning unit in response solely to the accelerating package.The draft is non-linear during piecing, in accordance with a predetermined programme.

Abstract: The mask sleeve within the perforated roller of each spinning unit of a multi-position friction spinning apparatus is adjustable to move the suction slot of that roller between extreme positions in which an edge of the slot crosses from one side of the friction spinning nip to the other. Adjustment at each spinning unit is effected independently of the various other units of the machine by means of a rotary adjuster engaging a bifurcated end of a carrier which is itself adjustably fastened (by way of a clamp bolt) with respect to the masking cylinder. The adjuster and the carrier are outside the machine and allow adjustment of the positioning of the slot deep within the spinning unit for fine tuning purposes.

Abstract: The perforated roller of a friction spinning unit includes an outer sleeve having vent openings at one end to provide an air leakage path which by-passes the adjacent bearing of the sleeve, and further by-passing vent passages radially outwardly of the bearing at the opposite end of the sleeve.

Abstract: Drive to the sliver feed roll of a fibre-opening unit of an open-end spinner is interrupted by de-activation of a clutch and simultaneously further rotation of the input shaft of a worm and pinion mechanism is blocked against further rotation by release of a spring finger into the path of peripheral teeth on a disc.Upon a yarn break sensed by a detector, the clutch is de-energized and the spring finger released to arrest and lock the disc.

Abstract: Friction spinning apparatus comprises a fibre feed duct having a secondary suction port which is linked to a source of suction by way of a second perforated region of the perforated roller. The secondary air passage is communicated to a source of suction by way of the second perforated region having a suction opening formed in a masking sleeve therewithin. Yet a further masking sleeve radially inwardly of the first has two differently sized holes for changing the volume of air flowing through the hole and hence changing the airflow rate through the secondary air passage.The secondary air passage can be relatively large in cross-section and the flow constriction of the secondary air path can be by way of the second perforated region of the roller which is self-cleaning and hence avoids blockage of the secondary air path.

Abstract: A transport conveyor for empty conical winding tubes includes a recirculating band system to drive jammed tubes for rotation in a direction causing them to remain mutually parallel along the chute of the conveyor. Every alternate tube is reversed by means of a holding pin and a rotating shoe. A fin upstanding from the conveyor floor supports all the tubes with their axes parallel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for straightening fibres in a sliver comprises subjecting the sliver to sliding frictional contact with a foraminous surface through which an airflow passes, the sliding contact having the effect of both straightening the fibres in the sliver to orientate them, and straightening the hooked ends of any fibres in the sliver, and the influence of the airflow serving to remove dust and/or trash from the sliver.

Abstract: An open-end spinning machine incorporating a doffer robot also includes separate tracks for the doffer robot and a piecer-cleaner robot. The robots are able to patrol continuously along one side of the machine and back along the other side of the machine, with sufficient separation for the doffer robot to pass the piecer-cleaner robot, and vice versa and for the two robots to pass end casings of the machine.