Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing textile materials and, in particular, controlling the density of fiber in a carding system. A fiber feeder is provided which includes a blower and an oscillating plate, both of which act to compress fiber collected in the chute of the fiber feeder. A first sensing device is utilized at the discharge of the fiber feeder to sense the density of the batt being fed therefrom to a card, and a second sensing device is utilized at the trumpet of the card to sense the density of the fiber which forms the sliver in such trumpet. Control means is provided to regulate the operating speed of the blower and the oscillating plate in response to the signals generated by the first and second sensing devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fiber from a plurality of bales including a carriage for movement along the bales and a head which is carried by the carriage for vertical movement to engage the bales and remove fiber therefrom during traverse movement of the carriage. The head includes a rotatable beater arranged with its axis of rotation at an acute angle to the direction of movement of the carriage along the bales. A control system is provided whereby the level of the bale is sensed by photocells mounted on the head, and the head can be moved upwardly and/or downwardly if the sensed bale level is above or below predetermined levels. The control system may also move the head upwardly if the head itself is moved upwardly relative to its vertical drive assembly. A suction conveyor system is provided for conveying away removed fiber, and this system includes a perforated plate for separating out any trash, dust and the like from the fiber.

Abstract: A chute feed having an opening roller and a vertical chute therebeneath for receiving and collecting fibers, the chute having one generally vertical side wall formed with an area of perforations extending above and below the normal level of fibers collected in the chute, and a blower for generating an air current around the upper portion of the opening roller and toward the perforations to entrain fibers leaving the roller and to assist in equalizing the level of fibers collected in the chute. A fiber level sensing device is provided adjacent the area of wall perforations to control the flow of fibers from the opening roller to the chute.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding, weighing and releasing a predetermined quantity of fiber in reoccurring cycles for use in a fiber blending operation or the like whereby the quantity of fiber released in each cycle is maintained at an essentially constant and preselected level, which includes means for sensing the actual weight of fiber dumped from a weigh pan or container, comparing such weight with a constant preset desired weight setting, and varying the weight of fiber delivered during the next cycle to compensate for any differences between the preset weight and the actual weight dumped during the preceding cycle.

Abstract: A chute feed having a chute formed in part by an upper perforated wall portion and a lower oscillating wall portion. Two compartments are formed adjacent the chute and are separated therefrom by the upper and lower wall portions, and a divider wall is disposed to extend from the front of the chute feed to a location between the upper and lower edges of the upper perforated wall portion, such divider wall separating the two compartments and permitting the compartments to be exposed to upper and lower parts of the perforated wall portion, respectively.

Abstract: A control system for use in textile processing equipment including a card and a chute feed delivering a batt of fiber thereto. The operating speed of the card is sensed to generate a signal that is used to drive the motor for the oscillating densification plate and the feed roll of the chute feed at speeds having a predetermined ratio of the operating speed of the card. The weight of the batt formed by the chute feed is sensed and a signal is generated in proportion to the sensed weight, and this signal is used to override the primary drive for the oscillating plate and thereby vary the ratio between the operating speed of the card and speed of oscillation of the plate. The chute feed includes a device for sensing the level of accumulated fiber in the chute feed, and this device generates a signal that is utilized to override the primary drive for the feed roll of the chute feed and thereby vary the ratio between the operating speed of the card and the speed of such feed roll.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fiber portions from a selected plurality of bales and delivering the fiber to a receiver, such apparatus including a head that is lowered into contact with the top surface of such bales to grasp fibers therefrom. A control system is provided which generates a signal when the head has traveled a predetermined vertical distance toward a bale, and the signal is used to vary the sequence of pick-up or the amount of fiber picked up, from the plurality of bales to assure that the plurality of bales are maintained at substantially even heights during the sequential pick-up of fiber therefrom.

Abstract: For use with a spinning frame, apparatus for removing underwound yarn wraps from the base portion of the rotating spindle, such apparatus including a spindle cleaning structure mounted on a spindle rail for pivotal movement between a first spindle cleaning position engaging the spindle and a second inactive position clear of the movement of the reciprocating ring rail of the spinning frame. A plurality of spindle cleaning structures may be provided along the extent of the spindle rail, each such structure being operated between its first and second position by the movement of ring rail during a predetermined portion of such movement. The spindle cleaning structures may be arranged for sequential operation by the ring rail to provide sequential cleaning of the spindles.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing underwound yarn wraps from the spindle of a spinning frame, including a carrier member mounted for driven movement along the spinning frame, and a pair of rotating brushes which are independently driven and independently arranged for movement toward and away from the spindles. A non-rotatable brush may also be associated with the carrier member, behind the rotatable brushes, to remove any wraps not removed by the rotatable brushes. A suction source is provided for collecting removed yarn wraps. The carrier member includes floor engaging wheels, and means for engaging rails extending along the spinning frame, and the carrier member permits vertical adjustment of the rail engaging means to facilitate mounting the carrier member on the rails. The apparatus is designed so as not to interfere with the movement of the traverse ring of the spinning frame, or with the fixed structure of the spinning frame during operation of the apparatus or during mounting of the apparatus on the rails.

Abstract: Apparatus having an elevated trackway and a pick-up head arranged thereon for automatically plucking increments of fibers from one or more bales, delivering such increments of fiber to a position above a hopper feeder, and dropping such increments of fiber therein, all in a predetermined cycle and in response to a fiber demand signal from the hopper feeder. Such apparatus includes a suction conduit disposed above the hopper feeder and adjacent the path of travel of the fiber increments as they are dropped into the hopper feeder, with such suction conduit being connected to a continuous vacuum source. A valve is disposed in the suction conduit, and is opened when the pick-up head commences its cycle and closed when the pick-up head completes its cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus movable along a spinning frame to doff full bobbins from the spindles thereof and to don empty bobbins onto such spindles. Low pressure pneumatic sensors are provided for emitting a stream of low pressure air into the path of movement of selected elements of the apparatus and generating a pneumatic signal each time a stream of low pressure air is interrupted by the movement of such elements, and a low pressure pneumatic control system receives the pneumatic signals and operates the selected elements of the apparatus in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Equipment including a pick-up head arranged on an elevated trackway for automatically picking up increments of fiber from a plurality from fiber bales, and serially delivering such fiber increments to a feeder unit which feeds the fiber to a hopper. The hopper may become choked when an excess quantity of fiber is fed thereto, and a control system is provided which automatically energizes and de-energize the feeder unit after a predetermined number of fiber increments have been delivered to the feeder unit, the total quantity of fiber in such predetermined number of fiber increments, when added to the quantity of fiber in the hopper it signals for more fiber, being less than that which will cause the hopper to become choked. A fiber guide arrangement is also included in the hopper to prevent fibers fed thereto from taking a path of movement which could choke the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus movable along a spinning frame to doff full bobbins from the spindles thereof and to don empty bobbins onto such spindles. Low pressure pneumatic sensors are provided for emitting a stream of low pressure air into the path of movement of selected elements of the apparatus and generating a pneumatic signal each time a stream of low pressure air is interrupted by the movement of such elements, and a low pressure pneumatic control system receives the pneumatic signals and operates the selected elements of the apparatus in a predetermined sequence.