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: 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: A friction spinning unit includes a pair of cylindrical friction spinning rollers of which one has an air nozzle mounted adjacent to its periphery and able to discharge a current of air along the surface of that roller so as to move any unwanted fibres which may be on the surface of said roller. The air jet from the nozzle may provide a pneumatic barrier to hold fibres away from an annular passage between a surrounding shroud and the outer foraminous sleeve of the foraminous roller, and/or the air jet may be used to clear a fibrous slub from the spinning nip in the event of such a slub forming after a yarn break.

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 friction spinning apparatus comprises two rollers in closely spaced parallel arrangement which define between them a yarn formation zone at an elongate gap along the rollers and a feed duct which extends into the gap so as to feed fibres directly into the gap in such a manner that they can fall directly onto the yarn. The feed duct is formed as two separate parts slightly toward the roller which turns into the gap so as to increase the proportion of fibres joining the yarn at the junction with that roller, one of which includes a planar jointing face of the feed duct and a co-planar first side wall of the fibre feed duct passage in the feed duct, and the other is a complex part defining the other walls of the fibre feed passage as well as a second planar jointing face.

Abstract: A friction spinning apparatus comprises two rollers in closely spaced parallel arrangement which define between them a yarn formation zone at an elongate gap along the rollers and a feed duct which extends into the gap so as to feed fibres directly into the gap in such a manner that they can fall directly onto the yarn. The feed duct is biassed slightly toward the roller which turns into the gap so as to increase the proportion of fibres joining the yarn at the junction with that roller.

Abstract: A friction spinning apparatus including two rollers defining between them an elongate yarn formation area from which yarn is drawn axially of the rollers, has a fibre feed duct extending to a position between the rollers and closely adjacent the yarn formation area. The fibre feed duct includes a surface along each side adjacent the respective roller which surface is curved to follow the curvature of the adjacent portion of the roller.

Abstract: The yarn formation area of a friction spinning apparatus, in which the rotating friction rollers and the feed duct lie closely adjacent, is quickly and simply cleaned of remaining fibres at a yarn break and protection is provided against damage caused by excess fibres entering the area. One of the rollers, which is imperforate, is mounted for pivotal movement away from the area and at a break suction through the other roller is temporarily closed off from one end of the area toward the opposite end to eject the remaining fibres. Return movement of the roller is guided to ensure proper return to the operating position.

Abstract: Spinning is started on a friction spinning apparatus by drawing the end of yarn back to a position adjacent the surface but in such a condition that it is free from the influence of the suction through the surface. This is done by closing off the suction while the end is in the position so that the yarn is drawn by an additional suction source into an adjacent position. The yarn end is drawn from one end of the surface to lie along the surface by gradually closing off the suction from that end toward the opposite end. Subsequently the suction is reopened to bring the yarn end under its influence to draw the end onto the surface so the fibre feed and take-up can be restarted.

Abstract: A frame construction for an open-end spinning machine includes an elongate plate extending along one side of the machine for supporting a first series of spinning unit housings and an elongate plate extending along the other side of the machine for supporting a second series of spinning unit housings. The plates are interconnected by transverse cross-members, which, preferably, do not project beyond the upper and lower extremities of the plates. Apertures equally spaced along the plates serve to receive and support the spinning unit housings.The plates are provided along their upper extremities with inwardly projecting flanges which abut against the cross-members so as to locate the plates.Preferably, the driving elements for the spinning elements supported by the spinning unit housings, and the suction ducts serving to provide vacuum at each of the spinning units are located between and within the upper and lower extremities of the plates.