Abstract: An apparatus for doffing textile bobbin tubes from tube support members having posts projecting therefrom for supporting tubes thereon as the tube support members are conveyed along a transport path by a transport device with the tube support members being slidably supported on the transport device to allow stoppage of a tube support member as a tube is doffed without deactivating the transport device is disclosed. The tube doffing apparatus comprises a pair of opposed tube engaging and doffing devices having tube engaging surfaces which may be conveyor belts with guide and support rollers straddling the path of posts of support members traveling along the transport path and extending away from the transport path in the general direction of projection of the support member posts. These devices are disposed for engaging a tube on a post of a support member supported on the transport path and thereby stopping the support member while removing the tube from the post.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating a yarn end of a yarn package from the outer layer of the yarn package and disposing the separated yarn end onto the yarn package in a preferred disposition. The apparatus includes a drive device for rotating a yarn package in an unwinding direction, an assembly for performing a yarn end drawing out operation during the unwinding rotation of the yarn package and a device for determining that a successful yarn end drawing out operation has been performed including an assembly for detecting that a yarn end of at least a predetermined length has been drawn out. The apparatus also includes an assembly for controlling the drive device to stop the unwinding rotation of the yarn package in response to the earlier of the lapse of a predetermined period of time and the receipt of a signal from the detecting device indicating that a successful yarn end drawing out operation has been performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a yarn package for a subsequent yarn restarting operation are provided. The apparatus includes an air jet for directing a tangential stream of pressurized air against a yarn package to effect loosening of a length of auxiliary yarn which has been wound on the yarn package during a prior unsuccessful yarn restarting operation in which the auxiliary yarn length failed to piece with the yarn still to be wound onto the yarn package. The air jet operates in cooperation with a suction conduit to completely unwind the unsuccessfully pieced auxiliary yarn length from the yarn package to thereby prepare the yarn package for receiving another length of auxiliary yarn during a subsequent yarn restarting operation.