Abstract: In a lap winding apparatus for producing a batt lap, the batt is wound onto a tube which is rotatable about a fixed axis and is driven by a revolving endless belt. The belt is arranged in a loop, formed between two deflecting rolls and is tensioned by a tensioning device. The tube which is rotatable about a fixed axis, as well as the two deflecting rolls are dimensioned, and positioned relative to each other, in such a manner that the loop at the beginning of the lap winding process embraces the tube over an initial minimum wrapping angle equal to, or larger than, 120° and preferentially equal to, or larger than, 180°. For generating a tensioning force depending on the lap diameter, the tensioning device is associated with a control device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling textile material into containers having an elongate cross-section, contemplates suspending each container by releasable holder elements secured to displacement devices. Advantageously further provided for each container, during the filling operation, is an external elevation positioning device which can be releasably coupled with the container to be filled with textile material. A displacement device moves the container which is being filled beneath a coiler to deposit loops of the textile material into the container. A device serves to automatically remove the filled containers and a further device delivers empty containers which are to filled.

Abstract: A gripping and manipulating apparatus is mounted on a conveying vehicle and comprises an articulated arm and gripping member. The gripping member is disposed at the moving end of the articulated arms and comprises a multi-element lazy-tongs mechanism having two receptacle retainers. The movement of the retainers is produced by a drive element, a part thereof acting on guide elements. The guide elements are pivotally connected to the retainers. The gripping member can fold down to a reduced dimension and its three pivots lead to a compact construction for the conveying vehicle. Also, a securing device is included for securing the end of a band or sheet or the like of textile material and is disposed on the articulated arm or on the gripping member and is movable therewith. The space required between the vehicle and the textile machines and between the individual receptacles is reduced.

Abstract: A catcher device with a clamp is fitted about the outer surface of a fiber sliver can. The can may rotate on its longitudinal axis whereby an end of a fiber sliver is also moved in the direction of the catcher device. Through the rotation of the can, the fiber sliver is laid in the clamp and drawn through it until the desired length of the sliver end is reached. At this moment, the clamp is closed and the sliver end is clamped in the catcher device. The clamp comprises two clamping elements, which are actuated through a cam plate with trigger cams. The control is effected by sensors and a driving motor.

Abstract: The rotator comprises a revolving plate, which is supported on bearing rollers, and a radial guide. The revolving plate forms a depositing place for a textile material holder and rotates with the holder on its longitudinal axis and is movable with the holder in the direction along the longitudinal axis. A sensor serves for measuring the movements of the revolving plate, for determining if the material holder is present and whether it is full or empty. The revolving plate has a guide element and the bottom of the container has a corresponding counterpart element. An opening in the bottom of the container and in the revolving plate makes position measurements of a spring plate carried in the material holder possible by means of a sonic measuring device.

Abstract: A transport vehicle with a changing device mounted on it and a method for moving fiber sliver containers from textile delivery machines to a textile processing machine, or vice verse. The changing device comprises a multi-section robot arm with container holders. The textile material containers are placed on depositing places on the transport vehicle, whereby these depositing places are equipped with revolving support plates. Furthermore, a movable catcher device is built on the transport vehicle, by means of which the end of the fiber sliver is caught and is movable. During the conveying operation of the transport vehicle the fiber sliver end is laid in the catcher device through the rotation of the revolving plate. As soon as the changing position for the textile material container has been reached, the container is transferred to the textile processing machine by means of the changing device and the fiber sliver end is transferred by means of the catcher device.