Abstract: A first sliver in an exhaust can (2F) is introduced and held in a recess (38a) of a sliver piecing unit (38) while gripped by a sliver gripper (34). The first sliver is severed by the displacement of the gripper (34) away from the recess (38a) so that a trailing end of the first sliver is formed in the recess (38a). Next, a second sliver in a reserve can (2B) is introduced and held in the recess (38a) in the same way as for the first sliver and a leading end of thereof is formed in the recess (38a) so that the sliver ends overlap each other. The piecing operation is carried out on the overlapped sliver ends in a known manner.

Abstract: Can changing apparatus for drawing frame having at least one series of a can filling station and one or more empty can ready stations spaced at regular intervals, doffing means reciprocably disposed along the series of the stations to intermittently produce one cycle of reciprocation and having a series of pivoted arms identical in number and identically spaced with the series of stations. The apparatus further comprises means to swing the series of arms all simultaneously upright on retracting stroke of the reciprocation motion while keeping in horizontally swung down position on advancing stroke to thereby advance succeeding cans on the stations all together one stroke ahead of their former locations toward and away from the can filling station.