Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system is disclosed for cleaning the automatic insertion area of a loom. In a typical weaving operation, there are a number of successive rows of individual looms (11). In accordance with the present invention, there is a main vacuum line (28) routed transverse to the rows of looms and secondary vacuum lines (26) extending along the rows of looms. Electropneumatic valves (29) are provided to selectively connect and disconnect the individual secondary lines so that an intermittent vacuum may be placed on the looms of successive rows in a cyclic manner. The vacuum cleaning system includes a vacuum manifold (46) connected by a branch line (40) to a secondary vacuum line (26). A balancing valve (42) is included in each branch line (40) to balance the vacuum at each loom so that generally equal vacuum is applied to the looms along the row. A number of individual, directional lines (A, 72, 74, 76, ) are connected to manifold (46).

Abstract: Apparatus for removing waste, lint, dust, dirt and other accumulations of solid matter from the underside of machinery, especially textile machinery such as carding machines while the latter is in operation or not, comprising a frame designed to be installed beneath the machine on the floor on which there is reciprocally mounted a wiper arranged to travel over the floor in reciprocation so as to traverse the entire area beneath the machine, vacuum chambers at two of the opposite ends of the frame having open sides parallel to the wiper which are closed by the wiper when the latter reaches an end position and a timer operable to connect the chambers to a vacuum source as the wipers are moved to a position closing them to remove the waste swept into the chambers by the wiper.