Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: The apparatus for the preparation of an end-aligned fiber sample comprises an array of fiber combs, a first drive unit, a fiber collection device connected to the first drive unit, a suction device, a detection device and a control unit to control each of the foregoing components. The method for preparing an end-aligned fiber sample uses the control unit to operate each of the foregoing components to prepare an end-aligned fiber sample. The apparatus can be combined with testing units for testing the end-aligned fiber samples. One of the testing units can test for short fiber content. The testing for short fiber content also can employ the detection device of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A support for a combing means for an opening roller comprises an opening roller combing means, which is designed as a saw-toothed helix having multiple thread grooves. The number of threads amounts to approximately between one twentieth and one thirthieth (expressed in millimeters) of the outer diameter of the opening means. In addition, the angle of inclination (expressed in degrees) of the helix amounts to between 0.5 and 0.7 times the number of threads. The angle of inclination of the helix should not exceed 2.5°.

Abstract: A tufting machine includes a feed roller assembly formed of a plurality of coaxially aligned and detachable shaft members.

Abstract: A system for providing improved warp uniformity across the width of the machine, the system including an expansion/contraction comb assembly connected to a synchronized timing system for providing a multiplicity of different expansion zones based upon different threaded zones on the drive rod that become sequentially decreasingly dense from the center of the machine outward. Also the system provides for elimination of floater blocks, which are replaced by drive blocks for deflection control across the width of the machine.

Abstract: In a top comb for a combing machine, having at least one row of stamped needles that are arranged in a parallel side-by-side relation and enclosed between two cover plates with a free needle projection (8) being left free, wherein compressed air channels are formed between the cover plates and adjacent pairs of needles are provided, in order to increase the efficiency of the cleaning effect, that the needles (1,1′,1″) incorporate embossings such that the congruent embossings of adjacent needles form an air channel (9,9′,9″), wherein the embossings taper in their widths towards the outlet area (outlet opening 11,11′,11″).

Abstract: A support for a combing means for an opening roller comprises an opening roller combing means, which is designed as a saw-toothed helix having multiple thread grooves. The number of threads amounts to approximately between one twentieth and one thirthieth (expressed in millimetres) of the outer diameter of the opening means. In addition, the angle of inclination (expressed in degrees) of the helix amounts to between 0.5 and 0.7 times the number of threads. The angle of inclination of the helix should not exceed 2.5°.

Abstract: In a top comb for a combing machine, comprising at least one row of stamped needles that are arranged in a parallel side-by-side relation and enclosed between two cover plates with a free needle projection (8) being left free, wherein compressed air channels are formed between the cover plates and adjacent pairs of needles, it is provided, in order to increase the efficiency of the cleaning effect, that the needles (1, 1′, 1″) incorporate embossings such that the congruent embossings of adjacent needles form an air channel (9, 9′, 9″), wherein the embossings taper in their widths towards the outlet area (outlet opening 11, 11′, 11″).

Abstract: The method and an apparatus provide for the automatic provision and transfer of a reserve lap (WR) from a reserve position (RP) to a working position (AP) in a machine (K1 to K3) for processing wound laps and for the automatic discharge of an empty tube (H) from the working position (AP). The conveying system (K, 4) is provided to convey wound laps (W) or empty tubes (H) individually or in groups between a lap-processing (K1 to K3) and a lap-forming machine (KV). The control unit (8) of the conveying system (K, 4) is connected with a central control unit (ST) which is connected with the control unit (21, 22, 23) of the respective lap-processing machine (K1 to K3), with a conveyor (T) in the lap-forming machine (Ky), as well as with the control unit (20) of the lap-forming machine (Ky), and a transfer device (58, 60, 61, 63) which can be controlled via the control unit (21,22,23) of the respective lap-processing machine (K1 to K3).

Abstract: A control unit (10) for “pilgrim step” operation of the detaching cylinders (22, 23) in a combing machine, comprising a first electric motor, which rotates the circular comb (18) of the combing machine with uniform motion and a second electric motor (11), rotating a shaft (12), which houses the components to transmit motion to the detaching cylinders (22, 23). The first electric motor also operates at least one of the components that transmit motion to the detaching cylinders (22, 23), and the motor (11) is operated with a law of motion comprising acceleration and deceleration phases. Both motors mesh at all times and the first motor operates the components to transmit motion to the detaching cylinders (22, 23) by means of a differential device to obtain motion of the “pilgrim step” type.

Abstract: A control unit (10) for “pilgrim step” operation of the detaching cylinders (22, 23) in a combing machine, comprising a first electric motor, which rotates the circular comb (18) of the combing machine with uniform motion and a second electric motor (11), rotating a shaft (12), which houses the components to transmit motion to the detaching cylinders (22, 23). The first electric motor also operates at least one of the components that transmit motion to the detaching cylinders (22, 23), and the motor (11) is operated with a law of motion comprising acceleration and deceleration phases. Both motors mesh at all times and the first motor operates the components to transmit motion to the detaching cylinders (22, 23) by means of a differential device to obtain motion of the “pilgrim step” type.

Abstract: A device for opening slivers (4) for feeding an OE spinning device (3), comprising a sliver feed device defining a sliver clamping position (7), a rotating opening roller (8) having a circumference with spirally extending combing elements (9, 24) for engaging at the clamping position (7) into a sliver being fed by the sliver feed device. In order to improve the opening of the sliver, a support roller (13, 28, 29) also having spirally extending combing elements (14, 24, 25, 26) is arranged in the direction of fiber feeding after the clamping position (7) with its combing elements (14, 24, 25, 26) extending into the intermediate spaces between the spirally extending combing elements (9, 24) of the opening roller (8) and rotates counter to the opening roller (8) for combing sliver therewith in a common effective range (11).

Abstract: A method and device substitutes, prepares and joins laps in a combing machine, in which the preparation of an edge of a new lap package is made by holding fast the package in an unwinding position, while handling its clamped and crimped edge in a tearing manner.

Abstract: A combing machine having a pair of detachment rolls (6") and a nipper head (3) which, during a nip, carries out a forward stroke towards the pair of detachment rolls (6") and a return stroke. In the path of the stroke of the nipper head (3) active apparatus (26, 27, 28) is present in order to force a fiber tuft (10) into a given relative position with respect to the nipper head (3) at least at the end of the forward stroke movement.

Abstract: In addition to removing noil from a combing machine, the lap pieces which occur during a lap change operation are suctioned off and recycled into the combing process so as to reduce the amount of waste generated by the combing process. The noil and lap pieces can be removed from the combing heads through a common suction tube and conveyed separately via connecting pipes to separate points. The lap pieces which have been separated can be transported into a drum separator with the fiber material of the lap pieces being separated and recycled for the production of new laps.

Abstract: In a feed comb arrangement for a combing machine comprising an intermittently driven pair of feed rollers preceding the feed comb arrangement in the transport direction of the fiber web to be combed and a take-down arrangement, in particular in the form of take-down rollers, following the feed comb arrangement, it is provided for the purpose of increasing smoothness of running, of avoiding accumulations of impurities and of attaining an effective transport that the feed comb arrangement is formed by a plurality of fallers, which are intermittently driven in synchronization with the combing operation and which are covered with needles or saw-toothed stamped elements, respectively, which fallers extend on their two outer ends into closed guideways in such a manner, that during part of the route of rotation the needles or saw-toothed points, respectively, engage with the fiber web and on the other hand the needles or saw-toothed points, respectively, upwardly leave the fiber web after having traveled a transport

Abstract: A camless lap nipping mechanism for use in a comber is disclosed. A nipper frame (3) is provided above a combing cylinder (1). A cushion plate (4) is mounted on a distal end of the nipper frame (3). The cushion plate (4) nips a lap (Lp) in cooperation with a nipper member (7). Two stationary pivots (14,15) are provided, one above and one below the nipper frame (3). A four-node link mechanism, having two movable pivots (20,21) with a following lever (19) located therebetween, is provided between the stationary pivots (14,15). The front portion of the nipper frame (3) is pivotably linked to the following lever (19). A nipper shaft (11), and the four-node link mechanism (17,18,19) cooperate in rocking the nipper frame (3).

Abstract: A nipper apparatus for use in a comber has a nipper frame having a cushion plate fixed to a lower portion of the frame. The nipper frame is suspended as a whole by a nipper pivot and a nipper shaft and is arranged to swing toward and away from a detaching roller by a reciprocating turn of the nipper shaft. The nipper apparatus is arranged to repeat gripping and releasing of a fleece on the cushion plate by a nipper knife through motion of a nipper arm having the nipper knife at a front thereof and a spring rod at a rear end thereof which turn according to a swing of the nipper frame. A spring end portion of the spring rod serves as a point for providing pressure support for the nipper arm and is pivotably movably supported with respect to a machine frame. The spring end portion is movable along an arc to a predetermined position according to a change in a nipper gauge and fixable in that position.

Abstract: The position of the gripper unit in a combing machine is monitored, and when the machine is to be halted its stoppage is controlled such that the machine halts always and only when the gripper unit is at its point of maximum opening or maximum closeness to the grabbing rollers. A position sensor (35) is associated for example with the rocker arm (18) which operates the gripper unit and provides pulses at each rocking movement of the arm (18). When the machine motor (27) is to be halted a braking action is produced by a brake (36) after a predetermined time or after measuring a certain number of pulses from the sensor (35) or on measuring a determined time interval between pulses, so as to effectively halt the machine with the gripper unit open.

Abstract: In addition to removing noil from a combing machine, the lap pieces which occur during a lap change operation are suctioned off and recycled into the combing process so as to reduce the amount of waste generated by the combing process. The noil and lap pieces can be removed from the combing heads through a common suction tube and conveyed separately via connecting pipes to separate points. The lap pieces which have been separated can be transported into a drum separator with the fiber material of the lap pieces being separated and recycled for the production of new laps.

Abstract: The combing head has a pair of lateral guide elements mounted on the lower nipper part with each having a fiber guide surface disposed in front of the front edge of the lower nipper plate in order to laterally guide the fiber tuft extending from the lower nipper plate. The lateral guide elements are connected with a second pair of lateral guide elements on the lower nipper plate behind the front edge of the lower nipper plate. The second pair of guide elements also have fiber guide surfaces for guiding the lateral side edges of the fiber tuft. The pairs of guide elements each define a space therebetween of decreasing width in a perpendicular direction relative to the plane of the lower nipper plate.

Abstract: A straight wool-combing machine (10) has, instead of the conventional pair of detaching rollers, a pair of jaws (30, 32) for gripping the combed end of a tuft and for separating it, by a withdrawal movement, from the rest of the fibre sliver (M). The pair of jaws (30, 32) has a suction fan (31) for transporting the combed fibres pneumatically to a collecting store.

Abstract: The circular comb segment is constructed to leave a large free space at the front edge to avoid deflecting a tuft delivered from a nipper unit away from the foremost needles or clothing points at the front edge. The comb segment may be provided with recesses at the sides of the front edge to receive screws for fixing the segment to a comb roller or may be provided with projecting lugs for securement to a comb roller. In one embodiment, the lugs may be replaced by clamping plates which engage against a reduced lip at the front edge of the segment or engaged within a recess or groove at the front edge. In still another embodiment, the comb segment may be provided with an inwardly offset projection to be received in a recess of the roller and secured therein.

Abstract: A textile machine is provided with apparatus for preparing the trailing end of a lap and a leading end of a fresh lap so that each end has a reduced fiber mass per unit length of lap in the prepared end. These lap ends are thereafter superimposed and joined together for subsequent processing in a combing unit of a combing machine or a drafting unit of a ribbon lap machine. The respective ends of the two laps may be prepared by a tearing action caused by clamping of the respective lap end between two spaced apart nip lines which are moved away from each other and wherein the spacing is slightly more than the length of the longest fiber in the lap. Preparation of a lap end may also be accomplished using a suction head for clamping of a lap along a nip line in order to carry out tearing of the lap to produced a prepared end.

Abstract: The combing device supplies a lap of staple yarn to a nipper unit which, in turn, presents a tuft of the lap to a rotating comb cylinder for combing of the tuft. Thereafter, the combed tuft is delivered by the nipper unit directly to a pair of detaching rollers for detaching of the combed tuft from the lap. The elimination of a tuft comb allows a higher weight for the lap and, hence, increased production of the combing device. The combed tuft can then be drawn and spun into yarn, for example, by ring spinning.

Abstract: A combing machine for textile fibres has a "gill" for combing a sliver of fibres and means for tearing successive tufts from the sliver of fibres as the tufts are combed, and partially superimposing the torn tufts on each other so as to form a continuous combed web. The tearing and superimposition is effected by contra-rotating tearing rollers mounted on support shafts which are rotatably supported at their ends by a pivotable carriage; each support shaft is also rotatably supported intermediate its ends, and carries two tearing rollers side by side and cooperating with a corresponding pair of tearing rollers mounted side by side on the contra-rotating support shaft.

Abstract: A combing machine for textile fibres has a gill for combing a sliver of fibres, and at least two contrarotating tearing rollers for tearing successive tufts from the sliver of fibres as these are combed, the torn tufts being partially superimposed on each other to form a continuous combed web which is delivered to a conveyor belt. The tearing rollers are in direct contact with each other and are located upstream of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method of unrolling and piecing a lap and a lap drive for combing machines, lap drafters and similar machines having a driven pair of support rolls for supporting the lap to be unrolled for processing. One of the support rolls is uncoupled from its drive for unrolling and for piecing the fiber layer.

Abstract: A machine for combing textile fibers prior to spinning, which operates to regroup the fibers in accordance with their length, is described. The machine operates to pull off tufts of fibers from a web or card sliver, to perform a preliminary combing of the fibers, and to deposit the tufts onto a conveyor with the fibers extending transverse the direction of advance and the ends of the fibers which were gripped in order to pull the tuft out of the web all aligned along the direction of advance of the conveyor. Subsequently the conveyor carries the tufts past a plurality of withdrawing devices which are successively nearer the conveyor and which operate to pull off first the longer fibers and subsequently successively shorter fibers. The fibers are subjected to a further combing operation as they are withdrawn from the conveyor.

Abstract: A plurality of combing machine slivers having periodically variable densities are combined in such a way that the density variations approximately compensate one another and a complete sliver having little density variation is formed. The relative phase positions of the respective combing machine slivers when assembled together are controlled in response to the periodicity of the complete sliver.

Abstract: In order to compensate the combing periods in density fluctuation machine slivers, the density of each of a plurality of slivers is measured to detect the phase positions of the combing periods therein and then the relative positions of the respective slivers are adjusted to place the combing periods in each sliver out of phase with the combing periods in the other slivers before the slivers are combined. The adjustment of the phase position of the slivers is effected by varying the length of the path of the sliver between the combing machine and the point where the slivers are combined.