Abstract: A method for cutting a lap in a comber includes applying pressure to a bobbin toward a lap roller. The method further includes forming a weak portion in the lap that is continuous from the bobbin to a nipper device in the state in which pressure is applied to the bobbin by pulling the lap toward the nipper device. The method further includes cancelling the applied pressure after forming the weak portion. The method further includes applying tension to the lap after forming the weak portion to cut the lap at the weak portion.

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 machine has at least one comber head which contains a continuously rotatable comb cylinder, a reciprocating nipper jaw unit and at least one detaching roller. The detaching roller is rotated during every revolution of the comb cylinder at first through a small angle in a backwards direction and then through a large angle in a forward direction. The rotations of the detaching rollers are produced by an electric motor which receives appropriate drive pulses fed from an electronic control unit.

Abstract: The combing machine has at least one combing head having combing elements and a carrier for a lap roll for combing. Two pairs of transport rollers and a pair of pressing rollers are provided in the path of the lap from the lap roll to the combing elements. A movable deflector or element is also disposed adjacent the pressing rollers for a lap end. An automatic lap change is carried out when the lap has approximately completely unwound from the roll. The transport roller pairs are used to tear the lap therebetween with the resulting lap end advancing to the pressing rollers which is then stopped. After a fresh lap roll is placed in the machine, the forward end of the lap is moved between the transporting rollers and severed to form a second lap end. The deflector element serves to place the end of the fresh lap onto the previous lap end for combining within the pressure rolls.

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: Method and means for providing assemblages of fully opened and combed fibers for intimate blending with other staple fibers of a diverse type are disclosed, wherein combed tufts detached from preceding and succeeding tufts are moved in an air stream under subatmospheric pressure to a collection chamber. Movement by such an air stream assures that the parallelized fibers of the tuft are not disturbed but remain in a fully opened and combed condition for subsequent intimate blending. This method and means assure that the fibers are not bent, compressed or otherwise changed from their fully opened and combed state.

Abstract: A drive device for the detaching rollers in a combing machine which includes a coupling member having an inner toothed wheel rim with a central axis extending therethrough. A central wheel is carried in the coupling member. The central wheel has an axially located take-off shaft which is used for driving the detaching rollers of the combing machine. Teeth are carried on the central wheel and mesh with the teeth of the inner toothed wheel rim. A first crank arm is provided for reciprocally rotating the coupling member as a second crank arm drives the coupling member about an axis offset from its central axis for imparting a pilgram (about two steps forward and one step back) motion to the take-off shaft of the central wheel.