Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for treating pieced places in yarn produced on open end spinning machines. The pieced places are treated by mechanically compacting the same during drawing off of the yarn from a spinning machine after a piecing operation. Various embodiments are disclosed for carrying out this mechanical compacting, including retractable fingers, rollers, and belts, which operate together to press the piece places and compact the same during drawing off of the yarn from the spinning assembly. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus for compacting the pieced places is carried on a mobile servicing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for accommodating changing of bobbins on open-end spinning machines. Spooling devices are provided for joining a thread reserve section and a starting winding to an empty spool tube which is to be inserted in place of a completed bobbin. The spooling devices are constructed to form a starting winding of sufficient length to form a plurality of one-time piecing operations at a spinning station. A spool transfer device is provided for transferring a prepared spool with starting winding and reserve thread section into a bobbin holder. In certain preferred embodiments the spooling device is carried on a movable unit which travels along the spinning stations and includes an auxiliary bobbin for supplying the reserve and starting winding thread section. In other preferred embodiments, the spooling device is provided separate from the movable unit along the spinning machine and includes apparatus for forming and storing a plurality of pre-prepared bobbins.