A method and apparatus for combining fibres formed into slivers for supply to textile machinery

Claim 3

A method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the ends of the two slivers are superposed and clamped together with their respective fibres parallel.

Claim 4

A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the first sliver (A) is movable to supply a textile machine whilst the second sliver (B) is a stationary reserve sliver, characterised in that it further includes a step of detecting the presence of the tail end ( a ) of the first sliver (A) in order to stop it advancing and automatically effecting the superposition, clamping and penetration operations.

Claim 6

Apparatus for combining fibres formed into slivers for supply to textile machines, characterised in that it includes means (2, 9) for superposing and clamping together the tail end ( a ) of a first sliver (A) and the leading end ( b ) of a second sliver (B) with their respective fibres parallel, at least one unit (6) with needles arranged transverse the plane of the two slivers, and means for reciprocating the needles (5) through the fibres in the ends of the slivers after they have been clamped.

Claim 7

Apparatus for combining fibres formed into slivers for supply to textile machines, characterised in that it includes means (2, 9) for superposing and clamping together the tail end ( a ) of a first sliver (A) and the leading end ( b ) of a second sliver (B) with their respective fibres parallel, at least one unit (6) with needles arranged transverse the plane of the two slivers, and means for reciprocating the needles (5) through the fibres in the ends of the slivers after they have been clamped.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised in that it comprises a base (2) beneath which the needle unit (6) is situated, the base (2) having a horizontal wall (3) for supporting the first sliver (A) for sliding movement, the wall having a conformation such that the needles (5) can pass through it, and an upper structure (9) for holding the second sliver (B), the structure (9) being movable vertically relative to the base (2) between a raised position and a lowered position in which the ends ( a , b ) of the two slivers (A, B) are superposed and clamped.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterised in that it further includes detector means (14) for generating an electrical signal indicative of the presence of the tail end ( a ) of the first sliver (A), and an electronic control unit (15) which is connected to the detector means (14) and is arranged, as a result of the generation of the signal, to cause in sequence, the stoppage of the first sliver (A) with its tail end ( a ) in correspondence with the needle unit (6), the lowering of the upper holding structure (9) in order to superpose and clamp the leading end ( b ) of the second sliver (B) on to the tail end ( a ) of the first sliver (A), the activation of the needle unit (6) for a predetermined number of cycles and the subsequent re-establishment of the supply of the sliver.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised in that it is movable on guide means so tha it can be transferred manually or automatically along the machine to a position in correspondence with the interrupted sliver.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the needles are arranged on two separate, parallel, opposed units and in that the join is effected by the opposed reciprocating movement thereof so that the needles bind the fibres by penetrating the slivers to be joined from two opposite sides.