DE69024444T2 - Handling sliver coils or sliver on a spinning machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for manipulating feed rolls or laser beams on a spinning machine, as well as to a spinning machine with such a device.

The invention is intended to be used in particular in connection with the device of our European patent application No. 90106217.4 of 31 March 1990 ("Transport of bobbins of spinnable fibre bundles into and to the creel of a textile machine") and the corresponding PCT application No. PCT/EP90/00517, although it can also be used with other devices.

State of the art

The automation of the ring spinning machine has been seriously advanced in recent years. In technical circles, measures for twisting a broken yarn have been discussed for years, as for example in the article "Progressive automation of the ring spinning process" on pages 13 and 14 of the publication "Textilbetrieb" published in December 1954. These ideas are now being joined by ideas about exchanging empty and full feed packages in the creel (e.g. in accordance with DOS 35 36 702 or DOS 35 37 727, or in accordance with EP 259 267 or EP 258 188). In other proposals, a feed fiber bundle is to be threaded into a drafting system that remains in operation (e.g. according to DOS 36 26 268, EP 310 906 or EP 213 962).

These various functions are all to be carried out by machines of one kind or another. But then the question arises - how can all these machines be arranged in the limited space available on a single machine.

The invention

This invention is based on the recognition of two facts:

1. no manipulation device - whether for winding bodies (e.g. a machine in accordance with DOS 35 36 702) or fiber bundles (e.g. a machine in accordance with DOS 36 26 268) - is 100% utilized by the winding body or fiber bundle manipulation during its operation on a single machine;

2. the creel of a spinning machine can be easily serviced by an automatic device that is arranged inside or above the creel itself (as has already been demonstrated in US PS 4,473,997), which leaves space on the sides of the machine to service the spinning positions (e.g. by an automatic starter).

The invention therefore provides a traveler device for manipulating (forwarding) fiber winding bodies or fiber bundles on a spinning machine. This can be a ring spinning machine or another type of spinning machine with a spinning position fed by fiber winding bodies.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that it is provided with means for introducing a new fiber winding body into the creel as well as with means for preparing the thread end for introduction into a spinning position.

The spinning position may comprise a drafting device, so that the yarn must first be threaded into the drafting device before it can be introduced into the spinning position. The device may preferably run on at least one rail in the creel or above the creel, so that the yarn end trimming means extend from the device either downwards or laterally into the creel during the performance of their function. The device is preferably provided with two different means, one of said means being adapted for the purpose of introducing a bobbin into the creel and the other means being adapted for the purpose of trimming a yarn end. However, it would also be possible to construct a single (complicated) means suitable for performing both functions. The yarn end trimming means may be arranged for the introduction of the yarn into a knotting device in such a way as to cause this device at an appropriate time to tie the new fibre bundle with a fibre already delivered to the spinning position. running fiber bundles, as for example according to our European patent application No. 296 546. This means could also be designed to link the fiber bundle in a continuously running drafting device (for example in accordance with DOS 36 26 268 or EP 310 906). Alternatively, this means can be provided with a fiber twisting device (for example according to EP 213 962 or DOS 38 02 414), so that the connection between the new fiber bundle and the fiber bundle already running to the spinning position is made by the device itself in a suitable manner.

In the latter case, the machine is preferably equipped with a sensor system to determine the appropriate connection time, as well as with a display means that indicates when this time has been reached. The sensor system can be designed in accordance with our German patent application No. 39 00 507 or in accordance with DDR-PS 252592.

The traveller device can be equipped with its own sensor means to perceive the indication of the machine. However, communication means can also be provided to give a signal to the traveller device that a thread must be connected at an identifiable spinning position.

If a fiber bundle is tied after a thread has broken in the spinning position, the fiber bundle can first be threaded into a drawing unit in the spinning position in preparation for the yarn twisting carried out by another machine

In the following, embodiments according to the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a ring spinning machine with a traveler device and a transport carriage according to our European patent application No. 90106217, which devices are to be adapted to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view (on a larger scale) of the runner device and carriage of Figure 1, corresponding to a first embodiment of application No. 90106217, Figure 3 is a section on line 1-1 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 shows a section on lines II-II of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a larger scale plan view of the runner support device and carriage of Figure 1, but corresponding to a second embodiment of application No. 90106217,

Figure 6 is a plan view of winding bodies arranged at the creel outlets in the creel of a ring spinning machine with sensor means to determine the current state of the winding bodies,

Figure 7 is a side view of part of the rotor device with sensors for determining the respective winding body condition,

Figure 8 shows a section on lines III-III of Figure 5,

Figure 9 shows a vertical section of a part of a ring spinning machine with a traveller support device and a carriage according to a third embodiment of application no. 90106217,

Figure 10 shows one half of the winding body support rail shown in Figure 9 in perspective,

Figure 11 is a copy of Figure 8 of our European patent application No. 89123852 of December 22, 1989 (title: "Manipulating device for yarn twisting"), whereby the device corresponding to application No. 89123852 is used in the context of this invention to adapt the device corresponding to application No. 90106217,

Figure 12 is a copy of Figure 9 of our European patent application No. 89123852 (which corresponds to PCT patent application No. PCT/EP89/0160),

Figure 13 is a copy of Figure 10 of our European Patent Application No. 89123852,

Figure 14 shows a modification of the suction system shown in Figure 8,

Figure 15 is a schematic cross-section of a ring spinning machine and a creel to illustrate some features already shown in our European patent application No. 90106217, as well as additional aspects relevant to this development,

Figure 16 is a schematic section through one side of the creel of a ring spinning machine, which according to the invention is characterized by an automatic device for the combined winding body transfer and fiber bundle transport, and

Figure 17 is a modified version of Figure 1 of U.S. Patent No. 4,922,704.

Figure 15 is a longitudinal elevation of ring spinning machine 220 standing on feet 222 on mill floor 224. The frame of the machine consists of transverse supports ("sampsons") 226 with longitudinal members extending the entire length of the machine. The machine is co-lateral with respect to central longitudinal plane CP, i.e. "double-sided", in that it has two rows of spinning positions facing outward from this central plane in opposite directions. Each spinning position includes a drawing zone 228 and a spindle unit 230, with yarn guide members 232 arranged between the drawing zone and the spindle unit. Since the Since the spinning position can be of generally conventional design, it appears in Figure 15 only as a general outline without further details.

Both the drawing zone 228 and the spindle unit 230 are provided with suitable drive arrangements. The machine further comprises a pneumatic system with a suction channel 234 extending longitudinally thereof, which has pipe branches (not shown) to the respective spinning positions in order to collect the waste there. The machine has a suitable end head at each end in which the common operating elements of all spinning positions of the machine (such as central drive, control and pneumatic systems) are housed. The outline of such an end head is indicated in Figure 15 at 235.

A modern machine is normally equipped with an automatic doffer which removes completed yarn packages from spindle units 230 and replaces them with new tubes for winding new yarn packages. Such a doffer mechanism is shown at 237 in a "packed away" condition. During normal spinning operation, the doffer mechanism remains in this condition, then is raised or raised for a doffer operation. Since the latter is not affected by this invention, the doffer is not shown in the extended condition.

A modern ring spinning machine has a large number of spinning positions, e.g. from 1000 to 1200, evenly distributed over the two rows on the opposite sides of level CP. The operator or a machine attendant can stand (be placed) on floor 224 and move freely along the machine to have unhindered access to the individual spinning positions. The general outline of a machine attendant for attending to the spinning positions has been sketched at 239. Details of such attendants can be found in European patent application No. 90106217, but this invention is not only applicable to machine attendants of this type.

The material to be spun in the spinning position is fed by a so-called slip-on creel 236, which is mounted on vertical stands 238 attached to the machine frame. Slip-on creel 236 consists of cross beams 248, with one beam 240 being provided for each two adjacent spinning positions. Beams 240 extend in the form of cantilever beams from the central stands 238. outwards so that each support 240 has a free outer end. In a conventional ring spinning machine, there are normally two hanging devices 242 on each support 240, on which the roving bobbins 244 are each freely suspended. Bobbin 244, when it is first inserted into the creel 236, carries a roving body 246 which is to be spun in the spinning position assigned to the respective cross member 240. The roving drawn off from this body is guided over suitable guides, such as longitudinal guide rods 248 which are mounted on support stands 238 in order to run from the respective bobbins over the associated guides into the individual drawing zones 228. In Figure 15, the roving path has been omitted for the clarity of the entire illustration, because this arrangement is already known to the spinning expert.

This description refers to "roving bodies", i.e. winding bodies made of slightly twisted roving prepared on a roving spinning machine. Obviously, however, the invention is not limited to machines that depend on the roving feed, since ring twisting machines can also be fed by yarn windings.

In order to keep the operating space clear immediately at the spinning positions, the creel is normally arranged so that the bobbins hang over the heads of the operating personnel or over any area through which a machine operator must pass.

According to the principles broadly disclosed in European Patent Applications Nos. 88116282 and 89101255, the conventional supports 240 can be converted into transverse paths to move the roving packages or bobbins along these paths to and from a feed system by which the packages or bobbins are fed to and from the ring spinning machine. In Figure 15, this is shown diagrammatically by dashed lines which correspond to modifications of the conventional arrangement. These modifications include a central conveyor zone immediately adjacent to surface CP. In this central conveyor zone 250, empty bobbins (or at least almost completely unwound packages 252) can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The packages 254 newly fed to the machine can be moved on an outermost conveyor track 256 around the machine or at least along any longitudinal surface of the machine.

Each cross track 240 can be extended, as indicated by dashed lines at 258, to accommodate a reserve position, such that a newly fed full bobbin 254 from the outermost conveyor track 256 can be moved to a reserve position on a single cross track while the working positions (shown in solid lines) are still occupied by at least partially wound bobbins supplying the respective spinning positions with spun yarn. The arrangements for implementing the various cross movements described immediately above are the subject of European Patent Application No. 90106217. In this disclosure, these arrangements are described in outline for the sake of completeness with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the drawings, as follows.

Winding body manipulation machine according to EP 90106217

Overhead track 5 in Figure 1 leads from roving spinning machine 6 via switch system 7 to a respective overhead track 11 that encircles ring spinning machine 10. Overhead track 11 extends on both long sides of machine 10. The machine has a drive head 13 and a second end housing 12 with spinning positions (not shown in Figure 1) that are arranged in two rows on the respective long sides of machine 10. Furthermore, the machine has a creel above the spinning positions with creel runs 16 in the form of rails that are arranged (in top view) at right angles to the central longitudinal surface 17 of the machine. Rails 17 are preferably arranged horizontally, but can also be at a small angle to the horizontal of the vertical plane.

Each rail passes through the operating or working positions of the winding bodies with respect to the relevant spinning positions. There are two positions of this type, namely the first operating position 18 and the second operating position 19. Furthermore, each rail also passes through a reserve position 20. One could of course arrange a switch device for each machine side. In this case, two different overhead tracks could be arranged for the respective long sides of the ring spinning machine 10.

A carrier train or transport carriage 23 (consisting of units connected by suitable couplings) transports the full bobbins 24 from the overhead track system 5 to the overhead track 11 connected to the machine. The carrier train or transport carriage 23 can be operated on system 5 or track 11 by a drive motor, by a friction disk or chain drive (e.g. in accordance with DOS 37 28 843). Each bobbin 24 has its own carrier element 25 and is in constant connection with it throughout the operation explained in this description. Each carrier 25 has a pair of links 85 each with a free end (Figure 3) in the opening of which rail 16 is received. The free ends of the links 85 together form a releasable connection with an inverted, U-shaped intermediate part 26 which is fixedly attached to carriage 23.

The connection of the slip-on gate rails 16 to the circular path 11 by means of stationary switch devices is not continuous, but is made by a mobile transport device 29, which is suitable for both moving winding bodies along the gate rail 16 and bringing a new full roll 24 "simultaneously" (as part of the same transport process) onto the same gate rail. Transport device 29 runs on rollers 31 in its own guide rails 30 in the area located above the gate rails 16. Transport device 29 can be designed to be self-propelled or not, but must at least have a device for performing a transport function in order to be able to move winding bodies into and through the gate in the direction of the central longitudinal plane 17.

In the area of the latter plane 17 there is a take-up track or buffer belt 32 with support pins 33. A suitable belt arrangement is described elsewhere in our PCT patent applications PCT/EP89/01098 and PCT/EP89/1097, each based on Swiss patent application No. 3547/88.

As soon as a winding body located at position 18 becomes empty due to the running off of its spinning thread to the corresponding spinning position, the transport device not only moves a new full winding body 24 from carriage 23 onto the corresponding rail 16, but almost simultaneously also moves the winding bodies already present on that rail at positions 20, 19, 18 in the direction of level 17. This transport process is carried out in such a way that the empty winding body at position 18 is moved from rail 16 onto one of the support pins 33 of the stationary intermediate storage belt 32. The direction of movement of the winding bodies on rail 16 is indicated in Figure 1 by arrows. For the return of the empty winding bodies from the storage belt 32 to the transport carriage 23, at least one gate track or rail 36 is required which runs parallel to rails 16 of the slip-on gate. For this reason, the arrow indicating the direction of movement on this rail 37 points in the opposite direction to the arrows indicating the movements on the gate rails 16. Of course, all directions of movement can be reversed, as described in our co-pending European patent application No. 90106900 of April 10, 1990, entitled "Winding Body Conveying System" (corresponding to PCT patent application No. PCT/EP90/00558).

Now the operation will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4:

The transport device 29 is pulled by carriage 23 using drag lever 38 which engages in the intermediate part 26. Carriage 23 and transport device 29 are moved in the direction of arrow A. An initiator device 39 in the form of a rotatable lever moves with extremely little play along the outer ends of rail 16. As soon as a winding body change process is imminent, the machine operator has the task of slightly pivoting the reserve winding at position 20 in order to cause a rod or bar 40 to jump out of the end of the rail. The initiator device 39 is triggered by this rod or bar.

When initiator 39 is activated, motor 43 is started, which in turn causes lifting disk 44 to rotate and crank rod 45 to move. Sliding guide 46 causes crank rod 45 to rotate body 49 around threaded spindle 50. Body 49 continues its rotary motion until it engages flange 51 and possibly stanchion 52 of rail 16. The rotational speed of the drive of carriage 23 is best kept variable so that it can be switched to creep speed as soon as the drive has been triggered by initiator 39. This reduces or prevents any disruptive swinging of the winding bodies on carriage 23.

After the engagement between body 49 and rail 16, transfer motor 55 is activated to move and rotate threaded spindle 50 by means of chain 56. This moves body 49 into towards the central longitudinal plane 17 of the machine. Body 49 has a push rod 57 which in the illustrated case is provided with three grippers 58. These grippers engage supports 25 to move the reels along their rail. The reel previously located at position 18 passes during this advance from rail 16 to support pin 33 on the central belt, whereupon reserve position 20 becomes empty. The reel previously located at working position 19 is guided inwards to working position 18 and the reel previously located at reserve position 20 is transferred to working position 19.

Carrier carriage 23 is still engaged (via intermediate part 26) with the spring-loaded drag lever 38 and forces the latter into the position shown in dashed lines. On the carriage, the front carrier 25 is taken by the movement of the drag lever 38 into the dashed position past a transfer head 61 on a curved lever 62 which is rotatably mounted on transport device 29. To enable this movement, transfer head 61 is itself held back by spring tension (not shown) on lever 62. As soon as drag lever 38 assumes the dashed position, front carrier 25 is received by a curved intermediate rail profile 63 which is immovably attached to the transport device 29 and at that point is aligned with the relevant rail 16.

Once this stage has been reached, another pivotally mounted transfer motor 64 is activated to pivot the curved lever 62 by means of a threaded spindle 65. By pivoting lever 62, front carrier 25 together with a winding body 24 is moved along intermediate rail profile 63 onto the rail 16 aligned with the latter. Carrier 25 remains in motion until it assumes the reserve position 20. Body 49 still remains in engagement with rail 16. After all the winding bodies previously located at positions 18, 19, 20 have been advanced one step on gate rail 16 by push rod 57, body 49 is pivoted slightly upwards and moved away from the central longitudinal plane 17 of the machine. This slight upward pivoting enables the grippers 58 to be reset. Body 14 remains in engagement with flange 51 of rail 16 during this reset. This possibility exists because flange 51 and the engaging part of body 49 have the same radius 68. Bumper 57 could can also be provided with a spring-loaded telescopic structure if grippers 58 are to be operated in a predetermined working sequence.

Drag lever 38, which is provided with a roller 69 running on a curved guide 70 with an end curve, is still pressed by carriage 23 in the direction of arrow A by spring tension. As soon as roller 69 moves onto the curved section of guide 70, the drag lever pivots in the direction of the central longitudinal plane 17 (away from carriage 23) so that intermediate part 26 (i.e. transport carriage 23) can continue to move. Drag lever 38 is then returned to the position shown in solid line by the spring tension, and the following intermediate part 26 with a full winding body 24 engages in drag lever 38 due to the movement of transport carriage 23. The transport device 29 is thus pushed back one place on the carrier or transport carriage 23 in relation to the carriage 23. The transport device then remains stationary in relation to the ring spinning machine after the last winding body 24 has been transferred to rail 16. The method of transferring an empty winding body 18 from the intermediate storage belt 32 back to carriage 23 is also described in our European patent application No. 90106900.

Link 71 of drag lever 38, which engages in intermediate part 26 of the carriage, is dimensioned in length so that carriage 23 and the transport device 29 coupled to it can easily take the curves 72 of rail 11, which the machine circles, without tipping over.

All sequences of movements of the transfer process, i.e. the displacement of the winding body 24 over the curved intermediate rail profile 63, the lowering and subsequent upward pivoting of the body 49, the displacement of the winding bodies on rail 16 and the return of grippers 58, are controlled by electrical means and effected by electromechanical devices and are therefore independent of the movement of the transport carriage 23. The transport carriage 23 can therefore be kept stationary during the exchange of winding bodies. The various sequences of movements are coordinated by the microprocessor 75. The transport device 29 is energized by a sliding contact 77 connected to one or more distribution rails 76.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of transport device 29, which in this case is designed as a locomotive of the car. This is due to of the motor 81 coupled to at least one roller 31 is a self-propelled device. The power supply to all motors arranged on locomotive 29 is provided by accumulator 82, which can be periodically recharged at charging station 83 at one of the end curves 72 of the circumferential track 11.

Furthermore, the curved intermediate rail profile 63 of Figure 2 is replaced in this embodiment by a straight intermediate rail profile 84. This straight intermediate rail profile 84 can be omitted insofar as either the gate rail 16 is extended or the peripheral track 11 for transport carriages 23 can be arranged very close to the ends of the gate rails 16. In both cases, the gate rails 16 extend into the immediate vicinity of the transport carriage 23. The position of the supports 25 (as regards the part stressed by the links 85) has been rotated by 90 degrees in relation to the first embodiment (compare Figure 3 and Figure 8). In an embodiment corresponding to Figure 2, the direction of the longitudinal axis of carrier 25 changes during a transitional movement of the transport carriage 23 on rail 16. This change in direction of carrier 25 is not necessary in the case of an embodiment corresponding to Figure 5 and simplifies the return of the empty bobbins from take-up track 32 via rail 37 to transport carriage 33. Push rod 57 now has four grippers 58 and the movement sequence is simpler. The bobbins on rail 16 are translated during a linear movement towards the central longitudinal plane 17 of the machine and the bobbin 24 aligned with this particular rail 16 is also translated from transport carriage 23 onto rail 16. The inner bobbin initially located at position 18 travels from rail 16 to support pin 33 of the central take-up track. For the return of empty bobbins, this sequence is reversed. In the latter case, a linear movement occurs from the support pin 33 in the middle receiving track via rail 37 to the transport carriage 23. Consequently, the locomotive 1 transport device 29 can also be used for the return of winding bodies to the transport carriage 23, so that no additional return device for winding bodies needs to be provided for this purpose. The initiator device 95 (Figure 6) in this case has the form of a sensor whose sensing area corresponds to the length of a winding body support sleeve. This sensor responds as soon as it detects the presence of yarn 99 in this sensing area. On the other hand, it is also possible to detect the presence of yarn 96 by means of sensor 100. Another version of the initiator with a sensing base includes the sensors 101 (Figure 7), preferably as a pair, to detect the dimensions of the yarn package remaining on the innermost package (at position 18).

An effective procedure is as follows. A locomotive 29 running on its guide rails alone (without transport carriage 23) uses sensors 95, 100 or 101 to determine on which creel rails 16 bobbins must be changed. The data collected by this sensing process is stored by microprocessor 75 and fed to a control center (not shown). The control center can then cause transport carriage 23 to travel from roving spinning machine 6 via transport rail 5 to the associated rail 11 which encircles the relevant ring spinning machine. This process may have a further stage in which the locomotive or the transport device 29 (as seen from the switch device 7) is coupled to the front end of the transport carriage 23, namely to the first gate rail 16 where a change of winding bodies is required. The coupling can be carried out using a catch lever (not shown) or by gear 98. The winding bodies 24 located on the transport carriage 23 can then be transferred one after the other to those gate rails 16 which, according to the data stored in the microprocessor 75, have already been identified as requiring a winding body change.

The transport device can signal to the control center as soon as the last winding body 24 is transferred to the transport carriage 23 that there are no more full winding bodies 24 on the transport carriage 23. The return of winding bodies to the carriage can then be initiated, again by the control center. The locomotive 1 transport device 29 is sent to the return gate rail 37 for this purpose, whereupon the intermediate storage belt 32 is set in motion.

An alternative procedure can also be adopted so that the transport carriage 23 is not put into operation every time a winding body change is required, which always requires alignment with the gate rail 16 used for this purpose. In this procedure, the transport carriage 23 with, for example, approximately sixty winding bodies 24 can be sent via switch device 7 to the circular rail 11 and aligned with the first sixty gate rails 16 (from the point of view of the switch device 7). Transport device 29 can now use the data stored on gate rails 16, on which a winding body change is now to be carried out, to remove from transport carriage 23 those winding bodies 24 that are located opposite rails 16 where a winding body change is to be carried out. As soon as this section of sixty gate rails 16 has been processed, the transport carriage can be guided by the transport device 29, which acts like a locomotive, along the machine to the next section of sixty gate rails.

Obviously, transport wagon 23 no longer carries a continuous row of bobbins 24. However, this is unlikely to prove to be a significant disadvantage, since sensor 91 of locomotive 29 can automatically detect the bobbins 24 on transport wagon 23 as it passes. Within this second section, locomotive 29 therefore services all of the rails 16 that are each aligned with a full bobbin 24 on wagon 23. If a rail 16 happens to be aligned with an empty spot on transport wagon 23, wagon 23 can be moved by locomotive 29 using gear 89 until a full bobbin 24 is opposite the relevant rail 16.

Another embodiment of the transport device is shown in Figure 9. Here, cylindrical elements 25.1 serve as winding body holders. Gate rails 16.1 each consist of a pair of yokes 105, which have a small gap so that shaft 106 of supports 25.1 can be moved along between a pair of yokes 105. Each yoke has the recesses 107, whereby the recesses of a pair of yokes 105 together correspond to the profile of the cylindrical supports 25.1. Furthermore, the holders of winding body 24 on transport carriage 23, as well as the holders of winding body 24 on receiving belt 32.1 also have a useful forked shape.

Both paths of take-up tape 32.1 are arranged on one side of the central longitudinal surface 17 of the machine to form an exemplary bobbin changing arrangement which can be found on one longitudinal side of ring spinning machine 10. The locomotive 1 transport device has a yoke 110 to which grippers 58.1 in the form of Casablanca pins are attached. There are also other possibilities, such as with magnets. In the most suitable arrangement, carriers 25.1 are gripped in the middle by yoke 110 and grippers 58.1. As soon as bobbins 24 are fed to the creel rails 16.1 the winding bodies already located on this rail at positions 20, 19, 18 are simultaneously grasped and lifted by pneumatic, hydraulic or (preferably) electromechanical lifting and lowering device 111.

The lifting and lowering device 111 is arranged in the pusher 49.1. The winding bodies are moved by one step towards the middle longitudinal plane 17 of the machine (position B) and lowered (position C) by the rotation of the threaded spindle 50. The grippers 58.1 are caused by the lowering to release the winding bodies. The winding bodies are thus moved "in jumps" along the gate rails 16.1. In this case too, the locomotive 1 transport device can ensure the return of the empty winding bodies.

It is of course also possible to drive both the transport device 99 and the transport carriage 23. In any case, the movement commands for the carriage drive can be transmitted via the transport device 29, which has a mains connection. The arrangements according to European patent application No. 90106217 have, in our opinion, been sufficiently explained using the description summarized above. Further details can be found directly in the corresponding European application. A thread manipulation machine will now be disclosed in outline with reference to Figures 11 to 13, which corresponds to European patent application No. 89123852. Gamma manipulation machine according to European patent application No. 89123852.

The following sections of this description refer to selected elements of a manipulating or transporting device according to our European patent application No. 89123852, with reference to Figures 11, 12 and 13. The elements in question play an important role in the modification of a winding body transporting machine in the sense of the above figures into a machine in the sense of this invention. These elements include a swivel and a suction system. After the description of Figures 11 to 13, the modifications are described by which the manipulating or transporting machine can be converted into a transfer machine in accordance with European patent application No. 90106217.

The suction system comprises a low pressure source (not shown here) which is mounted on the chassis of a turning machine in a system corresponding to European patent application No. 89123852. In the modification of a transport device in the sense of European patent application No. 90106217, the low pressure source is mounted on the chassis of the transport device corresponding to the latter purpose. The suction system further comprises a storage tube 134 (Figure 11) connected to the low pressure source and having an orifice 136. Orifice 136 of the suction system is preferably formed from a rigid element, such as metal tube 166. This rigid part 166 can be inserted into a holder 168 so that the movements of the orifice 170 are precisely determined by the corresponding movements of the holder 168. Storage tube 134, on the other hand, should be formed as a flexible tube, such as from a flexible plastic material. Storage tube 134 can therefore be connected both to the low pressure source and to the movable part 166 and can adapt to the movements of the latter part without affecting the control accuracy of these movements by the control program.

The suction exerted by the low pressure source in storage tube 134 should be able to hold a fiber bundle of predetermined length without tangling within the suction tube. On the other hand, despite the suction, the bundle must still be able to be pulled out of the suction tube during a twisting or bundle manipulation operation, as described below.

The swivel system preferably consists of rigid elements connected by swivel axes. Holder 168 sits on a first arm 172 which is connected to a second arm 176 via a pivot axis 174. The pivot axis 174 is preferably arranged horizontally, which is particularly clear from the top view in Figure 10 and the side view in Figure 12. Swivel arm 172 can be rotated about axis 174 by a motor (not shown), which motor sits on the second arm 176. This motor can be caused by the control program to move the mouth 136 (Figure 11, not shown in Figures 12 and 13). Holder 168 must therefore be able to rotate about a vertical axis. This vertical axis (Figure 12) lies between the second arm 176 and two support plates, namely an upper plate 180 and a lower plate 182 (Figure 12). This The two support plates, in conjunction with another plate 184, form a carriage 186 that can be lifted and lowered.

Another horizontal pivot axis 188 is located between the second arm 176 and the vertical pivot axis 178. Pivot axis 188 is mounted on housing member 190 (Figure 11), a one-piece casting with socket 192 (Figure 12) surrounding pivot axis 178. A motor (not shown) causes arm 176 to rotate about pivot axis 188 according to a stored control program. Another motor (also not shown) moves housing member 190 (with axis 188) about axis 178, also according to a control program.

According to European patent application No. 89123852, arm 172 with holder 158 can be extended from the machine into a spinning position to be maintained or retracted into the traveling machine. This is made possible by corresponding rotary movements of arm 176 about axis 188.

The (horizontal) displacements in a predetermined sequence of movements are made possible by the controlled movements of the lever system (172,176). The vertical components are generated by the pivoting of the arms 172,176 around the horizontal axis 174,188. The inclusion of the two horizontal pivot axes means that the free end (of the yarn guide element) can be guided to any desired position in a three-dimensional space. In contrast, the free end could only be guided to points on the boundary surface of this three-dimensional space with a simple lever (without an intermediate axis).

The above-mentioned space is of course limited by the length of the arms 172,176. The required Gam movements could in principle all be carried out by an appropriate regulation of the arms 172, 176, for which, however, arms 172, 176 would have to be quite long (which is not desirable).

According to European patent application No. 89123852, the swivel system is mounted on a linearly movable carriage in order to be able to perform certain functions. The linear movements of carriage 186 are caused by the rotation of the threaded spindle 196 (Figure 11) mounted on a chassis (not shown). The movements of carriage 196 are guided by vertical guide rod 198 (Figure 11).

The movements of the arms 172, 176 are controlled by a programmable control system as follows:

- The movements of the arms 172, 176 are programmed separately from the movements of the carriage 186. The control program of the arms can therefore assume a predetermined position (“operating height”) of the carriage 186 as soon as a “movement phase” of the arms 172, 176 begins.

- The programming of the movements by arms 172, 176 can thus be divided into a sequence of predetermined "movement phases" (mentioned above). Two successive phases can be separated by the resetting of the operating height (movement of carriage 186).

- The degree of freedom granted with respect to carriage 186 by axes 178, 188, 174, together with the respective length of arms 172, 176, forms a predetermined space which can be described (determined) according to any desired coordinate system.

- The adjustment of the position of the housing 190 and the arms 172, 176 is each carried out solely by a position control loop servo motor. The motor therefore has a device (an encoder) which represents the instantaneous position of the motor shaft in relation to an arbitrary reference point and sends a corresponding signal to a comparator in order to compare the instantaneous position with a set one. In this way, any deviations between the instantaneous and the set position can be corrected (axes 178, 188, 174 can thus each be referred to as a "servo axis").

- Since each servo axis 174, 178, 188 is "intelligent", it can execute a "movement command". The servo axis can therefore move from an arbitrary starting point (an arbitrary angular position on the motor shaft) to another arbitrary end point in accordance with a predetermined "movement program" (speed or acceleration at each intermediate position). In our European patent application No. 89106261 (corresponding A movement device of this type has already been described in our US patent application No. 336160 (dated April 11, 1989) and in our Swiss patent application No. 3598/89 (dated October 3, 1989).

- By appropriate coordination of the motion programs of all three servo axes, it is possible to adjust the Gamleit mouth of part 136 to any desired position within the above-mentioned space.

- The entire device is therefore controlled like a "system" by a series of "movement commands" to individual servo axes determined by a control center. The movement commands are coordinated with each other in such a way that muzzle M carries out its movement in space according to an operating program.

- Each servo axis reports to the control zone that a given travel command has been fully executed and then receives a new command, i.e. either another travel command or a wait command.

The control center is therefore designed as a process control system that issues instructions and orders ("commands") to a system with decentralized intelligence after the control center itself has been informed that previously issued orders have been executed (i.e., that a predetermined state has been achieved in the system).

In this invention, carriage 186 is now mounted on the chassis of a travel device in the sense of European patent application No. 90106217 (instead of the chassis of the automatic turning machine of European patent application No. 89123852). It can be mounted in such a way that threaded spindle 196 (Figure 11) and guide rod 198 are arranged horizontally (and not vertically, as in European patent application No. 89123852). In this case, the movements of carriage 186 do not serve the purpose of determining the "working height" of the swivel system, but are intended to determine an operating position in the longitudinal direction of rails 16 (Figure 1) of the slip-on gate.

The modified device could be operated during a yarn manipulation process as follows:

1. Transport device 29 must be positioned on one of the gate rails 16,

2. the thread end of a winding body at the reserve position must be found and grasped by a "gripper" of the swivel system,

3. this thread must then be threaded through thread guide means by controlled movements of the swivel system. The thread guide means can, for example, consist of guide 98 in Figure 6 or of a guide according to our German patent application No. 3926347.9 of August 9, 1989 entitled "Spinning Machine" or of a guide according to our US patent No. 4,408,731,

4. The machine can then handle the thread according to the following alternatives:

A. the yarn end is prepared in a suitable holder (not shown) for hand maintenance of the spinning position (this solution, although possible, will normally not be acceptable),

B. the thread end is threaded (e.g. according to our European patent application no. 296546) into a starting device corresponding to the spinning position. So when thread 96 (Figure 6) is unwound, for example, the new thread (99, Figure 6) is automatically connected to the old thread before unwinding,

C. the new thread end is connected to the thread before unwinding by the machine itself,

D. the new yarn end is threaded by the machine into the drafting device of the spinning position, e.g. according to a method described in DOS 36 26 268 or EP 310 906 or in the patent application examined in Japan No. 56-43130. The details of the above possibilities 4.A., 4.B. and 4.D. will not be described further here, since they do not cause any particular difficulties. The required movements of the swivel system can be carried out according to the programming of the control system mentioned above. However, alternative 4.C. involves additional problems. Therefore, it has been chosen in order to explain the overall operation in more detail below.

The timing problem should be dealt with first. In alternatives 4.A. and 4.B., the spun yarn can be manipulated from the carriage to the reserve position immediately after the new bobbin is transferred. This eliminates the problems associated with the appropriate positioning of the manipulation device, since the transfer process requires an appropriate positioning of the combined transfer device and yarn manipulation device anyway. Alternative 4.D. can be carried out at any time after a bobbin has been unwound. The prerequisite is a yarn break at the corresponding spinning position and possibly a corresponding loss of production at said spinning position. Alternative 4.C. can only be carried out under two conditions; either

- (a) the machine is in exactly the right position as soon as the old thread runs out, or

- (b) the machine is in the correct position before the old thread runs out, and starts the threading without waiting for the old bobbin to run out. In this case, thread residues will remain on the tube that must be passed on to the middle storage belt.

In cases 4.D., 4.C. (a) and 4.C. (b) it is not realistically possible to complete the thread manipulation immediately after the winding body has been transferred to the creel, provided that a fresh winding body has been placed in reserve position 20. The machine must later return to the same position and complete the process. This is practically feasible because the machine is not fully occupied with the transfer of winding bodies to the creel for 100% of its time and can manipulate threads in the intermediate phases (between the winding body transfer operations).

In the case of method 4.C. (a) the machine must be in the right place at the right time. This is only possible if the impending run-out of a bobbin can be detected by a sensing system so that the machine is signaled accordingly. A suitable sensing system is described (e.g.) in our German patent application No. 39 00 507 or in the GDR patent No. 252592. Communication systems for transmitting signals from the machine to a driving device are described, for example, in our European patent application No. 295 406. The control center of the machine must either be able to optimize (priority-determining) routines in order to guide the machine to the appropriate spinning position by signals at the right time, or the system must resort to alternative 4.C. (b).

The same positioning procedure can be used for transferring a winding body to the creel and for thread manipulation (1st step of the overall procedure). However, this affects the positioning options of the swivel system in relation to the chassis (Figures 11 to 13).

Mouth 166 (Figure 11) can be provided with a suitable end part, such as in Figure 14, in order to be able to find a thread end. The adapted end part 166A has a widening 167 at its free end in order to be able to better suck up a thread end lying on the surface of the winding body. The shape of this end part can be adapted to the curvature of the winding body surface (as shown in dashed lines in Figure 14).

The thread end could also be grasped by a mechanical gripper. The advantage of the suction system is, however, that it can be equipped with a sensor to detect the presence of the thread end in tube 134, so that the machine then "knows" that it has grasped a thread to carry out the manipulation. The thread end should be positioned or held on the surface of the bobbin in a predetermined position if possible to facilitate its location. The bobbin may need to be rotated during manipulation to reduce the risk of the thread end being "lost" during manipulation. The machine can therefore be provided with an extendable device to rotate the new bobbin. However, such a device is not shown in Figures 11 to 13.

After the thread has been grasped, it can be manipulated by the swivel system as described above. During this manipulation, the new thread end can be brought close to the running thread (e.g. thread 96, Figure 6), after which a splicing can be carried out, such as in accordance with DOS 38 02 414 or EP 213 962. For this purpose, the swivel system could be provided with a separating device for dividing the running thread, as well as, for example, with a nozzle, similar to the nozzle designated with reference number 17 in DOS 38 02 414. However, it would also be possible to equip the swivel system with a device corresponding to Figures 14 to 18 of EP 213 962.

The invention is not limited to the use of a device corresponding to European patent application No. 90106217. The swivel system described or a similar second swivel system could also be used for transferring the winding bodies from the carriage to the plug-in grid.

Combined winding grain transfer and thread manipulation machine

An embodiment of a combined winding body transfer and thread manipulation machine according to the invention is shown as a schematic section in Figure 16. In this figure, only one side of the slip-on creel of a machine corresponding to Figure 15 is shown (the winding bodies in the slip-on creel have been omitted in order to create more space for the important elements of the invention). A creel rail is identified by number 240 as in Figure 15.

The conveyor track, shown schematically in Figure 15 and marked 256, is shown in more detail in Figure 16. This track comprises profile beam 300, i.e. a rail for the wheels 302 of the carriage of transport train 304 (similar to transport carriage 23 of Figures 1 to 9). Beam 300 is arranged horizontally on means not shown so as to run parallel to the central plane CP (Figure 15) of the machine.

The train consists of a longitudinal profile beam 306 suspended from wheels 302. On the longitudinal beam sits a winding body support member 308, on which the individual winding body holders 325 sit similar to the beams 25 of Figure 8. Each beam 325 can be released for movement into the attachment gate of beam 308.

The bobbin transfer machine is generally indicated at 310 and receives a section of rail 312 to bridge the gap between carrier member 308 and a gate rail 240 to allow a bobbin holder 325 to be moved from the carrier to the selected gate rail. In this case, machine 310 has a hollow body 314 of generally inverted U-shape with a longer inner member (described in more detail with reference to Figures 11 to 13) that hangs down from machine 310 to lie adjacent to the creel (rather than being located above the creel). The arrangement in Figure 16 not only makes it easier to avoid interference between the slide structure and the yarn manipulating elements, but it also offers the advantage that the yarn manipulating elements of the unit 340 running on the creel and the unit 239 running at the spinning positions (Figure 15) are at least very similar (if not practically identical).

These thread manipulation elements comprise the first and second manipulator arms 343, 344 connected by a "servo axis", i.e. a rotary axis with associated servo motor (not specifically indicated) which adjustably moves one arm (344) in relation to the other (342). The manipulator structure is mounted on the body 35 of the machine 340 with a further servo axis 348. Arm 344 carries at its free end a suction head 345 with which the thread to be manipulated is gripped in accordance with the description above with reference to Figures 11 to 14.

From Figure 16 it can be seen that the manipulator structure can directly deal with a bobbin 352 carried on a carriage aligned therewith. In particular, the manipulator can locate and grasp the thread end while bobbin 352 is still in its immediate vicinity (before the bobbin is pushed into the creel). To facilitate the locating of the thread, machine 340 can be provided (e.g. at its lower end as schematically shown in Figure 16) with a bobbin securing and/or rotating member 354. This member can be extended (as shown) to an operative position to engage the lower end of bobbin sleeve 353 and rotate the sleeve if necessary to enable suction head 345 to locate the loose thread end in the bobbin.

As bobbin 352 is moved into the creel (after member 354 has been retracted), the manipulator structure must adapt to this movement in order to follow it and, in particular, to manipulate the yarn in relation to the bobbin in order to make at least the minimum preparations described above in sections 1 to 4.D. These preparations have at least the purpose of engaging the yarn with an appropriate guide in the creel, such as at position 248 in Figure 15. In order for the manipulator to reach a guide close to the machine's center plane CP, the entire manipulator structure may best be mounted on a carriage which can be slid on body 350 towards and away from the plane CP. This arrangement is shown schematically in dashed lines at 356, while the arrangement shown in solid lines has a fixed mounting base for the manipulator and therefore requires the arms 342, 344 to be of sufficient length to enable the manipulator to reach the relevant parts in the gate.

In the case of the preferred embodiment, where the thread manipulator is used to thread the thread into the drafting device (228, Figure 15), the manipulator must also be able to extend downward from machine 340 to reach the machine) and a shorter outer link. Rail profile 312 sits on the lower end of the longer link. The entire machine 310 runs on wheels 316 provided in the space between the links of body 314 and seated on top of profile carrier 300.

The longer member of body 314 is further provided with an extendable and retractable catch nose 318. Nose 318, when extended (by the machine), can engage in a receiving opening of carrier part 308 of the carriage or train (as indicated). The latter is then coupled to the winding body transport machine in order to travel together with it on the rail formed by carrier 300. Machine 310 itself can be driven by a motor 320 coupled to wheels 316. The train or carriage is released from machine 310 after nose 318 is retracted.

On the upper part of the machine 310 there are guides 322 for the winding body slider 324, which can be moved linearly back and forth in relation to the center plane CP of the machine and is also mounted pivotably about the longitudinal axis LA of the rod 326 belonging to the slider. The slider also has a winding body support and engaging member 328 depending from the steered rod 325 on the downwardly facing element 330. Member 328 has projections 332 which can be engaged "behind" bobbin holders 325 (ie on the side facing outward from the machine) to be slid along rail profile 312 and gate rail 240.

For slider operation, a first motor 334 is provided for linear reciprocating movement to and from the machine's center plane CP, and a second motor 336 is provided for rotating the slider structure about axis LA. As a result of this latter movement, projections 332 can move past the newly positioned bobbin holders 325 as the slider returns (away from the center plane CP).

The movements of the bobbins in and through the creel will not be described in detail here, as they are essentially the same as those movements already explained with reference to Figures 1 to 9. The slider structure shown in Figure 16 is designed so that all the required bobbin movements (in and through the creel) can be accomplished in a single pass by the projections 332 attached to the slider structure for driving the bobbin holders. To do this, the bobbin positions, for which there are various possibilities, must be arranged at uniform distances. This arrangement is shown only as an example and is not essential. Other arrangements have been shown in European patent application No. 90106217.

The winding body transport machine 310 shown in Figure 16 is a functional unit that can be operated without the thread manipulation machine described below. However, the winding body transport machine 310 is supplemented in the sense of this invention by the thread manipulation machine 340, which has been specifically designed for use with machine 310. Thread manipulation machine 340 differs from the one below in being able to reach the relevant part of the drafting system. Here, too, it would be possible to mount the manipulator on a push carriage (such as the one provided in EP 8912385.2.. for machine 239, Figure 15), but this can be avoided if arms 342, 344 are long enough. In any case, the structure between the manipulator structure and body 350 of the machine should preferably allow the manipulator to rotate not only around a horizontal pivot axis, but can also swing around a vertical pivot axis, ie similar to the structure shown in Figure 13 at 178,188.

Although various possibilities have been described above (all of which are within the scope of the invention), the preferred system is one in which the yarn manipulator actually threads the new yarn into a drafting system of the relevant spinning position. The yarn is then captured by the drafting system and thus fed to the other elements of the spinning position. Since this is the preferred system, one embodiment (based on our recently issued U.S. Patent No. 4,922,704) will be briefly described for the sake of completeness of the present disclosure.

Figure 17 is a modified version of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 of U.S. Patent No. 4,922,704. This figure shows a spinning position (or spinning station) of a ring spinning machine having, for example, 1000 positions of this type arranged in two rows on opposite sides of the center plane of the machine. The spinning position is fed with roving 402 from bobbin 401 in a creel as shown in Figure 15. The roving is drawn in drafting device 403 before being spun into yarn 404 as it leaves the take-off rollers of drafting device 403. The spun yarn is guided by travelers 405 on a ring which sits on a ring rail 406 (only partially illustrated) to a bobbin in the form of cop 407 on a spindle (not shown). The travelers and ring are only partially illustrated and have no specific identification numbers.

Spinning position machine attendant 412 can be moved on rails parallel to the longitudinal direction of the machine and carries out the service operations on the illustrated elements of the spinning position, in particular on the bobbin winding unit (composed of rail 406, ring, traveler 405 and spindle) and the take-off area of the drafting system.

Drafting system 403 comprises a break stretching zone 415 and a main stretching zone 416. Break stretching zone 415 is formed by a feed pair of an upper feed roller 417 and a lower cylinder 418, as well as by a middle pair of rollers 421 complete with stretching aprons 422. The main stretching zone extends from the middle pair of rollers 421 to a pair of take-off rollers 423. The upper rollers of each pair of adjacent spinning stations have, as usual, a common structure (not shown), which is connected to the connected to and linked to adjacent spinning stations to form upper twin rollers for the adjacent spinning positions. Each individual upper roller has its own dedicated station. The lower rollers extend the entire length of the machine and are driven in an end head of the machine.

In the absence of yarn 404, sensor 409, which is arranged at a suitable location between the pair of take-off rollers 423 and the ring rail 406, sends a signal to the machine 412 about the breakage of the yarn supplied by the drafting system 403. Alternatively, machine 412 itself can be equipped with a yarn breakage sensor. Carriage 412 then moves to a location in front of the spinning station concerned. However, if the yarn breakage is due to the loss of fiber supply from a feed package, the problem cannot be eliminated by the service (yarn twisting) machine 412 alone. For this purpose, a reserve package body 411 should be brought into play. This winding body had already been introduced into the gate (Figure 15) by the machine 410 according to the invention, and the thread end was already prepared at that time by a thread manipulation unit 440 at a predetermined location 433, as was described, for example, with reference to Figure 16.

This point is the reference or pick-up point 433. The automatic carriage 440 has the movable arms 436, 438, which in turn have a gripper 464 to pick up the roving end at reference point 433. The arms have the purpose of moving gripper 464 between reference point 433 and a release point 490 immediately above the main drawing zone 416. After gripping yarn end 437 at reference point 433, gripper 464 performs a pre-programmed three-dimensional movement whereby yarn end 437 is taken to point 490 to enter the gap of the middle pair of rollers 421 and to be held there. Gripper 464 effectively passes pre-stretch zone 415 during its movement, i.e. the pre-yarn length lying in front of the middle pair of rollers 421 is not stretched.

Gripper 464 runs laterally past the upper feed roller 417, i.e. past its free front end. This movement of gripper 464 brings the manipulated thread into engagement with a spacer 419 (not clearly shown in Figure 19, see US Patent 4,922,704), which keeps the roving away from the free front end of the feed roller until it is taken along by the middle pair of rollers 421.

Spacer 419 (one for each upper twin roller) is mounted on the upper half of a bearing housing of the lower feed roller between two adjacent pairs of upper rollers 417. A vertical holding member of the spacer is rotatable to be able to change between a blocking position for stopping the roving at the distance of feed rollers 417, 418 and a release position in which the roving can run laterally to the face of the upper feed roller 417. This member is designed so that it can be tilted by an electrical or pneumatic impulse from an emission source 442 on carriage 440, the impulse being fed from receiver 446 via line 447. The trigger impulse is fed to the spacer as soon as yarn end 437 has been introduced into the main draw zone 416, i.e. has been gripped by the middle roller pair 421. The roving then either slips or is pulled out of its laterally displaced position and gradually passes between the upper feed roller 417 and the lower feed roller 418 without any further control as a result of the tension caused by the pulling force or tension applied by the main draw zone 416.

Reference point 433 can be provided with such guide means as guide 98 in Figure 6. Similar guides are shown in EP patent specification No. 329 965 (US SN 308,405) and also in the applications corresponding to Swiss patent application No. 4185/89 of November 20, 1989. It can be seen in Figure 6 that at positions 18, 19, 20 in the creel, rows of winding bodies lying next to one another leave a "lane" which serves as an operating space for the winding body and thread manipulation elements. The guide of the thread is preferably arranged at the inner end of this lane in order not to obstruct the operating space of the thread manipulation unit in particular.

The new yarn drawn in by the drafting system is first picked up by a suction removal system (not shown) on the take-off rollers. At this point, however, the yarn has been completely fed to the spinning position and can be readily reached by the piecing machine 312 for piecing, as described, for example, in European Patent Application No. 90105020 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/497,330 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2-68566).

It can be clearly seen from Figure 17 that the automatic starter 312 can be placed in front of the spinning position for maintenance purposes, while the winding body and yarn manipulation machine is located directly above it. Both can be brought to the relevant spinning position simultaneously by a suitable control system in communication with both machines, so that the automatic starter can start spinning again as soon as the new yarn has been threaded into the drafting system. On the other hand, the automatic starter can be sent to the relevant spinning position shortly after the completion of a yarn threading process.

The yarn and bobbin manipulation machine could emit a signal to inform that the spinning position is again in a state in which it can be serviced by the piecing machine 312. The latter machine can monitor the spinning positions and be equipped with a sensor to detect the signal set by the bobbin and yarn manipulation machine (at the spinning position), whereupon the piecing machine could carry out its service task. The piecing machine should at the very least be provided with means to determine whether the spinning position it is to service is in an operational state, for example by detecting a fiber passage from the drafting system.

Claims (9)

1. A spinning machine with a plurality of spinning positions (228, 230, 232; 403, 406), a creel (16; 236) for receiving a corresponding plurality of spinning thread winding bodies (18, 19; 244, 246; 401) as starting material for the spinning positions, and with a transport device (29; 340; 440) with means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186; 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464) for manipulating a thread (99; 437) for the purpose of introducing it into a spinning position, characterized in that in or above the creel at least one guide rail (30; 300) is given that the transport device (29; 340; 440) runs on said guide rail (30; 300) and that said means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186; 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464) for manipulating a thread end extend from the device (29; 340; 440) downwards or laterally into the attachment gate. 2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the creel (16; 236) has winding body support elements (16; 16.1; 240) which extend at right angles to the length of the machine and each offer a plurality of working positions for yarn winding bodies (18, 19; 244, 246; 401), in such a way that, in use, working space for the means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186; 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464) remains for manipulating a thread end between rows of yarn winding bodies or adjacent support elements (16; 16.1; 240). 3. A machine according to claim 2, characterized in that conveying means (32; 32.1; 250) are arranged along the machine, which are located in an area adjacent to the central longitudinal plane (17) of the machine. 4. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that for manipulating a thread end at the end of each row, a guide means (98) for threads (96, 97, 99; 248) is provided at a distance from the means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186, 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464). 5. A machine according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each spinning position (228, 230, 232; 403, 406) of the machine includes a thread connecting device which can be selectively activated to connect a thread (96) of a running bobbin (18) to a thread (99) of a new bobbin (20), said means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186; 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464) for manipulating a thread end being suitable for locating the thread of the newly introduced bobbin at a location in order to have it connected to a thread already running by said thread connecting device. 6. A machine according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186; 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464) for manipulating a thread end (437) are suitable for bringing said thread into a position in which it can be threaded into a drafting device (403) forming part of a spinning position to be fed by the newly introduced winding body (411). 7. A machine according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a winding body transport machine (29; 310; 410) is provided in the sliding gate area (16, 236). 8. A machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the winding body transport machine (29; 310; 410) is provided both with means (49, 57, 58; 110, 111, 58.1; 324, 328) for introducing a new thread winding body into the creel, and with means (134, 168, 172, 176, 186; 345, 342, 344, 348, 356; 436, 438, 464) for manipulating a thread end for the purpose of introducing it into a spinning position. 9. A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the automat (29; 310; 410) comprises two separate means, namely a means (49, 57, TEXT MISSING