GB2431169A

GB2431169A - Transport device in a spinning room

Info

Publication number: GB2431169A
Application number: GB0620168A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefan Schlichter; Achim Breuer
Original assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-10-12
Filing date: 2006-10-11
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-11
Also published as: CZ2006613A3; BRPI0604272A; JP2007106606A; JP5053613B2; FR2891819A1; GB2431169B; FR2891819B1; GB0620168D0

Abstract

A transport device is provided to transfer sliver packages 5, preferably can-less packages, from an upstream delivering machine or storage device to a downstream sliver fed machine. The transport device may be selected from a fork-lift truck, a wagon, a track or rail guided vehicle, belt conveyor or a suspended conveyor. The transport device may be used in combination with a support 25 that is capable of holding at least one package 5. The support may be a pallet and may be provided with further support elements 26 against which the package(s) 5 may rest.

Description

Apparatus in a spinning room for making available a can- less fibre sliver

package (feed material) for a sliver-fed spinning machine, for example a draw frame The invention relates to an apparatus in a Spinning room for providing a can-less fibre sliver package (feed material) for a sliver-fed spinning machine, for example a draw frame, flyer, combing preparation machine, combing machine, spinning machine. There is known from DE 102 05 061 A an apparatus in which from an upstream sliver-delivering spinning machine, for example a draw frame, or from an upstream storage means, the can-less fibre sliver package can be supplied to the sliver-fed spinning machine by a transport device.

It is an aim of the invention to improve such an apparatus to the effect that fibre sliver (feed material) can be made available in a simple manner.

The invention provides an apparatus in a spinning room for making available at least one fibre sliver package to a sliver-fed machine having at least one feed position, comprising a transport device for transporting one or more fibre sliver packages from an upstream sliver- delivering machine or a storage station to a said sliver- fed machine, wherein the transport device is arranged to supply at least one said fibre sliver package to a said feed position and the fibre sliver package(s) can be stably positioned at said feed position.

By means of the measures taken according to the invention, fibre material (feed material) is made available to the sliver-fed spinning machine in a simpler and significantly more efficient manner. A particular advantage is obtained by the arrangement of, for example, four fibre sliver packages on a support, for example a pallet. The arrangement of the fibre sliver packages immediately adjacent to one another on the support saves a considerable amount of space. If the ends of adjacent fibre sliver packages are joined together, a large package consisting of four individual packages is obtained on each pallet, which enables processing efficiency to be optimised.

Advantageously, there is a transport device for common transport of a support, for example a transport pallet, and at least one stably positioned fibre sliver package. Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is supported on the transport device for example on a support (transport pallet). Advantageously, more than one fibre sliver package is supported on the transport pallet.

Advantageously, the number of fibre sliver packages, preferably 3, 4, 6 or 8, on the transport device, for example on a transport pallet, corresponds to the number of fibre sliver packages to be supplied to the downstream processing device. Advantageously, the support, for example a transport pallet, is associated with a supporting element, for example a supporting wall, mounted on one side. Advantageously, the supporting element is associated with a side face of the first deposited fibre sliver package. Advantageously, the supporting element is in fixed position. Advantageously, the supporting element is mounted on the support, f or example a transport pallet.

Advantageously, the supporting element is in the form of walls, rods, transport belts or the like. Advantageously, the supporting element consists of, or is coated with, a material that promotes sliding. Advantageously, the supporting element, for example a supporting wall or the like, is inclinable by, or is inclined by, about from 5 to Advantageously, the support, for example a transport pallet, is inclinable or is inclined by an angle preferably of from 5 to 100. Advantageously, the support, for example a transport pallet, has on its underside insertion openings for transport apparatus and/or for coupling to transport apparatus, for example fork-lift trucks. Preferably, the support, for example a transport pallet, has slots or guide means or the like into which driver elements, forks or the like are able to enter.

Advantageously, there is in each case an empty storage position on which a fibre sliver package is positionable.

Advantageously, there is in each case at least one empty storage position for fibre sliver packages to be supplied.

Advantageously, a support, for example a transport pallet, provided with deposited fibre sliver packages is transportable to a further textile machine, for example a spinning machine, or to a storage means. The transport may be effected partly manually. The transport device preferably comprises a mobile transport apparatus, especially a transport vehicle. Advantageously, the transport apparatus is track-guided, for example by means of an induction loop or the like, or is rail-guided. The transport apparatus may instead be freely movable.

Advantageously, the support provided (loaded) with deposited fibre sliver packages is positionable directly on a transport apparatus. Advantageously, the transport apparatus is a wagon or the like, or a forklift truck or the like. Advantageously, the transport apparatus is drivable back and forth by means of drive means, for example a drive motor. Advantageously, displacement of

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the fibre sliver bundle onto and off the support is effected by pushing. Advantageously, the sliver ends of the fibre sliver packages are joinable to one another.

Advantageously, the sliver ends of the fibre sliver packages are positioned for joining. The sliver ends may be joinable to one another manually. Instead, the sliver ends may be joinable to one another by means of a device.

Advantageously, in the case of fibre sliver packages that are arranged one next to the other, one after the other, the sliver end of the lowermost layer of one fibre sliver package is joinable to the sliver end of the uppermost layer of the other (adjacent) fibre sliver package. By joining together the sliver ends, a single total fibre sliver package consisting of a plurality of individual fibre sliver packages can advantageously be created.

Advantageously, at least one side element, for example a wall or the like, is inclinable by, or is inclined by, about from 5 to 100. Preferably the apparatus is a can- less apparatus. Advantageously, in respect of the fibre sliver package the transport to a subsequent processing device or to a storage means is effected without cans, containers or the like. Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is movable by mechanical means, which effects the displacement of the fibre sliver package into the feed positions without additional cans, containers or the like.

Advantageously, the mechanical means is a pressure device, for example a slider or the like.

Advantageously, the fibre sliver is depositable in ring form. Advantageously, the sliver bundle is movable horizontally. Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is transported onto a support. Advantageously, the support for the fibre sliver package is associated with a w transport device, for example a suspended conveyor or the like. Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is displaceable in substantially jolt-free manner.

Advantageously, the alteration in the speed of the displacement device on the acceleration and deceleration paths takes place substantially Continuously (steplessly).

Advantageously, the displacement device is associated with a controllable drive device, for example a drive motor.

Advantageously, the controllable drive device is connected to an electronic open-loop and closed-loop control device.

Advantageously, the driven displacement device is able to effect stable displacement of the fibre sliver package.

Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is can-less.

Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is elongate in cross-section. Advantageously, the supporting wall or the like and/or the side element is inclinable or inclined about a horizontal axis. Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is displaceable in a stably supported state.

Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is supportable at the centre of gravity or above the centre of gravity.

Advantageously, the transport device has a support, for example a transport pallet, for receiving the can-less fibre sliver package. Advantageously, the support and the supporting element are approximately L-shaped.

Advantageously, the support can be elevated on the side remote from the supporting element. Advantageously, a pneumatic cylinder or the like can be used for elevation.

Advantageously, as a result of the elevation, the fibre sliver package, inclinable against the supporting element and/or against a further fibre sliver package, is transferable into a stable position. Advantageously, the support is a standard pallet. Advantageously, a number of fibre sliver packages appropriate to further processing is transportable together on the support, for example a transport pallet. Advantageously, a transport device is provided for common transport of the support, for example a transport pallet, and at least one stably positioned fibre sliver package.

Advantageously, a plurality of processing devices, for examples machines, and/or storage means can be served by a transport device comprising a rail- or track-guided transport apparatus. Advantageously, the processing devices, for example machines, and/or storage means are so positioned that they are arranged along a common path for the transport apparatus. Advantageously, the transport of the support, for example a transport pallet, to feed positions (unwinding positions) provided on the further processing machines is effected. Advantageously, the feed position is selected from the lattice (feed table) of a draw frame, the lattice of a flyer, and the lattice of a combing preparation machine. Advantageously, the feed position is the spinning position of a spinning machine (direct spinning). Advantageously, the fibre sliver packages are provided with an identification mark, for example a barcode, colour marker or the like. The identification mark relates to the production conditions, the fibre material quality, or to test values.

Advantageously, the identification mark allows a mixture of fibre sliver packages to be assembled at the feed positions. Advantageously, the assembly of fibre sliver packages to form a mixture can be effected at feed positions. The processing of the fibre sliver packages on the sliverfed spinning machine can be effected individually. Instead, the processing of a plurality of fibre sliver packages present on a support can be effected simultaneously. Advantageously, the number of working-off points (sliver-detachment points) corresponds to the number of fibre sliver packages on a support, for example a transport pallet. Advantageously, the fibre sliver packages are processed one after the other, the ends of adjacent fibre sliver packages being joined together.

Advantageously, processing one after the other is effected without interruption. Advantageously, in the case of a plurality of fibre sliver packages arranged on a support, some are processed individually and some are processed one after the other. Advantageously, in the case of direct spinning fibre sliver packages at the feed positions are exchanged individually. Advantageously, in the case of direct spinning fibre sliver packages at the feed positions are exchanged in blocks, for example four fibre sliver packages on one support (transport pallet).

Advantageously, the number of fibre sliver packages is selectable so that they can in each case be matched to the way in which the sliver-fed spinning machines are distributed.

The invention also provides an apparatus in a spinning room for providing a can-less fibre sliver package (feed material) for a sliver-fed spinning machine, for example a draw frame, flyer, combing preparation machine, combing machine, spinning machine, in which from an upstream sliverdelivering spinning machine, for example a draw frame, or from an upstream storage means, the can-less fibre sliver package can be supplied to the sliver-fed spinning machine by a transport device, wherein at least one can-less fibre sliver package can be supplied to the feed positions of the sliver-fed spinning machine and stably positioned at the feed positions.

Certain illustrative embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. la is a diagrammatic side view of a draw frame having an apparatus according to the invention, using a support plate for depositing fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package, in one end position beneath the rotary plate; Fig. lb shows the apparatus according to Fig. la but in the other end position beneath the rotary plate; Fig. 2 shows the apparatus according to Fig. la, lb, but outside the sliver delivery device; Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c shows a plan view (Fig. 3a), a side view (Fig. 3b) and a front view (Fig. 3c) of the can-less fibre sliver package deposited on the support plate; Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention with a block diagram comprising an electronic control and regulation device, to which there are connected a controllable drive motor for the horizontal displacement device of the support plate, a controllable drive motor for the vertical displacement device of the support plate and a controllable drive motor for the rotary plate; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the outlet region of a draw frame having a support plate and a can-less fibre sliver package in the sliverdepositing area; Fig. 6a, 6b shows one kind of support plate for use in an apparatus of the invention, with through-openings for cone-shaped fixing elements in the engaged position (Fig. 6a) and in the disengaged position (Fig. 6b); Fig. 7a shows another kind of support plate for use in an apparatus of the invention, with groove-shaped recesses; Fig. 7b, 7c shows the support plate according to Fig. 7a with lifting elements for the fibre sliver package, lowered out of engagement (Fig. 7b) and raised into engagement (Fig. 7c); Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the outlet region of the discharge region downstreani of the draw frame, with a support plate and a can- less fibre sliver package above a transport pallet; Fig. 8a is a perspective view of the discharge region according to Fig. 8 viewed towards the supporting wall on the transport pallet; Fig. 8b is a perspective view of a device for causing a discharged sliver package to adopt an inclined position; Fig. 9 shows a storage device with a conveyor belt, on which there are arranged one after the other - in each case with an inclined supporting wall - an empty transport pallet, a transport pallet partially loaded - 10 - with fibre sliver packages and a transport pallet fully loaded with fibre sliver packages; Fig. lOa to lOe show diagrammatic plan views of the discharge of a can-less fibre sliver package onto a transport pallet; Fig. 10' is a portion taken from the front view according to Fig. lOc; Fig. 11 shows four can-less fibre sliver packages arranged one next to the other on a transport pallet, the respective sliver ends of the lowermost and uppermost layers of adjacent fibre sliver packages being joined to one another; Fig. 12 shows a transport pallet inclined trans- versely with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axes of the fibre slivr packages on a fork-lift truck, the forks engaging under the transport pallet trans- versely with respect to the longitudinal axes; Fig. 13 shows a transport pallet inclined transversely with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fibre sliver packages, the forks of a fork-lift truck engaging under the transport pallet in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the fibre sliver packages; Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a system having six draw frames, two transport vehicles and a press for can-less fibre sliver packages; Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a draw frame with - 11 - an upstream feed table (lattice), on which there are eight (independent) can-less fibre sliver packages on two transport pallets; Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of a draw frame having an upstream feed table, on which there are eight can-less fibre sliver packages, joined together at the sliver ends, on eight respective transport pallets; Fig. 17 is a diagrajmnatjc view of a system having a plurality of flat cards, each with a flat card drafting system, a plurality of storage means for can- less fibre sliver packages, having a plurality of supports for transporting can-less fibre sliver packages inside the system, transport vehicles and a plurality of spinning machines (direct spinning); Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic side view of a flat card having the apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic side view of a flyer fed with sliver from packages obtained using an apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic plan view of a combing preparation machine having the apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 2]. is a diagrammatic plan view of a combing machine having the apparatus according to the invention.

- 12 - Fig. la, lb shows a draw frame 1, for example a draw frame of the kind known as the TD 03 (Trade Mark) made by Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG of Mönchengladbach, Germany. A plurality of fibre slivers, coming from an upstream lattice (feed table), enter a drafting system 2, are drafted therein and, after the outlet of the drafting system 2, combined to form a fibre sliver 12. The fibre sliver 12 passes through a rotary plate 3 and is then deposited in rings on a base which moves back and forth in the direction of arrows A and B, for example a support plate 4 having a rectangular top face 4, to form a can- less fibre sliver package 5. The support plate 4 is driven by a controllable drive motor 6 which is connected to an electronic control and regulation device 7, for example a machine controller (see Fig. 4). Reference numeral 8 denotes a cover sheet of the sliver delivery device which is adjoined by the rotary plate panel 9. The rotary plate panel 9 is in a fixed position. The rotary plate 3 is rotatably mounted within the panel 9. K denotes the working direction (flow of fibre material) inside the draw frame 1, while the fibre sliver is delivered by the rotary plate 3 substantially in the vertical direction. Reference numeral 10 denotes the depositing area, reference numeral 11 denotes the region outside the depositing area 10. The depositing area 10 for the fibre sliver 12 comprises the path g in accordance with Fig. lb. The support plate 4 is moved horizontally back and forth beneath the rotary plate 3 while the fibre sliver 12 is being deposited. Fig. la shows one end position and Fig. lb shows the other end position of the support plate 4 which moves back and forth horizontally in direction A, B beneath the rotary plate 3 during deposition of the fibre sliver 12. The fibre sliver - 13 - package 5 is moved back and forth corresponding to A, B - in the direction of arrows C, D beneath the rotary plate 3. Once the end position shown in Fig. la has been reached, the support plate 4 travels in the direction of arrow A, the support plate 4 being accelerated, driven at a constant speed and then braked. Once the end position shown in Fig. lb has been reached, the support plate 4 travels back in the direction of arrow B, the support plate 4 being accelerated, driven at a constant speed and then braked. Switching-over between the back and forth movements is effected by the control device 7 in conjunction with the drive motor 6 (see Fig. 4).

The variable-speed electric motor 6 drives the support plate 4 at a joltfree or almost jolt-free speed.

In particular, the acceleration and the braking are jolt- free or almost jolt-free. The speed between acceleration and braking is constant. By that means, the fibre sliver package 5 remains stable both during the back and forth movement in the depositing area 10 according to Fig. la and lb and during the movement out of the depositing area according to Fig. 2. The movements are so controlled that the production rate achieved is as high as possible, without the fibre sliver package 5 (sliver bundle) slipping or even tipping over.

While the fibre sliver 12 is being deposited, the control device 7 (see Fig. 4) controls the back and forth movement of the support plate 4 in order to produce a stable can-less fibre sliver package 5. In accordance with one embodiment, the rotary plate 3 rotates in a fixed position and deposits the fibre sliver 12 on the support plate 4 at a substantially constant deposition force The constant deposition force is achieved inter alia by - 14 - deposition of a constant amount of fibre sliver 12 per fibre material layer of the fibre sliver 12. If, for example, the rotary plate 3 deposits fibre sliver 12 on the support plate 4 or on top of already deposited fibre sliver rings, each layer of fibre sliver rings receives a substantially constant amount of fibre sliver 12 either during the forward movement or during the backward movement. Because the amount of fibre sliver 12 per layer is constant, stability of the fibre sliver package 5 is achieved.

The amount by which the support plate 4 moves back and forth is also controlled by the increasing stability of the fibre sliver package 5. Whenever the support plate 4 reaches the turn-round point of either the forward or backward movement, the control means 7 brakes the support plate 4, the support plate 4 reaching a border region 402a or 402b of the fibre sliver package 5, and accelerates the support plate 4 when the support plate 4 leaves the border region 402a or 402b. Between the border regions 402a and 402b on each side of the fibre sliver package 5, the control means 7 controls the support plate 4 at a constant speed. The border region 402a or 402b is the location at each end of the fibre sliver package 5 where the fibre sliver rings deposited on the support plate 4 do not completely overlap one another (see Fig. 3a, 3b).

The border region 402a or 402b is located shortly before the turn-round point of the movement of the support plate 4 at each end of the fibre sliver package 5. In contrast, in the non-border region 404, either during the forward or return movement of the support plate 4, the rearward edge of each fibre sliver ring is also arranged from above on the forward edge of the previously - 15 - deposited fibre band ring.

With regard to the small amount of fibre sliver that is deposited in the border region 402a or 402b, the control device 7 brakes the support plate 4 so that more fibre sliver 12 can be deposited in the border region 402a or 402b and accelerates the support plate 4 to a constant speed in the non-border region 404. The braking of the support plate 4 results in an increase in the amount of fibre sliver deposited in the border region 402a or 402b, because the rotary plate 3 deposits the fibre sliver 12 at a constant rate irrespective of the movement of the support plate 4. Whenever the support plate 4 is braked, more fibre sliver 12 can be deposited at that point, which corresponds to the non-overlapping fibre sliver rings close to the turn-round points. The non-uniform speed of the support plate 4 allows a substantially uniform amount of fibre sliver 12 which is deposited in both border regions 402a and 402b and in the nonborder region 404 of the fibre sliver package 5 for each layer of fibre sliver 12 during the back and forth movement of the support plate 4. The non-uniform speed of the support plate 4 results in a substantially uniform density of fibre sliver 12 at all points of the fibre sliver package 5. The uniform density of the fibre sliver 12 enables the fibre sliver package 5 to be formed stably on the support surface 5 and allows the fibre sliver package 5 to be accelerated and braked forwards and backwards, avoiding the possibility of the can-less laterally unsupported fibre sliver package 5 becoming unstable or at risk of tipping over.

After the deposition of the fibre sliver package 5 on the surface 4 is complete, according to Fig. 2 the support plate 4, together with the fibre sliver package 5, moves - 16 - out of the sliver delivery device in the direction of arrow I. The control means 7 controls the movement of the support plate 4 so that a switch-over is made from the back and forth movement (arrows A, B) for the sliver deposition to the outward movement (arrow I) out of the depositing area 10 into the discharge region 11.

Fig. 3a shows a plan view of a ring-shaped fibre sliver package 5 which has been deposited freely on the top face 4 of the support plate 4. Fig. 3b shows a side view of the fibre sliver package 5 which is arranged freely on the support plate 4. Fig. 3c shows a front view of the fibre sliver package 5, which has been positioned freely on the support plate 4. As shown in Fig. 3a to 3c, the fibre sliver package 5 is formed from fibre sliver rings stacked in a substantially rectangular shape. The rectangular shape of the fibre sliver package 5 is created by the way in which the fibre sliver 12 has been deposited. The rotation of the rotary plate 3 by which the fibre sliver 12 is delivered forms a layer of overlapping rings of fibre sliver 12 on a receiving surface 4a of the support plate 4, and the back and forth movement of the support plate 4 under the control of the control device 7 establishes the locations at which the fibre sliver rings are formed on the receiving surface 4. The movement of the support plate 4 has the effect that the deposited fibre sliver rings are arranged on the receiving surface 4i of the support plate 4 staggered relative to one another and partly overlapping one another, which creates the substantially rectangular shape of the fibre sliver package 5 - seen in plan view. At each end of the fibre sliver package 5 - caused by the change in the direction of the back and forth movement of the support plate 4 - - 17 - the fibre sliver package 5 has rounded ends to the rectangular shape, as Fig. 3a clearly shows. The rectangular shape of the fibre sliver package 5 is advantageous, because - as compared with conically or cylindrically shaped fibre sliver packages - it promotes the stability of the fibre sliver package 5.

Fig. 3a shows a plan view of the fibre sliver 12 of the fibre sliver package 5 deposited in a ring arrangement. Fig. 3b and 3c show in side view and in front view, respectively, the fibre sliver package 5 standing freely, that is to say without a can, container or the like, on the upper face 4 of the support plate 4. In respect of the dimensions of the fibre sliver package 5, the length according to Fig. 3a is denoted by reference letter a, the width according to Fig. 3c by reference letter b and the height according to Fig. 3c by reference letter c. With regard to the dimensions of the support plate 4, the length according to Fig. 3a is denoted by reference letter d, the width according to Fig. 3a by reference letter e and the height according to Fig. 3c by reference letter f. Reference numeral 55 (Fig. 3a) denotes the upper face, reference numeral Si (Fig. 3b) a long side face and reference letter 53 (Fig. 3c) a short end face of the substantially cuboidal fibre sliver package 5 which is of substantially rectangular cross-section. The other long side face 52, the other short end face 54 and the base surface 56 are not shown.

According to Fig. 4, there is an electronic control and regulation device 7, for example a machine controller, to which a controllable drive motor 6 for the horizontal displacement of the support plate 4, a controllable drive motor 13 for the vertical displacement of the support - 18 - plate 4 and a controllable drive motor 14 for the rotary plate 2 are connected. A raising and lowering device is mounted on a carriage 20, which raising and lowering device consists of a framework, guide rollers and a flexible transport element, which can be moved in the direction of arrows L and M. The vertically displaceable (see arrows E, F in Fig. la) support plate 4 is provided with two driver elements 15a, 15b. Those driver elements 15a, 15b, which are arranged on the opposite narrow sides of the support plate 4, rest on support elements 16a, 16b, which are attached to perpendicularly arranged flexible transport elements, for example toothedbelts 17a, 17b circulating around toothed belt wheels. One of the guide rollers 18a is driven by a motor 13. The motor 13 is in the form of a reversible motor, which can run at different speeds and in both directions of rotation. On arrival of an empty support plate 4, the driver elements l5a, 15b lie on the support elements 16a, 16b located at the bottom, so that upward movement of the support elements 16a, 16b brings about an upward movement of the driver elements 15a, 15b and accordingly of the support plate 4. The transport elements 16a, 16b are attached, by means of holding elements 19a, 19b of the framework, to the carriage 20, which is moved horizontally back and forth in the direction of arrows 0, p by a circulating transport element 21, for example a toothed belt circulating around toothed belt wheels.

The rotary plate 3 held by the fixed rotary plate panel 9 deposits fibre sliver 12 on the support plate 4, the resulting fibre sliver package 5 standing on the support plate 4 and being moved back and forth in the direction of arrows A, B (see Fig. la). During the ongoing - 19 - fibre sliver deposition, the upper fibre sliver rings of the fibre sliver package 5 are preferably constantly or substantially constantly in contact with the underside 9a of the rotary plate panel 9. The deposited fibre sliver 12 of the fibre sliver package 5 presses against the underside 9a and against the lower cover face 3a of the rotary plate 3. In order that a pre-determined constant pressing force is exerted vertically on the deposited fibre sliver 12, the open-loop and closed- loop control device 7 regulates the speed of the motor 13 so that the force exerted by the uppermost layer of the fibre sliver 12 remains constant. In other words, the speed of the motor 13 is such that the rate (amount) of downward movement of the support elements 16a, 16b, which are attached to the flexible transport elements 17a, 17b, in conjunction with the speed of fibre sliver deposition by the rotary plate 3 driven by the motor 14 ensures uniform compression of the fibre sliver 12 in each height position of the downwardly moving support plate 4. After each stroke g (see Fig. ib) in the horizontal direction, the support plate 4 is displaced downwards by a pre-set amount. That pre-set amount can correspond to the thickness of a single layer of the fibre sliver. The can- less fibre sliver package 5 is pressed against the lower faces 9a and 3a of the rotary plate panel 9 and the rotary plate 3 during the horizontal back and forth movement as a consequence of the resilience inherent in the fibre sliver 12 and as a consequence of the pressing force of the displaceable support plate 4. The fibre sliver package 5 is accordingly stabilised both positively and non- positively during the horizontal back and forth movement.

Fig. 4 shows the carriage 20 with the holding device - 20 - 19a, 19b, for example framework 19. The holding elements 19a, 19b hold two conveyor belts 17a, 17b, which are able to move the support plate 4 upwards or downwards in the direction of arrows L, N. The can-less fibre sliver package 5 is arranged on the top face 4 of the support plate 4. During fibre sliver deposition, the support plate 4 is moved back and forth in the direction of arrows A, B. Once each corresponding end position (see Fig. la, ib) has been reached, the support plate 4 is displaced downwards in direction E in principle by less than the thickness of a fibre sliver, for example 10 mm, with the aid of the drive motor 13, in order to create a substantially constant space (or room) for the next layer of fibre sliver material to be deposited. The substantially constant room relates to the region between the upper side of the laterally unsupported fibre sliver package 5 and the base surface 3a of the rotary plate 3 and produces a constant filling force per deposited fibre sliver layer.

The substantially constant space allows only substantially constant room for fibre sliver 12 deposited for each fibre sliver layer. A fibre sliver layer represents the amount of fibre sliver 12 that is deposited between an individual pair of movement turn-round points for the support plate 4 (that is to say from the point at which the movement of the support plate 4 changes direction as far as the next turn-round point). Deposition of the fibre sliver in the substantially constant space allows a substantially constant density of fibre sliver 12 at all locations within the fibre sliver package 5, which promotes the stability of the fibre sliver package 5.

The substantially constant space formed by lowering (arrow E in Fig. 1) the support plate 4 is filled directly - 21 - and immediately by the fibre sliver 12 constantly flowing in from the rotary plate 3. During sliver deposition, the upper side of the fibre sliver package 5 presses, with no spacing, against the base surface 3a of the rotary plate 3 and against the base surface 9a of the rotary plate panels 9. There is constant contact. The deposited fibre sliver mass of the fibre sliver package 5 is pressed against the lower faces 3a and 9c as a consequence of the resilience inherent in the fibre sliver 12 and as a consequence of the biasing force of the displaceable support plate 4. At the same time, this results in pre-compaction of the fibre sliver package 5, which is advantageous for further discharge and further transport of the fibre sliver package 5. As will be apparent from the above, the holding elements 19a and 19b of framework 19 are outside the footprint of the support plate 4. They do not serve to enclose, or laterally support, the sliver package and do not form a part of the receiving support surface.

Fig. 5 shows a fibre sliver package 5a on a support plate 4 during sliver deposition in the depositing area 10. Reference numeral 20 denotes the carriage (guide device, holding device) which is movable back and forth horizontally. The fibre sliver package 5a is displaced horizontally in direction C, D of its longitudinal axis, that is to say in the direction of its long side faces.

Parallel to and spaced apart from a side face 5 there is a fixed side wall 22a which is independent of the carriage and prevents any falling fibre material or the like from entering the machine. The length of the path g (see Fig. lb) (stroke length) is variable by means of the motor 6 (see Fig. 4), so that the length a (see Fig. 3b) of the fibre sliver package 5a is adjustable. Downstream of the - 22 - depositing area 10 there is arranged the discharge region 11 in which a transport pallet 25 is located on which the two fibre sliver packages 5b, 5c are stored one next to the other.

According to Fig. 6a, 6b, through-holes 4.1.1. are arranged in the top face 4a of the support plate 4.1, through which, according to Fig. 6a, there project the tips 23.1. of conical lugs which are mounted on the top face of a plate 23 arranged on the side 4b remote from the top face 4. The plate 23 can be raised and lowered in the direction of arrows Qi, Q2, so that when the plate 23 is lowered in direction Q2 the tips 23.1 become disengaged from the holes 4.1.1 according to Fig. 6b. According to Fig. 6a, the tips 23.1 project through the holes 4.1.1 for only a short time at the start of fibre sliver deposition, so that the first layer of fibre sliver deposited is held on the regularly smooth top face 4 and does not slide off the top face 4. As soon as the layer of fibre sliver is lying stably on the top face 4, the tips 23.1 are lowered out of engagement in direction Q2, so that at a later stage during discharge the fibre sliver package 5 can slide down from the top face 4 without problems.

According to Fig. 7a to 7c, in the top face 4a of the support plate 4.2 there are arranged longitudinal grooves 4.2.1 into which according to Fig. 7b elongate lifting rods 24a, 24b or the like are insertable in direction R1, R2 underneath the lower side 56 of the fibre sliver package 5. In accordance with Fig. 7c, the lifting rods 24a, 24b can be raised in direction S1, S2, with the result that the lower side 56 of the fibre sliver package is lifted away from top face 4 of the support plate 4, so that the support plate 4 can be displaced in direction - 23 - W underneath the fibre sliver package 5 and without frictional contact with the fibre sliver package 5 (see Fig. lOd).

According to Fig. 8, the support plate 4, together with a fibre sliver package 5d, is located in the discharge region 11 above the top face 25 of the transport pallet 25. Transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fibre sliver packages Sb, 5c, that is to say in the direction of their short side or end faces 53, 54, the transport pallet 25 is inclined at an angle a of, for example, 7 to the horizontal. On the side face 252 of the transport pallet 25 close to the base, according to Fig. 8a there is mounted a supporting wall 26, for example a smooth sheet metal wall or the like, which forms an angle of 90 with the top face 25 of the transport pallet 25.

As a result, the fibre sliver package 5c leans against the support wall 26. The fibre sliver package 5b leans against the inclined fibre sliver package Sc in contact therewith.

By virtue of their inclination, the fibre sliver packages 5b, 5c are supported stably on the transport pallet 25 and are secured against tipping over and the like. As also shown in Fig. 8a, the smooth side wall 22b is displaceable in the direction of arrows T1. T2, so that during the discharge of the fibre sliver package 5d troublesome frictional contact with the stored fibre sliver package 5b is avoided. According to Fig. 8b, there is a supporting element 98, for example a perpendicular supporting wall, which can be inclined by about 5 to 10 in the horizontal direction about a pivot bearing 99, in order to incline the discharge fibre sliver package 5a against the stored and inclined fibre sliver package Sb. One or more of the supporting walls 22b, 98 can be adapted to couple and a - 24 decouple with the receiving support surface.

According to Fig. 9, the storage means is in the form of a belt storage means, in which there is a conveyor belt 29 endlessly circulating around two guide rollers 28a, 28b driven by a motor 27. On the upper belt portion 29 there are arranged, one after the other in direction U1 and lying horizontally on the belt, an empty transport pallet 25a, a transport pallet 5b loaded with a fibre sliver package 5c and a transport pallet 25c loaded with four fibre sliver packages 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e. On one end face 252 of each transport pallet 25a, 25b, 25c there is mounted a supporting wall 26a, 2Gb, 26c or the like, which is arranged inclined at an angle of about from 5 to 10 relative to the vertical. By virtue of the inclination of the supporting wall 262, the fibre sliver packages 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e are positioned stably on the transport pallets 25b and 25c. Each time a fibre sliver package 5 has been unloaded onto the transport pallet 25b, the upper belt portion 29 moves on in direction hi by the width b (see Fig. 3c) of a fibre sliver package 5. During or after the loading of the transport pallet 25b, the already full transport pallet 25c can be transported away. Once the transport pallet 25b has been loaded with four fibre sliver packages 5, the upper belt portion 29 is moved in direction U1 so that the full transport pallet 25b moves into the position for being transported away and the empty transport pallet 25a moves into the (middle) position for discharge of the fibre sliver packages 5. A fresh empty transport pallet 25a' is then placed on the upper belt portion 29k.

In accordance with Fig. lOa, driven by the motor 6, in the course of being discharged from the sliver- - 25 - depositing area 10 a support plate 4, together with a can- less fibre sliver package 5d, is moved horizontally in direction I and arrives at a position spaced apart by distance h above the top face 25 of the transport pallet 25 (see Fig. 10') and in parallel next to a fibre sliver package 5c already stored on the top face 25 (Fig. lOb).

A holding-back element 27 is then displaced horizontally in direction V1 from a position outside the transport pallet 25 (Fig. lOb) to a position in front of the end face 54 of the fibre sliver package 5d (by a drive device not shown) and spaced apart by distance i above the top face 4 of the support plate 4 (see Fig. 10') (Fig. lOc).

Then - driven by the motor 6 - the support plate 4 alone, without the fibre sliver package 5d, is moved back horizontally in direction J beneath the holding-back element 27 (see Fig. lOd). In the course of that movement in direction J, the fibre sliver package Sd - held in place by the holding-back element 27 - slides off the smooth surface 4 of the support plate 4, so that the fibre sliver package 5d is removed from the support plate 4. At the same time - as shown in Fig. lOd - the fibre sliver package 5d is deposited on the surface 25 of the transport pallet 25. The distance h between the lower face 42 of the support plate 4 and the upper side 25 of the transport pallet 25 (see Fig. 10') is small, so that when sliding off the support plate 4 the fibre sliver package 5d falls onto the transport pallet 25 without problems.

Finally, the holding-back element 27 is moved back horizontally in direction V2 (Fig. lOe).

In the position according to Fig. lOc, the support plate 4 can be rotated (not shown) about its longitudinal axis through an angle of about from 50 to 100, so that the - 26 - fibre sliver package 5d is inclined in the direction towards and parallel to the side face 52 of the deposited, inclined fibre sliver package 5b. The rotation of the support plate 4 assists the downward sliding movement of the fibre sliver package 5d from the top face 4.

Alternatively (or additionally) a sheet metal wall or the like can be moved horizontally into the region above the transport pallet 25, which wall can be inclined about a longitudinal axis, so that the fibre sliver package 5d is inclined in the direction towards and parallel to the side face 52 of the fibre sliver package 5.

According to Fig. 11, four can-less fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d are arranged one next to the other on the top face 25 of a transport pallet 25. The sliver end or the end of the last ring of fibre sliver of a top layer (top face 5) is joined to the sliver end or the end of the first ring of fibre sliver of a base layer (base surface 56) of adjacent fibre sliver packages. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the sliver end of the last ring of fibre sliver of the top layer (top face 55) of fibre sliver package 5a is joined to the sliver end of the first ring of fibre sliver of the base layer (base surface 56) of fibre sliver package 5b. The same applies to the sliver ends and the joining together thereof in respect of the further fibre sliver packages 5c and 5d. In that way, by joining together the sliver ends, a single total fibre sliver package consisting of a plurality of individual fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d is created. In the case of supply to and working-off on sliver-fed machines (Fig. 15 to 17 and 19 to 21), it is possible - beginning with the top layer (top face 56) of the fibre sliver package 5d - f or all fibre sliver packages of the total fibre sliver - 27 - package to be worked-off one after the other in a single operation and without interruptions.

In accordance with Fig. 12, there is a fork-lift truck 31 for transporting the transport pallet 25 with S fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d arranged on the top face 25k. Transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d - that is to say parallel to the short end faces 53 and 54 of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d - the transport pallet 25 is inclined at an angle y to the horizontal. The correspondingly inclined forks 32 of the fork-lift truck 31 engage under the transport pallet 25 transverse to the longitudinal axes of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d.

The side faces 51, 5 of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d and the supporting wall 26 are inclined at an angle relative to the vertical. The bundle 5' consisting of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d is supported stably for transport and secured against slipping, tipping over or the like, in particular by virtue of its being inclined relative to the vertical, its leaning against the supporting wall 26 and its being supported above the centre of gravity of the bundle 5' or its having a low centre of gravity below the supporting means.

In accordance with the configuration according to Fig. 13 - in which a fork-lift truck 31 according to Fig. 12 or a corresponding transport vehicle is used - there is a transport pallet 25 carrying fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d, which transport pallet is inclined by an angle 8 transversely with respect to the direction of the long- itudinal axes of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d, the forks 32a, 32b of the fork-lift truck 31 engaging under the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d in the direction of the a - 28 - longitudinal axes. The forks 32a, 32b are rotatable about a common longitudinal axis which extends in the longitudinal direction thereof.

In accordance with Fig. 14, six draw frames la to if, for example Trützschler TD 03, are arranged in a row one next to the other. At the inlet of each draw frame la to if there is a respective lattice 35 (feed table) with six round cans 36 (positions 35 and 36 for only one draw frame la are shown), from which six fibre slivers to be drafted are each supplied to the drafting mechanism 2 of a respective draw frame la to if. At the outlet of each draw frame la to if, can-less fibre sliver packages 5 are produced in the respective depositing area 10 (see inter alia Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 5). The draw frames la to if are both sliver-fed and sliverdelivering spinning machines.

After the outlet of each draw frame la to if there is a respective storage device 30a to 30f, to which - from one side - the can-less fibre sliver packages 5 produced in the draw frame la to if are discharged and in which the can-less fibre sliver packages 5 are stored on transport pallets 25. On the respective other side and along the storage devices 30a to 30f there is arranged a rail guide means 37 on which (in accordance with the example shown in Fig. 14) two driven transport vehicles 38a, 38b are moved back and forth in the direction of arrows W1, W2. The storage devices 30a to 30f are by that means so positioned that they lie in a common path for the transport vehicles 38a, 38b. At an end region of the rail guide means 37 (in Fig. 14 in the region after the storage device 30f) there are arranged, transversely with xespect to the rail guide means 37, a conveyor device 39, for example a roller conveyor, conveyor belt or the like, for transport pallets lb - 29 - loaded with fibre sliver packages 5 (full pallets) and a conveyor device 40, for example a roller belt, conveyor belt or the like, for empty transport pallets 25 (empty pallets). The conveyor device 39 leads to a press 41 having a binding device 42, downstream of which there are arranged a scales 43 and a labelling device 44. A further conveyor device 45 for forwarding and transporting the bound fibre sliver packages 5, which can consist of a bundle 5I of a plurality of individual fibre sliver packages, is provided.

In the example shown in Fig. 14, the transport vehicle 38a carries two transport pallets 25a, 25b each having a bundle 5', 5'' of four can-less fibre sliver packages 5, the transport pallets 25a, 25b having been conveyed out of the storage device 30a and loaded onto the transport vehicle 38a. Accordingly, in the storage device 30a there are two empty storage positions for two empty transport pallets 25'. In each of the storage devices 30b to 30e there are two empty transport pallets 25' for receiving can-less fibre sliver packages 5 or bundles 5'.

In the storage device 30f, two empty storage positions for two empty transport pallets 25' are shown. On the transport vehicle 38b there are arranged two empty pallets 25', 25''. In operation, the transport vehicle 38a travels to one end of the conveyor device 39, where pallets 25a, with the bundles 5', 5'', 25b are loaded one after the other and forwarded to the press 41 in the direction of arrow X. Here the bundles 5', 5'' are provided with base and cover boards (not shown), for example of corrugated cardboard, fibreboard or the like, pressed, bound and - removed from the transport pallets 25 - discharged on the conveyor device 45 in the form of bound bundles. The empty - 30 - transport pallets 25' separated from the bundles 5' 5'' are conveyed by means of a cross-conveyor 46 to the conveyor device 40 from where they are loaded in direction Y onto one of the transport vehicles 38a or 38b.

In accordance with Fig. 15, at the inlet of a draw frame 1, for example Trützschler TD 03, there is arranged a feed table 35 (lattice) which is associated with two transport pallets 25a, 25b. Four independent can-less fibre sliver packages 5.1 to 5.4 are stably arranged one next to the other on the transport pallet 25a, and four independent can-less fibre sliver packages 5.5 to 5.8 are stably arranged one next to the other on the transport pallet 25b. The fibre sliver packages 5.1 to 5.8 are worked- off individually, that is to say in the case of four fibre sliver packages 5.1 to 5.4 and 5.5. to 5.8 on a transport pallet 25a and 25b there are in each four working-off points. The draw frame 1 is supplied with eight fibre slivers (cf. fibre slivers 82 in Fig. 20).

Such an arrangement creates a space-optimised version.

In accordance with Fig. 16, upstream of the inlet of the draw frame 1, for example Trützschler TD 03, there is likewise arranged the feed table 35 (lattice) which is associated, however, with eight transport pallets 25a to 25h. On each transport pallet 25a to 25h there are stably arranged one next to the other four can-less fibre sliver packages - for example fibre sliver packages 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 on transport pallet 25a - which in the embodiment according to Fig. 1]. are joined to one another by their sliver ends. In that way, the fibre sliver packages on a transport pallet, for example fibre sliver packages 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 on transport pallet 25a, are unwound one after the other without interruption, bringing the advant-

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- 31 - age of long sliver run lengths. Where there are four fibre sliver packages on each transport pallet, the run time for a total fibre sliver package is quadrupled. Such an arrangement creates an efficiencyoptimised version.

In the draw frames la to if shown in Fig. 14, which are sliver-fed and sliver-delivering spinning machines, instead of being supplied with round cans 36 each lattice can be supplied with can-less fibre sliver packages 5, for example in the manner shown in Fig. 15 and 16.

According to Fig. 17, the sliver packages produced according to the invention are used in so-called direct spinning. The method of automating the yarn production process, especially in spinning mills having rotorspinning machines, is advantageously based on the use of can-less fibre sliver packages 5 of elongate cross- section. Such a fibre sliver package 5 on an elongate supports 25 can be exactly oriented and stably positioned by readily obtainable means on a selected operating position of the rotor spinning machine. The automatic process of yarn production is controlled by a control centre 50 which determines the exchange of the supports, for example transport palettes 25, under the spinning positions of the rotor-spinning machines 51a to 51d, for example on the basis of the sum of two logic signals - the reaching or exceeding of a predetermined spinning time of a spinning position, so that the spinning operation was interrupted at that spinning position. To optimise the process of exchanging the support 25s, the control centre draws on the knowledge of information relating to the pure spinning time of the individual spinning positions since the last exchange of the support 25 of the spinning position in question. As loading station for the supports - 32 - 25, the spinning mill has at least one flat card 52a to 52c, for example TrUtzschler TC 03, each of which contains an integrated drafting system 53a to 53c, for example Trützschler IDF, and a rotary plate 54a to 54c. Each flat card 52a to 52c is associated with a storage device 55a, 55b and 55c for transport pallets 25' loaded with fibre sliver packages 5 and for empty transport pallets 25''.

The storage devices 55a, 55b, 55c can be in the form of belt storage means, for example in the manner shown in Fig. 9. Between the rotor spinning machines 51a to 51d and the storage devices 55a to 55c there is installed in the plane of the floor of the spinning mill an induction loop 56 by means of which the signals from the control centre and the reactions of the sensors from and/or to at least one automatically controlled transport carriage 57, having at least one transport pallet 25 for each of the can-less fibre sliver packages 5, are transmitted.

Reference numeral 58 denotes an intermediate storage means (buffer) for transport pallets 25 having can-less fibre sliver packages 5 and for empty transport pallets 25'. The rotor-spinning machines 51a to 51d are sliver-fed spinning machines.

Fig. 18 shows a flat. card 52, for example a flat card of the kind known as TC 03 (Trade Mark), made by Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG, as a sliverdelivering spinning room machine. The card has a feed roller 60, feed table 61, lickers-in 62a, 62b, 62c, cylinder 63, doffer 64, stripper roller 65, nip rollers 66, 67, web guide element 68, web funnel 69, delivery rollers 70, 71 and revolving card top 59. Downstream of the outlet of the flat card 52 there is arranged a sliver-depositing device 72, in which the rotating rotary plate 54 is located in a

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- 33 - rotary plate panel 73, above which there is arranged the drafting system 53, for example Trutzschler IDF. The fibre sliver 74 produced by the flat card 52 passes by way of a sliver funnel through the drafting system 53, a sliver funnel with delivery rollers, then the sliver channel of the rotary plate 54 and is deposited in the form of a can- less fibre sliver package 5 on a support plate 4, which is moved back and forth horizontally in direction A, B during deposition and after each stroke is lowered in direction E. The fibre sliver package 5 is stably positioned in a manner corresponding to that shown inter alia in Fig. la, lb and 4.

According to Fig. 19, a flyer 75, a sliver-fed spinning room machine, has a spindle and spool device 76, a flyer drafting system 77 and an upstream feed table 35 (lattice). Beneath the lattice 35 there are four can-less fibre sliver packages 5a to Sd, the fibre sliver packages 5a, 5b being stably positioned on a transport pallet 25a and the fibre sliver packages 5c, Sd being stably positioned on a transport pallet 25b.

In accordance with Fig. 20, a combing preparation machine 80, a sliverfed and sliver-delivering spinning room machine, has two feed tables 35a, 35b (lattice) arranged parallel to one another, six transport pallets 25 to 256 carrying stably positioned can-less fibre sliver packages 5 to 56 (only 5. shown) being arranged beneath the feed table 35a and six transport pallets 257 to 2512 carrying stably positioned can-less fibre sliver packages 57 to 512 being arranged beneath the feed table 36a. The feed tables 35a, 36a have a guide pulley 81 above each of the fibre sliver packages 5. to 512. The fibre slivers 82 withdrawn from the fibre sliver packages 51 to

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- 34 - 512, after being guided by the guide pulleys 81, pass into two drafting systems 83a, 83b of the combing preparation machine 80 which are arranged one after the other. From the drafting system 83a, the fibre sliver web that has been formed is guided over the web table 84 and, at the outlet of the drafting system 83b, laid one on top of the other with the fibre sliver web produced therein. The two fibre sliver webs are drawn into a downstream drafting system 83c, and the fibre material produced in the drafting system 83c is deposited, using a downstream rotary plate 84, in rings on a substantially rectangular support plate 4 which is movableback and forth in the longitudinal direction to form a can-less fibre sliver package 5. The fibre sliver package 5 is stably positioned in a manner corresponding to that shown in Figures la, lb and 4. The can-less fibre sliver package 5 is then supplied to a combing machine (see Fig. 21) .

According to Fig. 21, a combing machine 90 has six combing heads 91a to 91f arranged in a row one next to the other. Each combing head 91a to 9lf is associated with a transport pallet 25 to 256, there being two can-less fibre sliver packages 5. to 512 (only Si shown) stably positioned on each transport pallet 25 to 256. The fibre slivers 92 that have been deposited in rings are drawn off from the fibre sliver packages 5 to 512 which seen in plan view - are substantially rectangular. For that purpose, above the fibre sliver packages 5 to 512 there is a lattice framework 93 with guide pulleys (see Fig. 20).

The fibre slivers 92 are combed in the combing heads 91a to 91f and supplied by way of the sliver table 94 to a drafting system 95, in which the fibre slivers 92 are combined to form a single fibre sliver 96. In the

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- 35 - downstream sliver deposition step, a rotary plate 97 deposits the fibre sliver 96 in ring form in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package 5 on a substantially rectangular support plate 4 which is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The fibre sliver package 5 is stably positioned in a manner corresponding to that shown in Figures la, lb and 4. The can-less fibre sliver package is then supplied to a spinning machine or a storage means.

The afore-mentjoned components - as well as the fibre sliver packages 5 can, as required, be provided singly or multiply. The component names chosen are also not to be interpreted in the narrow sense of the words, but are to be understood as being synonyms for a certain kind of machine or system component. For example, in the context of the present invention the term "draw frame" 1 represents one or more sliver-delivering or sliver- producing machine(s) to which sliver is supplied from, and/or from which sliver is formed into, can-less sliver packages using the apparatus and/or method of the invention. The fibre sliver packages 5 have a substantially rectangular shape in the configurations shown. Various types of spinning machine can be used as sliver-fed (sliver-processing) spinning room machines, for example ring-spinning or open-end spinning machines, and also draw frames, flyers, combing preparation machines or combing machines, which are supplied with fibre slivers for the production of fibre structures (roving, wound lap, fibre sliver, yarn), from sliver packages provided using the apparatus and/or method of the invention. For the explanation in Fig. 17, an open-end spinning machine has been chosen solely as an exemplary embodiment. The

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- 36 - particular Construction of the storage devices is, in principle, also of no significance for the present invention; in principle, a storage position for the fibre sliver packages 5 is sufficient for that purpose. The fibre sliver packages 5 produced in the draw frame 1 are preferably arranged as a group on a support by means of which they are always transported back and forth as a complete unit between the individual components of the system. According to the exemplary embodiments shown in Fig. 14 and 17, a plurality of transport vehicles is provided, each of which is able to receive a group of can- less fibre sliver packages 5 in the form of a unit which it conveys from the (sliver-delivering or sliverproducing) draw frame 1 to a sliver-processing or sliver- using textile machine for further processing or to intermediate storage. In the exemplary embodiments shown in Fig. 14 and 17, the transport vehicles are in the form of automatic units - the drive means of which is not shown for reasons of clarity of the drawings - which can travel along a path between the individual components of the system. The term "path" or "track" is not to be understood in the narrow sense of the word; it should also include infrared or ultrasonic guide means or the like. If the transport vehicle is steered manually, the term "path" also includes any kind of route along which the transport vehicle is or can be transported.

In spinning, cans, also called spinning cans, are hollow bodies (containers) which are used for the deposition, housing and removal of fibre slivers. The cans are forwarded, transported, stored and supplied. Such cans are in the form of rectangular cans enclosed on all sides by walls, that is to say having four side walls and a base

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- 37 - wall, with the exception of the open upper side, which is used as a filling and removal opening for the fibre sliver. In contrast, the invention relates to can-less fibre sliver packages 5, that is to say there are no cans, containers or the like for the fibre sliver. The fibre sliver is deposited, withdrawn, forwarded, stored and supplied in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package 5.

The sliver is deposited onto a surface that is substantially unenclosed and which in particular does not include any partial or full circumferentially extending wall for providing lateral support to the sliver package during deposition. Whilst the sliver package is transported for further processing without the use of a can or other structure having an encircling wall that encloses the sliver package, it is within the scope of the invention for lateral support to be provided during transport of the sliver package away from the depositing area for further processing as will be apparent from Figs. 8a, 9, 12 and 13.

In accordance with the invention, the deposited, collected fibre sliver (referred to herein as a "fibre sliver package") is typically in the form of a collection of deposited rings of sliver arranged in successive layers, and are advantageously in substantially freely deposited form. In the fibre sliver packages, which as mentioned are advantageously in substantially freely deposited form, in addition to being free of any cans or containers, the fibre sliver packages do not require securing by ties, tape or other fastening devices for circuznferentially retaining the sliver. It is a particular advantage of the invention that the fibre sliver package, in freely deposited form, is of a

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- 38 - structure that is sufficiently stable that the fibre sliver package is able to be formed and/or transported and/or delivered to a feed position at a downstream sliver-fed machine substantially without disruption to the fibre sliver package. r

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus in a spinning room for providing at least one fibre

sliver package to a sliver-fed machine having at least one feed position, comprising a transport device for transporting one or more fibre sliver packages from an upstream sliver-delivering machine or a storage station to a said sliver-fed machine, wherein the transport device is arranged to supply at least one said fibre sliver package to a said feed position and the fibre sliver package(s) can be stably positioned at said feed position.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the transport device is arranged for common transport of at least one support, and at least one stably positioned fibre sliver package received on a said support.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the fibre sliver package(s) are transportable on a support received on the transport device.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which more than one fibre sliver package is supportable on the or each said support.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, in which the number of fibre sliver packages on the or each support corresponds to a number of fibre sliver packages to be supplied to the sliver-fed machine.
6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which a supporting element is mounted on one side of the or each support.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which the supporting element is associated with a side face of a first deposited fibre sliver package.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the supporting element is in fixed position.
9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the supporting element is in the form of walls, rods or transport belts.
10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the supporting element consists of, or is coated with, a material that promotes sliding.
11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, in which the supporting element is inclinable by about from 5 to 100.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11, in which the supporting element is inclinable or inclined about a horizontal axis.
13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 12, in which the support and the supporting element are so arranged that they form a structure of substantially L- shaped configuration.
14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 13,

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- 41 - in which the support can be elevated on the side remote from the supporting element.
15. An apparatus according to claim 14, which further comprises a pneumatic cylinder for elevation of the support.
16. An apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, in which as a result of the elevation, the fibre sliver package can be inclined against the supporting element and/or against a further fibre sliver package, whereby the fibre sliver package is transferable into a stable position.
17. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 16, in which the support is a standard pallet.
18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 17, in which the support is inclinable or is inclined by an angle of from 5 to 10g.
19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 18, in which the support has on its underside insertion openings for connecting with at least one element of the transport device.
20. An apparatus according to claim 19, in which the support has slots or guide means into which driver elements are able to enter.
21. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 20, in which the transport device comprises a mobile transport (F - 42 - apparatus upon which the support loaded with deposited fibre sliver packages is positionable directly.
22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, in which the transport device comprises a transport vehicle.
23. An apparatus according to claim 22, in which the transport vehicle is track-guided.
24. An apparatus according to claim 23, in which the transport vehicle is track-guided by means of an induction loop.
25. An apparatus according to claim 23, in which the transport vehicle is rail-guided.
26. An apparatus according to claim 22, in which the transport vehicle is freely movable.
27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 27, in which the transport vehicle is a wagon.
28. An apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 27, in which the transport vehicle is a fork-lift truck.
29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 28, in which the transport vehicle is drivable back and forth by means of drive means.
30. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 29, in which the sliver ends of first and second fibre sliver

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- 43 - packages are joinable to one another.
31. An apparatus according to claim 30, in which the sliver ends of the first and second fibre sliver packages are positioned for joining.
32. An apparatus according to claim 30 or claim 31, in which the sliver ends are joinable to one another manually.
33. An apparatus according to claim 30 or claim 31, in which the sliver ends are joinable to one another by means of a device.
34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, in which in the case of fibre sliver packages that are arranged one next to the other, one after the other the sliver end of the lowermost layer of a first fibre sliver package is joinable to the sliver end of the uppermost layer of the adjacent fibre sliver package.
35. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 34, in which by joining together the sliver ends, a single total fibre sliver package consisting of a plurality of individual fibre sliver packages can be created.
36. An apparatus according to claim 35, in which the individual fibre sliver packages are on a common support.
37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 36, in which the transport device comprises a conveyor device. .4

- 44 -
38. An apparatus according to claim 37, in which the conveyor device is a belt conveyor.
39. An apparatus according to claim 37 or claim 38, in which the conveyor device is a suspended conveyor.
40. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 39, in which the transport device is a rail- or track-guided transport device which serves a plurality of processing devices and/or storage means.
41. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 40, in which there are a plurality of processing devices and/or storage means which are so positioned that they are arranged along a common path of the transport device.
42. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 41, in which the transport device is arranged to transport a support loaded with at least one sliver package to a feed position provided on at least one sliver-fed machine.
43. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 42, in which the feed. position is at the feed lattice of a draw frame.
44. An apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 42, in which the feed position is at the feed lattice of a flyer.
45. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 42, in which the feed position is at the feed lattice of a combing preparation machine.

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46. An apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 42, in which the feed position is a spinning position of a spinning machine.
47. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 46, in which the fibre sliver packages are provided with an identification mark.
48. An apparatus according to claim 47, in which the identification mark relates to the production conditions.
49. An apparatus according to claim 47, in which the identification mark relates to the fibre material quality.
50. An apparatus according to claim 47, in which the identification mark relates to test values.
51. An apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 50, in which the identification marks allow a mixture of fibre sliver packages to be assembled at the feed positions.
52. An apparatus according to claim 51, in which the assembly of fibre sliver packages to form a mixture can be effected at selected feed positions.
53. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 50, in which the processing of the fibre sliver packages on the sliver-fed spinning machine is effected individually.
54. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 50, in which there is a plurality of fibre sliver packages

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55. An apparatus according to claim 54, in which the number of sliver working-off points corresponds to the number of fibre sliver packages on the support.
56. An apparatus according to claim 54 or claim 55, in which a plurality of fibre sliver packages are processed one after the other, the ends of adjacent fibre sliver packages being joined together.
57. An apparatus according to claim 56, in which processing one after the other is effected without interruption.
58. An apparatus according to any one of claims 54 to 57, in which a proportion of the fibre sliver packages can be processed individually and a further proportion of the fibre sliver packages can be joined and processed one after the other.
59. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 58, in which, in the case of direct spinning, fibre sliver packages at the feed positions can be exchanged individually.
60. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 58, in which, in the case of direct spinning, fibre sliver packages at the feed positions are exchanged in blocks of two or more fibre sliver packages. (p

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61. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 60, in which the fibre sliver packages are arranged in groups, the number of fibre sliver packages in each group being selectable so that they can in each case be matched to the way in which the sliver-fed spinning machines are distributed.
62. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 61, in which the transport device is arranged to have at least one empty position on which a fibre sliver package is positionable.
63. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 62, in which the apparatus is a can-less apparatus.
64. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 63, in which, in respect of the fibre sliver package(s), the transport to a subsequent processing device or to a storage means is effected without cans or containers.
65. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 64, in which the fibre sliver package is movable by a displacement device comprising mechanical means, which effects the displacement of the fibre sliver package into the feed positions without additional cans or containers.
66. An apparatus according to claim 65, in which the fibre sliver package is movable horizontally.
67. An apparatus according to claim 65 or claim 66, in which the mechanical means is a pressure device.

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68. An apparatus according any one of claims 65 to 66, in which the alteration in the speed of the displacement device on acceleration and deceleration in the vicinity of turning points takes place substantially steplessly.
69. An apparatus according to any one of claims 65 to 68, in which the displacement device is associated with a controllable drive device.
70. An apparatus according to claim 69, in which the controllable drive device is connected to an electronic open-loop and closed-loop control device.
71. An apparatus according to any one of claims 65 to 70, in which the driven displacement device is able to effect stable displacement of the fibre sliver package.
72. An apparatus according to any one of claims 65 to 71, in which the fibre sliver package is displaceable in a stably supported state.
73. An apparatus according to claim 72, in which the fibre sliver package is supportable at the centre of gravity or above the centre of gravity.
74. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 73, in which the fibre sliver package is can-less.
75. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 74, in which the fibre sliver package is elongate in cross- section.

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76. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 75, in which the fibre sliver package is made up of fibre sliver coiled into a multiplicity of rings.
77. An apparatus in a spinning room for providing a can- less fibre sliver package (feed material) for a sliver-fed spinning machine, for example a draw frame, flyer, combing preparation machine, combing machine, spinning machine, in which from an upstream sliver- delivering spinning machine, for example a draw frame, or from an upstream storage means, the can-less fibre sliver package can be supplied to the sliver-fed spinning machine by a transport device, wherein at least one can-less fibre sliver package can be supplied to the feed positions of the sliver-fed spinning machine and stably positioned at the feed positions.
78. An apparatus in a spinning room for providing a can- less fibre sliver package for working off at a sliver-fed machine, comprising a transport device arranged for delivering at least one fibre sliver package to at least one feed position of a sliver-fed machine and for stably positioning the fibre sliver packages at the at least one feed position.
79. An apparatus for delivering can-less fibre sliver packages to feed positions of a sliver-fed machine, the fibre sliver packages being stably positionable at the feed positions, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by, any of Figures la and ib, 2, 3a to 3c, 4, 5, 6a and 6b, 7a to 7c, 8, Ba and 8b, 9, lOa to lOe, 10', and 11 to 21.