Method and apparatus for piecing a reserve feed stock with a production feed stock

摘要

The method and apparatus for supplying a reserve feed stock to a spinning machine or spinning position thereof, contemplates monitoring the operational state of a production feed stock and upon reaching a predeterminate operational state thereof, such as near depletion or depletion of the production feed stock, or even rupture thereof, bringing a reserve feed stock previously held in readiness into a production position where such reserve feed stock now assumes the role of a production feed stock. Consequently, downtime of the spinning machine or spinning position can be minimized and its operation at least partially automated since there is always available a reserve feed stock to allow for essentially continuous or continual production of a spun yarn or thread. One specific piecing technique uses a movable member for placement of a reserve feed stock into the travel path of a production feed stock such that piecing of these two feed stocks is reliably attained. Here the production feed stock may be separated by a clamping or cutting action or the terminal end thereof may be monitored so that the reserve feed stock can be pieced to a desired terminal end section of the production feed stock without the need for any separation operation.