Piecing up a friction spinning apparatus

A method of starting spinning an open-end spinning apparatus including at least one surface, fibre feed means for feeding fibres onto the surface at a yarn formation area, means for applying a suction through the surface at the yarn formation area, means for moving the surface past the yarn formation area to twist the fibres deposited thereon to form a yarn, means for withdrawing the yarn transversely to the direction of motion of the surface, and means for packaging the withdrawn yarn,

• the method comprising, taking the yarn end from the package and withdrawing it such that the end portion of the yarn extends to a predetermined length, placing the end portion on the surface at the yarn formation area, restarting the fibre feed means and restarting the withdrawal of the yarn from the yarn formation area,
• characterized in that, in order to place the end portion on the yarn formation area, the suction through the surface is gradually closed off from one end of the yarn formation area toward the opposite end so as to draw the yarn end toward said opposite end.

Apparatus for open-end spinning yarn comprising at least one surface, fibre feed means for feeding fibres onto the surface at a yarn formation area, means for applying a suction through the surface at the yarn formation area drive means for moving the surface past the yarn formation area to twist the fibres deposited thereon to form a yarn, means for withdrawing the yarn transversely to the direction of motion of the surface and means for packaging the withdrawn yarn,

• characterized in that for starting spinning on the apparatus there are provided means for moving an end portion of yarn withdrawn from the package to a position adjacent the yarn formation area, the end moving means and suction means being so arranged that in said position the end portion is free from the influence of the suction means, and means for bringing the end portion under the influence of the suction means such that it is drawn to lie on the yarn formation area.

In an apparatus for open end spinning yarn, comprising at least one surface, fibre feed means for feeding fibres onto the surface at a yarn formation area, means for defining an elongate zone on the surface at the yarn formation area said zone having two opposed ends, means for applying a suction through the surface at the zone, means for moving the surface past the yarn formation area to twist the fibres deposited thereon to form a yarn, means for withdrawing the yarn transversely to the direction of motion of the surface and means for packaging the withdrawn yarn, the improvement wherein there is provided means for gradually closing off said zone from one end thereof toward the opposite end thereof whereby to move an end of said yarn when placed adjacent said one end toward said opposite end.