Method of transferring yarn packages in a spinning frame

A method of transferring yar packages in a textile machine having a plurality of working stations arranged in a row on each longitudinal side of the machine, a single run of an endless-type conveyor disposed along the longitudinal center of the machine and a doffing unit for providing doffing of a yarn package at each of the working stations while traveling therearound, said method in one mode of operation wherein said conveyor is set normally in a stopped state comprising the steps of:

• stopping the doffing unit at a working station which provides a signal calling for doffing of its full package;
• detecting any package which, if any, has been doffed from any other working station and would then be present on the conveyor at a doffing position corresponding to said working station;
• doffing said full package to said doffing position if no doffed package is detected in said detecting step;
• but reserving said full package for later doffing if any doffed package is detected in said detecting step, and allowing the doffing unit to resume its traveling without performing any doffing service thereat;
• driving said conveyor to convey the doffed package or packages placed thereon, when the number of each package or packages which is or are reserved for later doffing amounts to a predetermined value, for clearing said conveyor of said doffed package or packages;
• said method in a second mode of operation wherein said conveyor is set normally in a moving state comprising the steps of:
• stopping the doffing unit at a working station which provides a signal calling for doffing of its full package;
• detecting any package which, if any, has been doffed from any other working station and would then be present on the conveyor at a doffing position corresponding to said working station;
• interrupting the conveyor movement and then doffing said full package to said doffing position if no doffed package is detected in said detecting step;
• but continuing the movement of said conveyor if any doffed package is detected in said detecting step, until the doffing position becomes clear of any doffed package, interrupting the conveyor movement when the doffing position becomes clear during the continued movement of the conveyor, and then doffing said full package to said doffing position on the conveyor.