Combing machine

In a combing machine comprising a rotating combing roller with a comb segment, a feed device for a sliver to be combed, a gripper arrangement disposed in the vicinity of the comb segment which opens and closes in coordination with the passing movement of the comb segment and which holds the sliver while a front portion of the latter is being combed by the comb segment, and a draw-off device which moves the combed sliver away, a single transfer gripper arrangement (14) which is movable back and forth between the gripper arrangement (1) and the draw-off device (2) in a manner coordinated with the rotating motion of the comb segment (8) and the combing of said front portion of said sliver and the opening of the gripper arrangement (1), said single transfer gripper arrangement then gripping the comb sliver (22) and holding said sliver in such a way that during the next pass of the comb segment (8) the rear portion of said sliver (22), looking in the direction of movement, is combed by the comb segment (8), said single transfer gripper arrangement (14) then handing off said sliver (22) to the draw-off device (2), the improvement comprising:

• said single transfer gripper arrangement (14) being pivotably supported between said gripper arrangement (1) and said draw-off device (2);
• said gripper arrangement (1) having jaws,
• one jaw of said jaws mounted in a stationary position in the vicinity of said comb segment,
• a second jaw of said jaws pivotally mounted to open and close said jaws,
• said jaws holding said sliver for combing of said front portion when said jaws are closed,
• said single transfer gripper arrangement holding said sliver for combing of said rear portion after said jaws open and before transferring a combed sliver to said draw-off device.