Spinning machine and a process for changing blocks of sliver cans on a spinning machine

A process for exchanging cans on a spinning machine of the type which is provided with a plurality of spinning stations on at least one side of the machine to each of which spinning stations a depositing site is assigned for a can containing a sliver to be spun, the depositing sites being arranged in several rows extending in a longitudinal direction of the machine, comprising:

• stopping the spinning machine before an exchange of the cans;
• exchanging all empty cans assigned to the spinning stations of at least one side of the machine for full cans during a common changing operation, said exchanging including:
• a) transporting all empty cans so that all depositing sites assigned to said at least one side of the machine are vacant;
• b) feeding the full cans in such a manner that at least one row of depositing sites that is closest to the spinning machine is supplied with cans first;
• c) preparing the cans of the at least one closest row and the corresponding spinning stations for spinning;
• d) supplying at least one next closest row of depositing sites with full cans;
• e) preparing said at least one next closest row of cans and the corresponding spinning stations for spinning;
• f) repeating steps d) and e) until all rows of depositing sites of said at least one side of the machine are supplied with full cans and all of the spinning stations are prepared;
• and
• switching on the spinning machine again.