Apparatus for transporting coiler cans to and from the input side of a fiber processing machine

A combination of a sliver-consuming fiber processing machine with a delivering apparatus for supplying sliver-filled coiler cans to and withdrawing empty coiler cans from the processing machine;

• said processing machine comprising an intake track including positioning means for simultaneously supporting a plurality of coiler cans in a working position in which sliver is taken from the coiler cans by the processing machine;
• said delivering apparatus comprising a plurality of coiler can changers arranged in a series on said intake track of said processing machine;
• each coiler can changer including
• (a) coiler can receiving means for receiving at least three coiler cans in a standby position, a working position and a removal position, respectively;
• the working positions of said coiler can changers forming a row having opposite first and second sides;
• said standby positions and said removal positions of said coiler can changers being situated at said first side of said row of working positions;
• said standby positions and said removal positions together forming a single row extending along the row of said working positions;
• said coiler can receiving means of the coiler can changers together forming said positioning means of said intake track;
• and
• (b) drive means for simultaneously shifting the coiler cans thereon to move one of the cans from the standby position to the working position and another of the cans from the working position to the removal position.