Method and apparatus for drafting and condensing a roving, particularly an a ring spinning frame

A device for drafting and condensing a roving of textile fibers before its transformation into yarn comprising a first drafting unit comprised of a pair of rollers,

• a second drafting unit comprised of a second pair of rollers and opposed belts and a third drafting unit comprising a pair of rollers,
• drive means for driving said rollers of each pair at a speed of rotation which provides a progressive and predetermined draft to the roving, and
• a condensing unit positioned downstream of the third drafting unit for condensing the roving before it is delivered to a twisting apparatus, said condensing unit comprising a pair of facing member which nip and draft the roving, wherein the lower member is comprised of a fixed tubing connected to a suction source and provided with a suction opening disposed along a path of movement of the drafted roving, a filtering element disposed on the surface of the fixed tubing in correspondence with the suction opening a pressure roller disposed in engagement with the filtering element for moving the filtering member in the direction of the drafted roving between the presser roller and the filtering element and means for rotating the presser roller to extract the roving from the condensing unit, wherein a support surface is disposed between the third drafting unit and the condensing unit for supporting the drafted roving prior to the condensing unit.