Method of feeding fibers to a pile fabric circular knitting machine

Abstract

A card head for supplying pile fibers to a knitting machine is disclosed herein along with a method for using same. Precarded, pre cut fibers in sliver form are presented to a fluted roll in proximity to a highly polished nose guide. Sliver is fed therethrough to a clothed main cylinder rotating at a higher speed than the fluted roll to separate cut fibers from the sliver. Flats or the like are secured around a portion of the main cylinder and cooperate with the main cylinder in proper alignment of fibers floating thereon. A doffer roll is positioned adjacent the end of the flats, barely out of contact with the card clothing and rotating at a higher speed than the main cylinder. Teeth on the doffer thus remove the fibers from the main cylinder and properly present same to knitting needles passing thereacross. The card head is provided with cover plates to control air flow therethrough which assists in floating of the fibers and proper operation thereof. Likewise, a combination air-guide arrangement is employed to properly position the fibers around the shank of the needles preparatory to knitting.