Equipment for transporting and handling weft-yarn stock bobbins

An equipment for transporting, handling and feeding stock bobbins to a loom having a preparation station (5) for the charging of bobbin holders (12) with stock bobbins (4) and a transport loop (7) for transporting these bobbin holders (12) towards looms. The looms are arranged in groups and for returning bobbin holders (12') containing empty bobbin tubes towards the preparation station (5), as well as at least one storage section (7c) branching off the transport loop (7) for receiving a number of the bobbin holders (12, 12') which corresponds with the need of bobbins at the time by at least one of the groups of looms (1a, 1b, . . . 1n). For the exchange of the bobbin holders (12' or 12 respectively) on the looms a loading mechanism (18) is provided which is mounted on a secondary transport mechanism (10) which may be moved independently of the transport loop (7) towards a number of groups of looms (1a, 1b, . . . 1n) and is intended for temporarily receiving the bobbin holders (12, 12') which may be fed from and returned to the storage section (7c). Through this execution a simple clearly arranged method of construction of the equipment is achieved, which makes possible a loading of the looms with stock bobbins to match the needs, which may be automated in a simple manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is concerned with an equipment for transporting and handling 
weft-yarn stock bobbins as well as for feeding them to bobbin frames on 
looms and for carrying away empty bobbin tubes from the bobbin frames. 
The invention is further concerned with a method of operation of the 
equipment. 
In the case of an equipment of the aforesaid kind known from the DE-OS 34 
13 681, bobbin holders charged with stock bobbins and bobbin tubes are 
arranged in a closed transport loop which is led by one transport section 
along the bobbin frames of one group of looms arranged in a row, one 
storage section branching off from this transport section being associated 
with each of the looms. When all of the storage sections have been filled 
with a predetermined number of charged bobbin holders, access to the 
storage sections from the transport section beside the looms is blocked, 
whereupon further bobbin holders charged with stock bobbins and lying in 
the transport section beside the looms, circulate in a constant rotation 
round the transport loop without being brought into the storage section. 
Accordingly, in the case of the known equipment, a relatively large number 
of stock bobbins is in rotation at any time. In the case of an equipment 
of that kind in which under certain circumstances stock bobbins run round 
a number of times, the risk exists that the bobbins, in particular the 
turns of yarn wound onto them, will be damaged and/or soiled. In the case 
of the known arrangement with the storage sections associated one per 
loom, a feed of stock bobbins wound with different kinds of yarn to match 
the needs of individual looms, especially in the case of multicolour 
weaving operation, demands a relatively elaborate loom-related planning in 
order to place ready in the individual storage sections a combination of 
the different stock bobbins to correspond with the need of bobbins at the 
time, since correction of the preselected sequence of bobbins is not 
possible. In the case of installations having a number of groups of looms 
arranged in rows, the known arrangement would demand a relatively 
elaborate transport system in which one transport section in constant 
rotation, with a number of storage sections associated one per loom, is 
associated with each of the groups of looms. 
The problem underlying the invention is to create an equipment of the kind, 
which is improved in this respect, is simple to operate, takes good care 
of the stock bobbins ,and is of simplified construction as compared with 
known devices, and which though needing relatively little room enables 
loading of the looms with stock bobbins to match their needs and may be 
automated in a simple way. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This problem is solved in accordance with the invention which include a 
transport loop having a storage section connected to a portion of the 
transport loop intended for loading a number of groups of looms arranged 
in parallel rows. The storage section is constructed for receiving a 
number of bobbin holders to correspond with the bobbins needed by the 
looms of at least one of the groups of looms. A secondary transport 
mechanism is provided, which may be moved independently of the transport 
loop towards a number of groups of looms and is intended for receiving 
temporarily at any time at least one of the bobbin holders which may be 
fed from the storage section and returned to it, and that the loading 
mechanism is fitted to this transport mechanism in such a way that it may 
be adjusted in relation to the looms of the group of looms and fixed in 
loading positions associated with the respective looms. 
The method in accordance with the invention includes the steps of charging, 
in a preparation station, a predetermined number of bobbin holders with 
stock bobbins made ready to correspond with the need of bobbins of one of 
the groups of looms having to be loaded at the time. The bobbin holders 
are combined into one transport unit and brought via the transport loop 
into a waiting position provided in the storage portion. A secondary 
transport mechanism is brought into a transfer position associated with 
the storage portion. The secondary transport mechanism is moved into a 
transfer position associated with the looms of the predetermined group of 
looms, intermittently bringing the loading mechanism into a loading 
position which corresponds with the need of bobbins of the individual 
looms and in which the exchange of the bobbin holders of the stock bobbins 
or respectively of the bobbin tubes is effected. The bobbin holders 
charged with the bobbin tubes, and possibly with stock bobbins which have 
not been exchanged into the storage section, are carried and returned via 
the transport loop to the preparation station, recharging them to 
correspond with the need of bobbins of a further group of looms and one 
more feeding them to the storage section. 
The equipment developed in accordance with the invention is distinguished 
by a clearly arranged construction of the transport system which, in 
particular, enables simple routing both of the transport loop running 
between the preparation station and the looms and of the additional 
transport mechanism. 
The method of operation in accordance with the invention enables functional 
separation of the transport mechanism, which is able to move within the 
loom installation and is intended for loading the individual groups of 
looms, from the transport system, which is provided between the 
preparation station and the loom installation and is intended for feeding 
the number of stock bobbins necessary at any time. In this manner the 
device may be operated largely independently of influences on the part of 
the looms, in particular independently of the loading process at any time. 
Refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. 
Further details follow from the description below of embodiments of the 
invention represented diagrammatically in the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The loom installation according to FIG. 1 contains a number of groups of 
looms 1a, 1b . . . 1n which are arranged in rows in a weaving shed and 
separated from one another by alleyways and each of which in accordance 
with the illustration exhibits five looms 2. In the simplified plan 
according to FIG. 1 each loom 2 is represented by a rectangular area which 
contains a bobbin frame 3 indicated at one narrow side for receiving at 
least two weft-yarn stock bobbins 4, one of which serves as the draw-off 
bobbin and the other as standby bobbin. Each stock bobbin 4 is fastened in 
a known manner to a mounting on the bobbin frame 3, while the piece at the 
start of a weft yarn wound onto the draw-off bobbin is fed to a weft 
insertion device and by a fluid weft insertion medium, e.g., compressed 
air, or a mechanical weft insertion member, e.g., a gripper belt, a 
gripper rod or a projectile, becomes inserted into the shed of the loom 2 
in parallel with the long sides of the rectangular area. The piece at the 
start of the weft yarn on the standby bobbin may be connected in known 
manner to the end of the weft yarn on the draw-off bobbin. 
Outside the weaving shed a preparation station 5 is provided for 
preparation of the wound stock bobbins 4 which are to be fed to the looms 
and which are carried from a winding or spinning installation and/or a 
bobbin store (not shown), via an assembly station 6 to the preparation 
station 5. Via a closed transport loop 7 which exhibits a feed section 7a 
running towards the weaving shed and a return section 7b running back 
towards the preparation station 5, the latter is connected to a 
number--two as illustrated--of junction sections 8 and 8'. The junction 
sections 8 and 8' are directed towards the range of movement of a 
secondary transport mechanism 10 associated with the groups of looms 1a, 
1b . . . 1n. The preparation station 5 contains a station 11 for charging 
bobbin holders 12 which may be carried via the feed section 7a towards the 
looms 2, with a predetermined number of stock bobbins 4. The preparation 
station also includes a discharging station 13 for removing empty bobbin 
tubes 4' from corresponding bobbin holders 12' which may be carried via 
the return section 7b towards the preparation station 5. 
In accordance with the illustration the transport loop 7 may be formed 
essentially by a circulating conveyor equipment which may exhibit a 
number--three as illustrated--of storage sections 7c arranged in parallel 
with one portion of the feed section 7a. Each storage section contains a 
number of groups of carriers 28 which are each connected to one conveyor 
chain and guided in guiderails 15. The guiderails 15 are arranged at a 
certain height above the floor and are executed in known manner with 
driving means, e.g., friction wheels for moving the carrier groups onwards 
and with branches (sidings) 14 off for passing in and out at option any 
one of the carrier groups to which the bobbin holders 12, 12' may be 
detachably fastened. Via this system of guiderails 15 the stock bobbins 12 
may be carried on to the respective loom 2 at any time without disturbing 
the weaving operation. 
The transport mechanism 10 comprises a supporting structure with a bearer 
rail 16 running in parallel with the alleyways in the form of a crane beam 
which in accordance with the illustration may extend across the width of 
the weaving shed and according to the arrows 25 is carried by a driving 
mechanism 24 along guideways 17 extending over the length of the weaving 
shed at the sides, so that it may be adjusted and fixed. But also a number 
of crane beams may be provided each running across one section of the 
width. A loading mechanism 18 is mounted on the bearer rail 16 so as to be 
able to shift according to the arrows 26 and may at any time be positioned 
with respect to the looms 2 in a position which allows an exchange of a 
bobbin holder 12' carrying an empty bobbin tube 4' for a bobbin holder 12 
charged with a fully wound stock bobbin 4. A mounting 20 in the form of a 
piece of guiderail is further arranged in parallel with and fastened to 
the bearer rail 16, and may be brought together with the junction section 
8 in a first transfer position and with the junction section 8' in a 
second transfer position 20', and receives the bobbin holders 12 which may 
be fed from any one of the storage sections 7c. The driving mechanism 24 
and the loading mechanism 18 may be connected, each via a control 
equipment (not shown), to a master computer 23 which may be influenced in 
dependence upon control signals from sensors (not shown) which detect the 
need of bobbins by the individual looms 2. 
The wound stock bobbins 4 coming from spinning or winding machines and/or a 
bobbin store are singled, provided if necessary with a code corresponding 
with the kinds of yarn and fed via the assembly station 6 to the 
preparation station 5. The assembly station 6 may contain a number, seven 
in accordance with FIG. 1, of conveyor belts 21 for feeding stock bobbins 
4 separated according to the kinds of yarn and means of selecting any one 
of the stock bobbins 4. In accordance with the illustration a distributor 
mechanism 22 movable along a guideway 19 may be provided with a belt 
conveyor adjustable between a number of takeover positions, each 
associated with one of the conveyor belts 21, and a transfer position 
associated with the charging station 11. 
During a weaving operation with only a few different kinds of yarn, the 
distributor mechanism 22 may be controlled according to a predetermined 
program, say, to correspond with the distribution of bobbins prevailing at 
the time in the weaving shed, in such a way that the stock bobbins needed 
at any time for one of the groups of looms 1a, 1b . . . 1n are fed to the 
charging station 11 in a combination of the kinds of yarn corresponding 
with the program, in which the bobbin holders 12 are each charged with one 
of the stock bobbins 4 docked on one of the carriers 28 lying in the 
transport loop 7. If necessary the bobbin holders 12 may also be provided 
in the charging station 11 with the "code" corresponding with the kind of 
yarn, by which if necessary the track of each bobbin may be followed as 
far as the loom. In the case where a number of different kinds of yarn are 
used, in particular in the case of multicolour weaving operation, the 
distributor mechanism 22 as indicated in FIG. 1 may also be connected via 
a control equipment (not shown) to the central master computer 23 
monitoring the production and, say, be controlled to correspond with the 
immediate need of bobbins by one of the groups of looms 1a, 1b . . . 1n 
which is to be loaded at the time. The detection group by group of the 
relatively easily determinable need of bobbins by the individual groups of 
looms 1a, 1b . . . 1n enables a relatively simple control of the loading 
processes. 
According to the representation according to FIG. 1, for each of the groups 
of looms 1a, 1b . . . 1n ten stock bobbins 4 are provided, the bobbin 
holders 12 of which are fastened into a coherent bobbin train on the 
carriers 28 combined into one transport unit 30. A greater number of stock 
bobbins 4 may also be combined into one bobbin train which may extend 
substantially across the whole width of the weaving shed. In the example 
shown it may be assumed that five stock bobbins 4 are wound with a first 
kind of yarn A, three stock bobbins 4 with a second kind of yarn B and two 
stock bobbins 4 with a third kind of yarn C. The charged bobbin holders 12 
are carried at any time in accordance with the arrow 27 via the feed 
section 7a towards the junction section 8 in which the bobbin train may be 
introduced into the mounting 20 when the latter adopts the transfer 
position shown in FIG. 1. Further correspondingly assembled transport 
units 30 may in accordance with the illustration be stored in the storage 
sections 7c and carried out of them at any time as needed, via the 
junction sections 8 or 8' into the mounting 20. 
The stock bobbins 4 lying in the mounting 20 are brought by the bearer rail 
16 which may be moved according to the arrows 25, into a transfer position 
provided above one of the alleyways, in which the bobbin holder 12 with 
the stock bobbins 4 which correspond with the need of a bobbin determined 
for one of the looms 2 is removed by the loading mechanism 18 from the 
bobbin train, fed to the bobbin frame 3 of the loom 2 in question and 
there exchanged for a bobbin holder 12' with an empty bobbin tube 4'. 
Through the master computer 23 it may be established whether during 
running out of the weft yarn from the stock bobbin 4 as detected by a 
corresponding sensor, it is a question of a process to be expected 
operationally or of a yarn breakage. A bobbin holder 12' with a defective 
stock bobbin 4 which, e.g., has been wound in a faulty manner or with yarn 
tending to yarn breakages, may accordingly at any time also be replaced by 
a bobbin holder 12 with a fresh stock bobbin 4. Thus a spent stock bobbin 
may either be an empty bobbin tube or a defective stock bobbin. The bobbin 
holder 12' is hereupon fastened to the free carrier 28 situated on the 
mounting 20. 
When the empty bobbin tubes 4' of all of the looms 2 of the group of looms 
in question, e.g., 1a have been replaced by fresh stock bobbins 4, or if 
under certain circumstances a stock bobbin 4 with a kind of yarn needed in 
the group of looms in question is lacking in the bobbin train, the bearer 
rail 16 is run back into one of the transfer positions associated with the 
junction sections 8, 8' from which the transport unit 30' now consisting 
of the bobbin holders 12' for the bobbin tubes 4' as well, possibly, as 
one or more bobbin holders 12 with stock bobbins 4 which have not been 
used, is returned via the return section 7b towards the preparation 
station 5. Hereupon a further transport unit 30 fully charged with stock 
bobbins is brought out of one of the storage sections 7c via the junction 
sections 8 or 8' into the mounting 20 which is again brought into the 
transfer position associated with the incompletely loaded group of looms 
1a and/or into a transfer position associated with another group of looms, 
e.g., 1b in which the needed stock bobbins 4 may be fed in the way 
described to the looms 2 of the group of looms concerned, 1a or 1b . . . 
1n respectively, and the empty bobbin tubes 4' be taken away. 
The bobbin holders 12', which in the meantime have been returned to the 
preparation station 5, are removed from their carriers 28, freed of the 
bobbin tubes 4' in the discharging station 13 and fed to the charging 
station 11 in which as bobbin holders 12 they are recharged with stock 
bobbins 4, each provided with the code corresponding with the kind of yarn 
and docked on the respective carrier 28 of the transport loop 7. The 
bobbin train charged with the foreseen combination of kinds of yarn is 
hereupon led in the way described into the feed section 7a or into one of 
the storage sections 7c. 
In the further Figures corresponding parts are designated by the same 
reference numbers. 
FIG. 2 shows one part of a weaving shed with groups of looms 1a, 1b, 1c, 
1d, . . . 1n, which in accordance with the illustration comprise ten looms 
2 each. 
The looms 2 are arranged in known manner so that within each group 1a, 1b . 
. . 1n the warp beams or respectively the cloth beams of two adjacent 
looms 2 are next to one another and accordingly the bobbin frames 3 are 
arranged on those narrow sides of adjacent areas which are remote from one 
another. In the case of this embodiment the transport loop 7 is connected 
to a transport section 7e which extends along one side wall 31 of the 
weaving shed over substantially its whole length and from which a 
number--two as illustrated--of storage sections 7c running in parallel 
with it may branch off for receiving two transport units 30 and 30a. The 
transport mechanism 10 comprises a crane beam with two bearer rails 16 and 
16a upon which the loading mechanism 18 arranged between them is guided to 
be able to shift. As appears in particular from FIG. 4 the mounting 20 
intended for receiving the transport unit 30 is fitted to the bearer rail 
16. On the bearer rail 16a further auxiliary devices --in accordance with 
the illustration sets 32 of pneumatic cleaning devices--may be provided 
which in known manner may be provided with suction lines 33 which may be 
carried in the longitudinal direction (arrows 25) over any one of the 
looms 2 lying in its range of movement, for cleaning the loom 2 in 
question. On the bearer rail 16a a number of stationary sets 32 may be 
provided, each associated with one of the rows of looms extending in the 
longitudinal direction, by which at any time all of the looms 2 of one 
group of looms 1a-1n may be cleaned at the same time. In FIG. 2 two sets 
32 are shown, which according to the arrows 26 may be positioned over any 
one of the rows of looms. The control of the cleaning devices may usefully 
be made such that in the event of a change of a bobbin being necessary any 
cleaning process happening at the time is interrupted and continued only 
after completion of the change of bobbin. Standstill times of the loom are 
accordingly avoided. 
As further appears from FIG. 4, the loading mechanism 18 comprises a 
driving unit 34 which is mounted on a crab 35 guided on the bearer rails 
16, 16a, and a manipulator arm 36 like a toggle lever, which comprises a 
first lever 37 hinged pivotally to the driving unit 34 and a second lever 
38 hinged to the first. The levers 37 and 38 may be swung by the driving 
unit 34 between a transfer position 36' indicated in dash-dot line, 
associated with the mounting 20, and the extended loading position shown, 
associated with the bobbin frame 3 of one of the looms 2 to be loaded at 
the time. At the free end of it the second, lever 38 is provided with a 
gripper 40 for seizing, removing, inserting and releasing any one of the 
bobbin holders 12 or 12'. This execution yields a precise positionable 
loading mechanism of compact construction and having a wide range of 
movement and allows an exchange of the bobbin holders 12' and 12 without 
impairment worth mentioning of other automated auxiliary devices. The 
manipulator arm 36 enables the "encompassing" of obstacles which possibly 
exist in the range of movement of the loading mechanism, e.g., a carrier 
41 indicated in FIG. 8 for a cleaning set which is not shown. 
The transport units 30 and 30a loaded in the preparation station 5 are 
carried in the way described into the storage sections 7c. In the position 
of the transport mechanism 10 represented in FIG. 2 the transport unit 30 
is being introduced into the mounting 20 in which, e.g., by positionable 
stops, it may be held in a definite position 30b--or in a number of 
corresponding positions. To correspond with the need of bobbins reported 
via the control computer 23, the transport mechanism 10 is brought into a 
transfer position associated with the groups of looms 1a to 1n or held, if 
necessary, in the transfer position shown above the alleyway running 
between the groups of looms 1b and 1c. Via the correspondingly controlled 
loading mechanism 18, the coded bobbin holder 12 required at the time is 
removed in the way described from the bobbin train, fed to the proper 
bobbin frame 3 lying in the alleyway concerned in the group of looms 1b or 
1c and exchanged for the bobbin holder 12' which is to be exchanged and 
which is subsequently returned to the corresponding gap in the bobbin 
train and fastened to the mounting 20. 
The bobbin holders 12' loaded with the bobbin tubes 4' are hereupon 
returned as the transport unit 30' via one of the storage sections 7c to 
the preparation station 5. Then another transport unit 30 or 30a may be 
introduced into the mounting 20 from the storage section 7c concerned. 
In the case of the execution according to FIG. 3 the transport loop 7 
extends over the whole length of the weaving shed and exhibits, branching 
off it, a number of storage sections 7c. Each storage section may be 
associated with an alleyways running between the groups of looms 1a to 1n 
as well as one to each of the two end rows of bobbin frames 3 of the 
groups of looms 1a and 1n respectively, each of the storage sections being 
able to receive one transport unit 30. With this execution the storage 
sections 7c may be constructed on guiderails 15a which are arranged 
stationary, each running over at least part of the width of the weaving 
shed, and which may be connected via points 14 to the guiderails 15 of the 
feed section 7a and the return section 7b. A number of bearer rails 16c, 
16d, 16e--three as illustrated--may further be provided, which are 
arranged distributed over the length of the weaving shed. The bearer rails 
lie above the system of guiderails 15 and 15a and are carried on the 
guideways 17 to be able to shift, each over a certain portion of the 
length of the weaving shed. In accordance with FIG. 3 the bearer rail 16c 
is intended for loading the groups of looms 1a, 1b, 1c and the bobbin 
frames 3 next to them on the group of looms 1d, while the bearer rails 16d 
and 16e are provided for loading the groups of looms 1e to 1n and the 
bobbin frames 3 next to them on the group of looms 1d. 
It is obvious that also in the case of the executions according to FIGS. 1 
and 2 a number of corresponding bearer rails 1a, 1b, 1c may be provided 
through which at any time a number of groups or pairs of groups of looms 
may be loaded with stock bobbins 4. Thus, in accordance with FIG. 3, the 
bearer rails 16c, 16d, and 16e are brought into the corresponding transfer 
positions in which the loading mechanisms 18 remove the bobbin holders 12 
determined by the master computer, with the stock bobbins 4, from the 
associated transport units 30 and feed each to the bobbin frame 3 
concerned, exchanging them for the bobbin holders 12' containing the 
bobbin tubes 4'. 
Instead of displaceable bearer rails 16, 16a-16c like crane beams, 
stationary bearer rails arranged in accordance with FIG. 3, e.g., above 
the guide rails 15 but not shown, may also be provided for guidance of the 
loading mechanisms 18. These bearer rails may be able to be coupled group 
by group to connecting rails (not shown) running in the longitudinal 
direction, which allow a changeover of the loading mechanism 18 associated 
with this group from one bearer rail to the other. 
In accordance with FIG. 5 the charging station 11 may include a bracket 51 
which is arranged to be able to shift on a vertical beam 50 and is 
adjustable between a lower position shown in solid line and an upper 
position 51' shown in dash-dot line, in which any one of the bobbin 
holders 12' may be seized. The bobbin holder 12' is released from the 
carrier 28 and lowered by the bracket 51 being moved into the lower 
position. At the lower position the bobbin tube 4' is pulled off and 
carried away by a removal device 52 not shown in detail, into a container 
at the discharge station 13. The empty bobbin holder 12 is then carried by 
the bracket 51 towards the stock bobbin 4 which has been fed in via the 
distributor equipment 22 and may be seized in the region of a preparation 
unit 53 in the charging station 11 and brought together with a suction 
device 54 for releasing and preparing the piece 55a at the start of the 
weft yarn if and, necessary, the piece 55b at the end of the weft yarn 55 
wound onto the stock bobbin 4. 
The piece 55a at the start and the piece 55b at the end of the weft yarn 
may be transferred by guide means (not shown) to a yarn guide part 47 
provided on the bobbin holder 12, which in a predetermined operating 
position of the bobbin holder 12 on the loom 2, may be brought together 
with a device on the side of the loom, e.g., a suction nozzle (not shown) 
for transfer of the starting-piece 55a. In that case if necessary a 
connection of the piece 55a at the start of the standby bobbin to the 
piece 55b at the end of the active bobbin and thereby the relatively 
laborious preparation of the end-piece 56bmay be waived. This method 
enables automation of the change of bobbin and the transfer of yarn to the 
weft insertion equipment on the loom. The yarn guide part 47 may exhibit 
two clamps 48 and 49 each positionable with respect to a transfer position 
predetermined on the bobbin frame 3, for securing and releasing the 
starting-piece 55a or the end-piece 55b. 
Upon raising the bracket 51 again, the bobbin holder 12 is finally docked 
on the carrier 28. The bobbin holder 12 is then transported onwards and 
the next bobbin holder 12' is mounted on the bracket 51. 
In contrast to the execution according to FIG. 5, in which the stock 
bobbins 4 are transported with vertical axes, in the case of the 
embodiment according to FIGS. 6 and 7 carriers 57 may be provided for 
receiving the bobbin holders 12 and 12' on which the stock bobbins 4 and 
the bobbin tubes 4', respectively, are arranged with approximately 
horizontal axes 58. The charging station 11 contains a slide-in mechanism 
60 by which the bracket 51, together with the bobbin holder 12, may in its 
upper position 51' be tilted by about 90.degree. and the bobbin holder 12 
be held with approximately horizontal axis 58 and docked on the respective 
carrier 57. The bobbin holders 12' may then be taken off the carriers 57 
in a discharging station which is not shown, freed of the bobbin tubes 4' 
and, in accordance with FIG. 6, fed to the charging station 11 via a 
conveyor belt 61. 
According to another embodiment (not shown) corresponding bobbin holders 12 
and 12' can also be provided each for receiving two or several stock 
bobbins 4 and bobbin tubes 4', respectively, arranged side by side or one 
upon another. 
Instead of the automatic charging station 11 a manual charging station may 
also be provided. The stock bobbins 4 are pre-sorted to correspond with 
the need of bobbins and fed in predetermined sequence are respectively 
prepared and mounted by an operator on the bobbin holders 12 which are 
already assembled into the transport unit 30, and then fed via one of the 
storage sections 7c of the transport mechanism 10 in the way described. As 
indicated in FIG. 8 the removal mechanism 52 for removing the bobbin tube 
4' and the preparation unit 53 for seizing and laying ready the 
starting-piece and if necessary the end-piece of the weft yarn, may in 
this case be fitted together with the loading mechanism 18 onto the 
transport mechanism 10 so as to be able to shift along the bearer rail 16. 
To correspond with the illustration according to FIGS. 9 and 10 the 
transport loop 7 and the secondary transport mechanism 10 may each have, 
provided in the floor, an induction loop 43 and 44 respectively which are 
suitable for the guidance of transport trucks 45 chargeable with the 
bobbin holders 12 or 12'. The induction loops are connected together via 
the storage section 7c. The bobbin holders 12 and 12' may also be mounted 
on a trailer (not shown) which may be coupled to the transport truck 45. 
In accordance with FIG. 9, the bobbin frames 3 of the looms 2 may be 
arranged to be accessible from one side, the warp side as illustrated. In 
each case one portion of the induction loop 44 of the transport mechanism 
10, upon which the transport truck 45 is guided, runs through the warp 
alleyways which run between the warp beams facing one another. The 
transport truck 45 may be fitted with the loading mechanism 18 by which 
the bobbin frames 3 of the groups of looms 1a, 1b, 1c . . . 1n--separated 
in the case of the arrangement shown, by the warp and weaver alley-ways 
running in the longitudinal direction - may in each case be charged from 
the warp side with bobbin holders 12 containing the stock bobbins 4 and 
relieved of bobbin holders 12' containing the bobbin tubes 4'. 
Upon running the transport trucks 45 and/or the corresponding trailers 
through the preparation station 5 the bobbin holders 12' may, in the 
unloading station 13, be freed automatically or by hand of the bobbin 
tubes 4', and be charged in the charging station 11--likewise by hand or 
automatically--with the stock bobbins 4 selected to correspond with the 
established need of bobbins, and mounted on the transport truck 45 or on 
the trailer. The transport truck 45 or trailer is then put away in the 
storage section 7c and at need - say, if the transport truck 45 shown 
between the groups of looms 1d and 1e has completed the charging process 
and is being returned via the return section 7b towards the preparation 
station 5--is fed from it along the induction loop 44 to the next group of 
looms which has to be loaded or respectively to the pair of groups which 
has to be loaded, e.g., 1f and 1g. 
Hence in the case of this execution too the transport loop 7 of the 
transport mechanism 10 performing the fine distribution in the weaving 
shed is functionally separated and can therefore be operated independently 
of the loading process.