Apparatus for forming a fiber strand into cycloidal loops

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Having thus described a preferred embodiment of my invention as required by the statutes, I claim: 1.
Apparatus for continuously taking up a ropelike strand of fibers from a card or drawing frame and loading it into a receiving container in cycloidal loops, comprising a tube inclined from the vertical with its upper end below a sliver guide and is lower end supported such that the tube can move about its lower end, first eccentric drive means coupled to said tube for imparting thereto a gyratory movement such as would cause the tube to move in a generally conical path about its lower end, and second eccentric drive means coupled to said first eccentric drive means to impart to said first eccentric drive means a gyratory movement such that the gyratory movement of said second eccentric drive means is superimposed on the gyratory movement of said first eccentric drive means, and means for driving said first and second eccentric drive means at respectively different speeds.
2.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first eccentric drive means is driven more slowly than the second eccentric drive means.
3.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first eccentric drive means comprises first generally vertically oriented crankshaft means coupled to the upper part of said tube and journaled in a member, and said second eccentric drive means comprises second generally vertically oriented crankshaft means coupled to said member for imparting gyratory movement thereto in a generally horizontal plane.
4.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first crankshaft means comprises a first pair of crankshafts journaled in a generally horizontal plate and having their crank arms coupled to said tube through a bearing, and said second crankshaft means comprises a second pair of crankshafts having their crank arms coupled to said generally horizontal plate.
5.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first crankshaft means are driven through a rotational angle of from ten degrees to fifty degrees for each complete revolution of said second crankshaft means