Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for cleaning and opening loose fiber material which is fed through a feeder to a cleaning operation to be carried away for further processing. The degree of contamination of the fiber material is concurrently scanned. Control of the cleaning procedure is performed in response to the scanned measuring results. A measuring path is provided between a fiber feeder (2) and an opening and cleaning unit (3). At the measuring path (24), there is arranged a device (300) for scanning the degree of contamination of the fiber material. A controller (41) controls cleaning unit (3) and/or take-off rolls (8, 9) of feeder (2). The control of the cleaning procedure is relatively instantaneous in accordance wit the result of a proceeding measurement of the degree of contamination of the fiber material.

Abstract: Textile apparatus is disclosed for fine opening and cleaning textile fiber material. The apparatus includes a filling chamber (3) to which the fiber material is fed having a number of opening rollers (5, 6) in superposed arrangement forming a side of the filling chamber. The opening rollers are followed by a take-off roller (8) from which the fiber material is pneumatically carried away by a suction tube (31). A lower opening roller (6) is preceded by a supply roller (16) having a smaller diameter and rotating at a speed substantially slower than the opening rollers (5, 6).

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning and feeding textile fibers is disclosed wherein supply units (A) include a cleaning machine (B) fed by a batt forming machine (C) which includes a reserve chute (42) and a formation chute (44). The reserve chute and formation chute are partitioned whereby a serial flow of fiber laden air may be utilized to deliver fibers to a number of the supply units connected in series. Each supply unit (C) may feed a parallel line (10, 12, 14) of card machines (16). Each card machine (16) is fed by a vertical chute feed (18) to which a fiber delivery air flow is delivered from supply units (60, 62, 64). In this manner, a first fiber batt of uniform density across its width is fed to the cleaning machines. The fibers are more uniformly fed and separated to provide more uniform opening and cleaning of the fibers. The individual and cleaned fibers are fed to a vertical chute feed wherein a second fiber batt is formed for feeding to the textile cards.

Abstract: A web weight control system and method are disclosed wherein the actual weight of fibers supplied to a carding machine (36) are measured in a weight pan (20) or while moving on a conveyor (22) by a sensor (92). the supply roll (14) is controlled by computer (A) to supply a preset weight of fibers. The weighed fibers are supplied on an apron feed (22) to a pneumatic delivery system (28). The delivery of weighed fibers by apron feeder (22) may be adjusted by adjusting the speed of an apron feed roll (50a). This maintains a prescribed quantity or level of fiber in a fiber storage chute feed (32). Pressure sensed by a pressure gauge (52) is used to indicate quantity of fiber in chute feed (32) and pressure signal (53) is fed to computer (A) for control of delivery roll (50a). Card feed roll (62) which feeds fibers in the form of a batt (35) from chute feed (32) to the carding machine is controlled by computer (A) in synchronization with the speed of the carding machine as sensed by doffer roll (68).

Abstract: An apparatus for opening pressed bales of textile fiber comprising spaced grid rods which are adapted to press against the surface of the bale. A toothed disk is mounted on a shaft which extends transversely of the grid rods and is supported to rotate in the space between the grid rods. The toothed disk has a plurality of teeth extending at an angle from the plane in which its central portion lies so that the tips of adjacent teeth revolve in the space between the grid rods in a different orbital path. The paths of the several teeth are adapted to be evenly spaced within the space between the grid rods.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing pressed fiber bales arranged in a row is disclosed which facilitates removal of fibers from the upper surface of the bales adjacent a stationary member (28). Transversely extending rollers (18, 19) parallel to milling rollers (4, 5) are provided with blocking means (25, 26). These blocking means may be actuated to prevent rotation of rollers (18, 19). As rollers (18, 19) are carried by housing (2) so as to extend slightly beyond the housing in the direction of travel (16). Upon reaching stationary member (28), blocking means prevents rotation of roller (19). The teeth of roller (19) act as a rake to remove fibers from bale (24a) adjacent stationary member (28) as reducing means (1) starts its travel in the return direction. In this manner, the fibers from the entire upper surface of bale (24) are more totally and uniformly removed.

Abstract: A condenser (1) for separating fibers from a fiber laden air flow is disclosed which includes a cell wheel housing (3) and a cell wheel (4). The cell wheel includes a plurality of radial vanes (6) and a perforated screen (12) extending between adjacent vanes. The perforated screen separates the space between the adjacent vanes into fiber entraining cells (14) and air exit spaces (13). Flexible sealing element (7) are carried at the ends of vanes which seal against an interior of the wheel housing. Air from the fiber laden air flow exits through screens (12) by way of a discharge opening (18). Fibers are discharged at (9) through an opening provided in the bottom of cell wheel housing (3).

Abstract: Apparatus for opening compressed bales of fiber includes means for supporting one or more of said compressed bales of fiber in a row. A reciprocating tower is provided and supported for reciprocating alongside the row of said bales of fiber and has a cantilevered portion which extends over the row of bales of fiber at a height which is adjustable. Reducing means is supported by the cantilevered portion over the top surface of the bales for removing fiber therefrom. A horizontal channel is disposed adjacent to and above the reducing means for receiving fiber removed from the bale by the reducing means. The horizontal channel is connected to a telescoping vertical channel within the tower means for delivering fiber from the reducing means to the discharge channel in the tower when a suction force is created therein.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for reducing bales of fiber which includes a tower that reciprocates alongside a row of bales. The tower has a cantilevered portion which extends transversely over the row of the bales and supports two milling rollers for removing fiber from the upper surface of the bales. The cantilevered portion has a generally horizontal fiber collecting channel for receiving fiber removed from the bales, and includes a closed chamber in which is located a single drive for driving the two milling rollers in opposite directions. An adjustable vent permits passage of varying amounts of the atmosphere through the closed chamber. The closed chamber is connected to the horizontal channel so that air currents created by suction through the vent convey fibers removed from the bales by the milling rollers to a fiber collection point within the tower.

Abstract: Batt forming apparatus (12) is disclosed having a reserve chute (36) and batt formation chute (76). A fiber entrance duct (40) includes a bottom floor (44) with a stationary floor (48) and a movable floor ramp (50). Ramp (50) may be adjustably inclined to incoming airflow to project fibers in trajectories further across reserve chute (36). This control of fiber distribution may be used to assist in the production of a fiber batt (78) having a homogeneous density structure.

Abstract: From a device (46) for opening pressed bales of fiber material set up in a row (39, 40), the opened fiber material is conveyed pneumatically (55) to a hopper feeder (1). A receiving chamber (13) and upwardly extending inclined spiked feed lattice (3) are provided in hopper feeder (1) for delivering fiber to a processing machine via outlet (8). The delivery of the fiber material, removed continuously from the row of bales, to receiving chamber (13) of hopper feeder (1) is performed transversely to the latter, and in parallel to spiked feed lattice (3). In another embodiment a filling chamber (13a) may be advantageously compartmentalized by transverse walls (57, 58) and provided with a bottom conveyor (56). Fiber is removed in a height direction from a longitudinal face of the fiber bed formed in filling chamber (13a) of fiber feeding device (19).

Abstract: In a chute feed apparatus for carding engines, cards and like machines, there is disclosed means for changing the widthwise configuration of sheet material being fed and exiting the apparatus by changing the deformation of a constituent wall of the delivery chute shaftway. This wall has a deformable member and displacement devices and holding members which deform the wall's shaftway contours responsive to the density or thickness of the sheet material exiting so as to provide sheet material with a desired contour widthwise.

Abstract: A web weight control system and method are disclosed wherein the actual weight of fibers supplied to a carding machine (36) are measured in a static condition in a weight pan (20). The supply roll (14) is controlled by computer (A) to supply a preset weight of fibers to weight pan (20). The weighed fibers are supplied to an apron feed (22) and to a pneumatic delivery system (28). Apron feeder (22) may be adjusted by adjusting the speed of an apron feed roll (50a). To maintain the fiber in a storage chute feed (32). Pressure sensed by a pressure gauge (52) is used to indicate quantity of fiber in chute feed (32) and pressure signal (53) is fed to computer (A) for control of delivery roll (50a). Card feed roll 62 which feeds fibers in the form of a batt (35) from chute feed (32) to the carding machine is controlled by computer (A) in synchronization with the speed of the carding machine as sensed by doffer roll (68).

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the rate (Y) of fiber input (24) into a delivery system (28) in response to sensed fiber quantity (56) is disclosed. The control system generates a step control signal (C,D) in response to first deviations about a prescribed fiber quantity condition (1 or 1,2). Deviations of small magnitude caused by various fiber delivery conditions, i.e. fiber opening, duct friction, etc., are taken into account without overreacting to the variation. In response to deviations outside the range of the first deviations, an integrated ramp signal (E, F or 128, 124) is produced which automatically seeks a new level of fiber input rate. Such deviations are normally caused by changes in system requirements such as the changing consumption and production requirements of an associated carding machine (48) to which fibers are fed from a chute feed (42).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a uniform fiber column in a chute feed (A) which includes an entrance opening (34) in a reserve section (30) of the chute at which an inclined air deflection vane (42) is pivoted for deflecting the incoming fiber-laden airflow downwardly in nonturbulent, uniform flow paths. A fiber column (F) with a level top surface (43) is provided along the entire length (L) of the reserve chute (40). An adjustable width throat (B) in the reserve chute compacts and shapes the fibers into a fiber column having a desired form avoiding fiber drag down the chute walls. The adjustable throat includes a pair of longitudinal movable wall elements (66, 68). The wall elements may be adjusted and fixed in position to provide a throat cross-section having a desired width (W) or shape depending on the type fiber being fed.

Abstract: A control system for a textile chute feed is disclosed which includes first and second fiber quantity signals generators (A, B) which generate first and second fiber quantity signals (52, 54) proportional to sensed fiber volumes in chute (16). A fiber delivery weight signal generator (C) generates a delivery weight signal (60) proportional to the delivery weight of the fibers in the fiber batt (44). A delivery roll signal generator (D) generates a signal proportional to the rotational speed of the delivery roll (38). The fiber quantity signal (52) is integrated with a delivery roll signal (68) in a first controller device (70) to produce a feed roll control signal (71). The delivery weight signal (60) and the delivery roll signal (68) are integrated in a controller (74) to produce a control signal (75) which controls the oscillation of an oscillating fiber compaction plate (28).

Abstract: A chute feed means comprising upper and lower chutes intercommunicating through channelways between guide walls and a feed roller and a beater roller provides virtual elimination of stressing constituent fibers on the flock being processed by obviating all reversals in direction of movement of the flock through the chute feed means. This is the result of causing the feed roller and the beat roller to be rotated in opposite rotational senses to one another and by positioning the roller axes and guide walls such that the flow of flock through the intercommunicating channelways is made almost laminar.

Abstract: A chute feed having a vertically extending chute for collecting and densifying fiber therein, the chute being formed by a plurality of fixed, imperforate walls, and a perforated wall portion mounted adjacent the lower end of the chute for oscillating movement about a horizontal pivot shaft. Pressurized air is forced downwardly through the collected fibers in the chute and is discharged through the perforated wall portion, thereby densifying the fiber. The oscillating movement of the perforated wall portion results in the upper and lower ends thereof being alternately moved toward and away from the collected fiber to alternately compress such fibers and then release such fibers from the holding effect of the air passing through the perforated wall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing textile materials and, in particular, controlling the density of fiber in a carding system. A fiber feeder is provided which includes a blower and an oscillating plate, both of which act to compress fiber collected in the chute of the fiber feeder. A first sensing device is utilized at the discharge of the fiber feeder to sense the density of the batt being fed therefrom to a card, and a second sensing device is utilized at the trumpet of the card to sense the density of the fiber which forms the sliver in such trumpet. Control means is provided to regulate the operating speed of the blower and the oscillating plate in response to the signals generated by the first and second sensing devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fiber from a plurality of bales including a carriage for movement along the bales and a head which is carried by the carriage for vertical movement to engage the bales and remove fiber therefrom during traverse movement of the carriage. The head includes a rotatable beater arranged with its axis of rotation at an acute angle to the direction of movement of the carriage along the bales. A control system is provided whereby the level of the bale is sensed by photocells mounted on the head, and the head can be moved upwardly and/or downwardly if the sensed bale level is above or below predetermined levels. The control system may also move the head upwardly if the head itself is moved upwardly relative to its vertical drive assembly. A suction conveyor system is provided for conveying away removed fiber, and this system includes a perforated plate for separating out any trash, dust and the like from the fiber.