Abstract: A feeder 1 for supplying a fiber material, a plurality of fiber opening cylinders 2.sub.1, 2.sub.2, 2.sub.3, . . . 2n (n is a natural number) mounted adjacent to one another for transferring and opening the fiber material fed from the feeder 1 and having metallic wires 2a mounted to the surface thereof, a conveyor 7 arranged for receiving the opened fiber unloaded from the fiber opening cylinder 2n mounted at the outlet end, and a suction box 8 arranged beneath the conveyor 7 for drawing the opened fiber towards the conveyor 7 by a sucking action. The fiber opening cylinders 2.sub.1, 2.sub.2, 2.sub.3, . . . 2n being enclosed in a housing 3 which has fiber transfer openings 4 between any two adjacent fiber opening cylinders and a fiber releasing opening 5 for unloading the opened fiber from the last fiber opening cylinder 2n. At least one of the fiber opening cylinders 2.sub.1, 2.sub.2, 2.sub.3, . . . 2n is driven to produce a centrifugal acceleration of more than 3.4.times.10.sup.5 cm/sec.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a fiber web comprising a feeder 1 for supplying a fiber material, a plurality of fiber opening cylinders 2.sub.1, 2.sub.2, 2.sub.3, . . . 2n (n is a natural number) mounted adjacent to one another for transferring and opening the fiber material fed from the feeder 1 and having metallic wires 2a mounted to the surface thereof, a conveyor 7 arranged for receiving the opened fiber unloaded from the fiber opening cylinder 2n mounted at the outlet end, and a suction box 8 arranged beneath the conveyor 7 for drawing the opened fiber towards the conveyor 7 by a sucking action, said fiber opening cylinders 2.sub.1, 2.sub.2, 2.sub.3, . . . 2n being enclosed in a housing 3 which has fiber transfer openings 4 between any two adjacent fiber opening cylinders and a fiber releasing opening 5 for unloading the opened fiber from the last fiber opening cylinder 2n, and also arranged so that any two adjacent cylinders can rotate in opposite directions.