Abstract: The position of foreign matter in a bale pattern after its separation in a separating device (10) may be evaluated in that the relative position of the opening device (1) and the transport time of the fibers between the opening device (1) and the separating device (10) is determined in each relative position. Given a separating procedure, taking account of the mentioned variables, the position of the opening device (1) at the point in time of opening the foreign matter (28) is evaluated. The determined opening position of the foreign matter on the fiber bales (27) is stored as a signal and subsequently preferably graphically represented. The method permits conclusions on the degree of contamination of the fiber bales.

Abstract: A device for opening flocculent fibrous materials, including a housing and a supply connection pipe having an end extending into a lower portion of the housing for introducing into the housing a negative pressure transport air current conveying fiber flocks. A hollow cylinder is provided that has one end connected to the end of the supply connection pipe, an open end opposite to the one end, and a diameter larger than a diameter of the end of the supply connection pipe. The hollow cylinder forms an annular chamber within the housing. The device further includes a discharge connection pipe connectable to the housing for discharging the fibrous material. The housing, supply connection pipe, hollow cylinder and discharge connection pipe collectively define a pneumatic conveying path for the fibrous material. Additionally provided is a drivable opening disc disposed within the housing and positioned at a distance from and parallel to the open end of the hollow cylinder to extend across the open end.

Abstract: A method for the discharge of the waste from a fiber cleaning machine with the retention of the operating pressure difference to the surroundings of the machine. The waste inside the machine is collected to a predetermined filling level and after this filling level has beeen reached only a predetermined part of the waste is removed so that the part of the waste which is not removed can be effective as a sluice layer.A discharge device for discharging the waste from a fiber cleaning machine having a collecting basin and a blowing or sucking device. The discharge device has a collecting basin which is funnel shaped with a motor driven paddle wheel in the tapered part. The waste removal is controlled on the basis of weight indicating and/or filling level indicating sensors which are assigned to the collecting basin.

Abstract: A tool for opening fiber bales in which a plurality of axially spaced blades are mounted coaxially on a shaft. Each of the blades has a periphery provided with projecting sawteeth which engage the fibers of a bale to be opened. Each of the sawteeth is bounded by two flanks which include a predetermined angle between themselves. There is also a predetermined circumferential spacing between the tips of successive fronts of the sawteeth. A leading flank and a trailing flank are arranged so that the leading flank is inclined in the direction of rotation. The angle of inclination of the leading flank with reference to a straight-line intersecting the tip of the respective tooth and to the axis of rotation of the shaft, is smaller than a predetermined angle. The tips of the sawteeth may face forwardly in the direction of rotation of the shaft.