Abstract: An adjustable grid for the extraction arm of a bale-opener machine for adjusting the depth of penetration of drivable fiber extraction elements extending between the grid bars which are substantially tranversely arranged relative to the longitudinal direction of the extraction arm, has the grid bars biased by the spring devices into an abutment position corresponding to a minimum depth of penetration of the extraction elements. The spring force is selected such that the moveably arranged grid bars are displaced, in accordance with the bale hardness, in the direction of increasing depth of penetration of the extraction elements into a position which at least approximately corresponds to the appropriate depth of penetration of the extraction elements.

Abstract: In an apparatus for opening bales of textile fibers, a deflecting member for the fiber flocks is arranged within the housing and extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening roll. This deflecting member deflects fiber flocks supplied on the one side of the roll into the conveying shaft, at least largely prevents leakage air coming from the other side of the roll, and is able to shift in position under the action of blows which act on it during bale opening, for example blows caused by foreign articles. The deflecting member is pivotally secured in the region of its longitudinal edge adjacent the roll, to respective links for executing pivotal movements about an axis which extends parallel to such longitudinal edge. The opposite ends of the links are in turn pivotally journalled on the housing. Moreover, an extendible and retractable unit is provided for changing over the direction of the deflecting member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the opening roll.

Abstract: A flock extraction apparatus includes a pair of ducts which extend along a track for conveying fiber flock and a diverter chamber at one end of the ducts for directing the flock into one or the other of a pair of transport ducts extending from the diverter chamber. Plates are used to block communication between the diverter chamber and the respective transport ducts as well as to sub-divide the diverter chamber for communication with a respective duct extending along the track.

Abstract: The method provides for the replenishment of fiber bales to at least one row of fiber bales disposed on a spinning floor in operative positions extending along a path of a reciprocally mounted fiber bale opening machine. The bales are assembled in groups and delivered to a standby position on the spinning floor. When required, each fiber group is moved from the standby position into an operative position.

Abstract: A system for removing foreign metal bodies from a pneumatically conveyed stream of fiber material includes a fiber conveying duct in which the fiber material is pneumatically advanced; a branch-off location in the duct; a branch conduit joining the duct at the branch-off location; a metal detector for ascertaining the presence of a foreign metal body in the stream of fiber material at a sensing location upstream of the branch-off location; a channelling device arranged in the branch-off location for selectively directing the fiber stream into the branch conduit or, respectively, causing the fiber stream to continue travel in the duct past the branch-off location; a control device operatively connected to the metal detector and the channelling device for moving the channelling device into a removal position upon ascertaining the passage of a foreign metal body by the detector; and at least one bend in the duct for changing the direction of travel of fiber material in the duct.

Abstract: The flock delivery system employs a microcomputer with a storage cell for each marker and a storage cell for each stretch of path (containing one or more bale groups) between the markers. The control system is conditional selectively to "permit" or "inhibit" extraction of flocks from bales in each block individually. Various flock bending combinations can be obtained from time-to-time by programming of the control system.

Abstract: The bale-breaker comprises a movable carriage which can slide along a supporting frame adapted for supporting the fibre bales with a slanted axis, the movable carriage bearing a take up carriage the longitudinal axis of which is perpendicular to the bale layer surface.

Abstract: The fiber flock removal apparatus has a pair of removal rolls which may be adjusted in height relative to each other to obtain different depths of penetration into the fiber bales. The removal rolls may rotate codirectionally with the direction of travel or may operate in contra-direction with respect to the direction of travel. The rolls may be mounted individually for vertical movement relative to each other or may be mounted in a common removal means which is pivotal about a horizontal axis to achieve adjustability in the relative heights of the removal rolls. In one embodiment, the rolls are maintained in a common horizontal plane while grid bars are angularly adjusted to obtain different depths of penetration of the removal rolls into the fiber bales.

Abstract: In a device for opening fiber bales with a plucking device capable of travelling on rails alongside a row of bales and of being lowered upon the bales, as well as with a suction channel, suction nozzles (72, 73, 82, 83) which suck away fiber material having fallen into the travel path of the plucking devices are connected.

Abstract: An apparatus which determines quantities of textile fiber material during conveyance thereof by an air stream through a duct, includes a sensor unit situated at the duct and arranged for monitoring the stream flowing through the duct and composed of a fiber/air mixture. The sensor unit comprises a plurality of side-by-side situated light emitters forming an emitter bank and a plurality of side-by-side arranged light detectors forming a detector bank. The detector bank is situated spaced from and opposite to the emitter bank for providing a passage for the stream therebetween.

Abstract: Bales of filamentary material are separated into weighed charges of the material by disintegrating the bales in a rotating drum to produce tufts that are passed to a picking chamber wherein a toothed roll strips individual filaments from a supply roll formed from the tufts and passing the filaments to scales upon which the charges are accumulated. Each time a charge is accumulated on a scale, air is blown across the scale to discharge the scale. The charges are delivered to a magazine having a plurality of vertically stacked chambers, each chamber underlain by a movable gate, through which the charges are passed sequentially to be discharged at a fixed schedule from the lowermost chamber. Spikes mounted on the interior of the drum are shaped to loosen portions of bales entering the drum, tear tufts from such portions, and finally deposit the tufts into an air stream passing through the drum to expel the tufts.

Abstract: For a device for opening fiber bales, with an opening device capable of traveling on traveling rails along fiber bales set up in rows. A supporting wall is provided which is capable of being shifted in the direction of bale set-up. Orderly setting up of the fiber bales is ensured in a simple manner by means of the supporting wall.

Abstract: A textile fiber opening and removing apparatus (1) is disclosed having a tower (2) wherein at least one cantilevered arm (5, 6) is supported on the tower in such a manner that the cantilevered arm rotates about a longitudinal axis of the tower and a central axis (31) of a fiber discharge section (11) to various angles. Control means (35) mutually controls and coordinates a lift motor (24) and a traction motor (28) to move cantilevered arm (5) and milling unit (7) over a prescribed inclined path. In this manner, fiber bales (4) may be continuously fed at the top of the inclined path for fiber removal.

Abstract: A bale opening device (1) for opening textile fiber material from fiber bales (9) and the like is disclosed which comprises a rotary tower (2) supported for pivotal movement about 180 degrees. The rotary tower reciprocates along a row of bales and has at least one cantilevered arm (3) carried by tower. Reducing unit (4) is carried by cantilevered arm (3) for reducing the bales while the tower reciprocates along the rows. Driving means (44, 45) is provided for causing the pivotal movement of the tower about 180 degrees. A rotary part which pivots with the tower, and a base plate (6) is fixed relative to the pivotal movement of the tower. A stop bar (31) is carried by one of the rotary part (5). A plurality of stop brackets (24, 25) are carried by the base plate cooperating with the stop bar.

Abstract: The device for the opening and mixing of fiber bales contains a bale opening device capable of being lowered on a bale suspended from a bridge-like machine frame which is fashioned in the form of a portal and is capable of travelling along a guide rail, said bale opening device being equipped with a conveying device. A bale opening roll or plucker roll (6) is provided as the bale opening device, its axis of rotation being perpendicular to the direction of movement of the machine frame and its working width being at least 75% of the total width of the machine frame. A suction channel (9) fixedly installed above the bales (B) serves as the conveying device for the fiber material taken from the bales (B).The device is of simple construction and has a usable opening width essentially equal to its overall width and makes it possible to achieve good fiber mixing.

Abstract: An arrangement for ascertaining the presence of foreign bodies in a mass of fiber tufts comprises a fiber tuft-supporting surface; a device for providing a loose fiber tuft layer on the tuft-supporting surface; a foreign body detecting apparatus arranged for scanning the fiber tuft layer for foreign bodies; and a moving device for effecting relative displacement between the fiber tuft layer and the apparatus.

Abstract: The operation of a spiked sheet 15 advancing relatively to a compactable mass 14 e.g. of textile fibres in a bin emptying arrangement in a blending line is controlled by measuring the resistance through compaction of the mass 14 to said relative advance and adjusting the operation so as to maintain the resistance substantially constant. The resistance can be measured e.g. by measuring the torque reaction on the motor 24 powering the spiked sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for the removal by suction of fiber material on a movable bale opener which includes a suction channel with a fixed connection opening and a movable connection opening. The movable connection opening is part of a longitudinal slit in the suction channel, capable of being sealed by means of a covering band.In a space-saving arrangement which does not hinder the laying down of bales and makes it possible to remove the fiber material by suction in a pneumatically advantageous manner, the suction channel 3 is located in a plane above the bales B and the covering band 4, attached to the two ends of the longitudinal slit, 31 is held in sealing position by magnetic force.

Abstract: An arrangement for ascertaining the presence of foreign bodies in a mass of fiber tufts includes a fiber tuft-supporting surface having a width; a device for providing a loose fiber tuft layer on the fiber tuft-supporting surface; and a foreign body detecting apparatus arranged for scanning the fiber tuft layer for foreign bodies. The foreign body detecting apparatus has a detector device formed of a plurality of individual sensors arranged side-by-side along the width of the surface. There is further provided a device for effecting relative displacement between the fiber tuft layer and the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the surface width.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for rendering harmless sticky material adhering to cotton fibers, termed "honeydew". According to the process the cotton is heated for a brief period of time to a temperature adequate to render said honeydew hard and brittle, and this without adversely affecting the cotton fibers. There are also provided means for effecting such treatment of cotton fibers in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A bale opener has an opening device arranged for a horizontal back-and-forth travel above a row of fiber bales. The opening device includes two parallel-arranged and horizontally oriented opening rollers provided with teeth. The opening rollers are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to the direction of back-and-forth travel and each opening roller has an axis of rotation oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the back-and-forth travel. The opening device further has a bale hold-down device through which the teeth of the opening rollers project for penetrating into upper faces of the bales and a suction device for removing fiber tufts detached by the opening rollers. The opening rollers are codirectionally rotated during the back-and-forth travel of the bale opener.

Abstract: The method and equipment for removing the straps tied around a bale of cotton comprises the steps of: 1. lifting and transporting the bale by a forklift to an impact cutter provided with a long horizontal cutter blade, 2. pushing the bale towards the cutter blade, whereby the impact cutter is operated by contact of the bale with an electric switch, and the straps are cut in one place each by the rapid motion of the cutter blade, 3. lifting the bale by means of the forklift until the free ends of the straps flap over the lower of two rollers of a strap-pulling device and lowering the upper of the two rollers into contact with the straps and the lower roller, 4. switching on the motor of the strap-pulling device, whereby the rotating rollers pull the straps off the bale, and 5. carrying the bale to its destination.

Abstract: In a fiber removing roll 1 for a bale opener, the teeth 2 are removably attached on the circumference of the roll. They are provided with a contact surface 21 adapted to the circumferential contour of the fiber-removing roll and are held on the contour by screws screwed into pegs 4. The teeth are thus attached securely and can be replaced easily. In order to provide the teeth with a secure hold, independently of manufacturing tolerances, the contact surface is reduced to two contact shoulders 22, 23 spaced at a distance from each other.

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: A fiber bale opener includes a downwardly open housing which is adapted to be supported above fiber bales to be opened and which accommodates an opening roller having an axis and being arranged for detaching fiber tufts from upper bale surfaces. In the housing there is further arranged a suction duct through which fiber tufts detached by the opening roller are adapted to be removed by a suction air stream flowing therethrough. The suction duct has two lateral walls which are facing one another and which are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to the roller axis. One lateral wall has an upwardly extending first oblique air guiding face and the other lateral wall has an upwardly extending second oblique air guiding face.

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: 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: A cotton module is laid or placed on a horizontal deck. The deck is tilted so the module slides across a short slide into a header where the module is broken and fed into a hopper. Feeders at the bottom of the hopper feed the cotton into the gin at a rate as needed by the cotton gin.

Abstract: A fiber bale opener includes a downwardly open housing adapted to be supported above fiber bales to be opened and accommodating an opening device having a width dimension. The opening device includes an opening roller oriented parallel to the width dimension and arranged for removing fiber tufts from upper bale surfaces and a suction duct through which fiber tufts detached from the bales by the opening roller are adapted to be removed by a suction air stream flowing therethrough. The suction duct has two transverse walls facing one another and being spaced from one another in a direction perpendicular to the width dimension. The transverse walls extend substantially over the entire width dimension and each has a lower terminus defining a zone with an upper bale face situated underneath the opening device during operation thereof. The zone is sealed for substantially preventing air from passing therethrough along the width dimension of the opening device.

Abstract: A bale opener is arranged for travel along a series of fiber bales and has a detaching (opening) device for progressively removing and hurling away fiber tufts from top faces of the fiber bales. The detaching device includes a generally horizontally supported opening roller having a roller axis and equipped with detaching teeth and a grate urged against top faces of the bales. The grate is formed by a series of side-by-side arranged grate bars spaced from one another in a direction parallel to the roller axis. The teeth project between adjoining grate bars and penetrate into top faces of the bales. A first imaginary contour line, defining a plane with the roller axis, interconnects tips of axially adjacent teeth of the opening roller and a second imaginary contour line, defining a plane with the roller axis, lies in an underface of each grate bar and interconnects side-by-side arranged grate bars in a direction generally along the roller axis.

Abstract: A travelling opening device for detaching fiber material from top faces of fiber bales includes two opening rollers having generally horizontal longitudinal axes oriented perpendicularly to a travelling direction of the opening device; opening elements carried on the opening rollers; and grates formed of grate bars spaced parallel to the longitudinal axes and each having a horizontal length portion arranged to engage the top faces of the fiber bales. The elements of the opening rollers project between the grate bars and penetrate into the fiber bales. Each opening roller cooperates with a separate grate. The grates are movably supported independently from one another. The grate bars of each grate have a supported end and an opposite free end spaced from the supported end parallel to the travelling direction. The free ends of the grate bars constitute an open end of the grate. The open ends of the two grates are adjacent and are oriented towards one another.

Abstract: A bale opener includes a carriage arranged for floor travel along a travelling path; a tower mounted on the carriage for travel therewith as a unit and for rotation relative to the carriage about a vertical axis through 180.degree. at ends of the travelling path; an opening device mounted on the tower and projecting laterally therefrom; the opening device includes a generally horizontally supported opening roller arranged for rotation and for travel above serially positioned fiber bales for removing fiber tufts from top faces of the fiber bales. There is further provided a drive for rotating the tower through 180.degree.. The drive includes an rpm-controllable electric motor and a control arrangement operatively connected with the electric motor for setting predetermined rpm's therefor.

Abstract: A method of processing textile fiber includes the steps of removing fiber tufts from fiber bale tops by a fiber bale opening device by effecting a travel of the opening device back-and-forth above serially arranged fiber bales to execute consecutive opening passes; lowering the opening device prior to each opening pass for adapting the opening device to the height level of the fiber bale tops; introducing the fiber tufts removed by the bale opener into a fiber storage device; conveying the fiber tufts from the fiber storage device to a successive processing station; and varying the duration of the opening passes by varying the travelling speed of the opening device. The travelling speed is varied as a function of a fiber quantity requirement by a fiber processing machine forming part of a fiber processing line and being supplied by fiber, at least indirectly, by the fiber bale opening device.

Abstract: A method of operating a bale opener, including the steps of propelling a carriage of the bale opener in a path of travel to execute consecutive back and forth passes in a generally horizontal direction along and between two parallel fiber bale rows having opposite end faces defining a length boundary for each bale row; removing, during each pass, fiber tufts from the top of the fiber bales of one of the rows by an opening device supported laterally by a tower mounted on the carriage; and turning, upon reaching the end of each pass, the tower through 180.degree. about a generally vertical axis for swinging the opening device through 180.degree. from above an end zone of one bale row to above an adjacent end zone of the other bale row such that the opening device, during its swinging motion, remains substantially in its entirety within the end boundary of at least one of the bale rows.

Abstract: An arrangement for extracting fiber flocks from textile fiber bales includes a fiber flock extraction member which passes between and projects to a predetermined extent beyond respective grid bars which rest on the bale surface during the extraction operation, for the extraction member to extract the fiber flocks from the surface layer of the bale. The extent to which the extraction member extends beyond the grid bars can be adjusted in dependence on the fiber type. To achieve this, the grid bars are movable with respect to the extraction member by respective screw-threaded spindles. This adjustment is performed under the control of a suitable control system, especially a microprocessor, such that the extent of projection of the extraction member beyond the grid bars is automatically accommodated to the fiber type of each bale or bale group from which the fiber flocks are to be extracted during a particular extraction operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a foreign body in a textile fiber bale. A search device is provided for detecting a foreign body in a textile fiber bale and a mechanism is provided for varying the location of the search device and of the fiber bale relative to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing fibers consists of a mixing chamber having a charging device located proximate to a chamber end wall, a fiber conveyor located proximate to the chamber bottom, and a mixing plough located proximate to the chamber end wall opposite the charging device. The fiber material in the mixing chamber is conveyed by means of the fiber conveyor toward the mixing plough. Elimination of the second mixing chamber heretofore necessary for the multiple remixing of the fiber material is accomplished by using a tubular connecting device through which the mixing plough can be connected either to an apparatus for the processing of the fiber material or to the charging device.

Abstract: A fiber bale opener includes a housing arranged for horizontal travel along a series of fiber bales and a pair of horizontally spaced, parallel opening rollers defining an intermediate space therebetween. Each opening roller has a rotary axis oriented transversely to a direction of horizontal travel and each is supported in the housing for travel therewith above the fiber bales. Each opening roller further has peripherally situated fiber tuft removing elements arranged for penetrating top surfaces of the fiber bales in a working zone of the opening rollers. The fiber bale opener also has a suction device in the housing for drawing away fiber tufts removed by the opening rollers. The opening rollers are rotated in opposite directions such that in the working zone the rotary directions of the opening rollers are oriented away from one another.

Abstract: A uctting mechanism for an apparatus for cutting and mixing fibers from a plurality of fiber bales arranged in a row includes a grid between the fiber bales and a cutting member having at least one cutter roller mounted at one of its ends, wherein the grid surrounds the cutting member at least up to the height of the axis of each of the cutter rollers provided.

Abstract: A fiber-bale mill comprises a cutting device which is movable over a row of fiber bales. A collector passage is open on top below the cutting device which travels to and fro. An air passage in a cutting device through which the cut fibers are drawn from the vicinity of the cutting mechanism communicates with the passage. A cover strip at least partially covers the top of the collector passage to maintain a reduced pressure therein. Guide rollers for the cover strip are provided on the cutting device, to lift the cover strip from the collector passage at the location, at which the air passage opens into the collector passage and guide the cover strip over the portion of the air passage opening into the collector passage.

Abstract: Cotton burrs and other trash from a cotton gin are processed by first passing them over a small screen to remove sand and other fine material. Thereafter, the burrs and other trash are ground in a hammer mill. After grinding, the material passed along a large screen having about 3/8" opening. Substantially all the burrs and trash will pass through the screen except for cotton lint which will not. The burrs and trash, without the lint, is then sized by screening through screens with successively smaller openings. The burrs and trash of any one size is further separated by air classification. The resulting product is a combination of three geometric shapes, fibers, flakes, and granules. The resulting product is a lignocellulose product having softwood lignin precursors.

Abstract: A fiber filling system features a picking device for separating clumped fiber, that feeds to an air and fiber circulation chamber. The circulation chamber aerates and fluffs the separated fiber into a fibrous billow, which is then discharged to a stuffing chute. A stuffable article, such as a toy, pillow, or furniture cushion casing is attached to the chute and is filled with the fibrous billow in a metered amount.

Abstract: An opening roller for removing tufts from fiber bales includes a cylindrical core adapted to be supported for rapid rotation and annular toothed discs affixed peripherally to the cylindrical core. The toothed discs which have teeth adapted to penetrate into the fiber bales upon rotation of the cylindrical core are arranged to have a helical course.

Abstract: In order to extract fiber flocks from individual textile fiber bale groups with a substantially constant extraction power independently of density variation distribution over the bale height, the individual bale groups are subdivided into a plurality of height zones exhibiting different densities of fiber material. Then, an extracting member provided with a rotating extraction head is moved through the upper zone with a relatively large penetration depth, while the penetration depth is gradually reduced during the movement of the extracting member through the next lower zone until the penetration depth desired for the next following lower zone is reached, from which point this penetration depth is maintained until reaching the lowermost zone during the movement through which the penetration depth is again gradually increased until the last layer to be extracted is reached.

Abstract: Bales of filamentary material are separated into weighed charges of the material by disintegrating the bales in a rotating drum to produce tufts that are passed to a picking chamber wherein a toothed roll strips individual filaments from a supply roll formed from the tufts and passing the filaments to scales upon which the charges are accumulated. Each time a charge is accumulated on a scale, air is blown across the scale to discharge the scale. The charges are delivered to a magazine having a plurality of vertically stacked chambers, each chamber underlain by a movable gate, through which the charges are passed sequentially to be discharged at a fixed schedule from the lowermost chamber.

Abstract: The opening device for opening pressed fiber bales, e.g. cotton bales or the like comprises opening rollers containing opening disks or needles to coact with a grate. If the opening device and the fiber bales contact each other in movement, the teeth of the opening disks or the like engage the fiber bales. To this effect, the grate rods (22,39,43) comprise an offset portion (32,40,43) extending transversely to the direction of travel (5) of the opening device (1), at least one opening disk (28;29) being arranged ahead of and/or behind the offset portion. Thus, an equalizing effect is achieved for the removal of flocks from the fiber bales.

Abstract: In the opening device for reducing fiber bales, e.g. cotton and staple fiber bales or the like, the opening rollers are arranged in a housing. The detached fibers or flocks are carried away in direction of the longitudinal axis of the opening rollers by means of a vacuum current in the housing. At the air discharge side of the housing (7) of the opening device, an air-conducting surface (17) projecting into the housing (7) is mounted above the opening rollers (8,9) and beneath the suction piece (12).

Abstract: A method of selectively supplying fiber material from an output of a fiber bale opener to a plurality of fiber processing lines each formed of a series of fiber processing machines, includes the steps of removing fiber by the bale opener sequentially from bales of different fiber types; supplying predetermined fiber processing lines with predetermined types of fiber by the bale opener; sensing a fiber quantity requirement of the fiber processing line while being supplied with fiber by the bale opener while the latter simultaneously performs fiber removal from the bales of a predetermined fiber type; interrupting the fiber removal at that location of the bale opener where it is situated when the fiber processing line then supplied with fiber, signals satisfaction of fiber requirement; and resuming fiber removal of the predetermined fiber type at the mentioned location upon a signal for fiber requirement by the fiber processing line supplied at the time of interruption.

Abstract: A bale opener includes an opening roller arranged for travel over fiber bales, opening elements on the opening roller arranged to engage top faces of the fiber bales, a grate travelling with the opening roller and formed of a plurality of parallel spaced grate bars each having opposite first and second ends and an arm rigidly connecting the first ends of the bars. The arm is supported for pivotal motion about a generally horizontal axis. The grate is open at the second ends of the grate bars, and the opening elements project between the grate bars towards the bale top. An abutment is supported in a swinging path of the second ends for constituting a stop cooperating with the second ends for determining a limit of their swinging path.

Abstract: A method of textile fiber bale opening wherein fiber bales are laid within a circle on the floor in a predetermined arrangement and are opened by a beater which rotates about the center of the circle and sweeps over the tops of the bales to loosen and strip fibers therefrom.