Abstract: A method of activating down and fiber materials uses a plurality of nozzles for ionized air and nozzles for normal air alternately at proper intervals in the passage of the materials to be treated. The materials are subjected to ionization by ionized air ejected from the nozzles for ionized air produced by an air ionizer connected to the ionized air nozzles. Then the materials are subjected to suspension of the progress of oxydization caused by ozone by normal air ejected from the normal air nozzles. This process is repeated several times while the materials are passing through the passage. The repeated processes of such alternate ionization and suspension of the progress of oxydization caused by ozone allow the materials to be gradually and intensively ionized, resulting in producing finally activated materials which are characteristic of restored bulkiness and elasticity. An enclosure can also be adopted instead of the passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for cleaning feathers in a cyclone, wherein feathers are introduced into the interior of a tubular-shaped cyclone in a tangential direction thereof, so that a swirl motion of feathers can be generated in the cyclone together with the downward movement of feathers toward the bottom of the cyclone. A flow of ionized air from compressed air nozzles provided with high voltage electrodes is discharged onto the feathers in a direction transverse to that of the swirl motion. A turbulent flow is created in the cyclone, thereby permitting the feathers to be effectively opened. The impurities attached to the feathers are thus separated therefrom. Thereafter, purified feathers are exhausted out of the cyclone. Ozone generated by the corona discharge in the high voltage electrodes causes the feathers to be sterilized, deodorized and decolorized.