Abstract: A suction chamber for machines for opening and cleaning textile fibers is subdivided into at least two parts. One part of the chamber is mounted swivelably relative to the other part. Therefore, a drum of the machine and the suction chamber become easily accessible.

Abstract: 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: An apparatus and method for use in a cleaning process of textile fibers, and for use in conjunction with an opening roller. The apparatus includes a plurality of separating blades and guide elements which are spaced from the opening roller during the cleaning process. An assembly is provided for adjustably positioning a plurality of the separating blades and the guide elements during the cleaning process. The adjustment of the spacing of the separating blades and the guide elements from the opening roller can be accomplished remotely, either manually or by a motorized drive. A lever unit enables appropriate connection for effecting the various adjustments of the separating blades and the guide elements. The guide elements and the separating blades can be controlled and adjusted to suit the fibers to be processed.

Abstract: An automated fiber processing system for processing of fiber stock in a continuous, uninterrupted process from fiber bales to the formation of spun yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and cleaning textile fiber material includes a fiber feeding device for advancing the fiber material; a first clothed roller situated downstream of the fiber feeding device and being arranged for entraining the fiber material advanced by the fiber feeding device; a second clothed roller situated downstream of the first clothed roller and being arranged for entraining fiber material after entrainment thereof by the first clothed roller; a mote knife cooperating with the first and second clothed roller; a waste removal clearance bounded by each respective mote knife; and a third clothed roller situated between the first and second clothed rollers. The first, third and second clothed rollers are arranged in series, whereby the fiber material passes from the first clothed roller to the third clothed roller and from the third clothed roller to the second clothed roller.

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 method and an apparatus for cleaning a carded sliver during a movement of the latter in its longitudinal direction is disclosed. The carded sliver is guided over at least one guide surface having perforations which leads to spreading and loosening of the sliver, and an air flow is generated through the perforated guide surface in order to remove loose contaminations and also dirt and dust particles present in the loosened sliver. The air flow emerging from the carded sliver and carrying dust and dirt particles is preferably drawn off.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and mixing staple cotton comprises two cotton supply chambers, having parallel vertical axes, at the bottom of each chamber being provided a first and a second opposite cooperating cylinders for gripping the cotton staples, and supplying the gripped staples to a respective cotton carding plate and cleaning blade.

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: A machine for cleaning textile fibres includes a horizontal rotating roller with beater elements and bar grates on the underside of the roller. Delivery air transports the textile fibres in the form of flocks through an inlet which is arranged above the upper side and at one end of the roller. An outlet for the air transporting the fibres is located above the upper side and at the other end of the roller. Between the inlet and the outlet at least three, preferably five transfer chambers are located over the upper side of the roller, each of which lead the air stream passing around the roller axis further in the axial direction of the axis by about the width in the axial direction of the chamber. The transfer chambers are defined by four, preferably six deflectors inclined by an ascending angle with respect to the axis of the roller.

Abstract: A coarse cleaning machine for textile fibres including a casing, a horizontal roller rotatably mounted in the casing, the roller being fitted with beater elements and bar grates are arranged on the underside of the roller. Located above and at one end of the roller is an inlet which carries delivery air for conveying the textile fibres in the form of flocks and an outlet is located above and at the other end for the roller. Deflectors which are inclined with respect to the roller axis are arranged above the upper side of the roller between the inlet and the outlet. The deflectors define transfer chambers which deflect the delivery air further in the direction of the axis of the roller. At least part of the transfer chambers are covered by a wall which is permeable to air and dust and a low pressure chamber connected to a suction pipe is located above the wall.

Abstract: A fibre opening device for use in apparatus for spinning fibres into yarns comprising a housing in which an opening roller is rotatably mounted, the housing having a trash separation zone and a fibre stripping zone and the roller having a cylindrical working surface from which combing elements project and being substantially hollow with holes extending through the wall defining the cylindrical working surface to permit a flow of air therethrough, wherein cleaning means are provided for the interior of the roller, the cleaning means consisting of a vacuum suction device and a compressed air jet device which remove trash, dust and short fibres from the interior of the roller. It is preferred that the air jet device is in front of the suction device relative to the rotation of the roller and on the side of the roller remote from where combing of fibres occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating waste particles from a textile fiber flow is disclosed which includes a housing (2, 22, 34) with a deviation zone (4) and separation zone (6). Following the deviation zone is a fiber flow discharge channel (5). Following a separation means (10, 11, 23) is a waste chamber (7) for removing large and small particles of waste. The waste particle separation device includes a plurality of rod elements (10, 11) which are curved to guide lighter particles upwardly to prevent adherence to the separating element. Larger particles pass through openings between the rod-like elements to the collection chamber. Communication between the fiber flow and the waste flow may be had by using a valve member (27, 35) to intermittently connect a collection channel (25) with a suction removal source (8) via waste chamber (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and opening fiber materials is disclosed having an intake roller (3) and an opening roller (5) wherein there is arranged between the intake roller and the opening roller (5) at least one intermediate roller (4) having a relatively small diameter and rotating at a high speed.

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: This invention relates to a device for removing short fibers from a mass of ibers. A pair of perforated cylindrical bodies are opposed to each other with a predetermined spacing defined therebetween, and static electricity is applied across the perforated cylindrical bodies. A suction-wise removing device is installed in at least one of the perforated cylindrical bodies. The initial end of a transfer conveyor is located on the surface of one perforated cylindrical body adjacent the opposed region. Short fibers contained in the mass of fibers fed to the opposed region by a feeding device are drawn into the suction-wise removing devices through the through holes in the cylindrical bodies by the action of electrostatic force and suction air currents. The mass of fibers having the short fibers removed therefrom are oriented by electrostatic force and transferred by the conveyor while being maintained in this oriented state.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating waste from textile fiber tufts includes a substantially closed casing, a separating wall arranged in the casing for dividing the casing into a dust and waste collecting chamber and a fiber collecting chamber. The separating wall has a separating surface and is provided with apertures. There is further provided an air stream guide for directing a fiber and waste-laden air stream through the apertures of the separating wall from the fiber collecting chamber to the waste collecting chamber. The apertures are sized to allow passage of dust and waste and to prevent passage of fibers. The air stream guide and the separating wall are relatively movable with respect to one another. The air stream guide is immovably supported and the separating wall is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the separating surface of the separating wall.

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: An apparatus for separating fiber waste from an air stream includes a duct guiding a waste-laden air stream; and a stationary collecting vessel communicating with the duct for receiving the waste-laden air stream from the duct. The collecting vessel has a separating surface arranged for allowing passage of the air stream and retaining at least one part of the fiber waste within the collecting vessel. The fiber waste is removed downwardly from the collecting vessel. The collecting vessel is formed of a cylinder wall having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially horizontally; at least one portion of the cylinder wall constitutes the separating surface. The duct merges tangentially into the collecting vessel.

Abstract: Cottonseed processing system includes a huller/separator combination. The huller assembly has a pair of counter-rotating, toothed rollers for shearing the seed hulls, with the shearing surfaces provided by removable segmented plates. The separator assembly is provided by a vertically disposed, angularly stepped, air duct with upwardly directed air flow separating the seed hulls from the seed meat products. A paddle wheel feeder assembly functions as an air lock between the huller assembly housing and the air duct.

Abstract: A drum separator includes a cylindrical screen drum which is mounted for rotation within a sealed housing such that a small portion of the perimeter of the screen drum is exposed. Air, fibers, and fines are introduced onto a first part of the exposed portion of the screen drum and fines and air pass through the screen drum into the interior of the housing and then to a fines collector. Fibers which are too large to pass through the screen drum are carried by the rotation of the screen drum to a pick-up head which applies a low pressure to the exterior of the screen drum to remove the fibers. The pick-up head is pivotably mounted to the housing, and air cylinders lift the pick-up head away from the screen drum in the event of an impact. The pick-up head includes a pick-up bar and a plurality of fins which are shaped to optimize removal of fibers from the exterior of the screen drum.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlled application of aeromechanical and electrodynamic release and separation forces to foreign particulate matter in fiber materials are disclosed. A number of elements are employed in various combinations. One important element is a perforated, pinned cylinder which facilitates foreign particulate matter removal and microdust classification and use of conditioned and controlled airflow for optimum fiber processing and foreign matter removal. Another important element is a counterflow slot. Other important aspects are air blast cleaning of a tenuous mat held onto a preforated cylinder; unidirectional and pulsating airflows to cause repeated engagement of fibers with static cleaning pins and to release additional dust; application of electrostatic release forces to particles bound onto the fiber; and the processing of fiber in properly conditioned inlet air to the machine, as opposed to ambient air.

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 cotton gin lint cleaner includes a rotating saw cylinder. A continuous layer of lint cotton is fed along the cylinder by feed works. The layer is seated in and moved downstream by saw teeth on the cylinder. Foreign matter is loosened from the layer as it is moved beneath grid bars spaced along the cylinder surface. A combing bar downstream of the grid bars with teeth opposed and proximate the saw teeth further cleans the cotton layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning cotton is disclosed wherein an air stream bearing cotton is introduced into an inlet chamber having side-by-side outlet ducts covered with a screen that collects cotton yet lets trash pass therethrough. The air stream is alternately diverted from one outlet duct to the other so that while cotton is accumulating on the screen in front of one duct, it is being removed from the other. The cotton, as it is removed from the screen, falls onto an inclined shaker screen which vibrates additional dirt from the cotton before it is discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlled application of aeromechanical and electrodynamic release and separation forces to foreign particulate matter in fiber materials are disclosed. A number of elements are employed in various combinations. One important element is a perforated, pinned cylinder which facilitates foreign particulate matter removal and microdust classification and use of conditioned and controlled airflow for optimum fiber processing and foreign matter removal. Another important element is a counterflow slot. Other important aspects are air blast cleaning of a tenuous mat held onto a perforated cylinder; unidirectional and pulsating airflows to cause repeated engagement of fibers with static cleaning pins and to release additional dust; application of electrostatic release forces to particles bound onto the fiber; and the processing of fiber in properly conditioned inlet air to the machine, as opposed to ambient air.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and cleaning fiber material has a casing, a beater cylinder supported in the casing in a horizontal orientation; a grid situated underneath the cylinder; a fiber inlet opening and fiber outlet opening oriented for guiding a fiber carrying air stream parallel to the cylinder axis into, through and out of the apparatus; and a deflector plate situated within the casing above the cylinder. The casing defines above the cylinder a free space which has a height dimension being approximately at least twice the diameter of the cylinder. There is further provided an air outlet opening in an upper part of the casing above the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating cellulose fluff fibers from waste fibrous material resulting from the manufacture of absorbent products from cellulose fluff fibers, comprising:an apertured cylindrical separator disposed in a housing and having a central passage in flow connection with the inlet;the cylindrical separator having apertures therethrough large enough to permit cellulose fluff fibers to pass therethrough but small enough to screen out larger non-fluff material from the waste fibrous material;means in connection with the first outlet for controlling flow therethrough of air and entrained waste fibrous material, for providing a balance between flow rate and differential pressure across the apertured separator sufficient to prevent blockage of the apertrues in the separator by waste fibrous material too large to pass through while permitting cellulose fluff fibers to pass through.

Abstract: A textile fiber processing machine includes a rotary cylinder having circumferential areas for engaging and circumferentially entraining fiber material introduced into the machine; and a waste grid situated adjacent to and radially spaced from, a circumferential portion of the cylinder. The waste grid allows waste from the fiber material to pass through. The waste grid has a plurality of grid bars supported parallel to one another. Adjoining grid bars define grid slots through which waste may pass. Each grid bar has a bar face oriented towards the cylinder and a free end portion. The bar faces are inclined towards the cylinder for abutting fiber material thrown towards the waste grid by the cylinder and for allowing waste material, after impingement thereon, to slide on the bar face towards and off the free end portion.

Abstract: A cotton gin lint cleaner includes a rotating saw cylinder. A continuous layer of lint cotton is fed along the cylinder by feed works. The layer is seated in and moved downstream by saw teeth on the cylinder. Foreign matter is loosened from the layer as it is moved beneath grid bars spaced along the cylinder surface. A combing bar downstream of the grid bars with teeth opposed and proximate the saw teeth further cleans the cotton layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplementary cleaning of cotton fibers employing a housing having an interior dividing screen separating the housing into two chambers and a fan adapted to entrain the fibers in a moving airstream and direct them into the housing against the screen for passage of the airstream and debris through the screen into one chamber and retention of the fiber in the other chamber. Reciprocably pivoting vanes divert the airstream back and forth across the screen to prevent accumulation of the fiber on the wall under the force of the airstream and to permit the fiber to fall from the wall after impact thereagainst. Alternatively, the conveying conduit may be movably mounted for side-to-side emission of the airstream into the housing. Ion emitters may be located at strategic locations to eliminate electrical attractive forces between the fibers and the debris.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlled application of aeromechanical and electrodynamic release and separation forces to foreign particulate matter in fiber materials are disclosed. A number of elements are employed in various combinations. One important element is a perforated, pinned cylinder which facilitates foreign particulate matter removal and microdust classification and use of conditioned and controlled airflow for optimum fiber processing and foreign matter removal. Another important element is a counterflow slot. Other important aspects are air blast cleaning of a tenuous mat held onto a perforated cylinder; unidirectional and pulsating airflows to cause repeated engagement of fibers with static cleaning pins and to release additional dust; application of electrostatic release forces to particles bound onto the fiber; and the processing of fiber in properly conditioned inlet air to the machine, as opposed to ambient air.

Abstract: The cleaning machine for fiber material has an opening roller provided with clothing. The cleaned fibers are again removed from the clothing into a suction chamber by means of a screening member containing a screening wall provided with a nose. The invention improves the clean separation or detachment of the fiber material from the clothing in comparison with the known arrangements, avoids collection of fibers at the nose of the screening member, and, in particular, requires a smaller quantity of suction air in the suction duct leading away from the suction chamber. To achieve this the mutual spacing of the screening wall and roller envelope or outer surface increases in a direction away from the nose in the direction of rotation of the opening roller towards the rearward end of the screening wall.

Abstract: A grating composed of individual bars is provided for an opening roller serving for cleaning of fibers and provided with clothing. Each bar carries a guide element extending over its length and comprises a guide sheet, the spacing of which from the clothing is settable. For the purpose of adjustment, the guide element comprises a flat band portion which rests on a side surface of the bar, is shiftable substantially parallel to such side surface and is releasably secured to the bar. In known devices, setting of the spacing x of the guide sheet from the clothing is laborious because the accessibility to the position to be measured is difficult. In accordance with the invention this is avoided in that each guide element is additionally provided on the longitudinal side of the flat band portion directed away from the guide sheet with a band portion which is inclined with respect to the flat band portion, extends in the longitudinal direction of its bar and covers the back thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating impurities from fiber material, composed of: a cylinder provided on its circumference with clothing and connected to be rotated in a selected direction for gripping and transporting fiber material, a feed device disposed for feeding fiber material containing impurities to the cylinder, the feed device cooperating with the cylinder to define a feed path presenting a constriction at the location of the cylinder, a blocking element disposed in the path at the location of the constriction opposite the cylinder, and elements for delivering a stream of air and filter material along the path toward the constriction to be intercepted by the blocking element, while the cylinder is rotating, for causing the fiber material to be gripped by the clothing, and causing the air and impurities removed from the fiber material to flow through the blocking element and to be carried off from the region of the constriction.

Abstract: An apparatus to extract cotton dust from the high velocity discharge of a cotton cleaning device is disclosed. Means for reduction and removal of fine trash and dust from cotton fiber is provided. At the high velocity discharge exit is placed a perforated cylinder rotating about an open-end stationary tube with an opening across its width. Fine trash and dust pass through perforations into a low pressure area inside the stationary tube and are discharged through a blower or suction source. Means to remove the cotton fiber to an intake duct from the cleaning device is provided as well as internal and adjustable external baffles.

Abstract: A cotton ginning system embodying a lint cleaner in which the batt of cotton delivered to the lint cleaner is maintained at an optimum thickness even though the rate of ginning varies. The batt thickness is maintained by correlating the same with the rate of feed of seed cotton to the system. Controls are provided to assure that the batt remains at optimum thickness, and such optimum thickness is assured by sensing the rate of input of seed cotton to the system.

Abstract: A safety system operatively connected with a door, includes an air line, a pressure difference generator communicating with the air line and operatively connected with the door for altering the pressure of air in the air line when the door moves from a closed position to an open position and a pressure-responsive switch operatively connected with the air line for presenting an output indication in response to the alteration of air pressure in the air line.

Abstract: An arrangement of flat-fittings in a cotton carding machine for removing dust, husks and neps from cotton supplied to the carding cylinder fittings includes a gap extending the whole length of the flat-fittings, located in the middle portion of the surface of this fitting, facing towards the cylinder fitting, extending in a forward and outward direction with respect to the forward travel direction of the flat-fittings and in communication with free air via a dust-catching device. The dust-catching device includes a chamber which communicates with the gap and communicates with the free air through at least one opening which is covered by a filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and cleaning fiber tufts, includes an opening roll, a feeding mechanism for advancing the fiber tufts to the opening roll; a screen disposed along one part of the circumferential surface of the opening roll and located downstream of the feeding mechanism, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the opening roll. The screen permits impurities, propelled by centrifugal forces, to pass therethrough. The screen is eccentric with respect to the opening roll. There is further provided a shroud disposed along one part of the circumferential surface of the opening roll and located downstream of the screen. The shroud is movably supported for assuming an open position in which fiber tufts may pass from an annular clearance between the opening roll and the screen to an outlet and a closed position in which passage of the fiber tufts is blocked from the clearance to the outlet.

Abstract: The apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a fiber preparatory unit having means for opening the material and regulating the type of wad which is to form the mattress. Also included are means for the recovery and recycling of the excess material and one or more units for the formation and preparation of the wad mattresses with means for the regulated retrieval of the material from the preparatory unit. Means for the distribution of the material within the unit itself with the regulation of the type of mattress to be produced by each unit also comprise part of this invention.

Abstract: In apparatus for cleaning and removing dust from textile fiber tufts, which apparatus includes a channel for the passage of fiber tufts and including a member for introducing air into the channel, components defining an air separation zone having apertures and associated with the channel for separating air from the tufts in the channel, and a device for extracting air from the air separation zone, the components defining the air separation zone include at least one comb disposed a short distance downstream of the air introducing member at a location to enable tufts being carried through the channel to abut on the comb. An abutment member can additionally be disposed in the channel in the vicinity of the upstream end of the comb to aid in releasing dirt from the tufts.

Abstract: A fiber processing machine has rotary components, a shroud surrounding the components at least laterally and from above, a suction apparatus including at least one suction head situated in the space surrounded by the shroud for drawing away, by means of an air stream, fiber waste released during operation of the machine. There is provided at least one blower head which is located between the rotary components and the shroud for introducing pressurized air into the space surrounded by the shroud.

Abstract: A mechanism for eliminating impurities from fibrous material, in particular cotton, having at least two card-clothed rolls (22, 23) arranged after a feed mechanism and a screening drum (3) to which said fibrous material is fed by means of an airstream. A housing closely encloses the two card-clothed rolls. Interposed in the housing are separating openings including separating edges. One of said two card-clothing rolls (23) cooperating with the other of the two card-clothed rolls has a take-off and loosener roll for the fibrous material and the centrifugal forces at the circumference of the second card-clothed roll (23) being greater than at the first card-clothed roll (22). A third card-clothed roll is positioned in carding relation with the first card-clothed roll. Another take-off and loosener roll (52) is positioned for removing fibers from the third card-clothed roll (5).

Abstract: A cotton module builder comprising an open-top frame. At the rear end of the frame is a rear door mounted for pivotal movement. When seed cotton has been compressed into a module, it is removed from the open-top frame, while the rear door is opened. While the seed cotton is being compressed by the cotton module builder, the rear door is closed. Secured to the rear end of the frame is a cradle that supports extractor apparatus for removing foreign matter from seed cotton before the seed cotton is deposited into the open-top frame for compression. Pivotally supported by the cradle is a basket and lifting conveyor. Means are provided for raising and lowering the basket and lifting conveyor. Before the rear door of the module builder is opened for the removal of a cotton module from the open-top frame, the basket and the lifting conveyor are raised out of the path of movement of the rear door and the compressed cotton module advancing therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for separating trash from irregularly-shaped clusters of material containing trash, fiber motes, and cotton lint. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum encircled by a screen. The drum contains a plurality of finger-shaped baffles preferably arranged in two rows disposed 180.degree. apart on the inner periphery of the drum. As material is delivered to the rotating drum, the finger-shaped baffles lift and tumble the clusters of material and pull the material apart to separate the heavy trash. The heavy trash drops through the screen and is removed by a conveyor. The fiber motes and cotton lint, along with smaller trash, are retained within the rotating drum and removed at an outlet end of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an apparatus and method whereby fibers such as cotton or otherwise are cleaned and carded prior to yarn formation to insure that the maximum quantity of fibers are utilized while removing substantially all non-lint from the fiber. Minimum fiber loss occurs while providing a sliver of excellent quality. The process herein includes the steps of carding the fibers whereby a portion of usable fibers, lint and other foreign matter are removed and are thereafter displaced to a condenser means. After condensing, the usable fibers which are still commingled with the waste are then extracted and recycled to the carding apparatus after blending with fresh stock in a uniform manner to provide a consistent blend for sliver formation or other uses.

Abstract: A total fiber recovery method and apparatus are disclosed which will recover substantially all of the usable fiber contained in discarded waste material comprising a mixture of fibers, motes and trash. The method consists of conveying the input material into a cleaner and opener which rejects a large portion of the heavy trash and motes. The remaining fiber is transported into a lint cleaner which drops out more motes and smaller trash. From there the partially cleaned fiber is transported to a first cleaner and carder which will clean and orient the fiber. The trash and motes rejected by the cleaner and opener, the lint cleaner, and the first cleaner and carder are collected and cleaned in a drum screen cleaner to remove the heavy trash. The partially cleaned fiber is then transported into a carder and opener where the fibers, including the motes, are fully opened. The opened fiber is then transported to a second cleaner and carder for cleaning and orienting.

Abstract: A process and mechanism for the dry screen forming of fibers to attain a dispersion in air of substantially individual fibers from which a fibrous sheet is formed. Fibrous nits, pills and flocs are removed from the dispersion by rolling the nits, pills and the like into elongated shapes as they pass a fiber screening member and carrying the elongated fibrous bodies from the dispersion of fibers and away from the sheet forming area for the fibers. The mechanism includes a fiber screening member, a fiber receiving member on which the sheet is formed and a foraminous member which rolls the nits, pills and the like between it and the fiber screening member as the air dispersion of fibers passes toward the fiber receiving member.