Abstract: An improved hydraulic control system for a lift truck attachment having opposed clamp arms that selectively grip and release a load. The improved hydraulic system utilizes a secondary hydraulic force control circuit that increases the gripping force on the load independently of inward movement of the clamp arms.

Abstract: A bale opener for stripping fiber flocks from fiber bales, including a stripping tower arranged on a running gear or a bogie and having a stripping arm. The stripping arm is mounted in a height-adjustable mount in a guide on the stripping tower. A lifting gear is provided for the height adjustment of the stripping arm, wherein the lifting gear is mounted on the stripping arm and on the stripping tower, and the lifting gear has at least one load cell.

Abstract: A picking device is adapted for a user to operate to pick apart a fiber to create a picked apart fiber that is ready for carding in a home. The picking device is adapted to perform: protect the user from bodily injury during operation of the picking device, protect possibly other people from injury when the picking device is not in operation, protect a furniture surface upon which the picking device is laid upon, and/or remove the picked apart fiber while protecting the user's hands and/or fingers. Components of the picking device are disclosed. Methods and apparatus adapted to manufacture the components of the picking device are disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the reduction of fiber bales. The fiber bales are set up in several long parallel rows and are reduced by a reducing element travelling along the rows of bales. The reducing element reduces the material in closely adjoining, overlapping paths. The individual offset width may be less than the bale length and several paths can be reduced at the same height level.

Abstract: The method for mixing textile fibers utilizes a computer which is inputted with data concerning the characteristics of the fibers of the individual fiber bales to be processed as well as the data indicative of the desired characteristics of the board sliver or yarn which is to be manufactured from the fiber mixture obtained from the fibers of the individual bales. From the inputted data, the computer, in accordance with a predetermined computing algorithm, calculates a component distribution which comes close to the estimated component distribution and which satisfies the desired characteristics of the car sliver or yarn characteristics. The computer may also effect a correction of the computed component distribution taking into account boundary conditions with additional inputted information.

Abstract: Absorbent flakes or particles are transported from a source to a pad form device by an air flow passing the flakes or particles through a conduit between the source and the pad forming device. In order to supply a homogenous flake flow to the pad forming device, baffle devices or at least one baffle device is arranged in the conduit. The baffle device or baffle devices are equipped with baffling rods arranged in a certain position within the baffling device housing so that the flake air mixture must flow through the spaces between neighboring baffling rods to assure a dissolution of any flake accumulations or clumps. Preferably, a cross-section flow area reducer is arranged upstream of each baffling device to increase the flow speed or velocity of the flow entering the respective baffling device.

Abstract: In an opening device for opening pressed fibre bales, e.g. cotton and viscose staple bales and the like, comprising a plurality of opener rolls (3,4) on which a plurality of milling discs (14) are arranged side by side such that they are offset with respect to the milling discs (14) of the adjacent opener roll (3,4), and comprising a grate (10), the bars (11) of which extend between the milling discs (14), it is provided to dispose a baffle sheet (8) with a cross section of a substantially gabled roof-shape is disposed in parallel to the roll axes (6,7) of the opener rolls (3,4) between said two opener rolls (3,4), the tip of the sheet protruding beyond the grate (10) into the lower space between the opener rolls (3,4).

Abstract: In order to extract fiber flocks from fiber bales conveyed on a conveyor belt by very small steps in a predetermined direction of travel, an extraction member is moved over the fiber bales in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction of travel of the fiber bales. For this purpose, the extraction member comprises a spiked opening roller driven by a motor. This spiked opening roller conveys, by rotary motion thereof, fiber flocks from the surface of the fiber bales into a fiber-flock conveying channel, in which the fiber flocks are drawn off by a fan and delivered to a conveyor channel. In this conveyor channel, which is likewise a suction fiber-flock conveying channel, the fiber flocks are fed via a connecting line or conduit to a fiber-flock processing location. For moving the extraction member over the fiber bales, the extraction member is provided with wheel shafts and wheels having a profiled tread for guidance along tube-shaped tracks.

Abstract: Individual fiber components are blended in accordance with the properties of a required intermediate product such as a card sliver or an end product such as a yarn. The fiber bales are combined into component groups and the fiber components in the groups are accurately supplied by metering devices to a blender in which the components are uniformly mixed. The product from the blender may be cleaned and thereafter carded into a sliver. The characteristics of the sliver, such as the color, fiber, fineness and quantity, are tested and adjustments made in the blending in dependence upon any deviation from preset values for the characteristics.

Abstract: Opening and blending apparatus for removing fiber from a row of bales has spaced parallel drums carrying disks and the like illustrated in spaced overlapping relation and being driven in opposite directions at different speeds. Spaced grid bar members may be offset in a gap between the drums and terminate in free ends. The grid rods may extend continuously from lateral fixation bars and may be connected by central elements.

Abstract: The extraction arm of a fiber bale opening machine is provided with an adjustable grid made up of spaced apart grid bars between which driveable fiber removal members project to detach tufts of fiber from the bales. The depth of projection of the fiber removal members through the grid is adjustable by adjustment of the positions of the grid bars. The grid bars are mounted at their two ends on respective pivot spindles and at least one lever mechanism rotates a pivot shaft to move the pivot spindles up or down to lift or lower the grid bars. Also, the grid bars are restrained against undesired movements in the direction of their lengths by suitable stops or slots.

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: A process and apparatus for blending fibers of a plurality of fiber flow is disclosed which includes a fiber feed device (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) which feeds fiber layers (12) through an angular channel (13, 14) which rearranges the vertical layers into generally upright sections (12a) for transportation and weighing on a conveyor (14) by means of a weighing device (4a, 4b). The weighed fibers are delivered by intake rolls (32, 33) to a common opening roller (20) which opens and mixes the fibers according to a predetermined ratio as controlled by the weighing device. Fibers are discharged by a pneumatic source (40) to individual storage units (41), each of which may be made to store a different blend ratio.

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: 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: In a plucking device, capable of travelling back and forth, for the plucking of fibers from bales of fiber two toothed rollers are provided. One is located before, and the other after, the toothed plucking roller, their axes being parallel to the axis of the latter. The arc of the base diameter at the bases of the teeth of these toothed rollers is tangent to a plane which lies within or below the plane tangent to the arc of the outside diameter of the plucking roller. The device makes it possible to limit the plucking action securely without using grates and to maintain it constant over the entire surface of the bale.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: The removal of flocks from the series of fiber bales is controlled by a control signal which is generated in response to a deviation from a predetermined ratio of the operating time intervals and the non-operating time intervals of the flock removal member. Flock material is continuously withdrawn from the storage receiver while delivery of flock is controlled by stop and start signals (a, e) which are produced in response to the receiver achieving maximum fill or minimum fill. A determination is made of the operating time interval between a start signal and a succeeding stop signal while a non-operating time period is determined between the stop signal and the next succeeding start signal in order to obtain the control signal.

Abstract: A bale opener has a horizontally back-and-forth travelling assembly, including an opening device for progressively removing fiber material from a top surface of the bale during a working pass. The bale opener is combined with a spraying arrangement including a spraying nozzle mounted on the assembly for travel therewith as a unit. The spraying nozzle is oriented downwardly for discharging a downwardly directed fluid on the top surface of the bale during travel of the assembly.

Abstract: In order to reduce the sliding friction between an endless conveyor which was up to date constructed as a flexible conveyor belt and the stationary chamber floor of a textile-fiber mixing chamber provided with a pneumatic charging device and an endless conveyor which is moveable over a stationary chamber floor in order to transport the fiber material piled up in the mixing chamber to a blender emptier, the endless conveyor according to the invention is constructed as a conveyor provided with bars which are arranged at intervals and whose ends are fixed to circulating driven endless driving and carrier units.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for reducing the material of rows of fiber bales by means of a milling device reciprocating between two rows of bales. The milling device can be rotated 180.degree. to transfer the milling device between the rows of bales whereby fibers can be removed selectively from two rows of bales.

Abstract: To avoid damage to apparatus for opening textile fiber bales by foreign bodies, a fiber diverting member, against an edge of which such foreign bodies strike during opening of the fiber bales, is mounted to be pivotable out of either one of two possible predetermined fiber diverting positions.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a device for control of the presence of conductive bodies or materials in bales for processing in bale-breaker machines equipped with rotating members for the take-off of fibre locks from the bales disposed in a row and also equipped with pressure elements resting on the upper surface of the bales being processed. The device comprises conductance sensors associated with the pressure elements and sensitive to the conductance existing between said elements and forming part of an electric circuit adapted to cause the machine to be acted upon in such a way as to prevent damage to the rotating take-off members when the conductance between any of two contiguous pressure elements exceeds a pre-set value. The result of the machine being acted upon may be the halting of the rotating take-off members and/or a raising of such members and possibly a simultaneous cut-out of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fiber from a plurality of bales including a carriage for movement along the bales and a head which is carried by the carriage for vertical movement to engage the bales and remove fiber therefrom during traverse movement of the carriage. The head includes a rotatable beater arranged with its axis of rotation at an acute angle to the direction of movement of the carriage along the bales. A control system is provided whereby the level of the bale is sensed by photocells mounted on the head, and the head can be moved upwardly and/or downwardly if the sensed bale level is above or below predetermined levels. The control system may also move the head upwardly if the head itself is moved upwardly relative to its vertical drive assembly. A suction conveyor system is provided for conveying away removed fiber, and this system includes a perforated plate for separating out any trash, dust and the like from the fiber.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for conveying material as it is removed from rows of bales for subsequent utilization during a spinning operation, the apparatus including a generally elongated channel having an elongated longitudinally disposed slot, a frame movable along rails on opposite sides of the channel, the frame carrying a carriage pivoted thereto along with a telescopic tube for delivering material removed from bales to the channel, a flexible belt, a first end of the flexible belt being secured to an end of the channel, a second end of the flexible belt being entrained about a drum such that the flexible belt can be placed in overlying relationship to the slot upon movement of the frame along the rails whereby material delivered into the channel is covered by the belt and a drive mechanism for appropriately rotating the drum to wind and unwind the belt during movement of the frame along the rails.

Abstract: A machine for withdrawing or removing fibre staples from a set of bales of textile staples which can be displaced rectilinearly and alternately, with a carriage having a reciprocal vertical motion carrying rotary reels for removing said fibre staples from the bales is controlled by a device which comprises a plurality of detectors adapted previously to determine in the vertical sense sequential working zones for the carriage on the bales and an apparatus for automatically impressing a differential action of the carriage on the bales in relationship with the sequential preselected working areas. Thus the withdrawal of the fibre staples is obtained consistently with the compactness of the material contained in the bales without discrepancies in the production run and with a constant degree of bale-breaking.

Abstract: A system for decompacting modules of compacted seed cotton. The system includes apparatus moveable through the compacted modules to feed the cotton to a remote location for further processing. Improved electronic controls permit automatic activation of a containment door against the trailing face of the last module, automatic reversal of the apparatus after containment of the last module and automatic inactivation of the system in the event of a malfunction.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control device for opening fiber bales arranged in a row including a carriage movable along a horizontal rail and carrying a slide which is vertically reciprocal with the slide carrying grabbing fingers which can both grab and release a fiber bale, such as a pressed bale of cotton, and a pneumatic control circuit for pneumatically oscillating the carriage, operating the grabbing fingers and moving the slide up and down, the pneumatic control system also including a program wheel carrying a plurality of contact cams which operate a valve to initiate the cycling of the device and a pneumatically operated ratchet for indexing the program for appropriately cycling the control device and moving the fiber bales as desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and mixing the fibers from a plurality of bales according to a predetermined mixture. The device includes tongs-like gripper means which press into the fiber bales for removing fibers therefrom. A measuring means and a control means determine the width of opening of the gripper means. A control circuit is provided for receiving a signal representing the weight of the first pick-up from a particular bale and the weight of the fibers deposited in a receiver container. When the sum of these signals is equal to the preset desired weight of the fibers that are to be deposited in the receiver container, a compared signal is produced causing the tongs on successive pick-ups to be opened to a lesser degree. As a result, a high degree of accuracy is obtained when mixing to a predetermined ratio while maintaining a high production output.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and securing a zone associated with a power driven textile machine, which machine includes a part which moves when the machine is in operation in a manner to endanger an individual present in the zone, which system includes a radiation emitting device for producing a beam of directed radiation and for directing such beam along a path coincident with at least one boundary of the zone, a radiation responsive device positioned in the path of the radiation beam for producing an output indication when it is not receiving the directed radiation and a control unit connected to the radiation responsive device for halting movement of the part in response to appearance of the output indication.

Abstract: A bale supporting apparatus for stabilizing fiber bales during opening of the fiber bales from the top includes a support element arranged to engage a vertical end face of a bale and further arranged for stepwise, vertically downwardly oriented motion as the bale height decreases during the bale opening process. The support element is mounted on a stationary carrier structure which is situated horizontally adjacent the space occupied by the fiber bales undergoing opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening bales of fibers using a gripper which detaches a layer of fibers from the top of a bale and then moves upwardly. A hold-back device is provided for grasping a web of fibers hanging down from said gripper device after the gripper device has been raised with the detached fiber material.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for opening and mixing the fibers from a plurality of bales according to a predetermined mixture. The device includes tongs-like gripper means which press into the fiber bales for removing fibers therefrom. A measuring means and a control means determine the width of opening of the gripper means. A control circuit is provided for receiving a signal representing the weight of the first pick-up from a particular bale and the weight of the fibers deposited in a receiver container. When the sum of these signals is equal to the preset desired weight of the fibers that are to be deposited in the receiver container, a compared signal is produced causing the tongs on successive pick-ups to be opened to a lesser degree. As a result, a high degree of accuracy is obtained when mixing to a predetermined ratio while maintaining a high production output.