Abstract: Fine opening mechanism for textile fibrous material which comprises a primary opening element such as a spiked beater roll and means for delivering a single undivided mass of textile fibers toward the primary opening element. A plurality of feed elements are located between the primary opening element and the feeding means, each of the feed elements forming a nip through which fibers are fed and presented to the primary opening element so that the mass of fibers are divided into a plurality of fibrous masses.

Abstract: A soft, loosely compacted mat of fibers is continuously formed atop a traveling conveyor. The fibers are deposited on top of the screen from an air-fiber flow within a suitably sized conduit having the same width as the desired width of the mat. A fiberizer is upstream from the mat-laying station and serves to fiberize sheets of incoming fiber. A plurality of sheets can be fiberized and as they are fiberized, the flow is entrained with air with differential pressures throughout the flow path from the fiberizing station to the conduit and mat-laying station. The structure of the fiberizer allows fiber sheets to be fiberized and then directs the fibers toward an adjustable diverging portion of the fiberizer shell from where the air-fiber mixture flows toward the mat-laying station. Variable mat widths can be formed by varying the conduit width and by varying the lateral dimension of the diverging portion of the fiberizer shell.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating fibers from a stack of fibrous sheets, either in roll or bale form, by directing the stack of sheets into engagement with a fiberizing means employs a differential feed system for directing the bottom sheet, or sheets, of the stack into engagement with the fiberizing means at a different speed relative to other sheets of the stack. Preferably the bottom sheet of the stack is fed into the fiberizing means at a slower speed relative to other sheets of the stack to minimize clump generation in the fiberizing operation.

Abstract: A compressed batt of fibers is fed against a rotating toothed roll for dispersion of the fibers from the batt and this dispersion of fibers is fed through the point of closest clearance between the toothed roll and a feed roll rotating in the opposite direction. Downstream of this point of closest clearance, a stationary shoe is provided spaced from the surface of the toothed roll to permit the dispersion of fibers to follow the surface of the toothed roll. The shoe is closely fitted to the surface of the feed roll which has the effect of forming a pinch point where the feed roll enters beneath the shoe. In accordance with the invention, the shoe is equipped with passages for the flow of air to exit at the pinch point to prevent fibers from entering the pinch point, i.e., between the feed roll and shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of processing textile stock to achieve cleaning and opening by use of a retracting tooth processing cylinder is disclosed. Self doffing is achieved by means of each tooth folding from a positive rake to a negative rake and eventually disappearing to the surface of a rotating cylinder during each cycle of rotation.

Abstract: In order to provide effective cleaning of the opened fibrous material to be supplied to a spinning rotor, the fiber tuft projects into a removal opening opposite the opener roller, thereby permitting the impurities to be beaten out of the fibers, clamped between supply roller and supply table, by the clothing on the opener roller. They then fall directly into the removal opening without having to rebound from a wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a fiber drafting assembly which includes an opening roll, the improvement wherein the assembly has a housing member extending about at least a portion of the circumference of the opening roll, the housing member being characterized by having a groove located interiorly thereof.

Abstract: Fiber processing machinery including feed plates, carding plates and web strippers wherein means are provided for carefully adjusting the relative settings of adjacent components of such plates and strippers.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric is fed at a first rate into the bite between a first shredding element and a stationary working surface. The first shredding element has a plurality of projections which penetrate the fabric and at least substantially shred the fabric as the first shredding element is moved past the working surface at a second rate substantially greater than said first rate. The at least substantially shredded fabric then passes between the first shredding element and a second shredding element, the latter being driven at a third rate substantially different from said second rate to effect additional shredding and to separate the resulting staple fibers. A forced draft fan pulls air past the fabric as the fabric is being worked, to maintain the fabric temperature below the fusion temperature of the fibers.