Method and apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from an air stream

Claim 2

In a process of separating opened fiber flock from an air stream wherein the flocks and air stream are guided into a feed chute and the air stream is directed out of air penetration openings in the feed chute as exhaust air while the fiber flock is separated at the air penetration openings and deposited in the feed chute as fiber material, the step of guiding the exhaust air through the separated fiber material to filter the exhaust air.

Claim 3

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the whole air quantity flown into the feed chute leaves the feed chute as exhaust air and is subsequently guided through the fiber material.

Claim 4

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the exhaust air is guided across the fiber material.

Claim 5

A method as set forth in claim 3 which further includes the step of transporting the exhaust air outside the feed chute under an acute angle towards the fiber material prior to said step of guding through the fiber material.

Claim 6

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the exhaust air is guided into the feed chute through the fiber material deposited in the feed chute.

Claim 7

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fiber material is removed from the feed chute in the form of a fiber flock layer and wherein the exhaust air is guided through the fiber flock layer.

Claim 8

A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the fiber flock layer is transported on a supporting device having air penetration openings therein below the transported layer and wherein the exhaust air is guided through the air penetration openings in the supporting device and subsequently through the fiber flock layer.

Claim 9

A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the fiber flock layer is transported on a supporting device and having air penetration openings therein below the transported layer and wherein the exhaust air is guided through the fiber flock layer and subsequently through air penetration openings in the supporting device.

Claim 10

A method as set forth in claim 1 which further includes the step of guiding the exhaust air into a room in which a lower air pressure prevails after passing through the fiber material.

Claim 11

In combination with a supply means for supplying a pressurized air stream and opened fiber flocks; and a feed chute connected to said supply means, said feed chute having at least one wall provided with air penetration openings, each opening being of a width smaller than the fiber flocks to separate the fiber flock from the air stream; an exhaust air duct adjacent said separating wall and extending outside said feed chute, and a room at a lower pressure than the pressure of the pressurized air stream, said exhaust air duct communicating with said room through the separated material for passing the exhaust air through the separated material.

Claim 12

In combination with a supply means for supplying a pressurized air stream and opened fiber flocks; and a feed chute connected to said supply means, said feed chute having at least one wall provided with air penetration openings, each opening being of a width smaller than the fiber flocks to separate the fiber flock from the air stream; an exhaust air duct adjacent said separating wall and extending outside said feed chute, and a room at a lower pressure than the pressure of the pressurized air stream, said exhaust air duct communicating with said room through the separated material for passing the exhaust air through the separated material.

Claim 13

The combination as set forth in claim 10 which further includes a take-off means at the lower end of said chute for removing the separated fiber material therefrom.

Claim 14

An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said supply means includes a pressurized fiber flock carrying transporting duct connected to said feed chute.

Claim 15

An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said exhaust air duct has a lower end merging into said feed chute.

Claim 16

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said lower end of said exhaust air duct is connected to openings into said feed chute arranged below said separating wall and wherein said feeD chute has a front wall with air penetration openings therein opposite to said openings into said feed chute and of a width smaller than the size of the flocks.

Claim 17

An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the width of each opening arranged below said separating wall is larger than a width of said air penetration openings of said separation wall.

Claim 18

An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said exhaust air duct and said openings below said separating wall extend to the lower end of said feed chute.

Claim 19

An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said exhaust air duct below said separating wall closes in towards the lower end of said feed chute under an acute angle with respect to the vertical and said front wall and a wall arranged in front of said front wall extend inclined outwards with respect to the vertical.

Claim 20

An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said air penetration openings in said front wall are slots and which further includes at least one movable roll having pins extending therefrom through said slots into said feed chute.

Claim 21

An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 which further includes a pair of take-off rolls at the lower end of said feed chute for removing a fiber flock layer therefrom and a supporting device adjacent to said take-off rolls for receiving the fiber flock layer from said rolls, said supporting device having openings therein opposite said exhaust air duct to pass the exhaust air therethrough.

Claim 22

An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said exhaust air duct at a side opposite said supporting device communicates with said openings of said supporting device, said openings being of a width larger than the size of the fiber flocks.

Claim 23

An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said exhaust air duct at a side facing the fiber flock layer on said supporting device communicates with said openings, said openings being of a width smaller than the size of the fiber flocks.

Claim 24

In a fiber flock transporting system, a feed chute for receiving an air stream and fiber flock, said feed chute having a separating wall including a plurality of openings therein for passage of the air stream out of said chute as exhaust air, each opening being sized to separate the fiber flock into said chute; and means communicating with said feed chute to guide the exhaust air through the separated material to filter contaminants from the exhaust air.

Claim 25

In a fiber flock transporting system, a feed chute for receiving an air stream and fiber flock, said feed chute having a separating wall including a plurality of openings therein for passage of the air stream out of said chute as exhaust air, each opening being sized to separate the fiber flock into said chute; and means communicating with said feed chute to guide the exhaust air through the separated material to filter contaminants from the exhaust air.

Claim 26

In a system as set forth in claim 22 which further includes a take-off means for removing the deposited flock in a flock layer from said feed chute, said means being disposed with respect to said take-off means to guide the exhaust air through the flock layer.

Claim 27

In a system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said openings are vertical slots.

Claim 28

In a system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said means includes an exhaust duct adjacent said separating wall, and wherein said wall has a first set of vertical slots forming said openings and a second set of slots below said first set for passage of exhaust air into said feed chute through the separated material therein, and wherein said chute includes a front wall having a third set of slots therein, said second set of slots having slots of greater width than the slots of said first and third sets.