Apparatus for forming a fibre mat, in particular a non-woven mat, comprising a fibre web-forming device, for example a card, a cross-lapper and a device for drafting the fibre web(s) disposed between the web forming device and the cross-lapper in order to draft the fibre web(s), in particular in a time-varying, specifically periodic manner, to thereby adjust a predetermined desired profile of the fibre mat leaving the cross-lapper. The web-forming device provides at least one output belt for at least one web, and preferably two output belts for two webs, an upper and lower web respectively; wherein the cross-lapper has an input belt for receiving the web(s) from the output belt(s) and the arrangement is such that the path of the web between the output belt(s) of the web-forming device, in particular the card, and the input belt of the cross-lapper includes at least one bending point.

A method and associated device and system are provided for recording trash in a fiber preparation system having a plurality of cleaning points and a transport line that is connected to the cleaning points and is guided into a central container connected to a negative pressure source for generating transport air. The trash is suctioned from each cleaning point through the transport line with the transport air to the central container and is feed separately from each cleaning point to the central container. In the central container, the trash is separated from the transport air and transferred into a scale for weighing. With the trash located on the scale, an optical recording of the trash is made with a camera directed to an interior of the scale.

A process for calibrating the loading force of a breaker element of a bale opener on a bale group includes: (a) setting a force sensor used to measure the loading force at no load; (b) lowering the breaker element onto the bale group until reaching a loading force that is at least twice as high as an upper loading force at which the breaker element receives a lift command during normal breaking operation; (c) relieving the load on the breaker element; (d) setting the loading force at a negative value which includes signal distortion influences; and (e) lowering the breaker element until the loading force measured by the load sensor reaches at least the level of the upper loading force.

A process for calibrating the loading force of a breaker element of a bale opener on a bale group includes: (a) setting a force sensor used to measure the loading force at no load; (b) lowering the breaker element onto the bale group until reaching a loading force that is at least twice as high as an upper loading force at which the breaker element receives a lift command during normal breaking operation; (c) relieving the load on the breaker element; (d) setting the loading force at a negative value which includes signal distortion influences; and (e) lowering the breaker element until the loading force measured by the load sensor reaches at least the level of the upper loading force.

Apparatus for automating a high volume instrument (HVI) used for the classification of all Upland and American Pima cotton, including determining trash and color. A sub-sample delivery tube sub-system and a sample drum air chamber sub-system allow the HVI to receive sub-samples from an automated cotton system. A delivery tube, with an air dissipater, delivers the automated sub-sample to the HVI sample drum while an air chamber below the sample drum applies a negative air pressure to the drum. A sub-sample air-knife extraction sub-system and an autoMIC transfer tube assist sub-system allow the HVI to release automated sub-samples after the sample drum in the HVI has completed its operations on the sub-sample. An air-knife applies air jets to the sample plate of the HVI sample drum to release the sub-sample. As the sub-sample leaves the drum an air jet is actuated to push the sub-sample along a transfer tube.

Apparatus for automating a high volume instrument (HVI) used for the classification of all Upland and American Pima cotton, including determining trash and color. A sub-sample delivery tube sub-system and a sample drum air chamber sub-system allow the HVI to receive sub-samples from an automated cotton system. A delivery tube, with an air dissipater, delivers the automated sub-sample to the HVI sample drum while an air chamber below the sample drum applies a negative air pressure to the drum. A sub-sample air-knife extraction sub-system and an autoMIC transfer tube assist sub-system allow the HVI to release automated sub-samples after the sample drum in the HVI has completed its operations on the sub-sample. An air-knife applies air jets to the sample plate of the HVI sample drum to release the sub-sample. As the sub-sample leaves the drum an air jet is actuated to push the sub-sample along a transfer tube.

The method is for monitoring contamination in a stream of fiber flocks transported pneumatically in an airflow. Characteristics of entities, including contamination, in the stream of fiber flocks are detected and evaluated. Values of a first parameter and a second parameter of the entities are determined from the characteristics of the entities. An event field is provided, which contains a quadrant or a part of a quadrant of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, wherein a first axis defines the first parameter and a second axis defines the second parameter. The values of the first parameter and the second parameter determined for an entity are entered in the event field as coordinates of an event representing the entity. Thus, entities can be handled in a differentiated way.

The method is for monitoring contamination in a stream of fiber flocks transported pneumatically in an airflow. Characteristics of entities, including contamination, in the stream of fiber flocks are detected and evaluated. Values of a first parameter and a second parameter of the entities are determined from the characteristics of the entities. An event field is provided, which contains a quadrant or a part of a quadrant of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, wherein a first axis defines the first parameter and a second axis defines the second parameter. The values of the first parameter and the second parameter determined for an entity are entered in the event field as coordinates of an event representing the entity. Thus, entities can be handled in a differentiated way.

A vortex tube system for conditioning and blending fibrous material utilizing a helical inlet to the base of a central vortex tube, to condition and blend fibers in a fluidly conveyed stream, and to separate the fibers from debris, by abruptly changing direction of the conveying air flow. The vortex tube system for conditioning and blending combines the helical input with helical shaping of the air flow through the central vortex tube to induce greater dynamics which is continued at the top of the vortex tube through a separate drying chamber.

A vortex tube system for conditioning and blending fibrous material utilizing a helical inlet to the base of a central vortex tube, to condition and blend fibers in a fluidly conveyed stream, and to separate the fibers from debris, by abruptly changing direction of the conveying air flow. The vortex tube system for conditioning and blending combines the helical input with helical shaping of the air flow through the central vortex tube to induce greater dynamics which is continued at the top of the vortex tube through a separate drying chamber.