The invention relates to a method for operating a bale opener (1) having a stripping element (3) and a safety device for protection against penetration into a hazardous zone of the stripping element (3), said safety device consisting of sensory safety means, wherein a monitoring region (13, 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2, 13.sub.3) at the front beneath the stripping element is detected and wherein the stripping element (3) is mounted on a stripping tower (2). According to the invention the safety device is at least one two-dimensional laser scanner (12), on which at least one monitoring region (13, 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2, 13.sub.3), which is adjustable and variable over time, is monitored. The invention also relates to a corresponding bale opener (1).

The invention relates to a method for operating a bale opener (1) having a stripping element (3) and a safety device for protection against penetration into a hazardous zone of the stripping element (3), said safety device consisting of sensory safety means, wherein a monitoring region (13, 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2, 13.sub.3) at the front beneath the stripping element is detected and wherein the stripping element (3) is mounted on a stripping tower (2). According to the invention the safety device is at least one two-dimensional laser scanner (12), on which at least one monitoring region (13, 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2, 13.sub.3), which is adjustable and variable over time, is monitored. The invention also relates to a corresponding bale opener (1).

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.

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.

The present invention concerns an apparatus for loosening fiber material packed in bales, comprising a conveyor region for conveying the fiber material along a conveyor direction. The conveyor region includes a feed portion, a buffer portion and a discharge portion. A first roller arrangement is arranged in the transitional region between the feed portion and the buffer portion and a second roller arrangement is arranged in the transitional region between the buffer portion and the discharge portion.

The present invention concerns an apparatus for loosening fiber material packed in bales, comprising a conveyor region for conveying the fiber material along a conveyor direction. The conveyor region includes a feed portion, a buffer portion and a discharge portion. A first roller arrangement is arranged in the transitional region between the feed portion and the buffer portion and a second roller arrangement is arranged in the transitional region between the buffer portion and the discharge portion.

A gripping device for gripping a binding material from an object comprises first and second elongated blades. The first and second elongated blades are arranged parallel and stationary in relation to each other, and they comprise wedge-shaped protrusions. The adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions of each elongated blades form spacing between said adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions. The device comprises also a third elongated blade arranged between said first and second elongated blades. The third elongated blade comprises finger like protrusions, and is arranged to move in relation to said first and second elongated blades in the direction of said longitudinal axis and between first and second positions. In the first position the finger like protrusions form openings and in the second position the finger like protrusions are deflected from the first position so to closing the openings.

A gripping device for gripping a binding material from an object comprises first and second elongated blades. The first and second elongated blades are arranged parallel and stationary in relation to each other, and they comprise wedge-shaped protrusions. The adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions of each elongated blades form spacing between said adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions. The device comprises also a third elongated blade arranged between said first and second elongated blades. The third elongated blade comprises finger like protrusions, and is arranged to move in relation to said first and second elongated blades in the direction of said longitudinal axis and between first and second positions. In the first position the finger like protrusions form openings and in the second position the finger like protrusions are deflected from the first position so to closing the openings.

A horticultural substrate conditioner includes a housing having an opening to receive a growing medium and an outlet to discharge the growing medium, a shaft arranged within the housing, the shaft rotatable relative to the housing, and a plurality of tines disposed on the shaft spaced apart from each other, the tines comprising a flexible material, wherein upon entry of a growing medium into the housing, the tines are capable of engaging the growing medium such that as the shaft rotates, the growing medium is broken apart and/or reduced in density and size to enable optimal distribution of the growing medium into a container upon discharge from the housing.

A horticultural substrate conditioner includes a housing having an opening to receive a growing medium and an outlet to discharge the growing medium, a shaft arranged within the housing, the shaft rotatable relative to the housing, and a plurality of tines disposed on the shaft spaced apart from each other, the tines comprising a flexible material, wherein upon entry of a growing medium into the housing, the tines are capable of engaging the growing medium such that as the shaft rotates, the growing medium is broken apart and/or reduced in density and size to enable optimal distribution of the growing medium into a container upon discharge from the housing.