ARRANGEMENT FOR SEPARATING A WOVEN TEXTILE INTO RECOVERED FIBERS AND TEXTILE RESIDUAL

Abstract

An arrangement and a method for separating a woven textile into recovered fibers and textile residual. The recovered fibers can be reused in another textile at a later point in time, ensuring an environmentally friendly and energy efficient method for recycling woven textiles. The arrangement includes feeding means, a separating unit, and a fiber sorting device. The woven textile is separated into recovered fibers and textile residual by rotation of a brush roller arranged in the separating unit. Further, the fiber sorting device is arranged downstream the separating unit to collect the recovered fibers and textile residual. A sensor is arranged to monitor and determine the position of a downstream free end of the woven textile being fed to the separating unit. The arrangement further includes a control unit configured to control an operation of the feeding means, the separating unit and the fiber sorting device.

Claims

1. Arrangement for separating woven textile into recovered fibers and textile residual, said arrangement comprising: feeding means configured to feed the woven textile along a feeding direction L; a separating unit comprising a feeding plate; and a brush roller with a plurality of bristles rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation substantially transverse to the feeding direction L, wherein the brush roller is arranged such that a separating area is defined between bristles of the brush roller and the feeding plate and the woven textile is separated into recovered fibers and textile residual in the separating area by rotation of the brush roller; a fiber sorting device arranged downstream the separating unit, said fiber sorting device comprising a fiber collecting device configured to collect the recovered fibers, and a residual chamber configured to collect the textile residual; a control unit configured to control an operation of the feeding means, the separating unit and the fiber sorting device; a sensor arranged to monitor and determine the position of a downstream free end of the woven textile fed to the separating unit; wherein the control unit is configured to, based on information from the sensor regarding the position of the downstream free end of the woven textile, control the feeding means such that the free end of the woven textile is maintained within the separating area.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on information from the sensor, control the feeding means to rotate in a reverse direction if the free end of the woven textile is fed past the separating area along the feeding direction L.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the separating unit further comprises a cutting means in connection with the sensor and arranged downstream the brush roller, said cutting means is configured to cut the woven textile if the free end of the woven textile is tangled along the feeding direction L.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an input sensor arranged to monitor an angle 3, between the feeding direction L and a desired orientation of the woven textile upon insertion into the feeding means, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on information from the input sensor, determine if the angle , is within an acceptable range, and send an alert if the angle is not within the range, and wherein the input sensor is configured to detect the orientation of the weft and/or warp of the woven textile to monitor the orientation of the woven textile.

5. (canceled)

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the feeding means comprises: at least two rollers each rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation substantially transverse to the feeding direction L, wherein the at least two rollers are arranged such that the woven textile is lead along a curved path, wherein at least one of the at least two rollers comprises a plurality of bristles, nobs or a surface material arranged to increase a friction between the at least two rollers and the woven textile, and wherein the at least two rollers are arranged on opposite sides of the woven textile.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. An arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a textile orientation means arranged upstream the feeding means, and configured to orient the woven textile upon insertion into the feeding means.

10. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the length of the separating area along the feeding direction L corresponds to an angle of rotation of the brush roller around the rotational axis, said angle is within the range of 3-15 and preferably within the range of 412.

11. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bristles on the brush roller are formed of a metal material, a plastic material, natural fibers or a mix of the mentioned materials.

12. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the feeding plate is hard and comprises a smooth surface, and wherein at least a section of the feeding plate comprises a transparent material, and wherein the sensor is arranged below the transparent section of the feeding plate.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the brush roller and the feeding plate is adjustable and the control unit is configured to, based on an input via the user interface regarding a number of layers of woven textile being fed into the arrangement and/or information regarding characteristic of the woven textile, adjust the distance between the brush roller and the feeding plate in the separating area, and wherein the brush roller is resiliently supported and forced towards the feeding plate with a predetermined force adapted to the number of layers of woven textile being fed into the arrangement and/or information regarding a characteristic of the woven textile.

16. (canceled)

17. An arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface connected to the control unit, and wherein the fiber sorting device further comprises a suction means arranged such that the recovered fibers are separated from the textile residual and collected in the fiber collecting device, and wherein the control unit is configured to, based on input via the user interface regarding a characteristic of the woven textile being fed into the arrangement, adapt the operation of the suction means such that the recovered fibers are separated from the textile residual.

18. (canceled)

19. An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the residual chamber further comprises circulating means arranged to circulate the textile residual in the residual chamber, such that recovered fibers mixed with the textile residual in the residual chamber are released and transferred to the fiber collecting device, and wherein the fiber collecting device comprises a fiber collecting chamber and air withdrawing means configured to generate a flow of air through the fiber collecting device to direct the recovered fibers to the fiber collecting chamber.

20. (canceled)

21. A method for separating a woven textile with the arrangement according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a woven textile into the feeding means; b. separating the woven textile in the separating unit into recovered fibers and textile residual; c. sorting the recovered fibers and textile residual in the fiber separation device; d. collecting the recovered fibers from the fiber collecting chamber.

22. A method according to claim 13, wherein said arrangement further comprises a user interface connected to the control unit, and the method further comprising the step of; setting, via the user interface, one or more, parameters regarding the woven textile required by the control unit to control an operation of the arrangement.

23. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step a0 to be performed before step a, step a0 including; orienting, using the textile orienting means according to claim 9 and the control unit, the woven textile in the acceptable range of the angle .

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention. Reference will be made to the appended drawings, on which:

[0050] FIG. 1a is a schematic view of an arrangement for separating a woven textile according to the invention;

[0051] FIG. 1b is a schematic view, with some parts removed for clarity, of the separating unit and the fiber sorting device;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the separating unit;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a top view of the woven textile in relation to the feeding direction L;

[0054] FIG. 4a-4i are schematic views of the feeding means;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control unit process according to the invention;

[0056] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a control unit process according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control unit process according to the invention;

[0058] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a control unit process according to the invention;

[0059] FIG. 9a-9b is a schematic view of the feeding means together with the input means according to the invention.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the brush roller according to the invention.

[0061] All the figures are schematic, generally not to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, whereas other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The present aspects will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the present aspects to the skilled person.

[0063] With reference to FIG. 1a, an arrangement 100 for separating a woven textile 210 according to the invention is schematically described. The arrangement 100 comprises feeding means 200, configured to feed the woven textile 210 along a feeding direction L through the arrangement. The feeding means 200 includes four rollers 250, each rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation substantially transverse to the feeding direction L. The friction between the woven textile 210 and rollers 250 increases with the number of rollers 250. This will feed the woven textile 250 in a more controlled way through the feeding means 200. Another effect from the increased friction is that larger pieces of woven textile can be held and fed in a controlled manner by the feeding means 200. There may also be embodiments that have three rollers 250. Another embodiment may have five or more rollers 250. It is clear that other embodiments are possible where the rollers 250 may be any number of rollers greater than or equal to two. In one embodiment, the rollers 250 are connected to and steered by an electrical motor. The electrical motor may have a gear box that could adapt the velocity of the rollers 250.

[0064] The woven textile 210 is led along a curved path along the feeding direction L via the rollers 250. The curved path is a type of S-shaped path, so as to lead the woven textile 210 in a controlled way through the feeding means 200 and increase the contact area between the textile and the surfaces of the rollers to increase the friction between the textile and rollers. Furthermore, the curved path ensures that the fabric will be forced towards the surface of the rollers. It is clear that in other embodiments, the curved path may have another shape. The rollers 250 are arranged on opposite sides of the woven textile 210, so as to hold the woven textile 210 steady during feeding.

[0065] In an advantageous embodiment, like in the examples of attached figures, the arrangement 100 further includes an input sensor 220, configured to monitor and determine the angular orientation of the woven textile 210 in relation to the feeding direction L, i.e. an angle , in order to ensure that the orientation of the woven textile is within the acceptable range to ensure an efficient separation of fibers from the woven textile.

[0066] The woven textile 210 is fed through the feeding means to the separating unit 300 arranged downstream the rollers of the feeding means. The separating unit 300 is preferably arranged close to the downstream roller of the feeding means to ensure that the textile reaches the separating unit 300 in the intended position. The separating unit 300 comprises a brush roller 310 and a feeding plate 320. The brush roller 310 is rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation A substantially transverse to the feeding direction L, and intended to rotate in a direction corresponding to the feeding direction of the fabric such that the fabric is tensioned by the brush roller 310 that also assist the desired feeding of the fabric along direction L. The brush roller has a plurality of bristles 330 extending from a core shaped as a cylinder with circular cross-section coaxial to the brush roller 210 axis of rotation. The separating unit 300 further comprises the feeding plate 320 intended to support the woven textile 210. The brush roller 310 is arranged such that a separating area 340 is defined between the outer ends of the bristles 330 of the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate. During operation, the brush roller 310 is rotated by a suitable engine to unweave the woven textile 210 arranged in the separation area 340.

[0067] In one embodiment, the feeding plate 320 has a smooth surface, so as to decrease friction between the bristles 330 and the feeding plate 320. In an advantageous embodiment, the feeding plate 320 is made of a material that cannot ignite spontaneously. The woven textile 210 lies on the feeding plate 320 during separating.

[0068] A sensor 350 is arranged in the separating unit 300 to monitor and determine the position of a downstream free end of the woven textile 210 fed to the separating unit 300. In one embodiment, the sensor 350 is placed downstream the brush roller 310. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 1a, the sensor 350 is placed on one, or both, sides of the brush roller 310, in the length direction of rotational axis A.

[0069] In another embodiment, the feeding plate 320 is made of a transparent material and the sensor 350 is placed below the feeding plate 320. The sensor can then monitor the woven textile 210 through the transparent material. The sensor 350 is thus protected from dust, textile material or other type of dirt which can end up in the separating unit 300. It is clear that other positions of the sensor 350 are also possible.

[0070] The separating unit 300 further comprises cutting means 360 arranged in connection to the sensor 350 downstream the brush roller 310. The cutting means 360 are configured to cut the woven textile if the free end of the woven textile is tangled along the feeding direction L, i.e. if the separation of woven textile not has been successful in the separation area, the cutting means could be used to remove residue material extending downstream the separation area. The cutting means 360 is operated and controlled by the control unit 500 that acts on information from the sensor 350. The cutting means 360 is intended to be placed as the most downstream component in the separating unit 300, so that the cut woven textile 210 will continue into the fiber sorting device 400. The cutting means 360 is preferably mounted close to the brush roller 310.

[0071] In one embodiment, the feeding plate 320 may be inclined and have a downwards inclination in relation to the brush roller 310. This increases the distance between the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate 320 downstream the brush roller 310, enabling the cutting means 360 to be placed closer to the brush roller 310. In one embodiment, the cutting means may be a knife or a pair of scissors. It is understood that the cutting means 360 may be any type of sharp blade.

[0072] Downstream the separating unit 300 a fiber sorting device 400 is arranged. The sorting device 400 comprises a fiber collecting device 410 and a residual chamber 420. The fiber sorting device 400 is partially enclosing the separating unit 300 to collect as much fibers and residue material as possible. For example, the fiber sorting device 400 may be a box, a cylinder or other type of container. In a preferred embodiment, the edges of the fiber sorting device 400 may be rounded in order to prevent recovered fibers 110 or textile residual 120 from getting stuck. The fiber collecting device 410 is configured to collect the recovered fibers 110. The fiber collecting device 410 is partly enclosing the separating unit 300. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1a, the fiber collecting chamber 410 and the residual chamber 420 are included in the same unit, which is partly enclosing the separating unit 300. In another embodiment, the fiber collecting device 410 and the residual chamber 420 are embodied as separate units. The recovered fibers 110 and the textile residual 120 coming out from the separating unit 300 are already in the fiber sorting device 400 since the separating unit 300 is partially enclosed by the fiber sorting device 400. The fiber collecting device 410 has an opening configured to hold suction means 430 arranged to generate a flow of air through the sorting device to divide the lighter recovered fibers from the heavier textile residual. The suction means 430 enables collection of the recovered fibers 110 by a suction force. The suction force is intended to transfer the recovered fibers 110 from the separating unit 300 to the fiber collecting device 410. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1a, the fiber collecting device 410 is arranged above the separating unit 300. The residual chamber 420 is arranged below the separating unit 300. The textile residual 120 is intended to fall down into the residual chamber 420 by force of gravity. In an advantageous embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1a, the fiber collecting device 400 further comprises an air withdrawing means 450 and a fiber collecting chamber 460. The air withdrawing means 450 is configured to generate a flow of air through the fiber collecting device 410 to direct the recovered fibers 110 to the fiber collecting chamber 460. The fiber collecting chamber 460 is intended to be the final destination of the recovered fibers 110. From the fiber collecting chamber 460, the recovered fibers 110 can for example be packed and sent for reuse. The air withdrawing means 450 is intended to remove the air in the fiber collecting chamber 460 so as to effectively compress the volume in the collecting chamber to store mainly recovered fibers 110 and not excess air. In one embodiment, the air withdrawing means may be a vacuum pump or a suction fan. It is clear that other types of air withdrawing means are also possible.

[0073] The arrangement further comprises a control unit 500. The control unit 500 is configured to control the operation of the feeding means 200, the separating unit 300 and the fiber sorting device 400. A user interface 510 is connected to the control unit 500. In one embodiment, the control unit 500 may be an embedded system. In another embodiment, the control unit 500 may be a computer. In another embodiment, the control unit 500 may be a user. It is clear that other embodiments are possible where the control unit 500 is another type of control units 500. In one embodiment, the control unit 500 is connected to the rollers 250, and able to adapt the velocity of the rollers 250.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 1b, the fiber sorting device 400 according to the present invention is schematically described. The woven textile 210 is separated into recovered fibers 110 and textile residual 120 by the separating unit 300. In one embodiment, the length of the recovered fibers are between 12 mm-30 mm. The fiber collecting device 410 is configured to collect the recovered fibers 110. The residual chamber 420 is configured to collect the textile residual 120. The fiber sorting device 400 further comprises a suction means 430 arranged such that the recovered fibers 110 are separated from the textile residual 120 and collected in the fiber collecting device 410. For example, the recovered fibers 110 may have different weight depending on the characteristics of woven textile 210. Therefore, in order to separate the recovered fibers 110 from textile residual 120, the operation of the suction means 430 is adapted to efficiently separate them. According to one embodiment, the textile residual 120 has a larger weight than the recovered fibers 110. Therefore, the textile residual 120 will not be affected by the suction means 430 and therefore no collected by the fiber collecting device 410. Instead, the textile residual 120 will fall down into the residual chamber 420. The recovered fibers 110 will be affected by the suction means 430 and drawn towards the fiber collecting device 410, where they will be collected. The suction means 430 may for example be a vacuum pump. In another embodiment, the suction means may be a type of suction fan drawing the recovered fibers 110 from the fiber sorting device 400 to the fiber collecting device 410. In another embodiment, the suction means 430 may be a dust separator. In other embodiments, the suction means 430 may be of another type than mentioned here.

[0075] The residual chamber 420 further comprises circulating means 440. The circulating means 440 are arranged to circulate the textile residual 120 in the residual chamber 420 to release and transfer recovered fibers 110 mixed with textile residual 120 to the fiber collecting device 410. For example, a textile residual 120 may be a thread, on which a recovered fiber 110 may be stuck. Since the textile residual 120 is collected in the residual chamber 420, the recovered fiber 110 stuck on the thread may be incorrectly sorted into the residual chamber 420. The circulating means enables the recovered fiber 110 to be separated from the thread and circulate upwards from the residual chamber 420 to the fiber collecting device 410, so as to collect it in the intended place. The circulating means 440 are intended to circulate the air in the residual chamber 420 so as to circulate and transfer the textile residual 120 and recovered fibers 110. The edges of the fiber sorting device 400 are preferably rounded to enhance the circulation of the air and textile residual 120 and recovered fibers 110. The textile residual 120 that circulates upwards will fall down into the residual chamber 420 again since the weight of the textile residual is too heavy to be picked up by the suction means 430. In one embodiment, the circulating means 440 may be a type of fan. In another embodiment, the circulating means 440 may be a type of air mover. It is clear that other types of circulating means 440 are also possible.

[0076] With reference to FIG. 2, the separating unit 300 according to the present invention is schematically described. The separating unit 300 comprises a separating area 340 defined between the bristles 330 of the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate 320. The bristles 330 on the brush roller 310 are inserted in the woven textile close to the free end of the woven textile 210 in the separating area 340. Rotation of the brush roller 310 enables the bristles 330 to unweave the woven textile 210 by brushing so as to separate the woven textile into recovered fibers 110 and textile residual 120. The feeding plate 320 is supporting the woven textile 210.

[0077] In an advantageous embodiment, the length of the separating area 340 along the feeding direction L corresponds to an angle of rotation of the brush roller 310 around the rotational axis A. In one embodiment, the angle is in the range 3-15. In an advantageous embodiment, the angle is within the range 4-12. The length of the separating area 340 is important for avoiding entangling of the woven textile 210. If the angle exceeds the preferred range, and a larger portion of the free end of the textile woven 210 is engaged with the bristles 330 of the brush roller 310, the risk of the woven textile 210 getting tangled increases.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the bristles 330 are substantially perpendicular to the woven textile 210 when the woven textile 210 is within the separating area 340. In one embodiment, the range of the angle covers the area where the woven textile 210 is substantially perpendicular to the bristles 330. Therefore, the bristles 330 may be inserted into the woven textile 210 before they are substantially perpendicular to the woven textile 210, still within the range of angle . In another embodiment, the separating area 340 starts at an angle before the area where the woven textile 210 is perpendicular to the bristles 330 and ends at an angle after this area.

[0079] In one embodiment, the bristles 330 on the brush roller 310 are formed of a metal material. In another embodiment, the bristles 330 are formed of a plastic material. In another embodiment, the bristles 330 are formed of natural fibers. In another embodiment, the bristles 330 are formed of a mix of the mentioned materials. For example, the bristles 330 may be formed by a material that is a mixture between plastic and natural fibers. It is clear that other types materials or mix of materials are also possible.

[0080] The brush roller 310 is rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation A substantially transverse to the feeding direction L. In one embodiment, the brush roller 310 may rotate in a clockwise direction to unweave the woven textile 210. In another embodiment, the brush roller may rotate in a counterclockwise direction to unweave the woven textile 210.

[0081] In an advantageous embodiment, the feeding plate 320 is formed of a hard material. In another advantageous embodiment, the feeding plate 320 comprises a smooth surface. For example, the feeding plate 320 can be formed of a plastic material. In another embodiment, the feeding plate 320 could for example be formed of a metal material. It is clear that other types of material are also possible.

[0082] In an advantageous embodiment, the distance between the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate 320 is adjustable. This enables woven textiles 210 with different characteristics, i.e thickness, to be separated into recovered fibers 110 and textile residual 120. It also enables a plurality of layers of woven textile 210 to be separated simultaneously in the arrangement into recovered fibers 110 and textile residual 120. Layers of woven textile 210 can be stacked on top of each other and fed into the feeding means 300. The distance between the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate 320 may for example then be increased. If several layers are separated simultaneously all layers should have substantially the same orientation of the warp and weft.

[0083] The separating unit 300 further comprises cutting means 360. The cutting means 360 are configured to cut the woven textile 210 if the free end of the woven textile 210 is tangled along the feeding direction L, i.e. the separation of the textile not has been completed within the separating area. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting means 360 are arranged above the woven textile 210. When cutting the woven textile 210, the cutting means 360 is lowered into the woven textile 210 to cut it. In one embodiment, the operation of the cutting means 360 is automated. The cutting means 360 are connected to the control unit 500. The sensor 350 sends information about the position of the woven textile 210, and the control unit 500 controls an operation of the cutting means 360 so as to cut the woven textile 210. In another embodiment, the cutting means 360 are manually controlled. For example, a user may manually cut the woven textile 210 with the cutting means 360. In one embodiment, the cutting means 360 may be a sharp blade. In another embodiment, the cutting means 360 may be a pair of scissors.

[0084] In one embodiment, the sensor 350 may be a proximity sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor 350 may be an ultrasonic sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor 350 may be a light sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor 350 may be an optical sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor 350 may be a user manually checking the position of the free end of the woven textile 210. It is clear that the use of other types of sensors 350 are also possible. The sensor 350 is connected to the control unit 500. The sensor 350 may send information to the control unit 500. The control unit 500 may control an operation of the separating unit 300 based on the information received from the sensor 350.

[0085] With reference to FIG. 3, a top view of the woven textile 210 in relation to the feeding direction L is illustrated according to the present invention. The woven textile 210 comprises a warp 230 and a weft 240. The arrangement 100 further comprises an input sensor 220. The input sensor 220 is arranged to monitor an angle defined between the feeding direction L and the orientation of the woven textile 210. In one embodiment, the angle may be defined between the feeding direction L and the warp 230. In another embodiment, the angle may be defined between the feeding direction L and the weft 240.

[0086] The input sensor 220 is configured to detect and monitor the orientation of the warp 230 and the weft 240 of the woven textile 210. In one embodiment, the input sensor 220 may be a proximity sensor. In another embodiment, the input sensor 220 may be an optical sensor. In another embodiment, the input sensor 220 may be a user manually checking the orientation of the woven textile 210. The input sensor 220 is connected to the control unit 500 and may send information to the control unit 500. In one embodiment, the control unit 500 sends an alert based on the information received from the input sensor 220. In one embodiment, the alert may be a warning to warn that the angle is not within an acceptable range. In another embodiment, the alert may be a signal to confirm that the angle is within an acceptable range. In another embodiment, the alert may be both a warning and a signal.

[0087] The brush roller 310 can unweave the woven textile 210 in an effective way when the warp 230 and weft 240 is arranged at an angle during insertion into the feeding means 200. When the angle is zero, the warp 230 or weft 240 is parallel to the feeding direction L. In a preferred embodiment, the angle is 45 degrees. Both the warp 230 and the weft 240 may be used to measure the angle . In another embodiment, the angle may be 35-55 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the angle is different from zero.

[0088] With reference to FIG. 4a-4i, schematic views of the feeding means according to the present invention are shown. In one embodiment, at least one of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles, nobs or surface material 260 arranged to increase a friction between the rollers 250 and the woven textile 210. In one embodiment, at least one of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles 260. In another embodiment, at least one of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of nobs 260. In another embodiment, at least one of the rollers 250 comprises a surface material 260 arranged to increase a friction between the rollers 250 and the woven textile 210. In one embodiment, at least one of the rollers 250 comprises cogs 270.

[0089] FIG. 4a-4i shows examples of possible embodiments of the rollers 250. For example, as seen in FIG. 4a, none of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles 260. Another example is seen in FIG. 4b where one of the rollers 250 comprise a plurality of bristles 260. FIG. 4c shows another example where one of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles 260. FIG. 4d also shows another example where one of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles 260. FIG. 4e shows an embodiment where two of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles 260. FIG. 4f shows another embodiment where two of the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles 260. FIG. 4g shows another embodiment where one of the rollers 250 comprises cogs 270. It is understood that these embodiments are not limiting and that other possible embodiments where the rollers 250 comprises a plurality of bristles, nobs or a surface material 260 arranged to increase a friction between the rollers 250 and the woven textile 210 exists.

[0090] The bristles, nobs or surface material 260 arranged to increase a friction between the rollers 250 and the woven textile 210 enables better control of the feeding means 200. When the friction between the rollers 250 and the woven textile 210 increases, larger pieces of woven textile 210 can be fed to the arrangement 100 since the friction will make it harder for the woven textile 210 to slip on the rollers 250.

[0091] The cogs 270 are arranged to hold the woven textile 210 while it is fed through the arrangement 100. The cogs 270 are configured to transfer torque and speed between the rollers 250. In one embodiment where two or more rollers 250 comprises cogs 270, the cogs 270 mesh with each other.

[0092] In another embodiment, the rollers 250 comprising cogs 270 are cogwheels.

[0093] FIG. 4h shows another embodiment where the distance d between the rollers 250 is adjustable. In one embodiment, the distance d is adjusted based on the number of layers of woven textile 210 that is fed into the arrangement 100. In one embodiment, the number of layers of woven textile 210 to feed into the arrangement 100 is three. The distance d is then adjusted so as to fit the layers 210 and hold them not to slip uncontrollably through the feeding means 200. The distance d may be adjustable and controlled via a gear box connected to the arrangement 100. The gear box may also be connected to the control unit 500.

[0094] FIG. 4i shows another embodiment where the feeding means 200 further comprises guides 251. The guides 251 are configured to guide the woven textile 210 or the layers of woven textile 210 through the feeding means 200. The risk of the woven textile 210 falling out from the feeding means 200 is decreased by using the guides 251. The guides are arranged to partly enclose the shape of the rollers 250. The woven textile 210 is arranged between the rollers 250 and the guides 251. In one embodiment, the guides 251 may be a type of screen or a shaped plate. It is clear that the guides 251 could be any type of component arranged to guide the woven textile 210 through the feeding means 200.

[0095] With reference to FIG. 5, a flow chart showing a control unit 500 process according to the invention is shown. The control unit 500 receives information from the sensor 350. The information from the sensor 350 includes information about the position of the free end of the woven textile 210 in the separating unit 300. The control unit 500 will based on this information control an operation of the feeding means 300. If the sensor 350 information says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is within the separating area 340, the control unit 500 will not adapt the operation of the feeding means 300. The control unit 500 will repeat this action until a change occurs in the information from the sensor 350. If the sensor 350 information says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is not within the separating area 340, the control unit 500 will adapt the operation of the feeding means 300. The control unit 500 will repeat this action until a change occurs in the information from the sensor 350. The sensor 350 detects if the free end of the woven textile 210 is downstream the separating area 340. In a preferred embodiment, for example shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 500 will adapt the operation of the feeding means 300 to revert the rotational direction of the at least two rollers 250, if the information of the sensor 350 says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is downstream the separating area 340, so as to pull the woven textile 210 back into the separating area 340. Further, the control unit 500 will not adapt the operation of the feeding means 300, if the information of the sensor 350 says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is within the separating area 340, so as to keep the woven textile 210 in the separating area 340. In one embodiment, the sensor 350 may detect if the free end of the woven textile 210 is upstream the separating area 340. The control unit 500 will then adapt the operation of the feeding means 300 to increase the speed of the rotational movement of the at least two rollers 250, if the information of the sensor 350 says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is upstream the separating area 340, so as to pull the woven textile 210 into the separating area 340.

[0096] With reference to FIG. 6, a flow chart showing a control unit 500 process according to the invention is shown. The control unit 500 receives information from the sensor 350. The information from the sensor 350 includes information about the condition of the woven textile 210. The control unit 500 will based on this information control an operation of the cutting means 360. If the sensor 350 information says that the condition of the woven textile 210 is not tangled, the control unit 500 will not adapt the operation of the cutting means 360. The control unit 500 will repeat this action until a change occurs in the information from the sensor 350. If the sensor 350 information says that the condition of the woven textile 210 is tangled, the control unit 500 will adapt the operation of the cutting means 360. The control unit 500 will repeat this action until a change occurs in the information from the sensor 350. The sensor 350 detects if the free end of the woven textile 210 is downstream the separating area 340 and the condition of the woven textile 210 is tangled. The control unit 500 will then adapt the operation of the cutting means 360 to cut the woven textile 210, if the information from the sensor 350 says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is downstream the separating area 340 and that the condition of the woven textile 210 is tangled, so as to cut the woven textile 210 downstream the separating area 340. Further, the control unit 500 will not adapt the operation of the cutting means 360, if the information from the sensor 350 says that the free end of the woven textile 210 is downstream the separating area 340 but that the condition of the woven textile 210 is not tangled, so as to save woven textile 210 from being disposed.

[0097] With reference to FIG. 7, a flow chart illustrating a control unit 500 operation process according to the invention is presented. The control unit 500 receives information from the input sensor 220. The information from the input sensor 220 includes information about the value of the orientation of the woven textile, i.e. the angle . The control unit 500 checks the value from the input sensor 220 against a predetermined range and determines if the value is inside the acceptable range or not. In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, if the angle is not within the acceptable range, the control unit 500 will send an alert to a user using the arrangement 100. The control unit 500 will repeat this action until a change occurs in the information from the sensor 220. In another embodiment, the control unit 500 sends another alert if the angle is within the accepted range, so as to inform the user that the angle is within the acceptable range. In another embodiment, the control unit 500 does nothing if the angle is within the acceptable range. In one embodiment, the acceptable range is 40-50 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the acceptable range is 42-48 degrees.

[0098] With reference to FIG. 8, a flow chart illustrating a control unit 500 process according to the invention is presented. The control unit 500 receives information from the user interface 510. The information from the user interface 510 includes information about the characteristics of the woven textile 210. It also includes information about the number of layers of woven textile 210. Further, the user interface 510 makes it possible to provide information about the characteristics of the woven textile 210 and the number of layers of woven textile 210. For example, the characteristics of the woven textile 210 may be the textile density of the woven textile 210, the fabric thread density of the woven textile 210, the thread count of the woven textile 210, ends per inch of the woven textile 210 or picks per inch of the woven textile 210. It is clear that other types of characteristics of a woven textile are possible.

[0099] The control unit 500 reads the information from the user interface 510, and uses the information to adapt an operation of the arrangement 100. For example, shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 500 adapts the velocity of the feeding means 300 based information from the user interface 510. For example, based on information regarding the textile density of the woven textile 210, the rotational velocity of the at least two rollers 250 may have to be increased or decreased before the process of the arrangement 100 starts.

[0100] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 500 adapts the operation of the suction means 430 based information from the user interface 510, so as to separate the recovered fibers 110 from the textile residual 120. For example, based on information regarding the textile density of the woven textile 210, the suction power of the suction means 430 may have to be increased or decreased before the process of the arrangement 100 starts.

[0101] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 500 adapts the distance between the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate 320 based information from the user interface 510, so as to enable separating of different types of woven textiles and or number of layers of woven textile 210. For example, based on information regarding the number of layers of woven textile 210, the distance between the brush roller 310 and the feeding plate 320 may have to be increased or decreased before the process of the arrangement 100 starts.

[0102] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 500 adapts the velocity of the brush roller 310 based information from the user interface 510. For example, based on information regarding the fabric thread density of the woven textile 210, the rotational velocity of the brush roller 310 may have to be increased or decreased before the process of the arrangement 100 starts.

[0103] In another embodiment, the control unit 500 determines a predetermined pressing force of the brush roller 310 towards the feeding plate 320. The predetermined force is based on information from the user interface 510. For example, based on information regarding the number of layers of the woven textile 210, the control unit 500 sets an increased or decreased predetermined pressing force before the process of the arrangement 100 starts.

[0104] With reference to FIG. 9a, a schematic view of the feeding means 200 together with the textile orientation means 280 according to the invention is presented. The textile orientation means 280 comprises a feeding tray 290 and a lift 295. The layers of woven textile 210 are placed on the feeding tray 290 which is then transferred onto the lift 295. In one embodiment, the feeding tray may be placed on a conveyor belt in order to transfer it to the lift 295. In another embodiment, the feeding tray 290 may be transferred onto the lift 295 by a user. In another embodiment, the feeding tray may be placed on a planar surface and pushed onto the lift 295 by a pushing force from a mechanical shaft controlled by a motor. When the feeding tray 290 is placed on the lift 295, the sensor 220 monitors the warp 230 and weft 240 orientation of the layers of woven textile 210. The sensor 220 is connected to the control unit 500 so as to check the angle of the warp 230 and weft 240 with the acceptable range of angle . The lift 295 is arranged to rotate so as to rotate the layers of woven textile 210 to orient the warp 230 and weft 240 to be within the acceptable range of angle , in accordance with the information from the sensor 220. In one embodiment, the layers of woven textile 210 are all the same type of woven textile 210 placed on the lift with the same orientation. Thus, when the lift 295 rotates in order to rotate the layers of woven textile 210 for the warp 230 and the weft 240 to be within the acceptable range of the angle , all layers of woven textile 210 are jointly rotated and resulting in the same orientation. In one embodiment, the number of layers of woven textile 210 is one. In another embodiment, the number of layers of woven textile 210 is two or more. The lift 295 is height-adjustable, so as to lift the layers of woven textile 210 to the same level as the upstream start of the feeding means. The layers of woven textile 210 may then be fed into the feeding means 200. In one embodiment, there may be a robotic arm pushing the layers of woven textile 210 from the input tray 290 into the feeding means 200. In another embodiment, the robotic arm may be another tool suitable for pushing the layers of woven textile 210 into the feeding means 200. The process of pushing the layers of woven textile 210 into the feeding means 200 may be automated and controlled by the control unit 500. In one embodiment, the lift 295 may go down again and get the next input tray 290 with layers of woven textile 210. The lift 295 may be a motor-driven lift connected to the control unit 500.

[0105] With reference to FIG. 9b, a schematic view of the feeding means 200 together with the textile orientation means 280 according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the textile orientation means 280 further comprises a support unit 285. The lift 295 includes spring loads that will press the lift towards the support unit 285. The support unit 285 is a fixed surface which the layers of woven textile 210 can be pressed against. The layers of woven textile 210 are placed on top of the lift 295, such that the layers of woven textile 210 are placed between the support unit 285 and the lift 295. When the lift lifts the layers of woven textile 210 towards the support unit 285, the layers of woven textile 210 will reach the same level as the start of the feeding means 200, and be picked up by the rollers 250 so as to enter the feeding means 200. The input tray 290 will feed more layers of woven textile 210 to the lift 295.

[0106] In one embodiment, the feeding means 200 comprises a fixture 205 with an angled surface, arranged to guide the woven textile 210 towards the rollers 250. The fixture 205 is preferably placed on the ground and the angled surface is in the opposite end, facing the feeding means 200. In this embodiment, the rollers 250 include a roller 250 arranged to guide the layers of woven textile 210 into the feeding means 200. The roller 250 is placed such that the layers of woven textile 210 are placed between the roller 250 and the fixture 205. In a preferred embodiment, the roller 250 is arranged downstream the lift 295 in the feeding direction L.

[0107] With reference to FIG. 10, the brush roller 310 is shown. In one embodiment, the brush roller 310 may have a cleaning process controlled by the control unit 500. The cleaning option may for example be a wire 370 that is inserted between the bristles 330. The wire 370 may be connected to the control unit 500 and for example an electrical motor that can steer the wire 370 in and out of the bristles 330 by signal from the control unit 500. The wire 370 may also be steered to move in a direction D along the rotational axis A of the brush roller 310, so as to clean the bristles 330 along the length of the brush roller 310. It is clear that other types of cleaning instruments apart from a wire 370 may be used. The brush roller 310 is rotated when the wire 370 is inserted and cleans the brush roller 310 from threads, textile fibers or residual that may be stuck between the bristles 330. The waste cleaned from the bristles can then be collected and thrown. The control unit 500 may control an operation of the cleaning process, by for example determining when the wire 370 should be inserted into the bristles 330 and for which amount of time. In one embodiment, the cleaning process may be automated to happen after a selected number of revolutions of the brush roller 310. The selected number of revolutions may be set by a user in the user 510. In one embodiment, the number of revolutions may be 10,000. In another embodiment, the cleaning process may be carried out after each use of the arrangement.

[0108] Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements.

[0109] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage.