Textile bale layer separator

Claim 2

Apparatus for separating the layers of textile bales comprising: separating means; support means for supporting a bale and said separating means in separating relationship with each other and for providing relative motion between them; said separating means including a parting tension mechanism for maintaining tension at the parting line between the bale and the layer being separated and producing said parting line ahead of said separating means; said parting tension mechanism including a first parting roll for maintaining parting tension on the layer separated from the bale; a second parting roll for maintaining parting tension on the surface of the bale separated from the layer; and said separating means including blade means disposed adjacent and rearwardly of the parting line between the bale and the layer being separated therefrom.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said separating means is supported below the bale by said support means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said blade means comprises a rotating circular blade.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said blade means comprises a blade mounted for movement generally parallel to said parting line.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said support means includes a reversing mechanism for returning the bale to a position ahead of said separating means in preparation for successive separating operations.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 in which there are a plurality of separating means and support means and a conveyor mechanism arranged to receive separated layers from said plurality of separating means in overlapping relationship for providing a blend of layers.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said separating means is stationary and said bale is movable relative to it by said support means.

Claim 9

Apparatus for separating an outer layer of textile fibers from a layered bale of said fibers, comprising: separating means for parting said layer from said bale along a line extending across the interface therebetween; means relatively moving said separating means and said bale for advancing said parting line transversely of its length through said bale; said separating means including parting tension mechanism tensioning fibers bridging said interface adjacent said parting line and thereby detaching said fibers from said layer or from said bale to separate said layer and said bale; and blade means disposed a substantially constant predetermined distance rearwardly of said parting line for removal of any remaining fibers there extending between said bale and said layer.

Claim 10

Apparatus for separating an outer layer of textile fibers from a layered bale of said fibers, comprising: separating means for parting said layer from said bale along a line extending across the interface therebetween; means relatively moving said separating means and said bale for advancing said parting line transversely of its length through said bale; said separating means including parting tension mechanism tensioning fibers bridging said interface adjacent said parting line and thereby detaching said fibers from said layer or from said bale to separate said layer and said bale; and blade means disposed a substantially constant predetermined distance rearwardly of said parting line for removal of any remaining fibers there extending between said bale and said layer.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 in which said blade means comprises a movable toothed blade adapted to remove the fibers without substantial cutting thereof.

Claim 12

Apparatus for separating the layers of a generally cylindrical bale of textile fibers disposed in convolute fibrous layers about the bale axis, comprising: separating means for parting each successive outer convolute layer from its inwardly adjacent layer along a parting line extending lengthwise of the bale; means for mounting said separating means and said bale in separating relationship and then providing for relative movement therebetween in a direction advancing said parting line inwardly along a spiraling path collectively defined by the interfaces between adjacent convolute layers of said bale; said separating means including a parting tension mechanism engageable with and exerting opposing forces upon each successive outer convolute layer being Parted and upon the inwardly adjacent layer upon the bale for tensioning fibers bridging the interface therebetween adjacent said parting line and for thereby detaching the majority of said fibers from at least one of said layers to separate said outer layer from said inward layer, and blade means disposed a predetermined distance rearwardly of the parting line for removal of any remaining fibers there bridging the interface between said layers; and means for directing each outer fibrous layer parted from said bale away from said separating means and away from said bale.

Claim 13

Apparatus for separating the layers of a generally cylindrical bale of textile fibers disposed in convolute fibrous layers about the bale axis, comprising: separating means for parting each successive outer convolute layer from its inwardly adjacent layer along a parting line extending lengthwise of the bale; means for mounting said separating means and said bale in separating relationship and then providing for relative movement therebetween in a direction advancing said parting line inwardly along a spiraling path collectively defined by the interfaces between adjacent convolute layers of said bale; said separating means including a parting tension mechanism engageable with and exerting opposing forces upon each successive outer convolute layer being Parted and upon the inwardly adjacent layer upon the bale for tensioning fibers bridging the interface therebetween adjacent said parting line and for thereby detaching the majority of said fibers from at least one of said layers to separate said outer layer from said inward layer, and blade means disposed a predetermined distance rearwardly of the parting line for removal of any remaining fibers there bridging the interface between said layers; and means for directing each outer fibrous layer parted from said bale away from said separating means and away from said bale.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 in which said separating means supports said bale in part and is positioned beneath said bale.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 in which said blade means includes a toothed blade mounted for movement generally parallel to the said parting line, and means for imparting said movement to said blade.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said parting tension mechanism comprises a roll engaging the outer convolute layer then being thereby parted and exerting a force thereon in a direction away from the bale, and a second roll engaging the periphery of the bale rearwardly of said parting line and exerting a force thereon directed generally toward the bale axis.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said second roll is resiliently urged into continuous engagement with the periphery of the bale rearwardly of said parting line.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said parting tension mechanism is stationary in relation to the bale axis, and said cylindrical bale revolves about its said axis.