Patent ID: 6088881
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: D01B

Abstract:
In a fiber cleaning apparatus in which fiber tufts are pneumatically conveyed into the apparatus in a high speed air stream commingled with foreign matter, an improvement comprising:(a) a revolving cleaning cylinder with teeth on the periphery of said revolving cleaning cylinder capable of holding the fiber tufts on said teeth;(b) an air duct surrounding the air stream and controlling the fiber tufts commingled with the foreign matter, said air duct terminating adjacent the surface of said revolving cleaning cylinder to deliver the fiber tufts directly to said teeth of said revolving cleaning cylinder, the air stream engaging said revolving cleaning cylinder at conveying velocities and fiber-to-air mass ratios sufficient to prevent agglomeration of the individual fiber tufts being pneumatically conveyed therein;(c) separating means located at the terminal of said air duct at the surface of said revolving cleaning cylinder to substantially completely separate the conveying air from the desirable fiber tufts as the desirable fiber tufts are substantially completely delivered onto said teeth of said revolving cleaning cylinder without allowing the individual fiber tufts to agglomerate; and(d) means adjacent the periphery of said revolving cleaning cylinder to cause the foreign matter to be separated from the fiber tufts.