Patent ID: 6539585
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: D01B

Abstract:
An apparatus for separating foreign matter from a fiber containing material comprising:a) a first housing, said first housing comprising an inlet therein for delivering a fiber containing material for separation therein, and an outlet for discharging partially treated fiber therefrom; b) a separation surface positioned within said first housing, said surface having apertures therethrough effective for allowing passage of foreign matter in said fiber containing material, wherein said outlet for discharging partially treated fiber is disposed above said separation surface; c) a plurality of rotatable first separator cylinders positioned within said first housing above said separation surface, said first separator cylinders comprising a plurality of projections extending therefrom effective for engaging, moving, and centrifugally releasing therefrom fibers in said fiber containing material, said first separator cylinders rotating in the same angular direction such that said fiber containing material is transported through said first housing, across said separation surface, and through said outlet upon engagement by said projections and rotation of said first cylinders, while said foreign matter separated from said fiber containing material passes through said apertures; d) a second housing, said second housing comprising an inlet in communication with said outlet of said first housing for receiving said partially treated fiber, a first outlet for treated fiber, and a second outlet for foreign matter; e) a rotatable second separator cylinder disposed in said second housing, said second separator cylinder comprising a plurality of projections extending therefrom effective for securely engaging and transporting fibers in said fiber containing material on said second separator cylinder; f) a first cleaning bar disposed in said second housing, wherein said first cleaning bar is disposed adjacent said second separator cylinder such that fibers pass between said second separator cylinder and said first cleaning bar, whereby said first cleaning bar removes foreign matter from said fiber containing material; and g) a first doffing means for removing said fiber from said projections on said second separator cylinder, said first doffing means selected from the group consisting of air blast, vacuum, and a first doffing brush cylinder, wherein said first doffing brush cylinder has an outer peripheral surface operably associated with said second separator cylinder effective for mechanically removing said fiber from said projections on said second separator cylinder, said first doffing brush cylinder rotating in the opposite angular direction as said second separator cylinder.