Patent Publication Number: US-10781537-B2

Title: Fiber conveyor and fiber blending unit

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fiber conveyor for a fiber blending unit comprising a blending belt, by means of which fiber material dropped onto the blending belt from a bale opener can be transported away, and comprising two guide walls arranged laterally to the blending belt for guiding the fiber material on both sides of the blending belt. 
     The invention further relates to a fiber blending unit for opening, weighing, and/or blending fiber material, comprising at least one bale opener for pre-opening fiber bales, and comprising a fiber conveyor which includes a blending belt, by means of which fiber material dropped onto the blending belt from a bale opener can be transported away, and comprising two guide walls arranged laterally to the blending belt for guiding the fiber material on both sides of the blending belt. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fiber blending units are utilized for manufacturing exact and intensive blends for the spinning mill and the nonwoven industry. The fibers which are blended are, for example, various chemical fibers, cotton, and/or various reclaimed waste fibers. These types of fiber blending units generally include multiple weighing tray feeders arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of a blending belt. By means of these weighing tray feeders, fiber bales are pre-opened, the opened fibers are weighed in a weighing container, in particular a pan scale, and are dropped on a blending belt in order to be transported away. Due to the weighing container being mostly arranged in the center over the blending belt, a heaped cone forms, which results in high fiber accumulations in a short period of time in the case of multiple machines arranged one behind the other. In this case, inaccurate weighings can occur due to weighing containers not having been completely emptied and material densities being too high in the center, with disruptions in the material transport and in the opening of the downstream blending roller. 
     DE 10 2004 048 222 A1 describes a device for blending fiber components, for example, fiber flakes or tufts, in particular in spinning preparation, fibrous web manufacture, or the like, in which the fiber material to be metered can be feed into at least two weighing containers and, after weighing, the fiber material can be dropped from the at least two weighing containers onto a blending belt. The weighing containers are arranged one behind the other—as viewed in the belt running direction—above the blending belt. The position of at least one weighing container can be displaceably adjusted transversely to the longitudinal extension of the blending belt. This solution is very expensive and structurally complex. Moreover, heaped cones are not avoided, but rather merely positioned differently in the transverse direction of the blending belt. 
     The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of creating a fiber conveyor and a fiber blending unit of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which heaped cones can be avoided and/or their height can be at least reduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problem addressed by the invention is solved by the features of the invention as described and enabled herein. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     A fiber conveyor for a fiber blending unit is provided. The fiber conveyor comprises a blending belt including two guide walls. By means of the blending belt, fiber material dropped from a bale opener onto the blending belt can be transported away. The two guide walls are arranged laterally to the blending belt. Therefore, a first guide wall is arranged on a left side—in the conveying direction—of the blending belt, and a second guide wall is arranged on a right side—in the conveying direction—of the blending belt. Due to the guide walls, the fiber material is guided and/or held on both sides of the blending belt. The guide walls are preferably fixed in position. Therefore, the guide walls do not move with the blending belt. The fiber conveyor comprises at least one rotary distributor arranged over the blending belt. By means of the rotary distributor, the fiber material dropped onto the blending belt can be distributed between the two guide walls in the transverse direction of the blending belt by means of a rotational movement. As a result, heaped cones can be avoided and/or their height can be at least reduced. As a result, an interference-free operation of the fiber blending unit provided therefor can be ensured. 
     The blending belt is preferably a continuous transport belt which moves in a conveying direction in order to transport the fiber material. The fiber material is preferably dropped onto the blending belt in an non-homogeneously distributed manner. As a result, the fiber material is arranged, for example, on one side in the transverse direction of the blending belt, and therefore only one part of the blending belt is effectively utilized. The rotary distributor is preferably arranged over the blending belt in such a way that the fiber material can be homogeneously distributed onto the blending belt in the transverse direction of the blending belt. The rotary distributor rotates for this purpose. Continuously dropped fiber material is therefore transported in the direction of the rotary distributor via the blending belt. The fiber material non-homogeneously distributed in the transverse direction of the blending belt is captured by the rotary distributor and is distributed in the transverse direction of the blending belt, in particular homogeneously across the entire width of the blending belt. The capturing, moving, and re-dropping of the fiber material takes place automatically via the rotational movement of the rotary distributor. The fiber material drops from the rotary distributor essentially on its own. Preferably, the fiber material is displaced on the blending belt by the rotary distributor. The partially arranged fiber material is homogeneously distributed on the blending belt by the rotary distributor. 
     It is advantageous when an axis of rotation of the rotary distributor is aligned in the direction of the blending belt, as seen in a front view of the fiber conveyor. The axis of rotation of the rotary distributor is preferably aligned perpendicularly to the blending belt. The axis of rotation preferably extends upwards from the blending belt. The axis of rotation is preferably arranged in the center above the blending belt, in the transverse direction of the blending belt. Alternatively, the axis of rotation of the rotary distributor is preferably spaced apart from the center of the blending belt, in particular being offset from the center. It has been proven that the homogeneous distribution of the fiber material takes place in an easy way as a result. 
     Advantageously, the rotary distributor comprises at least one distributor element which can rotate about the axis of rotation and/or is radially spaced apart from the axis of rotation. The at least one distributor element therefore forms, during rotation, a hollow body of rotation, on the lateral surface of which the fiber material is picked up by the rotating distributor element. The fiber material therefore cannot penetrate the interior of the hollow body of rotation. Instead, the fiber material is picked up by the distributor element and distributed in the transverse direction of the blending belt. 
     The distributor element is preferably spaced apart from the guide walls, and therefore the rotary distributor can rotate freely about its axis of rotation. Moreover, the hollow body of rotation preferably has an identical or different transverse distance to the two guide walls. When the rotary distributor is driven, and therefore the distributor element rotates about the axis of rotation, the fiber material arranged on one side of the blending belt is carried along by the distributor element. Due to the rotation of the distributor element about the axis of rotation, the fiber material is carried along in the direction of rotation. As a result of the rotation or due to newly picked-up fiber material, the fiber material drops from the distributor element. The fiber material is preferably displaced on the blending belt in the direction of rotation by the distributor element. 
     It is advantageous when the hollow body of rotation extends essentially across the entire width of the blending belt. As a result, dropped fiber material can be captured by the rotary distributor across the entire width of the blending belt and, as a result, can be homogeneously distributed on the blending belt. 
     A vertical distance is advantageously formed in the vertical direction between the distributor element and the blending belt. The distributor element is therefore spaced apart from the blending belt. The vertical distance determines the fiber height at which the fiber material is leveled by the rotary distributor. The vertical distance varies preferably depending on the fibers to be blended. In the case of very fine fibers which, when collectively placed on the blending belt, have only a very low height, the vertical distance is preferably rather small. If the accumulation of the fiber material in the vertical direction on the blending belt is high, for example, due to coarse fibers, it is also appropriate to increase the vertical distance of the distributor element in order to protect the rotary distributor against overload. 
     It is advantageous when the distributor element has a free end on the blending-belt side. The free end is preferably oriented, as viewed in a top view, counter to a motor-powered direction of rotation of the rotary distributor. The rotary distributor is therefore driven in one of the two directions of rotation by a drive, in particular, an electric motor. The free end of the distributor element does not point in the direction of the rotational movement, but rather in the direction opposite thereto. As a result, fiber material is prevented from getting stuck on the free end and winding up on the distributor element. Instead, by way of the orientation of the free end counter to the direction of rotation, it is ensured that fiber material that has become stuck on the distributor element is wiped off of the free end. 
     The distributor element can preferably rotate about its own body axis, and therefore its free end can be aligned in the direction of the axis of rotation. When fiber material has become stuck on the distributor element, the fiber material can be wiped off in an easy way due to the rotation of the distributor element counter to the direction of rotation. Furthermore, the distributor element can comprise strings on its free end, which move radially outwardly as a result of the rotation of the rotary member. 
     The distributor element preferably includes an anchored end on its side opposite the free end. The distributor element initially extends essentially perpendicularly to the direction of rotation, preferably proceeding from the anchored end. The distributor element transitions into the free end, essentially in a C-shape, and therefore the free end is aligned counter to the direction of rotation. 
     Moreover, it is advantageous when the distributor element is constructed from a deformed rod and/or includes at least one sharp bend. The rod is preferably an elongate hollow or solid body and/or has a round profile. The rod preferably has the same thickness across its entire length. In order to change the running direction of the distributor element from the anchored end up to the free end, the distributor element includes at least one sharp bend. The sharp bend is preferably directed radially inwardly or outwardly. In this way, it is ensured that the fiber material is carried along in an optimal way. The term “sharp bend” is understood to mean a fold and/or bend which has a small radius and extends across only a small and/or essentially punctiform section of the distributor element. 
     It is advantageous when the distributor element is essentially L-shaped. The distributor element preferably comprises a first section, a second section, and/or a first sharp bend formed between the two sections. The first section extends preferably in the vertical direction. The first section extends in the direction of the blending belt, preferably proceeding from the anchored end of the distributor element. The second section extends preferably in the horizontal and/or circumferential direction of the rotary distributor. The second section extends preferably in parallel or obliquely to the surface of the blending belt. The shape of the distributor element makes it possible for the fiber material to be homogeneously distributed in the transverse direction, for the risk of the fiber material getting stuck on the distributor element to be reduced, and for caught fiber material to be wiped off again via the free end. 
     It is advantageous when the second section extends, proceeding from the first sharp bend, radially outwardly and counter to the motor-driven direction of rotation. It is further advantageous when the second section is curved, proceeding from the first sharp bend, radially inwardly as viewed in a top view. The second section preferably essentially describes, in a top view, a C-shape, a half-moon shape, or a circular shape. As a result, the second section gently engages into the fiber material in order to distribute the fiber material, without the fiber material getting stuck via the free end and/or skewered thereby. The second section can be aligned, in this case, obliquely upward or downward with respect to the blending belt. Alternatively, the second section can be arranged in parallel to the blending belt. 
     The first section advantageously includes a second sharp bend. In a top view, a lower sub-area of the first section is therefore sharply bent counter to the motor-driven direction of rotation of the rotary distributor. The first section extends in the direction of the lower sub-area, preferably proceeding from the upper sub-area of the anchored end of the distributor element. 
     It is advantageous when the distributor element tapers in an end section toward the free end. Alternatively, it is also conceivable, however, that the distributor element essentially has the same thickness across its entire length. The distributor element preferably tapers to a point. As a result, caught fibers can be easily wiped off of the distributor element. The end section of the distributor element is preferably arranged in parallel or obliquely to the blending belt. The end section is preferably formed in the area of the second section. When the rotary distributor rotates, the second section preferably impacts the fiber material first. The shape of the distributor element ensures that the fiber material can easily come loose from the distributor element and does not clog the rotary distributor. 
     The rotary distributor advantageously comprises a drive shaft and/or a support element. The drive shaft is arranged coaxial to the axis of rotation. The drive shaft is preferably driven by a motor, and therefore the drive shaft rotates. The drive shaft and the support element are preferably connected to each other, and therefore the support element rotates when the drive shaft is driven. The support element extends away from the drive shaft in the radial direction. The at least one distributor element is arranged in a radially outer area on the support element. The support element is preferably designed as a, in particular, circular support disk. The diameter of the support element is preferably individually adapted depending on the width of the blending belt. The wider the blending belt is, the greater the diameter of the support element also preferably is. 
     The fiber conveyor advantageously comprises a holder. The holder extends across the blending belt and/or is secured on the two guide walls. The rotary distributor is held over the blending belt by the holder. The holder preferably extends between the two side walls and is preferably connected thereto. 
     The vertical distance of the distributor element to the blending belt is advantageously adjustable in a ratcheted and/or stepless manner. Preferably, the vertical distance of the second section of the distributor element to the blending belt can be adjusted. The rotary distributor and/or the at least one distributor element are/is preferably height-adjustable with respect to the blending belt. 
     It is advantageous when the rotary distributor comprises multiple distributor elements. The distributor elements are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotary distributor. The rotary distributor comprises, in particular, six distributor elements. The number of distributor elements is preferably dependent on the width of the blending belt and/or the diameter of the support element of the rotary distributor. The wider the blending belt and/or the greater the diameter of the support element is, the greater the number of distributor elements on the rotary distributor also preferably is. The distributor elements are preferably identically designed. The support element preferably includes openings, through which the end of the particular distributor element opposite the free end can be inserted. The distributor element is connected, in particular detachably, to the support element, and therefore its end opposite the free end is anchored on the support element. Due to the distributor elements arranged in the circumferential direction, a circle is essentially formed, wherein the individual distributor elements are preferably arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other. The end sections of the distributor elements are each spaced apart from the facing second section of the adjacent distributor element. Alternatively, the end sections of the distributor elements are connected to each other, and therefore these end sections essentially form a closed circle or a polygon. In this way, an efficient distribution of the fiber material on the blending belt is ensured. 
     The rotational speed at which the rotary distributor is set into rotation by the drive is preferably dependent on the number of distributor elements on the rotary distributor. The more distributor elements there are arranged on the rotary distributor, the lower the speed preferably is. If the rotary distributor comprises a few distributor elements, the speed is preferably higher as compared to the design comprising multiple distributor elements. When the rotary distributor comprises several distributor elements, however, the speed is also lower as compared to the design comprising fewer distributor elements. 
     Moreover, it is advantageous when the rotary distributor is adjustable with respect to the holder in the transverse direction and/or the longitudinal direction of the blending belt and/or in the vertical direction. The holder preferably comprises at least one guide rail which extends preferably in parallel and/or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the blending belt. The rotary distributor is preferably displaceable along the guide rail. Furthermore, it is possible that the holder and/or the rotary distributor are/is displaceable along the transverse axis. In this case, the holder preferably comprises a transverse rail which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the blending belt. In order to change the vertical distance of the distributor elements with respect to the blending belt, the rotary distributor can preferably be lowered or raised with respect to the holder. 
     The fiber conveyor advantageously comprises multiple rotary distributors arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the blending belt. Preferably, fibers from multiple bale openers are transported and blended on the blending belt. For each bale opener, the fiber conveyor preferably comprises at least one downstream rotary distributor, so that the fibers are continuously distributed on the blending belt along the entire fiber conveyor. 
     Furthermore, a fiber blending unit for opening, weighing, and/or blending fiber material is provided. The fiber blending unit comprises a bale opener and a fiber conveyor. The bale opener is designed for pre-opening the fiber bales. The fiber conveyor comprises a blending belt including two guide walls. By means of the blending belt, fiber material dropped from the bale opener onto the blending belt can be transported away. The guide walls are arranged laterally to the blending belt, and therefore the fiber material is guided on both sides of the blending belt. The fiber conveyor is designed according to the preceding description, wherein the mentioned features can be present individually or in combination. The fiber conveyor comprises a rotary distributor arranged over the blending belt. The rotary distributor is designed for homogeneously distributing, on the blending belt, fiber material conveyed on the blending belt. The rotary distributor is preferably designed similarly to a whisk. As a result, heaped cones on the blending belt can be avoided and/or their height can be at least reduced. As a result, an interference-free operation of the fiber blending unit can be ensured. 
     It is advantageous when the bale opener is designed as a weighing tray feeder and/or a pan scale for weighing and dropping the fiber material. The fiber bales opened by the bale opener are conveyed upwardly by a conveyor. From there, the fibers drop into the pan scale and, once a certain weight as been reached, are dropped onto the blending belt. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. Wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a fiber blending unit comprising a fiber conveyor represented in a front view; 
         FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the fiber conveyor in a side view; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of a rotary distributor of the fiber conveyor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 1  shows a fiber blending unit  1  for opening, weighing, and/or blending fiber material  2 . The fiber blending unit  1  comprises a bale opener  3  for pre-opening fiber bales  4 . The bale opener  3  comprises a conveyor table  5  which is equipped with a continuous conveyor belt  6 , which can be driven in a conveying direction, for fiber bales  4 . At a deflecting edge  7  of the continuous conveyor belt  6 , the fiber bales  4  break off and are transported obliquely upward by a fiber material milling belt  8 . The fiber material milling belt  8  is preferably a needle slat belt which is driven in the usual way and runs over a lower and an upper deflecting roller  9 ,  10 . The fiber material milling belt  8  mills fiber material  2  off of the fiber bale  4 , wherein excess fiber material  2  is conveyed back downward by means of a re-stripping roller  11 . The fiber material  2  is stripped off in the area of the upper deflection roller  10  by a doffing roller  12 . The fiber material  2  is dropped from the doffing roller  12  through a material chute  13  into a pan scale  14 . When a target amount has been registered in the pan scale  14  by means of an appropriate weighing of the material weight, the pan scale  14  is opened and the pre-opened fiber material  2  located therein is dropped onto an underlying blending belt  15 . The fiber blending unit  1  can comprise multiple bale openers  3  arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the blending belt  15 . 
     In addition to the at least one bale opener  3 , the fiber blending unit according to  FIG. 1  therefore also comprises a fiber conveyor  16  which includes the blending belt  15 . The blending belt  15  transports away the fiber material  2  which has been dropped from the at least one bale opener  3  onto the blending belt  15 . Two guide walls  17 ,  18  are arranged laterally to the blending belt  15  for guiding the fiber material  2  on both sides of the blending belt  15 . 
     The fiber conveyor  16  comprises at least one rotary distributor  19  arranged above the blending belt  15 . By means of the rotary distributor  19 , the fiber material  2  dropped onto the blending belt  15  can be homogeneously distributed in the transverse direction of the blending belt  15  by means of a rotational movement. The rotational movement is generated by a drive  20  which drives a drive shaft  21 . The drive  20  can be an electric motor, for example. The drive shaft  21  rotates, being powered by a motor, about an axis of rotation  22  in a direction of rotation  23 . The axis of rotation  22  is aligned perpendicularly to the blending belt  15  as seen in a front view. Due to a corresponding arrangement, the effective range of the rotary distributor  19  is essentially parallel to the blending belt  15  and perpendicular to the axis of rotation  22 . The effective range of the rotary distributor  19  is defined essentially by at least one distributor element  24  when said distributor element rotates. 
     According to the present exemplary embodiment, the rotary distributor  19  comprises multiple distributor elements  24  for distributing the fiber material  2 . The distributor elements  24  rotate jointly about the axis of rotation  22  when the drive shaft  21  is driven. The distributor elements  24  are arranged on a support element  25  of the drive shaft  21  which transmits the rotational movement to the distributor elements  24 . The distributor elements  24  are arranged in a radially outer area of the support element  25 . The support element  25  is preferably a circular plate, on the circumference of which the distributor elements  24  are connected to said plate. The distributor elements  24  are screwed or welded to the support element  25 . In the connection area with the support element  25 , the individual distributor elements  24  each comprise an anchored end  26 , in which said distributor elements are fixedly and/or detachably connected to the support element  25 . 
     The distributor elements  24  are each essentially constructed as a deformed rod. The individual distributor elements  24  are each subdivided, proceeding from their anchored end  26 , essentially into a first and a second section  27 ,  28 . Due to the two sections  27 ,  28 , the distributor elements  24  are essentially L-shaped. The first section  27  extends, proceeding from the anchored end  26 , essentially vertically or slightly obliquely downward in the direction of the blending belt  15 . 
     The first section  27  transitions via a first sharp bend  29  into the second section  28  (cf.  FIG. 3 ). The second section  28  extends in the horizontal direction of the rotary distributor  19  and, therefore, essentially in parallel or slightly obliquely to the blending belt  15 . The second section  28  forms, in particular, the short side of the letter “L”. With regard to the shape of the distributor element  24 , reference is made to the further figures, since the two sections are more apparent therein. The second section  28  is preferably spaced apart from the blending belt  15  in the vertical direction via a vertical distance  30 . 
     When the rotary distributor  19  is rotated, the distributor elements  24  preferably rotate in the counterclockwise direction, whereby the direction of rotation  23  is specified. The second section  28  of the distributor element  24  takes up fiber material  2  due to its radially inwardly curved shape and homogeneously distributes said fiber material on the blending belt  15  (cf.  FIG. 2 ). 
     The rotary distributor  19  comprises a holder  31 , by means of which said rotary distributor is held above the blending belt  15 . The holder  31  rests on the two guide walls  17 ,  18  of the blending belt  15 . The vertical distance  30  between the distributor elements  24  and the blending belt  15  can be adjusted preferably via the holder  31 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of the fiber conveyor  16  according to  FIG. 1 . The individual distributor elements  24  extend in the direction of the blending belt  15 , proceeding from the support element  25 , wherein said distributor elements are spaced apart from the blending belt  15  via the vertical distance  30 . The first section  27  extends essentially straight or slightly obliquely with respect to the vertical axis and/or the axis of rotation  22 . The second section  28  extends essentially in parallel or slightly obliquely to the transverse direction of the blending belt  15 . The second section  28  is slightly curved, and therefore said section extends, proceeding from the first sharp bend  29 , counter to the direction of rotation  23  which runs in the counterclockwise direction. The second section  28  is aligned essentially in the clockwise direction. When the drive shaft  21  is driven, the second sections  28  of each of the distributor elements  24  encounter the fiber material  2 . The fiber material  2  is pushed essentially into the sheet plane, as represented in  FIG. 2 , whereby said fiber material is homogeneously distributed on the blending belt  15 . 
     As is apparent in  FIG. 3 , in particular, the distributor elements  24  each comprise an end section  32  on their free end  35 . The end section  32  essentially tapers, and therefore the free end  35  is pointed. 
     The rotary distributor  19  can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the blending belt  15 . For this purpose, the fiber conveyor  16  according to  FIG. 2  comprises a guide rail  33 . 
     The number of distributor elements  24  on the rotary distributor  19  can vary depending on the application. Preferably, the rotary distributor  19  comprises one, two, four, six, or eight distributor elements  24 . The length of the first sections  27  remains the same, preferably independently of the number of distributor elements  24 . In contrast, the length of the second sections  28  of the distributor elements  24  can change. The fewer distributor elements  24  the rotary distributor  19  has, the longer the second sections  28  can be. However, if multiple distributor elements  24  are formed on the rotary distributor  19 , it can be helpful to slightly shorten the second sections  28 , so that said sections are spaced apart from each other. The end sections  32  of the distributor elements  24  are each spaced apart from the first section  27  of the adjacent distributor element  24 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of one exemplary embodiment of the rotary distributor  19 . The rotary distributor  19  comprises six distributor elements  24  spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The distributor elements  24  each extend from the anchored end  26  in the direction of the free end  35 , in particular of the end section  32 . The first section  27  extends slightly obliquely downward to the first sharp bend  29 . Proceeding from the first sharp bend  29 , the second section  28  extends essentially in the clockwise direction and/or counter to the specified direction of rotation  23 . The second section  28  extends tangentially to the axis of rotation  21 , as represented in the figure. Alternatively, said section could also extend, proceeding from the first sharp bend  29 , radially outwardly in the direction of the free end  35  and/or could be curved radially inwardly toward the axis of rotation. The end section  32  of the second section  28  tapers in the direction of the free end  35 . 
     The first section  27  comprises a second sharp bend  34 , and therefore a lower subarea of the first section  27  is rotated counter to the direction of rotation  23 . The two sections  27 ,  28  therefore both extend essentially counter to the motor-powered direction of rotation  23  of the drive shaft  21 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have been represented and described. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the features, even if they are represented and described in different exemplary embodiments. 
     REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
     
         
         
           
               1  fiber blending unit 
               2  fiber material 
               3  bale opener 
               4  fiber bale 
               5  conveyor table 
               6  continuous conveyor belt 
               7  deflecting edge 
               8  fiber material milling belt 
               9  lower deflecting roller 
               10  upper deflecting roller 
               11  re-stripping roller 
               12  doffing roller 
               13  material chute 
               14  pan scale 
               15  blending belt 
               16  fiber conveyor 
               17  first guide wall 
               18  second guide wall 
               19  rotary distributor 
               20  drive 
               21  drive shaft 
               22  axis of rotation 
               23  direction of rotation 
               24  distributor element 
               25  support element 
               26  anchored end 
               27  first section 
               28  second section 
               29  first sharp bend 
               30  vertical distance 
               31  holder 
               32  end section 
               333  guide rail 
               34  second sharp bend 
               35  free end 
             F conveying direction