BALE LOOSENING METHOD AND APPARATUS Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: textile industry. SUBSTANCE: method involves placing bales on horizontal platform; aligning bale ends; providing progressive fixation of bales; separating fibers from bale upper surface by simultaneously picking up fiber upper layer points and moving them in opposite directions or in single direction at different speeds; mixing and loosening fibers followed with transfer thereof for processing treatment. Fiber is grasped in at least two points. Progressive fixation of aligned bale end surfaces next to bale upper surface is effected at two opposite sides through height equal to at least depth of layer to be picked up. Bales are fixed along line of free aligned end surfaces at one point or at least at two joined points offset in vertical plane by value of at least depth of layer to be picked up, or at two points spaced by distance equal to length or at least largest size of greater end face of bale, or by distance at least equal to space between two points of fiber upper layer, which are picked up at a time. Apparatus has loosening head equipped with two picking up rotating members, three supporting rolls and supporting surfaces arranged in parallel vertical planes, with at least two of supporting surfaces being arranged on opposite sides of loosening head with respect to direction of progressive motion thereof. Space between supporting surfaces may be regulated or self-adjusted through width of bales placing. Height of supporting surfaces is equal to at least distance between two simultaneously grasped points of bale upper layer. Supporting surfaces may have different constructions. EFFECT: increased efficiency and enhanced reliability in operation. 7 cl, 5 dwg