Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for conditioning of textile, e.g. cotton, fibers as they are removed from bales for processing. A source of a conditioning liquid and a source of pressurized air are each in flow communication with a plurality of atomizing nozzles secured to a reciprocating fiber take-off device located above a plurality of aligned bales of fibers. As the removal apparatus moves back and forth across the upper surface of each bale, the nozzles dispense conditioning liquid directly onto the exposed upper surface of each bale. The fibers are thereafter entrained in an air flow for transport to further processing station(s). Within the stream of airborne fibers, one or more sensors detect the moisture content and/or other physical property(ies) of the fibers and sends an appropriate signal to a controller that individually controls the rates of flow of water to those spray nozzles associated with the entrained fibers and the rate of flow of conditioning liquid to the nozzles associated with the take-off device. Control of the flow of air and conditioning liquid provides for retention of conditioning liquid in a quiescent state at the exit of each conditioning agent spray nozzle in position to be substantially instantaneously uniformly sprayed in a fan-pattern onto the exposed surface of the bales. Further the control of the present invention minimizes any spray of the conditioning liquid beyond the end bales of the aligned bales of fibers.

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First Claim