US3186614A - Apparatus and method for parting binding strings surrounding wool fleeces - Google Patents

Description

June 1965 s. WILKINSON ETAL 3,186,614

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING BINDING STRINGS SURROUNDING WOOL FLEECES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1965 5% 0 30 Z 3 Wm 5 mw g mw My 99H an w ya aeea %aeee z aeeaee ea H l I I 0 A+ Hul l II .(J I 5 W QQQQ ewes /w @a qae 55% s. WILKINSON? ETAL 3 ,186,614

June 1, 1965 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING armmez smwes SURROUNDING WOOL FLEECES 4: Sheets-Sheet 2:

Filed NOV. 1, 1965 INVENTOES: STANLEY Wm ms0N 2nd DEWEY B. COOK BY 3 A oRNEYs June 1, 1965 s. WILKINSON ETAL 3,186,614

' APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING BINDING STRINGS SURROUNDING WOOL FLEECES Filed Nov. 1, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 d DEWEY B. COOK 1 57-77 I BY mmhm ka 4W ATTORNEYS ENTORS STAN LEY Mi NSON n 1965 s. WILKINSON ETAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING BINDING STRINGS SURROUNDING WOOL FLEECES Filed Nov. 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

STANLEY \Nuxmsou ZntZ DEWEY B. COOK A T TO ENE KS United States Patent APPARATUS AND METHGD-FOR PARTING BIND- ING STRINGS URROUNDING WUOL FLEECES Stanley Wilkinson, Johnsonville, and Dewey B. Cook,

Camden, S.C., assignors to Wellman Cornbing Company, Johnsonville, S.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 320,785 15 Claims. (Cl. 225-100) As soon as a sheep is sheared, its Wool is rolled up and bound together with at least one loop of string to form a fleece which remains bundled together until the wool is processed. The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for parting the loops of string which normally surround and bind the wool fleeces together so that the strings may then be easily removed prior to processing of the wool.

Heretofore, before the processing of the wool fleeces begins, it has been the normal practice to manually cut the loops of string which surround each wool fleece and thereafter remove the strings therefrom. This manual cutting of the binding strings is a time-consuming and costly operation and, as can be appreciated, depends upon the skill and reliability of the string cutters to assure the cutting of all the strings and the cutting of the strings without damaging the wool fibers.

With the foregoing inmind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for parting the loops of string binding the wool fleeces which reliably assures the parting of the loops.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of parting the binding strings of wool fleeces which essentially includes moving the wool fleeces along a predetermined path, engaging two spaced apart portions of each string loop, and advancing one of the engaged .portions of the string loop at a faster rate than the other engaged portion to thus apply suflicient tension to the loop to part the same.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which not only parts the loops around wool fleeces but also opens the wool fleeces in preparation for further processing, such as cleaning and scouring of the wool, which necessitates the wool fleeces being in open condition.

Itis 'a further specific object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for parting the binding strings of wool fleeces which includes a pair of conveyor belts that are positioned in superposed relationship with one reach of one belt juxtapositioned relative to one reach of the other belt, the juxtapositioned reaches moving in a common direction and converging toward each other, each conveyor belt being provided with outwardly extending curved finger elements which engage spaced portions of the string loops as the fleeces are carried between the juxtapositioned reaches, the conveyor belts being moved at varying speeds, relative to each other, so that one engaged portion of each string loop is advance at a faster rate than another engaged portion to part the string loop.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus for parting the binding strings of wool fleeces;

FIGURE 2 is aplan view of the apparatus looking downwardly on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation looking at the left-hand end of FIGURE 1, and illustrating the input end of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view through the "ice longitudinal center of the apparatus, taken substantially along the line 55 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially along the line 77 in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, somewhat schematic, view illustrating the manner in which the string loops are engaged and parted by the curved fingers on the conveyor belts, omitting the driving sprockets and conveyor chains.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 1-3 and 5, the main frame of the apparatus includes a pair of vertically disposed and spaced apart side walls 10 and 11. The side walls 10 and 11 are supported in an angular position on the upper ends of respective legs 12 and 13 which are connected together at their lower ends by suitable tie rods 14 (FIGURES 1 and 3). The side walls 10 and 11 are provided with suitable access openings which are. normally covered by removable plates 15 and 16 toprovide access to the inner portion of the apparatus for cleaning, maintenance repair and the like.

The upper portions of the side walls 10 and 11 are held in spaced relationship by a pair of bridging .bars 17 which are connected at opposite ends to the upper portions of the side walls 10 and 11 and which support electric motors 20 and 21, for purposes to be presently described. A lower endless conveyor belt is supported between the side walls 10 and 1 1 and has transversely extending, spaced apart support plates 26 (FIGURE 6) connected thereto. Channel members 27 are connected to each of the support plates 26 and extend transversely of the lower conveyor belt 25. The conveyor belt 25 is formed of flexible material and the supportplates 26 and channel members 27 provide support across the width of the belt 25.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the support plates 26 extend outwardly beyond the opposite side edges of the conveyor belt 25 and are suitably connected to inwardly extending ear portions 30 and 31 of respective conveyor chains 32 and 33. The conveyor chains 32 and 33 are provided with respective rollers 34 and 35 at the junction of each link (FIGURES 4 and 6). As the rollers 34, 35 move along the upper reach of the lower conveyor, they engage and roll along the upper surface of respective rail members 36 and 37 which have vertical flanges that are connected to the respective side walls 10 and 11 (FIG- URE 6). The rail members 36 and 37 support the upper reach of the lower conveyor and prevent sagging of the upper reach as it moves.

Transversely extending spaced apart rows of string breaking finger elements 40 are carried by the lowerconveyor belt 25 and extend outwardly therefrom (FIG- URES 4 and 6). As shown in FIGURE 4, these finger elements 46 are curved at their outer ends in the direction of movement of the lower conveyor belt 25 and they are preferably oval-shaped in cross-section with no sharpened edges which would cut the wool fibers. ,It is preferred that the rows of finger elements 40 be connected to alternate ones of the transverse support plates .26 and channel members 27 along the lower conveyor belt 25. The inner portions are provided with reduced stern portions which are threaded at their ends and extend through coneshaped spacers 41 (FIGURE 6), the lower conveyor belt 25, thesupport bars 26, and the channel members 27. A'nut 42 is screwed on the inner end of the reduced stem portion of each of the finger elements 40 ,to secure the same in position on the lower conveyor belt 25 and to also support the support bars 26 and channel members 27 on the conveyor belt 25.

The conveyor chains 32 and 33 are supported at the input end of the lower conveyor on spaced apart sprockets 45 whichare in turn fixed on a shaft 46. The shaft 46 is supported for rotation adjacent opposite ends in bearings 48 and 49 which are supported in the respective side walls wand 11 for longitudinal adjustment relative to the upper and lower reaches of the lower conveyor belt 25. The conveyor chains 32, 33 are supported at the discharge end of thelower conveyor on spacedapart sprockets 50 which are in turn fixed on a drive shaft 51. The drive shaft 51 is suitably'supported for rotationadjacent opposite ends in the side walls 10 and 11 and the end of the drive shaft 51 which extends outwardly beyond the side wall 10 has a sprocket 52 fixed thereto (FIGURE 1). An endless drive chain 53 engages the sprocket 52 and a driving sprocket 54 which is fixed on the output shaft of the electric motor 20. Thus, with rotation of the electric motor 20, rotation isimparted to the lower conveyor belt 25 in a clockwise direction in FIGURES and 8. a

A pair of guard plates 56 and 57 (FIGURE 3) are suitably secured at their outer edges to the inner surfaces of the respective side walls and 11 and extend inwardly therefrom in overlying relationship above portions of the respective conveyor chains 32. and 33. A pair of fleece guide boards 58 and 59 (FIGURE 3) are supported on the inner ends of respective support rods 60 and 61 which are suitable secured at their outer ends to the respective side walls 10 and 11. The guide boards 58 and 59 overlie the opposite edges of the lower conveyor belt 25, their lower edges being spaced closely above the upper reach of the lower conveyor belt 25 and their upper edges being shaped to conform to the lower reach of an upper conveyor belt 65.

The upper conveyor belt 65 is formed of flexible mate rial and has support plates. 66 and channel members 67 spaced therealong and extending transversely thereof. Opposite ends of the support plates 66 (FIGURE6) extend outwardly beyond the opposite edges of the conveyor belt 65 and .are suitably connected to inwardly extending ear portions 70 and 71 of respective conveyor chains 72 and 73. The conveyor chains 72 and 73 are provided with respective rollers 74 and 75 at the junction of each link and these rollers engage the lower surfaces of rail members 76 and 77 which have vertical flanges that are suitably secured to the respective side walls 10 and 11. The rail members 76 and 77 support the lower reach of the upper conveyor belt 65 and prevent upward movement of the lower reach as the wool fleeces pass between the upper and lower conveyors, in a manner to be presently described.

Transversely extending, spaced apart rows of string breaking finger elements 80 are supported in each of the support plates 66 and channel members 67. The finger elements 80 are curved at their outer ends in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the upper conveyor belt 65 and they are each provided with a reduced inner stem portion (FIGURE 6) which extends througha flat washer80a, the conveyor belt65, the support bar 66 and the channel member 67. The finger elements 80 are held in position by nuts 82 which are threaded on the inner stem portions thereof. a

As is most clearly shown in FIGURES 5 and 8, the outer ends of every fifth transverse, row of finger elements 80 extend further outwardly from the conveyor belt 65 than theflintervening'four rows, these fifth rows of finger elements 80 being provided with cone-shaped spacers 83, which are similar to the cone-shaped spacers 41 associated with the finger elements 40 of the lower conveyor belt 25. Also, it will be noted that the distance between the transverse rows o-ffinger elements 80 is about half. as greatas the distance between transverse rows of fingerelements 40 and that the finger elements of each conveyor belt are alined longitudinally, however, the

, longitudinal rows of finger elements 80' are positioned l to pass between the longitudinal rows of finger elements 40 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 6).

At the, input end of the upper conveyor, the chains '72. and 73 engage spaced sprockets 85 which are in turn fixed on a shaft 86.. Opposite ends of the shaft 86 are suitably supported for rotation in bearings 88 and 89 which are in turn supported in the respective side walls It) and 11 for longitudinal adjustment relative to the upper and lower reaches of the upper conveyor belt 65. The discharge. ends of the conveyor chains 72, 73 are supported on spaced drive sprockets. 90 which are in turn fixed on a drive shaft 91. Opposite ends of the drive shaft 91 are suitably supported for rotation in the respective side walls .10 and 11 and the end of the drive shaft 91 which extends outwardly beyond the side wall 11 has a sprocket 92' fixed thereon (FIGUREZ). A chain 93 engages the sprocket 92 and a drive sprocket 94 which is fixed onthe output shaft of the electric motor 21. Thus, when the electric motor 21 is rotated, the upper conveyor belt 65 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrows in FIGURES 5 and 8, at a predetermined speed.

It is preferred that the lower conveyor belt25 and its bank of fingers 40 be moved about three times faster than the upper conveyor belt 65 and its bank off fingers 80, it being understood that the speed can be varied as desired. It will be noted in FIGURES 5 and8 that the juxtapositioned upper reachof the lower conveyor belt 25 and the lower reach of the upper conveyor belt 65 converge as they move toward the discharge end of the apparatus. At the input end, the corresponding reaches of the belts are spaced apart a greater distance than the combined length of the finger elements so that the inner ends of the fingers on one belt arespaced from the inner ends of the fingers on the other belt. However, at the discharge end the: corresponding reaches. of the belts are closer together and the fingers on one belt pass between the fingers on the other belt, the inner ends of the fingers almost touching the opposite con veyor belt. As shown in FIGURE 5, the lower conveyor belt 25 is substantially longer than the upper. conveyor 65 and approximately one-third of its'length extends outwardly beyond the upper conveyor 65at the input end, the discharge ends of the two conveyors being in substantial alinement. The input end of the lower conveyor belt 25 extends outwardly beyond the end of the upper conveyor belt 65 to facilitate the-placement of the wool fleeces F thereon, preferablyby meansfof a conveyor system, not shown.

The upper reach of the lower conveyor belt 25 is suppported at an inclined angle of-thirty degrees from the floor on which the machine rests (FIGURE 5) and the fleeces F are carried upwardly 'bythe fingerelements 4t) and discharged as the conveyor belt passes around the sprockets 50. When a stream of bound wool fleeces F is fed onto the input end of the lower conveyor belt 25,; they are carried upwardly between the upper reach of the lower conveyor belt 25 and the. lower reach of the upper conveyor belt 65 so that the corresponding finger elements engage different points of the loops of string S which are tied about the 'wool fleeces F.

Since the lower conveyor belt 25'moves much faster than the upper conveyor belt 65, the corresponding finger e1ements,'which are engaging the. spaced points of the loop of string, are separated and move further apart to break or part the loop of string 8, as is best shown in FIGURE 8.' The .woolfleecesare discharged from be. tween the conveyor .beltsin open condition andthey are preferably fed onto a conveyor system, not'shown, where the broken strings S can .be easily removed as the spread out wool fibers are carried along the conveyor stream for further processing. Since the conveyor belts converge to the point that the outer ends of the finger elements on the belt pass between the finger elements on the other belt, allot the loops of string are engaged by the finger elements and are parted. The passage of the lower finger elements between the upper finger elements provides a raking action through the fleeces which assures the parting of any loops of string which are embedded in the fleeces and also opens up the wool fleeces so that they may be more easily processed in subsequent operations.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. .In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound wool fleeces along a predetermined path of travel, while (b) engaging each ofthe loops of string at two spaced apart points, and

(c) parting the loops of string by moving the two engaged points further apart.

2. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound wool fleeces along a predetermined path of travel and between two banks of finger-elements, while (b) engaging each of the loops of string at two spaced apart points by at least one finger element of each bank, and

(c) parting the loops of string by increasing the spaced relationship between the finger elements engaging the two .points of the loop.

In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of (a) movinga stream of bound wool fleeces along a predetermined path of travel and between two banks of finger elements moving at difl'erent speeds and in a common direction,

(b) engaging each of the loops of string at two spaced apart points by at least one finger element of each bank, and

(c) parting the loops of string by moving the finger elements engaging the two spaced points further apart.

4. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound wool fleeces along a predetermined path of travel and between two banks of convergingly arranged finger elements moving at different speeds and in a common direction,

(b) engaging each of the loops of string at two spaced apart points by at least one .finger element of each bank, and

(c') parting the loops of string by convergingly moving the finger elements engaging the two spaced points at different relative speeds.

5. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound wool fleeces along on a conveyor belt moving at a predetermined speed and having a bank of finger elements extending into the wool fleeces, while (b) engaging the loops of string at first points by the finger elements of the conveyor,

() engaging the loops of string at second points by 5 other finger elements that are spaced from the finger elements on the conveyor, and

(d) parting the loops of string by increasingthe spaced relationship between the finger elements engaging the first and second points of the loops.

6. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of (a) feeding a stream of bound wool fleeces between the juxtapositioned reaches of a pair'of conveyor belts, each of said conveyor belts having a bank of outwardly extending finger elements carried thereby,

(b) moving the juxtapositioned reaches of'the conveyor belts at different speeds and in a common direction, while (0) engaging the loops of string at first points by the finger elements of one of said conveyor belts,

(d) engaging the loops of string at second points by the finger elements of the other of said conveyor belts, and

(e) parting the loops of string byincreasing the spaced relationship between the finger elements engaging the first and second points of the loops.

7. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string, comprising the steps of v (a) feeding a stream of bound wool fleeces between the convergingly arranged and juxtapositioned reaches of a pair of conveyor belts, each of said conveyor belts having .a bank of outwardly extending curved finger elements carried thereby, the finger elements of said conveyor belts being curved in opposite directions,

-(b) moving the juxtapositioned reaches of the conveyor belts at diflerent speeds and in a common direction, while (0) engaging the loops of string at first points with the forward portions of the finger elements that are curved in the directionof movement of said conveyor belts,

-(d) engaging the loops of string at second points with the rearward portions of the finger elements that are curved in a direction-opposite the direction of movement of said conveyor belts, and

(e) parting the loops of string by convergingly moving the finger elements engaging the first and second points whileincreasing the spaced'relationship therebetween.

8. An apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including means for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops of string, said loop parting means comprising (a) a pair of conveyor 'belts supported for movement with one reach of one conveyor belt being juXta positioned relative to the corresponding reach of the other conveyor belt,

(b) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions whereby the juxtapositioned reaches move in a common direction and for driving one of said conveyor belts at a faster speed than the other conveyor belt,

(0) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyor belts,

(d) the corresponding reaches of said conveyor belts converging toward each other and the finger elements of one reach passing between the finger elements of the other reach at the discharge end, and

(e) the finger elements of the 'two conveyor belts being positioned to engage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops of string as the loop engaging finger elements move further apart with continued movement of the conveyor belts.

9. An apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including means for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops of string, said loop artingmeans comprising (a) a pair of conveyor belts supportedfor movement with one reach of one conveyor belt being juxtaa positioned relative to the corresponding reach of "the other conveyor belt,

(b) meansv for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions whereby the juxtapositioned reaches move in a common direction and for driving one of said conveyor belts at a faster speed than the other a conveyor belt,

(c) outwardly extending curved finger, elements carried by each of said conveyor belts, the finger elements on the faster moving conveyor belt being curved in the direction of movement of said faster moving conveyor belt and the finger elements of the slower moving conveyor belt being curved in an opposite direction, and

(d) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned to engage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops of string as the loop engaging finger elements move further apart with continued movement of the conveyor belts.

10. An apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including means for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops of string, said loop parting means comprising a (a) a pair of conveyor belts supported for movement 7 with one reach of one conveyor belt juxtapositioned relative to the corresponding reach of the other conveyor belt,

(b) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions whereby the juxtapositioned reaches move in a common direction and for driving one of said conveyor belts at a faster speed than the other conveyor belt,

(c) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyor belts,

(d) the juxtapositioned reaches of said conveyor belts being spaced apart and converging toward each other in the direction of their movement, the juxtapositioned reaches being spaced apart at the input end a distance greater than the combined length of the fingers on both belts whereby the free ends ofthe fingers of one reach are spaced from the free ends of the fingers of the other reach, and the juxtapositioned reaches being spaced apart at the discharge end a lesser distance than the combined length of the fingers on both belts and with the free ends of the fingers on one belt passing between the fingers on the other belt, and

(e) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned to engage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops of string as the loop engaging finger elements of one reach lag behind the loop engaging fingerelements of the other reach.

11. An'apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including means for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops of string, said loop parting means comprising (a) a frame,

(b) a lower conveyor supported for movement on said frame,

(c) an upper conveyor belt supported for movement on said frame with its lower reach overlying the corresponding upper reach of said lower conveyor belt,

(d) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions whereby the corresponding reaches move in a common direction and for driving said lower conveyor belt at a faster, speed than said upper conveyor belt, I

(e) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyor belts,

(f) the corresponding reaches of said conveyor belts being spaced apart and converging toward each other in the direction of their movement, the corresponding reaches being spaced apart at the input end a distance greater than the combined length of the fingers on both belts whereby the free ends of the fingers of onereach are spaced from the free ends of the fingers of the other reach, and the corresponding reaches being spaced apart at the discharge end a lesser distance than the combined length. of the fingers on both belts and with the free ends of the fingers on one belt passing between the fingers ontheother belt, and

(g) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned to engage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops of string as the loop engaging finger elements of vthe lower reach of said upper conveyor belt lag behind the loop engaging finger elements of the upper. reach of said lower conveyor belt;

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein substantially one-third of the length of said lower conveyor extends outwardly beyond the inputend of said upper conveyor belt to provide a space for feeding wool fleeces onto said lower conveyor belt.

13. An apparatus according to claim llwherein said finger elements are arranged in spaced rows extending transversely of both conveyor belts,-and the space between the trows offingers on said lower conveyor is substantially two times asv great as the space between the rows of fingers on said upper conveyor;

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the upper reach of said lower conveyor is supported at an inclined angle of substantially thirty degrees, from the horizontal. I t

15. Antapparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including means for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting thet loops of string, said loop parting means comprising (a) a frame,

(b) a lower conveyor supported for movement on said frame and having an upper reach supported at an inclined angle of substantially thirty degrees from the horizontal,

(c) an upper conveyor belt supported for movement on said frame with its lower reach overlying the upper reach of the said lower conveyor belt,

(d) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions whereby the corresponding reaches move in a common direction and for driving said lower conveyor belt at a faster speed than said upper conveyor belt,

(e) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyor belts and arranged in spaced rows extending transversely thereof,

(f) thecorresponding reaches of said conveyor belts being spaced apart and converging toward each other in the direction of their movement, the input end of the lower reach of the upper conveyor being spaced above the upper reach of the lower conveyor a distance greater than the combined length of the fingers on both belts whereby the free ends of the fingers of one reach 'are'spaced from the free ends of the fingers of the otherreach, and the corresponding reaches being spaced apart at the discharge end a lesser distance than the combined length of the fingers on bothbelts'andwith the free ends of the fingers on one belt passing between the fingers on the other belt,

sneer-s14 (g) the transversely extending rows of fingers on said lower conveyor belt being spaced twice as far apart as the rows of fingers on said upper conveyor belt,

(h) said lower conveyor belt extending outwardly beyond the input end of said upper conveyor belt to provide a space for feeding wool fleeces onto said lower conveyor belt, and

(i) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned to engage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops of string as the loop engaging finger elements of the lower reach of said 1% upper conveyor belt lag behind the loop engaging finger elements of the upper reach of said lower conveyor belt.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,186,614 June 1, 1965 Stanley Wilkinson et a1.

It is hereby certified that err ent requiring correction and that th corrected below.

or appears in the a bove numbered pate said Letters Pate nt should read as Column 3, line 27, for "suitable" rea column 4, line 25, for "of d suitably for "arting" f" read of column 7, line 5, read parting Signed and sealed this 19th day of October 1965.

iEAL) ttest:

RNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER testing Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

1. IN THE PROCESSING OF WOOL FLEECES, EACH OF WHICH IS BOUND INTO A BUNDLE BY ONE OR MORE LOOPS OF STRING, A METHOD OF PARTING THE LOOPS OF STRING, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF (A) MOVING A STREAM OF BOUND WOOL FLEECES ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL, WHILE (B) ENGAGING EACH OF THE LOOPS OF STRING AT TWO SPACED APART POINTS, AND (C) PARTING THE LOOPS OF STRING BY MOVING THE TWO ENGAGED POINTS FURTHER APART.

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