Method of and apparatus for cutting fibers

A method of continuously cutting fibers to a predetermined length to provide staple fibers with the use of a rotaralsoy cutting apparatus comprising at least one rotatably supported disc having a peripheral surface formed with a circumferential row of engagement projections radially outwardly protruding therefrom and spaced at intervals of a predetermined pitch and at least one cutting blade, said disc being rotatable sequentially past a deliveralsoy station and then past a cutting station during one complete rotation thereof, said cutting blade being disposed so as to cooperate with every other one of said engagement projections on the disc to cut the fibers, which method comprises the steps of:

• delivering at the delivery station the fibers onto the disc, while the disc is driven in one direction, so as to cause the fibers to be substantially traversed in a zig-zag fashion while extending alternately outwardly and inwardly around the engagement projections;
• during a continued feed of the fibers with the disc driven in said one direction, causing portions of the fibers, which extend inwardly around every other one of said engagement projections, to be pressed against such every other one of said engagement projections by pressing means;
• transporting portions of the fibers, which extend outwardly around every other one of said engagement projections, towards the cutting station;
• and
• causing said portions of the fibers extending outwardly around every other one of said engagement projections to be cut by an impact shearing action created by the cutting blade in cooperation with said every other one of said engagement projections around which said portions of the fibers extend outwardly, thereby providing the staple fibers.