Apparatus for detecting and separating foreign bodies from a fiber tuft flow

An apparatus for detecting a foreign substance in a fiber tuft stream and for separating the foreign substance therefrom, comprising

• (a) a conduit guiding the fiber tuft stream therethrough in a conveying direction;
• (b) optical sensor means situated at a first location of said conduit for detecting a foreign substance in flight and for emitting signals representing said foreign substance;
• (c) separating means situated at a second location of said conduit downstream of said first location as viewed in the conveying direction for deviating conveyed material to waste from said conduit when said separating means is in an actuated state and for causing all conveyed material to continue advance in said conduit when said separating means is in an idle state;
• (d) evaluating means for processing said signals;
• (e) control means connected to said optical sensor means, said separating means and said evaluating means for placing said separating means into said actuated state in response to said signals emitted by said optical sensor means;
• and
• (f) an opening device situated in said conduit upstream of said optical sensor means as viewed in said conveying direction for opening the fiber tufts prior to passage thereof past said optical sensor means.