Vorbereitung eines Watteendes einer Wattebahn

The invention relates to a method or a device for carrying out a method for preparing a cotton wool end (E) of a line of cotton wool (B) for subsequent reprocessing of the same. Known devices for preparing a cotton wool end of a roll (W) usually operate by holding the cotton wool (B) in one or two clamping points and then tearing it apart. The actual tear line is not clearly defined. The aim of the invention is to remedy this problem. To that end, the line of cotton wool (B) is clamped across its width and the free end (E) extending beyond the clamping point (K) is separated immediately after the clamping point (K) by a current of pressurised air generated across more or less the width of the line of cotton wool (B). Said pressurised air current can be generated by a pressurised air nozzle (32) whose outlet (33) is situated adjacently and directly on the output side of the clamping device (K).