Abstract: Methods and apparatus for effecting sample-specific cycles for the environmental conditioning of material samples, such as cotton samples, prior to testing; and for the environmental conditioning of testing laboratory space, a sub-space or "oasis zone" within the testing laboratory space and/or a test zone within a testing machine. A sensor measures at least one material property of the sample, such as moisture content of a cotton sample. Based on the material property, a sample-specific conditioning cycle is determined and effected by driving through the sample a gas flow conditioned as to at least one parameter which affects properties of the sample, such as a temperature, relative humidity, and volume per unit time, and all of which are relevant in the case of a cotton sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the quantity and size distribution of nep-like entities in a fiber sample. An individualizer presents entities, such as fibers and neps, to a laterally elongated acceleration/deceleration gas flow nozzle having a laterally-extending sensing volume defined within the nozzle perpendicular to gas flow through the nozzle. The feed rate is such that multiple individualized entities are simultaneously presented to the sensing volume. A sensor output device produces a signal indicating the total amount of material within the sensing volume at any given point in time, such that the sensor output signal has a background resulting from fibers, and occasional signal pulses representing neps. An analyzer samples the signal at a sampling rate at least approximating the transit time of a nep-like entity through the sensing volume, and employs pre-sample and post-sample averaging background suppression to recognize a signal amplitude indicative of a nep-like entity.

Abstract: An aeromechanical individualizer for individualizing entities within a fiber sample includes a cylindrical rotating beater wheel, having a non-permeable cylindrical surface and having carding elements, such as pins or wire points, on the cylindrical surface. A cylindrical feed roller and feed plate supply the fiber sample to the beater wheel in the form of a beard at a first point along the rotational path thereof. A nozzle directs a gas flow across the feed plate and the beard such that fibers are dragged from the feed plate into engagement with the carding element. At a second point along the rotational path of the beater wheel there is a doffer for removing entities of the beater wheel. An enclosure surrounds the beater wheel and substantially prevents the ingress or egress of the gas except gas flow which enters via the nozzle at the first point and which exits at the second point.