Abstract: A fiber sample conditioning system having a comb for engaging and retaining fibers to form a beard, and at least two rotating brushes for brushing the fibers simultaneously from opposite sides of the beard in a direction along the fibers away from the comb.

Abstract: The capacitive measuring circuit for a moved elongated test material contains at least two measuring capacitors, each of which is configured for receiving the test material. It further contains electrically actuatable selection means, by means of which one of the measuring capacitors can be selected in such a way that only the selected measuring capacitor contributes to the measurement, whereas the other measuring capacitors do not. As a result, the total capacitance of the measuring circuit is reduced and its sensitivity is increased.

Abstract: A fiber testing instrument having a fiber loading station that is sized to accommodate a fiber sample within a desired size range, a fiber extraction device for extracting a portion of the fiber sample for a first battery of fiber tests, a fiber transport device for conveying at least the remaining portion of the fiber sample, and a micronaire chamber for receiving the conveyed fiber sample, where the micronaire chamber is sized to test any fiber sample within the desired size range.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a sample of fibers and trash, having a cylinder for receiving the sample. Pins extend from the surface of the cylinder and retain the fibers. A knife extends along the cylinder adjacent the pins, and removes the trash that is not retained by the pins. The trash is separated from the sample along a downward direction. A counter-flow of air in an upward direction is directed towards the cylinder, where the velocity is sufficient to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder, and yet is insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward.

Abstract: A method for determining a corrected weight of a mixed volume, by gravimetrically measuring a total weight of the mixed volume, creating an image of the mixed volume, detecting at least one selected component within the image of the mixed volume, estimating a component weight of the at least one selected component from the image of the mixed volume, and subtracting the component weight from the total weight to yield the corrected weight.

Abstract: According to the method for characterizing fancy yarn, at least one characteristic of the fancy yarn is scanned along the longitudinal direction of the fancy yarn. Values of the scanning are evaluated and the results of the evaluation are outputted. The results of the evaluation are the fancy yarn parameters such as base yarn mass, base yarn diameter, stub distance, mass increase (?M) of a stub, slub diameter increase, stub diameter, slub length (LE) and/or slub total mass. At least one result of the evaluation is outputted in the form of a graphic representation, for example as a scatter diagram. Such a graphic representation provides a clear representation of the measurement results. The occurring data is reduced and may be divided up into different categories.

Abstract: According to the method for characterizing fancy yarn, at least one characteristic of the fancy yarn is scanned along the longitudinal direction of the fancy yarn. Values of the scanning are evaluated and the results of the evaluation are outputted. The results of the evaluation are the fancy yarn parameters such as base yarn mass, base yarn diameter, slub distance, mass increase (?M) of a slub, slub diameter increase, slub diameter, slub length (LE) and/or slub total mass. At least one result of the evaluation is outputted in the form of a graphic representation, for example as a scatter diagram. Such a graphic representation provides a clear representation of the measurement results. The occurring data is reduced and may be divided up into different categories.

Abstract: A fiber instrument for measuring properties of a fiber sample, the fiber instrument having a surface for receiving the fiber sample, a hand for pressing the fiber sample against the surface, an illumination source for selectively illuminating the fiber sample with more than one peak wavelength, where each of the peak wavelengths is independently controllable as to an applied intensity of the peak wavelength, a sensor for capturing images of the fiber sample while it is illuminated, and a controller for controlling at least the sensor and the illumination source. By providing multiple peak wavelengths of illumination that are each independently controllable as to illumination intensity, the fiber instrument as described herein is better able to detect both foreign material within the fiber sample, and color gradations of the fiber sample.

Abstract: The device is used for the automatic determination of characteristics on textile test material such as yarns, rovings, and slivers. A path is provided for the test material, through which path the test material is moved in its longitudinal direction. At least one measuring element for measuring a parameter of the test material is arranged along the path. In order to reduce the depositing of loose fibers, dust, or dirt particles, a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged along the path and spaced apart from one another, are provided and generate a vacuum, by means of which the undesired particles are sucked from the path.

Abstract: A method for standardizing a reading taken on a fiber sample, including the steps of measuring a moisture content of the fiber sample, taking the reading on the fiber sample, and correcting the reading to a standardized reading that adjusts for a difference between the reading at the measured moisture content of the fiber sample and a standardized reading at about 7.5% moisture content.

Abstract: According to the method for characterizing fancy yarn, at least one characteristic of the fancy yarn is scanned along the longitudinal direction of the fancy yarn. Values of the scanning are evaluated and the results of the evaluation are outputted. The results of the evaluation are the fancy yarn parameters such as base yarn mass, base yarn diameter, slub distance, mass increase of a slub, slub diameter increase, slub diameter, slub length and/or slub total mass. On evaluation, a measurement curve is produced from the values of the scanning, and an area (A(x)) between the measurement curve and a previously determined base yarn mass is computed. A permanent increase in the course of the area (A(x)) is used as a criterion for the presence of a slub. Slubs may be differentiated from yarn imperfections in a reliable manner by way of the area (A(x)).

Abstract: According to the method for characterizing fancy yarn, at least one characteristic of the fancy yarn is scanned along the longitudinal direction of the fancy yarn. Values of the scanning are evaluated and the results of the evaluation are outputted. The results of the evaluation are the fancy yarn parameters such as base yarn mass, base yarn diameter, slub distance, mass increase (?M) of a slub, slub diameter increase, slub diameter, slub length (LE) and/or slub total mass. The evaluation includes a smoothing or idealization of the scanning values, e.g. an idealization of the webs (91, 91?) as horizontal stretches and of the slubs (92, 92?) as trapeziums. the idealized course of the curve may be subtracted from the original course of the curve in order to obtain information on the slubs on the one hand, and on the virtual base yarn on the other hand. The occurring data quantity may be reduced by specifying parameters of the idealized course of the curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for scanning a thread, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof inside a measuring slot, by means of an optical beam emitted by a light source. The device includes a receiver of light reflected on the thread and a unit for processing electrical signals received by the receiver. The aim of the invention is to develop a small-sized device which is easy to operate and which makes it possible to detect foreign matter contained in the thread in a most selective manner at a high sensitivity. For this purpose, the light emission in at least two wavelength ranges is carried out by means of a light source, with these wavelength ranges being determined by two main wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting and classifying foreign material in an inspection lot of textile fibers that is moved lengthwise. The aim of the invention is to allow for the simultaneous inspection of the inspection lot with regard to a plurality of properties and to allow for the detection of a foreign material and for its classification in a simple manner while taking due consideration of all properties measured. According to the invention, values for deviations of these properties from a standard are detected and stored for at least two properties that are influenced by the foreign material. The values for the deviations are eliminated according to a predetermined rule except for the values of one property. A value for the deviation and a value for the length of the deviation on the inspection lot resulting from the values of the remaining property is detected and the foreign material is classified according to this deviation and length.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a moisture content value within a volume. A frequency generator generates at least one source signal at frequencies of no more than about one kilohertz. Probes are disposed with surfaces in physical contact with the volume, where no direct current flows between the probes through the volume. One of the probes is electrically connected to the frequency generator as a source probe, and adapted to receive the source signal and emit the source signal into the volume, thereby creating an electrical field having characteristics that are dependent at least in part on a moisture content of the volume. Another of the probes operates as a receiver probe for sensing the electrical field and producing an output signal having an output property that is dependent at least in part on the source signal and the moisture content within the volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing signals obtained from scanning textile fabrics (1). To provide a method which makes it possible to evaluate the faults (4, 5, 6) in a fabric in a highly differentiated way and which results in targeted actions on the basis of the faults that are recognised, first of all, for values of parameters, value ranges which define categories of faults in the fabric are determined. For categories of faults in the fabric, the distribution of faults in the fabric is then to be determined and, as a function-of the category determined and the distribution of the faults in the fabric, an action is to be performed in connection with the fabric.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for evaluating data obtained from textile fabrics. In order to devise a process which allows data obtained from textile fabrics to be easily compared, assessed in a differentiated manner as to their significance and evaluated, the data are determined in a section (3a,3b) of the surface of the fabric, sorted according to at least two parameters (13,14) and represented in an image (12, 30) as a function of the parameters.