Abstract: A gin process control system including sensing stations for sensing the physical properties of cotton as it progresses through a gin. A moisture sensor determines, over a wide range of values, the amount of moisture in the cotton. A quality monitor determines the color of the cotton, color distribution, and the amount and type of trash or other impurities which may be entrained in the cotton. A micronaire unit determines both micronaire and cotton maturity. A fiber length tester provides information on the length distribution, breaking strength, and elongation of the cotton fibers. Cotton samples are gathered from the gin flow stream and presented to the sensing stations in a variety of manual, semi-automated, and automated fashions. In a fully automated unit, the sensing stations are connected directly to the gin. The sensing stations are also in communication with the gin process control system, which uses the data from the sensing stations to automatically control the operation of the gin.

Abstract: A fiber quality monitoring apparatus is constructed with a sample window for viewing a fiber sample. As the fiber sample passes the sample window, a bulb is strobed to produce a light pulse that is directed toward and reflected by the fiber sample. When the light pulse reaches a desired intensity, a first photo diode generates a synchronization signal. A second photo diode detects reflected light with a wavelength between about 500 nanometers and about 600 nanometers and produces a reflection signal. A third photo diode detects reflected light with a wavelength between about 430 nanometers and about 530 nanometers and produces a color signal. A charge coupled device camera is positioned to receive the reflected light pulse. The charge coupled device camera has an array of pixels which receive the reflected light pulse.

Abstract: A nep separator and detector for presenting a fiber sample having fibers, neps, and trash. A toothed rotating cylinder receives the fiber sample at a fiber sample receiving point, and impacts and propels at least a portion of the trash and neps along an ejection path. An air curtain is directed toward and passes across a portion of the toothed surface of the rotating cylinder, at a location rotationally after the fiber sample is received by the toothed rotating cylinder. The air curtain crosses and is oriented transverse to the ejection path, and draws at least a portion of the neps out of the ejection path and onto the surface of the toothed cylinder as it rotates. The trash propelled by impact with the toothed rotating cylinder has sufficient momentum to pass through the air curtain along the ejection path. A dead air space is positioned in the ejection path and disposed adjacent the air curtain and across the air curtain from the fiber sample receiving point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and processing a web of textile materials which includes a plurality of entities including fibers, neps, seed coat fragments and trash. The web is monitored, preferably by an imaging unit, to produce a monitor signal. A computer receives the monitor signal and locates the position of entities of interest and controls a web processor in accordance with the location of the entities. Preferably, the web processor includes ejectors for ejecting entities from the web under the control of the computer. In one embodiment, the web is formed by a sampler and forming apparatus which removes a sample of fibers from a supply and reconfigures it into a desired configuration, such as a web, for being monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers.

Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a receiver for holding a plurality of textile samples and an automatic feed mechanism disposed adjacent to the receiver for selectively engaging and removing samples from the receiver and transporting them to a processor where the textile material is processed to produce textile entities in an individualized condition. The entities are then transported to a sensor that produces signals corresponding to characteristics of the entities. A control means detects the presence or absence of a sample in the automatic feed mechanism and controls it accordingly. Analog and digital components analyze the characteristic signals to identify segments of the characteristic signals that correspond to neps, trash and fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and processing a web of textile materials which includes a plurality of entities including fibers, neps, seed coat fragments and trash. The web is monitored, preferably by an imaging unit, to produce a monitor signal. A computer receives the monitor signal and locates the position of entities of interest and controls a web processor in accordance with the location of the entities. Preferably, the web processor includes ejectors for ejecting entities from the web under the control of the computer. In one embodiment, the web is formed by a sampler and forming apparatus which removes a sample of fibers from a supply and reconfigures it into a desired configuration, such as a web, for being monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers.