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: The apparatus is for measuring at least one of color and trash in a fiber sample. A light emitting diode light source generates an incident light that is directed toward the fiber sample, and reflected by the fiber sample, thereby producing a reflected light. A sensor receives the reflected light and produces a signal. A controller controls the light source and the sensor, and at least one of receives and adjusts the signal. At least one of the incident light, the reflected light and the signal is conditioned to compensate for differences between the light emitting diode light source and a xenon light source. Thus, drawbacks of the xenon light source used to date can be avoided.

Abstract: The apparatus is for measuring at least one of color and trash in a fiber sample. A light emitting diode light source generates an incident light that is directed toward the fiber sample, and reflected by the fiber sample, thereby producing a reflected light. A sensor receives the reflected light and produces a signal. A controller controls the light source and the sensor, and at least one of receives and adjusts the signal. At least one of the incident light, the reflected light and the signal is conditioned to compensate for differences between the light emitting diode light source and a xenon light source. Thus, drawbacks of the xenon light source used to date can be avoided.

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: 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: A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement by containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall. A flow is initiated along the length of the micronaire chamber. The fiber sample is compressed within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and the advancement of the movable end wall is stopped when at least one property of the flow attains a set point. The position of the movable end wall defines the testing volume. In this manner, there is provided a convenient method of setting a testing volume and acquiring the information needed to take a micronaire measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a sample including fibers and trash, having a cylinder rotating in a first direction for receiving the sample. The cylinder has a surface with rigid pins. The pins engage and retain the fibers of the sample. A collection surface receives the trash that falls from the cylinder. A counter-flow of air moves in a separation region between the cylinder and the collection surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to and towards the underside of the cylinder. The counter-flow of air has at each position within the separation region an air-flow velocity that is sufficient for the counter-flow of air to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder and thereby engaging the fibers with the cylinder, and yet insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward through the counter-flow of air.

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 weighing apparatus is for automatically weighing trash that is separated from a fiber sample. It includes a scale, a weigh pan disposed on the scale, a cleaner for passing a cleaning element across a surface of the weigh pan when the scale is not taking a weight measurement, and a controller for selectively controlling operations and sequencing of the scale and the cleaner.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a sample including fibers and trash, having a cylinder rotating in a first direction for receiving the sample. The cylinder has a surface with rigid pins. The pins engage and retain the fibers of the sample. A collection surface receives the trash that falls from the cylinder. A counter-flow of air moves in a separation region between the cylinder and the collection surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to and towards the underside of the cylinder. The counter-flow of air has at each position within the separation region an air-flow velocity that is sufficient for the counter-flow of air to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder and thereby engaging the fibers with the cylinder, and yet insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward through the counter-flow of air.

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 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: 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: A method for measuring the weight of impurities in a mixed volume of fibers and impurities by mechanically separating the impurities are from the fibers, whereupon some undesired fibers still remain admixed to the impurities due to imperfections of the mechanical separation. A total weight of the separated impurities and the undesired fibers is gravimetrically measured. An image of the separated impurities and the undesired fibers is created. A weight of the undesired fibers is estimated from the image. The estimated weight of the undesired fibers is subtracted from the total weight to yield a corrected weight of the impurities. The mechanical separation and the subsequent electronic correction yield a more accurate weight of the impurities.

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: 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: 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: 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: A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement by containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall. A flow is initiated along the length of the micronaire chamber. The fiber sample is compressed within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and the advancement of the movable end wall is stopped when at least one property of the flow attains a set point. The position of the movable end wall defines the testing volume. In this manner, there is provided a convenient method of setting a testing volume and acquiring the information needed to take a micronaire measurement.