Abstract: An apparatus and method for cotton ginning are disclosed. For example, an apparatus for cotton ginning comprises a belt and one or more rollers which are operatively connected. The belt is configured to have a contoured surface such that unprocessed cotton is processed so that cotton seeds are separated from cotton fiber, with the cotton fiber being held by the contoured surface. A method of cotton ginning comprises feeding unprocessed cotton into an apparatus that contains at least two belts wherein two of the at least two belts are operatively connected to each other so as to generate an arced contour and wherein the arced contour applies a normal force to cotton fibers allowing separation of the cotton fibers from cotton seeds.

Abstract: A fiber measurement system for precision measurement of individual fiber properties, including length and fiber length distribution is provided. The fiber measurement system includes a fiber introduction system configured to introduce a plurality of individualized fibers. A fiber guidance enclosure is configured to receive the fibers from the fiber introduction system. The fiber guidance enclosure has an enclosed pathway and a viewing area. The viewing area has a height that limits mobility of the fibers in a Z-direction and the viewing area has a width that is wider than the enclosed pathway. A sensing system is provided for detecting the presence of the fibers within the fiber guidance enclosure. An imaging system is positioned proximal the viewing area of the fiber guidance enclosure to capture an image of the individualized fiber as the fibers pass through the viewing area. A controller is provided for analyzing the image data to determine at least one property of the fibers.

Abstract: A new cotton ginning apparatus, processes and methods of using the cotton ginning apparatus are disclosed that allows a greater production of longer cotton fibers and improved production rates.

Abstract: A fiber measurement system for precision measurement of individual fiber properties, including length and fiber length distribution is provided. The fiber measurement system includes a fiber introduction system configured to introduce a plurality of individualized fibers. A fiber guidance enclosure is configured to receive the fibers from the fiber introduction system. The fiber guidance enclosure has an enclosed pathway and a viewing area. The viewing area has a height that limits mobility of the fibers in a Z-direction and the viewing area has a width that is wider than the enclosed pathway. A sensing system is provided for detecting the presence of the fibers within the fiber guidance enclosure. An imaging system is positioned proximal the viewing area of the fiber guidance enclosure to capture an image of the individualized fiber as the fibers pass through the viewing area. A controller is provided for analyzing the image data to determine at least one property of the fibers.

Abstract: A system for precision testing of fiber length and the like using electrostatic collection and control of fibers. The system comprises two spaced-apart and longitudinal extending electrode plates wherein one electrode plate has a positive charge and the other electrode plate is grounded or has a negative charge. An endless rotating belt extends between and parallel to the electrode plates, and the rotating belt is positioned next adjacent and in contact with or in close proximity to one of the two spaced-apart electrode plates such that the distance between the belt and the other electrode plate is greater than the length of fibers to be tested. A fiber introduction system is provided to introduce a plurality of individual fibers above the two electrode plates such that the fibers will adhere to the belt and the other ends of the fibers are attracted to the other electrode plate and thereby straightened.

Abstract: A system for precision testing of fiber length and the like using electrostatic collection and control of fibers. The system comprises two spaced-apart and longitudinal extending electrode plates wherein one electrode plate has a positive charge and the other electrode plate is grounded or has a negative charge. An endless rotating belt extends between and parallel to the electrode plates, and the rotating belt is positioned next adjacent and in contact with or in close proximity to one of the two spaced-apart electrode plates such that the distance between the belt and the other electrode plate is greater than the length of fibers to be tested. A fiber introduction system is provided to introduce a plurality of individual fibers above the two electrode plates such that the fibers will adhere to the belt and the other ends of the fibers are attracted to the other electrode plate and thereby straightened.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.