Abstract: A crosslapper receives a card web and folds it into a lap intended to be needle-punched or consolidated by other means. The web comprises zones which are more condensed, having a spectrum of orientation of fibres with a component parallel to the width of the web, alternating with less condensed zones having a longitudinal unidirectional spectrum of orientations. The zones which are less condensed are used to form the edge zones of the lap. The result is that the lap has different respective spectra of orientation which pre-compensate for the unwanted changes produced by the needle-punching or other consolidation which follows. A needle-punched lap is obtained having a uniform MD/CD ratio (relationship between longitudinal and respectively transverse tensile strengths) or having a sought profile of the MD/CD ratio across the width of the lap.

Abstract: A rotary rib cotton gin includes a plurality of gin saw blades axially spaced and rotatably mounted in a gin stand. A ginning breast is pivotally mounted on the gin stand and includes a plurality of stationary ribs having a lower end fixed to the ginning breast, and an upper free end disposed between each adjacent gin saw blade when the ginning breast is in the operating position. The ginning breast further includes a rotary rib rotatably mounted in the ginning breast above the free end of the stationary ribs. The rotary rib includes a plurality of axially spaced rotary discs fixably mounted on a rotatable shaft, wherein an end portion of each rotary disc is disposed between each adjacent gin saw blade when the ginning breast is in the operating position.

Abstract: A gin stand heat detection apparatus which includes a pair of infrared thermocouples typically mounted on the main frame weldment of a gin assembly in facing relationship beside the saw cylinder assembly and the doffing roller, for monitoring the temperature of the saw blades and ginning ribs in the saw cylinder assembly. The infrared thermocouples are electrically connected to a control panel, which control panel is, in turn, typically connected to a conventional gin stand control panel. The infrared thermocouple control panel includes a visual alarm system for notifying an operator that a high temperature condition exists at any point along the saw blades and interspaced ginning ribs between the facing infrared thermocouples. The apparatus is also capable of automatically separating the saw blades and ginning ribs in case of a high temperature event.

Abstract: A method for training a gin saw assembly and a ginning rib assembly that have been removed from a cotton gin includes a telescoping stand on which the gin saw assembly, including its bearings is temporarily mounted. The apparatus includes an adjustable template with alignment marks with which the individual gin saw blades are manually aligned. The apparatus also includes mounting elements by means of which the ginning rib assembly can be mounted adjacent to the gin saw assembly after the gin saw blades have been trained. The telescoping stand is then extended so that the gin saw blades extend into narrow gaps between the individual ginning ribs in substantially the same relation thereto as when the gin saw assembly and ginning rib assembly are operating in the cotton gin. The individual ribs are then adjusted so that the gin saw blades are precisely centrally positioned in the gaps.

Abstract: An apparatus for training a gin saw assembly and a ginning rib assembly that have been removed from a cotton gin includes a telescoping stand on which the gin saw assembly, including its bearings is temporarily mounted. The apparatus includes an adjustable template with alignment marks with which the individual gin saw blades are manually aligned. The apparatus also includes mounting elements by means of which the ginning rib assembly can be mounted adjacent to the gin saw assembly after the gin saw blades have been trained. The telescoping stand is then extended so that the gin saw blades extend into narrow gaps between the individual ginning ribs in substantially the same relation thereto as when the gin saw assembly and ginning rib assembly are operating in the cotton gin. The individual ribs are then adjusted so that the gin saw blades are precisely centrally positioned in the gaps.