Device for measuring fineness and maturity of cotton fibers

A measuring device for measuring fineness or maturity of cotton fibers, said measuring device comprising:

• a measuring chamber configured to accommodate a sample of cotton fibers, said measuring chamber extending between a first end closed by a wall having one or more vent holes and a second end opposed to the first end;
• a tubular plunger configured to penetrate within said measuring chamber through said second end to run at least two strokes of predetermined lengths;
• said plunger having an inner channel extending between a tail portion and a perforated head portion placing said inner channel in fluid communication with said measuring chamber;
• a seal between an outer surface of the tubular plunger and an inner surface of the measuring chamber;
• a linear actuator connected to the tubular plunger;
• a reservoir placed upstream of said inner channel and in fluid communication with said inner channel;
• a pump configured to fill said reservoir with air from an environment;
• a flow regulator placed downstream of said reservoir and upstream of said inner channel;
• said flow regulator being configured to ensure that the air accumulated in the reservoir moves into the inner channel, and consequently into the measuring chamber, with a predetermined flow rate
• a pressure sensor configured to determine the pressure in said inner channel;
• and
• a processor configured to determine the fineness or maturity of the cotton fibers from the output of the pressure sensor.