Fiber sampler
AssigneeMotion Control, Inc.
InventorsFrancis E. Elam, David L. Adams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fiber sampler has a flat collection surface and a carriage movable toward the surface to press a mass of fiber placed on the surface. The carriage, which includes a foraminous plate parallel to the collection surface, is pressed against the fiber with a predetermined pressure kept constant from one sample to the next with the pressure applied, a rake composed of parallel needles spaced rearwardly from a deflection bar is passed across the top of the foraminous plate to extract sample fibers from the portion of fiber extending through the plate holes. At the end of rake travel, the fibers are held between a fixed stop plate on the carriage and a back plate movable with the needles. A pinch clamp assembly is provided which can be lowered to grip the fibers collected on the needles.
Claims8
A fiber sampler comprising:
- (a) a collection surface for receiving a mass of fibers;
- (b) a carriage movable toward and away from the collection surface, including a foraminous plate parallel to the surface;
- (c) a reciprocatable rake position on the opposite side of the foraminous plate from the collection surface and movable parallel to the plate;
- (d) means for exerting constant pressure on the foraminous plate while the plate is engaging a mass of fibers positioned on the collection surface so that portions of the fibers extend through the holes in the foraminous plate;
- and
- (e) means for causing sampling movement of the rake parallel to the plate while the means for exerting constant pressure is activated, whereby the rake collects random fibers from the mass.
A cotton fiber sampler comprising:
- (a) a horizontal planar collection surface for receiving a mass of ginned cotton;
- (b) a carriage spaced from the collection surface and movable toward and away from the collection surface, the carriage comprising a flat foraminous plate parallel to the surface;
- (c) a rake movably mounted on the carriage and positioned on the opposite side of the foraminous plate from the collection surface, the rake mounted for movement traversing the plate, and comprising an array of parallel needles with points aligned and a deflector bar spaced from the needle points;
- (d) means for exerting constant pressure on the foraminous plate while the plate is engaging a mass of ginned cotton on the collection surface;
- and
- (e) means for causing sampling movement of the rake across the top of the foraminous plate to extract random fibers from the cotton mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.