US 6,389,646 B1Granted

Fiber tumbler and method of use

OwnerVictoria I. Pettigrew, Stephen H. Pettigrewinventors

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Abstract

A system and method are provided for cleaning fiber. Included is a structure with a basket pivotally coupled thereto. The basket is adapted for receiving fiber therein. In use, particles are removed from the fiber upon rotation of the basket. In another embodiment, a system and method are provided for cleaning fiber utilizing just a basket for receiving fiber therein, and a blower for blowing the fiber in the basket to remove particles therefrom.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cleaning fiber prior to spinning, comprising:

an underlying structure including a substantially horizontally-oriented planar top with a substantially rectangular configuration;
a pair of L-shaped support arms each including a horizontal portion coupled to the planar top of the underlying structure at opposite ends thereof, a vertical portion having a top end and a bottom end coupled to the horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a diagonal brace coupled between the horizontal portion and the top end of the vertical portion of the associated support arm;
a basket with a substantially spherical configuration including a first half with a substantially semispherical configuration defined by a semispherical wire mesh having an annular rim rotatably coupled at diametrically opposed sides to the top ends of the support arms, a second half with a substantially semispherical configuration defined by a semispherical wire mesh having an annular rim hingably coupled to the annular rim of the first half of the basket at a point substantially ninety degrees from points where the annular rim of the first half of the basket is rotatably coupled to the top ends of the vertical portions of the support arms where the first half of the basket and the second half of the basket are positionable between an open orientation for inserting and removing fiber therefrom and a closed orientation for securing fiber therein, and a fastener coupled to the annular rim of the second half at a point diametrically opposed to the hinged coupling between the first half and the second half of the basket for securing the first half of the basket and the second half of the basket in the closed orientation, wherein the wire mesh defines openings each with an area less than 1 square inch;
a crank including a first end having an axle fixedly coupled to the first half of the basket and rotatably coupled to the top end of the vertical portion of one of the support arms, and a second end for allowing a user to rotate the basket when in the closed orientation to facilitate the removal of particles from the fiber;
and
a blower including a motor for producing a flow of air, and a flexible hose coupled to the motor for allowing the user to direct the flow of air at the basket to further facilitate the removal of particles from the fiber.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning fiber prior to spinning, comprising:

an underlying structure including a substantially horizontally-oriented planar top with a substantially rectangular configuration;
a pair of L-shaped support arms each including a horizontal portion coupled to the planar top of the underlying structure at opposite ends thereof, a vertical portion having a top end and a bottom end coupled to the horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a diagonal brace coupled between the horizontal portion and the top end of the vertical portion of the associated support arm;
a basket with a substantially spherical configuration including a first half with a substantially semispherical configuration defined by a semispherical wire mesh having an annular rim rotatably coupled at diametrically opposed sides to the top ends of the support arms, a second half with a substantially semispherical configuration defined by a semispherical wire mesh having an annular rim hingably coupled to the annular rim of the first half of the basket at a point substantially ninety degrees from points where the annular rim of the first half of the basket is rotatably coupled to the top ends of the vertical portions of the support arms where the first half of the basket and the second half of the basket are positionable between an open orientation for inserting and removing fiber therefrom and a closed orientation for securing fiber therein, and a fastener coupled to the annular rim of the second half at a point diametrically opposed to the hinged coupling between the first half and the second half of the basket for securing the first half of the basket and the second half of the basket in the closed orientation, wherein the wire mesh defines openings each with an area less than 1 square inch;
a crank including a first end having an axle fixedly coupled to the first half of the basket and rotatably coupled to the top end of the vertical portion of one of the support arms, and a second end for allowing a user to rotate the basket when in the closed orientation to facilitate the removal of particles from the fiber;
and
a blower including a motor for producing a flow of air, and a flexible hose coupled to the motor for allowing the user to direct the flow of air at the basket to further facilitate the removal of particles from the fiber.

3 more elements