FIBRE TESTING APPARATUS COMPRISING ROLLERS, SCALE, PAD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a fibre testing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fibre testing apparatus to measure length parameters as well as short fibre content of all staple fibres (cotton, viscose, modal, excel, lyocell, polyester, nylon, acrylics etc.) and its blends.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] In textile manufacture, fabrics made out of staple fibres such as cotton, manmade (polyester, viscose, modal, lyocell, excel, nylon acrylics etc.) and blends of the same are major part. The degree of length parameters and short fibre content of fibres is the most important quality attributes in raw material as well as the material in all the stages of processes in yarn manufacture. Because they influence the imperfections, uniformity, strength, hariness, appearance and production at yarn stage and strength, smoothness, dyeability, appearance and production at fabric stage.

[003] Initially length parameters and short fibre content of cotton fibres are measured by baer sorter. The results obtained from that instrument were more subjective. In this method the sorted fibres are distributed such that from longest to shortest in terms of length to get sorter diagram. The fibre distribution was being done manually. The test results are highly influenced by the uniformity of fibre distribution. Therefore the test results (subjective) vary considerably among the testing persons.

[004] Modern testing equipments have been developed and presently used in large scale spinning industries to measure the length parameters and short fibre content of cotton fibres. In such equipment, the fibres are opened by opening roller and the length of individual fibres are optically measured. There are five major short comings/disadvantages exist in these instruments as given below:

1. These testing equipments can be used only for cotton fibres.

2. These testing equipments cannot be used for manmade staple fibres, blends of manmade staple fibres and blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

3. In these equipments when fibres are opened by opening roller for testing, the fibres tend to break which results in affecting the accuracy of test results.

4. These equipments are very high in cost-wise.

5. Due to its high cost, it can be used only in large scale industries as small scale industries are not able to procure.

[005] Moreover, presently equipments are not available to measure the short fibre content and degree of length reduction fibres (broken fibres in yarn manufacturing processes) for manmade staple fibres, blends of manmade staple fibres and blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres. [006] Hence there is a well felt need for providing a new testing equipment to measure length parameters as well as short fibre content of all the staple fibres such that free from the above mentioned short comings/disadvantages.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a fibre testing apparatus to measure length parameters as well as short fibre content of all staple fibres (cotton, viscose, modal, excel, lyocell, polyester, nylon, acrylics etc.) and its blends.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fibre testing apparatus to measure length parameters at any level of percentage (as per our requirement) for cotton fibres.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fibre testing apparatus to measure the short fibre content and degree of length reduction fibres (broken fibres in yarn manufacturing processes) for manmade staple fibres and its blends.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fibre testing apparatus to measure the short fibre content and degree of length reduction of manmade staple fibres (broken fibres in yarn manufacturing processes) for blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fibre testing apparatus to get accurate results of length parameters and short fibre content of all types of staple fibres and its blends. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a fibre testing apparatus comprising a pair of delivery rollers (8,9) provided adjacent to each other along a vertical direction and mounted between slots provided on a pair of front roller stands (30, 32), a dimension scale (16) is engraved along the periphery and a side surface of the delivery rollers, a pair of feed rollers (10, 1 1) provided adjacent to each other along the vertical direction and mounted between slots provided on a pair of back roller stands (31 , 33), and a belt (45) provided between a bottom delivery roller (9) and a bottom feed roller (11 ), wherein a velvet pad having a sample fibre material is placed between nips of the deliver rollers (8, 9) and the feed rollers (10, 11).

[008] In some embodiments, bearing housings (18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25) are provided at both ends of shafts of the delivery rollers (8, 9) and the feed rollers (10, 11).

[009] In some embodiments, plurality of sliding studs (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,

40, 41 ) are provided at a front and a back side of bearing housings (18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25) of all rollers to hold and guide upward and downward movements of the bearing housings (18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25) in slots.

[010] In some embodiments, a top deliver roller (8), the bottom delivery roller (9) and the bottom feed roller (11) are made up of metal whereas a top feed roller (10) is made up of synthetic rubber. [011] In some embodiments, pressure springs (46, 47, 48, 49) and pressure hooks (50, 51 , 52, 53) are provided at both sides of the top feed roller (10) and the top delivery roller (8) to ensure firm grip at nips of the rollers.

[012] In some embodiments, a rotating handle (42) or a servo motor is provided at the bottom delivery roller shaft (27) to rotate the bottom delivery roller (9).

[013] In some embodiments, diameter of a driving pulley (43) provided on the bottom delivery roller shaft (27) and a driven pulley (44) provided at the bottom feed roller shaft (29) is selected to ensure that the surface speed of delivery rollers (8, 9) is higher than the feed rollers (10, 11) thereby stretching the sample fibre to be tested to get accurate results.

[014] In some embodiments, the drive is conveyed from the bottom delivery roller (9) to the bottom feed roller (11) by the belt (45).

[015] In some embodiments, at least one line mark (17) is drawn along width of the top and bottom delivery rollers (8, 9) to be used as reference point during testing of the sample fibre material.

[016] In another embodiment, the invention provides a pair of feed rollers (56, 57) provided adjacent to each other along a vertical direction and mounted between slots provided on a pair of back roller stands (84, 85), a top delivery roller (55) mounted between slots provided on a pair of delivery roller stands (82, 83), a pair of supporting rollers (58, 59) mounted between slots provided on pair of front and back supporting roller stands (86, 87, 88, 89), and a holding plate provided between the top delivery roller (55) and the pair of supporting rollers (58, 59), the pair of supporting rollers (58, 59) guide the front and back movement of holding plate; wherein a velvet pad having a sample of fibre is placed between a contact point of the top delivery roller (55) and the holding plate (116) at one end and the nip of the pair of feed rollers (56, 57) at another end.

[017] In some embodiments, bearing housings (67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) are provided at both ends of shafts of the top delivery roller (55), the feed rollers (56, 57) and the pair of supporting rollers (58, 59).

[018] In some embodiments, plurality of sliding studs (90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99) are provided at a front and a back side of bearing housings

(67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) of all rollers to hold and guide upward and downward movements of the bearing housings (67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) in slots.

[019] In some embodiments, the roller stands (82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89) are mounted on a base plate (117).

[020] In some embodiments, the top delivery roller (55), the pair of supporting rollers (58, 59) and a bottom feed roller (57) are made up of metal whereas a top feed roller (56) is made up of synthetic rubber.

[021] In some embodiments, pressure springs (108, 109, 110, 111) and pressure hooks (112, 113, 114, 115) are provided at both sides of the top feed roller (56) and the top delivery roller (57) to ensure firm grip at nip of the feed rollers (56, 57) and between the top delivery roller (55) and the holding plate (116). [022] In some embodiments, a rotating handle (101) or a servo motor is provided at a front supporting roller shaft (80) to rotate the front supporting roller (58).

[023] In some embodiments, diameter of driving (102, 104) and driven (103, 105) pulleys at shafts of supporting rollers (80, 81) and the bottom feed roller

(79) is selected to ensure that the surface speed of delivery roller is slightly higher than the feed rollers for stretching the fibre sample material to get accurate results.

[024] In some embodiments, the drive is conveyed from the front supporting roller (58) to the bottom feed roller (57) through a back supporting roller (59) by belt drives (106, 107).

[025] In some embodiments, a back bottom side of holding plate (116) is made in arc shape, the curvature of arc being equal to the circular arc of bottom feed roller (57) to ensure that the holding plate (116) approaches nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57) during testing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[026] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. Fig. 1 and 2 shows schematic diagrams of fibre distribution (sorting) from longest to shortest in terms of length and random respectively for cotton fibres in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 and 4 shows schematic diagrams of fibre distribution (sorting) from longest to shortest in terms of length and random respectively for manmade staple fibres and its blends.

Fig. 5 and 6 shows schematic diagrams of fibre distribution (sorting) from longest to shortest in terms of length and random respectively for blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

Fig. 7, 8 and 9 show the line diagrams of views of right hand side, delivery side and top respectively of a fibre testing apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows the three dimensional view of top/bottom delivery roller of a fibre testing apparatus with dimensional scale in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 , 12 and 13 show the line diagrams of views of right hand side, delivery side and top respectively of a fibre testing apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 shows the three dimensional view of holding plate of a fibre testing apparatus with dimensional scale in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[027] The present invention provides a fibre testing apparatus to measure length parameters as well as short fibre content of all staple fibres (cotton, viscose, modal, excel, lyocell, polyester, nylon, acrylics etc.) and its blends. The fibre testing apparatus comprising a pair of delivery rollers, a pair of feed rollers and a belt provided between a bottom delivery roller and a bottom feed roller.

[028] The right hand side, delivery side and top of a fibre testing apparatus are shown in figures 7, 8 and 9 respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 shows the three dimensional view of top/bottom delivery roller. As shown, the apparatus comprising two pairs of rollers (8, 9, 10, 11) with bearing housings (18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25) at both ends of their respective shafts (26, 27, 28, 29) and mounted between the slots of the respective stands (30, 31 , 32, 33) at both sides as shown in figures 7, 8 and 9.

[029] Plurality of sliding studs (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41) are provided at front and back sides of every bearing housings (18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25) of all rollers those hold and guide the up and down movements of the bearing housings in slots. Four roller stands (30, 31 , 32, 33) are mounted on base plate (54). However, the number of rollers and/or stands can be changed as per the requirement.

[030] In an embodiment, front pair (top and bottom) rollers (8, 9) deliver the testing material and back pair (top and bottom) rollers (10, 11) feed the same during testing. In an exemplary embodiment, the Top and bottom delivery rollers (8, 9) and bottom feed roller (11) are made up of metal whereas top feed roller (10) is made up of synthetic rubber.

[031] In an embodiment, firm grip at roller nips is ensured by means of pressure springs (46, 47, 48, 49) and pressure hooks (50, 51 , 52, 53) provided at both sides of top feed (10) and delivery (8) rollers. There is a rotating handle (42) attached at bottom delivery roller shaft (27) by which the bottom delivery roller can be rotated. The drive is conveyed from bottom delivery roller (9) to bottom feed roller (11) by a belt (45). The top rollers (feed/delivery) are rotated by means of friction contact from the respective bottom rollers. The direction of rotation of feed and delivery rollers (12, 13, 14, 15) during testing is shown in figure 7.

[032] The diameter of driving pulley (43) at bottom delivery roller shaft (27) and driven pulley (44) at bottom feed roller shaft (29) is selected such that the surface speed of delivery rollers (8, 9) is slightly higher than the feed rollers (10, 11) for stretching the testing materials to get accurate results. The degree of stretch varies according to the type and presence of crimps of fibres to be tested. The dimensional scale (16) in mm/inch (as per convenient) is engraved on the arc and side (surface) of bottom (9) as well as top (8) delivery rollers (any one scale is enough for testing). At least one line mark (17) is drawn on the top (8) and bottom (9) delivery rollers surface across its width which can be used as reference point during testing (any one line mark is enough for testing). An example of fiber testing by using the aforesaid apparatus will now be described:

SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR TESTING

[033] Staple fibres are sorted on velvet pad into two kinds as given below:

> Sorted (aligned) from longest to shortest in terms of length

> Random - Any one end of all fibres is sorted (aligned) at same horizontal level.

(The test results obtained from both kinds of sorted samples are absolutely same)

* Cotton fibres sorted from longest to shortest in terms of length (2) and random (3) on elastic velvet pad (1) are shown in figures 1 and 2 respectively.

* Manmade staple fibres and its blends sorted from longest to shortest in terms of length (4) and random (5) on elastic velvet pad (1) are shown in figures 3 and 4 respectively.

• Blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres sorted from longest to shortest in terms of length (6) and random (7) on elastic velvet pad (1) are shown in figures 5 and 6 respectively.

TEST METHODS

[034] At initial part of testing the weight of elastic velvet pad and fibres to be tested is measured as given below.

Weight of elastic velvet pad =“a” grams.

Weight of elastic velvet pad with sorted fibres to be tested =‘b’ grams. Net weight of sorted fibres on elastic velvet pad to be tested = (b - a) =‘c’ grams.

1) TEST FOR COTTON FIBRES

[035] At the time of test start, the sample is kept between the nips of delivery (8, 9) and feed (10, 11) rollers in the equipment such that the line mark (17) on either top (8) or bottom (9) delivery roller and front side either AB (figure 1) or CD (figure 2) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 2 or 3) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery rollers (8, 9).

(i) Short fibre content

[036] The rollers are rotated by means of rotating handle (42) up to the rotated arc length (checked by means of dimensional scale (16) at delivery rollers) of delivery rollers (8, 9) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). Therefore all lose fibres having length less than 12.5 mm come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres (not caught by roller nip) on elastic velvet pad (1) are removed and weighed, the weight of the same is‘d’ grams. The percentage of short fibre content of the sample is EH/cET 100

(ii) Mean length

[037] The rollers are slowly rotated by means of rotating handle (42). Meanwhile the fibres coming out from the delivery roller grip are removed then there and kept on digital weighing pan. When the quantity of removed fibres reached to 50% of net weight of fibres sample (0.5 ^* c grams) the rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Mean length of the sample.

(Hi) Upper quartile length

[038] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to 75% of net weight of fibres sample (0.75 ^* c grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Upper quartile length of the sample.

(iv) 5% length

[039] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to

95% of net weight of fibres sample (0.95 ^* c grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (rotated arc length of delivery roller) is 5% length of the sample.

(v) 2.5% length

[040] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to

97.5% of net weight of fibres sample (0.975 ^* c grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (rotated arc length of delivery roller) is 2.5% length of the sample.

(vi) Length at level of desired % _>

[041] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to level of desired percentage of net weight of fibres sample. The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Length at level of desired (100 - Percentage of removed fibres) %.

MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND ITS BLENDS

[042] At the time of test start, the sample is kept between the nips of delivery (8, 9) and feed (10, 11) rollers in the equipment such that the line mark (17) on either top (8) or bottom (9) delivery roller and front side either EF (figure 3) or GH (figure 4) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 4 or 5) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery rollers (8, 9).

(i) Staple length

[043] The rollers are slowly rotated by means of rotating handle (42).

Meanwhile the fibres coming out from the delivery roller grip are removed then there and kept on digital weighing pan. When the quantity of removed fibres reached to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) the rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Staple length of the sample.

(ii) Short fibre content

[044] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length (checked by means of dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller) of delivery rollers (8, 9) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). Therefore all lose fibres having length less than 12.5 mm come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres (not caught by roller nip) on elastic velvet pad (1) are removed and weighed, the weight of the same is‘e’ grams. The percentage of short fibre content of the sample is e!cW lOO (Hi) Percentage of length reduction fibres (broken fibres during processes in yarn manufacture)

[045] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8/9) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1mm) than the staple (cut) length of fibres (ie the delivery roller is rotated up to the dimensional scale reading at delivery roller nip shows slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple length of fibre). Hence all the broken fibres (lower than staple length) come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres are collected and weighed. The weight of the same is ‘f grams. Percentage of length reduction fibres is / TIOO

BLENDS OF MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND COTTON FIBRES

[046] At the time of test start, the sample is kept between the nips of delivery (8, 9) and feed (10,11) rollers in the equipment such that the line mark (17) on either top (8) or bottom (9) delivery roller and front side either IJ (figure 5) or KL (figure 6) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 6 or 7) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery rollers (8, 9).

(i) Short fibre content

[047] The rollers are rotated by means of rotating handle (42) up to the rotated arc length (checked by means of dimensional scale (16) at delivery roller) of delivery rollers (8, 9) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). Therefore all lose fibres having length less than 12.5 mm come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres (not caught by roller nip) on elastic velvet pad (1) are removed and weighed, the weight of the same is‘g’ grams. The percentage of short fibre content of the sample is Wg/d!f100. (ii) Percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres in blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

[048] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple (cut) length of manmade fibres (ie the delivery roller is rotated up to the dimensional scale reading at delivery roller nip shows slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple length of manmade fibres). Hence all the cotton fibres and broken manmade fibres (lower than staple length of manmade fibres) come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres are collected and weighed. The weight of the same is‘h’ grams. Percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres in blends of cotton and manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres is - (c * x)/c - (c * x)UT100 Where‘ x’ is the ratio of cotton fibres in blends.

AUTOMATION

[049] Automation of the above mentioned fibre testing apparatus can be performed which is described below.

[050] Individual servo motors are provided for bottom feed roller (11) and bottom delivery roller (9) through inverter control. The speed of motors selected such that the surface speed of delivery rollers (8, 9) is slightly higher than the feed rollers (10, 11) for stretching the testing materials to get accurate results. The degree of stretch varies according to the type and presence of crimps of fibres to be tested. Suction arrangement is made with flat suction mouth throughout the width of delivery nip by which the loose fibres are sucked and sent to weighing pan during testing. Sensor for either bottom (9) or top (8) delivery roller is fixed to sense the rotated arc length of delivery roller (8 or 9) during testing. Weighing sensor is fixed at weighing pan to measure the fibre weight and control the servo motor according to the weight of sucked fibres and settings. All functions are connected to digital board to ease the operations. The following modes are available to select according to the fibres to be tested:

• Short fibre content, Mean length, Upper quartile length, 5.0% length, 2.5% length and Length at level of desired Percentage for testing cotton fibres.

Staple length, Short fibre content and Percentage of broken fibres for manmade staple fibres and its blends.

• Short fibre content and Percentage of broken manmade staple fibres for blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

TEST METHODS

[051] At initial part of testing the weight of elastic velvet pad and fibres to be tested is measured as given below.

Weight of elastic velvet pad =“a” grams.

Weight of elastic velvet pad with sorted fibres to be tested =‘b’ grams.

Net weight of sorted fibres on elastic velvet pad to be tested = (b - a) =‘c’ grams. The values of a, b and c are entered through digital board. In the case of blends manmade fibres and cotton fibres the ratio of blends of the same is also entered. All calculation formulae (mentioned above in manual test methods) are programmed in equipment. 1) COTTON FIBRES

[052] At the time of test start, the sample is kept between the nips of delivery (8, 9) and feed (10,11) rollers in the equipment such that the line mark (17) on either top (8) or bottom (9) delivery roller and front side either AB (figure 1) or CD (figure 2) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 2 or 3) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery rollers (8, 9).

(i) Short fibre content

[053] In short fibre content mode the weight of sucked fibres is measured by sensor at rotated arc length of delivery roller (8, 9) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). The percentage of sucked fibres with respect to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) is Short fibre content (%) of the sample.

(ii) Mean length

[054] In mean length mode the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 50% of net weight of fibres sample (0.5 ^* c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery rollers is (8, 9) Mean length of the sample.

(iii) Upper Quartile length

[055] In upper quartile length mode the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 75% of net weight of fibres sample (0.75 ^* c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is Upper quartile length of the sample.

(iv) 5% length [056] In 5% length mode the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 95% of net weight of fibres sample (0.95 ^* c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is 5% length of the sample.

(v) 2.5% length

[057] In 2.5% length mode the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 97.5% of net weight of fibres sample (0.975 ^* c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is 2.5% length of the sample.

(vi) Length at level of desired %

[058] In length at level of desired % mode the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to level of desired % of net weight of fibres sample. The rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is the Length at level of desired (100 - percentage of removed fibres) % of the sample.

MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND ITS BLENDS

[059] At the time of test start, the sample is kept between the nips of delivery (8, 9) and feed (10, 11) rollers in the equipment such that the line mark (17) on either top (8) or bottom (9) delivery roller and front side either EF (figure 3) or GH (figure 4) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 4 or 5) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery rollers (8, 9).

(i) Staple length [060] In staple length mode the rotated arc distance of delivery rollers is measured when the weight of sucked fibres reached to net weight of fibres sample (c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery rollers is Staple length of the sample.

(ii) Short fibre content

[061] In short fibre content mode the weight of sucked fibres is measured by sensor at rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). The percentage of sucked fibres with respect to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) is Short fibre content (%) of the sample.

(iii) Percentage of length reduction fibres (broken fibres during processes in yarn manufacture)

[062] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1mm) than the staple (cut) length of fibres. The loose fibres are sucked and weighed and the percentage of length reduction fibres is calculated automatically.

BLENDS OF MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND COTTON FIBRES

[063] At the time of test start, the sample is kept between the nips of delivery (8, 9) and feed (10, 11) rollers in the equipment such that the line mark (17) on either top (8) or bottom (9) delivery roller and front side either IJ (figure 5) or KL (figure 6) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 6 or 7) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery rollers (8, 9).

(i) Short fibre content [064] In short fibre content mode the weight of sucked fibres is measured by sensor at rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). The percentage of sucked fibres with respect to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) is Short fibre content (%) of the sample.

(ii) Percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres in blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

[065] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length of delivery rollers (8, 9) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple (cut) length of manmade staple fibres. The loose fibres are sucked and weighed and the percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres is calculated automatically according to blend ratio.

Alternate embodiment of the present invention

[066] An alternate embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The views of right hand side, delivery side and top of another embodiment of the present invention are shown in figures 11 , 12 and 13 respectively. Fig. 14 shows the three dimensional view of holding plate with dimensional scale. This equipment comprises one pair of feed rollers (56, 57) mounted one above the other, one top delivery roller (55) placed on a holding plate (116) and two supporting rollers (58, 59) (front and back) which guides the front and back movement of holding plate through the rims at both sides of the same). The bearing housings (67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) at their both ends of all roller shafts (77, 78, 79, 80, 81) are mounted between the slots of the respective stands (82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89) at both sides as shown in figures 11 , 12 and 13. The sliding studs (90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99) are

[067] provided at front and back sides of every bearing housings (67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) of all rollers those hold and guide the up and down movements of the bearing housings in slots. Eight roller stands (82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89) are mounted on base plate (117). Top delivery roller (55) and holding plate (116) deliver the testing material and top (56) and bottom (57) feed rollers feed the same during testing. Top delivery roller (55), supporting rollers (58, 59) and bottom feed roller (57) are made up of metal whereas top feed roller (56) is made up of synthetic rubber. Firm grip at feed rollers (56, 57) nip and between top delivery roller (55) and holding plate (116) is ensured by means of pressure springs (108, 109, 110, 111) and pressure hooks (112, 113, 114, 115) provided at both sides of top feed (56) and delivery (55) rollers. There is a rotating handle (101) attached at front supporting roller shaft (80) by which the supporting rollers (58, 59) and bottom feed roller (57) can be rotated. The drive is conveyed from front supporting roller (58) to bottom feed roller (57) through back supporting roller (59) by belt drives (106, 107). The top feed roller (56) is rotated by means of friction contact from bottom feed roller. The top delivery roller (55) is rotated by means of friction contact from holding plate (116). The back bottom side of holding plate (116) is made in arc shape. The curvature of arc is equal to the circular arc of bottom feed roller (57) so that the holding plate (116) approaches nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57) during testing. The direction of rotation of feed (61 , 62) and delivery (60) rollers, supporting rollers (63, 64) and direction of movement of holding plate (100) during testing are shown in figure 11. The diameter of driving (102, 104) and driven (103, 105) pulleys at shafts of supporting rollers (80, 81) and bottom feed roller (79) is selected such that the surface speed of delivery roller (linear movement speed of holding plate) is slightly higher than the feed rollers for stretching the testing materials to get accurate results. The degree of stretch varies according to the type and presence of crimps of fibres to be tested. The dimensional scale in mm/inch (as per convenience) is engraved on the side surface of delivery roller (65) and holding plate (66). (Any one scale is enough for testing). An example of fiber testing by using the aforesaid apparatus will now be described:

SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR TESTING

[068] Staple fibres are sorted on velvet pad into two kinds as given below.

Sorted (aligned) from longest to shortest in terms of length

> Random - Any one end of all fibres is sorted (aligned) at same horizontal level.

(The results obtained from both kinds of sorted samples are absolutely same) • Cotton fibres sorted from longest to shortest in terms of length (2) and random (3) on elastic velvet (1 ) pad are shown in figures 1 and 2 respectively. • Manmade staple fibres and its blends sorted from longest to shortest in terms of length (4) and random (5) on elastic velvet pad (1) are shown in figures 3 and 4 respectively.

• Blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres sorted from longest to shortest in terms of length (6) and random (7) on elastic velvet pad (1) are shown in figures 5 and 6 respectively.

TEST METHODS

[069] At initial part of testing the weight of elastic velvet pad and fibres to be tested is measured as given below.

Weight of elastic velvet pad =“a” grams.

Weight of elastic velvet pad with sorted fibres to be tested =‘b’ grams.

Net weight of sorted fibres on elastic velvet pad to be tested = (b - a) =‘c’ grams.

1 ) COTTON FIBRES

[070] At the time of test start, the sample is kept on holding plate (116) and between the nips of delivery (55) and feed rollers (56, 57) in the equipment such that the starting point of dimensional scale on either top delivery roller (65) or holding plate (66) and front side either AB (figure 1) or CD (figure 2) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 2 or 3) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery roller. Meanwhile the position of back side of holding plate (116) is to be nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57).

(i) Short fibre content [071] The rollers are rotated by means of rotating handle (101) up to the rotated arc length (checked by means of dimensional scale) of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). Therefore all lose fibres having length less than 12.5 mm come out from the delivery roller grip. These loose fibres (not caught by roller nip) on elastic velvet pad (1) are removed and weighed, the weight of the same is‘d’ grams. The percentage of short fibre content of the sample is Wdlc f 100.

(ii) Mean length

[072] The rollers are slowly rotated by means of rotating handle (101). Meanwhile the fibres coming out from the roller grip are removed then there and kept on digital weighing pan. When the quantity of removed fibres reached to 50% of net weight of fibres sample (0.5 ^* c grams) the rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (linear displacement of holding plate or rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Mean length of the sample.

(iii) Upper quartile length

[073] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to 75% of net weight of fibres sample (0.75 ^* c grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (linear displacement of holding plate or rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Upper quartile Length of the sample.

(iv) 5% length [074] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to 95% of net weight of fibres sample (0.95 ^* c grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (linear displacement of holding plate or rotated arc length of delivery roller) is 5% length of the sample.

(v) 2.5% length

[075] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to 97.5% of net weight of fibres sample (0.975 ^* t grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (linear displacement of holding plate or rotated arc length of delivery roller) is 2.5% length of the sample.

(vi) Length at level of desired %

[076] The rollers are rotated up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to level of desired percentage of net weight of fibres sample. The rotation of rollers is stopped. Reading on dimensional scale at delivery roller nip is noted. The reading (linear displacement of holding plate or rotated arc length of delivery roller) is Length at level of desired (100 - Percentage of removed fibres) % of the sample.

MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND ITS BLENDS

[077] At the time of test start, the sample is kept on holding plate (116) and between the nips of delivery (55) and feed rollers (56, 57) in the equipment such that the starting point of dimensional scale on either top delivery roller (65) or holding plate (66) and front side either EF (figure 3) or GH (figure 4) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 4 or 5) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery roller. Meanwhile the position of back side of holding plate (116) is to be nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57).

(i) Staple length

[078] The rollers are rotated by means of rotating handle (101) up to the quantity of removed fibres reached to net weight of fibre sample (c grams). The rotation of rollers is stopped. The reading on dimensional scale at delivery roller nip (rotated arc distance of delivery roller or displacement of holding plate) is Staple length of the sample.

(ii) Short fibre content

[079] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length (checked by means of dimensional scale) of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). Therefore all lose fibres having length less than 12.5 mm come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres (not caught by roller nip) on elastic velvet pad (1) are removed and weighed, the weight of the same is‘e’ grams. The percentage of short fibre content of the sample is We/cUFIOO.

(Hi) Percentage of length reduction fibres (broken fibres during processes in yarn manufacture)

[080] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc length of delivery roller

(55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple (cut) length of fibres (i.e. the delivery roller is rotated up to the dimensional scale reading at delivery roller nip shows slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple length of fibre). Hence all the broken fibres (lower than staple length) come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres are collected and weighed. The weight of the same is Ύ grams. Percentage of length reduction fibres is /cUTIOO.

BLENDS OF MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND COTTON FIBRES

[081] At the time of test start, the sample is kept on holding plate (116) and between the nips of delivery (55) and feed rollers (56, 57) in the equipment such that the starting point of dimensional scale on either top delivery roller (65) or holding plate (66) and front side either IJ (figure 5) or KL (figure 6) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 6 or 7) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery roller. Meanwhile the position of back side of holding plate (116) is to be nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57).

(i) Short fibre content

[082] The rollers are rotated by means of rotating handle (101) up to the rotated arc length (checked by means of dimensional scale) of delivery roller

(55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). Therefore all lose fibres having length less than 12.5 mm come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres (not caught by roller nip) on elastic velvet pad (1) are removed and weighed, the weight of the same is ‘g’ grams. The percentage of short fibre content of the sample is Wg/d?M00.

(ii) Percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres in blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres. [083] The rollers are rotated up to the arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple (cut) length of manmade fibres (i.e. the delivery roller is rotated up to the dimensional scale reading at delivery roller nip shows slightly lower (0.5 to 1mm) than the staple length of manmade fibres). Hence all the cotton fibres and broken manmade fibres (lower than staple length of manmade fibres) come out from the roller grip. These loose fibres are collected and weighed. The weight of the same is‘h’ grams. Percentage of length reduction of manmade fibres in blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres is - (c * x)lc - (c * c)ϋ 100 Where‘x’ is the ratio of cotton fibres in blends.

AUTOMATION

[084] Automation of the above mentioned fibre testing apparatus can be performed which is described below.

[085] Individual servo motors are provided for front supporting roller (58) and bottom feed roller (57) through inverter control. Back supporting roller gets drive from front supporting roller through pulleys (102,103) and belt (106). The speed of motors selected such that the surface speed of delivery roller (55) and linear displacement of holding plate (116) is slightly higher than the feed rollers (56, 57) for stretching the testing materials to get accurate results. The degree of stretch varies according to the type and presence of crimps of fibres to be tested. Suction arrangement is made with flat suction mouth throughout the width of delivery nip by which the loose fibres are sucked and sent to weighing pan during testing. [086] Sensor for either top delivery roller (55) or holding plate (116) is fixed to sense either the rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) during testing. Weighing sensor is fixed at weighing pan to measure the fibre weight and control the servo motor according to the weight of sucked fibres and settings. All functions are connected to digital board to ease the operations. The following modes are available to select according to the fibres to be tested.

• Short fibre content, Mean length, Upper quartile length, 5.0% length, 2.5% length and Length at level of desired percentage for cotton fibres.

• Staple length, Short fibre content and Percentage of broken fibres for manmade staple fibres and its blends.

• Short fibre content and Percentage of broken manmade staple fibres in blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres.

TEST METHODS

[087] At initial part of testing the weight of elastic velvet pad and fibres to be tested is measured as given below.

Weight of elastic velvet pad =“a” grams.

Weight of elastic velvet pad with sorted fibres to be tested =‘b’ grams.

Net weight of sorted fibres on elastic velvet pad to be tested = (b - a) =‘c’ grams. The values of a, b and c are entered through digital board. In the case of blends of manmade fibres and cotton fibres the ratio of blends of the same is also entered. All calculation formulae (mentioned above in manual test methods) are programmed in equipment.

COTTON FIBRES

[088] At the time of test start, the sample is kept on holding plate (116) and between the nips of delivery (55) and feed rollers (56, 57) in the equipment such that the starting point of dimensional scale on either top delivery roller (65) or holding plate (66) and front side either AB (figure 1) or CD (figure 2) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 2 or 3) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery roller. Meanwhile the position of back side of holding plate (116) is to be nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57).

(i) Short fibre content

[089] In short fibre content mode the weight of sucked fibres is measured by sensor at rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). The percentage of sucked fibres with respect to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) is Short fibre content (%) of the sample.

(ii) Mean length

[090] In mean length mode the rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 50% of net weight of fibres sample (0.5 ^* c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is Mean length of the sample.

(iii) Upper Quartile length [091] In upper quartile length mode the rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 75% of net weight of fibres sample (0.75*c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is Upper quartile length of the sample.

(iv) 5% length

[092] In 5% fibre length mode the rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 95% of net weight of fibres sample (0.95 ^* c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is 5% length of the sample.

(v) 2.5% length

[093] In 2.5% fibre length mode the rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to 97.5% of net weight of fibres sample (0.975*c grams). The rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is 2.5% length of the sample.

(vi) Length at level of desired %

[094] In fibre length at level of desired% mode the rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is measured by sensors when the weight of sucked fibres reached to level of desired % of net weight of fibres sample. The rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is the Length at level of desired (100 - Percentage of removed fibres) % of the sample.

MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND ITS BLENDS

[095] At the time of test start, the sample is kept on holding plate (116) and between the nips of delivery (55) and feed rollers (56, 57) in the equipment such that the starting point of dimensional scale on either top delivery roller (65) or holding plate (66) and front side either EF (figure 3) or GH (figure 4) of elastic velvet pad (1 ) having sorted fibres (either 4 or 5) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery roller. Meanwhile the position of back side of holding plate (116) is to be nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57).

(i) Staple length

[096] In staple length mode the rotated arc distance of delivery roller (55) or displacement of holding plate (116) is measured when quantity sucked fibres reached to net weight of fibres sample (c grams). This rotated arc distance of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate is Staple length of the sample.

(ii) Short fibre content

[097] In short fibre content mode the weight of sucked fibres is measured by sensor at rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). The percentage of sucked fibres with respect to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) is Short fibre content (%) of the sample. (iii) Percentage of length reduction fibres (broken fibres during processes in yarn manufacture)

[098] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc distance of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple (cut) length of fibres. The loose fibres are sucked and weighed and the percentage of length reduction fibres is calculated automatically.

BLENDS OF MANMADE STAPLE FIBRES AND COTTON FIBRES

[099] At the time of test start, the sample is kept on holding plate (116) and between the nips of delivery (55) and feed rollers (56, 57) in the equipment such that the starting point of dimensional scale on either top delivery roller (65) or holding plate (66) and front side either IJ (figure 5) or KL (figure 6) of elastic velvet pad (1) having sorted fibres (either 6 or 7) are exactly matting at the nip of delivery roller. Meanwhile the position of back side of holding plate (116) is to be nearest to the nip of feed rollers (56, 57).

(i) Short fibre content

[0100] In short fibre content mode the weight of sucked fibres is measured by sensor at rotated arc length of delivery roller (55) or linear displacement of holding plate (116) about 12.5 mm (0.5 inch). The percentage of sucked fibres with respect to net weight of fibres sample (c grams) is Short fibre content (%) of the sample.

(ii) Percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres in blends of manmade staple fibres and cotton fibres. [0101] The rollers are rotated up to the rotated arc distance of delivery (55) roller or linear displacement of holding plate (116) is slightly lower (0.5 to 1 mm) than the staple (cut) length of manmade fibres. The loose fibres are sucked and weighed and the percentage of length reduction of manmade staple fibres is calculated automatically according to blend ratio.

[0102] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.