The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 1995
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1993
Frederick M Shofner, Knoxville, TN (US);
Joseph C Baldwin, Knoxville, TN (US);
Michael E Galyon, Knoxville, TN (US);
Youe-T Chu, Knoxville, TN (US);
Zellweger Uster, Inc., Knoxville, TN (US);
Abstract
Method and Apparatus for measuring and classifying individual neplike entities in a textile fiber sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fiber sample processor which takes a supply of fiber samples, separates and individualizes the individual entities of the fiber sample and provides the individualized entities to an airflow. The airflow directs the entities through a sensor volume which utilizes electro optical sensors to generate characteristic signals corresponding to the entity passing through the sensor volume. These signals are then analyzed to determine if the entity passing through the sensing volume was a nep and further classify neps by their type. Thus, a neplike entity could be classified as either a polyester nep, a fiber nep or a seed coat fragment and further may be classified as a mature entity or an immature entity.