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:
Aug. 06, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 09, 1994
Frederick M Shofner, Knoxville, TN (US);
Joseph C Baldwin, Knoxville, TN (US);
Gordon F Williams, Norris, TN (US);
Mark G Townes, Knoxville, TN (US);
Zellweger Uster, Inc., Knoxville, TN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring and processing a web of textile materials which includes a plurality of entities including fibers, neps, seed coat fragments and trash. The web is monitored, preferably by an imaging unit, to produce a monitor signal. A computer receives the monitor signal and locates the position of entities of interest and controls a web processor in accordance with the location of the entities. Preferably, the web processor includes ejectors for ejecting entities from the web under the control of the computer. In one embodiment, the web is formed by a sampler and forming apparatus which removes a sample of fibers from a supply and reconfigures it into a desired configuration, such as a web, for being monitored.