Gordon P Williams

US Patent:

54838444, Jan 16, 1996

Filed:

Sep 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/314803

Inventors:

Frederick M. Shofner - Knoxville TN
Mark G. Townes - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

G01N 104

US Classification:

7386442

Abstract:

Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers. In a third embodiment, fibers protruding through a perforated plate are loaded onto a single needle, and the ends of the fibers are drawn into an airstream moving through a passage defined by a housing on either side of a fiber plate.

US Patent:

54918766, Feb 20, 1996

Filed:

Sep 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/314799

Inventors:

Frederick M. Shofner - Knoxville TN
Mark G. Townes - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

D01G 1900

US Classification:

19129R

Abstract:

Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers. In a third embodiment, fibers protruding through a perforated plate are loaded onto a single needle, and the ends of the fibers are drawn into an airstream moving through a passage defined by a housing on either side of a fiber plate.

US Patent:

54692539, Nov 21, 1995

Filed:

Oct 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/962898

Inventors:

Frederick M. Shofner - Knoxville TN
Joseph C. Baldwin - Knoxville TN
Michael E. Galyon - Knoxville TN
Benjamin M. Kacenas - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

G01N 2100
G01N 1514
G01L 504

US Classification:

356238

Abstract:

A testing apparatus includes a receiver for holding a plurality of textile samples and an automatic feed mechanism disposed adjacent to the receiver for selectively engaging and removing samples from the receiver and transporting them to a processor where the textile material is processed to produce textile entities in an individualized condition. The entities are then transported to a sensor that produces signals corresponding to characteristics of the entities. A control means detects the presence or absence of a sample in the automatic feed mechanism and controls it accordingly. Analog and digital components analyze the characteristic signals to identify segments of the characteristic signals that correspond to neps, trash and fibers.

US Patent:

58229728, Oct 20, 1998

Filed:

Jun 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/885588

Inventors:

David B. Patelke - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN
Michael E. Galyon - Knoxville TN
Hossein M. Ghorashi - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

D01H 400

US Classification:

57408

Abstract:

A nep separator and detector for presenting a fiber sample having fibers, neps, and trash. A toothed rotating cylinder receives the fiber sample at a fiber sample receiving point, and impacts and propels at least a portion of the trash and neps along an ejection path. An air curtain is directed toward and passes across a portion of the toothed surface of the rotating cylinder, at a location rotationally after the fiber sample is received by the toothed rotating cylinder. The air curtain crosses and is oriented transverse to the ejection path, and draws at least a portion of the neps out of the ejection path and onto the surface of the toothed cylinder as it rotates. The trash propelled by impact with the toothed rotating cylinder has sufficient momentum to pass through the air curtain along the ejection path. A dead air space is positioned in the ejection path and disposed adjacent the air curtain and across the air curtain from the fiber sample receiving point. The trash propelled by the toothed rotating cylinder passes through the dead air space.

US Patent:

60521821, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

Oct 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/962973

Inventors:

Glenn E. Irick - Knoxville TN
Luo Cheng - Knoxville TN
Youe-Tsyr Chu - Knoxville TN
Mark A. Overbay - Knoxville TN
Hossein M. Ghorashi - Knoxville TN
Michael E. Galyon - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - NC

International Classification:

D01G 1546

US Classification:

356238

Abstract:

A fiber quality monitoring apparatus is constructed with a sample window for viewing a fiber sample. As the fiber sample passes the sample window, a bulb is strobed to produce a light pulse that is directed toward and reflected by the fiber sample. When the light pulse reaches a desired intensity, a first photo diode generates a synchronization signal. A second photo diode detects reflected light with a wavelength between about 500 nanometers and about 600 nanometers and produces a reflection signal. A third photo diode detects reflected light with a wavelength between about 430 nanometers and about 530 nanometers and produces a color signal. A charge coupled device camera is positioned to receive the reflected light pulse. The charge coupled device camera has an array of pixels which receive the reflected light pulse. Pixels receiving the reflected light pulse at an intensity below a desired value are designated as dark pixels and pixels receiving the reflected light pulse at an intensity greater than the desired level are designated as light pixels.

US Patent:

53831357, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Dec 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/999007

Inventors:

Frederick M. Shofner - Knoxville TN
Joseph C. Baldwin - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN
Mark G. Townes - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

G01N 2189

US Classification:

364552

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.

US Patent:

53677471, Nov 29, 1994

Filed:

Dec 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/999305

Inventors:

Frederick M. Shofner - Knoxville TN
Mark G. Townes - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

D01B 304
G01L 504

US Classification:

19 65R

Abstract:

Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers. In a third embodiment, fibers protruding through a perforated plate are loaded onto a single needle, and the ends of the fibers are drawn into an airstream moving through a passage defined by a housing on either side of a fiber plate.

US Patent:

55440908, Aug 6, 1996

Filed:

Nov 9, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/336827

Inventors:

Frederick M. Shofner - Knoxville TN
Joseph C. Baldwin - Knoxville TN
Gordon F. Williams - Norris TN
Mark G. Townes - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Zellweger Uster, Inc. - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

G01N 2184

US Classification:

364552

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.