Micronaire Measurement

Abstract

A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement by containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall. A flow is initiated along the length of the micronaire chamber. The fiber sample is compressed within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and the advancement of the movable end wall is stopped when at least one property of the flow attains a set point. The position of the movable end wall defines the testing volume. In this manner, there is provided a convenient method of setting a testing volume and acquiring the information needed to take a micronaire measurement.

1 . A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement, the method comprising the steps of:
 containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall,   initiating a flow along the length of the micronaire chamber,   compressing the fiber sample within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and   stopping the advancement of the movable end wall when at least one property of the flow attains a set point, a position of the movable end wall thereby defining the testing volume.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one property of the flow is pressure. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one property of the flow is volumetric flow rate. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the movable end wall is advanced with a stepper motor. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flow is a flow of air. 
   
   
       6 . A method of taking a micronaire measurement, the method comprising the steps of:
 containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall,   initiating a flow along the length of the micronaire chamber,   compressing the fiber sample within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall,   stopping the advancement of the movable end wall when at least one property of the flow attains a set point, a position of the movable end wall thereby defining the testing volume, and   using the at least one property of the flow and the testing volume to calculate the micronaire measurement.   
   
   
       7 . A method of preparing a fiber sample for a micronaire measurement, the method comprising the step of forming the fiber sample into a plug having a cross-sectional shape and size that are substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape and size of a micronaire chamber in which the micronaire measurement is to be taken, before inserting the plug into the micronaire chamber. 
   
   
       8 . A method of preparing a fiber sample for a micronaire measurement, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing an amount of unformed fiber as a fiber sample in a fiber sample loader, and   bringing together forming surfaces of the fiber sample loader to form the fiber sample into an elongate plug having a cross-sectional shape and size that are substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape and size of a micronaire chamber in which the micronaire measurement is to be taken, before inserting the plug into the micronaire chamber.   
   
   
       9 . A method of preparing a fiber sample for a micronaire measurement, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing an amount of unformed fiber as a fiber sample in a fiber sample loader,   bringing a first lateral forming surface of the fiber sample loader toward a second lateral forming surface of the fiber sample loader and forming the fiber sample between the first lateral forming surface and the second lateral forming surface to form three sides of the fiber sample,   bringing a vertical forming surface of the fiber sample loader down between the first lateral forming surface and the second lateral forming surface and onto the fiber sample to form a fourth side of the fiber sample, thereby forming the fiber sample into an elongate plug having a cross-sectional shape and size that are substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape and size of a micronaire chamber in which the micronaire measurement is to be taken, and   inserting the plug into the micronaire chamber with a plunger having a cross-sectional shape and size that are substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape and size of a micronaire chamber in which the micronaire measurement is to be taken.