FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of fiber conditioning. More particularly, this invention relates to brushing cotton fibers prior to length and strength testing. 
       INTRODUCTION 
       [0002]    Natural and man-made fibers are used for a variety of purposes. Such fibers are typically graded according to their properties, such as length and strength. For staple fibers, length and strength are typically measured by forming a fiber sample, called a beard, that is retained along its length by a locking comb. The unclamped end of the beard is inserted into a length/strength device that measures the various lengths of the fibers in the beard. A pair of jaws clamp the beard and slowly separate from each other until the fibers break. The length measurement is recorded, and the force required to break the beard is recorded. These physical properties, in combination with other measured properties, are used to classify the fibers. 
         [0003]    What is needed, therefore, is a system for preparing the fibers prior to testing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMS 
       [0004]    These needs are met by a fiber sample conditioning system having a comb for engaging and retaining fibers to form a beard and at least two rotating brushes for brushing the fibers simultaneously from opposite sides of the beard in a direction along the fibers away from the comb. 
         [0005]    By brushing the fibers of the beard between two opposing rotating brushes, a high degree of singulation and linearization occurs in the fibers of the beard, which enhances the results of subsequent testing. 
         [0006]    In various embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the fibers are cotton fibers, synthetic staple fibers, or a blend of both. In some embodiments two combs in parallel retain fibers simultaneously to form two beards, and two sets of two brushes each simultaneously brush the two beards. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the invention there is described a fiber sample testing system having a drum for presenting fiber tufts protruding through a peripheral wall of the drum, a first translator for moving a comb toward the drum, the comb for engaging and retaining fibers from the fiber tufts to form a beard, the first translator for moving the comb away from the drum, a second translator for simultaneously moving at least two rotating brushes toward the beard from opposite sides of the beard, the brushes for brushing the beard in a direction along the fibers away from the comb, the first translator for moving the beard out from between the brushes, a third translator for moving the comb to a testing station, the first translator for moving the beard into the testing station, and the testing station for testing the fibers in the beard. 
         [0008]    In various embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the fibers are cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of both. In some embodiments two combs retain fibers from two drums simultaneously to form two beards, two sets of two brushes simultaneously brush the two beards, and two testing stations simultaneously test the fibers in the two beards. In some embodiments the testing station is a combined fiber length and fiber strength testing station. 
         [0009]    According to yet another aspect of the invention there is described a method of conditioning fibers by forming a beard of the fibers within a test plane, bringing at least two opposing and rotating brushes into the test plane from opposite sides of the test plane and against the beard, and brushing the beard along the test plane between the at least two opposing brushes to substantially singulate and linearize the fibers of the beard. 
         [0010]    In various embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the step of forming the beard includes moving a comb within the test plane to engage and withdraw the fibers from fiber tufts that are protruding through a peripheral wall of a rotating drum. Some embodiments include testing the singulated and linearized beard within the test plane for length and strength of fibers. In some embodiments the fibers are cotton fibers. In some embodiments two beards are formed simultaneously, and two sets of two brushes simultaneously brush the two beards. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus in an initial position according to an embodiment of the present invention. The view is from the ends of the shafts of the sample drum and brushes in a direction parallel to the shafts. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus in a capture position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus in a carding position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus in a first withdraw position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus in a brushing position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic view of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus in a second withdraw position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a first diagrammatic view of a fiber sample testing apparatus including multiple instances of the forming and conditioning apparatus and testing stations. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a second diagrammatic view of a fiber sample testing apparatus including multiple instances of the forming and conditioning apparatus and testing stations. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a third diagrammatic view of a fiber sample testing apparatus including multiple instances of the forming and conditioning apparatus and testing stations. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a fourth diagrammatic view of a fiber sample testing apparatus including multiple instances of the forming and conditioning apparatus and testing stations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a diagrammatic view in a direction parallel to the shafts of the drum  12  and brushes  24 , of a fiber sample forming and conditioning apparatus  10  in an initial position according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a drum  12  is loaded with the fiber sample. However, it is appreciated that a variety of different fiber sampling methods are contemplated herein. In the embodiment depicted, the drum  12  is divided into three major zones. Zone  14  is an opening along the peripheral wall of the drum  12 , into which a fiber sample is placed. Zone  16  has apertures formed in the peripheral wall of the drum  12 , through which tufts  18  of the fiber sample protrude, and a sample hand that presses the fiber sample against the peripheral wall and through the apertures to form the tufts  18 . 
         [0023]    The drum  12  is loaded with a fiber sample, and begins to rotate. A comb  22  is brought into proximity with the peripheral wall of the drum  12  (as depicted in  FIG. 2 ), such that teeth in an open position on the comb  22  (not depicted so as to not unnecessarily encumber the drawings) can engage the fiber tufts  18  and capture and withdraw fibers of the fiber sample as the tufts  18  rotate past the comb  22 . After the drum  12  rotates the tufts  18  past the comb  22 , the teeth of the comb  22  are moved to a closed position so as to retain the withdrawn fibers, in a configuration that is referred to as a beard  26 . With the teeth in the closed position, the drum  12  rotates to another zone  20  (as depicted in  FIG. 3 ) where carding pins are disposed on the peripheral wall of the drum  12 , which card the beard  26 . 
         [0024]    The comb  22  is retracted from the drum  12 , so that the beard  26  no longer engages the drum  12  (as depicted in  FIG. 4 ), and two opposing brushes  24  are brought into contact with the beard  26  from opposite sides (as depicted in  FIG. 5 ). The brushes  24  are rotating such that the direction of the bristles of the brushes  24  where they contact the beard  26  are brushing away from the comb  22  and toward the drum  12 . The brushes  24  might only contact and brush a portion of the length of the beard  26 , or in other embodiments, might start by brushing the initial portion of the beard  26  that is retained by the teeth of the comb  22 , and then brush the entire length of the beard  26 , such as by continuing to withdraw the comb  26  (as depicted in  FIG. 6 ). Brushing in this manner removes tangles between the fibers of the beard  26 , and generally singulates and linearizes the fibers of the beard  26 . 
         [0025]    Translators can be used to provide the linear movement of the various elements as described herein. The translators are not depicted in the various views, so as to not unnecessarily encumber the drawings with details that are more easily understood. For example, the various elements can be mounted on tracks and mobilized using air pistons, lead screws, stepper motors, or other means as understood in the art. Rotational movements can be accomplished by direct motors, belted motors, or other means as understood in the art. All aspects of the systems as described herein are in one embodiment controlled by a digital programmable controller, such as a personal computer or the like. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  depicts a top plan diagrammatic view of a fiber testing station  70 , including two instances of the fiber sampling and conditioning stations  10 . In this embodiment, two drums  12  are disposed side by side, and two combs  22  retrieve fiber samples from the drums  12 , either independently or simultaneously. Two sets of brushes  24  condition the beard  26  as it is withdrawn by the combs  22 .  FIG. 8  depicts the apparatus  70  with the brushes  24  removed, so as to show the beards  26  that are formed and brushed. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the combs  22  are moved to a second position of the apparatus  70 , where testing devices  72 , such as length and strength testers, are disposed and stand ready to perform tests on the fibers of the beards  26 . In  FIG. 10 , the combs  22  have been moved so as to permit the beards  26  to be drawn into the testing devices  72 , such as by a vacuum air flow, so as to be tested. It is appreciated that in other embodiments only one conditioning apparatus  10  is provided and only one tester  72  is provided, and in other embodiments more than two conditioning apparatuses  10  are provide and more than two testers  72  are provided. 
         [0027]    The foregoing description of embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
A fiber sample conditioning system having a comb for engaging and retaining fibers to form a beard, and at least two rotating brushes for brushing the fibers simultaneously from opposite sides of the beard in a direction along the fibers away from the comb.