CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/663,497 filed Sep. 15, 2000 and U.S. Provisional Applications Serial No. 60/281,301, filed Apr. 4, 2001 and Serial No. 60/304,826, filed Jul. 12, 2001. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0004]    This invention relates to the sampling of staple fibers from a batch thereof and subsequent preparation, conditioning and testing of the length and strength of the fibers in the sample. Improved length and strength data are needed for determining the performances and economic values of the fiber for processing into yarns and into knitted, woven and nonwoven fabrics or paper.  
           [0005]    Staple fiber refers generally to non-continuous fibers whose maximum lengths range from less than one inch to several inches. Natural staple fibers include cotton, wool, flax, and other like fibers. Chopped rayon, nylon, polyester and other man-made fibers also fall into the classification of staple fibers. Also included among staple fibers are cellulose-based fibers employed in papermaking.  
           [0006]    The economic values of staple fibers depend upon their length and strength characteristics, since these and other characteristics determine the technical performance characteristics and economic values of yarns and fabrics constructed therefrom. Length and strength characteristics include statistical properties which reflect the variations in the distributions of lengths and strengths found in bulk or batch samples of staple fibers. For natural fibers, these statistical variations can be very significant. It follows that the length or strength data products measured require careful attention to technical aspects of sampling, sample preparation, including conditioning, and measurement. Similarly, the economic consequences of the measurements and the full costs of said measurements must also be carefully considered.  
           [0007]    For examples, in some applications the longest 2.5% of the fibers in the fiber length distribution are most important economically, in a positive sense. That is, longer fibers are more valuable, as they enable manufacture of stronger and more even yarns. For other applications the weight fraction of fibers less than 0.5 inch (so-called short fiber content) are most important economically, in a negative sense. That is, high SFC cotton can yield unacceptable yarns and fabrics. Similar considerations apply to strength data products. For both length and strength testing, improved measurements are needed, plus it is increasingly important that the measurements be done not only in special, expensive, conditioned laboratories by trained personnel but in general, unconditioned environments by unskilled personnel.  
           [0008]    Staple fibers, and cotton fibers particularly, are commonly classed employing standards supported by many national and international governmental and non-profit organizations. The United States Department of Agriculture&#39;s Agricultural Marketing System is the leading organization, world-wide, which employs prior art instruments, such as HVI=High Volume Instruments, to measure length and strength of cotton fibers. There are important economic consequences to these measurements. The International Textile Manufacturer&#39;s Federation is another organization which evaluates and recommends fiber quality measurement systems for its members, primarily through its Working Groups on fiber quality measurements. Both USDA and ITMF have suggested that improved measurement technologies are needed to correct said measurement deficiencies in HVI and other prior art instruments and to correct certain aberrations in the marketing system. Accordingly, this invention, and inventions by some of the same inventors described in co-pending patent applications, seek to offer such improvements.  
           [0009]    The focus of this application is improved measurement of Length and Strength. With regard to Length and Strength, prior art technologies are inherently deficient in representativeness of the fibers sampled and in precision and accuracy of the measurements, particularly in the areas of short fiber content and strength and elongation of fibers. Prior art methods are most particularly deficient in the areas of testing sample specimens which are properly equilibrated with respect to moisture content or, more accurately, equilibrated with respect to those data products which are sensitive to moisture content of the fibers. Further, such known apparatus and methods are themselves unnecessarily expensive and require relatively sophisticated test personnel and expensive, conditioned laboratories. Accordingly, the broadest objectives of our invention are to provide for less biased, more accurate and more precise measurements of Length and Strength on ultra rapidly conditioned specimens in an internal environment, such that the instrument can be cost-effectively operated in non-conditioned environments and by unskilled personnel.  
           [0010]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0011]    WO 01/20321, “Conditioning and Testing Cotton Fibers”, published Mar. 22, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses, among other things, novel ultra rapid sample conditioning methods using combinations of water in aerosolized state (particles, with and without chemical additives) and gaseous state (molecules, but not necessarily steam). That pending application also discloses the need for careful attention to the preparation of samples of cotton fibers preparatory to and in the course of their being tested. In particular, it is also noted in that publication that the “historical” testing environment for cotton fibers of 65% relative humidity and 70 degrees F. (21 degrees C.) dry bulb temperature is of importance within the testing environment as opposed to the laboratory overall environment.  
           [0012]    Numerous other patent and open literature references are relevant to this disclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,316 discloses methods and a machine for “rapidly” conditioning so-called “Classer&#39;s or HVI Samples” of cotton fiber prior to testing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,868 discloses conditioning the “Testing Zone” of fiber quality instruments with known air conditioning methods. U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,450 discloses conditioning internal “Processing Zones” of processing equipment, not testing instruments, and with known air conditioning means. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,491,876 and 5,483,844 disclose needle sampling means for single fiber testing, not the tapered beard specimen disclosed herein. U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,019 discloses the well-known “Hertel” sampler which is still used today. These patents are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Distinguishing features between them and the instant invention will be made at the appropriate points in this disclosure.  
           [0013]    Sampling of staple fibers commonly involves withdrawing a “beard” of fibers from a mass (batch) of the fibers. A “beard” is formed when fibers from a batch of staple fibers are grasped by a needle or needles or by a clamp, then combed and brushed to straighten and parallelize the fibers. Several fiber length statistics can be derived from this beard. One such fiber length is the average length of the longer one-half of the fibers (upper half mean length) and is customarily reported in both 100ths and 32nds of an inch for cotton fibers. Another is Mean Length. Still another is Short Fiber Content is provided.  
           [0014]    Fiber strength is reported in terms of grams per tex, not in force per unit area, as for metals or other materials of construction. A tex unit is equal to the weight in grams of 1,000 meters of fiber. Therefore, the strength reported in the maximum force in grams required to break a bundle of fibers one tex unit in size. Strength measurements can be made on the same beards of fibers that are used for measuring fiber length.  
           [0015]    Our measurements of length and strength only generally follow known art. The improvements disclosed herein relate primarily to internal, ultra rapid conditioning of the beards, to less-biased sampling effected by single needles and multiple, closely-spaced needles, to improved sensing of the beard&#39;s length and strength characteristics, and to rotary motions of the sampling needles.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for the collection of samples of staple fibers from a quantity (batch) of such fibers without material consideration of the “condition” of the fibers within the batch,(e.g., the relative humidity and/or temperature of the environment immediate the batch of fibers), and thereafter physically converting each sample of fibers to a tapered beard geometry. Each beard is grasped at one end thereof with the fibers thereof extending unsupported therefrom. The beard is conveyed to a location proximate the entrance to an air flow channel whereupon conditioned air flowing into the flow channel moves along, over and past the beard, causing the free ends of the fibers to enter the flow channel and become aligned generally along the length of the flow channel. Continued flow of conditioned air into and through the flow channel, hence in a direction generally parallel to the length of the fibers which make up the beard, ultra-rapidly conditions only the fibers of the beard. Air flow rates may reach hundreds or even thousands of ft/sec velocity within the flow channel and conditioning of the fibers may be accomplished within a matter of seconds.  
           [0017]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the flow of conditioned air from the flow channel, preferably is recycled to the source of conditioned air, which is located remote from the flow channel.  
           [0018]    Within the flow channel, the strength of the fiber is tested. Thereupon, the beard is withdrawn from the flow channel and conveyed to a strength test station. In one embodiment, the flow of conditioned air is at least partially diverted toward a strength test station from which this conditioned air is captured and recycled to the source thereof. Notably, in the present invention, only that air which enters the flow channel and/or which may flow past the strength test station is conditioned, the environment associated with the fiber batch, the collection of a sample of fibers from the batch, the physical treatment of the collected sample of fibers to form a tapered beard of the fibers and substantially all locations other locations aside from the flow channel and proximate the strength test station of the apparatus is at ambient relative humidity and temperature.  
           [0019]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the physical collection of the samples from the batch of fibers includes a rotating carrier, such as a hollow cylinder having one or more collector needles mounted on the outer circumference thereof. This carrier is rotated about its longitudinal axis with such axis being oriented radially of a plurality of beard preparation stations and at least one test station whereby the collection, preparation and testing of the beard is effected at locations spaced about the circumference of the carrier. This arrangement provides for reversal of the direction of rotation of the carrier to effect selective extent of entry of the beard into the flow channel, withdrawal of the beard from the channel and conveyance thereof to a further test station, for example, and eventual reversal of the direction of rotation of the drum for removal of the beard from its collector so that the collector is cleaned of fibers in preparation for its subsequent movement through the batch of fibers and collection of a further sample of such fibers. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a side elevational representation of one embodiment of apparatus useful in carrying out the method of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a top view of the needle-carrying carrier of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and is taken generally along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is an enlarged representation of one embodiment of a portion of the carrier depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 and depicting the mounting of a needle on the outer peripheral surface of the carrier and a resilient member carried within the carrier for locking a beard on the needle;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a representation of one embodiment of a test station embodying a flow channel for conditioned air for use in the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a representation of the entrance end of a flow channel as depicted in FIG. 4 and a needle-carrying carrier as depicted in FIG. 2;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of apparatus for sampling and testing staple fibers in accordance with the present invention and depicting the relationship of the sampling and testing apparatus to a remote source of conditioned air;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a graph plotting differential pressure versus length for a typical test of a beard;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a URC-L subassembly;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a partial schematic representation of a strength testing subassembly useful in one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a backside view of load fingers along taken generally;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is vectoral diagram depicting certain of the parameters applicable in a typical fiber strength test employing the concepts of the present invention; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a graph plotting tension versus elongation (length) for a typical strength test of a staple fiber beard employing the concepts of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 1 and 2 are end and top views of the main parts of an apparatus and method and system  1  for making improved length and strength measurements. Apparatus  1  is called the “Length +Strength Module,” being one module of several on a common instrument platform called “RapidTester.” These parts and other assemblies are contained within environmental enclosure  2  and consist of needle samplers  100 ,  101  mounted into needle roll  104 . Needle roll or cylinder  104  rotates around axis  106  and positions single needle samplers  100  or multiple needle samplers  101  with respect to various stations around needle roll  104 , where various operations and measurements are performed. This rotational positioning is key to the operations and measurements. Other key elements of the invention are tapered bundles or beards of fibers  102 ,  103 , seen best in FIG. 2, and upon which the operations and measurements are made.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of needle sampler  100  in which needle roll  104  has rotated slightly clockwise with respect to hole  6  in sampling plate  5 , thus more clearly revealing the initial sampling process for producing beard  102  at first Station L-L=Load and Lock. At this point, beard  102  is raw, ie, not yet prepared or conditioned for testing.  
         [0035]    Key to the sampling concept is the insertion of needles  118  into protrusion  7  of fibers through hole  6  and then locking the sampled fibers onto needle  118  with elastomer  116  before further movement. Cam shaft  107  and machined flat  108  thereon are seen in FIG. 1 to be in position to permit needle  118  insertion and loading. That is, cam follower  111  and push rod  114  are retracted and needle  118  can penetrate fiber protrusion  7 . In FIG. 3, cam shaft  107 , which also rotates around axis  106 , is seen to cause the elastomer  116  to be pushed against needle  118 , thus locking the fibers. This loading and locking method enables acquisition of an unbiased sample of fibers  102  from batch  4 . In some cases it is advantageous to employ a spring-loaded finger  23  to enforce better engagement and sampling. Finger  23  pushes the batch sample into hole  6  by means of spring  27 . Finger  23  moves within body  25  which is attached to bottom plate  8  by cement if said plate is glass and by a screw or cement if bottom plate  8  is metal.  
         [0036]    Tapered bundles  102 ,  103  in FIG. 2 are acquired as described above by one or more single needle and/or one or more multiple needle sampler modules  100 ,  101 . In the rotary positon shown in FIG. 2, the beards have been prepared for subsequent conditioning and testing and are no longer in the raw form, as seen in FIG. 1, when needle roll  104  is at the bottom. FIG. 2 reveals tapered beards  102 ,  103  when needle roll  104  has rotated approximately  180  degrees from Station L-L to be near top center. Two tapered beards  102 , formed with two independent, single needle samplers  100 , and tapered beard  103 , formed with one multiple needle sampler  101 , are shown. Apparatus and methods according to the invention may be utilized with only single needle samplers, only multiple needle samplers, or a mix. Practicalities dictate which one is best or when a mix is best.  
         [0037]    Sample acquistion, preparation, conditioning, testing and disposal steps are effected at various rotationally-positioned stations around needle roll  104 . These steps are effected by various assemblies whose design and operation are explained below. For emphasis, said stations and assemblies are contained within environmental enclosure  2 , as noted at the outset. We shall revert to the important subject of Ultra Rapidly Conditioning the beards below.  
         [0038]    To summarize this introduction, tapered beards  102  in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3  are subsamples acquired from a bulk mass, or “batch” of staple fibers  4  pressed between top or sampling plate  5  and bottom plate  8 . The beard  102  is acquired through a hole or holes  6  in sampling plate  5  by needles  118  in sampler module  100 . Samplers  100 , whose design and operation are were explained above, move the sampled bundles  102  to subsequent steps or operational stations by rotational motion of needle roll  104 . As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the raw samples  102  are first withdrawn or sub-sampled at Station L-L, or Load and Lock, when needle roll  104  is near the bottom, (FIG. 1), and then move around to the various stations. Note in FIG. 1 the section arrows  2 - 2  that define FIG. 2, where it is understood that the beards  102  are on the top and not yet drawn into URC-L assembly  200 .  
         [0039]    Before describing in detail certain of the other, subsequent and novel operations and assemblies, it is appropriate to overview the primary steps in the method and their relationship to the rotary motion imparted by needle roll or cylinder  104 . (We use needle roll and needle cylinder interchangeably herein.) Note first and generally that needle cylinder  104  rotates about axis  106  and thus transports sampler modules  100 . Shaft  107  may be viewed as stationary at this point in the description; however, note flat surface  108  on shaft  107 , which acts as a cam lobe to actuate cam follower  111  of needle sampler module  100 . The upper part  110  of sampler module  100  is fixed within needle cylinder  104 .  
         [0040]    At Station L-L=Load-Lock, as explained generally above and in more detail below, the raw beard specimen  102  is loaded and then locked onto the needle or needles in single needle sampler module  100 . This and all subsequent operations are similar for multiple needle samplers  101 .  
         [0041]    At Station C=comb, excess fibers, neps, seed coat fragments, trash and the like are removed from beards  102  by comb  10 . Comb  10  may be constructed of fillet wire, as known in the art. After passage of beard  102 , comb  10  oppositely rotates about axis  12  to engage brush  14  where said excess fibers are removed from it.  
         [0042]    At Station B=brush, the beard  102  engages brush  14 . This brushing step further cleans and aligns the fibers and reduces crimp. After passage of beard  102 , both comb  12  and brush  14  are rotated oppositely such that both are cleaned of excess fiber by suction nozzle  15 . Both comb  12  and brush  14  are well known in the art and are driven by unshown gear motor and gear belt or other means. Suction is provided within nozzle  15  only when the comb  10  and brush  14  are rotating oppositely to the arrows indicated on FIG. 1.  
         [0043]    At Station URC-L, the beards  102  are drawn into Ultra Rapid Conditioning and Length Measurement assembly  200  wherein the beard is further prepared, including ultrarapid conditioning of the fibers comprising the final sub-sampled and prepared beard, and wherein the length measurements are made. Both URC and Length measurements are described more fully below.  
         [0044]    At Station STR=Strength, the strength measurements are made in assembly  300 . This assembly is also more fully described below.  
         [0045]    At Station R=Removal, any remaining fibers are removed from needle modules  100  by cleaning module  400 . This removal is accomplished by rotating cam shaft  107  to a position R (FIG. 3) which unlocks the remaining fibers when needle roll  104  is at the removal station. Compressed air  421  and suction  422  aid the cleaning process.  
         [0046]    Finally, needle roll  104  is returned to Station P =park, which is near Station L-L for the next measurement cycle. This “park” position, between completion of one measurement cycle and commencement of the next, is to be distinguished from other park positions during a measurement cycle.  
         [0047]    It will be appreciated that the ultra rapid conditioning and length measurement steps at Station URC-L may be separated and be effected by two assemblies. Similarly, the operations at Stations URC-L, Str and R may be combined into a single, more complex assembly. Still further, some operations can, in some cases, be omitted. Showing them in the configuration of FIG. 1 facilitates disclosure of apparatus we have found to generally optimum for cotton. Testing other fibers could require different configurations of the same invention.  
         [0048]    Whereas this invention is directed to measurement of fiber length and fiber strength, other measurements may be advantageously made substantially simultaneously as part of a fiber quality measurement system. When bottom plate  8  in FIG. 1 is glass, the color and trash of the bulk sample  4  may be determined by color scanner or camera means as disclosed in a co-pending application WO 01/20321. Scanner head  9  in FIG. 1 moves under bottom glass plate  8  to acquire said color images. If spring finger body  25  is attached to the glass window, that part of the image is ignored to avoid interference with measurement of the batch sample  4 .  
         [0049]    We now complete the detailed explanation of the elements, operations and procedures at Station L-L and next provide concepts and details for operations at Stations URC-L and Str, ie, with respect to assemblies  200  and  300 .  
         [0050]    In FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , needle sampler modules  100  are mounted in and rotatably transported by needle cylinder  104 . Fiber mass  4  is pressed between a top plate  5  and a bottom plate  8  with an average pressure in the order of approximately 1 pound force per square inch of plate area (range=0.1 to 10 psi). Fiber types handled by the invention may be any textile staple fiber but this disclosure of our invention is particularly useful for staple fibers of cotton, wool, nylon or polyester.  
         [0051]    Hole  6  in sampling plate  5 , whose thickness is about 0.125 inch and whose material of construction is preferably stainless or hardened carbon steel, allows a protrusion of fibers  7 . This protrusion of fibers  7 , seen best in FIG. 3, presses against needle cylinder  104  and is engaged by needle sampler module  100  to form said tapered beard  102 , in its raw, unprepared and unconditioned form. The size, shape and relationship of hole  6  to needle module  100  and needle cylinder  104  are important design parameters. When a single needle sampling module  100  is used, the hole  6  may be essentially circular, with diameter of about 0.4 inch. The minimum spacing between plate  5  and cylinder  104  is about 0.03 inch.  
         [0052]    It is very important that hole  6  be champhered and smooth, especially in the leading edge area  11 , otherwise fibers will be broken or pulled off the needle. At leading edge  11 , the shape is actually rounded; that is, the sharp edge resulting from a bevelling or countersinking operation is made round and very smooth by hand filing and polishing with fine machinist&#39;s emery cloth. In some cases it is useful to have restraining needles  12  in the area of hole  6 . One useful configuration for restraining needles  12  is that there be two of them situated on either side of sampling needle  118  path and spaced 0.200 inch apart. They should be 0.03 inch diameter and protrude into hole  6  by about 0.20 inches. Use of restraining needles  12  permits hole  6  to be larger and is more appropriate for long fibers than short.  
         [0053]    The means by which fibers in beard  102  are “locked” onto sampling needle or needles in needle module  100  before further preparation was explained above. It will be appreciated from FIG. 2 that there may be a multiplicity of such needle modules  100  circumferentially around and/or axially along needle cylinder  104 . It will also be appreciated that rows of closely spaced needles may be used, as in multiple needle sampler  101  in FIG. 2. Needle cylinder  104  is driven by motor  16  and its rotational position is measured by encoder  18 . Needle cylinder may also be driven by a stepper motor system. All operational controls and measurements are handled by known microcontroller and PC means.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 3 shows needle sampler module  100  in enlarged cross sectional view and its relation to needle roll  104 , axle  107  and cam flat  108 . Cam follower  110  is driven by cam  108  into stationary part  110  and pushed out by spring  113 . FIG. 3 shows the relationship of the components of sampler module  100  at Station L-L after the fibers  102  have been loaded onto needle  118  and elastomer  116  is closed by cam  108  action. Push rod  114  compresses the bottom side of elastomer  116  which in turn moves outward and presses against needle  118 . The movement of push rod  114  is typically about 0.04 inch, which is the depth of cam flat  108 , and the top side of elastomer  116  moves about 0.02 inch to envelop the fiber beard  102  when constrained as shown. Suitable materials for elastomer  116  are Buna-N and Viton and practical diameters are about 0.125 inch. The diameter of needle  118  ranges from about 0.02 to 0.06 inch. This topside movement is sufficient to lock beard  102  onto needle  118  for subsequent preparation and testing. Needle  118 , which is hardened steel, is attached to stationary part  110 , which is typically brass, by silver solder or by set screws, preferably.  
         [0055]    Note in FIG. 3 the area  124  defined by the elastomer  116  topside, needle  118  bottomside, and the extension of milled surface  122 . This area is adjusted so that the desired number of fibers in beard  102  are captured, which number for cotton, for example, is between a few hundred and a few thousand fibers. It will be appreciated that this number of sampled fibers is an important operational parameter. Note also that the top of stationary part  120  conforms to the contour of the needle roll  104 .  
         [0056]    We can now easily distinguish the instant invention from prior art mentioned above. U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,019 discloses a needle-based apparatus for sampling and preparing tapered beards. This well-known art is commonly referred to as the “Hertel” sampler and differs from the instant invention in five major ways. First, the Hertel sampler locks the fibers into the multiple needle structure after combing. The instant invention locks the fibers before combing. Second, the Hertel sampler locks the fibers between the needles and threaded grooves in a 0.5 inch bolt. Locking forces thus depend on needle alignments and amount of beard captured. The instant invention locks the fibers between the needles and an elastomer. Thus the instant invention enables more definitive locking and realizes a less-biased sample of fibers due, among other things, to fewer long fibers being lost.  
         [0057]    Whereas the first two differences enable the instant invention to make better measurements of long fiber content, the third to fifth differences following enable better, indeed, “true” measurement of short fiber content. Third, the instant invention provides for single needle samplers  100  as well as a row of closely-spaced needles  101 . The differences for short fiber content measurement relate to single needles, primarily. Fourth, the instant invention enables measurements of the beard much closer to the needles. Fifth, the state of fibers captured by single needles is far more definitive than for the Hertel sampler, since “cross-over” associated with multiple needles is eliminated. Cross-over refers to fiber ends which cross over two or more needles and then protrude outwardly. There is no “cross-over” with single needles. Thus the single needle configuration enables a true measurement of short fiber content which is not possible for the Hertel sampler.  
         [0058]    It follows that the instant invention can provide the complete fiber length distribution since good data are available from short to long fibers in the beard.  
         [0059]    It is noted for completeness that SFC measurements are currently attempted with Hertel type samplers using inference type “measurements.” SFC data so produced are not true SFC and their accuracy and precision is widely known to be poor. As noted above, this is because very few of the short fibers are accessible for measurement due to proximity. Those that are accessible are in unknown states because of cross-overs.  
         [0060]    It is finally noted, also for completeness, that SFC is one of the data products for which USDA and ITMF, as well as leading spinning mills and machinery manufacturers, are intensely soliciting improvements.  
         [0061]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,876 discloses a multiple needle-based apparatus for individualizing single fibers for testing purposes. The preferred embodiment is an accelerated pin drafting device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,844, a divisional, discloses a single needle-based apparatus with elastomer locking, also used for individualizing single fibers. Neither of these prior art embodiments form and test a tapered beard. And neither the objectives nor methods of operation relate to or anticipate the instant invention.  
         [0062]    Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , it is seen that after the fiber beards  102  have been sampled (ie, loaded and locked) at Station L-L and prepared by combing and brushing at Stations C and B, they are transported to Station URC-L for Ultra Rapid Conditioning and for Length measurement. After length measurement, they are transported to Station Str  300  for strength measurement, which measurements particularly require proper conditioning. We next explain the features of URC, then explain Length measurement, both with assembly  200 , and finally we explain Strength measurement, with assembly  300 .  
         [0063]    In FIG. 4, an enlarged drawing depicting a first version of URC-L assembly  200 , and in FIG. 5, the corresponding frontal view section  5 - 5 , it is seen that needle roll  104  first transports the extreme ends or tips  119  of beards  102  past one of a plurality of first fixed orifices  250 ,  251  into which beard  102 ,  103  are drawn by increased suction flow  252 . Increased suction flow  252 , to be contrasted with reduced or measurement flow  253 , results upon clockwise rotation of cylindrical and sealed plug valve  260  which produces a second, variable orifice  262 ,  263  by rotating about axis  261 . For increased suction flow  252 , variable orifice  262  is maximally open, in contrast with the more constricted position shown  263 , thus maximizing the suction flow  252 . After beard  102  is captured, as seen more clearly in FIG. 5, roll  104  reverses to permit beards  102  to penetrate maximally into fixed first orifices  250 , 251  in URC-L assembly  200 , ie, near tapered beard base  121 , and roll  104  parks as shown in FIG. 4. For reference, the width and height of single needle beard  102  first orifices  250  are approximately 0.4×0.04 inches. The width and height for multiple needle beard  103  orifices  251  are approximately 2×0.04 inches. The spacing between needle roll  104  and assembly  200  is about 0.025 inch.  
         [0064]    Increased suction flow rate  252  would be typically about 5 CFM for each first orifice  250  for single needle tapered beards  102 . The corresponding increased flow rate  252  for each first orifice  251  for multiple needle tapered beards  103  would be about 25 CFM. The driving suction  264  for either would be in the range of 25 inches water column. Some ultra rapid conditioning or testing circumstances require that first orifices  250 , 251  also be variable; it is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that this would be accomplished by making first orifice plate  266  movable, or the equivalent. Other URC applications require that the first  250 , 251  and even second orifices  262 , 263  be automatically controlled; such controls of the indicated and disclosed elements are also obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0065]    Ultra rapid conditioning takes place when the beards  102 ,  103  are maximally penetrated into assembly  200 . Initial conditioning occurs when the flows are high  252  and final conditioning occurs when the flows are reduced  253 . To better explain the URC and length measurement at reduced, or measurement flow  253 , we next describe certain of the operational conditions without beards  102 ,  103  present. This will be seen to be an important design condition for both URC and for length measurement by occluded orifice flow  253  and differential pressure  270 . Explanation is given for one single needle  100  and its associated orifice  250  but the principle is the same for multiple needles  101  and first orifices  251  therefor.  
         [0066]    After the beard  102  is captured and the needle roll  104  is parked as seen in FIG. 4, plug  260  rotates back to produce a second, more constricted position  263 , as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this position, the flow  253  into first, fixed orifice  250  is reduced to about 2 CFM, without fibers  102  present, for this design explanation. The corresponding suction  264  or differential pressure relative to atmoshere driving this flow would also typically be about 25 inches. The differential pressure, relative to atmoshere,  270  across orifices  250  is in the range of 4 inches water column, again without beards  102  present; this corresponds to a gas velocity of about 8,000 feet per minute through orifice  250 . In the first orifice  250  and second orifice  263  configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the volumetric flow rate  264  is primarily set by second orifice  263  and is almost constant, independent of occlusion of orifice 1  263 , for small occlusions. Thus the velocity in the occluded orifice  250  is actually higher (than the non-occluded condition), when tapered beards  102  are in it and thus occlude part of the open area. The amount of tapered beard  102  is measured by the differential pressure  270 . This “Fibrogram” length measurement by air flow is explained more fully below. The focus of the disclosure at this point is on ultra rapidly conditioning beards  102  in URC-L assembly  200 . As noted above, URC of beard  102  takes place both with increased flow  252  and measurement flow  253 . It is sufficient for disclosure of the concept to explain the URC process for reduced or measurement flow  253 .  
         [0067]    Conditioned gas flow  256 , whose flow volume is larger than that of suction flow  252  or  253 , is provided under slight, ˜2 inches WC, positive pressure via conduit  254  by known and novel environmental conditioning apparatus, next described. This (and other) conditioning gas flows are supplied to and taken from enclosure  2  in FIG. 1, which is appropriately insulated.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 6 shows a RapidTester platform  500  with only L+Str module  1  and only such other elements, for clarity, as relate to this disclosure of Ultra Rapid Conditioning and L+Str measurements. It is understood that other measurement modules may be added to the RT platform and that some of them require URC as well. The principles disclosed here for L+Str apply to these other modules.  
         [0069]    RT platform  500  consists of cabinet  502 , part of which is provided with insulation  504 . This insulated part is referred to as “MicroLab”  503  wherein ASTM test conditions of 65% Relative Humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit=21 degees Celsius, or other accepted test conditions, may be maintained by known thermal  510  and unknown or known humidification  530  air conditioning elements. Known air cooling/heating means comprise common room air conditioner  510  having cooled/heated flow  512  through coil  513 . Heat is rejected/added by coil  515  into air flow  516 . Both flows  512 ,  515  are driven by a common motor  514  with separate fans. Air from outside RT  500  is drawn in through filters  517 , through coil  515 , and then returned via duct  518 , aided when required by booster fan  519 .  
         [0070]    Note, with emphasis, that the temperature in MicroLab  503  can be controlled by thermostat  505  which is integral with AC unit  510 . AC unit  510  is in every way conventional, well known and widely available and therefore inexpensive. Economic considerations apply heavily here Alternatively, AC unit  510  may be externally controlled in response to temperature sensor  542 , via microcontroller  548  to interface  529 . In some cases, the extra cost and complexity are justified. Heat rejection capacities of the order of 8,000 BTU/Hour are typical. Because of internal heat load, heat addition is normally not needed but if the environments external to RT  500  were very, very cold, reverse cycle heating capacities of AC unit  510  of 4,000 BTU/hour would be adequate.  
         [0071]    Unknown and known humidification means  530  are comprised of common, well known and widely available ultrasonic humidifier  532 , which is also chosen for reasons of economy. Before explaining the novel features, it is appropriate to note that, for some applications, these known humidification means may be used to control relative humidity in the MicroLab, in combination with thermal control by AC unit  510  and in analogy therewith. That is, the humidistat integral with humidifier  532  can be used to control RH in the MicroLab. However, in practice, because in the typical case when AC unit is cooling, coil  513  is well below the dew point associated with 65%, and accordingly strips out water from flow  512  by condensing it on coils  513 . Typically, the RH of air flow leaving  512  AC unit  510  can be as low as 35%. The deficit between this value and the desired set point 65% has to made up with humidification means such as ultrasonic humidifier  532 . Whereas in some cases this is achievable, it is not generally, so with respect to ultra rapidly conditioning tapered beards  102 , 103  in the L+Str module, novel means of delivery and control are applied, as follows.  
         [0072]    Aerosolized water particles  531  emitted from humidifier  532  are drawn into vertical tube  534  and transported by air flow  536  through monitoring station  533  and to distribution header  535 . Air flow  536  is conditoned in temperature by AC unit  510 , as explained above, and is propelled by fan  540 . Humidification apparatus  534  is attached to cabinet  502  by brackets  538 . At monitoring station  533  the temperature  542 , relative humidity  544 , and aerosol concentration  546  are measured by the indicated sensors and the readings are reported or input to microcontroller  548 . Temperature  542  and humidity  544  sensors are widely available and known in the art. Humidity sensor  544  enables determination of either relative or absolute humidity; in this application we require the latter, so that the total water delivered via header  535 , in both gaseous and aerosol forms, is known. Aerosol concentration sensor  546  is manufactured by ppm, Inc, Knoxville Tennessee, a sister company to Schaffner Technologies. The aerosol concentration, in combination with volumetric flow rate  536 , enables determination of the portion of water delivered to header  535  that is particulate in form. Microcontroller  548  sends or outputs signals on control line  537  to an interface element  539  within humidifier  532  to turn it on and off or to continuously modulate emissions  531 . Similarly, if needed, microcontroller  548  outputs to control line  527  and to interface element within AC unit  510  to control temperature. The novelty of our invention lies in the control of water, including which portion is in gaseous and which portion is in particulate form, that is delivered to L+Str module  200 .  
         [0073]    As recited in co-pending application “Conditioning and Testing Cotton Fiber,” WO 01/20321, we have determined that delivery of gaseous or molecular water alone fails to achieve equilibrium moisture content or equilibration of physical properties, such as length and strength, as rapidly as needed today. To solve this basic problem for testing or for processing, we discovered that delivery of a combination of water in molecular form plus aerosolized water particles enables equilibrations in seconds, not minutes. Key to this performance is delivery at high air velocities, so that the particles are impacted, uniformly, into the fibrous mass. As noted above, the air velocities within first orifices  250 , 250 , FIGS. 4 and 5, are typically above 8,000 feet/min. These velocities are another order of magnitude higher than those recited in WO 01/20321 so it follows that impaction of such aerosolized water particles, as delivered to header  535  and to flow  253  by pipe  254  and into URC-L assembly  200 , are very effective in ultra rapidly conditioning beards  102 , 103 .  
         [0074]    In co-pending application WO 01/20321 we also disclose that ultra rapid conditioning of more or less flat, thin “Classer&#39;s Samples” weighing of order 10 to 20 grams can be effected in minutes or fractions thereof because, primarily, the conditioning air velocity is in the range of hundreds to thousands of feet per minute. With respect to our further investigations, we have found that tapered beards  102  weighing of order 5 milligrams, when the conditioning gas velocity is in the order of 10,000 feet per minute can approach moisture content equilibrium in seconds and fractions of seconds. We also call this URC, even though it occurs an order of magnitude faster than our own prior art URC invention.  
         [0075]    Besides being delivered to URC -L sub-assembly  200  in volumetric flow rates  253  of approximately 2 CFM and at velocity of about 8,000 feet/min within first orifices  250 , the water delivered to URC-L assembly  200  may be further described as follows: total RH=65%; between 5 and 80% in aerosol form, with the aerosols having mass median diameter of about 15 micrometers and a particle size distribution having geometric standard deviation of about 2.0. When so delivered, moisture content and other physical measurement equilibration times of less than 10 seconds are achievable.  
         [0076]    Implicit to these discussions is the idea that the beards  102 ,  103  always have to increased in moisture content. Although receipt of batch samples  4  which have the nominal 7.3% moisture content or higher does occur, it is very rare. But when it does occur, the beards are inherently dried by the sampling and combing-brushing process, so remoisturization is almost always required. It follows further that the remoisturization is from the “dry side,” thus minimizing moisture content hysteresis effects.  
         [0077]    Note that other deliveries  549  are available from header  535 . Suction flow  253  is driven by blower  260  which provides other flows via manifold  261 . Blower  260  is switched off when suction to L+Str assembly  200  or to other deliveries  261  is not needed. This doubly saves energy, since the power to blower  250  does not have to be rejected by AC unit  510 .  
         [0078]    We close this material on Ultra Rapid Conditioning by distinguishing it with respect to known prior patent art. Comments above already distinguish conditioning tapered beards  102  of cotton fibers, weighing typically 5 milligrams each, for single needle  100  beards, and multiple needle  101  beards, weighing typically 50 mg, with gas velocities of order 10,000 feet/min from conditioning thin samples weighing 10 to 20 grams with air flows of order 1000 feet/min, as disclosed in WO 01/20321.  
         [0079]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,316 discloses methods and a machine for “rapidly”conditioning so-called “Classer&#39;s or HVI Samples” of cotton fiber, weighing of order 100 to 300 grams, not milligram tapered beards. Said rapid conditioning is prior to and physically separated from testing, with conditioning in times of order 15 minutes, not seconds. High velocities and controlled portions of aerosolized water deliveries are not used therein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,868 discloses conditioning the “Testing Zone” of fiber quality measurement instruments with separate, movable, and otherwise known air conditioning methods. Key to that invention is the use of feedback from temperature and humidity sensors within one or more “Testing Zones” to control the known, separate, and movable air conditioning apparatus. No feedback from testing zones is used with the instant invention nor is known, separate, and movable air conditioning apparatus employed. Our present invention uses some novel air conditioning apparatus that is, importantly, integral with and internal to the instrument platform, by intentional design.  
         [0080]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,450 discloses conditioning internal “Processing Zones” of processing equipment, not testing instruments, and with known air conditioning means. We comment for thoroughness that WO 01/20321 also addresses processing applications with our novel moisturizing means.  
         [0081]    We now explain the principle of measuring fiber length distribution by our air flow method. Again we will focus on tapered beards  102  formed by single needle samplers  100 , in FIG. 4. When beard  102  is fully penetrated into assembly  200  to base length Lb  121 , as explained above for URC, the differential pressure  270  is increased, from a typical no-beard or zero case of 4 inches WC, to typically 6 inches WC for a 5 mg beard. Note that this corresponds to local velocity over the beards  102  of about 10,000 feet/min. Larger beards  102  yield higher delta p  270  and lighter ones yield lower. Evidently, this delta p  270  yields an electronic analog signal  273  that is approximately proportional to the linear density or fineness of that part of beard  102  which is in or, better, occludes the first orifice  250 .  
         [0082]    Whereas this amount versus length sensing employs nearly constant flow  264  and the amount analog  273  is proportional to delta p  270 , we note that an alternative configuration wherein first orifice  250  is small compared to second orifice  263  (in measurement flow condition) may be used. In this configuration delta p  270  is nearly constant and high and one senses the flow  264  by sensing the lower differential pressure across second orifice  263 . Both configurations provide the same amount versus length information and one or the other is chosen for practical reasons.  
         [0083]    After parking in the illustrated maximum penetration  121  of FIG. 4 for perhaps 10 seconds, during which ultra rapid conditioning time both increased  252  and measurement  253  flows are experienced, beard  102  is withdrawn from orifice one by precision rotation of needle roll  104 . This angular movement is converted to true length withdrawn. During this withdrawal, variable orifice  263  is at lower, measurement flow  253  condition. The differential pressure  270  across fixed orifice  250  is recorded as a function of withdrawal length, thus effecting the well-known “Fibrogram” or beard amount versus length seen in FIG. 6. Differential pressure  270  is nominally in the range of 4 inches water column without beard  102  being inserted, as explained above; thus the baseline for the ordinate axis is seen to be 4″ to facilitate clarity. Normally the baseline is not shown. Pressure/vacuum transducer  271  and electronics system  272  yield analog voltage  273 .  
         [0084]    The amount  283  signal, corrected as necessary to truly represent gravimetric fineness or linear density, is graphed with respect to amount  281  versus length  280  axes. We have determined that these corrections are quite constant and thus show delta p as the ordinate  281  variable. The amount signal is defined from the base length  121  FIG. 4 or Lb  286  FIG. 6 to Lmax  292 , the longest fibers present. The abscissa  280  is shown as length in inches; it is to be understood that the precision movement of roll  104  is actually in angular measure provided by encoder  18  of FIG. 1 and that the proper conversions to length have been applied. Such conversions include simple geometric corrections for the variable angles that beard  102  makes with respect to first orifice  250  in FIG. 1. Length resolutions of order 0.005 to 0.010 inch and 12 bit A/D converter resolutions may be used in concert with known industrial personal computer hardware and software to automatically produce the length data products, representative ones of which are shown on FIG. 6 and next explained.  
         [0085]    Mean fiber length=ML  288  is seen to be the tangential extrapolation  284  into the length axis  280  from the minimum length point Lb  286  and maximum amount  281 . Upper Half Mean Length=UHM  290  is seen to be the tangential extrapolation into the length axis  280  from 50% of the maximum amount value at the base length Lb  286 . These approximations were developed by Hertel in the 1940s. It follows that the complete fiber length distribution can be determined by such treatments of the basic amount versus length data, especially including short fiber content, for which improved results with the instant invention are enabled by smaller base length Lb  286  and more definitive extrapolations to zero length  282 .  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 8 discloses an alternative URC-L station and assembly  200 . The URC means are substantially the same as disclosed above but the amount versus distance or Fibrogram sensing means are electro-optical, not pneumatic. In FIG. 8 it is seen that beard  102  is drawn into sensing zone  217  of Length measurement apparatus  200  by inlet air flows  202 ,  204  which are enabled by suction flow  206 . Total suction flow  206  is typically 5 CFM. Since the air velocity is high and the beard  102  consists of only a few hundred to a few thousand loosely related fibers, the fibers condition very rapidly, in a few seconds typically, to proper equilibrium moisture contents for testing, as explained above. This means that inlet air flows  202 ,  204  can be controlled in relative humidity, with both aerosol and molecular forms of water, and temperature to correspond to equilibria associated with standard testing conditions of 65% and 70 degrees Fahrenheit by means disclosed above.  
         [0087]    After this “ultrarapid” conditioning step, jaw assembly  200  is partly closed, such as by rotating movable section  219 A about axis  221  by unshown but known actuation, but without clamping the fibers. The left section  219 B remains fixed. Needle cylinder  104  moves clockwise to pull the fiber beard  102  out and around mirror/nose piece  212 . Nose piece is typically within about 0.03 inch of roll  104 . It is seen that near proximity of the sensing zone  217  to the base  121  of beard  102  is hereby accomplished. This is important for measurement of short fiber content. The movement of roll  104  is precisely measured, typically with resolutions of a few thousandths of one inch. Such precision is enabled with encoder  18  seen in FIG. 2 or by use of stepper motors.  
         [0088]    While the beard  102  is being withdrawn, an extinction mode electro-optical sensor signal Ve is produced by detector  222  and amplifier  224  combination. This Ve signal is related to the “amount” or fineness of beard  102  and the basic amount versus length data are plotted and analyzed in the same manner as shown in FIG. 7 and in the text related thereto.  
         [0089]    Completing the extinction mode sensor are laser or LED light source  208 , mirrors  212 ,  218  and various apertures  214 , 216  and passageways within assembly  200 , and detector  222  and electronics  224 . These elements plus central ray  215  define the fundamental features of the extinction mode sensor with sensing zone  217 .  
         [0090]    It will be appreciated that combinations of the pneumatic and electro-optic amount versus distance sensing means may be advantageous. Pneumatic sensing is better for short fiber content and electro-optic is better for long fiber content. It will also be appreciated that other amount sensing means, such as electrical conductance, both resistive and capacitive, may be used for amount sensing with our invention. Electric conductance has the significant merit that the moisture content of the beards may be sensed. This moisture content sensing has both control dimensions and data product dimensions. That is, the actual moisture content of the beards can be reported as part of the archived records about the fiber quality testing.  
         [0091]    We finally disclose the operations and measurements at Strength Station Str, with reference to strength measurement assembly  300 , seen in FIGS. 1 and 9. In FIG. 1, moving jaw  302  is shown open. Suction is applied to pipe  308 , and is provided, for example, by one of the connections to manifold  251  in FIG. 6, thus causing capture and conditioning flow  310 . When needle roll moves to Str position, and beard  102  is moved past entry position  320 , beards  102 , which have been sampled, prepared and conditioned at previous stations, are drawn into open jaws J 1  and J 2  by suction flow  310 . Needle roll  104  then backs up to either allow maximal penetration of beard  102  into Str assembly  300  or to such other penetration depth as desired.  
         [0092]    One such alternative penetration depth is 0.125 inch, which is a common “gauge length” for fiber bundle strength testing. This ⅛ inch is measured from the back side of needle  118 , over the smooth surfaces  330 ,  331  of fingers  312 ,  313  to the front of clamp  302 , 303 . Another penetration depth procedure is to insert the beard  102 ,  103  until a fixed amount is realized, resulting however in variable gauge.  
         [0093]    After reaching the selected position for testing, moving jaw  302  rotates around axis  305  and clamps beards  102 ,  103  onto jaw liner material  303  which is mounted into stationary jaw  304 , as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 9.  
         [0094]    [0094]FIG. 10, whose section line  10 - 10  is seen in FIG. 9, shows how tapered beards  102  and also  103  engage the smooth surfaces  330 ,  331  of load fingers  312 ,  313  just after said beards  102 ,  103  are drawn into assembly  200  and jaws  302 ,  304  are closed, but before the force-elongation test is executed.  
         [0095]    Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 9, it is seen that simultaneously with production of force-elongation data the “amount” or fineness in tex of the beard is acquired from an optional extinction mode electro-optical system comprised of laser or LED source  322  and detector  324 . Centerline ray  326  and electronics  328  define the system, which is seen to be functionally identical with the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8. The ratio of peak force divided by amount is beard tenacity or strength, conventionally reported in grams force/tex amount. Provision of actual amount remaining during the force-elongation break will be appreciated as an important novelty which enables greater precision in the tenacity measurement. We note that the amount versus length information for each beard, but without any tension, is already available from the length measurement station  200 . It can be appreciated from this discussion that the length station can be combined with the strength station, as noted at the outset, when practicalities dictate, and that length can be measured by pneumatically, electro-optically, or electrically sensing amount versus length.  
         [0096]    Referring particularly now to FIG. 9, and noting the defintion of ⅛ gauge above, it is seen that as needle roll  104  rotates clockwise, thus elongating the beard  102 , that the tension in said beard  102  causes a downward force on load finger  312 . This force component is sensed in relation to the moment arms L 1  and L 2  seen in FIG. 1, as force transducer  340  is attached to load finger  340  and rotates about fixed and weakened end  313 .  
         [0097]    [0097]FIG. 11 shows the vector diagram of forces acting on beards  102 ,  103  being clamped by needle  118  and jaw  302 ,  303  and at gauge length=L 3 +L 4 . T is the tension in the beard and F is the force applied to the beard as it passes over finger  312 . The vertical component of F is sensed by load cell  340  as signal  342 , as properly amplified and conditioned by electronics  343 , as ratioed by moment arm lengths L 1  and L 2  seen in FIG. 1, and as corrected for the angle theta seen in FIG. 11. The resulting tension T versus elongation E (ie, corrected length) diagram is seen in FIG. 12. By corrected length we note that geometric corrections must be made to the rotary motion of needle roll  104 . We further note that these corrections, which are completely straightforward, are more significant for the strength measurement is assembly  300  than for the Length measurement in assembly  200 .  
         [0098]    The final strength data product is the ratio of maximum tension  350  divided by the amount at known gauge length, in grams force per tex. Elongation, normally expressed as % of the initial gauge length, is length at peak load  352  divided by initial gauge length×100% is another data product produced at strength station  300 .  
         [0099]    We note in conclusion that length and strength-elongation data products are produced for each single needle  100  or multiple needles  101  and that these results are combined for reporting the length-strength properties of the samples  102 , 103  from the batch  4 .  
         [0100]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.
Method and apparatus for the collection of samples of staple fibers from a quantity (batch) of such fibers without material consideration of the "condition" of the fibers within the batch, (e.g., the relative humidity and/or temperature of the environment immediate the batch of fibers), and thereafter physically converting each sample of fibers to a tapered beard geometry, employing a rotary carrier. Each beard is grasped at one end thereof with the fibers thereof extending unsupported therefrom. The beard is conveyed to a location proximate the entrance to an air flow channel whereupon conditioned air flowing into the flow channel moves along, over and past the beard, causing the free ends of the fibers to enter the flow channel and become aligned generally along the length of the flow channel. Continued flow of conditioned air into and through the flow channel, hence in a direction generally parallel to the length of the fibers which make up the beard, ultra-rapidly conditions only the fibers of the beard. Air flow rates may reach hundreds or even thousands of ft/sec velocity within the flow channel and conditioning of the fibers may be accomplished within a matter of seconds. Withdrawal of the beard from the flow channel is sensed as a part of length testing of the fibers of the beard. Other test modules may be employed.