Sample sizer for fibrous substances

Abstract

A device for sizing a sample of a fibrous substance including a first compression chamber with a first longitudinal axis, a first ram disposed in the first compression chamber, a second compression chamber disposed adjacent the first compression chamber, including a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis, the second compression chamber being configured such that a front surface of the first ram forms a portion of the second compression chamber, a second ram disposed in the second compression chamber with a first cross-section that is complimentary to a cross-section of the second compression chamber, an extrusion nozzle adjacent the second compression chamber, wherein the sample is produced by causing a first compression stage in the first compression chamber.

1 . A device for sizing a sample of a fibrous substance, comprising: 
 a first compression chamber defined by a front wall, a rear wall that is parallel to said front wall, and a first and a second side wall, said first and said second side walls being transverse to said front and said rear walls such that said first compression chamber has a rectangular cross-section about a first longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end of said first compression chamber;    a first ram disposed at said first end of said first compression chamber, said first ram having a front surface facing said second end of said first compression chamber and movable along said first longitudinal axis;    a second compression chamber disposed at said second end of said first compression chamber, said second compression chamber including a second longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end of said second compression chamber, said second longitudinal axis being transverse to said first longitudinal axis, said second compression chamber being configured such that said front surface of said first ram forms a portion of said second compression chamber when said first ram is disposed at said second end of said first compression chamber;    a second ram disposed at said first end of said second compression chamber, said second ram having a first cross-section relative to said second longitudinal axis that is complimentary to a cross-section of said second compression chamber relative to said second longitudinal axis; and    an extrusion nozzle having a first end and a second end, said first end of said extrusion nozzle being adjacent said second end of said second compression chamber and said second end of said extrusion nozzle having a cross-section that is smaller than a cross-section of said first end of said extrusion nozzle;    wherein the sample is produced by causing the fibrous material to undergo a first compression stage in said first compression chamber and a second compression stage in said second compression chamber, the sample passing out of said device through said extrusion nozzle.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said second compression chamber further includes a semi-cylindrical wall and said front surface of said first ram is a semi-cylindrical surface such that said cross-section of said second compression chamber is circular when said first ram is disposed at said second end of said first compression chamber such that said semi-cylindrical surface is opposite said semi-cylindrical wall.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , said second ram further comprising an unlocking piston of said first cross-section and a piston rod having a second cross-section, wherein said unlocking piston is releasably secured to said piston rod and said second cross-section of said piston rod is complimentary to said cross-section for said second end of said extrusion nozzle.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said first cross-section of said unlocking piston is circular.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said first cross-section of said unlocking piston is square.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising an exit pipe disposed on said second end of said extrusion nozzle, said exit pipe having a cross-section that is complimentary to said second cross-section of said piston rod such that said piston rod can pass through said exit pipe.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a tag holder for releasably holding a tag adjacent an opening on a distal end of said exit pipe, said tag holder being configured to release said tag as the sample passes out of said exit pipe.  
   
   
       8 . A device for sizing a sample of a fibrous substance, comprising: 
 a first compression chamber defined by a front wall, a rear wall that is parallel to said front wall, and a first and a second side wall, said first and said second side walls being transverse to said front and said rear walls;    a first ram disposed at a first end of said first compression chamber, said first ram having a front surface facing a second end of said first compression chamber and movable along a first longitudinal axis of said first compression chamber;    a second compression chamber disposed at said second end of said first compression chamber, said second compression chamber including a second longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end of said second compression chamber, said second longitudinal axis being transverse to said first longitudinal axis; and    a second ram disposed at said first end of said second compression chamber, said second ram having an unlocking piston of a first cross-section and a piston rod having a second cross-section, said unlocking piston being releasably secured to said piston rod and said first cross-section of said unlocking piston being complimentary to a cross-section of said second compression chamber;    wherein the sample is produced by causing the fibrous material to undergo a first compression stage in said first compression chamber and a second compression stage in said second compression chamber.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the second compression chamber is configured such that said front surface of said first ram forms a portion of said second compression chamber when said first ram is disposed at said second end of said first compression chamber.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising an extrusion nozzle having a first end and a second end, said first end of said extrusion nozzle being adjacent said second end of said second compression chamber and said second end of said extrusion nozzle having a cross-section that is smaller than a cross-section of said first end of said extrusion nozzle.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said second cross-section of said piston rod is complimentary to said cross-section of said second end of said extrusion nozzle.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said first cross-section of said unlocking piston is circular.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said first cross-section of said unlocking piston is square.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an exit pipe disposed on said second end of said extrusion nozzle, said exit pipe having a cross-section that is complimentary to said second cross-section of said piston rod such that said piston rod can pass through said exit pipe.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a tag holder for releasably holding a tag adjacent an opening on a distal end of said exit pipe, said tag holder being configured to release said tag as the sample passes out of said exit pipe.