System and method for processing fiber

Abstract

A system for processing fibers includes a dryer configured to remove moisture from at least a portion of the fibers, and a cleaner configured to remove at least one of dirt, sticks, and seeds from the portion of the fibers. The system further includes a conduit for transferring the portion of the fibers between the dryer and the cleaner, and a treatment system configured to apply chemical to the portion of the fibers. The system for processing fibers is configured to alter at least one of a color characteristic, moisture content, and a texture characteristic of the portion of the fibers via application of chemical to the portion of the fibers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain some principle of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a fiber processing system; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a fiber processing system.

Claims

1. A system for processing fibers, the system comprising: a dryer configured to remove moisture from at least a portion of the fibers;a cleaner configured to remove at least one of dirt, sticks, and seeds from the portion of the fibers;a conduit for transferring the portion of the fibers between the dryer and the cleaner; anda treatment system configured to apply chemical to the portion of the fibers,wherein the system for processing fibers is configured to alter at least one of a color characteristic, moisture content, and a texture characteristic of the portion of the fibers via application of chemical to the portion of the fibers.

2. The system for processing fibers of claim 1, wherein the treatment system comprises: a chemical source;an applicator; andat least one line configured to provide flow communication between the chemical source and the applicator.

3. The system for processing fibers of claim 2, wherein the applicator is associated with one of the dryer, the cleaner, and the conduit.

4. The system for processing fibers of claim 2, wherein the treatment system comprises a plurality of applicators.

5. The system for processing fibers of claim 1, wherein the dryer is configured to remove an amount of moisture from the portion of the fibers, and the treatment system is configured to apply an amount of chemical to the portion of the fibers to at least partially offset the amount of moisture removed from the portion of the fibers.

6. The system for processing fibers of claim 1, wherein the chemical is at least one of bleach and dye.

7. The system for processing fibers of claim 1, wherein the chemical comprises hydrogen peroxide.

8. The system for processing fibers of claim 1, wherein the system for processing fibers comprises a cotton gin.

9. Fibers processed using the system of claim 1.

10. The fibers of claim 9, wherein the fibers comprise cotton.

11. The fibers of claim 9, wherein the fibers comprise mote cotton.

12. A treatment system for applying chemical to fibers, the treatment system comprising: a chemical source configured to supply chemical;an applicator configured to apply chemical to fibers;a line configured to provide flow communication between the chemical source and the applicator; anda supply of chemical configured to alter at least one of a color characteristic, moisture content, and a texture characteristic of the fibers.

13. The treatment system of claim 12, wherein the chemical comprises at least one of bleach and dye.

14. The treatment system of claim 12, wherein the chemical comprises hydrogen peroxide.

15. The treatment system of claim 12, further comprising a controller configured to control the amount of chemical applied to the fibers.

16. A method for processing fibers to alter at least one of a color characteristic, moisture content, and a texture characteristic of the fibers, the method comprising: removing an amount of moisture from at least a portion of the fibers;removing at least one of dirt, sticks, and seeds from the portion of the fibers; andapplying chemical to the portion of the fibers,wherein applying chemical to the portion of the fibers comprises applying at least one of bleach and dye to the portion of the fibers.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the chemical comprises hydrogen peroxide.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the fibers comprise cotton.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the fibers comprise mote cotton.

20. Cotton processed by the method of claim 16.