Patent Abstract:
A system and method for cleaning fiber utilizes interchangeable panels having different screen grid sizes. The panels are selectively installed on a fiber cage frame pivotally coupled to a tumbler frame for rotation of the fiber cage frame. A user selects a set of panels having a grid size suitable for a fiber to be tumbled. The selected panels are installed on the fiber cage frame and the fiber is inserted into a space within the fiber cage frame through an opening in the fiber cage frame made available by a not-yet-installed panel. The fiber cage frame is rotated after installing the final panel. The resultant tumbling thereby causes particles to fall from the tumbler cage frame. At least one installed panel is removed from the fiber cage frame, and the fiber is removed from the fiber cage frame through the resultant opening in the fiber cage frame.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to cleaning fiber, and more particularly to removing foreign matter from fiber in preparation for further processing of the fiber. 
         [0002]    It is important that fiber be clean when submitted to a fiber mill for processing into a yarn or other fiber product. Any foreign matter entangled in the fiber in the initial stages of processing or spinning will likely result in defects in the end product and/or cause problems with the complicated fiber processing machinery, potentially damaging the machinery. For example, alpaca fiber may contain heavy tags (manure and sweat locks), seeds, thistles, burrs and other undesirable matter. Removal of these items is essential before processing the fiber. Often, this is accomplished by a tedious and laborious skirting process whereby the foreign matter is manually picked from the fiber. The manual cleaning of the fiber is, however, error prone wherein particles that are deeply entangled in the fiber or too small to be noticed are often overlooked, resulting in the aforementioned defects in the end product and/or problems with the processing machinery. 
         [0003]    For the aforementioned reasons, animal fiber such as sheep wool, angora goat hair (mohair), rabbit hair (angora), llama, alpaca, dog hair, and other exotic animals are frequently cleaned in a rotating tumbler which allows the foreign matter to fall out of the fiber through a wire screen. The openings in the screen are sized so that the fiber remains in the tumbler while the foreign matter is allowed to escape through the screen. Sizing of the grid comprising the screen is, however, problematic. For example, while Huacaya alpacas are fluffy, somewhat like teddy bears, and Suri alpacas have long shiny locks of very soft, slightly curly hair. A 1 inch square grid size is an efficacious size for tumble cleaning the fiber of a Huacaya alpaca, or other fluffy fiber, because it allows larger pieces of foreign matter or undesirably small clumps of fiber (second cuts) to pass through while retaining the desirable fiber. However, the same 1 inch grid size will allow the shiny, and somewhat slippery locks of Suri fiber to pass through and escape with the foreign matter. Therefore, a smaller grid size such as, e.g., ½ inch is more suitable for tumble cleaning Suri fiber. However, current fiber tumblers make no provision for changing grid sizes to suit a particular type of fiber. Fiber tumblers are usually made of a large hexagonal, cylindrical, or other shape fixed structure having a wire grid permanently fastened to the structure. Consequently, changing grid sizes would be laborious and difficult, or would require at least a second tumbler, an expensive alternative. 
         [0004]    There is thus a need for an improved method and apparatus facilitating efficacious cleaning of various types of fiber having different characteristics. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An apparatus is provided for tumbling fiber which includes a tumbler frame and a fiber cage structure pivotally coupled to the tumbler frame for rotation of the fiber cage structure about an axis. One or more removable cage panels, having openings of a first size, are included, wherein the cage panels cover an exterior portion of the fiber cage structure when installed on the fiber cage structure. The removable cage panels include openings sized large enough to permit particles to exit the fiber cage structure while yet sized small enough to substantially retain the fiber within the fiber cage structure. The fiber tumbles within the fiber cage structure upon rotation of the fiber cage structure, whereby particles are removed from the fiber upon rotation of the fiber cage structure. 
         [0006]    Also provided is a fiber tumbler for tumbling a plurality of fiber types. The fiber tumbler includes a tumbler frame and a fiber cage structure. The fiber cage structure includes a cage frame pivotally coupled to the tumbler frame for rotation of the fiber cage structure about a rotational axis. Also included are one or more removable cage panels having openings of a first size, wherein the cage panels cover an exterior portion of the cage frame when installed on the cage frame. The removable cage panels include openings sized large enough to permit particles to exit the fiber cage structure while yet sized small enough to substantially retain a first type of fiber within the fiber cage structure. Further included are removable cage panels having openings of a second size, wherein the second removable cage panels likewise cover the exterior portion of the cage frame when installed on the cage frame. The removable second cage panels include openings sized large enough to permit particles to exit the fiber cage structure while yet sized small enough to substantially retain a second type of fiber within the fiber cage structure. A user selects cage panels from the set of first cage panels and/or the set of second cage panels suitable for use on the cage frame when tumbling a selected fiber. The user inserts and removes the selected fiber into and from the fiber cage structure by removing at least one of the installed panels, and the user reinstalls any removed panel prior to rotating the fiber cage structure. The selected fiber tumbles within the fiber cage structure upon rotation of the fiber cage structure, whereby particles are caused to be removed from the selected fiber upon rotation of the fiber cage structure. 
         [0007]    Further provided is a method of cleaning fiber in a fiber tumbler. The method includes selecting by a user, a set of panels having a grid size suitable for a fiber to be tumbled. The selected set of panels are installed on a fiber cage frame which is pivotally coupled to a tumbler frame for rotation of the fiber cage frame about a rotational axis. At least one panel is left not installed, and the fiber is inserted into a space within the fiber cage frame through the opening in the fiber cage frame made available by the not-installed panel. The not-installed panel is installed thereafter on the fiber cage frame, and the fiber cage frame is rotated. The fiber thereby tumbles within the fiber cage frame, causing particles to fall from the tumbler cage frame through the panel grid during rotation of the fiber cage frame. At least one installed panel is removed from the fiber cage frame, and the fiber is removed from the fiber cage frame through the opening in the fiber cage frame made available by removal of the installed panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary prior art fiber tumbler for cleaning fiber; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a fiber tumbler according to concepts of the present application shown in perspective view; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a tumbler cage structure with one panel installed and a second panel being installed; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows an automatic controller for controlling operation of a power unit of a fiber tumbler; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart for implementing logic associated with an automatic fiber tumbler controller; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a method of tumbling fiber using selected panels having grid sizes suitable for the fiber being tumbled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary prior art fiber tumbler  10  for cleaning fiber prior to processing the fiber for producing yarn or other fiber products. The particular prior art fiber tumbler  10  shown includes a rotating hexagon cage  12  although the rotating cage can be any configuration known in the art, e.g., cylindrical, spherical, etc. The cage  12  is substantially hollow and is partially or wholly covered by a screen grid  14  for permitting debris and other undesirable material to escape the rotating cage  12  while desirable fiber is retained within the cage  12 . The cage  12 , of course, includes a cage frame  16  of suitable design for supporting the grid  14 . Of course, provision for access to the interior of the cage  12  is provided for inserting and removing the fiber. In the exemplary fiber tumbler  10 , at least one hinged access panel  18  is provided. The access panel  18  is attached to the cage  12  via one or more hinges  20  and is secured in the closed position by one or more latches  22 . A handle  23  is usually provided on the access panel to facilitate opening and closing the access panel. The cage  12  further includes end plates  24 ,  26  which are usually solid, however, the plates may alternately be partially or wholly comprised of a screen grid of sufficient strength to support the cage  12 . It is to be appreciated that some cage configurations such as spherical do not require the use of end plates. 
         [0015]    Provision must of course be made for supporting the rotating cage  12  and a cage support frame  28  of suitable design is therefore provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support frame  28  also supports a drive motor  30 , a drive control  32  which includes an on/off switch  34 . A power cord  36  provides a means of connecting the drive control  32  to a power source (not shown). Provision for power transmission from the drive motor  30  to the cage  12  is provided by a drive pulley  38  mounted to a motor shaft of the drive motor  30 , a driven pulley  40  mounted to the end plate  26  or a bearing shaft attached thereto, and a drive belt  42 . Of course, it is to be appreciated that the drive assembly shown is for exemplary purposes only and that any form of drive mechanism including, e.g., a gear drive, a chain drive, or a manually operated crank mechanism, falls within the scope of the present application. 
         [0016]    In operation, a user releases the latches  22 , opens the hinged panel  18 , and places the fiber inside the cage  12 . The source of the fiber may include, e.g., an animal, organic material, synthetic material, and/or any other source. For example, the fiber may be selected from any of silk, dog hair, alpaca fleece, sheep wool, polyester, and/or any other material that is capable of being cleaned or otherwise benefits by tumbling. The hinged panel  18  is then closed and secured by the latches  22  after which the drive motor  30  is operated for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired results. Access to the tumbled fiber is then gained by releasing the latches  22  and opening the hinged panel  18 . 
         [0017]    As previously described, a disadvantage of existing fiber tumblers such as the embodiment just described is that the screen grid  14  is permanently affixed to the tumbler cage  12 . While one grid size may work well with one type of fiber such as, e.g., Huacaya alpaca fiber, other fibers such as, e.g., Suri alpaca fiber benefit from a smaller grid size. While one might envision changing the screen grid  14 , it is readily apparent that such a process would be time consuming and laborious. Changing the grid  14  would require removing and reinstalling many attachment elements such as, e.g., screws and/or snaps, and unwrapping and handling a cumbersome grid, a tiresome and difficult process. 
         [0018]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , and continuing reference to  FIG. 1  where like numerals represent like elements, a fiber tumbler  100  according to concepts of the present application is shown in perspective view, where like numerals indicate like elements. The embodiment shown includes a rotating hexagon cage structure  102  although, as previously described, the rotating cage structure can be any configuration known in the art, e.g., cylindrical, spherical, etc. The cage structure  102  includes end plates  24 ,  26  which, in preferred embodiments are solid, however, the plates may alternately be partially or wholly comprised of a screen grid of sufficient strength to support the cage structure  102 . Again, it is to be appreciated that the cage configuration shown is an exemplary shape, and some cage configurations such as spherical do not require the use of end plates. The cage structure  102  is substantially hollow and includes a cage frame  104  of suitable design for supporting elements comprising the cage structure  102  and other elements attached to the cage structure  102  as described hereinafter. Further, it is not necessary for the end plates  24 , 26  to be constructed in the same shape as a cross section of the cage frame  104 . For example, in he case of a hexagonal cylinder as shown, it may be desirable to utilize circular end plates  24 , 26  to enhance the safety of the fiber tumbler  100 . A user or other person is thus less likely to be struck by a sharp corner of the cage frame  104 . 
         [0019]    The fiber tumbler  100  includes a set of removable panels  106 . While only one removable panel is shown in  FIG. 2  for reasons of clarity, the number of panels in the set of removable panels preferably corresponds to the number of openings in the cage frame  104  except for any openings permanently covered by a screen grid. Each removable panel  106  comprises a panel frame  108  and a panel screen grid  110 . In preferred embodiments, the removable panel  106  is secured to the cage frame  104  by means of retaining tabs  114  and a retaining latch  112  engaged with a catch  113 . Of course, any suitable means of securing the removable panel  106  in place fall within the scope of the present application. For example, the removable panel may be a rigid or flexible grid that slides into slots on the cage structure  102 . Each of the removable panels  106  is fitted with a panel screen grid  114 . An advantageous feature of the embodiment shown is arises from the ability to interchange panels of various grid sizes. For example, if a silky fiber such as Suri alpaca fiber is being tumbled, the user can first select a set of panels  106  having a relatively small grid spacing, e.g., ½ inch. If a courser fiber such as Huacaya is being tumbled, panels having a larger grid size can be selected. For this reason, a set of alternative removable panels  107  may be provided, each of which similarly comprise a panel frame  108  and an alternate panel screen grid  111 . In other words, the tumbler  100  can be provided with multiple sets of panels, each set having a unique grid size suitable for a range of fibers. 
         [0020]    Thus, based on the foregoing discussion, a single fiber tumbler can be adapted to a multiplicity of fibers, eliminating the need for multiple fiber tumblers. This feature is particularly advantageous to a user having a need to tumble a variety of fibers, e.g., a breeder of Suri alpacas and Huacaya alpacas. Because of the cost of a fiber tumbler, breeders oftentimes purchase a fiber tumbler as a group and share the tumbler among the group. The interchangeability of panels is particularly advantageous in this scenario where each breeder may have a different type of fiber. For example, one tumbler may be shared among sheep breeders and alpaca breeders. 
         [0021]    In the embodiment shown, each face of the hexagon cage frame  104  except for the end plates  24 ,  26  is provided with a like removable panel. However, it is to be appreciated that alternate embodiments are envisioned where a portion of the cage frame  104  is covered by a permanently attached screen grid, or solid panel, and only the remaining portion is fitted with removable panels. In such embodiments, the permanently attached screen grid is preferably selected with a grid size at least as small as the the smallest panel grid size. Access to the interior of the tumbler cage structure  102  is accomplished by removing one of the removable panels  106 , 107  as described in more detail below. 
         [0022]    The fiber tumbler  100  includes a control panel  120  for controlling operation of the tumbler. The control panel  120  in turn includes a start button  122 , a stop button  124 , and a direction switch  126 . Power is provided to the control panel via a power cord  128 , and the control panel controls operation of a power unit  130 . The power unit  130  transmits rotational force to the tumbler cage structure  102  by means of a motor pulley (not shown) and a cage pulley  134  which is driven by a drive belt  136  mounted to the pulleys. A tumbler frame  138  supports other elements of the tumbler  100  such as the power unit  130 , the control panel  120 , and the tumbler cage structure  102 . Cage support bearings  142  mounted to the opposite ends of the frame  138  support the cage structure  102  by means of cage bearing shafts  144  mounted at each end of the tumbler cage structure  102 . 
         [0023]    To facilitate proper tumbling of the fiber, i.e., prevent it from simply rolling at the bottom of the cage structure  102  or from being pinned against the cage by centrifugal forces, the tumbler cage structure should be operated within an appropriate RPM range. Therefore, the combination of the power unit  130 , and other elements operatively connecting the power unit  130  to the cage structure  102  for rotational motivation are selected so that the cage structure  102  rotates within the appropriate RPM range. Embodiments of the present application rotate at approximately  30  RPM, although other rotational speeds in the range of 20-40 RPM may be suitable. While the embodiments described herein utilize a belt and pulley arrangement to rotate the cage structure at the desired RPM, it is to be appreciated that any suitable drive mechanism falls within the scope of the present application. 
         [0024]    To further facilitate proper tumbling of the fiber, embodiments of the fiber tumbler  100  may include various sets of selectable finger bars  146 , 148 . Each of the finger bars  146 , 148  may have different arrangements of fingers  150 , 152  affixed thereto. While existing fiber tumblers often have fingers permanently mounted to the cage frame  16 , embodiments of the present application may have finger bars  146 , 148  removably mounted to the cage frame  104  so that a user may select an arrangement of fingers  150 , 152  most suitable for the fiber to be tumbled. The fingers enhance the tumbling operation in at least two ways. First, the fingers aid in lifting the fiber in an upward direction as the cage frame  104  rotates. This helps ensure that the fiber tumbles properly, rather than simply rolling in the bottom of the cage structure  102  as the cage frame  104  rotates. The second enhancement to the tumbling operation arises from the picking and separating effect of the fingers  150 , 152 . As the fingers  150 , 152  are lifting the fiber, they have the effect of picking, i.e., separating the fiber somewhat which aids in removal of particles from the fiber, which further assists in maintaining the fiber in a fluffed, i.e., non-compacted condition. If the fiber were to simply roll in the bottom of the cage structure  102 , it may become more compacted which is undesirable with regards to both cleaning efficacy and subsequent processing of the fiber. 
         [0025]    The selected finger bars  146 , 148  may be removably attached to the cage frame  104  in a desired quantity any suitable means such as, e.g., nuts and bolts, screws, snaps, magnets, etc. One can appreciate that the feature of removably mounted finger bars readily lends itself to experimentation by the user to find the most suitable configuration for various types of fiber. In fact, if the fingers  150 , 152  are comprised of a suitable wire-like or rod-like material, they can be manually shaped for experimentation. While various materials may be used for the fingers  150 , 152 , the fingers are preferably comprised of a somewhat springy material such as, e.g., music wire of an appropriated diameter. Embodiments described herein utilize a music wire of approximately ⅛ inch diameter and 8 inch length, although any conceivable material, size and shape fall within the scope of the present application. 
         [0026]    Because embodiments of the fiber tumbler disclosed herein are adaptable to various fiber types, alternate embodiments may be provided with wheels  170  mounted, e.g., on axles  172 , which is beneficial for users sharing one tumbler but using the tumbler at various locations, e.g., at each user&#39;s farm. Portability is also a beneficial feature for a user renting their fiber tumbler to others on an hourly, daily or other basis. Further, the alternate embodiments may be provided with the wheels  170  and axles  172  removably mounted to the frame  138  so that a user may easily convert a tumbler to stationary-only use by removing the wheels  170 , and optionally removing the axles  172 . 
         [0027]    In operation, after selecting and installing or removing finger bars  146 , 148  as previously described, the user selects a set of panels  106 , 107  including panel screen grid  110 , 111  of suitable size. The panels are then installed in the cage frame  104  if not already installed. One panel may be omitted to allow an opening for loading the fiber to the interior of the tumbler cage structure  102 . After loading the fiber, the user installs the last panel  106  and operates the tumbler for a sufficiently long period of time to clean or otherwise enhance the fiber for subsequent processing of the fiber. Such enhancement includes but is not limited to, e.g., fluffing and loosening of a matted fiber. The embodiment shown is operated via the start and stop switches  122 ,  124  and the direction switch  126 , however, concepts of the present application apply with equal efficacy to any form of rotational motivation such as, e.g., manual operation of a crank mechanism, or to unidirectional rotation. Upon completion of the tumbling process, the user stops rotation of the tumbler cage structure  102  and removes the most conveniently positioned panel  106 , 107 . The ability to remove the most conveniently located panel  106 , 107  is an additional advantageous feature of embodiments of the present application. Prior art tumblers are normally fitted with only one hinged access panel. For this reason, after the prior art tumbler is stopped, the user must manually rotate the tumbler cage until the hinged panel is accessible. Embodiments of tumblers featuring concepts of the present application may be stopped in any position yet can be conveniently unloaded without further manual rotation. Further, if two users are present, an additional panel horizontally opposite to the first-removed panel may be removed so that both users may simultaneously unload and/or load the tumbler cage from opposite sides. 
         [0028]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , and continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , insertion of a panel  160  into the tumbler cage frame  104  according to the embodiment shown is described in more detail. The panel  160  shown in the exemplary FIG. is a panel selected from one of the sets of panels  106 , 107 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the panel  160  is held at one end by gripping a handle  164  attached to the panel. The opposite end is held by gripping the latch  112  as the tilted panel is slid under the tabs  114 . Braces  166 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , affixed at each corner of the cage frame  104  opening into which the panel is being inserted support the underside of the panel and prevent it from falling though to the cage interior. Once the panel  160  is fully engaged under the tabs  114 , the latch is lowered and engaged to a retainer catch  113 . A second like panel  162 , also selected from one of the sets of panels  106 , 107 , is shown is shown fully installed on the tumbler cage frame  104  with the handle  164  end of the panel  162  engaged under the adjacent tabs  114 , supported on the underside by the corner braces  166 . It is to be understood that the panel embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 2-3  is an exemplary panel and the present application is not limited to the embodiment shown. Any form of removable panel, or other portion of the tumbler cage is intended to fall within the scope of the present application. 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIG. 4 , and continuing reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , an automatic controller  200  for controlling operation of the power unit  130  of the fiber tumbler  100  is shown. The automatic controller  200  is intended for use with a reversible fiber tumbler, i.e., a tumbler that can rotate in either direction or in alternate directions on a timed basis. Included on the automatic controller are a Run Set Time control  202 , a Reverse Set Time control  204 , and an Initial Direction control  206 . In operation, the user first programs the desired total rotation time, e.g., minutes, with the Run Set Time control  202 . Similarly, the amount of time to rotate in the initial direction before reversing is programmed with the Reverse Set Time control  204 , and the initial direction of rotation is programmed with the Initial Direction control  206 . If the Reverse Set Time control  204  is set at the zero position, the tumbler will not reverse direction and will rotate only in accordance with the Initial Direction control  206 . The aforementioned controls may be conveniently left permanently at a desired programmed setting if multiple fiber tumbler loads are to be tumbled with like settings. 
         [0030]    After setting the run time, reverse time and initial direction, the user then operates a Set Time control  208 . The Set Time control  208  is a momentary action device such as, e.g., a momentary push button contact. When the Set Time control  208  is operated, the run and reverse times previously programmed are respectively displayed in a Run Time display  210  and a Reverse Time display  212 . The user activates the Start control  214  which starts rotational operation of the tumbler cage structure  102 . Provided no user intervention takes place by activating a Stop control  216 , for example, the tumbler  100  operates for the full programmed run time as long as the Run Time display  210  displays a non-zero time. Each of the Run Time display  210  and the Reverse Time display  212  count down on a timely basis while the tumbler  100  is operating, e.g., each minute, thus showing the remaining time at the current state of operation. However, in the event that the Reverse Set Time control  204  is programmed to zero, the Reverse Time display  212  will be inactive or continuously display zero. In the event that the Reverse Set Time control  204  is programmed to a non-zero position, when the Reverse Time display  212  has counted down to zero, the power unit  130  is deactivated for a brief period of time, e.g., 2 seconds, to allow rotation of the tumbler cage structure  102  to come to a complete stop. After the brief deactivation, the power unit  130  is reactivated in the opposite direction, and the Reverse Time display  212  again displays the time programmed with the Reverse Set Time control  204  and again counts down as before. 
         [0031]    When the Run Time display  210  has counted down to zero, rotation of the tumbler cage structure  102  is stopped by deactivating the power unit  130 . In one embodiment, the Reverse Time display  212  is programmed to reset to zero when the Run Time display counts down to zero in case the run time is not programmed as a multiple of the reverse time. In an alternate embodiment, after the Run Time display  210  has counted down to zero, and rotation of the tumbler cage structure  102  has stopped, the Run Time display  210  and the Reverse Time display  212  are programmed to reset to the times programmed with the Run Set Time control  202  and the Reverse Set Time control  204 . In this alternate embodiment, the user may simply activate the Start control  208  after loading the next batch of fiber in the tumbler cage structure  102  and the tumbler will operate identically to the previous tumbling operation. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the automatic controller includes a warning device  218 . The warning devise may be any of an audible tone device, an illuminated display, a voice synthesizer, and a recorded voice playback device, or any combination thereof. In these embodiments, the automatic controller is configured to activate the warning device for a short period of time, e.g., 2 seconds, prior to starting rotation of the fiber cage and whenever the power unit is paused. The automatic controller may also be configured to activate the warning device for a short period of time when the Run Time display has counted down to zero, e.g., 5 seconds, to indicate completion of the tumbling operation. 
         [0033]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a flowchart  250  for implementing the logic associated with the previously described automatic controller  200  is shown. It is to be understood, however, that the flowchart is not limiting and is provided only for the purpose of providing a clearer understanding of operation of the automatic controller  200 . For example, while steps in the flowchart are presented in a sequential sequence as might be implemented in a computer program, various embodiments may use electronic circuits operating either sequentially or in parallel. At step  251 , a determination is made regarding the current state of a motor in the power unit  130 . If the motor is not powered, i.e., off, the state of the Start control  214  is determined at step  252 . If the Start control is not activated, the Set Time control  208  state is determined. If the Set Time control is not activated, control returns to the top of the loop at step  251 . If the Set Time control  208  is activated as determined at step  254 , the Run Time display  210  and the Reverse Time display  212  are programmed at step  256  to display the countdown times programmed with the Run Set Time control  202  and the Reverse Set Time control  204 . The direction of rotation of the Power Unit  130  is also set at at this time according to the Initial Direction control  206 . 
         [0034]    Returning now to step  252 , if the Start Control is not activated, the Rotation Time display is examined at step  258 . If the remaining rotation time is not greater than zero, control returns to step  251 . Otherwise, at step  260 , the motor of the power unit  130  is started in the currently programmed direction of rotation. In some embodiments, however, the alarm  218  is activated for a brief period of time, e.g.,  2  seconds, prior to starting the power unit  130 . The Rotation Time display  210  and the Reverse Time display  212  are programmed to countdown, preferably in minutes, at this time at step  262 . However, neither display will continue counting down once zero is displayed. Control now returns to step  251 . 
         [0035]    Returning now to step  251 , if the motor of power unit  130  is determined to be running, i.e., in a powered state, the state of the Stop control  216  is determined at step  264 . If the Stop control is activated, the motor is stopped at step  266  and the Run Time display  210  and the Reverse Time display  212  are frozen at their current state, i.e., the time countdown stops, and control returns to step  251 . If, however, the Stop control  216  is not activated, the state of the Run Time display  210  is determined at step  268  and, if zero, operation of the tumbler  100  is stopped at step  270 . The motor of Power Unit  130  is stopped, the Run Time display and the Reverse Time display  212  is set to zero, or alternately set to the times programmed programmed on the Run Set Time control  202  and the Reverse Set Time control  204 . In either case, however, the countdown process is suspended. The motor is configured to run in the direction programmed on the Initial Direction control  206  on its next activation. Additionally, in some embodiments, the alarm  218  is activated for a short period of time, e.g., 5 seconds to alert the user that the programmed tumbling operation has completed. 
         [0036]    Returning now to step  268 , if the Run Time display is greater than zero, the time programmed with the Reverse Set Time control  204  is determined at step  272 . If the reverse time is programmed to zero, i.e., no reversing, control simply returns to step  251 . Otherwise, the state of the Reverse Time display  212  is determined at step  274 . If the Reverse Time display is non-zero, control again returns to step  251 . Otherwise, at step  276 , the motor of power unit  130  is paused momentarily, e.g., for 2 seconds, to allow rotation of the tumbler cage structure  102  to stop completely. In some embodiments, the alarm  218  is activated during the momentary pause. The direction controls for the motor are reversed and the motor is restarted. The Reverse Time display is reset to display the time programmed on the Reverse Set Time control  204 , and control returns to step  251 . 
         [0037]    With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a method  300  of tumbling fiber using the fiber tumbler  100  of the foregoing figures is shown. As shown, in operation  302 , the user determines a correct screen grid size for the fiber to be tumbled and selects a set of panels accordingly. The selected set of panels  106 , 107  is installed if not already installed. However, at least one panel is not installed, allowing providing an opening for admission of the fiber into the tumbler cage structure  102 . Thereafter, in operation  304 , the fiber is inserted into the tumbler cage structure  102  through the opening where the at least one panel has not been installed (or has been removed if necessary). Next, in operation  306 . The remaining panels  106 , 107  are installed on the tumbler cage structure  102 . In operation  308 , the tumbler rotation time, reverse cycle time (if any), and the direction of rotation (if programmable) are programmed on the control panel of the tumbler  100 . The tumbler cage structure  102  is subsequently rotated in operation  310  about a horizontal axis according to the programmed times and direction. To enhance particle removal from the fiber, the user may place a blower near the rotating cage structure  102  to blow the fiber in operation  312 . Once the particles are sufficiently removed, and/or the programmed rotation time has expired, at least one of the panels  106  is removed from the tumbler cage structure  102  to gain access to the interior of the cage in operation  314 . The fiber is removed from the tumbler cage structure  102  in operation  316 . It is to be understood that, while the method described above is described with steps in a given order, the method is not limited in this regard, and at least some of the operations may be performed in an alternate order, or even omitted entirely. For example, in the case of a manually operated tumbler, operation  308  may be omitted. 
         [0038]    The exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the specific embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3