Patent ID: 8887553

Claim:
An apparatus for determining the coefficient of friction between staple fibers, which are to be processed into a yarn, the apparatus comprising: (a) a pair of clamps comprising a fixed clamp and a mobile clamp, each clamp adapted to receive an end portion of a sliver of the staple fibers therewithin; (b) a pair of predetermined weights, each mounted over a the fixed clamp and the mobile clamp in order to exert normal load or force on either end of the sliver whereby the movement of the sliver between the fixed clamp and the mobile clamp is resisted as the mobile clamp is drawn away from the fixed clamp, the mobile clamp to be drawn away until the sliver is severed off; (c) a force sensor for sensing the tensile force exerted by the sliver as the mobile clamp is being drawn away from the fixed clamp; and (d) a means for computing the coefficient of friction, which is a function of the normal force and the amount of tensile force exerted by the sliver which overcomes an inter-fiber frictional force of the sliver, wherein the normal force is obtained from the pair of predetermined weights.