AGADI, Itzhak (3 Loa Haari st, Oranit, 44813, IL)
C L A I M S
1. A cotton sifting device for separating cotton bolls from dirt and debris after harvesting, the device comprising a cotton-sifting mechanism comprising:
at least, one rotatable drum, having at least two rows of serrated edges, arranged in a gradual manner, with a phase shift; and
adjacent rotatable brush for removing intercepted cotton bolls off the serrated edges of said at least one rotatable drum,
whereby when harvested cotton bolls with dirt or debris are poured over said at least one rotatable drum, when the drum is rotated, cotton bolls are intercepted by the serrated edges, whereas dirt or debris is jolted and tossed away.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cotton sifting mechanism is housed within a housing.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the housing is provided with a top opening for pouring harvested cotton bolls over said at least one rotatable drum.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the housing is provided with an evacuation space into which collected cotton bolls are delivered.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein a trap for dirt or debris is provided.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the trap comprises a helical screw conveyer.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cotton-sifting mechanism is incorporated with a cotton harvesting machine.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one rotatable drum is provided with adjacent bars for bouncing off tossed dirt or debris.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one rotatable drum comprises two rotatable drums.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the serrated edges of each row are arranged in a step of about 5 mm, and the phase shift is about half the step. |
COTTON SIFTING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to agricultural machinery. More particularly it relates to an improved cotton sifting device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In crop harvesting, and in particular in cotton harvesting, it is desired to harvest the cotton without any residues like stem portions, leaves etc. This is a major aim in the design of modern harvesting machinery and a target most desired. Manual harvesting can of course be very fastidious and accurate way of picking only the cotton bolls, leaving out any undesired stems, foliage, or dirt, but it is extremely time-consuming and very uneconomical. Automatic harvesting by harvesting machines, on the other hand, is not that accurate, and as a result the collected cotton bolls are mixed with dirt, leaves, stem portions and even pebbles and stones that are found in the field.
The cotton plant is a low-rising bush, which is normally man-cultivated, planted in straight rows. This allows cotton-harvesting machinery to collect the cotton bolls while advancing along the row. Many attempts were made to provide harvesting machinery that overcomes the problems raised herein.
Commonly, cotton sifting devices comprise a revolving serrated drum, having two parallel rows of aligned teeth. As cropped cotton bolls together with stems, foliage and dirt, are conveyed (usually directly from the harvesting machine) and poured over the rotating drum, cotton bolls are intercepted by the teeth of the drum and collected by a nearby rotating brush, that usually rotates faster than the drum and tossed in one direction, whereas the dirt falls and is tossed in another direction.
However, ever too often stems are also caught by the teeth, and tossed into the same direction as the cotton bolls, reducing the effectiveness of the sifting process.
It is an object of the present invention to provide cotton-sifting device that reduces the presence of stems, foliage and dirt, among the collected cotton bolls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cotton sifting device for separating cotton bolls from dirt and debris after harvesting, the device comprising a cotton-sifting mechanism comprising:
at least one rotatable drum, having at lest two rows of serrated edges, arranged in a gradual manner, with a phase shift; and
adjacent rotatable brush for removing intercepted cotton bolls off the serrated edges of said at least one rotatable drum,
whereby when harvested cotton bolls with dirt or debris are poured over said at least one rotatable drum, when the drum is rotated, cotton bolls are intercepted by the serrated edges, whereas dirt or debris is jolted and tossed away.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cotton sifting mechanism is housed within a housing.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the housing is provided with a top opening for pouring harvested cotton bolls over said at least one rotatable drum.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the housing is provided with an evacuation space into which collected cotton bolls are delivered.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a trap for dirt or debris is provided.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the trap comprises a helical screw conveyer.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cotton-sifting mechanism is incorporated with a cotton harvesting machine.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one rotatable drum is provided with adjacent bars for bouncing off tossed dirt or debris.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one rotatable drum comprises two rotatabie drums.
Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the serrated edges of each row are arranged in a step of about 5 mm, and the phase shift is about half the step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and
in no way limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appending Claims. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.
Figure 1 illustrates a general view of a cotton sifting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a serrated drum of a cotton-sifting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates details of the serrated drum of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of two rows of jagged edges of a serrated drum of a cotton sifting device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES
An aspect of the present invention is the provision of a novel mechanism for cotton sifting that reduces the chances of stems and dirt being intercepted and collected with the cotton bolls. This is achieved by provided a serrated drum that contrary to common cotton-sifting drums, with two aligned rows of jagged edges, presents two (or more) rows of jagged edges that are arranged with a gradual alignment, creating a phase shift between the rows. This increases the chances of stems being jolted away rather than being grabbed by the serrated edges and cleared by the brush in the evacuating space.
Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating a general view of a cotton-sifting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A cotton-sifting device generally denoted by numeral 10 is
shown. The cotton-sifting device is designed to separate collected cotton bolls from stems and dirt collected with the cotton bolls. For this aim a sifting mechanism is provided generally comprising one or more drums 20 over which the collected cotton bolls mixed with dirt is dropped. The drum is serrated (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4) and revolves rapidly. The cotton balls are intercepted by the serrated edges of the drum while dirt is jolted and tossed away. The mechanism is housed in housing 19, provided with a top opening 11 through which the collected cotton bolls mixed with dirt are poured. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 two drums are provided, but other number o drums may be employed too. Adjacent the drum, and arranged in front of the serrated edges of the drums, are a series of bars 12, on which the dirt bounces off and clears away from the drum. Drum 14, located adjacent drums 20, comprises a rotating brush (preferably rotating in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of revolution of drums 20 and faster), which removes the cotton balls from the serrated edge of drums 20, and tosses them into adjacent evacuating space 15. The drums are optionally powered by a single motor 18, its power delivered through gearing 13. Optional blower 16 may be used to enhance the sifting process. The dirt is eventually trapped in trap 17, optionally comprising a helical screw conveyer that rotates and clears the fallen dirt away.
Figure 2 illustrates a serrated drum of a cotton-sifting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The drum
20 is shown with its serrated edges 22. A magnified view of the serrated edges (Fig. 3) reveals two rows of jagged edges 24, 26, arranged in a gradual manner, with a phase shift.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of two rows of jagged edges of a serrated drum of a cotton sifting device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is clearly visible that the two rows of jagged edges 24 and 26 are aligned in a gradual manner.
Typically the height of the jagged edges on the drum is about 1-1.5 cm, typical step of about 5 mm, and the relative phase shift is of about half the step. These dimensions are not limitations of the present invention rather a design suggestion, given as an example.
The cotton sifting device of the present invention may be incorporated in a harvesting machine, or be provided separately (a cotton gin).
It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.
It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.