METHOD FOR PRODUCING PELLETIZED FUZZY COTTONSEED Description Technical Field The present invention relates generally to fuzzy cottonseed processing and, more specifically, to a method for producing pelletized whole fuzzy cottonseed including means for selectively delivering a measured amount of linted cottonseed to a screw extruder having a bore and screw that decreases in diameter from one distal end to the other. Thereby, the linted cottonseed is subjected to predetermined increases in pressure and ground to a pasty oatmeal-like consistency before being extruded at the output end to a delivery system feeding the pellet forming mechanism having as its output pelletized linted cottonseed.

Disclosure of the Invention The present invention comprises a method for processing whole fuzzy cottonseed into animal feed pellets. The primary steps of mincing the cottonseed until the hulls and attached lint having been broken down and increasing the pressure before extruding so that the mixture achieves a mash-like consistency enables the forming of pellets. These whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets have the same nutritional value as before the pellet process and can be handled by machinery used to process grain products. In addition to the handling capabilities, the pellets are a densified form of whole fuzzy cottonseed as opposed to unprocessed whole fuzzy cottonseed or coated whole fuzzy cottonseed. Furthermore, because the whole fuzzy cottonseed is reduced to a blend the introduction of enrichments such as, vitamins, feed supplements and medications will attain a consistency throughout the pellet which is not possible with coated seeds. Also, the use of rodent and insect repellants can be applied as a coating after pelletizing the whole fuzzy cottonseed. In addition the introduction of binding agents for the cottonseed pigment gossypol would provide a feed of ad libitum intake.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Showing one means for making pelletized whole fuzzy cottonseed; FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of the preferred method of pelletizing whole fuzzy cottonseed: FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the steps for creating pelletized whole fuzzy cottonseed.

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of the steps for creating enriched and/or coated pelletized whole fuzzy cottonseed.

The reference numbers utilized in the drawing figures are defined as follows : 10 method for producing pelletized fuzzy cottonseed 12 whole fuzzy cottonseed holding means 14 whole fuzzy cottonseed metering means 16 whole fuzzy cottonseed cleaning means 18 delivery means 20whole fuzzy cottonseed pulverizing means 22 whole fuzzy cottonseed mash delivery means 24 whole fuzzy cottonseed pelleting means 28 seed pellet cooling means 30 whole fuzzy cottonseed storage delivery means 32 whole fuzzy cottonseed storing means 34 select whole fuzzy cottonseed 36 convey whole fuzzy cottonseed to extruder 38 mince whole fuzzy cottonseed 40 extrude whole fuzzy cottonseed mash 42 convey whole fuzzy cottonseed mash to pelletizer 44 pelletize whole fuzzy cottonseed mash 46 convey whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets to cooler 48 cool whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets 50 convey whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets to storage 52 steps for making whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets 54 steps for making enriched whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets 56 adding beneficial enrichment to whole fuzzy cottonseed mash 58 adding coating to whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Turning now descriptively to the drawings in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the drawing figures. Figures 1 through 4 illustrate the method for producing pelletized whole fuzzy cottonseed of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral 10.

Referring to figure 1, after ginning cotton the linted cottonseeds are transported to a holding bin 12. These cottonseeds are the raw material for the pelletizing process. The cottonseed is conveyed at a predetermined volume 14 to a screening device 16 for the removal of foreign materials. The screened cottonseed are conveyed 18 to a screw extruder 20. The screw extruder minces the whole fuzzy cottonseed increasing the atmospheric pressure as the minced cottonseed progresses toward the outlet port. The minced mixture under increasing atmospheric pressure crushes the mixture into a whole fuzzy cottonseed mash which has elevated in temperature under increasing pressure.

The whole fuzzy cottonseed mixture is extruded onto conveyance 22 to the pelletizer 24 where it will be formed into predetermined pellet sizes. After the pellet forming process 24 the pellets will be conveyed 26 to a cooler 28 for a reduction of the pellet temperature. After sufficient temperature reduction the pellets will be conveyed 30 to a finished pellet storage container 32.

Referring to figure 2, shows the preferred method for turning linted or whole fuzzy cottonseed into animal feed pellets. The cottonseed having a hull having residual fibers attached thereto can not be handled by normal grain handling equipment because of these hull attached fibers which have a tendency to bind with other seed hull fibers and thereby clump and clog the machinery.

Therefore, the method of the present invention takes these whole fuzzy cottonseeds 34 and meters 36 them to a screw extruder. The purpose of the screw extruder is to mince 38 the seeds and attached fibers into a smaller particulate mixture of the seed and fibers. As the seeds are automatically reduced to a predetermined particle size the mixture is advanced by the screw to the screw extruder output port.

Under ever increasing atmospheric pressure the mixture is compressed causing rupturing and temperature increases within the mixture resulting in an extruded mash 40. The hot oatmeal-like mixture is conveyed 42 to the pellet forming mechanism 44.

The pellet forming mechanism will form the mixture into predetermined sizes as required. The hot pellets are conveyed 46 to the cooler. The cooler 48 will reduce the temperature of the pellets before conveying 50 the pelletized fuzzy cottonseed pellets to storage.

While the aforementioned method will turn whole fuzzy cottonseed into densifie pellets that can be handled in similar fashion as other grain product, it would normally be desirable to enhance the nutritional content of the pellets and to protect the pellets from insects and rodents. As will be described later.

Referring to figure 3, shows the steps of the present invention for producing whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets from whole fuzzy cottonseed. Step 1 Sl selecting is a process well known within the art whereby the ginning of cotton results in the removal of all seed material. The seeds can be further processed to cull the most desirable seeds from the seed aggregate for next crop planting. The remainder of the seed aggregate can be used as animal feed. (S2) Step 2 takes the seeds selected for feed and meters them at a specific rate to a machine that will reduce the selected seeds to a mixture that can be pellet formed. (S3) Step 3 takes the metered seeds and minces them by means of a bladed screw until the seeds and attached fibers have been reduced to a smaller seed particle aggregate. As the bladed screw moves the material toward the output port of the screw extruder, the minced seed aggregate is compressed under increasing atmospheric pressure. (S4) Step 4 the increasing atmospheric pressure crushes the seed particle aggregate into a hot whole fuzzy cottonseed mash. (S5) Step 5 the whole fuzzy cottonseed mash is extruded from the screw extruder which has reduced the whole fuzzy cottonseed aggregate into a hot pelletizable mash. (S6) Step 6, the hot whole fuzzy cottonseed mash is processed through a pellet forming machine into predetermined sized pellets. (S7) Step 7, the selectively sized hot pellets are cooled by cooling machinery.

While it has been determined that whole fuzzy cottonseed is a desirable animal feed, the fibers attached to the seeds has prevented their common use as an animal feed. There are products presently available that either coat the seed in a gelatinous starch or subject the seed aggregate to an acid wash to remove the cotton fibers from the seed hulls. Both of these methods increases the processing costs in providing a whole cottonseed feed. The present invention overcomes these undesirable seed aggregate characteristics in a new and novel method.

Mainly the seed aggregate is comprised of hulled seeds having cotton fibers attached thereto. Normal grain handling equipment gets clogged by these fibrous seeds requiring special handling or treatment of the seed, such as acid baths to remove the fibers. While these methods have been successful for their intended purposes, the present invention provides a natural solution by mincing the seeds and attached fibers into smaller particle matter that is further compressed under pressure to produce a whole fuzzy cottonseed mash that can be formed into pellets.

Referring to figure 4, shows the minimal steps of the present invention for producing whole fuzzy cottonseed pellets from whole fuzzy cottonseed as described in figure 3. The additional processes shown in figure 4 demonstrate additional processes that can be incorporated to enhance the pellets by adding feed supplements, vitamins and medicines. In addition to coating the pellets against insect and vermin infestation.. Step 1 S1 selecting is a process well known within the art whereby the ginning of cotton results in the removal of all seed material. The seeds can be further processed to cull the most desirable seeds from the seed aggregate for next crop planting. The remainder of the seed aggregate can be used as animal feed. (S2) Step 2 takes the seeds selected for feed and meters them at a specific rate to a machine that will reduce the selected seeds to a mixture that can be pellet formed. (S3) Step 3 takes the metered seeds and minces them by means of a bladed screw until the seeds and attached fibers have been reduced to a smaller seed particle aggregate. As the bladed screw moves the material toward the output port of the screw extruder, the minced seed aggregate is compressed under increasing atmospheric pressure. (S4) Step 4 the increasing atmospheric pressure crushes the seed particle aggregate into a hot whole fuzzy cottonseed mash. (S5) Step 5 the whole fuzzy cottonseed mash is extruded from the screw extruder which has reduced the whole fuzzy cottonseed aggregate into a hot pelletizable mash. (S6) Step 6, the hot whole fuzzy cottonseed mash is processed through a pellet forming machine into predetermined sized pellets. (S7) Step 7, the selectively sized hot pellets are cooled by cooling machinery.

As shown, the introduction of feed supplements, vitamins, and medicines can occur at one or more selected point depending on the properties that are to be attained.

The infusion of additives and preservatives has an added advantage over coating in that the additives will permeate through the pellet. Because these additives are not subjected to atmospheric conditions such as UV rays, they may have a longer shelf life. Also the introduction of greater quantities of additives is possible that is not possible with coatings due to the fact that there is a finite surface area on a seed. The thicker the coating the greater chance of chipping and separation of the coating from the seed.

Furthermore, the pellets can be coated as a final process to protect the pellets from rodents and insects. This final coating would have little effect on the feed supplements, vitamins, and medicines that to a large extent are contained within the pellet.