One purpose of this invention, but not being an essential feature, is to enable seed cotton to be processed and more particularly to provide for the processing of harvested seed cotton. Cotton ginning is the process of separating cotton lint from the seed after the cotton bud has been harvested.

This process is normally carried out locally to the cotton fields in ginneries. The ginned cotton lint is then transported to spinning mills.

Harvested seed cotton is either compressed in modules before removal from the field or becomes compressed as a result of the weight of the cotton when stacked or loaded onto a vehicle during the process of transport to the gin. Where a compressed module is used this is broken up after delivery and further processing then takes place before feeding it to the ginning machine. In other cases breaking up occurs immediately before the ginning machine. After ginning the lint is compressed into a bales by a tramper and then delivered to the textile mill for spinning where it is opened up to separate the fibres.

Known separators in cotton ginning use a method wherein the material is passed over the spikes of a series of synchronised steel rollers. The rollers are parallel and on an incline and as the roller is turned the seed cotton or lint fibre is passed from the spikes of one roller to the spikes of the next roller down the incline. Debris falls out as the seed cotton is opened up. Separators are sometimes known as feeders because they precede and therefore feed the gin machine. The known devices may be of various sizes from about 1m to 2.5m in length. The known systems are relatively slow and capacity can only be increased by increasing the size. Because of the size of these known systems the bulk requires a substantial superstructure. Other known systems are used for processing in textile mill and air rooms.

In the existing ginning processes the seed cotton is brought by a

vacuum, or possibly by hand, to the separator and the air ventilated to allow the seed cotton to drop onto the separator. The seed cotton then progresses down the separator and enters the gin One object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the decompressing, opening out and loosening up of baled fibres, harvested seed cotton, baled lint, wool or the like products.

Another object is to provide for the separation or reduction of debris in such products and more particularly seed and debris which may be present in seed cotton for example.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for initial processing by opening out or loosening up baled fibre in which method: a) fibre is transported through an inlet into a chamber; b) the said chamber incorporating a series of spaced projecting pins to catch and separate the fibre; c) the chamber having an outlet spaced from the inlet and for discharge of the fibre; and d) a means for moving the fibre from the inlet to the outlet and past the projecting pins.

Preferably, where the material is processed under positive pressure, the said chamber is located within a casing for collecting separated debris passing through the outer boundary wall of the chamber, said debris being thereafter discharged through an outlet in the casing. In an alternative where air pressure is not used the debris can be collecte in a bin or tray This invention also provides an apparatus for initial processing, opening out or loosening baled fibre the apparatus comprising: a) a separating chamber having an inlet duct for fibre to be processed and spaced therefrom and outlet duct for processed fibre, b) the chamber being defined by an outer wall, b) the chamber including a plurality of first projecting pins, and c) a rotating member located within the chamber and carrying a plurality of second projecting pins intermeshing with the first projecting pins, A casing, collecting tray or bin may surround the chamber and defines a

collecting chamber for material passing through the wall of the separating chamber which will preferably be perforated or of mesh material.

In an embodiment the separating chamber surrounds a rotating hub or disc carrying a series of pins intermeshing with pins on the inner wall of the chamber.

Preferably the fibre is transported through the chamber by a fluid medium, typically by air, using vacuum or pressure, or alternatively by gravity feed. The transport direction may be with or against the direction of rotation of the hub or disc.

In a preferred embodiment a vacuum system or air blowing system is used to transport fibre, for example seed cotton, to the separator above the gin and in this case the separator is built at the end of the vacuum or air line so that the fibre will enter the chamber by gravity and be dragged across the pins during rotation of the hub disc whereby unwanted debris is separated to pass through the mesh wall.

The pins are arranged on an inner surface of the inner chamber wall projecting inwardly and on the outer surface of a hub or disc positioned within, and defining, an inside wall of the chamber.

With this arrangement according to the invention the rotating pins move the fibre past the fixed pins. In the case of seed cotton the spacing between the pins is such that the seed is allowed to pass one at a time as the material moves towards the outlet.

Two embodiments according to this invention are shown by way of example in the drawings wherein: Fig. 1 shows a transverse section, on A-A of Fig. 2, and through a first embodiment of separator apparatus for an air assisted system, Fig. 2. shows a longitudinal section on B-B of Fig 1, Fig. 3 shows a section as Fig. 1 but of a gravity fed arrangement, Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the external casing of a second embodiment, Fig. 5 shows a section on C-C of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 shows a plan view looking down on the casing top of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 shows a plan view of the casing bottom of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the rotor of Fig. 4, and Fig. 9 shows of view as Fig. 6 but of an alternative casing.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings a separator apparatus according to this invention has an inner chamber 2 of which the outer wall 2a is defined by a mesh drum and with a central hub 9, rotatable by a motor drive shaft coupling boss 8, the hub thus defining the inner wall of this chamber. The motor may be electric and incorporated into the hub 9. The construction is similar to an electric fan. A number of pins 7 which may be spikes are secured to the hub 9 and project outwardly and a number of similar pins 3 are secured to the wall 2a and project inwardly. The pins thus intermesh (see Fig. 2). An inlet duct 1 feeds cotton into the separator apparatus and an outlet duct 4 passes the separated cotton lint to the gin or for further processing. The inlet and outlet ducts can be a part of an existing vacuum transport system used to convey the seed cotton or the lint.

A casing 5a surrounds the chamber wall 2a and defines a chamber 5 to collect the seed and debris passing through the inner chamber mesh wall 2a.

The debris is discharged through an outlet 6.

In operation the fibre enters the apparatus through the duct 1 and enters the chamber 2 and is carried by the air flow formed by suction at 4 or by air pressure at 1 through the pipes and by the rotation of the pins 7 towards the exit duct 4. The pull of the vacuum on the material and the dragging across the pins during rotation of the hub causes the material to be broken down and to separate whereby the debris falls away and leaves the inner chamber 2 through the mesh wall 2a. The debris and seed then passes out through the chute 6 which includes a valve device to prevent loss of air pressure when the debris passes out.

The operation may be carried out without a vacuum by using only the rotation of the pins 7 to transfer the seed cotton from the inlet to the outlet and to effect the separation. Blown air may be used instead of a vacuum.

Fig. 3 shows a gravity system in which the fibre is fed in down duct or chute 1 and dragged over the pins 3 and 7, during rotation of the hub 9, and then discharged through the duct 4 by the pushing action on rotation of the hub and by gravity. In this arrangement the rotating hub 9 and pins 7 are the means

of transport of the fibre within the apparatus.

The mesh size of the drum wall 2a is not critical as the fibre will not easily fall through the mesh. The mesh may be of a size and durability determined by the application or material passing through.

Figs. 4 to 8 of the drawings show a second embodiment. In the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the projecting pins on the hub were directed outwardly in relation to the axis of rotation whereas the pins on the fixed outer wall were directed inwardly. In the embodiment of Figs.

4 to 8 the pins on the rotating hub are carried by a plate and project parallel to axis of rotation whereas the pins on the fixed casing part intermesh and project inwardly also parallel with the axis of rotation.

As shown in Fig. 4 the casing 40 is of flat shape and has a top plate 41 which carries a series of inwardly projecting pins and a bottom plate 42 on which is mounted a rotatable disc 46 carrying pins which intermesh with those on the top plate 41. The casing thus formed has an inlet duct 43 and a discharge duct 44 together with a connection 45 at the centre into which pressurised air is fed to be directed mainly in the direction A inside the casing.

The direction of rotation of the inner plate is indicated by R.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line A of Fig. 4 and shows the construction of the apparatus in more detail. As shown, the top plate 41 is connected with the bottom plate 42 by bolts and the perimeter is closed by a side wall 52 which may be perforated or comprise a mesh. The top plate 41 carries a series of inwardly projecting pins 50 and as shown, three such pins are regularly spaced from the perimeter inwards and along a radial line with sixteen such radial lines with pins being provided around the plate (see Fig. 6). A rotatable plate 46 is mounted on a hub 47 which is turned through shaft 48 and this plate also carries a series of three equally spaced pins 51 extending along a radial line with sixteen such lines of pins being provided (see Fig. 8). These pins 51 on the rotatable plate 46 intermesh with the pins 50 on the fixed plate 41. Where fibre material, such as seed cotton, is fed to the apparatus then, In practice, the spacing is selected to restrain passage of cotton seed or unwanted debris between adjacent pins. The fixed plate 41 also includes an internal perforated or apertured cup-shaped member 49 and a connector 45 through which air may

be fed in order to assist transport of seed cotton through the apparatus and to disturb any such cotton to prevent substantial adherence to the internal parts such as the pins on the fixed disc.

In a preferred arrangement (see Fig. 9) the configuration of the inlet is changed in orientation and external lugs are provided by which bolts clamp the top and bottom casing parts together. In Fig. 9 the pins 50 on the fixed plate 41 are omitted from the area of the inlet 43 and the outlet 44 this may apply to the embodiment of Figs. 4 to 8 also. This gives better performance and avoids build-up of material.

The number of pins 50 or 51 in a line may be varied and in a practical experimental embodiment six pins 50 were provided on plate 41 and five pins 51 on plate 46.

Where the machine is used for seed cotton the spacing between the pins is such that only one seed can pass the pins at a time. In the art this is termed "single locking". This spacing is determined by the material being processed.

The size of the pins is determined by the length which in turn is determined by the width of the unit.

The size of the mesh used for the wall 52 is determined by the use to which the machine is put. If seed cotton is to be processed which has been harvested by a stripper then the mesh is large to cope with the large size and quantity of debris. If the machine is used in a textile mill for ginned lint then the mesh will be fairly fine.

An internal skirt 53 is provided between the bottom plate 42 and side wall 52, the purpose being to close the gap between the periphery of the plate 46 and side wall so as to prevent any cotton lodging beneath the plate 46.

The air diffuser 49 may be of mesh construction and optionally may direct the incoming air to specific areas close to the outlet 44 in order to assist discharge of cotton. This diffuser and the air feed prevents cotton remaining at the centre of the disc where it may not be acted on by the pins. The motor drive for shaft 48 may be mounted on the lower plate 42 or may be incorporated within the casing itself.

The apparatus may be fitted on to or included as part of a cotton harvesting machine, either a picking machine or stripping machine, in order to

remove debris and trash from the harvested cotton in the field and to leave it on the ground. This avoids the need for removing such trash from the ginnery and taking it back to the field for subsequent spreading over the area of the cotton plants.

Accordingly this invention also contemplates a cotton harvesting machine incorporating the apparatus described and claimed herein.

A number of features in the design of the apparatus will necessarily be defined through simple experiments carried out in the field, for example the diameter, spacing and degree of intermeshing of the pins as well as the rotation speed of plate 46 and pressure of air supplie through inlet 45.

A particular use for the apparatus described and claimed herein is in conjunction with a cotton ginning apparatus and method as described and disclosed in W097/45572.

In a typical constructional embodiment, air pressure fed in at 45 was set at 7 bar and the rotation speed of the drive 48 was varied between 200 and 650 rpm.

In an experimental arrangement, the spacing between the top and bottom plates 41,42 was set at 64 mm with a pin intermeshing distance, or overlap, of 28 mm. The diameter of the apparatus was 320 mm and the results are indicated in the following table.

TABLE 1 Quantity of Test Quantity of cotton cotton that Air Pressure Process No. that reached the remained Motor rpm (bar) time outlet stuck in the (seconds) (grammes) machine (grammes) 1 22 8 350 3 4.5 2 26 4 350 5 4.3 3 27 3 500 5 4.8 4 27. 5 2.5 600 5 3.4 5 28 2 600 7 3.3 The conclusion that emerged from the tests is that in the most favorable choice of the parameters (test no. 5) only 3.3% of the incoming cotton remained stuck in the machine.

In order to test the decompacting capability 3 cm3 of seed cotton were fed into the machine and volume increase after processing was evaluated.

The result of this test was that the increase in volume was nearly 300% since the initial 300 cm3 after being processed became approximately 900 cm3 To test the trash removal efficiency 10 grams of foreign material was added to 30 grams of seed cotton then processed. By weighing the cotton coming out from the outlet, the quantity of trash removed was evaluated.

The foreign matter added to the seed cotton was a mixture of: bread crumbs: to simulate ground and sand varied oregano and rosemary: to simulate leaf fragments and small sticks.

The machine was tested with the most favorable setting of the parameters which emerged from the first tests. Two different tests were held: 1. The air diffuser blowing compressed air into the casing from the beginning of the test.

2. The air diffuser starts to blow air into the casing after the cotton has already been spinning for a two turns or so.

The average results are shown in the table below all figures being in grammes: TABLE 2 Test Type Seed Cotton Dirt In Total out Cotton stuck Dirt In (cotton into separated and dirt) 1 30 10 29 3 8 1 30 10 28. 5 2 9.5 As the results show, the efficiency increases as the cotton is allowed to spin through the pins for a longer time.

In any case, more than 80% of the dirt artificially added to the seed cotton was separated.