US812618A - Cotton-handling apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 812,618'. PATNNTNN FEB. 13, 1906. A. E. TADWELL. COTTON HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APRA, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

"W/@ @A Zw/@Mie Nol 812,618. PATENTED PEBl 13, 1906. A.. P. TTDWELL.

COTTON HANDLTNG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APRA, 1905.

4 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

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A. F. TIDWELL.

COTTON HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.. 4, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/Jw//l ///m www No. 812,618. v PATENTED PEB. 13, 1906. A. 1:'. TIDWELL.

COTTON HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.4, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES YPATENT oFrroE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application filed April 4, 1905. Serial No. 253,886.

To ad whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. TIDWELL, a citizen of the United States, residin at Celina, in the county of Collin and tate of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Handling Apparatus, of which the following is a specificatlon.

This invention relates to a cotton-handling ap aratus.

he apparatus involves as a part thereof means for cleaning seed-cotton or for removing dust, leaf trash, and other foreign substances there rom before the cotton is led to bins in a storage-house.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a cleaning mechanism'of a simple construction and which can be readily operate( The cleaning mechanism lhas as a )art thereof a force-feeder. Heretofore t ese force-feeders have been operated by power in the form of belting or something of a similar positive nature. While I effect the proper action of the force-feeder, I do not ave to rely upon belting to do so, for the `feeder in the or anization illustrated in the accompan ing rawings, forming a part of this speci cation, is o erated pneumatically from the suction pro uced in elevating the cotton from a wa on or such device. The elimination of belting not only effects a saving in expense, but is of articular advantage when the cleaning mechanism is employed in connection'with a storage-house, for it can be put upon the roofing of a house or u on the dome thereof and o erated successfu ly. As is understood, when t 1e cleanin mechanism is mounted upon the roof or ome of a storage-house it is not ordinarily practicable to drive a force-feeder.

Constituting a art of the apparatus is a storage-house, wit 1in which is arranged a series of bins in annular order, and it is one of the objects of the invention to provide for the direction of the cleaned seed-cotton from the cleaning mechanism to any one of these bins, so that, for exam le, when one of them is filled the supply of) cleaned cotton can be diverted'to the next one.

I will set forth in detailthe structure represented in lthe accompanying drawings; but l do not limit myself to the precise character of parts nor their disposition in the manner now to be described, for as to these and other features of detail material variations may be Iliade within the scope of my invention included within my clalms.

AReferring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of an apparatus involving my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation of the cleaning mechanism. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the parts represented in Fig. 3, the section bein taken in a plane corresponding substantial y with the axis of the force-feeder. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the seed-cleaning mechanism.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the different views.

The apparatus, as will be understood from what has been hereinbefore stated, includes in its make up a storage-house. The construction of the house forms no part of the invention, and therefore a detailed description of the same is unnecessary. Respecting the shape of the house, this is immaterial. It is represented as being circular.

The storage-house 2 contains interiorly thereof a pluralit of bins, each denoted by 3 and into which t e cleaned seed-cotton is alternately delivered, as will hereinafter more particularly appear. The bins for conven- 1ence are arranged in annular order. lThis 0rder need not, as shown, be circular. The arrangement of the bins side by side or in annular order provides for the ready delivery of cotton into desired bins.

The cleaning mechanism involves a casing, as 4, into which an inlet-conduit, or, as it 1s known in the art, a pneumatic conveyer, as 5, leads. Connected with the inlet-conduit outside of the storage-house 2 is a pipe, as 6, constituting practically a continuation of the said conveyer 5 and the receivin end of which is arranged to be placed Wit in a wagon to draw therefrom a sup ly of seedcotton for delivery by way of t e pi e and conveyor to the easing 4, wherein t e said cotton is freed of objectionable matter therein. From the casing 4 a suction conduit or flue 7 leads, the suction in which is created by a fan of some ordinary construction. I do not deem it necessary to illustrate the fan nor describe it in detail.

The casingr or housing 4 is mounted within the dome oi' the storage-house 2 and contains interiorly a force-feeder, which I will denote in a general way by 8. The force-feeder is represented as comprising two end disks, each lllO designated by Q and alike in construction. Between these disks the blades 10, angular to the force feeder or wheel 8, are suitably fixed. f The outer edges of the blades extend short of the peripheries of the complemental disks Q ,and carry flexible strips, as 11, which may be conveniently made from leather, the strips extending each from one disk 9 to the other. 'v

Within the casing or housing 4 and extending from the upper side of the delivery end of the inlet conduit or conveyer 5 to the upper edge of the board 12 is a se mental screen 13, of a mesh sufficient to free y provide for the passage therethrough of air-currents from the .pneumatic conveyer to the suctionl pipe or conduit, but not sucient to permit the seedcotton to be ro'ected therethrough. The upper edge of t e oardv 12 extends above to the top of the suction conduit orliue 7, while its lower edge is located below thebottom of said flue or conduit,its inner face beingadapted to be traversed b the flexible strips 11. This board 12, and a though I have termed it a board it need not necessarily be made from wood, is of such extent that there will always be in contact with its curved surface one of the iexible strips 11, so as to prevent backward suction of the cotton from the cleaningscreen- 14, hereinafter more particularly described, to the suction conduit or flue 7. In other words, the flexible strips rovide for air-tight contact between the bla es or win s 10 and the board or guard 12. There is'sulgistantially a duplicate of the board or guard 12 at the opposlte side of the casing interiorly thereof, the duplicate board or guard being denoted by 15 and its working face, which is curved, being arranged for engagement by the exible strips 11 as the force-feeder 8 turns. The board extends downward from the inlet of the casing 4, and, as has been stated, its curved face is of such an extent that there will always be in contact therewith at least one flexible strip 11. This prevents dropping of unclean cotton into the space of the casing in which the cleaning-screen 14 is directly located. I do not provide for the power operation of the force-feeder 18, but rely simply and solely on suction developed in the apparatus to cause its rotation to an extent sufficient to insure the feed of cotton positively toward the cleaning-screen and along the same.

It will be evident that the blades or wings of the force-feeder are so located that a blast of air entering the casing 4 from the pneumatic conveyer can act against said blades with a force sufficient tocause the proper turnin motion of the force-feeder or drum 8.

epending from and practically forming a part of the casing 4 is a hopper 16, of which the inclined and practically segmental screen 14 forms the top. The seed-cotton in a dirty condition is advanced by suction and by the action of the rotating force-feeder to the screen and is then caused to travel along said screen, and as it does so the objectionable matter therein is caused to pass through the openings in the screen into the hopper 16, from which it is conveyed out of the buildin by way of the dischargeipe 17, extending rom the bottom of said opper. The cleaningscreen may be either of slatted construction or metallic mesh, as deemed desirable.

' Motion being imparted to the fan l (not shown) connected with the suction pipe or flue 7, the pipe 6 will be dip ed into a wa on containing cotton,"so that t e cotton wil be sucked through said pipe and into the inletconduit or pneumatic conveyer 5, from which latter the cotton passes into the casing 4 and strikes with the air-blast against the blades or wings of the Wheel or feeder 8, whereby the feeder vwill be caused to rotate, the blades or wings of the feeder taking the cottonv therewith. The cotton as it travels around passes against the screen 13 and then against the board or guard 12 and inall onto the inclined cleaning screen 14. hile on the' screen 14 the cotton is cleaned, the leafy matter, sticks, dirt and other forei n substances passing through the meshes of t e screen into the hopper 16, where they are conducted out of the building b way of the discharge-pipe 17. The oleane cotton passes from off the screen 14 and into the tube 18 pendent from the casing or housin 4.

In connection wit the force-feeder I provide a governor to prevent abnormal speed thereof, and I will now describe the form of governor shown for securingthe result in question.

Upon one of the disks are mounted two opposite pivoted weights 21, cooperative with a stationary brake-wheel 21, surrounding the weights. The latter are held in their ineHective ositions by coiled springs, as 22, connected) therewith and with the disk '9, that carries the weights. The weights are adapted when the speed of the force-feeder passes beyond a certain limit to engage the inner face of the brake wheel or ring 21a to check such speed, it bein understood that the weights or shoes are t own outward by centrifugal force. When the speed of the force-feeder is lowered, the springs 22 simultaneously draw the weights or shoes away from the brake wheel or ring. The two weights are operatively connected together in such a manner as to secure their action in unison and to also overcome^the force of gravity. To bring about the result in question, links, as 2lb, between the said weights can be employed. In practice brackets, which may be of the kind illustrated, may be provided for holding the governor-weights in place. The cotton as it passes through the casing 4 travels at a high speed and at all times strikes the screening means at a con- IIO IZO

siderable angle to prevent the cotton from webbing or sticking. The cotton passes in close contact with the screening means, so that its thorough cleaning is assured.

The cotton-cleaning screen 14is represented as consisting of a` plurality of elongated slats spaced to provide therebetween slots, and as the cotton passes over these slots sticks, nails, bolts, and screws that cannot ordinarily be removed from the cotton will pass through the slots.

The cotton dro er or cleaner need not necessarily be use 1n connection with a stor- `age-house, although its use in such connection is advantageous for the reason hereinbefore set forth. It may be em yloyed successfully to dro cotton onto a belli distributer or anything o an equivalent nature.

The cleaned cotton passes by gravity from off the screen 14 into the tube 18 and from thence into a chute, as 23. It will be seen that the cleaning-screen 14 is arranged at a steep angle in order to insure the cotton passing by its own weight from off the same and from thence into the tube and chute just alluded to for deliver by the chute to any one of the bins 3. I re y, therefore, simply upon gravity to cause the conduct of the cotton fbrom the cleaning-screen to any one of the ins.

The chute is movably mounted, so that it can be shifted todirect the cleaned cotton into any one of the series of bins 3. In the present case the chute is revolubly mounted, it being supported for turning motion in some suitable manner by the pendent tube 18. To uphold the chute in a substantial manner, it may be provided with an antifriction-wheel 24 near its free end to travel upon the annu lar track 25, supported by suitable framework in the house 2 above the bins. EX- tending downward from the head of the chute 23 is an elongated spindle 26, having a hand Wheel or analogous actuatin device,- as 27, at its lower end. The hand-w eel is arranged in proxiinity to the floor of the storage-house, so that it'can be readily reached by a person standing upon said floor in order to turn the chute 23. The spindle 26 is coaxial with the chute 23, and it Will be evident that when it is turned the chute can be revolved.

The apparatus hereinbefore described is simple in construction, effective in operation, and thoroughly cleanses the cotton and disposes of it when cleaned in a satisfactory manner, while at the same time means are provided for carrying out the trash from lthe uilding. I am enabled to operate the forcefeeder without the use of belting or analogous mechanical devices. that the curved surfaces of the two boards or guards 12 and 15 are concentric with the force-feeder 8. They, in connection with two o positely-disposed blades 10, with the flexible strips 11 on the latter, serve, in effect,

It will be understoodto divide the interior of the casing into two chambers, the upper one being a suctionchamber, while there is no suction in the lower chamber. The cleaned cotton is delivered into this lower chamber, and as there is no suction in the same there is no possibility of the cleaned cotton being drawn up into the upper portion ofthe casing. y

It will be understood that when the cotton strikes the screen 13 it does so with considerable force, and in this way I am enabled initially to remove foreign ymatter from the mass, which passes through the meshes of said screen and out into the suction-pipe 7.

In ractice I prefer to arrange a sliding cut-o as 16, between the hopper 16 and dischargeipe 17, which may be closed or open, as esired, as in neither case will the action of the apparatus be affected.

The disks 9 are overlapped exteriorly and marginally by flexible strips which cover the joints between the disks and casing in an air-tight manner. The-strips are denoted by 9a and may be of any form, although they ordinarily are annular.

The annularly-arranged bins 3 surround an open space 3a, (shown as circulan) a passage-way or aisle 8b leading into the sald open space 3a at a point outside of the bm. An attendant can enter the open circular space 3a by way of the passa e-way or aisle 3, so as to obtain access to t e hand-Wheel 27, located in said circular open space.

Having thus described the invention, what 1. In a cotton-handling apparatus, a casing, a pneumatic conveyer opening into the casing, a suction-flue, and a discharge-chute for cleaned cotton, leading from the casing, a screen between the conveyer and the suction-flue, a cleaning-screen between the suction-flue and the discharge-chute, for screening the cotton before it reaches said chute, and a force-feeder in the casing to positively move the cotton from the conveyer to the cleaning-screen and operable solely by the blast of air entering the casing from said pneumatic conveyer.

2. In a cotton-handling apparatus, a casing, a pneumatic conveyer opening into the casing, a suction-line, and a discharge-chute for cleaned cotton, leading from the casing, a screen between the conveyer an'd the suction-flue, a cleaning-screen between lthe suction-flue and the discharge-chute, forscreening the cotton before it reaches said chute, and a force-feeder in the casing, arranged to be operated solely by the blast of air entering the casing from said pneumatic conveyer and comprising a plurality of blades.

3. In a cotton-handling apparatus, a casing, a pneumatic conveyer opening intothe casing, a suction-flue, and a discharge-chute for cleaned cotton, leading from the casing, a screen between the conveyer and the suc- IOO XIO

tion-Hue, a cleaning-screen between the suction-flue and the discharge-chute, for screening cotton before it reaches said chute, a` force-feeder in the casing, arrangedfor operation solely by the air-blast entering the casing from` said pneumatic conveyer, said force, feeder involving a plurality of yblades provided with llexi le strips at their outer edges,

and-'curvedmembers in the'casing, arranged v to be traversed by said flexible strips, the eX- tentlofzeach curved member being such that at least one iexible strip will bev always vin contact with one of them.

4. 'In a cotton-handling apparatus, a casing, a fan in the casing havin blades, means inftlre casing to be traverse by the blades and coperative with the latter to divide the casing into independent chambers, a

screen in one of the chambers, and means for drawin air through the screen-chamber and throng the screen to elect the cleaning ,of cotton, and to also turn the fan.

5. Ina cotton-handling apparatus, a casi ing, a fan in the casing having lades, means in the casing to be traverse y the blades and coperativ-e with the latter to divide the casingfinto -independent chambers, a screen ,in one 'of the chambers, means for drawing airthrou'gh the screen-chamber and through the screen to effect the cleaning of cotton,

and to also turn'the fan, and a screen in the other chamber of the casing, said blades serving to carry the cotton in succession against the screens.

6.l In a cotton-handlin apparatus, the combination of a cotton-c eaning casing, a force-feeder for the cotton in the casing, and

a suction-pipe communicating with the casj ing, the suction'through the pipe serving as the sole means for Irotating the said forcefeeder. y l

7. Avcotton-handlin apparatus having a stora e-house, cotton-c eamng mechanism, a

plura ity of bins arranged in annular orderin my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT F. TIDWELL.

Witnesses:

JAMES M. DRAKE,

H. L. WEEMS.

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