Gas separation: processes – Deflecting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-07-24
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: processes
Deflecting
C095S268000, C095S271000, C055S337000, C055S459100, C055S460000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264728
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for and method of cleaning of foreign material from fibers, and more particularly to an apparatus and method of operation for separating foreign materials from cotton fibers within ductwork for movement of cotton fiber materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the cotton processing industry, raw cotton material is processed to remove foreign materials such as dust, stalks, stems, and other materials from the cotton fibers. As part of the processing, cotton fibers and associated foreign matter are transported through ductwork from one part of a processing facility to a finishing area of the processing facility. An efficient method and an apparatus are needed to remove most of the associated foreign matter from the cotton fibers during its pneumatic transport through ductwork, before the cotton fibers arrive at the finishing area of the processing facility.
Prior methods of removal of foreign matter include passing an air stream entrained with cotton fibers and foreign matter over or through a grid of bars, or directing such an air stream into a screen, rotating cylinder, or other obstacle, with the cotton fibers changing direction along with the air flow due to the lower density of the cotton fibers, and the foreign matter impacting the obstacle and being removed from the air stream due to the higher density of the foreign matter. A third prior method consists of directing cotton fiber and foreign matter between spiked rollers and a plate or grid of bars, with the spikes on the rollers contacting the cotton fibers, and forcing the cotton fibers to an exit while the higher density foreign matter is directed to a separate exit. All of the prior methods impose a force on the cotton fibers, with damage to the cotton fibers and some loss of cotton fibers from processing as the fibers are forced against a wall, grid of bars, or spikes.
The invented apparatus and method of operation provides for separation of cotton fibers from foreign matter without application of a destructive force and without damaging of cotton fibers. The invented apparatus and method of operation utilize an apparatus that does not require additional energy input to the flowing air stream within the facility's cotton fiber transport ductwork, therefore providing a cost-efficient apparatus and method to remove foreign matter from cotton fibers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an apparatus and a method of operation for separating contamination particles from an air stream of cotton fibers including a primary chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the primary chamber positionable within the air stream of cotton fibers, and a continuous wall of the primary chamber, the wall forming the sides and bottom of the primary chamber and having a plurality of holes. A secondary enclosure is utilized, the secondary enclosure is located adjacent to the primary chamber porous bottom and side walls, the secondary enclosure having an exit opening in the lower portion of the secondary enclosure. The primary chamber directs the air flow and cotton fibers through the primary chamber, with foreign matter displaced to and through the holes formed in the walls of the primary chamber. The secondary enclosure may have at least one partition or baffle that segregates the secondary enclosure into a low or no-flow air zone. The porous bottom of the primary chamber fits into the secondary enclosure walls, with the empty upper section of the secondary enclosure serving as a baffle for air flow within the primary chamber, drawing contamination particles heavier than cotton fibers into the secondary enclosure.
The primary chamber is aligned with a facility's existing ductwork, allowing the primary chamber to receive an air stream of cotton fibers and undesirable contamination particles flowing through the chamber. With the low, or no-flow, air space of the secondary enclosure underneath the porous walls of the lower wall of the primary chamber, air flow through the primary chamber may be slowed, allowing the heavier contamination particles to move through the porous walls of the primary chamber. The contamination particles are displaced into the secondary enclosure by the weight of the particles and the lack of air flow in the secondary enclosure, which allows the particles to settle further into the secondary enclosure. The air stream of cotton fibers, without foreign matter will continually move through the outlet of the primary chamber to a finishing area of the cotton processing facility.
The present invention is particularly useful for removing foreign matter from moving air streams of cotton fibers and foreign matter, with little if any additional energy requirements and minimal if any damage to cotton fibers moving through the apparatus. The method of operation is not complex nor expensive to manufacture, does not require a constantly moving separation device, and requires minimal maintenance by operating staff. The present invention may be used either as a single unit placed in the air flow or a series of units can be used.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for separation of foreign material from airstreams of cotton fibers.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method of removing foreign materials from airstreams of cotton fibers.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for removing foreign materials from airstreams of cotton fibers with a chamber that fits into existing ductwork of a cotton processing facility.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for removing foreign materials from airstreams of cotton fibers with a chamber that requires no significant additional energy input and minimal operator oversight.
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patent: 5641339 (1997-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5735403 (1998-04-01), Stiglianese
patent: 5972215 (1999-10-01), Kammel
patent: 6093228 (2000-07-01), Wang
Dougherty & Clements LLP
Pham Minh-Chau T.
Simmons David A.
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