U.S. patent application number 09/783174 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for method of producing blends of cotton lint.
Invention is credited to Beason, Mark Jay, Craft, Gayle, Foster, Raymond Keith.
Application Number | 20020108216 09/783174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25128407 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020108216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Foster, Raymond Keith ; et
al. |
August 15, 2002 |
METHOD OF PRODUCING BLENDS OF COTTON LINT
Abstract
A plurality of cotton boll modules are received by a cotton
ginning plant from a plurality of cotton field locations. A sample
of cotton modules is removed from each field lot. The sample and
the field lot are identified and identification data associating
the sample with its field lot is generated. Each field lot sample
is separately processed to produce cotton lint. The cotton lint is
assayed to determine a relative quality of the lint or the sample.
The assay information from the several samples is used to establish
a formula for blending cotton from a plurality of field locations
to form a blend of a desired intermediate quality. The
identification data is used for locating modules to be blended from
the various field lots. The located modules are delivered to
dispersers and the dispersers are used to disperse cotton boll
clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form the desired
amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps. The cotton boll
clumps are blended. The blended cotton boll clumps are then cleaned
and ginned to form a cotton lint blend.
Inventors: |
Foster, Raymond Keith;
(Madras, OR) ; Beason, Mark Jay; (Redmond, OR)
; Craft, Gayle; (Plains, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Delbert J. Barnard
Barnard & Pauly, P.S.
P.O. Box 58888
Seattle
WA
98138-1888
US
|
Family ID: |
25128407 |
Appl. No.: |
09/783174 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
19/145.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01G 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
19/145.5 |
International
Class: |
D01G 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of processing cotton, comprising: receiving a plurality
of cotton boll modules from a plurality of cotton field locations,
each field location producing a field lot; selecting a sample of
cotton modules from each field lot; identifying each sample and the
field lot from which it came and generating identification data
associating the sample with its field lot; separately processing
each field lot sample to produce cotton lint; assaying the cotton
lint to determine a relative quality of the lint in each field lot
sample; using the assay information to establish a formula for
blending cotton boll clumps from a plurality of field lots of
different quality to form a cotton boll blend of a desired
intermediate quality; using the identification data for locating
modules to be blended from the field lots; introducing the located
modules into dispersers and using the dispersers to disperse cotton
boll clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form the
desired amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps; mixing
the cotton boll clumps dispersed from said modules to form a blend
of cotton boll clumps; and cleaning and ginning the blend of cotton
boll clumps to form a cotton lint blend.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the identified field
lots of cotton boll modules until the modules are selected to form
a desired cotton lint blend.
3. The method of claim 2, comprising removing the selected modules
from storage and then dispersing them to form cotton boll clumps,
and then blending, cleaning and ginning the cotton boll clumps,
after and in response to receipt of an order for a desired cotton
lint blend from a customer.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising delivering the cotton
lint blend to the customer, substantially immediately following its
production.
5. The method of claim 1, comprising dispersing the modules at a
disperser station at a ginning plant, and using a conveyor for
delivering and further blending the cotton boll clumps as they are
moved from the disperser station to cleaning units and at least one
cotton gin in the ginning plant.
6. The method of claim 1, comprising positioning at least one pair
of first and second confronting dispersers at the disperser
station, each having an input side and an output side, wherein said
output sides face each other on opposite sides of a mixing zone;
operating the first and second dispersers while feeding a first
cotton boll module against the input side of the first disperser
and feeding a second cotton boll module against the input side of
the second disperser; operating said first and second dispersers so
that each will disperse cotton boll clumps from its module and
deliver them into the mixing zone in admixture with cotton boll
clumps from the other disperser of the pair; and collecting the
mixture of cotton boll clumps and conveying it way from the
disperser station into and through the cleaning and ginning
operation.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising using an airstream conveyor
for conveying the blend of cotton boll clumps during at least a
part of their travel from the disperser station to the cleaning and
ginning operation, so that the cotton boll clumps are fluidized and
further blended as they are being conveyed.
8. The method of claim 7, comprising storing the identified field
lots of cotton boll modules until it is desired to form a
particular cotton lint blend and then selecting cotton boll modules
from the identified lots in storage and moving them to the
dispersing station and dispersing them at said station.
9. The method of claim 8, comprising providing each disperser with
an infeed conveyor, removing the selected modules from storage and
placing them onto the infeed conveyors, and controlling the
conveying speed of the infeed conveyors so as to control the
dispersion rate of the cotton boll clumps and the content of the
blend.
10. The method of claim of 8, comprising providing each disperser
with a reciprocating slat type infeed conveyor, removing the
selected modules from storage and placing them onto the infeed
conveyors, and controlling the conveying speed of the infeed
conveyors so as to control the dispersion rate of the cotton boll
clumps and the content of the blend.
11. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the field lots of
modules at a module storing location that is a part of the ginning
plant, and dispersing the modules at a disperser station that is
also a part of the ginning plant.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising using a conveyor for
delivering and further blending the cotton boll clumps as they are
moved from the disperser station to cleaning units and cotton gins
in the ginning plant.
13. The method of claim 12, comprising further mixing and blending
the cotton boll clumps in the cleaning units.
14. The method of claim 13, comprising further blending the cotton
boll clumps in the cotton gin.
15. The method of claim 14, comprising storing the identified field
lots of cotton boll modules until modules from the different field
lots are selected to form a cotton lint blend and then moving the
selected modules from storage to the dispersers.
16. The method of claim 15, comprising removing the selected
modules from storage and then dispersing them to form cotton boll
clumps, and then blending, cleaning and ginning the cotton boll
clumps after and in response to receipt of an order for a desired
cotton lint blend from a customer.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising delivering the
cotton lint blend to the customer, substantially immediately
following its production.
18. The method of claim 1, comprising positioning first and second
dispersers at the disperser station, each having an input side and
an output side; operating the first and second dispersers while
feeding a first cotton boll module against the first disperser and
feeding a second cotton boll module against the second disperser;
operating said first and second dispersers so that each will
disperse cotton boll clumps from its module; collecting the cotton
boll clumps and mixing them together to form a blend of cotton boll
clumps; and collecting the blend of cotton boll clumps and
conveying it into and through the cleaning and ginning
operation.
19. The method of claim 18, comprising positioning a third
disperser at the disperser station, said third disperser having an
input side and an output side; operating the third disperser while
feeding a third cotton boll module against the input side of the
third disperser; operating said third disperser so that it will
disperse cotton boll clumps from its module; and collecting the
dispersed cotton boll clumps and blending them with the cotton boll
clumps from the first and second dispersers.
20. The method of claim 18, comprising dispersing cotton boll
clumps from the first and second dispersers onto at least one
conveyor and conveying the cotton boll clumps to a mixing
region.
21. The method of claim 20, comprising collecting the blend of
cotton boll clumps and moving them into and through a cleaning and
ginning operation.
22. The method of claim 1, comprising using the cotton lint
produced by processing the field lot samples to establish a market
price for each field lot.
23. The method of claim 22, comprising utilizing the market price
information to help establish a formula for blending cotton from
the various field lots.
24. The method of claim 22, comprising storing the identified field
lots of cotton boll modules until the modules are selected to form
a desired cotton lint blend.
25. The method of claim 24, comprising removing the selected
modules from storage and then dispersing them to form cotton boll
clumps, and then blending, cleaning and ginning the cotton boll
clumps after and in response to receipt of an order for a desired
cotton lint blend from a customer.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising delivering the
cotton lint blend to the customer, substantially immediately
following its production.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to the handling of cotton between the
fields and the textile mills. More particularly, it relates to a
method of operating a cleaning and ginning plant to produce blends
of lint cotton for delivery to the textile mills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As known to those skilled in the cotton industry, cotton
plants produce seedpods, known as cotton bolls, which contain the
seeds. Seed hairs, or fibers, growing from the outer skin of the
seeds, become tightly packed within the boll, which bursts open
upon maturity, revealing soft masses of the fibers. These fibers
are white to yellowish white in color, range from about 0.75 to
about 1.5 inches in length and are composed of about 85-90%
cellulose, a carbohydrate plant substance; five to eight percent
water; and four to six percent natural impurities.
[0003] Cotton is harvested when the bolls open. In the fields, the
cotton bolls are tightly compressed into large modules which are
transported from the fields to processing plants. In the processing
plants, the modules are mechanically dispersed into clumps and then
the fibers are separated from the seeds and are cleaned and then
are further processed, ultimately into yarns.
[0004] It is known to disperse the cotton boll modules by use of a
stack of rolls that include fingers which rotate into an advancing
end of a cotton module, to tear loose clumps of the bolls from the
module as they rotate. The stack of rolls is termed a disperser and
it is common to use conveyors for delivering the cotton modules to
the disperser. Example disperser systems are disclosed by the
following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,497,085, granted Feb. 5, 1985 to Donald
W. Van Doorn, James B. Hawkins, Tommy W. Webb and William A.
Harmon, Jr.; 5,121,841, granted Jun. 16, 1992, to Keith Harrington
and Donald Rogers; 5,222,675, granted Jun. 29, 1993, to Jimmy R.
Stover; 5,340,264, granted Aug. 23, 1994, to Manfred W. Quaeck and
5,469,603, granted Nov. 28, 1995, to Jimmy R. Stover. These patents
show examples of the conveyors which have been used, or proposed,
for delivering the cotton modules to the disperser. The present
invention is not limited to any particular type of conveyor.
However, a reciprocating slat conveyor is advantageous and
preferred. Example reciprocating slat conveyors that are suitable
are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,445, granted Aug. 10, 1999, to
Raymond Keith Foster, Randall M. Foster and Kenneth A. Stout, and
U.S. Pat. No. RE 35,022, granted Aug. 22, 1995, to Raymond Keith
Foster.
[0005] Cotton fibers may be roughly classified into three main
groups, based on staple length (average length of the fibers in a
cotton module) and appearance. The first group includes the fine,
lustrous fibers with staple length ranging from about 1 to about
2.5 inches and includes types of the highest quality--such as Sea
Island, Egyptian and Pima cottons. Least plentiful and most
difficult to grow, long-staple cottons are costly and are used
mainly for fine fabrics, yarns and hosiery. The second group
contains the standard medium-staple cotton, such as American
Upland, with staple length from about 0.5 to 1.3 inches. The third
group includes the short-staple, coarse cottons, ranging from about
0.375 to 1 inch in length, used to make carpets and blankets, and
to make coarse and inexpensive fabrics when blended with other
fibers. Within each group, the quality of the fibers can vary
depending on such things as where the cotton is grown. It is
desirable to blend the lower quality fibers with higher quality
fibers to produce an acceptable quality blend of fibers. It is an
object of the present invention to provide a method for blending
cotton clumps as they are removed from the cotton modules. The
clumps of bolls are mixed together to form the blend and then the
blend is further processed to separate the fibers from the seeds,
etc.
[0006] It is customary to disperse, clean and gin the cotton
modules as they are brought from the fields to the ginning plant.
Herein the term "field lot" is used to mean a common quality of
cotton usually from a particular field, or a region of a particular
field, or two or more regions or fields in which the quality of the
cotton is substantially the same. It is common practice to harvest
the field lots and bring the modules to the ginning plant and there
disperse the modules as they are received and collect and clean and
gin the cotton clumps. At the end of the ginning operation the
cotton lint is packed into bales and the bales are marked so as to
identify the type and/or quality of cotton lint that each bale
contains. Eventually the bales are delivered to textile mills where
they are formed into thread that is used for making cloth.
Presently, when it is desired to blend together two or more
different kinds or qualities of cotton lint, the blending is done
at the textile mill. Measured quantities of cotton lint are removed
from bales that differ in kind and/or quality and the lint from the
several bales is mixed or blended together and then the blend is
processed to form the thread.
[0007] The co-pending applications of Raymond Keith Foster and Mark
Jay Beason, Ser. No. 09/654,144, filed Sep. 1, 2000, and entitled
Method And Apparatus For Mixing Textile Fibers And Particulate
Material, and their later filed co-pending application Ser. No.
09/______, filed ______, 2001, and entitled Method And Apparatus
For Blending Textile Fibers, disclose methods and apparatus for
blending cotton boll clumps at the disperser station, with blending
continuing in the cleaning and ginning plant, so as to produce a
blend of cotton lint at the ginning plant that are delivered to the
textile mills. The present invention utilizes some of the method
and apparatus concepts that are disclosed in those
applications.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The process of the present invention includes receiving a
plurality of cotton boll modules from a plurality of cotton field
locations, to provide a plurality of field lots. A sample of cotton
modules is selected from each field lot. Each sample and the field
lot from which it came are identified and information data is
generated associating each sample with its field lot. The field lot
samples are separately processed to produce cotton lint. The cotton
lint is then assayed to determine a relative quality of the lint in
each field lot sample. The assay information is used to establish a
formula for blending cotton boll clumps from a plurality of field
lots of different quality in order to form a cotton boll blend of a
desired intermediate quality. The identification data is used for
locating modules to be blended in storage. The located modules are
introduced into dispersers and the dispersers are used to disperse
cotton boll clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form
the desired amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps. The
cotton boll clumps that are dispersed from the modules are mixed to
form a blend of cotton boll clumps. The blend of cotton boll clumps
is then cleaned and ginned so as to form a cotton lint blend.
[0009] It is within the scope of the present invention to store the
identified field lots of cotton boll modules until the modules are
to be selected to form a desired cotton lint blend. The selected
modules are removed from storage and are then dispersed to form
cotton boll clumps. The cotton boll clumps are blended, cleaned and
ginned to form a desired cotton lint blend. Preferably, this is
done in response to the receipt by the ginning plant of an order
for a desired cotton lint blend from a customer. The cotton lint
blend may be delivered to the textile mill customer, substantially
immediately following its production so that storage is not
necessary.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modules are
dispersed at a dispersing station that is located at the ginning
plant. A conveyor is used for delivering and further blending the
cotton boll clumps as they are moved from the disperser station to
at least one cleaning unit and at least one cotton gin in the
ginning plant.
[0011] Preferably, at least one pair of first and second
confronting dispersers are provided at the disperser station. Each
disperser has an input side and an output side. The output sides
face each other on opposite sides of a mixing zone. The first and
second dispersers are operated while a first cotton boll module is
conveyed against the input side of the first disperser and a second
cotton boll module is fed against the input side of the second
disperser. The first and second dispersers are operated so that
each will disperse cotton boll clumps from its module and deliver
them into the mixing zone in admixture with cotton boll clumps from
the other dispenser of the pair. The mixture of cotton boll clumps
is collected and is conveyed away from the dispenser station into
and through the cleaning and ginning operation.
[0012] In preferred form, a conveyor (e.g. an airstream conveyor)
is used for conveying the blend of cotton boll clumps during at
least of a part of their travel from the disperser station to the
cleaning and ginning operation, so that the cotton boll clumps are
further blended (e.g. fluidized) as they are being conveyed.
[0013] The present invention includes storing the identified field
lots of cotton boll modules until it is desired to form a
particular cotton lint blend. Then, cotton boll modules are
selected from the identified lots in storage and are moved to the
dispersing station and are then dispersed and/or mixed.
[0014] Preferably, each disperser is provided with an infeed
conveyor. The selected modules are removed from storage and are
placed onto the infeed conveyors. Then, the conveying speeds of the
infeed conveyors are controlled so as to control the dispersion
rate of the cotton boll clumps and thus the content of the
blend.
[0015] According to a desired aspect of the invention, cotton boll
clumps from diverse field lots are further mixed and blended as
they are moved from the disperser station to cleaning units and
cotton gins in the ginning plant. Also, there is further mixing and
blending of the cotton boll clumps in the cleaning units. There is
still more mixing and blending of the cotton boll clumps in the
cotton gin.
[0016] The present invention includes positioning more than two
dispensers at the dispenser station, each having an input side and
an output side. Cotton boll clumps are dispersed from each cotton
boll module and the clumps are mixed and blended before being
conveyed to the cleaning and ginning operation.
[0017] It is also within the scope of the invention to dispensers
that are positioned side-by-side. The dispersers are used to
disperse cotton boll clumps from diverse modules. The clumps are
then collected and are mixed together to form a blend of cotton
boll clumps.
[0018] A further aspect of the invention is to use the cotton lint
produced by processing the field lot samples to establish a market
price for each field lot. Then, this market price information is
used to help establish a formula for blending cotton from the
various field lots to produce a desired blend to be sent to a
textile mill.
[0019] Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth
below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles
that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated
and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0020] Like reference numerals and letters refer to like parts
throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a cotton handling system of the
present invention, starting with in cotton fields and ending in the
lint receiving mills;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram starting with the modules being fed
to dispersers and continuing to and through a cleaning and ginning
operation;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a mature cotton boll, showing
how it appears when harvested;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a first example apparatus that
adapted for dispersing clumps of cotton bolls from a plurality of
cotton modules and mixing them together for delivery to the next
stage of processing, such view being taken from above and looking
towards the top, one side and one end of the apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the center
region of the apparatus shown by FIG. 4, showing a mixing zone
formed by and between two dispersers, and an output conveyor below
the mixing zone;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing two pairs of
dispersers, a mixing zone between the dispersers of each pair, and
including a schematic diagram of a computer controlled system for
controlling the speed rate of the conveyors that deliver the cotton
modules to the dispersers;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
7-7 of FIG. 10;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
8-8 of FIG. 10;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one of the disperser
rollers;
[0030] FIG. 10 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of the roller
shown by FIG. 9;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
10-10 of FIG. 5, such view including a drive train diagram showing
how the disperser rolls are connected to the drive motor;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 5, but showing the outfeed
conveyor above the floor level;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a side elevational diagram showing two outfeed
conveyors positioned to discharge onto the third conveyor;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the conveyor assembly of FIG.
13, showing the third conveyor discharging in to the inlet of a
fluid conveyor;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a view like FIG. 13, but showing the use of
helical screw-type outfeed conveyors;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a view like FIG. 14, but showing helical
screw-type outfeed conveyors;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a view like FIGS. 13 and 15, but showing the two
feed conveyors positioned to convey cotton clumps to an inlet for a
fluid conveyor;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a view like FIGS. 14 and 16, but of the conveyor
assembly shown by FIG. 17;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a view like FIG. 17, but showing the use of
helical screw-type outfeed conveyors;
[0040] FIG. 20 is a view like FIG. 18, but showing the use of
helical screw-type outfeed conveyors;
[0041] FIG. 21 is a view like FIG. 4, but showing four dispersers
positioned side-by-side and further showing a single module feeding
conveyor for each disperser;
[0042] FIG. 22 is a view like FIG. 5, but with respect to the
dispersers shown by FIG. 21;
[0043] FIG. 23 is a view like FIG. 12, but with respect to the
disperser shown by FIG. 22;
[0044] FIG. 24 is a view like FIG. 13, with respect to a disperser
shown by FIG. 22;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a view like FIG. 14, but with respect to a
disperser of the type shown by FIG. 22;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a view like FIG. 24, but showing a helical
screw-type outfeed conveyor; and
[0047] FIG. 27 is a view like FIG. 25, but showing a helical
screw-type outfeed conveyor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of some aspects of the present
invention. The term "field lot" is used to identify a location or
source of a particular grade or kind of cotton. At times, the
different field lots will come from different fields that are
spaced geographically apart. At other times, the different field
lots may come from different field locations at a single
geographical location. If the cotton characteristics are the same,
cotton from two different fields or two different field regions may
produce a single field lot. For purposes of this invention, it is
differences in the cotton that determines the different field
lots.
[0049] By way of example, FIG. 1 shows two different kinds or
grades of cotton being processed to form a blend. It is to be
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to only two
sources of cotton, or two field lots, but may be used to blend
cotton coming from three or more field lots.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, the cotton bolls are harvested at each
location and are formed into modules while in the fields. The
modules are then moved from the fields to the ginning mill 10 which
is represented by the remainder of the diagram. Modules from field
lot number 1 are brought to the ginning plant 10. A sample of the
modules is immediately processed while the remainder of the modules
from field lot number 1 are put into storage. For example, one out
of every ten modules might form the sample whereas the remaining
nine out of each ten modules goes into storage. Preferably, the
storage is provided at the ginning plant or at least at a
convenient distance from the ginning plant. Preferably also, the
storage is under control of the ginning plant operation.
[0051] According to the invention, the sample is dispersed to form
cotton boll clumps. In the ginning plant, the cotton boll clumps
are cleaned and ginned to form lint. The lint is assayed for the
purpose of developing identifying indicia representing the kind and
quality of cotton that came from field lot number 1. It is also
used to determine a market price for the particular cotton that
came from field lot number 1. The identifying indicia will become
data that will be used to determine various blends of the cotton
from field lot number 1 with other cotton of a different kind
and/or quality from another location (e.g. field lot 2).
[0052] The sample modules and the remaining modules from field lot
number 1 are marked so that at a later time the identifying indicia
can be used to locate additional modules in storage corresponding
to the sample modules. The same procedure that has been described
is followed with respect to the modules that were received from
field lot number 2, and each other field lot that is handled by the
ginning operation. After the cotton lint samples from the various
cotton lots have been assayed, the assay information is used to
develop a formula for use in forming a blend. An example formula
would be two parts cotton from field lot number 1 to be mixed with
one part cotton from field lot number 2. Or, equal amounts of
cotton may be obtained from three different field lots and
processed in the ginning plant 10 to produce a blend of cotton lint
to be delivered to a textile mill.
[0053] When it is desired to start blending the cotton, the assay
information developed from the samples is used for generating a
blending formula. The identification indicia is also used for
identifying the cotton modules in storage that are to be processed
and blended. These modules are then delivered from storage to the
ginning plant 10. For example, let it be assumed that each module
from field lot number 1 will be mixed or blended with a module from
field lot number 2. The modules are moved from storage to
dispensers that are apart of the ginning plant 10. FIG. 1 shows
modules from field lot number 1 being moved from storage to a
disperser 12 and modules from field lot number 2 being moved from
storage to disperser 14. As will hereinafter be described, cotton
clumps produced by the dispersers 12, 14 are blended and the cotton
clump blend is first cleaned and then ginned in the ginning plant
10 to produce a cotton lint blend that is eventually delivered to a
textile mill. This makes it unnecessary for the textile mill to
have to do any blending. It also permits an advantageous operation
of the ginning plant 10. For example, a textile mill may place an
order with the ginning plant 10 for a particular cotton lint blend.
Following receipt of the order, the cotton gin operator selects and
processes the two or more kinds or qualities of cotton that
together will make up the blend. The cotton lint blend may be
transported from the ginning plant 10 to the mill 16 substantially
immediately after it is produced. At the present time, unblended
cotton lint is baled at the cotton gin plant and the bales are
stored until they are ordered by a textile mill. As a part of the
present invention, the cotton lint blend may be delivered from the
ginning machines into transporters that carry it in bulk form to
the textile mills. This would eliminate the cost of forming the
lint into bales and the cost of storing the bales.
[0054] As earlier stated, the market price may be used for
calculating the blending formula. For example, high-grade cotton
having a high market price can be mixed with a lower grade cotton
having a lower market price to produce an intermediate grade cotton
having an intermediate market price.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a ginning system that includes
aspects of the invention. D/G identifies a dividing line between
the disperser operation and the ginning operation. As will
hereinafter be described, the ginning operation includes cleaning
procedures in addition to the actual ginning.
[0056] The prior art practice has been to deliver cotton modules to
a disperser located at a disperser station that is at the gin mill.
The disperser or dispersers are used to disperse the cotton boll
modules into cotton boll clumps. These clumps are then delivered
into the ginning system, starting at boundary line G/G. Most
commonly, the modules are dispersed one at a time. The dispersers
are moved relative to stationary modules. Or, the modules are feed
into the dispersers by use of various types of conveyor equipment.
As previously described, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,222,675; 5,469,603 and
5,934,445 each discloses using a reciprocating slat conveyor for
feeding the modules into the dispersers.
[0057] As described above, in the practice of the present
invention, the cotton boll clumps are mixed together upstream of
the boundary line D/G so that it is blended cotton boll clumps that
are delivered into the cleaning and ginning system. Referring to
FIG. 2, two dispersers D are illustrated. However, it is to be
understood that more than two dispersers can be used. Preferably,
but not necessarily, the dispersers are used in confronting pairs
so that the cotton boll clumps will be admixed as they leave the
dispersers and fly into the mixing zone between the dispersers. In
the confronting-disperser embodiments, the first mixing or blending
of the cotton boll clumps occurs as a part of the dispersing
operation. The clumps are then fed into an airstream conveyor. When
a plurality of dispersers are used in parallel, the initial mixing
or blending of the dispersed fibers occurs in the airstream
conveyor section that leaves the dispersers D, or mechanical
conveyor sections downstream of the dispersers D. As previously
mentioned, measured quantities of different qualities of cotton
boll clumps or other textile fiber clumps are mixed or blended to
produce a blend of a quality that is somewhere between the lowest
quality fibers selected and the highest quality fibers selected.
Careful calculations are made so that the fiber clump mix delivered
into the cleaning and ginning operation will produce blended lint
of a desired quantity and quality. As previously mentioned, the
feed rate of the various infeed conveyors can be regulated so as to
vary the quantity of each quality of fiber that is added to the
blend or mix. For example, if only two qualities of textile fiber
clumps are mixed, it might be desirable to mix them fifty-fifty
(50/50). In such case, the infeed conveyors will be operated to
deliver the cotton modules 18 into the dispersers at the same rate
of speed. Or, it might be desirable to mix together two quantities
of fiber clumps from one module with one quantity of fiber clumps
from a second module. This can be easily done by operating the
infeed conveyors for the modules so that the infeed conveyor for
the first quality modules will disperse the fiber clumps at twice
the rate of the fiber clumps that are being dispersed from the
other module. Fiber clumps from three qualities of fiber clump
modules can be blended. And, fiber clumps from four or more
qualities of fiber clump modules can be blended. The quantity and
quality of the resulting blend or mixture can be regulated by
regulating the feed rate of the infeed conveyors and hence the
dispersion rate of the fiber clumps from the various modules.
[0058] As discussed above, the fiber clumps are ultimately picked
up by an airstream conveyor and delivered by such conveyor into the
cleaning and ginning plant, i.e. beyond boundary D/G. The equipment
shown in FIG. 27 downstream of the boundary line D/G is equipment
that already exists in the prior art. This portion of the flow
diagram represents the more sophisticated flow diagram that is
illustrated in a brochure produced by the Lummus Corporation, and
entitled "The Gentle Ginning System." A copy of this brochure has
been supplied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for
inclusion in the prosecution history of this patent.
[0059] In FIG. 2, a rock and boll separator 20 receives the blend
of cotton boll clumps from the dispersers and removes at least some
of the rocks out through path 22 and delivers the remaining portion
of the mixture through path 24 to a tower dryer 26. The fiber blend
then moves on to a hot air cleaner 28 and from the hot air cleaner
28 onto a stripper 30 in which sticks and leaves are removed. The
effluent of stripper 30 moves on to another dryer 32 where it is
heated and moisture is removed. The effluent from dryer 32 moves on
to another hot air cleaner 34. The effluent of the hot air cleaner
34 moves on to a trash cleaner 36. The effluent of the trash
cleaner 36 moves to a feeder 38 which moves the fiber blend into
saw gins 40. The effluent of the saw gins 40 moves on to a series
of lint cleaners 42, 44. The effluent of lint cleaner 44 moves on
to a moisture conditioning condenser 46.
[0060] After passing through the moisture conditioner condenser 46,
the fiber blend may be balled and the bales may then be moved into
storage or on to a customer. Or, the fiber blend may be collected
in a truck/trailer box, for example, or other transporter, and
delivered to a customer in an unbaled condition.
[0061] FIGS. 3-27 are identical to FIGS. 1-26 in the aforementioned
application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, and entitled Method And
Apparatus For Blending Textile Fibers. The contents of that
application, and the contents of the earlier filed application Ser.
No. 09/654,144, filed Sep. 1, 2000, and entitled Method And
Apparatus For Mixing Textile Fibers And Particulate Materials are
hereby incorporated herein by reference. FIGS. 3-27 will now be
described.
[0062] A part of the present invention is that the fiber clumps
that are moved past boundary D/G into the cleaning and ginning
plant is already blended so that additional blending of the fiber
lint does not have to be done by the customer who receives the
lint.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a single cotton boll 50
substantially as it appears at harvest time. The boll 50 comprises
a stem 52, a base 54 connected to the stem 52 and a ball of seed
hairs, or fibers, growing from the outer skin of seeds that are
within the boll 50. In a manner that is well known in the art, the
cotton bolls 50 are removed from the cotton plant and are tightly
compressed into large modules 58, 58', 58", 58'" that are removed
from the field and transported to the processing plant 10.
[0064] FIG. 4 shows a disperser station at the processing plant 10.
This disperser station comprises a pair of disperser tunnels 60, 62
each including a pair of confronting dispersers 64, 66 and 68, 70.
Each disperser, 64, 66, 68, 70 is provided with its own infeed
conveyor 72, 74, 76, 78. In the illustrated system, the infeed
conveyors 72, 74, 76, 78 are reciprocating slat conveyors.
[0065] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of disperser tunnel
60 and its two dispersers 64, 66. In FIG. 5, the structure is
somewhat schematically shown as the constructional details of the
tunnel 60 is not particularly important to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows infeed conveyors 72, 74 positioned and arranged to
feed the modules 58, 58', 58", 58'" into the input sides of the
dispersers 64, 66, respectively. In this embodiment, the dispersers
64, 66 are identical and each comprises a plurality of disperser
rolls 80. In each disperser 64, 66, the bank of rolls 80 lean to
the rear from vertical. The lean angle is about thirty degrees
(30.degree.) as illustrated. A mixing zone 82 in the shape of an
inverted trapezoid is defined by and between the two dispersers 64,
66 and below the top of the disperser tunnel 60. Mixing zone 82
includes a lower portion 84 situated below the conveyors 72, 74 and
above the upper run 90 of an outfeed conveyor 92. Mixing zone
portion 84 includes sidewalls 86, 88 that slope downwardly from the
conveyors 72, 74 to the upper run 90 of the conveyor 92.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the disperser tunnel 62 below
the schematic of the disperser tunnel 60. In FIG. 6, a mixing zone
94 is shown between the two dispersers 68, 70 and below the top of
the mixing tunnel 62. Mixing zone 94 may be in series with mixing
zone 92 and it may share the same outfeed conveyor 92 and the same
sidewalls 86, 88.
[0067] At times, it may be desirable to use a single disperser
(e.g. disperser 64) in a single disperser tunnel (e.g. tunnel 60),
in which case the associated conveyor (e.g. conveyor 72) will be
operated to move modules 58 into the dispersing tunnel and against
the rolls 80 of the disperser 64.
[0068] Preferably, when a single disperser is used, a baffle is
positioned at the center of the disperser tunnel 20. Each disperser
tunnel 60, 62 may be constructed in two longitudinal halves.
Preferably, the two tunnel parts are connected together and a slot
is provided in the top of the assembly where the two parts meet.
The slot leads into vertical slideways that are positioned to
collect opposite side edge portions of a baffle (not shown). A top
plate may extend along the upper edge of the baffle. One or more
handles may be secured to the top plate. In use, when it is desired
to use only a single disperser, e.g. disperser 64, in a single
disperser tunnel, e.g. tunnel 60, a workman need only pick up the
baffle by use of the handle or handles H. The lower edge of the
baffle can be dropped into the slot provided at the top of the
tunnel. Then, the baffle may be allowed to move downwardly under
the influence of gravity until the top plate is on top of the
disperser tunnel, overlying the top and the slot and portions of
the tunnel top that immediately border the slot. Whenever it is
desired to use both dispersers at once, the workman need only grab
the handle or handles and pull the baffle up out of the slideways
and set it to one side. Of course, other ways may be used for
providing a baffle at the center of the mixing zone. Baffle B is
illustrated in both U.S. Ser. No. 09/654,144 and the application
entitled Method And Apparatus For Blending Textile Fibers.
[0069] When the baffle is in place, the fiber clumps that are being
thrown into the mixing zone by the disperser that is operating will
strike the baffle and then drop downwardly onto the upper run 90
outfeed conveyor 92.
[0070] As will hereinafter be described in greater detail, rotation
of the disperser rolls 80 will move fingers into the module 58 that
will dislodge clumps of fibers from the front end of the module 58.
As the fingers move into, then through, and then out from the
module 58, they form the clumps and then throw the clumps into the
chamber 82. The clumps then fall by gravity onto the upper run 90
of the outfeed conveyor 92. The outfeed conveyor 92 then moves the
clumps on to the next station in the processing plant. Herein, the
term "cotton boll clumps" includes a single cotton boll, a portion
of a single cotton boll, a plurality of cotton bolls, and one or
more cotton bolls stuck together by themselves or with any portion
or portions of one or more additional cotton bolls. Hereinafter,
the apparatus and method will sometimes be described by referring
to cotton bolls and cotton boll clumps by way of example.
[0071] Referring again to FIG. 5, at times it may be desired to
remove cotton boll clumps from two modules 58, 58' at the same
time, by operating both conveyors 72, 74 at the same time. Conveyor
72 is operated to move a module 58 into the input of disperser 64
while conveyor 74 is operated to move a module 58' into the input
of disperser 66. When this is done, the cotton clumps from the two
modules 58, 58' are mixed together in the mixing zone 82. In FIG.
5, broken lines are used to show the travel paths of the cotton
boll clumps. Mixing occurs as the cotton boll clumps are propelled
into the mixing zone 82 so it can be said that each disperser 64,
66 removes cotton boll clumps from its module 58, 58' and
discharges them into the mixing zone 82 into admixture with the
cotton boll clumps from the other dispenser 64, 66. When both
conveyors 72, 74 and both dispersers 64, 66 are being operated, a
blend of cotton boll clumps is formed in the mixing zone 82. This
blend drops onto the upper run 90 of the outfeed conveyor 92.
[0072] As will be appreciated, the two conveyors 72, 74 can be
operated at either substantially the same feed rate or at different
feed rates. When operating them at substantially the same feed
rate, the blend will comprise approximately 50% cotton boll clumps
from module 58 and 50% cotton boll clumps from module 58'. Or, the
feed rate of the conveyors 72, 74 may be different. For example,
conveyor 72 may be operated to cause travel twice as fast as
conveyor 74. In this event, the blend or mixture will comprise two
parts cotton boll clumps from module 58 and one part cotton boll
clumps from module 58'.
[0073] Referring again to FIG. 6, it may be desirable to mix
together cotton boll clumps from three grades or types of module.
For example, conveyors 72, 74 and 76 may be operated at the same
time, each at substantially the same feed rate or at different feed
rates. In this mode of operation, a baffle will be inserted between
disperser 68, 70. The cotton boll clumps that are dispersed from
disperser 68 will strike the baffle and then fall down and are
deposited onto the blend of cotton boll clumps from dispersers 64,
68 that is on the upper run 90 of the conveyor 92.
[0074] The system also permits the mixing together of cotton boll
clumps from four distinct modules. This is done by utilizing all
four conveyors 72, 74, 76, 78 for simultaneously feeding four
modules 58, 58', 58", 58'", each with a different quality content,
for example. Operation of conveyers 72, 74 and dispersers 64, 66
will admix cotton boll clumps from modules 58, 58'. They will drop
down onto the upper run 90 of the conveyor 92. Operation of
conveyors 76, 78 and dispersers 68, 70 together will admix cotton
boll clumps from modules 58", 58'". This mixture will drop on the
mixture of cotton boll clumps from modules 58, 58' which is already
on the upper run 90 of the conveyor 92.
[0075] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a control system that
includes a programmed computer 96 that is adapted to send control
signals to feed control devices 98, 100, 102, 104 associated with
the conveyors 72, 74, 76, 78. The control system disclosed in the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,445 includes a programmable
processor or computer and circuit components for varying the feed
rate of the conveyor. It is within the skill of the art for a
programmer to adapt the processor 96 so that it can be used for
controlling the feed rates of the four conveyors 72, 74, 76, 78.
The processor 96 can be programmed to select how many of the
conveyors 72, 74, 76, 78 will be used at a given time, and the feed
rate of each conveyor. It can also be programmed to turn the
dispersers 64, 66, 68, 70 on and off, and also control the speed
rate of the rollers 80.
[0076] Keith Manufacturing Company of 401 N.W. Adler, Madras, Oreg.
97741, makes a conveyor known as the "Running Floor II.RTM."
unloading system or unloader. This system controls the feed rate of
the conveyor by controlling the output of the pump that delivers
hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders that move the conveyor
slats. The pump output is controlled by controlling revolutions per
minute of the tractor motor that drives the pump. In the system of
FIG. 6, the conveyors 72, 74, 76, 78 can be Running Floor II.RTM.
conveyors. The processor 96 can be programmed to vary the drive
input to the pump or in another suitable way, vary the flow rate of
hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders that move the conveyor
slats.
[0077] Various ways may be used to determine the feed rate of fiber
clumps into the mixing zones. For example, it can be calculated
from knowing the cross sectional dimensions of the module and the
conveyor speed. Also, sensors may be provided along the path of
travel of each module and used to determine movement of a
particular part of the module over a particular amount of time.
Each module may be provided with a mark on its side or top and the
sensors may be positioned to monitor the position of this mark. The
information received from the sensors can then be fed to the
control system, as a feedback system, and used for changing the
speed rate of the conveyor.
[0078] FIGS. 7-11 show a preferred construction of the disperser
roll 80, also termed the "spike roll". This construction is quite
simple but yet provides a very sturdy, durable roller. In preferred
form, roller 80 includes an elongated tubular core 110 that extends
substantially the full length of the main body of the roll. Core
110 is mounted for rotation by a live shaft 112 having end portions
114, 116 that extend axially outwardly of the opposite ends of the
core 110. The core tube 110 may be supported on the member or
members that provide the live shafts 114, 116 in any suitable
manner, such as by use of disks or spiders that project radially
outwardly from the members 114, 116 to the core tube 110. Members
114, 116 may be opposite end portions of a continuous member that
extends all the way through the core tube 110. Or, they may be
shorter members that are connected to the opposite end portions of
the tubular core member 110.
[0079] The roll is divided into a plurality of sections by radial
disks. In the illustrated embodiment, four disks 118, 120, 122, 124
are used. They divide the roll 80 into three sections that may be
of substantially the same length or their lengths may vary to some
extent. The disks 118, 120, 122, 124 may have a circular outline
and may include a circular center opening through which the core
tube 110 extends. The disks 118, 120, 122, 124 may be welded to the
core tube 110.
[0080] The live shaft end portions 114, 116 are mounted for
rotation in bearings. Shaft end portion 116 is connected to a
suitable drive device for rotating the shaft portion 116, and
hence, the roll 80. Bearing support systems and drive systems for
disperser rolls are known in the prior art and do not per se form a
part of the present invention.
[0081] According to the present invention, a plurality of elongated
tooth support members 126, 128, 130 are spaced around the tubular
core, as shown by FIGS. 7 and 8. By way of typical and therefore
non-limitive example, there are four members 126, four members 128,
and four members 130. As shown by FIGS. 9 and 10, the two support
members for each section are angularly spaced in position from the
two support members of the adjacent section. In FIG. 9, the two
support members 126 are shown at north, east, south and west
positions. In FIG. 10, the two support members are shown in
northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest positions. The two
support members 130 are in axial alignment with the two support
members 126. In other words, they are also in north, east, south
and west positions and the 126, 128 are in the positions shown by
FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0082] In preferred form, each tooth support member 126, 128, 130
is a length of angle iron. The angle iron members 126, 128, 130 are
positioned such that they present an inner leg that preferably
contacts the core tube 110 and an outer leg. The outer leg is
substantially perpendicular to the inner leg and extends chordwise
of the disks 118, 120, 122, 124. The inner leg is perpendicular to
the outer leg but does not extend radially. The opposite ends of
the two support members 126, 128, 130 are welded or otherwise
firmly connected to the disks 118, 120, 122, 124.
[0083] Each tooth support member 126, 128, 130 supports a plurality
of teeth or "spikes" 132 that are detachably connected to the outer
leg of the tooth support member 126, 128, 130. The teeth or spikes
132 may be in the form of rods provided with a threaded connection
134 where they are connected to the tooth support members 126, 128,
130. As will be apparent, the angular staggering of the tooth
support members 126, 128, 130 results in an angular staggering of
the teeth 132 in the center section relative to the teeth 132 in
the two end sections.
[0084] For each disperser 64, 66, 68, 70 a drive motor 154 is
mounted on top of the disperser tunnel. As shown in FIG. 11, a
drive belt assembly 156 may connect an output pulley 158 on motor
154 to a pulley 160 that is connected to end shaft 114' of the
center disperser roll 80. In the illustrated embodiment, there are
seven disperser rolls 80. Thus, there are three disperser rolls 80
above and three disperser rolls 80 below the center disperser roll
40. By way of typical and therefore non-limitive example, the drive
belt assembly may comprise five V-belts.
[0085] As also shown by FIG. 11, at the opposite ends of the
disperser rolls 40, pulleys are connected to the end shaft 66 of
the disperser rolls 40. Drive belts 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172
interconnect adjacent pulleys. The pulley on end shaft 66 for the
center disperser is connected to both the pulley on the end shaft
66 above it and the pulley on the end shaft 66 below it. The
connection pattern of the pulleys 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172 is
shown in FIG. 11. Preferably, the belts are cogged belts or are
timing belts. The belt and pulley drive system that is illustrated
operates to rotate the disperser rolls 40 in the same direction and
at substantially the same speed. The direction may be either
clockwise or counterclockwise. The speed may be a variable speed
that is determined by the output of motor 154. That is, a variable
speed motor 154 may be used. Or, the motor may include a variable
speed output transmission.
[0086] FIG. 12 is like FIG. 5 except that the outfeed conveyor 92
is elevated above the conveyors 72, 74 or, above the module support
pads in installations that do not have conveyors under the modules.
In the FIG. 12 embodiment, the mixing zone sidewalls 86, 88 of FIG.
5 are replaced by sidewalls 174, 176 which are shaped to help
direct textile fiber clumps up on to the upper run 50 (not shown)
of the conveyor 52, and to also shield against textile fiber clumps
dropping between the lowermost disperser rolls 40 and the conveyor
52.
[0087] FIG. 13 shows the two disperser tunnels 60, 62 having
separate outfeed conveyors 92 directed to convey towards each
other. The conveyors 92 discharge the cotton boll clumps onto the
upper run 178 of an endless belt conveyor 180. Herein, the term
"blend" conveyor is used to designate a conveyor that extends from
the outfeed conveyors to the first stage operation in the cleaning
and ginning plant. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the conveyor 180 is a first
stage mechanical conveyor that delivers the cotton boll clumps to
an airstream conveyor 182 having an entry portion 184.
[0088] In FIGS. 15 and 16, helical screw type outfeed conveyors 184
are substituted for the endless belt conveyors 52 shown in FIGS. 12
and 13.
[0089] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the outfeed conveyors 52 feeding
directly to the inlet 186 of an airstream conveyor 188. The inlet
structure 188 has branches 190, 192 that are positioned over the
discharge end portions 194 and 196 of the conveyors 180. Fans or
pumps in the ducting 188 sucks up the cotton boll clumps and moves
them on to the cleaning and ginning plant. The air conveyor 182
operates in the same way except the cotton boll clumps are dropped
into its inlet structure 184.
[0090] FIGS. 19 and 20 are like FIGS. 16 and 17 except that the
endless belt-type outfeed conveyors 180 are replaced by the helical
screw-type outfeed conveyors 184. In this installation, the inlet
branches 190, 192 are positioned over the discharge end portions
198, 200 of the conveyors 184. As in the installation described
above in connection with FIGS. 16 and 17, the cotton boll clumps
are sucked into the ducting 190, 192, 188 and are delivered onto
the cleaning and ginning plant.
[0091] FIG. 21 shows a plurality of infeed conveyors 202, 204, 206,
208 delivering cotton boll modules 18 to a plurality of disperser
tunnels 210, 212, 214, 216. In FIG. 21, the infeed conveyors 202,
204, 206, 208 are shown in the form of reciprocating slat conveyors
of the type that has been previously described. FIGS. 21 and 22
show an outfeed conveyor 218 positioned below the level of the tops
of the conveyors 200, 204, 206, 208. Each disperser tunnel 210,
212, 214, 216 includes a disperser of the type that has been
previously described (e.g. disperser 24). The disperser tunnels
210, 212, 214, 216 include closed end walls 220, 222, 224, 226. The
cotton boll clumps are discharged by the disperser rolls 40 into a
cotton boll collecting zone 28. A single outfeed conveyor 218 may
extend through all of the collection zones 228, in series. Or,
disperser tunnels 210, 212 may have a first outfeed conveyor and
disperser tunnels 214, 216 may have a second outfeed conveyor, with
the outfeed conveyors conveying towards each other and to a common
discharge location that is between disperser tunnels 212, 214.
Other arrangements may be used as well.
[0092] FIG. 23 is like FIG. 22 except that the outfeed conveyor 218
is elevated to a position above the top surface of the conveyor
208, or the top surface of a pad on which the module sits in
installations which do not have a conveyor below the modules 18.
The embodiment of FIG. 23 includes a barrier 230 that helps guide
cotton boll clumps up onto the upper run of the conveyor 218' and
to also block against downward movement of cotton boll clumps
between the lowest disperser roller 40 and the conveyor 218'.
[0093] FIGS. 24 and 25 show a single outfeed conveyor 218 that runs
through all four cotton boll clump collection zones and delivers
the cotton boll clumps into the inlet 230 of an airstream conveyor
232. In FIGS. 24 and 25, the outfeed conveyor 218 is broken away so
as to show the entrance 228 for the outfeed conveyor 218 that is
located in the first disperser tunnel 210, and show the airstream
conveyor ducting 230, 230 positioned to receive cotton boll clumps
from the conveyor 218.
[0094] FIGS. 26 and 27 are like FIGS. 23 and 24 but show a helical
screw conveyor 184 substituted for the endless belt conveyor 218.
The conveyor 184 is cut away so as to show the beginning portion of
it that is within the disperser tunnel 210 and to show the
discharge portion of it that is downstream of the disperser tunnel
226, below the inlet structure 230 of the airstream conveyor
232.
[0095] The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present
invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood
that many changes in the particular structure, materials and
features of the invention may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention
that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments
illustrated and described herein, but rather determined by the
following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of
claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents
and reversal of parts.
* * * * *