Fig. 9.J.N.
Fig. 10.J.N.
(47) In Fig. [10] is illustrated, also in longitudinal elevation, a machine made by Messrs. Dobson and Barlow. The cotton is fed by a lattice L, as in the preceding example, the course of which is clearly shown. In this case the machine is fitted with pedal levers V, these being employed to regulate the feed. This motion and its method of action will be described at length in the next chapter. It suffices to say that the cotton on issuing from the feed roller is struck by teeth or projections on the surface of the cylinder O which revolves from left to right. Surrounding the latter is a semi-circular grid K with conical teeth, which encircles the cylinder for more than half its circumference, through which the dirt is thrown, the cotton being cleaned by these means. It will be noticed that in this machine the area of the circular grid K is large, and that the material at once passes upon it after it is struck by the cylinder. As soon as the cotton leaves the surface of K it is carried forward over the grid U, placed in a position well calculated to allow of the easy movement of the material, and by means of which the removal of the dirt and sand is more easily effected. The grid U is also made of considerable area, so as to afford a large cleaning surface, which is a desideratum in this class of machine. After leaving U the cotton is collected on the cages D, and subsequently passed through the scutching machine, which in this case is combined with the opener. As this machine is used as a separate one, it will be better to leave its description until it is dealt with by itself. It is only necessary to say that it will be shown by numerous examples that the whole of the cleaning machines are often combined in various ways, which are arranged to suit the special circumstances of any case. These are so different that the combinations are widely diverse.
Fig. [11].J.N.
Fig. 12.J.N.
(48) The Porcupine opener is so named from the employment of a cylinder or beater consisting of a number of teeth spikes or blades. Two forms of the beater, as made by Messrs. Lord Brothers, are shown respectively in Figs. [11] and [12]. The form shown in Fig. [11] is intended for use in cleaning long-stapled cotton, and consists of a number of discs secured to a central shaft. To these steel blades are bolted, which are so shaped that they can be reversed when worn. The beater illustrated in Fig. [12] is formed of a number of cast-iron discs, each of which is hollowed on one side, and has a projecting flange or boss on the other. These are turned to fit one another, and are bolted together by long screws. They are further bound by a nut fitting on a screwed part at one end of the shaft, by which they are pressed against a collar at the other end. The teeth are V shaped and are chilled, being readily sharpened after wear. In the event of the teeth of one of the discs being broken, it is only necessary to remove it by breaking it up. An additional disc can then be put on the end of the shaft, and the whole screwed up again as at first. In this way the whole of the advantages of a solid roller are secured, with much greater facilities for repair.
