Cotton ginning device and cotton ginning method

Abstract

To provide a cotton ginning device and a cotton ginning method capable of separating a plurality of cotton plants from seeds while suppressing entanglement of the plurality of cotton plants. [Solution] The cotton gin includes a conveying mechanism, a first brush, and a second brush. The conveying mechanism conveys cotton from a first side to a second side in the first direction along a conveying path along the first direction. The first brush has a plurality of first bristles. The first brush is provided on a third side in the second direction relative to the cotton being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction. The second brush has a plurality of second bristles. The plurality of second bristles are provided on a fourth side in the second direction relative to the plurality of first bristles. The second brush is provided on the fourth side in the second direction relative to the cotton being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction. The second brush faces the first brush in the second direction. The first brush and the second brush extract a plurality of cotton fibers from the cotton seeds in a extraction direction. The extraction direction intersects the first direction and is perpendicular to the second direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to cotton ginning. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cotton gin. The cotton gin comprises a housing, a separating unit, and a motor. The separating unit is housed in the housing. The motor is a drive source that drives the separating unit. The separating unit is composed of a blade, a roller, a pressing unit, and a pushing unit. The blade is arranged facing the input unit. The roller is arranged on the opposite side of the blade from the input unit. The pressing unit pushes the seed cotton input into the input unit toward the roller. The pushing unit pushes the seed cotton input into the input unit in a direction toward the cutting edge of the blade. The cotton fibers of the seed cotton pushed in by the pushing unit are drawn between the cutting edge of the blade and the roller as the roller rotates opposite to the cutting edge of the blade, and are then peeled off from the seeds between the cutting edge of the blade and the pushing unit.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a defibration method and a defibration device. The defibration device performs the defibration method. The defibration method includes a conveying step and a defibration step. The conveying step conveys a fiber bundle containing multiple fibers in a first direction. An example of a fiber bundle is cotton. When the fiber bundle is cotton, the fiber is cotton. Cotton is also called fluff or cotton fiber. Cotton contains seeds, which are covered with multiple cotton fibers. In cotton, the multiple cotton fibers are attached to the seeds and intricately entangled. When performing the defibration method, the defibration device processes cotton with multiple cotton fibers attached to the seeds as a fiber bundle. The defibration step defibrates multiple fibers in a third direction using a brush. The brush is provided in a second direction relative to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The defibration step includes a first defibration step and a second defibration step. The first defibration step defibrates multiple fibers in a third direction using a first brush provided on a third side in the second direction relative to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The second defibration process untangles multiple fibers in a third direction using a second brush that serves as a brush and is provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction. The first defibration process includes a third defibration process and a fourth defibration process. The third defibration process untangles multiple fibers on a fifth side in the third direction using a third brush that serves as the first brush. The fourth defibration process untangles multiple fibers on a sixth side in the third direction using a fourth brush that serves as the first brush. The fourth brush is provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the third brush. The second defibration process includes a fifth defibration process and a sixth defibration process. The fifth defibration process untangles multiple fibers on a fifth side in the third direction using a fifth brush that serves as the second brush. The sixth defibration process untangles multiple fibers on a sixth side in the third direction using a sixth brush that serves as the second brush. The sixth brush is provided adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the fifth brush. Upon completion of the defibration method, the multiple fibers in the fiber bundle become untangled. When the fiber bundle is cotton, the multiple fibers are separated from the seed in an untangled state. The multiple fibers form an untwisted yarn. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be applied to the production of an untwisted yarn made from the multiple fibers obtained by the fiber defibration method. Patent Document 3 discloses a paper yarn, a method for producing a paper yarn, and an apparatus for producing a paper yarn. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-196554 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7687646 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6843281 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Fabric products using non-twisted yarns have been put to practical use. An example of such a fabric product is a towel. By using non-twisted yarns, this fabric product has the following excellent properties. Examples of these properties include softness and water absorbency. From the experience of developing the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, the inventor knows that using a papermaking machine makes it easier to manufacture non-twisted yarns. Furthermore, the inventor knows that when manufacturing non-twisted yarns using a papermaking machine, it is important to disperse multiple fibers in a liquid without entanglement of the multiple fibers. The inventor has made it possible to untangle multiple cotton fibers using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, which is a processing target for cotton bolls as fiber bundles. Therefore, the inventor next investigated a technology that can separate multiple cotton fibers from seeds while maintaining the untangled state of the multiple cotton fibers.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cotton ginning apparatus and a cotton ginning method that can separate multiple cotton plants from seeds while suppressing entanglement of multiple cotton plants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention includes a conveying mechanism that conveys cotton from a first side to a second side in a first direction along a conveying path along the first direction; a first brush having a plurality of first bristles and provided on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the cotton being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction; and a second brush having a plurality of second bristles provided on a fourth side in the second direction of the plurality of first bristles, provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the cotton being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction, and facing the first brush in the second direction. the plurality of first brush bristles include third brush bristles and fourth brush bristles having tips on the second side in the first direction from the position of the tips of the third brush bristles in the first direction, the plurality of second brush bristles include fifth brush bristles and sixth brush bristles having tips on the second side in the first direction from the position of the tips of the fifth brush bristles in the first direction, in the first brush, the tips of the third brush bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the fourth brush bristles in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction with respect to the transport path, and in the second brush, the tips of the fifth brush bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the sixth brush bristles in the third direction with respect to the transport path, The first brush and the second brush are a cotton ginning device that extracts the plurality of cotton fibers from the cotton seeds in an extracting direction that intersects the first direction and is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0008] This cotton ginning device makes it possible to remove multiple cotton plants from the seeds while preventing the multiple cotton plants from becoming entangled. It is possible to first remove cotton with long fiber length from the seed, and then remove cotton with short fiber length from the seed. Multiple cottons can be gradually removed from the seed in the order of long fiber length cotton to short fiber length cotton. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an event where multiple cottons are removed from the seed all at once regardless of fiber length. When removing multiple cottons from the seed, it is possible to prevent the multiple cottons from becoming entangled.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a cotton ginning method carried out by the above-mentioned cotton ginning apparatus, comprising: a conveying step in which the cotton is conveyed along the conveying path from the first side to the second side in the first direction by the conveying mechanism; and a removal step in which the first brush and the second brush remove the plurality of cotton pieces from the seeds in the removal direction, wherein the removal step is carried out on the cotton being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction during the conveying step.

[0010] According to this cotton ginning method, the same functions as those of the cotton ginning device described above can be realized, and advantageous effects can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a cotton ginning apparatus and a cotton ginning method that can separate multiple cotton plants from seeds while suppressing entanglement of multiple cotton plants. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view showing an example of the schematic configuration of a cotton ginning device. The perspective views show the state as seen from the second side in the first direction, the fourth side in the second direction, and the fifth side in the third direction. The cotton ginning device corresponds to the state before the start of the cotton ginning method. The installation state of the first brush and the second brush in the cotton ginning device is shown (same as in Figures 2 and 3). [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a cotton ginning device, the perspective view showing a state as viewed from a second side in a first direction, a fourth side in a second direction, and a fifth side in a third direction, the cotton ginning device corresponding to a state during the cotton ginning method. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a cotton ginning device. The perspective views show a state as seen from a second side in a first direction, a fourth side in a second direction, and a fifth side in a third direction. The cotton ginning device corresponds to a state after the cotton ginning method is completed. [Figure 4] This is a photograph showing a cotton boll, with multiple cotton strands untangled. [Figure 5] 1 to 3. The side view shows the cotton ginning device as seen from the fifth side in the third direction. The conveying mechanism is partially omitted. [Figure 6] 1 to 3. The plan view shows the cotton ginning device as seen from the fourth side in the second direction. The conveying mechanism is partially omitted. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing another example of the schematic configuration of the first brush and the second brush, and the perspective view shows the state as seen from the second side in the first direction, the fourth side in the second direction, and the fifth side in the third direction, and shows the installation state of the first brush and the second brush in the cotton ginning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the configurations described below, and various configurations can be adopted within the same technical concept. For example, some of the configurations described below may be omitted or replaced with other configurations. The present invention may also include other configurations. The drawings are explanatory diagrams for understanding the present invention and are different from design drawings. Therefore, the correspondence between each drawing and other drawings or the corresponding numerical values ​​described below may not be exact. The dashed dotted line is a center line, and the dashed two dotted line is an imaginary line.

[0014] <Cotton ginning device 10> The cotton ginning apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the cotton ginning apparatus 10 and the cotton ginning method are specified by a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction (see Figures 1 to 3, 5, and 6). The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. One side of the first direction is referred to as the "first side," and the other side of the first direction is referred to as the "second side." One side of the second direction is referred to as the "third side," and the other side of the second direction is referred to as the "fourth side." One side of the third direction is referred to as the "fifth side," and the other side of the third direction is referred to as the "sixth side." The first and third directions are horizontal directions, and the second direction is a vertical direction. The third side of the second direction is referred to as the lower side of the vertical direction, and the fourth side of the second direction is referred to as the upper side of the vertical direction.

[0015] In the embodiment, the direction that intersects with the first direction and is perpendicular to the second direction is referred to as the "removal direction," and the direction that is perpendicular to both the removal direction and the second direction is referred to as the "installation direction" (see FIG. 6). The removal direction includes the first removal direction and the second removal direction, and the installation direction includes the first installation direction and the second installation direction. In the embodiment, when the first removal direction and the second removal direction are not distinguished or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the "removal direction," and when the first installation direction and the second installation direction are not distinguished or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the "installation direction."

[0016] In this embodiment, the first extraction direction, the second extraction direction, the first installation direction, and the second installation direction are as follows: That is, the first extraction direction intersects both the first direction and the third direction and is perpendicular to the second direction. The second extraction direction intersects both the first direction and the third direction and is perpendicular to the second direction. In this case, the extraction direction can be defined as intersecting both the first direction and the third direction and being perpendicular to the second direction. The first installation direction is perpendicular to both the first extraction direction and the second direction. The second installation direction is perpendicular to both the second extraction direction and the second direction. The second extraction direction is symmetrical to the first extraction direction with the imaginary line L as the axis of symmetry. The second installation direction is symmetrical to the first installation direction with the imaginary line L as the axis of symmetry. The imaginary line L passes through the center of the third direction of the cotton ginning device 10 and is along the first direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the first removal direction, second removal direction, first installation direction, and second installation direction are as follows. That is, the first removal direction is inclined from the sixth side to the fifth side of the third direction from the first side to the second side of the first direction. The first removal direction is a unidirectional direction in which the component of the third direction is from the sixth side to the fifth side. The second removal direction is inclined from the first side to the second side of the first direction from the fifth side to the sixth side of the third direction. The first installation direction is inclined from the fifth side to the sixth side of the third direction from the first side to the second side of the first direction. The second installation direction is inclined from the sixth side to the fifth side of the third direction from the first side to the second side of the first direction. In this case, the removal direction is away from the third direction with respect to the conveying path from the first side to the second side of the first direction, and the installation direction is closer to the third direction with respect to the conveying path from the first side to the second side of the first direction. The conveying path will be described later.

[0018] In the embodiment, the "first removal direction (removal direction)", "second removal direction (removal direction)", "first installation direction (installation direction)", and "second installation direction (installation direction)" are shown in Fig. 6, and are not shown in Figs. 1 to 5. In the embodiment, the "imaginary straight line L" is shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 6, and is not shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0019] The cotton ginning device 10 performs a cotton ginning method (see FIGS. 1 to 3). In the cotton ginning method, multiple cotton fibers 52 of the cotton boll 50 are extracted from the seed 51 of the cotton boll 50 in the extraction direction (see FIGS. 4 and 3). The inventors disclose a fiber-opening method and fiber-opening device in Patent Document 2 as a technique for untangling multiple cotton fibers 52. According to the fiber-opening method of Patent Document 2, the cotton boll 50 can be brought into the following state (see FIG. 4). In this state, the multiple cotton fibers 52 are untangled and separated into approximately equal numbers on the fifth side and the sixth side in the third direction around the seed 51. In this embodiment, the cotton fibers 52 extracted on the fifth side in the third direction of the seed 51 are referred to as "first cotton fibers 53," and the cotton fibers 52 extracted on the sixth side in the third direction of the seed 51 are referred to as "second cotton fibers 54" (see FIGS. 1 and 2). When the first cotton fibers 53 and the second cotton fibers 54 are not distinguished from each other or when they are referred to collectively, they are referred to as "cotton fibers 52" (see FIG. 4). The first cotton pieces 53 are aligned in the third direction with their bristle tips facing a fifth side of the third direction, and the second cotton pieces 54 are aligned in the third direction with their bristle tips facing a sixth side of the third direction.

[0020] The cotton gin 10 includes a conveying mechanism 15, a first brush 30, and a second brush 40 (see FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6). In this embodiment, the cotton gin 10 includes two brushes as the first brushes 30 and two brushes as the second brushes 40. In other words, the cotton gin 10 includes two pairs of first brushes 30 and second brushes 40. When distinguishing between the two first brushes 30, one first brush 30 is referred to as the "first brush 31," and the other first brush 30 is referred to as the "first brush 32." When distinguishing between the two second brushes 40, one second brush 40 is referred to as the "second brush 41," and the other second brush 40 is referred to as the "second brush 42." In the cotton gin 10, the first brush 31 and the second brush 41 are combined, and the first brush 32 and the second brush 42 are combined. When the first brushes 31 and 32 are not distinguished or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the first brush 30. When the second brushes 41 and 42 are not distinguished from each other or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the second brush 40.

[0021] The conveying mechanism 15 conveys the cotton 50 from the first side to the second side in the first direction (see Figures 1 to 3). The conveying mechanism 15 includes a guide 20 and a pusher 23. The guide 20 forms a conveying path for the cotton 50. In this embodiment, the conveying path is formed at the center of the third direction of the cotton gin 10. In this case, the position of the above-mentioned imaginary line L in the third direction coincides with the center of the conveying path in the third direction (see Figure 6). The end of the guide 20 on the first side in the first direction forms an entrance to the conveying path, and the end of the guide 20 on the second side in the first direction forms an exit from the conveying path (see Figures 1 to 3). The guide 20 includes a first guide 21 and a second guide 22 (see Figures 1 to 3, 5, and 6). In the guide 20, the first guide 21 is provided on the third side in the second direction, and the second guide 22 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction (see Figures 1 to 3 and 5). In the guide 20, the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 are spaced apart in the second direction.

[0022] The dimension of the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 in the second direction is preferably set to correspond to the size of the seeds 51 of the cotton 50 (see FIG. 3). When taking the size of the seeds 51 of the cotton 50 into consideration, this dimension may be set to a predetermined value of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. For example, this dimension may be set to approximately 7 mm. The dimension of the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 in the second direction may be defined as the maximum dimension in the second direction between the first surface of the first guide 21 and the second surface of the second guide 22. The first surface of the first guide 21 and the second surface of the second guide 22 face each other in the second direction.

[0023] In the guide 20, the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 are spaced apart in the second direction, forming a gap in the second direction between the first guide 21 and the second guide 22. The gaps in the second direction are formed on the fifth and sixth sides of the guide 20 in the third direction, respectively, opening the guide 20 to the fifth and sixth sides in the third direction. The conveying mechanism 15 conveys the cotton 50 from the first side to the second side in the first direction in the first and second states. In the first state, seeds 51 are disposed between the first guide 21 and the second guide 22. In the first state, the first guide 21 supports the seeds 51 from the third side in the second direction, and the second guide 22 supports the seeds 51 from the fourth side in the second direction. In the second state, a plurality of first cotton fibers 53 are removed from the gap on the fifth side of the guide 20 in the third direction toward the fifth side in the third direction, and a plurality of second cotton fibers 54 are removed from the gap on the sixth side of the guide 20 in the third direction toward the sixth side in the third direction (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0024] The pushing tool 23 moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction along the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 between the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 (see FIGS. 1 to 3). In FIGS. 1 to 3, the first side of the pushing tool 23 in the first direction is omitted. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the pushing tool 23 is omitted. The movement of the pushing tool 23 from the first side to the second side in the first direction may be performed automatically or manually. It is assumed that the movement of the pushing tool 23 from the first side to the second side in the first direction is performed automatically. In this case, the movement of the pushing tool 23 from the first side to the second side in the first direction may be performed by a known linear motion mechanism. An example of a linear motion mechanism is an air cylinder. When the linear motion mechanism is an air cylinder, the pushing tool 23 is attached to the rod of the air cylinder. However, the conveying mechanism 15 may employ a known linear motion mechanism other than an air cylinder. The linear motion mechanism employed in the conveying mechanism 15 is determined appropriately in consideration of various conditions. In the embodiment, the linear motion mechanism is not shown.

[0025] The pushing tool 23 contacts the cotton 50 at its tip surface 24. The tip surface 24 of the pushing tool 23 is formed by an end surface on the second side in the first direction of the pushing tool 23 (see FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, the pushing tool 23 moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction with the tip surface 24 facing the seeds 51 of the cotton 50. By moving from the first side to the second side in the first direction, the pushing tool 23 moves the cotton 50 while pushing it from the first side to the second side in the first direction.

[0026] The cotton 50 enters the conveying path from the entrance at the end of the first side in the first direction of the guide 20 (see FIG. 1). The cotton 50 may be pushed by the pushing tool 23 to enter the conveying path from the entrance at the end of the first side in the first direction of the guide 20. The cotton 50 is then pushed by the pushing tool 23 to move along the conveying path from the first side in the first direction to the second side in the first direction in a first state and a second state (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The first state and the second state are as described above. Thereafter, the cotton 50, while being pushed by the pushing tool 23, passes through the exit at the end of the second side in the first direction of the guide 20 and is sent out from the conveying path in the form of seeds 51 (see FIG. 3). The cotton 50 passes through the installation area of ​​the first brush 30 and the second brush 40 while moving from the first side to the second side in the first direction. As the cotton 50 passes through the installation area of ​​the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, multiple cotton particles 52 are removed from the seeds 51 in the cotton 50. This point will be discussed later.

[0027] Assume that the cotton ginning method using the cotton ginning device 10 is carried out continuously following the defibration method using the defibration device of Patent Document 2. In this case, the pushing tool 23 may be the same as the pushing tool of the conveying mechanism of the defibration device of Patent Document 2, and this may be used. The pushing tool of the conveying mechanism of the defibration device of Patent Document 2 functions as pushing tool 23 to force the next cotton 50 into the conveying path from the inlet at the first side end in the first direction of guide 20. This cotton 50 passes through the outlet at the second side end in the first direction of the guide of the conveying mechanism of the defibration device of Patent Document 2, and is sent out from the conveying path of the conveying mechanism of the defibration device of Patent Document 2.

[0028] The first brush 30 and the second brush 40 are provided in the second direction relative to the cotton 50 being transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction (see Figures 1 to 3, 5). The first brush 30 is provided on the third side in the second direction relative to the cotton 50 being transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction. The second brush 40 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction relative to the cotton 50 being transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction. The second brush 40 faces the first brush 30 in the second direction. That is, the second brush 41 faces the first brush 31 in the second direction on the fifth side in the third direction from the transport path (see Figures 1 to 3, 5). The second brush 42 faces the first brush 32 in the second direction on the sixth side in the third direction from the transport path (see Figures 1 to 3). The first brush 30 has a plurality of first bristles, and the second brush 40 has a plurality of second bristles (see Figures 1 to 3, 5, 6). The second brush bristles are provided on a fourth side in the second direction of the first brush bristles (see FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5).

[0029] The first brush 30 is mounted on a first rotating shaft 35, and the second brush 40 is mounted on a second rotating shaft 45 (see FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6). The first rotating shaft 35 is mounted along the installation direction, and the second rotating shaft 45 is mounted along the installation direction. The first rotating shaft 35 is mounted on the third side of the conveying path in the second direction, and the second rotating shaft 45 is mounted on the fourth side of the conveying path in the second direction. The second rotating shaft 45 is mounted parallel to the first rotating shaft 35 on the fourth side of the first rotating shaft 35 in the second direction. That is, the first brush 31 is mounted on the first rotating shaft 36 on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the first brush 32 is mounted on the first rotating shaft 37 on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The first rotating shaft 36 is mounted along the first installation direction on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the first rotating shaft 37 is mounted along the second installation direction on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The first rotating shafts 36, 37 are provided on the third side of the conveying path in the second direction. The second brush 41 is provided on the second rotating shaft 46 on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the second brush 42 is provided on the second rotating shaft 47 on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The second rotating shaft 46 is provided along the first installation direction on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the second rotating shaft 47 is provided along the second installation direction on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The second rotating shafts 46, 47 are provided on the fourth side of the conveying path in the second direction. The second rotating shaft 46 is provided parallel to the first rotating shaft 36 on the fourth side of the first rotating shaft 36 in the second direction, and the second rotating shaft 47 is provided parallel to the first rotating shaft 37 on the fourth side of the first rotating shaft 37 in the second direction.

[0030] The first installation direction can also be referred to as the direction along the first rotation axis 36 and the second rotation axis 46. The second installation direction can also be referred to as the direction along the first rotation axis 37 and the second rotation axis 47. When the first rotation axes 36, 37 are not distinguished from each other or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the first rotation axis 35. When the second rotation axes 46, 47 are not distinguished from each other or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the second rotation axis 45.

[0031] The first brush 30 rotates with the rotation of the first rotary shaft 35, and the second brush 40 rotates with the rotation of the second rotary shaft 45 (see FIG. 2). That is, the first brush 31 rotates with the rotation of the first rotary shaft 36, and the first brush 32 rotates with the rotation of the first rotary shaft 37. The second brush 41 rotates with the rotation of the second rotary shaft 46, and the second brush 42 rotates with the rotation of the second rotary shaft 47. In FIG. 2, the dashed dotted lines shown on the first side of the first direction of the first rotary shafts 36, 37 and the second rotary shafts 46, 47 correspond to the rotation centers of the first rotary shafts 36, 37 and the second rotary shafts 46, 47, and the arc-shaped arrows shown on the outer periphery of the dashed dotted lines indicate the rotation directions of the first rotary shafts 36, 37 and the second rotary shafts 46, 47.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first rotary shafts 36, 37 rotate in opposite directions, and the second rotary shafts 46, 47 rotate in opposite directions. That is, the first rotary shaft 36 rotates counterclockwise, and the first rotary shaft 37 rotates clockwise. Accordingly, the first brush 31 rotates counterclockwise, and the first brush 32 rotates clockwise. The second rotary shaft 46 rotates clockwise, and the second rotary shaft 47 rotates counterclockwise. Accordingly, the second brush 41 rotates clockwise, and the second brush 42 rotates counterclockwise. The clockwise and counterclockwise directions are based on a state in which the first brush 30, the first rotary shaft 35, the second brush 40, and the second rotary shaft 45 are viewed from the second side to the first side in the first direction.

[0033] A rotation mechanism is coupled to the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47. However, in the embodiment, the rotation mechanism is not illustrated. The rotation mechanism rotates the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47 in the rotational directions described above. In this case, the rotation mechanism preferably rotates the first rotating shafts 36, 37 at the same rotational speed, and preferably rotates the second rotating shafts 46, 47 at the same rotational speed. Furthermore, the rotation mechanism may rotate the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47 at the same rotational speed. The rotational speed is defined by the number of rotations per unit time. In the embodiment, the rotational speed does not matter whether the rotational direction is counterclockwise or clockwise. The rotation mechanism includes a rotating machine. An example of a rotating machine is a motor. In the rotation mechanism, a power transmission mechanism may be used to connect the motor to the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47. An example of the power transmission mechanism is a gear. Alternatively, the power transmission mechanism may be a combination of pulleys and a timing belt. Rotation mechanisms and power transmission mechanisms are already in practical use and are well known. The cotton gin 10 can employ a known rotation mechanism and a known power transmission mechanism. Therefore, further explanation of the rotation mechanism and power transmission mechanism will be omitted.

[0034] The first brush 30 and the second brush 40 extract multiple cotton wool fibers 52 from the seeds 51 in the extraction direction (see FIGS. 1 to 3). That is, the first brush 31 and the second brush 41 extract multiple first cotton wool fibers 53 from the seeds 51 in the first extraction direction on the fifth side in the third direction of the conveying path. The first brush 32 and the second brush 42 extract multiple second cotton wool fibers 54 from the seeds 51 in the second extraction direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the conveying path.

[0035] In the first brush 30, the plurality of first bristles include third and fourth bristles. The fourth bristles have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first-direction position of the tips of the third bristles. In the second brush 40, the plurality of second bristles include fifth and sixth bristles. The sixth bristles have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first-direction position of the tips of the fifth bristles. In the first brush 30, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path. That is, in the first brush 31, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the fifth direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path, and in the first brush 32, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the sixth direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path. In the second brush 40, the tips of the fifth bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the sixth bristles with respect to the transport path. That is, in the second brush 41, the tip of the fifth brush bristles is spaced away from the tip of the sixth brush bristles to the fifth side in the third direction relative to the transport path, and in the second brush 42, the tip of the fifth brush bristles is spaced away from the tip of the sixth brush bristles to the sixth side in the third direction relative to the transport path.

[0036] The third and fourth bristles as the first bristles will be described using three first bristles as an example. In this description, the three first bristles will be referred to as "first bristles A," "first bristles B," and "first bristles C." First bristles B and C have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tip of first bristles A, and first bristles C have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tip of first bristles B. Furthermore, in the first brush 30, the tips of first bristles A are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of first bristles B and C with respect to the transport path, and the tips of first bristles B are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of first bristles C with respect to the transport path.

[0037] The first brush bristles A and B are used for comparison. In this case, the tip of the first brush bristles B is located on the second side in the first direction relative to the first direction position of the tip of the first brush bristles A. In the first brush 30, the tip of the first brush bristles A is spaced apart in the third direction from the tip of the first brush bristles B relative to the conveying path. Of the first brush bristles A and B, the first brush bristles A are the third bristles and the first brush bristles B are the fourth bristles.

[0038] The first brush bristles A and C are used for comparison. In this case, the tip of the first brush bristles C is located on the second side in the first direction relative to the first direction position of the tip of the first brush bristles A. In the first brush 30, the tip of the first brush bristles A is spaced apart in the third direction from the tip of the first brush bristles C relative to the conveying path. Of the first brush bristles A and C, the first brush bristles A are the third bristles and the first brush bristles C are the fourth bristles.

[0039] The first brush bristles B and C are used for comparison. In this case, the tip of the first brush bristles C is located on the second side in the first direction relative to the first direction position of the tip of the first brush bristles B. In the first brush 30, the tip of the first brush bristles B is spaced apart in the third direction from the tip of the first brush bristles C relative to the conveying path. Of the first brush bristles B and C, the first brush bristles B are the third bristles and the first brush bristles C are the fourth bristles.

[0040] The fifth and sixth bristles as second bristles will be described using three second bristles as an example. In this description, the three second bristles will be referred to as "second bristles D," "second bristles E," and "second bristles F." Second bristles E and F have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tip of second bristles D, and second bristles F have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tip of second bristles E. Furthermore, in the second brush 40, the tips of second bristles D are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of second bristles E and F with respect to the transport path, and the tips of second bristles E are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of second bristles F with respect to the transport path.

[0041] The second brush bristles D and E are used for comparison. In this case, the tip of the second brush bristles E is located on the second side in the first direction relative to the first direction position of the tip of the second brush bristles D. In the second brush 40, the tip of the second brush bristles D is spaced apart in the third direction from the tip of the second brush bristles E with respect to the conveying path. Of the second brush bristles D and E, the second brush bristles D are the fifth bristles and the second brush bristles E are the sixth bristles.

[0042] The second brush bristles D and F are used for comparison. In this case, the tip of the second brush bristles F is located on the second side in the first direction relative to the first direction position of the tip of the second brush bristles D. In the second brush 40, the tip of the second brush bristles D is spaced apart in the third direction from the tip of the second brush bristles F relative to the conveying path. Of the second brush bristles D and F, the second brush bristles D are the fifth bristles and the second brush bristles F are the sixth bristles.

[0043] The second brush bristles E and F are used for comparison. In this case, the tip of the second brush bristles F is located on the second side in the first direction relative to the first direction position of the tip of the second brush bristles E. In the second brush 40, the tip of the second brush bristles E is spaced apart in the third direction from the tip of the second brush bristles F relative to the conveying path. Of the second brush bristles E and F, the second brush bristles E are the fifth bristles and the second brush bristles F are the sixth bristles.

[0044] In the first brush 30, the length of the first bristles may be 2 mm or more, or the length of the first bristles may be 2 mm or more and 100 mm or less. For example, the length of the first bristles may be 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. In the second brush 40, the length of the second bristles may be 2 mm or more, or the length of the second bristles may be 2 mm or more and 100 mm or less. For example, the length of the second bristles may be 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. In the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, the length of the bristles is determined appropriately taking into consideration various conditions. In the first brush 30, the multiple first bristles have the same length. The first brush 30 has a cylindrical shape. In the second brush 40, the multiple second bristles have the same length. The second brush 40 has a cylindrical shape. In the "cylinder" shape of the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, one of the two "end faces" is the first side in the first direction, and the other of the two "end faces" is the second side in the first direction.

[0045] The cotton gin 10 employs the same brushes as the first brush 30 and the second brush 40. That is, the first brushes 31, 32 and the second brushes 41, 42 are the same. In this case, the length of the first brush bristles and the length of the second brush bristles are the same. However, the cotton gin 10 may employ different brushes as the first brush 30 and the second brush 40. That is, the first brush 30 and the second brush 40 may be different, the first brushes 31, 32 may be different, and the second brushes 41, 42 may be different. In other words, some or all of the first brushes 31, 32 and the second brushes 41, 42 may be different.

[0046] In the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, in the following state, the tip portions of the bristles of the first brush 31 enter the second brush 41, and the tip portions of the bristles of the second brush 41 enter the first brush 31 (see FIG. 5 ). In this state, the first brush 31 and the second brush 41 face each other in the second direction on the fifth side in the third direction of the transport path. However, in the first brush 31 and the second brush 41, the tip portions of the bristles may be in contact with each other in the above-mentioned state. In the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, in the following state, the tip portions of the bristles of the first brush 32 enter the second brush 42, and the tip portions of the bristles of the second brush 42 enter the first brush 32. In this state, the first brush 32 and the second brush 42 face each other in the second direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the transport path. However, in the first brush 32 and the second brush 42, the tip portions of the bristles may be in contact with each other in the above-mentioned state.

[0047] <Cotton ginning method> The cotton ginning method will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The cotton ginning method includes a conveying process and a extraction process. In the conveying process, cotton 50 is conveyed from a first side to a second side in a first direction by a conveying mechanism 15. In the conveying process, cotton 50 is conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction by the conveying mechanism 15 in a second state (see Figures 1 and 2). The second state is as described above.

[0048] In the extraction process, the first brush 30 and the second brush 40 extract multiple cotton fibers 52 from the seeds 51 in the extraction direction (see Figures 2 and 3). That is, in the extraction process, the first brush 31 and the second brush 41 extract multiple first cotton fibers 53 from the seeds 51 in the first extraction direction on the fifth side of the third direction of the conveying path, and the first brush 32 and the second brush 42 extract multiple second cotton fibers 54 from the seeds 51 in the second extraction direction on the sixth side of the third direction of the conveying path. The extraction process is performed on the cotton 50 being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction during the conveying process. In the cotton 50, the fiber lengths of the multiple cotton fibers 52 are not uniform, and multiple cotton fibers 52 with different fiber lengths are mixed together.

[0049] In the first brush 30, the tips of the third bristles as the first bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the fourth bristles as the first bristles with respect to the conveying path, and in the second brush 40, the tips of the fifth bristles as the second bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the sixth bristles as the second bristles with respect to the conveying path. In the removing step, the longer the fiber length of the plurality of cotton pieces 52, the more they come into contact with the first bristles of the first brush 30 and the second bristles of the second brush 40 at positions closer to the first side in the first direction. The first brush 30 and the second brush 40 gradually remove the plurality of cotton pieces 52 from the seeds 51 in the removing direction, in the order of longest fiber length cotton pieces 52 to shortest fiber length cotton pieces 52.

[0050] In the first brush 31, the tips of the third bristles as the first bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the fourth bristles as the first bristles toward the fifth side in the third direction with respect to the conveying path, and in the second brush 41, the tips of the fifth bristles as the second bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the sixth bristles as the second bristles with respect to the conveying path with respect to the fifth side in the third direction. In the extracting step, the first cotton pieces 53 having longer fiber lengths are in contact with the first bristles of the first brush 31 and the second bristles of the second brush 41 at positions closer to the first side in the first direction. The first brush 31 and the second brush 41 gradually extract the first cotton pieces 53 from the seeds 51 in the first extracting direction, in the order of the first cotton pieces 53 with longer fiber lengths to the first cotton pieces 53 with shorter fiber lengths.

[0051] In the first brush 32, the tips of the third bristles as the first bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the fourth bristles as the first bristles toward the sixth side in the third direction with respect to the conveying path, and in the second brush 42, the tips of the fifth bristles as the second bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the sixth bristles as the second bristles with respect to the conveying path. In the removing step, the second cotton fibers 54 having longer fiber lengths are in contact with the first bristles of the first brush 32 and the second bristles of the second brush 42 at positions closer to the first side in the first direction. The first brush 32 and the second brush 42 gradually remove the second cotton fibers 54 from the seeds 51 in the second removing direction, in the order of the second cotton fibers 54 with longer fiber lengths to the second cotton fibers 54 with shorter fiber lengths.

[0052] While being pushed by the pusher 23, the cotton stalks 50 pass through the outlet at the second end of the guide 20 in the first direction in the form of seeds 51 and are sent out from the conveying path (see FIG. 3). This marks the end of the cotton ginning method. For example, the plurality of cotton stalks 52 form a no-twist yarn. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be applied to the production of no-twist yarn using the plurality of cotton stalks 52 obtained by the cotton ginning method.

[0053] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0054] (1) The cotton ginning device 10 includes a conveying mechanism 15, a first brush 30, and a second brush 40 (see Figures 1 to 3, 5, and 6). The conveying mechanism 15 conveys the cotton 50 from a first side to a second side in the first direction along a conveying path along the first direction (see Figures 1 to 3). The first brush 30 has a plurality of first brush bristles (see Figures 1 to 3, and 5). The first brush 30 is provided on a third side in the second direction relative to the cotton 50 conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction (see Figures 1 to 3). The second brush 40 has a plurality of second brush bristles (see Figures 1 to 3, 5, and 6). The plurality of second brush bristles are provided on a fourth side in the second direction relative to the plurality of first brush bristles. The second brush 40 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction relative to the cotton 50 conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction (see Figures 1 to 3). The second brush 40 faces the first brush 30 in the second direction (see Figures 1 to 3, and 5). The first brush 30 and the second brush 40 extract a plurality of cotton fibers 52 from the seeds 51 of the cotton flower 50 in the extraction direction. The extraction direction intersects with the first direction and is perpendicular to the second direction (see FIG. 6).

[0055] The cotton gin 10 can extract multiple cotton fibers 52 from the seeds 51 while suppressing entanglement of the multiple cotton fibers 52. Assume that the multiple cotton fibers 52 have been untangled by the defibration method using the defibration device of Patent Document 2. In this case, the multiple cotton fibers 52 can be maintained in an untangled state. The cotton gin 10 can separate the multiple cotton fibers 52 from the seeds 51 while suppressing entanglement of the multiple cotton fibers 52.

[0056] (2) In the first brush 30, the plurality of first bristles include third bristles and fourth bristles. The fourth bristles have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tips of the third bristles. In the second brush 40, the plurality of second bristles include fifth bristles and sixth bristles. The sixth bristles have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tips of the fifth bristles. In the first brush 30, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path. In the second brush 40, the tips of the fifth bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the sixth bristles with respect to the transport path.

[0057] According to this configuration, the cotton 52 with long fiber length can be extracted first from the seed 51, and then the cotton 52 with short fiber length can be extracted from the seed 51. A plurality of cotton 52 can be extracted gradually from the seed 51 in the order of long fiber length cotton 52 to short fiber length cotton 52. This can prevent the occurrence of an event where multiple cotton 52 are extracted from the seed 51 all at once regardless of fiber length. When multiple cotton 52 are extracted from the seed 51, it can be made less likely for the multiple cotton 52 to become entangled.

[0058] (3) The cotton ginning device 10 performs a cotton ginning method (see Figures 1 to 3). The cotton ginning method includes a conveying process and a extraction process. In the conveying process, the conveying mechanism 15 conveys the cotton 50 along a conveying path from a first side to a second side in a first direction. In the extraction process, the first brush 30 and the second brush 40 extract multiple cotton fibers 52 from the seeds 51 in the extraction direction (see Figures 2 and 3). The extraction process is performed on the cotton 50 being conveyed from the first side to the second side in the first direction during the conveying process.

[0059] According to this extraction method, multiple cotton fibers 52 can be extracted from the seed 51 while suppressing entanglement of the multiple cotton fibers 52. Assume that multiple cotton fibers 52 have been untangled by the defibration method using the defibration device of Patent Document 2. In this case, the multiple cotton fibers 52 can be maintained in an untangled state. Cotton fibers 52 with long fiber lengths can be extracted from the seed 51 first, followed by cotton fibers 52 with short fiber lengths. Multiple cotton fibers 52 can be gradually extracted from the seed 51 in the order of long fiber lengths followed by cotton fibers 52 with short fiber lengths. This prevents multiple cotton fibers 52 from being extracted collectively from the seed 51 regardless of fiber length. When multiple cotton fibers 52 are extracted from the seed 51, it is possible to prevent the multiple cotton fibers 52 from becoming entangled. The cotton ginning method can separate multiple cotton fibers 52 from the seed 51 while suppressing entanglement of the multiple cotton fibers 52.

[0060] <Modification> The embodiment can also be as follows. Some of the configurations of the modified examples shown below can also be adopted in appropriate combination. Below, we will explain the differences from the above, and will omit explanations of similarities as appropriate.

[0061] (1) In the embodiment, one side of the first direction is the first side of the first direction, the other side of the first direction is the second side of the first direction, one side of the second direction is the third side of the second direction, the other side of the second direction is the fourth side of the second direction, one side of the third direction is the fifth side of the third direction, and the other side of the third direction is the sixth side of the third direction. In the embodiment, the first direction and the third direction are horizontal directions, and the second direction is the vertical direction. The third side of the second direction is the lower side of the vertical direction, and the fourth side of the second direction is the upper side of the vertical direction.

[0062] The first and second sides of the first direction may be opposite to those in the embodiment. That is, the first side of the first direction may be the other side of the first direction, which is the second side of the first direction in the embodiment, and the second side of the first direction may be one side of the first direction, which is the first side of the first direction in the embodiment. The conveying mechanism 15 conveys the cotton 50 from the first side to the second side of the first direction along the conveying path. The third and fourth sides of the second direction may be opposite to those in the embodiment. That is, the third side of the second direction may be the other side of the second direction, which is the fourth side of the second direction in the embodiment, and the fourth side of the second direction may be one side of the second direction, which is the third side of the second direction in the embodiment. As in the embodiment, the second direction is assumed to be a vertical direction. In this case, the third side of the second direction may be the upper side of the vertical direction, and the fourth side of the second direction may be the lower side of the vertical direction. The fifth and sixth sides of the third direction may be opposite to those in the embodiment. That is, the fifth side of the third direction may be the other side of the third direction that is the sixth side of the third direction in the embodiment, and the sixth side of the third direction may be one side of the third direction that is the fifth side of the third direction in the embodiment. The first direction and the third direction may be vertical directions, and the second direction may be horizontal directions.

[0063] (2) The cotton gin 10 includes first brushes 31 and 32 as the first brush 30 and second brushes 41 and 42 as the second brush 40 (see Figures 1 to 3, 5, and 6). In the cotton gin 10, the first brush 31 and the second brush 41 are arranged facing each other in the second direction on the fifth side in the third direction of the conveying path, and the first brush 32 and the second brush 42 are arranged facing each other in the second direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the conveying path. In the cotton gin, the number of first brushes and the number of second brushes may be one each. In this case, a pair of first brush and second brush facing each other in the second direction is arranged on the fifth side or sixth side in the third direction of the conveying path in the same manner as described above.

[0064] For example, in a cotton ginning apparatus, the first and second brushes corresponding to the first brush 31 and the second brush 41 are provided on the fifth side in the third direction of the conveying path, and the first and second brushes corresponding to the first brush 32 and the second brush 42 are omitted on the sixth side in the third direction of the conveying path. This cotton ginning apparatus performs a cotton ginning method for processing the same cotton 50 as described above. In this case, in the cotton ginning method, the conveying process is performed twice, and the extraction process is performed during each of the two conveying processes.

[0065] In the first conveying step, the cotton 50 is conveyed along the conveying path in the same manner as described above, and in the first removing step, the first brush and the second brush on the fifth side in the third direction of the conveying path remove a plurality of cotton fibers 52 on the fifth side in the third direction of the seed 51 from the seed 51 in the first removing direction. Thereafter, the cotton 50 passes through the exit at the end on the second side in the first direction of the guide 20 while being pushed by the pushing tool 23, and is sent out from the conveying path with a plurality of cotton fibers 52 remaining on the sixth side in the third direction of the seed 51. Before the second conveying step is carried out, the orientation of the cotton 50 in the third direction is reversed from that during the first conveying step.

[0066] In the second conveying process, the cotton 50 is conveyed along the conveying path from the first side in the first direction to the second side in the following state. In this state, the plurality of cotton fibers 52 remaining on the seed 51 become the fifth side in the third direction. In the second removing process, similar to the first removing process, the plurality of cotton fibers 52 remaining on the fifth side in the third direction on the seed 51 are removed from the seed 51 in the first removing direction by the first brush and the second brush on the fifth side in the third direction of the conveying path. Thereafter, the cotton 50 passes through the exit at the end of the second side in the first direction of the guide 20 while being pushed by the pushing tool 23, and is sent out from the conveying path in the state of the seed 51 (see Figure 3).

[0067] (3) The first brush 30 has a plurality of first bristles, and the second brush 40 has a plurality of second bristles (see FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 6). In the first brush 30, the plurality of first bristles have the same length, and in the second brush 40, the plurality of second bristles have the same length. The first brush 30 has a cylindrical shape, and the second brush 40 has a cylindrical shape. The first brush may have a different configuration, and the second brush may have a different configuration. Another configuration of the first brush and another configuration of the second brush will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, to clarify correspondence with the cotton ginning apparatus 10 of the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding elements. In FIG. 7, first brushes 31 and 32 as the first brush 30 and second brushes 41 and 42 as the second brush 40 are illustrated, and the conveying mechanism 15 and the cotton 50 are omitted.

[0068] In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the first brush 30 has a plurality of first bristles having a first configuration, and the second brush 40 has a plurality of second bristles having a second configuration. In the first configuration, the length of the first bristles is shortest at a first side end in the first direction and gradually increases toward a second side in the first direction within a first range including the first side end of the first brush 30 in the first direction. In the second configuration, the length of the second bristles is shortest at a first side end in the first direction and gradually increases toward a second side in the first direction within a second range including the first side end of the second brush 40 in the first direction. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the first range is the entire first direction of the first brush 30, and the second range is the entire first direction of the second brush 40. In the first configuration, the first brush 30 has a conical shape. In the "conical" shapes of the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, the "top" side is the first side in the first direction and the "bottom" side is the second side in the first direction. Regarding the "cone shape" and "top" as the shapes of the first brush 30 and the second brush 40, the "cone shape" can also be called a "frustum shape" and the "top" can also be called a "top surface."

[0069] The first brush 30 is mounted on a first rotating shaft 35, and the second brush 40 is mounted on a second rotating shaft 45. The first rotating shaft 35 is mounted along the installation direction, and the second rotating shaft 45 is mounted along the installation direction. The first rotating shaft 35 is mounted on the third side of the conveying path in the second direction, and the second rotating shaft 45 is mounted on the fourth side of the conveying path in the second direction. The second rotating shaft 45 is mounted parallel to the first rotating shaft 35 on the fourth side of the first rotating shaft 35 in the second direction. That is, the first brush 31 is mounted on the first rotating shaft 36 on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the first brush 32 is mounted on the first rotating shaft 37 on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The first rotating shaft 36 is mounted along the first installation direction on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the first rotating shaft 37 is mounted along the second installation direction on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The first rotating shafts 36 and 37 are mounted on the third side of the conveying path in the second direction. The second brush 41 is attached to the second rotation shaft 46 on the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, and the second brush 42 is attached to the second rotation shaft 47 on the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction. The second rotation shaft 46 is attached to the fifth side of the conveying path in the third direction, along the first installation direction, and the second rotation shaft 47 is attached to the sixth side of the conveying path in the third direction, along the second installation direction. The second rotation shafts 46, 47 are attached to the fourth side of the conveying path in the second direction. The second rotation shaft 46 is attached to the fourth side of the first rotation shaft 36 in the second direction, parallel to the first rotation shaft 36, and the second rotation shaft 47 is attached to the fourth side of the first rotation shaft 37 in the second direction, parallel to the first rotation shaft 37.

[0070] When the first brush 30 and the second brush 40 have the configuration shown in FIG. 7 , the removal direction is along the third direction, and the installation direction is along the first direction. That is, the first removal direction corresponds to the sixth side to the fifth side in the third direction, and the second removal direction corresponds to the fifth side to the sixth side in the third direction. Both the first installation direction and the second installation direction are along the first direction. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 7 , the first rotation shaft 35 and the second rotation shaft 45 are both arranged along the first direction. That is, the first rotation shaft 36 is arranged along the first direction on the fifth side of the third direction from the conveying path, the first rotation shaft 37 is arranged along the first direction on the sixth side of the third direction from the conveying path, the second rotation shaft 46 is arranged along the first direction on the fifth side of the third direction from the conveying path, and the second rotation shaft 47 is arranged along the first direction on the sixth side of the third direction from the conveying path.

[0071] In first brush 30, first brush 32 is provided adjacent to first brush 31 in the third direction on the sixth side of first brush 31 in the third direction. In other words, in first brush 30, first brush 31 is provided adjacent to first brush 32 in the third direction on the fifth side of first brush 32 in the third direction. In other words, first brush 31 is provided on the fifth side in the third direction with respect to cotton 50 transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction, and first brush 32 is provided on the sixth side in the third direction with respect to cotton 50 transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction.

[0072] In second brush 40, second brush 42 is provided adjacent to second brush 41 in the third direction on the sixth side of second brush 41 in the third direction. In other words, in second brush 40, second brush 41 is provided adjacent to second brush 42 in the third direction on the fifth side of second brush 42 in the third direction. In other words, second brush 41 is provided on the fifth side in the third direction with respect to cotton 50 transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction, and second brush 42 is provided on the sixth side in the third direction with respect to cotton 50 transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction.

[0073] The first brush 31 and the second brush 41 extract a plurality of first cotton fibers 53 from the seeds 51 on a fifth side in the third direction of the conveying path. The first brush 32 and the second brush 42 extract a plurality of second cotton fibers 54 from the seeds 51 on a sixth side in the third direction of the conveying path. In FIG. 7 , the dashed dotted lines shown on the second side in the first direction of the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47 correspond to the rotation centers of the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47, and the arc-shaped arrows shown on the outer periphery of the dashed dotted lines indicate the rotation directions of the first rotating shafts 36, 37 and the second rotating shafts 46, 47.

[0074] In the first brush 30, the plurality of first bristles include third bristles and fourth bristles. The fourth bristles have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tips of the third bristles. In the first brush 30, the fourth bristles are arranged on the second side in the first direction from the third bristles, and the length of the fourth bristles is longer than the length of the third bristles. In the second brush 40, the plurality of second bristles include fifth bristles and sixth bristles. The sixth bristles have their tips on the second side in the first direction from the first direction position of the tips of the fifth bristles. In the second brush 40, the sixth bristles are arranged on the second side in the first direction from the fifth bristles, and the length of the sixth bristles is longer than the length of the fifth bristles.

[0075] In the first brush 30, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path. That is, in the first brush 31, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the fifth direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path, and in the first brush 32, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart in the sixth direction from the tips of the fourth bristles with respect to the transport path. In the second brush 40, the tips of the fifth bristles are spaced apart in the third direction from the tips of the sixth bristles with respect to the transport path. That is, in the second brush 41, the tips of the fifth bristles are spaced apart in the fifth direction from the tips of the sixth bristles with respect to the transport path, and in the second brush 42, the tips of the fifth bristles are spaced apart in the sixth direction from the tips of the sixth bristles with respect to the transport path.

[0076] Alternatively, the first area of ​​the first brush may be a portion of the first direction including the first side end of the first brush in the first direction, and the second area of ​​the second brush may be a portion of the first direction including the first side end of the second brush in the first direction. In this case, the length of the first brush may be the same as the length of the first bristles at the second side end of the first area in the remainder of the first direction of the first brush excluding the first area of ​​the first brush. The remainder of the first brush in the first direction of the first brush excluding the first area of ​​the first brush includes the second side end of the first brush in the first direction. The second brush may be the same as the length of the second bristles at the second side end of the second area in the remainder of the first direction of the second brush excluding the second area of ​​the second brush. The remainder of the first direction of the second brush is the portion of the second brush in the first direction of the second brush excluding the second area of ​​the second brush and includes the second side end of the second brush in the first direction.

[0077] In addition, the cotton ginning apparatus may be configured as a third or fourth embodiment. In the third embodiment, the first brush has a cylindrical shape, similar to the first brush 30 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3, and 5), and is attached to a first rotation shaft that is disposed relative to the conveying path in the same manner as the first rotation shaft 35 of FIG. 7. In the fourth embodiment, the second brush has a cylindrical shape, similar to the second brush 40 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3, and 5, and 6), and is attached to a second rotation shaft that is disposed relative to the conveying path in the same manner as the second rotation shaft 45 of FIG. 7. In this cotton ginning apparatus, as in the example shown in FIG. 7, the removal direction is along the third direction, and the installation direction is along the first direction. In this cotton ginning apparatus, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the positions of the first brush and the second brush in the third direction relative to the conveying path. This adjustment makes it possible to remove multiple cotton fibers 52 from the seeds 51 while suppressing entanglement of the multiple cotton fibers 52. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Cotton ginning device, 15 Conveying mechanism, 20 Guide, 21 First guide 22 second guide, 23 pushing tool, 24 tip surface 30, 31, 32 First brush, 35, 36, 37 First rotating shaft 40, 41, 42 second brush, 45, 46, 47 second rotating shaft, 50 cotton 51 Seed, 52 Cotton, 53 First Cotton, 54 Second Cotton, L Imaginary Line

Claims

1. a conveying mechanism that conveys the cotton along a conveying path along a first direction from a first side to a second side in the first direction; a first brush having a plurality of first brush bristles and provided on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the cotton transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction; a second brush having a plurality of second brush bristles provided on a fourth side of the plurality of first brush bristles in the second direction, the second brush being provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the cotton transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction, and facing the first brush in the second direction; The plurality of first brush bristles A third brush bristles; a fourth brush bristles having a tip on a second side in the first direction relative to a position of the tip of the third brush bristles in the first direction, The plurality of second brush bristles A fifth brush bristle; a sixth brush bristle having a tip on a second side in the first direction relative to a position of the tip of the fifth brush bristle in the first direction, In the first brush, the tips of the third bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the fourth bristles in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction with respect to the conveying path, In the second brush, the tips of the fifth brush bristles are spaced apart from the tips of the sixth brush bristles in the third direction with respect to the conveying path, The first brush and the second brush extract the plurality of cotton fibers from the cotton seeds in a extraction direction that intersects the first direction and is perpendicular to the second direction.

2. A cotton ginning method carried out by the cotton ginning apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a conveying step of conveying the cotton from the first side to the second side in the first direction along the conveying path by the conveying mechanism; and a removal step of removing the plurality of cotton plants from the seeds in the removal direction by the first brush and the second brush, A cotton ginning method in which the extraction step is carried out on the cotton being transported from the first side to the second side in the first direction during the transport step.

Images