US1540200A - Moss-cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1925.

W. D'. TYLER MOSS CLEANIKQIG APPARATUS Q m v INVENTOR 34KB Tyler Sheets-$heet 1 ATTORNEYS Filed June 12, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i INVENTOR 7140- Tyler ATTORNEYS W. .D. TYLER MOSS CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 12, 1924 June 2, 1925.

June 2, 1925.

W. D. TYLER MOSS CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 12, 1924 e Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 34(17- Tyler.

mm E=== Y,

WITNESSES 77 A TTOR NE YS June 2, 1925. 1,540,200

w. D. TYLER MOSS CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 12, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 II WW WKQN F ///11// I SQ & g D a. I Q t Nd Arl g. Q Q,

Q INVENTOR )lffi. Tyler ATTORNEY;

WITNESSES v i Z? w. D, TYLER moss CLEANING APPARATUS June 2, 1925.

Filed June 12, 1924 s Sheets-$heet s 1:; i f My IN VEN TOR A TTORNE YS SQ MK June 2, 1925.

'Vl D.TYLER MOSS CLEANING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 12, 1924 ATTORNEYS Patented June 2, 1925.

unw se STATEfi F PLAQUE-MINE, .LQUI'SLANA.

.MOSsQLJ- AMNG Memes-Us- To all whom it may cancer n4 Be it known that I, WV zsnnv D. Trnun,

a citizen of the Uni-tedStates-and resident of Plaqueinine, in the parish --e f EI beFV il-le and State oi Louisia-11a,lhave inventedcerta-in new and useful Improvementsin Moss- Cleaning Apparatus, zo f avhi-eh the tol loWing a specification.

My invention relates to in'i-proveinents in moss cleaning niachinery audit-consists of the .-construetions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine adaptedparticularly for thepurl5 pose of I cleaning moss special use ibeing made of a primary and secondary elean'ing unit or machinery so separated that-the action of gravity plays apart in-the action on the moss.

Another ohieet-of the invention is to provide a mess cleaning appanatus'in which not only the sticks and dirt are 1-*en1ovejd "from the moss but-in which 'there isysuch {111%1-13- rangement oft blowers which act upon the moss to dust it.

Another object of =-the invention is to provide a novel method of "treating inoss for preparation into a clean marketable product.

(Ether objects and advantages-will appear int-he following specification, reference-being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- V Figure l is a diagrannnatic seetion i llustrating the general lay out of the moss (leaning apparatus.

l igure 2 is a sectional v iew of the primary moss cleaner.

Figure 3 is =a cross section of the primary :moss I cleaner taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure is 'a detail perspective view, partly in section, showing the toothed bar l or plate which confronts the cylinder in "Figure Figure 5 is a detail cross-section-on the line of. Figure 2- il-l-ustrati-ng-the xnounting cf the adjustablebottom plate.

'ure (5 is a detailside elevation of the l-ielt tightener used in-connect-io-n with the primary cleaner. F igure 7 is a section entire line 77-o-i. igu-1'e-( V Figure-*8 Iis-a longitudinal section of the secondary moss cleaner.

Figure 9 is asection-on the line S -=9 of. Figure 8.

Figure 10 Isa detail view of zu-portien of the drum in Figure 8, illustrating the staggered arrangement of the teeth.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of oneof ithe teeth. i

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view-oi a portion of the brush cylinder of the sec ontl ry cleaner, illustrating 'thesettin-g of 5 'the bristles. Figure 13 is a detail side elevation, partly in section, of the dust-extractorat which the 'c'lean moss is finally discharged "Figured-4 is-a view similar to' Fig-ure "13 illustrating the action upon opening the air valve intl blower pipe.

Figure 15 is a detafilsicle elevation of the an valve.

igure 1-6 is-aplan viewtliereot. Figure '17 is a detail plan view il'lust-rating the arrangement of teeth-on the pri'- I in My cleaner drum.

It may be stated, I by ave-y of A preface, that at present there is no n'iachLi-nery especially designed and adapted for the particular purpose of piik ing or cleaning nioss. This is largely {due-to -the fact that the industry of gathering and using moss is 11 minor one and con iined to qu ite-lliin'ited territory. s5

There are lmown inachines for ginning purposes-tor example cot-ton, but an endeavor' to use a cotton-ginior the purpose of combing and cleal-iing -1noss has met with failure. This is largely due to thetaet that the moss iiloer is quite long, and. when freshly gathered is very dirty. being run oi sticks, dirt and small liiflbSflQlll the trees on which itgrows. It has therefore become necessary to not only design a particular type (if-ginwvhichai ill effectively con-1b and clean the mess but also 'tlesign a plant or system in much (ilfilllOSS can he treated ascording to a predetermined process. The action of gravity plays an important part in the apparatus, as the reader will understand in a moment.

In carrying out my invention, use is made of a building 13 which has ground, first and second floors 1, 2 and 3 respectively providing as many rooms as there are floors for the purpose of holding the various machines. The process of treating the moss commences at the primary cleaner at, from which it passes to the secondary cleaner 5, discharging into what may be designated a bin 6 and finally entering the dust extractor 7. The moss is made to travel a circuitous route so that all of the various machines may be reached and that the action thereon may be thorough. v

Consider first the primary moss cleaner 4 on the top floor 3. The moss just as it is gathered is dumped upon the feed table 8 (Fig. 2) from which it is drawn into the primary cleaner by a pair of solid iron corrugated feed rolls 9 and 10. One of these feed rolls carries a gear 11 which is driven by a pinion 12 on a countershaft 13 which is mounted in suitable bearings 14 (Fig. 3) upon the frame of the primary cleaner. The countershaft carries a pulley 15 which is driven by a belt 16 from the pulley 17 on the main shaft 18 of the drum 19. The main shaft is journaled in bearings 20 on the frame of the machine. The belt runs over an idler 21 (Fig. 6) and also a tightener pulley 22, the latter being for the purpose of keeping the belt under proper tension. I I

A spring 23 (Fig. 6) presses down upon a block 24 which carries a stub shaft 25 upon which the pulley 22 rotates. The block slides in a slot 26 which is also occupied by the spring. A screw 27 is arranged to bear upon the washer 28 ahead of the spring so that the tension of the spring may be'adjusted according to requirements. A suitably fixed stub shaft 29 carries the idler 21. Both pulleys are supported by a bracket 30 which is fixed either upon the floor 3 (Fig. 2) or upon any available part of the cleaner frame.

This frame comprises the horizontal rails 31. These may consist either of channels as shown or members of other desired structure. The rails are supported by legs 32' which may be of angle iron. The legs 32 at the entrance end of the cleaner are specially formed to accommodate the bearing block 33 in which the trunnions 3% of the feed rolls 9 and 10 are journaled.

That feed roll opposite to the one which is positively driven is pressed toward the driven feed roll by means of springs 35 which are kept under tension by screws 36 which are accessible from above in the present instance. Of necessity the idle feed roll "the drum. The resulting staggered arrangement can be understood without difliculty.

A plate 38 (Fig. 4) confronting the drum 19 (Fig. 2) carries teeth or spikes 39 which oppose the teeth 37 of the drum. The sta tionary and movable'teeth 39 and 3? respectively perform a combing action on the moss as it is fedinto the throat l0 by thecorrugated feed roll. The plate38 is adjust-able in respect to the drum, and for this purpose carries brackets 41 which are secured in the slotted portions 42 (Fig. 4) of the frame channels 31 by bolts t3. Upon unloosening the nuts on the bolts the plate 38 may be bodily moved in respect to the drum.

A bottom plate 44; controls the separation of sticks, etc., from the good moss.

This plate has a thickened leading edge 45.

The plate has racks 46 which are engaged by pinions 47 on a shaft 48 which has a hand wheel 49 (Fig. 5) for the purpose of turning the shaft'and adjusting the bottom plate back and forth in the guides 50. In

practice it is found that the leading edge may be set at such a position that a substantially clean separation of the moss from the refuse can be made.

The moss, being lighter, discharges into the passage 51 which leads into the screen outlet 52. The refuse, being heavier than the moss, discharges at a more decided tangent to the drum and enters a chute 53 defined by the bottom plate and the bottom screen 54 of the outlet 52. The refuse slides down the chute and falls upon the dirt and trash conveyor 55 which discharges at aBsuitable point outside of the buildmg An exhaust fan 56 draws the liberated mossagainst the top curved screen 57 of the outlet 52 and thus attracts a great portion of dust. The fan has comnuinication with the outlet 52 through a dust tunnel 58. The fan discharges into a pipe 59 which has communication with the common dust outlet conduit 60 which also discharges outside of the building.

That portion 61 of the outlet 52 in continuationof the curved screen 57 is composed of solid sheet metal which extends close to the end of the bottom screen 54, but sufliciently far therefrom to leave an ample passage for the moss immediately amwe oo above the feed table 52 of the secondary cleaner 5. Before deseribingthe secondary 63,ends 6% (Fig. 2') and a cover 65. The

latter is hinged at'66 softhataccessmaybe had to the interior.

Consider now the secondary cleaner '5.

This machine is essentially the same as .the

primary cleaner 4, although itinvolves some dili'erences in construction it perffomnsthe function of cleaning and .coinhiug the moss.

The feed table in this instance has a slatted conveyor (57' running over suitably driven rollers es, which feeds the 1l1(i)SS 1]O zL pair of spiked rolls 69 and '70. rolls are of iron and the sets of inclined teeth 71 and 72 mesh in such a manner that the turning of one roll turns the other in the opposite direction.

y A gear 7 on one of therollsis .drivenlby a pinion 74: on .a countershaft 75. The countershaft carries a pulley which is driven by a'belt Wi roni a pulley 78 on the shaft 7 9 of .the "drum -80. The :belt passes over an idler .81 and a tightener pulley 82 which is much on the order of the tightener in Figure '6. i

Springs .83 hold the feed rolls .69 and .70 together. The tension of the springs is .adjust-able by screws 8%. These are carried by upright parts 85 forming part of the frame. The frame includes the horizontal rails 86 and the various legs .87. The springs bear .011 blocks 88in which the trunnions of the The distance between the teeth. 90 and 91' may be adjusted by means o't-serews 96 carried by lugs 97 on the cover 92. These strev-rs bear against fixed parts of the-frame and by turning the screws up or down adjustment of the teeth 91 in respect to the other teeth will result. This is due to the zlaet that the cover 92 is lunged at 98. Thus the teeth 90 and 91 stand at angles to the iverpendicular oi the drum and cover. drain rotates in the direction of the arrow.

A large pulley 99 on the shaft 379 beside the drum St) drives the brush .eylii'rder 100 liyineans o'f a neltltll which passes over an idler 102 and a relatively sinallpulley 103 The i'eed on the shaft "10l-Ofllll6b1'L1Sl1 cylinder. YT-he ratios of the various pulleys cause the "brush cylinder 100 'to revolve at a high Speed. The arrow indieatesthe directionof -rot'ation.

Bearings 105 support the cylinder shaft. These are'carrie d "by" the "horizontal channels 86 of the frame. "l -he idler 162 is mounted upon an arm 106 which inflturn is mounted in such' a way that the-belt 1.01 may be kept-tight.

The ribs "107 of the brushcylinder consist of double rows-of steel hrush wire asshowjn in Figure '12. *Rotation of. the .drunrSOiantl brush cylinder 100 in the directions ndieated cause a further separation otrcfl use an outletflOS whicli lias communication with the chute 53 1) the latterenten .duce a clean separation of refuse from the moss. In order to preventithe.inoss "from reaching the brushingcylinder too-*sooina guard platell 1S situated in'tlie'spacehetween-the drum and cylinder in aposition approximately opposite that or the "bottom plate 110. I v I A guide provides nthe support in which the hottoniplate 1110 is slitlahle when the shaftllil'is'turned. Thelange connnon outlet conduittltl, mentioned before in connection with Figure 1, is of ratherdarge area in its aiaroxiinatel. n'iedial Aortic this for the purpose of aceon'iniiodatiug a screen 116 against Which the moss {is l J l charged from the passage 10?)... c The action ,of'the exhaust fan '56 and oitanother ifan 111:7 create .afltendeney toward the exhaustion of air from the conduit 'inthe region of [the screen 116, with tthe result that more dust and objectionable fine particles are separated froin'the inoss as it is thrown against the'sereen.

Anylieavyparticles passing through the screen 116 and ifai-ling to pass out 'w-it'hfthe air in .theaconduit 60 will fall l'othe bottom of the conduit and slide .downto the trasl-i conveyor .55. It is to be observed that ,the screen 116 extends all the way roundto the bottom otthat which is known as the bin 6 to providewevery portunityfjer dirt to fall 1 flOlll the moss.

A screen 11119 extends froinapoint adjacent tothepassage 108 where it is fastened .upon a braeketf12Q,.to.a plate 121 which extends up under-the lowest feed roll 70 as clearly shown in Figure 8. flliis socal-led screen is in reality a grating consisting of rods of suitable anaterizrl arranged crosswise ;to pro- .e interstices of suitable dimension. The

easing oftthe crush cylinder has a hingedcover 122 whichmay be opened for an inspection of the interior.

A tube 123 conducts the now clean moss from the bin to the dust extractor .7 (Figs. 1 and 13). It is the suction of the fan 117 that draws the moss up into the tube. The conduit 124 leading from the fan 117 begins at a hood 125 which is so situated in respect to the dust extractor as to cover the screen 126. 126 with considerable force and the last of any dust that it might contain is drawn off into the conduit 12& and is discharged into a pipe 12'. that leads to the common outlet conduit 60..

The dust extractor comprises a casing 128 which has bottom doors 129 held closed by the suction of the fan 117 when the air valve 130 is closed. This valve is situated in the conduit 124. The valveincludes a plate 131 which may be swung on the pivot 132 against the tension of a spring 133 to expose the opening 134 and admit air to the fan. The dust extractor being thus short circuited will immediately discharge its contents of moss by virtue of the doors 129 opening (Fig. 14) due to the absence of suction to keep them closed. Upon permitting the valve plate 131 to close suction is again created in the tube 123 and cylinder 128 causing the lifting of moss from the bin 6 and the accumulation thereof in the dust extractor 7. The doors 129 are caused to close by suction when the valve 130 is closed.

Means for driving the various ginning machines and suction fans is not shown in the drawings. The manner of erecting a common line shaft and driving a number of separate machines therefrom is quite commonly known and may be adopted in this particular instance. All that is required is a suitably driven shaft or as many shafts as may be needed, together with suitable pulleys and belting.

In practice the dust extractor casing 128 will not discharge upon the floor 3 as seemingly indicated in the drawings (Fig. 1) for example. The moss is suitably conducted to a baling press in which it is formed into bales or bundles ready for shipment. The baling press is not illustrated in the drawing inasmuch as it has no direct bearing on either the apparatus or the process.

The operation will be readily understood from the following additional description. The moss is convey-ed to the upper floor 3 of the building B in any suitable manner, where it is supplied in suitable quantities to the feeding table 8 of the primary cleaner 1. In its freshly harvested state the moss is in a very dirty condition, containing sticks and branches of the trees from which it is separated as well as considerable dirt.

It is the purpose of the apparatus to The moss strikes the screen thoroughly clean the moss and separate it from the refuse so that the resulting product is immediately ready to be baled and shipped to its destination. The action of the primary cleaner 4 is to cause a preliminary separation of the sticks, etc. from the moss,

one falling into the chute 53 (Fig. 1) the other being expelled by centrifugal force into the screened outlet 52. It is to be observed that the outlets of the gins 41 and 5,

both asto moss and refuse, are directed the primary cleaner 1 falls upon the feed conveyor 67 of the secondary gin 5. This is .1 a finishing cleaner in that the separation of the moss from any remaining refuse and the proper combing of the moss is here com pleted. The latter functlon is largely performed by the brush cylinder 100 (Fig. 8) .a

which also sweeps the moss into the passage which leads to the bin 6 (Fig. 1).

Two blowers or exhaust fans are in continuous operation. Both function to remove as much dirt and dust as possible, the latter also functioning to lift the moss from the bin 6 through a pipe 123 into the dust extractor 7. Upon striking the screen 126 the moss will scatter or separate so that any remaining particles of dust may readily be drawn through by the fan 117 and expelled into the common outlet 60 with which the pipe 59 of the fan 56 also communicates. As long as the valve 130 remains closed moss will be drawn up through the pipe 123 and discharged into the casing 128 because the doors 129 will be held closed due to the suction which is considerable. However, upon moving the valve plate 131 so as to expose the opening 134 the dust extractor will be short circuited, and the resultant diminution of suction will permit the gates 129 to open by gravity and expel the contents either upon the floor or elsewhere.

The process consists of primarily and secondarily cleaning the moss, causing the moss to take one path and the refuse another. The moss is subjected to currents of air for the purpose of lifting out dirt and dust and finally discharging the moss into a casing which is periodically emptied.

)Vhile the construction and arrangement of the improved moss cleaning apparatus as herein described and claimed is that of a generally preferred form, obviously. modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spiritof' the inven tion or the scope of the claims.

I claim i V 1. Apparatus of the character described lot) ill)

comprising a'plurality ofcleaning machines for separating the refuse from nioss, means associated with each machine against which the moss is discharged, means including exhaust fans for then withdrawing dust from the moss, means upon which the refuse falls from each machine and slides by gravity to a common point, and means operating beneath said point for conveying the refuse to a place of discharge. v V

2. Apparatus of he character described comprisinga plurality of "cleaners situated in planes above eachother, means operating inside of each cleaner to separate the refuse from moss, means including a chute located in common with the cleaner andupon'which the refuse slides'by gravity to a common point, means operating at said point to convey the refuse toa place of discharge, means including a screen associated with "each cleaner against whiclrthe moss is discharged and from which it fallsby gravity, air tunnelsin which each screen is situated having communicationwith a common outlet conduit, and means includingan eXhaustf-an discharginginto said outlet and communicating with thetunnels to withdraw dust from the moss atsaid screens.

SJApparatus of the character described coi'nprising a plurality of cleaners situated in planes above eachother, means including a screen associatedovith each cleaner against which moss is dischargedand spread after separation from therefuse, a common Chute into which the refuse falls'and gravitates to a common point, a bottom screen associated with V the uppermostcleaner' ,preventing the moss from falling into the chute yet permitting dirt to fall through said screen conducting the moss to the intake-of Ithe cleaner next'below, "and means associated with the screens against which themo'ss'is dischargedfor withdrawingdust.

at. Appa iatus of the character described comprising a plurality of cleaners situated in planes above ,eachfother, means including a screen associated with each cleaner against which moss is discharged and spread after separation from therefus'e, a common chute iutowhic'h the refuse falls and gravitates to a common point, a bottom screen associated with the discharge screen of d the lowest cleaner reaching to a place ad'jace'nt tofsaid common discharge point, movable means operating beneath said point and a portion of said screen for removing refuse and dirt,

and means associated with said discharge screens for withdrawingdust from themoss upon impact. I i i 5. Apparatus of thfe character described preliminary separation of the 'iefuse from moss, a curved screenagainst which the moss is discharged and spread, a finishing cleaner located below the primary cl.eitlll"cl chute located in common to both cleaners upon which refuse is discharged and gravitates to a common point, a bottoinscreen dividing the space between the curved screen and chute and upon which themoss gravitates to the finishing cleaner, the dirt" falling through said screen into the chute, and a' curved screen against which the moss is discharged from thefinishing cleaner including a screen bottom portion extendinglto a place adjacent to the common refuse dis charge point but not communicating -there-' conveyor for carrying the refuse from said 7 point, a bottom screen extending from the curved screen of the'finishing cleaner partly situated above the conveyor so that dirt falling therethrongh may reach the conveyor, said bottom, screen forming part of] a hopper, a dust extractor lnclud ng a casing having a tight-connection with thehopper, and an exhanstfan having connectlonw th the casing for pneumat cally,transportn g the mossfromthe bin to the dust extractor.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a primary cleaner, a curved TSCIBBIIflgZLlIISt wh ch moss is d scharged, a

f nishing cleaner in a position below the pri- "mary cleaner, a bottom screen below Y the curved screen upon which the moss graviitates tothe finishing cleaner,a curved screen against which a the finishing cleaner di charges, a chute below the bottom screen and finishing cleaner upon which refuse falls and gravitates to a common point, a conveyor for carryingthe refuse from said point, abottomscreen extending from the curved screen of the finishing cleaner partly rsituated above the-conveyor so that dirt falling the'rethrough may reachithe v Qnveyor, said bottom. screen forming part of a hopper, a dust extractor including a casing having a tight connection withthe hopper,

and anexhaust fan'h-a'ving connection. with the casing for pneumatically transporting the moss from the bin to thejdustextractor,

and a screen embodied in the dust extractor 7 against which the moss discharges "and through which the dustescapestO the fan.

compr sing a primary cleaner for causing a 8. Apparatus of ;the character des 'bed comprising aprimary cleanerhavin'g a eed table in the nature of a hopper into'whrch rough moss is dumped, a curved screen against which the preliminarily treated moss is discharged, a finishing cleaner having a movable feed table including a conveyor, a bottom screen below, the curved screen upon which the moss slides by gravity to said conveyor and through which dust falls, a chute situated beneath the bottom screen and the finishing cleaner upon which refuse slides by gravity to a common point, a curved screen against which the moss is discharged from the finishing cleaner, said screen including an inclined and a horizontal portion defining partof a bin, a conveyor ope-rating beneath said horizontal'portion and said common point for disposing of refuse falling thereupon, a common out let' conduit having communication with each cleaner at the respective curved screens for exhausting dust, a dust extractor including a casing having a pipe connection with said bin, and an exhaust fan also having communication with said conduit and with said casing for pneumatically elevating moss from the bin to said casing.

9; Apparatus of the character described comprising a structure defining a chute converging toward a common point, a pair of false bottoms including screens situated at different places in said chute, a primary cleaner associated with the first screen discharging moss on top and refuse beneath, the movement of the moss over the screen causing a sifting action, a finishing cleaner receiving the moss from said screen and discharging the moss upon the second screen, refuse from the finishing cleaner'falling into the chute and the movement of the moss over the second screen having a sifting action, means for removing the moss from said second screen to a place of final disposal,

and means operatingbeneath said commonpoint to continuously remove the refuse.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising structure generally defining a chute, two hooded screens, a screen partition situated beneath each hooded screen, a primary cleaner associated with the first pair of hooded and partition screens discharging moss between the screens and refuse into the chute, a finishing cleaner receiving the moss from said screens and discharging it against the second pair of hooded and partition screens, therefuse falling through the chute,

means continuously operating beneath the chute to remove the refuse including that produced by the sifting action of the moss upon said screens, and means associated with said hooded screens producing a suctionto separate dust as the moss strikes said screens.

11 Apparatus of the character described including a building having ground, first and second floors, a; primary moss cleaner situated on the second floor, a finishing cleaner situated on the first floor, means including an inclined screen upon which the moss from the primary cleaner is discharged and gravitates to the finishing cleaner, means including an inclined screen upon which the moss of the finishing cleaner is discharged and gravitates toward the ground floor, a chute structure so arranged as to enclose said screens, receive sittings therefrom, and also the refuse from said cleaners, said chute also defining a bin on the ground floor, means continuously operating beneath the chute to remove the refuse,

a dust extractor including a casing situated on the second floor having a pipe leading to the bin, and suction means having connection adjacent to the screens of each cleaner for separating dust from the moss and a connection with said casing for elevating the moss and also separating dust.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cleaner having a rotatable toothed drum, a, air of rollsv having upstanding intermes ing'portions for introducing moss, a relatively stationary toothed element in respect to which the drumrevolves, and means including a plate toward which the moss is worked and at which a separation of the refuse takes place.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cleaner having a rotatable toothed drum, a pair of rolls having uping a feed table, corrugated feed rolls for introducing moss from the feed means to the drum, a relatively stationary toothed member against which the drum operates,

means for adjusting the position of said member in respect to the drum, a plate having a thickened leading edge at which a separation of refuse from the moss occurs, a chute into which the refuse falls, and a screen outlet into which the moss is discharged. 7

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising a dust extractor'having a caslng, a moss tube having a hood in communication with the casing, an exhaust fan having communication with the hood for drawing moss through the tube into the casing,

a screen in the hood a ainstwhich the moss is discharged causing it to fall into the casing, and a door at the outlet end of the easing held closed by the'suction of the fan to receive moss.

16. Apparatus of the character described comprising a dust extractor having a casing, a moss tube having a hood in comnnlnication with the casing, an exhaust fan having communication with the hood for drawing moss through the tube into the casing, a

screen in the hood against Which the moss is discharged causing it to fall lnto the casing, a door at the outlet end of the casing held Closed by the suction of the fan to receive moss, and means including a valve associated 10 v with the exhaust fan arranged to be opened to short circuit the fan and thereby permit the door to be opened by gravity for the dumping 01": the moss.

WESLEY DEUETTE TYLER.

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