Patent Abstract:
Two dispersers tunnels ( 20, 22 ) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel ( 20, 22 ) houses two dispersers ( 24, 26  and  28, 30 ). Each pair of dispersers ( 24, 26  and  38, 30 ) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone ( 42, 54 ) being defined between them. A separate conveyor ( 32, 34, 36, 38 ) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules ( 18, 18′, 18″, 18 ′″), to the dispersers ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ). Each pair of dispersers ( 24, 26 ) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules ( 18, 18′, 18″, 18 ′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone ( 42, 54 ) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run ( 50 ) of a conveyor ( 52 ) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station. The feed rate of the modules ( 18, 18′, 18″, 18 ′″) may be regulated and varied by regulating and varying the speed rates of the conveyors ( 32, 34, 36, 38 ). The feed conveyors may be provided with sidewalls so as to define storage bins. Bodies of particulate material may be stored in the storage bins and feed to the dispersers by use of the feed conveyors. The dispersers can be operated to dispense particles from the bodies of particulate material into the mixing zone, in admixture with particles of the other disperse of the pair. The feed rate of the conveyors can be varied for varying the feed rate of particulate material to the dispersers.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispersing fiber clumps, e.g. cotton boll clumps, from two or more textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules, at the same time, and mixing the clumps to form a blend, and to a method and apparatus for mixing particulate materials, e.g. wood chips. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Below there is a description of the handling of cotton fibers, starting with the harvesting of cotton bolls. However, the invention is not limited to the handling of cotton fibers but rather applies equally as well to the handling of other textile fibers that have been compressed into large modules that need to be mechanically dispersed into clumps of fibers so that the fibers can be separated, cleaned and then further processed, ultimately into yarns. It also applies to mixing particulate materials, e.g. wood chips. 
     As known to those skilled in the art, cotton plants produce seedpods, known as cotton bolls, which contain the seeds. Seed hairs, or fibers, growing from the outer skin of the seeds, become tightly packed within the boll, which bursts open upon maturity, revealing soft masses of the fibers. These fibers are white to yellowish white in color, range from about 0.75 to about 1.5 inches in length and are composed of about 85-90% cellulose, a carbohydrate plant substance; five to eight percent water; and four to six percent natural impurities. 
     Cotton is harvested when the bolls open. In the fields, the cotton bolls are tightly compressed into large modules which are transported from the fields to processing plants. In the processing plants, the modules are mechanically dispersed into clumps of bolls and then the fibers are separated from the seeds and are cleaned and then are further processed, ultimately into yarns. 
     It is known to disperse the cotton boll modules by use of a stack of rolls that include fingers which rotate into an advancing end of a cotton module, to tear loose clumps of the bolls from the module as they rotate. The stack of rolls is termed a disperser and it is common to use conveyors for delivering the cotton modules to the disperser. Example disperser systems are disclosed by the following United States Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,085, granted Feb. 5, 1985 to Donald W. Van Doorn, James B. Hawkins, Tommy W. Webb and William A. Harmon, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,841, granted Jun. 16, 1992, to Keith Harrington and Donald Rogers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,675, granted Jun. 29, 1993, to Jimmy R. Stover; U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,264, granted Aug. 23, 1994, to Manfred W. Quaeck and U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,603, granted Nov. 28, 1995, to Jimmy R. Stover. These patents show examples of the conveyors which have been used, or proposed, for delivering the cotton modules to the disperser. The present invention is not limited to any particular type of conveyor. However, a reciprocating slat conveyor is preferred. Example reciprocating slat conveyors that are suitable are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,445, granted Aug. 10, 1999, to Raymond Keith Foster, Randall M. Foster and Kenneth A. Stout, and U.S. Pat. No. RE 35,022, granted Aug. 22, 1995, to Raymond Keith Foster. 
     Cotton fibers, for example, may be roughly classified into three main groups, based on staple length (average length of the fibers in a cotton module) and appearance. The first group includes the fine, lustrous fibers with staple length ranging from about 1 to about 2.5 inches and includes types of the highest quality—such as Sea Island, Egyptian and Pima cottons. Least plentiful and most difficult to grow, long-staple cottons are costly and are used mainly for fine fabrics, yarns and hosiery. The second group contains the second group contains the standard medium-staple cotton, such as American Upland, with staple length from about 0.5 to 1.3 inches. The third group includes the short-staple, coarse cottons, ranging from about 0.375 to 1 inch in length, used to make carpets and blankets, and to make coarse and inexpensive fabrics when blended with other fibers. Within each group, the quality of the fibers can vary depending on such things as where the cotton is grown. It is desirable to blend the lower quality fibers with higher quality fibers to produce an acceptable quality blend of fibers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for blending cotton clumps as they are removed from the cotton modules. The clumps of bolls are mixed together to form the blend and then the blend is further processed to separate the fibers from the seeds, etc. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for blending other types of textile fiber clumps as they are removed from the textile fiber modules. Clumps from different modules are mixed together to form a blend of the fibers and then the blend is conveyed on for further processing. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for mixing particulate materials, such as different types and/or grades of wood fiber chips, and wood fiber chips with other materials, e.g. granule recycled plastic. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One apparatus of the present invention is basically characterized by a pair of confronting dispersers, each having an input side and an output side. The output sides of the two dispersers face each other on opposite sides of a mixing zone. A feed conveyor is provided for each disperser. Each feed conveyor is adapted to feed textile fiber modules into the input side of its disperser. An output conveyor is positioned between the two dispersers, at the bottom of the mixing zone. The feed conveyors are adapted to move the modules to the dispersers. Each disperser removes fiber clumps from its module and discharges them airborne into the mixing zone into admixture with fiber clumps delivered airborne into the mixing zone from the other disperser. The mixed blend of fiber clumps falls on the outfeed conveyor and the output conveyor carries the blend away from the mixing zone. 
     Each disperser comprises a plurality of power driven rolls, each of which is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis and includes a plurality of fingers that move into and then out from the module as the rollers rotate. The fingers are adapted to remove fiber clumps from the module and project them into the mixing zone. 
     Preferably, the output conveyor extends generally perpendicular to the two feed conveyors. Preferably also, the feed conveyors are reciprocating slat conveyors. The outfeed conveyor may be an endless belt conveyor. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the apparatus may comprise first and second pairs of confronting dispersers of the type described, each disperser having its own feed conveyor. The output conveyor picks up a blend of fiber clumps from the first mixing zone and moves the blend onto the second mixing zone where a second blend of fibers and fiber clumps is deposited onto the cotton boll clump already on the output conveyor. 
     The method of the present invention is basically characterized by positioning first and second dispersers at a disperser station, in a spaced apart confronting relationship, so as to define a mixing zone between them. The first and second dispersers are operated while a first module is fed into the first disperser and a second module is fed into the second disperser. The first and second dispersers are operated so that each will disperse fiber clumps from its module and deliver them into the mixing zone in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser. The mixture of fiber clumps is collected at the bottom of the mixing zone and is carried away from the disperser station. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to feed the modules against the dispersers by use of conveyors and controlling the feed rate by controlling the conveyor speed. 
     A further aspect of the invention is to provide third and fourth dispensers at the dispenser station, also in a spaced apart confronting relationship, so as to define a second mixing zone between them. The third and fourth dispersers are operated while a third textile fiber module is fed into the third disperser and a fourth textile fiber module is fed into the fourth disperser. The third and fourth dispersers are operated so that each will disperse fiber clumps from its module and deliver them into the second mixing zone in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser of the pair. The mixture of fiber clumps is collected at the bottom of the second mixing zone, on top of the mixture of fiber clumps from the first mixing zone, and the total mixture is carried away from the disperser station. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved disperser roll construction. According to this aspect of the present invention, the disperser roll is provided with an elongated tubular core. At least two axially spaced apart disks are provided in the tubular core. A plurality of elongated tooth support members are spaced around the tubular core. Each tooth support member has an inner portion contacting the core and an outer portion spaced radially outwardly from the core. Each tooth support member is connected to the spaced apart radial disks. A plurality of generally radially outwardly extending teeth are secured to the outer portion of each tooth support member. 
     Preferably, each tubular core has opposite ends and the disperser roll has support shafts projecting outwardly from the opposite ends of the tubular core. 
     Preferably also, the disperser roll has at least three axially spaced apart radial disks on the tubular core, dividing the core into at least two axial sections. The elongated tooth support members for each section are spaced angularly in position relative to the tooth support members for the other section. 
     In preferred form, the disperser roll comprises four axially spaced apart radial disks on the tubular core, dividing the core into three axial sections. The elongated tooth support members for each section are angularly spaced in position from the tooth support members of the adjacent section. 
     In preferred form, the teeth are detachably secured to the outer portions of the tooth support members. Also, in preferred form, the elongated tooth support members are angle iron members. The inner portion is an inwardly extending first leg of the angle iron member and the outer portion is chordwise extending second leg of the angle iron member. 
     A still further aspect of the invention is to provide a system which includes two dispersers in a disperser tunnel or four dispersers in two disperser tunnels, and a feed conveyor for each disperser that is at the bottom of an elongated storage bin for a particulate material, e.g. wood chips or the like. In use, the conveyors feed the particulate material to the dispersers. The disperser of each pair picks up particles from the particulate material in its bin and propels them towards the other disperser. The particles from the two dispersers meet and mix within a mixing zone that is located between the dispersers. An outfeed conveyor at the bottom of the mixing zone collects the mixed particles and removes them from the disperser station. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Like reference numerals and letters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and: 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a mature cotton boll, showing how it appears when harvested; 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of apparatus according to the present invention for dispersing clumps of cotton bolls from a plurality of cotton modules and mixing them together for delivery to the next stage of processing, such view being taken from above and looking towards the top, one side and one end of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the center region of the apparatus shown by FIG. 2, showing a mixing zone formed by and between two dispersers, and an output conveyor below the mixing zone; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing two pairs of dispersers, a mixing zone between the dispersers of each pair, and including a schematic diagram of a computer controlled system for controlling the speed rate of the conveyors that deliver the cotton modules to the dispersers; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the disperser rollers; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of the roller shown by FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view looking towards one side of one of the disperser tunnels, such view showing the two end halves of the disperser tunnel moved apart and a baffle positioned in the center of the mixing zone, between the two dispersers, such view also showing how the disperser rolls and drive motor are mounted on the frame of the disperser tunnel; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 9, such view including a drive train diagram showing how the disperser rolls are connected to the drive motor; and 
     FIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 2, but showing the feed conveyors provided with sidewalls so as to define storage bins in which particulate material is stored. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a single cotton boll substantially as it appears at harvest time. The boll  10  comprises a stem  12 , a base  14  connected to the stem  12  and a ball of seed hairs, or fibers, growing from the outer skin of seeds that are within the boll  10 . In a manner that is well known in the art, the cotton bolls  10  are removed from the cotton plant and are tightly compressed into large modules  18 ,  18 ′,  18 ″,  18 ′″ that are removed from the field and transported to the processing plant. 
     FIG. 2 shows a disperser station at a processing plant that incorporates the present invention. This disperser station comprises a pair disperser tunnels  20 ,  22  each including a pair of confronting dispersers  24 ,  26  and  28 ,  30 . Each disperser,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  is provided with its own conveyor  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 . In the illustrated system, the conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  are reciprocating slat conveyors. 
     FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of disperser tunnel  20  and its two dispersers  24 ,  26 . In FIG. 3, the structure is somewhat schematically shown as the constructional details of the tunnel  20  is not particularly important to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows conveyor  32  positioned and arranged to feed the modules  18 ,  18 ′,  18 ″,  18 ′″ into the input sides of the dispersers  24 ,  26 , respectively. In this embodiment, the dispersers  24 ,  26  are identical and each comprises a plurality of disperser rolls  40 . In each disperser  24 ,  26 , the bank of rolls  40  lean to the rear from vertical. A lean angle x (FIG. 9) of about thirty degrees (30°) is illustrated. A mixing zone  42  in the shape of an inverted trapezoid is defined by and between the two dispersers  24 ,  26  and below the top of the disperser tunnel  20 . Mixing zone  42  includes a lower portion  44  situated below the conveyors  32 ,  34  and above the upper run  50  of an outfeed conveyor  52 . Mixing zone portion  44  includes sidewalls  46 ,  48  that slope downwardly from the conveyors  32 ,  34  to the upper run  50  of the conveyor  52 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the disperser tunnel  22  below the schematic of the disperser tunnel  20 . In FIG. 4, a mixing zone  54  is shown between the two dispersers  28 ,  30  and below the top of the mixing tunnel  22 . Mixing zone  54  is in series with mixing zone  42  and it shares the same outfeed conveyor  52  and the same sidewalls  46 ,  48 . 
     At times, it may be desirable to use a single disperser (e.g. disperser  24 ) in a single disperser tunnel (e.g. tunnel  20 ), in which case the associated conveyor (e.g. conveyor  32 ) will be operated to move modules  18  into the dispersing tunnel and against the rolls  40  of the disperser  24 . 
     Preferably, when a single disperser is used, a baffle B is positioned at the center of the disperser tunnel  20 . As shown by FIGS. 2,  9  and  11 , each disperser tunnel  20 ,  22  may be constructed in two longitudinal halves. In FIG. 9, the two halves are shown spaced apart. This is so that a baffle B can be included in the view. Preferably, the two tunnel parts are connected together and a slot is provided in the top of the assembly where the two parts meet. The slot leads into vertical slideways that are positioned to collect opposite side edge portions of the baffle B. A top plate  31  may extend along the upper edge of the baffle B. One or more handles H may be secured to the plate  31 . In use, when it is desired to use only a single disperser, e.g. disperser  24 , in a single disperser tunnel, e.g. tunnel  20 , a workman need only pick up the baffle B by use of the handle or handles H. The lower edge of the baffle B can be dropped into the slot provided at the top of the tunnel. Then, the baffle B may be allowed to move downwardly under the influence of gravity until the top plate  31  is on top of the disperser tunnel, overlying the top and the slot and portions of the tunnel top that immediately border the slot. Whenever it is desired to use both dispersers at once, the workman need only grab the handle or handles H and pull the baffle B up out of the slideways and set it to one side of course, other ways may be used for providing a baffle B at the center of the mixing zone. 
     When the baffle B is in place, the fiber clumps that are being thrown into the mixing zone by the disperser that is operating will strike the baffle B and then drop downwardly onto the outfeed conveyor  52 . 
     As will hereinafter be described in greater detail, rotation of the disperser rolls  40  will move fingers into the module  18  that will dislodge clumps of cotton bolls from the front end of the module  18 . As the fingers move into, then through, and then out from the module  18 , they form the clumps and then throw the clumps into the chamber  42 . The clumps then fall by gravity onto the upper run  50  of the outfeed conveyor  52 . The output conveyor  52  then moves the clumps on to the next station in the processing plant. Herein, the term “cotton boll clumps” includes a single cotton boll, a portion of a single cotton boll, a plurality of cotton bolls, and one or more cotton bolls stuck together by themselves or with any portion or portions of one or more additional cotton bolls. The term “textile fiber clumps” means the same thing but also includes other textile fiber materials. 
     Referring again to FIG. 3, at times it may be desired to remove cotton boll clumps from two modules  18 ,  18 ′ at the same time, by operating both conveyors  32 ,  34  at the same time. Conveyor  32  is operated to move a module  18  into the input of disperser  24  while conveyor  34  is operated to move a module  18 ′ into the input of disperser  26 . When this is done, the cotton clumps from the two modules  18 ,  18 ′ are mixed together in the mixing zone  42 . In FIG. 3, broken lines are used to show the travel paths of the cotton boll clumps. Mixing occurs as the cotton boll clumps are propelled (viz. moved airborne) into the mixing zone  42  so it can be said that each disperser  24 ,  26  removes cotton boll clumps from its module  18 ,  18 ′ and discharges them into the mixing zone  42  into admixture with the cotton boll clumps from the other dispenser  24 ,  26 . When both conveyors  32 ,  34  and both dispersers  24 ,  26  are operated, a blend of cotton boll clumps is formed in the mixing zone  42 . This blend drops onto the upper run  50  of the outfeed conveyor  52 . 
     As will be appreciated, the two conveyors  32 ,  34  can be operated at either substantially the same feed rate or at different feed rates. When operating them at substantially the same feed rate, the blend will comprise approximately 50% cotton boll clumps from module  18  and 50% cotton boll clumps from module  18 ′. Or, the feed rate of the conveyors  32 ,  34  may be different. For example, conveyor  32  may be operated to cause travel twice as fast as conveyor  34 . In this event, the blend or mixture will comprise two parts cotton boll clumps from module  18  and one part cotton boll clumps from module  18 ′. 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, it may be desirable to mix together cotton boll clumps from three grades or types of module. For example, conveyors  32 ,  34  and  36  may be operated at the same time, each at substantially the same feed rate or at different feed rates. In this mode of operation, a baffle B will be inserted between disperser  28 ,  30 . The cotton boll clumps that are dispersed from disperser  28  strike the baffle B and then fall down and are deposited onto the blend of cotton boll clumps from dispersers  24 ,  26  that is on the upper run  50  of the conveyor  52 . 
     The system also permits the mixing together of cotton boll clumps from four distinct modules. This is done by utilizing all four conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  for simultaneously feeding four modules  18 ,  18 ′,  18 ″,  18 ′″, each with a different quality content. Operation of conveyers  32 ,  34  and dispersers  24 ,  26  will admix cotton boll clumps from modules  18 ,  18 ′. They will drop down onto the upper run  50  of the conveyor  52 . Operation of conveyors  36 ,  38  and dispersers  28 ,  30  together will admix cotton boll clumps from modules  18 ″,  18 ′″. This mixture will drop on the mixture of cotton boll clumps from modules  18 ,  18 ′ which is already on the upper run  50  of the conveyor  52 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a control system that includes a programmed computer  56  that is adapted to send control signals to feed control devices  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  associated with the conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 . The control system disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,445 includes a programmable processor or computer and circuit components for varying the feed rate of the conveyor. It is within the skill of the art for a programmer to adapt the processor  56  so that it can be used for controlling the feed rates of the four conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 . The processor  56  can be programmed to select how many of the conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  will be used at a given time, and the feed rate of each conveyor. It can also be programmed to turn the dispersers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  on and off, and also control the speed rate of the rollers  40 . 
     Keith Manufacturing Company of  401  N.W. Adler, Madras, Oreg. 97741, makes a conveyor known as the “Running Floor II®” unloading system or unloader. This system controls the feed rate of the conveyor by controlling the output of the pump that delivers hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders that move the conveyor slats. The pump output is controlled by controlling revolutions per minute of the tractor motor that drives the pump. In the system of FIG. 4, the conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  can be Running Floor II® conveyors. The processor  56  can be programmed to vary the drive input to the pump or in another suitable way, vary the flow rate of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders that move the conveyor slats. 
     Various ways may be used to determine the feed rate of fiber. clumps into the mixing zones. For example, it can be calculated from knowing the cross sectional dimensions of the module and the conveyor speed: Also, sensors may be provided along the path of travel of each module and used to determine movement of a particular part of the module over a particular amount of time. Each module may be provided with a mark on its side or top and the sensors may be positioned to monitor the position of this mark. The information received from the sensors can then be fed to the control system, as a feedback system, and used for changing the speed rate of the conveyor. 
     FIGS. 5-8 show a preferred construction of the disperser roll  40 , also termed the “spike roll”. This construction is quite simple but yet provides a very sturdy, durable roller. In preferred form, roller  40  includes an elongated tubular core  60  that extends substantially the full length of the main body of the roll. Core  60  is mounted for rotation by a live shaft  62  having end portions  64 ,  66  that extend axially outwardly of the opposite ends of the core  60 . The core tube  60  may be supported on the member or members that provide the live shafts  64 ,  66  in any suitable manner, such as by use of disks or spiders that project radially outwardly from the members  64 ,  66  to the core tube  60 . Members  64 ,  66  may be opposite end portions of a continuous member that extends all the way through the core tube  60 . Or, they may be shorter members that are connected to the opposite end portions of the tubular core member  60 . 
     According to the present invention, the roll is divided into a plurality of sections by radial disks. In the illustrated embodiment, four disks  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  are used. They divide the roll  40  into three sections that may be of substantially the same length or their lengths may vary to some extent. The disks  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  may have a circular outline and may include a circular center opening through which the core tube  60  extends. The disks  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  may be welded to the core tube  60 . 
     The live shaft end portions  64 ,  66  are mounted for rotation in bearings. Shaft end portion  66  is connected to a suitable drive device for rotating the shaft portion  66 , and hence, the roll  40 . Bearing support systems and drive systems for disperser rolls are known in the prior art and do not per se form a part of the present invention. 
     According to the present invention, a plurality of elongated tooth support members  76 ,  78 ,  80  are spaced around the tubular core, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 7. By way of typical and therefore non-limitive example, there are four members  76 , four members  78 , and four members  80 . As shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, the two support members for each section are angularly spaced in position from the two support members of the adjacent section. In FIG. 7, the two support members  76  are shown at north, east, south and west positions. In FIG. 8, the two support members are shown in northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest positions. The two support members  80  are in axial alignment with the two support members  76 . In other words, they are also in north, east, south and west positions and the  76 ,  78  are in the positions shown by FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     In preferred form, each tooth support member  76 ,  78 ,  80  is a length of angle iron. The angle iron members  76 ,  78 ,  80  are positioned such that they present an inner leg that preferably contacts the core tube  60  and an outer leg. The outer leg is substantially perpendicular to the inner leg and extends chordwise of the disks  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 . The inner leg is perpendicular to the outer leg but does not extend radially. The opposite ends of the two support members  76 ,  78 ,  80  are welded or otherwise firmly connected to the disks  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 . 
     Each tooth support member  76 ,  78 ,  80  supports a plurality of teeth or “spikes”  82  that are detachably connected to the outer leg of the tooth support member  76 ,  78 ,  80 . The teeth or spikes  82  may be in the form of rods provided with a threaded connection  84  where they are connected to the tooth support members  76 ,  78 ,  80 . As will be apparent, the angular staggering of the tooth support members  76 ,  78 ,  80  results in an angular staggering of the teeth  82  in the center section relative to the teeth  82  in the two end sections. 
     Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the disperser roll shafts  64 ,  66  are mounted onto frame portions of the tunnel structure  20 ,  22  by bearing assemblies that are shown in FIG.  9 . Preferably, the tunnel structure includes diagonal frame members, one of which is designated  150  in FIG.  9 . It also includes bottom rails, one of which is designated  152  in FIG.  9 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing blocks for the upper five disperser rolls  40  are bolted to the frame member  150 . The bearing block for the lowest disperser roll  40  is bolted to the bottom of frame member  152 . The bearing block for the disperser roll  40  that is second from the bottom is bolted to the top of frame member  152 . For each disperser  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  a drive motor  154  is mounted on top of the disperser tunnel. As shown in FIG. 10, a drive belt assembly  156  may connect an output pulley  158  on motor  154  to a pulley  160  that is connected to end shaft  64  of the center disperser roll  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are seven disperser rolls  40 . Thus, there are three disperser rolls  40  above and three disperser rolls  40  below the center disperser roll  40 . By way of typical and therefore non-limitive example, the drive belt assembly may comprise five vee belts. As also shown by FIG. 10, at the opposite ends of the disperser rolls  40 , pulleys are connected to the end shaft  66  of the disperser rolls  40 . Drive belts  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172  interconnect adjacent pulleys. The pulley on end shaft  66  for the center disperser is connected to both the pulley on the end shaft  66  above it and the pulley on the end shaft  66  below it. The connection pattern of the pulleys  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172  is shown in FIG.  10 . Preferably, the belts are cogged belts or are timing belts. The belt and pulley drive system that is illustrated operates to rotate the disperser rolls  40  in the same direction and at substantially the same speed. The direction may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. The speed may be a variable speed that is determined by the output of motor  154 . That is, a variable speed motor  154  may be used. Or, the motor may include a variable speed output transmission. 
     FIG. 11 shows a modified system of the present invention. In this system, the disperser tunnels  20 ,  22 , the dispersers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , the feed conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  may all be the same as their counterparts in FIGS. 2-10. The only difference is that the conveyors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  have been provided with sidewalls for the purpose of defining storage bins above each feed conveyor. Feed conveyor  32  is provided with sidewalls  90 ,  92  that along with the conveyor  32  form a storage bin  106 . Conveyor  34  and sidewalls  94 ,  96  form a storage bin  108 . Conveyor  36  and sidewalls  98 ,  100  form storage bin  110 . Conveyor  38  and sidewalls  102 ,  104  together form a storage bin  112 . In this embodiment, particulate material is placed in the storage bins  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . The particulate material may extend partway up or all the way up to the tops of the dispersers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . Broken lines are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 at about the level of the uppermost disperser roll  40  in the dispersers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . The particulate material may extend up to this broken line. Or, the height of particulate material in the storage bins  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  may be at some level below the broken lines. 
     As in the case of the textile fibers, two, three or all four of the disperser units may be used together for the purpose of mixing or blending different kinds or grades of particulate material in the several storage bins  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . For example, conveyors  32 ,  34  may be operated for delivering particulate material to the input sides of the dispersers  24 ,  26 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispersers may function to dislodge particles from the bodies of particles in the storage bins  106 ,  108  and propel them into the mixing zone  44 , so as to form a blend or mixture that then gravitates onto the upper run  50  of the outfeed conveyor  52 . A third conveyor, e.g. conveyor  36 , may be operated to deliver additional particulate material to disperser  28  and disperser  28  may be used for feeding particles of such particulate material into the mixing zone  54 , preferably against the baffle B. These particles will then fall down onto the blend of particles that is on the upper run  50  of the conveyor  52 . When all four units are used, the particle material delivered by conveyors  36 ,  38  from storage bins  110 ,  112  are fed into the dispersers  28 ,  30 . The disperser rolls  40  remove particles from the bodies of particulate material that are being fed to the dispersers  28 ,  30  and propel such particles into the mixing zone  42 . The mixture or blend then falls down onto the mixture or blend of particles from dispersers  24 ,  26  that are already on the upper run  50  of the conveyor  52 . 
     The system is usable for measuring and mixing any types of particles that one may want to mix. Different sizes or kinds of wood chips may be mixed. Wood chips may be mixed with coal is particles, and then the mixture compressed into logs to be used as fuel. Or, wood chips can be mixed with plastic chips. Or different sizes and kinds of plastic chips can be mixed together. 
     The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein, but rather determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents and reversal of parts.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3