IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINE USED FOR CLEANING COTTON, AND COMMONLY CALLED A 'CHURKA' OR ROLLER GIN
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Warren at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
December 1860.
I, FREDERICK WARREN, of Birmingham, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINE
USED FOR CLEANING COTTON, AND COMMONLY CALLED A 'CHURKA' OR ROLLER GIN,"
to be as follows:-
The roller gin or churka is a machine used especially in India for separating
cotton fibre from its seed, and usually consists of two rollers fitted in a wood
frame, and made to revolve upon each other in such a way as to draw the
fibre through and away from the seed. Originally two persons were required
to work such a machine, and one to feed it. Various means have been adopted
to enable one person to work and feed.
My Invention consists, firstly, in making the head or that part containing
the rollers of one casting, and two caps or glands, so that when I wish to take
out or put in rollers, I have only to remove these caps or glands.
Secondly, in cutting a screw or worm on the spindle that carries the bottom
roller, and thus facilitating the renewal of such roller when required.
Thirdly, for cutting spiral grooves in the top roller, and producing corre-
sponding raised lines on the bottom roller by pressing the two rollers together,
and adjusting them so that the raised lines of the one roller shall work con-
tinuously in the cut grooves of the other roller, and thus increase the grip
between the two rollers. I also accomplish this object by cutting diagonal

page_text: notches in the top roller by means of a machine. My Invention consisting in
this case of cutting such notches by suitable machinery.
Fourthly, in making the bottom rollers of lead or copper, or other metal
that may be found suitable, and using these metal rollers when desirable.
Fifthly, cutting grooves in the bottom rollers, and inserting in these grooves
wire studs, air, cord, or other suitable material for increasing the drag of the
roller, so that it may take better hold of the cotton fibre.
Sixthly, in placing a piece of sheet metal or wood, or any suitable material
except wire, in such a position relative to the top roller as that it shall
prevent the cotton fibre from lapping round such roller.
Seventhly, in fixing a travelling apron, so that one of the rollers that carry
it shall be capable of being adjusted to the bottom roller of the churka, and
when revolving carry the material of the apron close enough to the said bottom
roller to wipe off and carry away any fibre that would otherwise lap round
such roller. I accomplish this object, but not so well, by placing a roller
covered with suitable material below the bottom roller of the churka, and by
making it revolve so as to wipe off or remove the fibre aforesaid.
Eighthly, in arranging any number of the heads upon framework in such a
-way-so-that-any-one_head_can_be_stopped without interfering with any other
of the series, and in so arranging the requisite shafting and other appliances
that these heads may be driven by steam or other power.
Ninthly, in placing any desired number of these heads upon a suitable
carriage, together with driving appliances, so that they may be made portable
and capable of being removed from place to place, and worked by steam or
other power, and thus greatly facilitate the cleaning of cotton as it is picked.
Tenthly, in the self-acting feeding apparatus, consisting of a travelling cloth
or apron so arranged that the seed cotton shall be delivered thereon by
hand or machinery, and thus secure the even and regular feeding of the
machine, or in making the self-acting feeder to consist of a hopper into which
the said cotton may be thrown, and then liberated as wanted by delivering
rollers.
Eleventhly, in employing an ordinary fluted roller for the top roller of the
churka, and preventing the seed from being drawn through by placing a piece
of sheet metal in such a position relative to this roller as that the cotton fibre
shall readily pass when the seed is rejected by the action of this metal plate.