US 7,350,726 B1 · Method of converting cotton waste to mulch

Abstract

Cotton waste is transferred to a heated reactor and mixed with a pigment in the presence of steam. Cotton waste is converted to mulch by a plurality of rotating mixing elements disposed in the reactor and which mix, cut and/or chop the cotton waste therein. In particular, the reactor includes a cylindrical wall section and a longitudinal drive shaft extending through the reactor. A series of radial arms extend from the drive shaft. Mounted on the terminal ends of the radial arms is a first set of mixing elements. As the drive shaft is driven, these mixing elements move adjacent the inner surface of the cylindrical wall section. Further, there is provided a second set of mixing elements disposed adjacent the inner face of the cylindrical wall section. These rotary mixing elements are secured to a shaft that extends through the cylindrical wall section at an angle to the longitudinal drive shaft. The second set of mixing elements cooperate with the first set of mixing elements to cut or chop and transform the cotton waste into mulch.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of converting cotton waste to mulch comprising:

a. transferring cotton waste into a reactor;
b. mixing the cotton waste with a pigment and/or a binder in the reactor by the mixing action of one or more rotary mixing elements that move through the reactor;
and
c. wherein the mixing of the cotton waste with the pigment and/or binder within the reactor forms the mulch;
and
d. wherein the rotary mixing elements include one or more choppers that chop the cotton waste, and wherein the one or more choppers are driven by one or more motors positioned outside the reactor and having one or more drive shafts that extend through the wall of the reactor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of converting cotton waste to mulch

Life of this patent

Method of converting cotton waste to mulch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19