DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A SYSTEM FOR COTTON HARVESTING”

APPLICANT:

Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,
MRV, Mahindra World City (MWC),
Plot No. 41/1, Anjur Post, Chengalpattu,
Kanchipuram District – 603204 (TN) INDIA

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHINCAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to cotton picking, and more particularly to a system and method for cotton harvesting.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, steps involved in cotton harvesting include picking cotton bolls, collecting the picked cotton bolls, opening the picked cotton bolls and separating lint cotton from the seed cotton. Usually, output of cotton growers is dependent on manual labour for picking the cotton from the bolls and is limited because of the cost of picking of the cotton and the time involved.
[003] Over a period of time, to increase the output, many mechanical devices have been introduced for cotton picking. Such mechanical devices include cotton sleds, cotton strippers and the like. The aforementioned mechanical devices are at least limited to collecting cotton bolls and extracting seed cotton, in function, and since these mechanical devices are usually carried by a person around the cotton field the devices can only collect so many cotton bolls due to size limitation. The existing cotton picking mechanical devices require frequent emptying of the collected cotton bolls or seed cotton from the device to a truck or a container usually located out of the cotton field. Hence the efficiency of cotton picking is decreased. Additionally, with such devices, cotton bolls that are not matured are also usually picked up resulting in an additional step of sorting the matured cotton bolls from the collected cotton bolls.
[004] Further, the sorted matured cotton bolls are further taken to a cotton ginning facility to remove lint cotton from the seed cotton. The lint cotton is then packaged and stored. The aforementioned process is time consuming and hence less efficient.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for cotton harvesting than can eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of the existing mechanical devices.

OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a system for cotton harvesting.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a system for cotton harvesting which is capable of carrying out picking, collecting and ginning function.
[008] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a system for cotton harvesting which is easy to carry.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] Fig. 1 depicts a system for cotton harvesting according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0012] Fig. 2 depicts a picking unit of the system for cotton harvesting according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0014] The embodiments herein achieve a system for cotton harvesting. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0015] Fig. 1 depicts a system for cotton harvesting according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 depicts a picking unit of the system for cotton harvesting according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The system 10 includes a picking unit 100 and a processing unit 200. The picking unit 100 includes a plurality of spindle 102 (as shown in Fig. 2) and a hose 104. The processing unit 200 includes a collection chamber 202, a suction fan 204, a power source 206, a ginning chamber 208, a seed tank 210, a packaging unit (not shown) and a plurality of wheels W. In an embodiment the picking unit 100 is used for picking the cotton boll and the processing unit 200 is used for processing the cotton boll.
[0016] Now, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, in an embodiment, the picking unit 100 is handheld and is capable of being strapped to the hand of a user. The spindles 102 of the picking unit 100 are provided on a rotor (not shown) to define a rotary motion. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to have the spindles 102 define any other type of motion without otherwise deterring the intended function of the spindles 102 as can be deduced from this description. In an embodiment, the spindles 102 of the picking unit 100 are provided with spikes (not shown). The hose 104 of the picking unit 100 is connected to the collection chamber 202 of the processing unit 200. The spindles 102 are used for picking the cotton boll (not shown) from the plant (not shown) and the hose 104 is used for transferring the picked cotton boll from the picking unit 100 to the collection chamber 202 of the processing unit 200. The spindles 102 are driven/rotated by electric motor (not shown) provided in the picking unit 100. In an embodiment, the picking unit 100 includes control switches (not shown) for controlling the electric motor (not shown) thereby controlling the spindles 102. The electric motor (not shown) is connected to a power supply (not shown) for driving the spindles 102.
[0017] In an embodiment the picking unit 102 includes a guiding means (not shown) provided around the spindles 102 to avoid entangling of cotton boll with the spindles 102. Further, the picking unit 102 includes a lighting means (not shown) for facilitating the picking of the right/required cotton boll.
[0018] The hose 104 of the picking unit 100 is provided in fluid communication with the collection chamber 202 of the processing unit 200 for transferring the cotton boll from the picking unit 100 to the collection chamber 202. In an embodiment the hose 104 is a light weight flexible hose. In an embodiment the diameter of the hose 104 is 50 mm. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide the hose 104 at any other diameter without otherwise deterring the intended function of the picking unit 100 as can be deduced from this description.
[0019] In an embodiment the system 10 includes one picking unit 100. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the system 10 with any number of picking unit 100 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system 10 as can be deduced from the description. When using plurality of picking units 100 the corresponding hose 104 of each of the picking unit 100 are provided in fluid communication with the collection chamber 202 of the processing unit 200.
[0020] The collection chamber 202 is provided in fluid communication with the ginning chamber 208 and the ginning chamber 208 is provided in fluid communication with the packaging unit and the seed tank 210. The collection chamber 202 of the processing unit 200 includes a plurality of rollers (not shown) to move the collected cotton boll to the ginning chamber 208. The ginning chamber 208 is connected to the packaging unit (not shown) via a conduit (not shown). The conduit is adapted to receive an opening of sack. The collection chamber 202 is used for collecting or storing the cotton bolls picked by the picking unit 100.
[0021] In an embodiment the suction fan 204 of the processing unit 200 is provided in fluid communication with the collection chamber 202 for facilitating the movement of the cotton boll from the picking unit 100 to the collection chamber 202 by creating suction in the collection chamber 202.
[0022] In an embodiment the ginning chamber 208 is used to separate the lint cotton (not shown) and seeds (not shown) from the cotton boll. The ginning chamber 208 includes a ginning roller (not shown) for separating the lint cotton (not shown) and seeds (not shown) from the cotton boll. The seeds separated in the ginning chamber 208 are stored in the seed tank 210 and lint cotton is sent to packaging unit and the lint cotton is packed into sacks by the packaging unit.
[0023] In an embodiment the power source 206 is configured to drive the suction fan 204 and the ginning roller (not shown). In an embodiment, the power source 206 is an engine. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide at least one electric motor as a power source 206.
[0024] In an embodiment the wheels W of the processing unit 200 is used for facilitating the movement of the processing unit 200.
[0025] The working of the system 10 is as follows. The user holds the picking unit 100 such that the spindles 102 are provided in contact with the cotton boll. The spindles 102 pick the cotton boll and the picked cotton boll is pulled into the collection chamber 202 through the hose 104 due to the suction creation by the suction fan 204. The cotton boll collected in the collection chamber 202 is sent to the ginning chamber 208 where the lint cotton and seeds are separated from the cotton boll through the ginning roller (not shown). The lint cotton from the ginning chamber 208 is sent to the packaging unit (not shown) and the seeds from the ginning chamber 208 are collected in the seed tank 210.
[0026] The system 10 includes the following advantages. The system 10 is mobile and can easily be used in farms for cotton picking. The processing unit 200 is portable and is light weight. The cotton boll is stored in the collection chamber 202 rather than carried by the farmer. The system 10 provides faster cotton picking at lower cost. The system 10 facilitates multi operation such as picking and seed separation. The system 10 is easy to use and does not destroy the crops. The system 10 allows the farm labor to move quickly as he/she has no bag around his back/waist. The system 10 allows the usage of only one hand for picking, and thus leads to less fatigue for the operator.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A system for cotton harvesting, the system comprising:
at least one picking unit adapted for picking a cotton boll, the picking unit comprising at least one spindle and a hose; and
a processing unit adapted for processing the cotton boll, the processing unit comprising a collection chamber adapted for collecting the cotton boll; a ginning chamber adapted for separating a lint cotton and a seeds from the cotton boll; a suction fan adapted for creating suction in the collection chamber to receive the cotton boll from the picking unit; and a seed tank adapted for storing the seeds separated from the cotton boll,
wherein
the collection chamber is provided in fluid communication with the hose and the ginning chamber; the ginning chamber is provided in fluid communication with the seed tank;
the spindle is adapted to pick the cotton boll; and the hose is adapted to provide the cotton boll picked by the spindle to the collection chamber.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a packaging unit adapted to pack the lint cotton.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a plurality of wheels adapted to facilitate the movement of the processing unit.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collection chamber comprises a plurality of rollers adapted to move the cotton boll from the collection chamber to the ginning chamber.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ginning chamber comprises at least one ginning roller adapted to separate the lint cotton and the seeds from the cotton boll.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a power source adapted to drive the suction fan and the ginning roller.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the power source is at least one of an engine and an electric motor.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the picking unit further comprises a lighting means adapted to facilitate the picking of the cotton boll.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle is adapted to define a rotary motion to pick the cotton boll.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle comprises a plurality of spikes adapted to facilitate the picking of the cotton boll.

Dated this 20th January 2016 Signature:
Name of the Signatory: Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
A system for cotton harvesting includes at least one picking unit for picking a cotton boll and a processing unit for processing the cotton boll. The picking unit includes at least one spindle and a hose and the processing unit includes a collection chamber for collecting the cotton boll, a ginning chamber for separating a lint cotton and a seeds from the cotton boll, a suction fan for creating suction in the collection chamber to receive cotton boll from the picking unit and a seed tank for storing the seeds separated from the cotton boll. The spindle is used to pick the cotton boll and the hose is adapted to provide the cotton boll picked by the spindle to the collection chamber.

,CLAIMS: CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A system for cotton harvesting, the system comprising:
at least one picking unit adapted for picking a cotton boll, the picking unit comprising at least one spindle and a hose; and
a processing unit adapted for processing the cotton boll, the processing unit comprising a collection chamber adapted for collecting the cotton boll; a ginning chamber adapted for separating a lint cotton and a seeds from the cotton boll; a suction fan adapted for creating suction in the collection chamber to receive the cotton boll from the picking unit; and a seed tank adapted for storing the seeds separated from the cotton boll,
wherein
the collection chamber is provided in fluid communication with the hose and the ginning chamber; the ginning chamber is provided in fluid communication with the seed tank;
the spindle is adapted to pick the cotton boll; and the hose is adapted to provide the cotton boll picked by the spindle to the collection chamber.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a packaging unit adapted to pack the lint cotton.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a plurality of wheels adapted to facilitate the movement of the processing unit.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collection chamber comprises a plurality of rollers adapted to move the cotton boll from the collection chamber to the ginning chamber.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ginning chamber comprises at least one ginning roller adapted to separate the lint cotton and the seeds from the cotton boll.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a power source adapted to drive the suction fan and the ginning roller.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the power source is at least one of an engine and an electric motor.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the picking unit further comprises a lighting means adapted to facilitate the picking of the cotton boll.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle is adapted to define a rotary motion to pick the cotton boll.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle comprises a plurality of spikes adapted to facilitate the picking of the cotton boll.