Moving cylindrical modules synchronously

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

1 . A module handler comprising
 a conveyor for moving cylindrical modules wrapped with a cover toward a disperser along a direction of movement;   a device for picking a module up off the conveyor and then replacing the module on the conveyor and a motor for moving the picking up device in the direction of movement;   a mechanism for removing the cover when the module is picked up off the conveyor; and   a control unit for moving the conveyor and the picking up device, toward the disperser, at the same linear speed.   
     
     
         2 . The module handler of  claim 1  wherein the modules comprise ends having an axis extending through the ends and the picking up and replacing device is oriented to replace the modules on the conveyor so the axis is parallel to the direction of movement. 
     
     
         3 . The module handler of  claim 1  wherein the picking up and replacing device is oriented to place the module back onto the conveyor in juxtaposed relation with an upstream module so flow from the disperser is more consistent. 
     
     
         4 . The module handler of  claim 1  wherein the picking up and replacing device is oriented to place the module back onto the conveyor no greater than one foot from a trailing module so flow from the disperser is more consistent. 
     
     
         5 . A method of operating a cotton gin separating cotton seed from lint having a disperser and a conveyor for moving cylindrical modules wrapped with a cover toward a disperser along a direction of movement, a device for picking a module up off the conveyor and then replacing the module on the conveyor and a motor for moving the picking up device in the direction of movement, a mechanism for removing the cover when the module is picked up off the conveyor and a control unit for moving the conveyor and the picking up device, toward the disperser, at the same linear speed, comprising
 picking the module up off the conveyor with the device,   removing the cover when the module is off the conveyor with the mechanism, the conveyor moving toward the disperser at a predetermined linear speed while the module is off the conveyor,   moving the picking up device toward the disperser while the module is off the conveyor at the same predetermined linear speed.