Apparatus and Method for Removing Wrap from Cotton Modules

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing wrapping material from around a cotton module that results in the unwrapped cotton generally retaining the shape and density of the original cotton module. The apparatus has a bale engaging mechanism which straddles the cotton module on a conveyor surface and a cutting device to cut the wrapping material. The bale engaging mechanism has a moveable support frame, one or more arms on each side of the apparatus that pivot downward and inward from the support frame to position a roller at the lower end of the arms against the cotton module and a frame moving mechanism that moves the support frame, arms and cotton module upward and downward. The wrapping material can be cut as the cotton module is moved into the bale engaging mechanism, after the module is engaged by the rollers or after the module is raised above the conveyor surface.

1 . An apparatus for removing wrapping material from a cotton module to obtain cotton therefrom, said apparatus comprising:
 a bale engaging mechanism substantially straddling an upwardly facing conveyor surface, said bale engaging mechanism having a support frame, one or more arms on each of a first side and a second side of said apparatus, one or more lift members at a lower end of each of said arms, a frame moving means operatively connected to said support frame for moving said support frame and said arms between a lower position with the cotton module on said conveyor surface and an upper position with the cotton module in spaced apart relation to said conveyor surface and a pivoting mechanism associated with each of said arms and said support frame for pivoting said arms between an engaged position with said lift members against the cotton module and a disengaged position with said lift members in spaced apart relation to the cotton module; and   a cutting device configured to cut the wrapping material,   wherein said bale engaging mechanism is configured to facilitate removal of the wrapping material from the cotton module and placement of the cotton on said conveyor surface while substantially retaining the shape and density of the cotton module.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a main frame having a plurality of frame members, said support frame moveably connected to said main frame. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pivoting mechanism is at an upper end of each of said arms. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting device is configured to cut a lower side of the cotton module and provide a hanging portion substantially below the cotton module when said support frame and said arms are in said upper position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a fork-like device is utilized to engage said hanging portion to assist in removal of the wrapping material from the cotton module. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting device is attached to a handle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said bale engaging mechanism has at least a pair of said arms on each of said first side and said second side of said apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said arms comprise at least a forward arm at a forward end of said bale engaging mechanism and a rearward arm at a rearward end of said bale engaging mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said arms extend generally downward from said support frame. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for removing wrapping material from a cotton module to obtain cotton therefrom, said apparatus comprising:
 a main frame comprising a plurality of frame members, said main frame substantially straddling a feeding mechanism defining an upwardly facing conveyor surface;   a bale engaging mechanism supported by said main frame, said bale engaging mechanism having a support frame movably associated with said main frame, one or more arms extending generally downward from said support frame on each of a first side and a second side of said apparatus, one or more lift members at a lower end of each of said arms, a frame moving means operatively connected to said support frame for moving said support frame between a lower position with the cotton module on said conveyor surface and an upper position with the cotton module in spaced apart relation to said conveyor surface and a pivoting mechanism at an upper end of said arms for pivoting said arms between an engaged position with said lift members against the cotton module and a disengaged position with said lift members in spaced apart relation to the cotton module; and   a cutting device configured to cut the wrapping material,   wherein said bale engaging mechanism is configured to facilitate removal of the wrapping material from cotton module and placement of the cotton on said conveyor surface while substantially retaining the shape and density of the cotton module.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said cutting device is configured to cut a lower side of the cotton module and provide a hanging portion substantially below the cotton module when said support frame and said arms are in said upper position. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a fork-like device is utilized to engage said hanging portion to assist in removal of the wrapping material from the cotton module. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said cutting device is attached to a handle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said bale engaging mechanism has at least a pair of said arms on each of said first side and said second side of said apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said arms comprise at least a forward arm at a forward end of said bale engaging mechanism and a rearward arm at a rearward end of said bale engaging mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . A method for removing wrapping material from a cotton module to obtain cotton therefrom, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) positioning the cotton module on a conveyor surface;   b) moving the cotton module into a bale engaging mechanism having a support frame with one or more arms extending generally downward on each of a first side and a second side of said apparatus;   c) operating said bale engaging mechanism to pivot said arms generally inward toward the cotton module to place said apparatus in a lower engaged position with a lift member at a lower end of each of said arms disposed against the cotton module;   d) raising the support frame to raise the cotton module to place said apparatus in an upper engaged position with the cotton module in spaced apart relation to said conveyor surface;   e) cutting the wrapping material with a cutting device;   f) lowering the support frame to place the cotton at a lower side of the cotton module on said conveyor surface; and   g) operating said bale engaging mechanism to pivot said arms generally outward and said lift members away from said cotton module to place said apparatus in a lower disengaged position with the cotton on said conveyor surface generally retaining the shape and density of the cotton module.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said cutting step is performed in conjunction with said moving step. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said cutting step is performed prior to said raising step. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said cutting step produces one or more hanging portions hanging generally downward from the cotton module and said method further comprises the step of engaging each of said hanging portions after said cutting step to pull said hanging portions away from the cotton module prior to said lowering step. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said lift members are disposed against the cotton module at approximately the five-o'clock and seven o'clock positions.