Technique for removing a cover from cylindrical modules
AssigneeStover Equipment Co., Inc.
InventorJimmy Stover
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims62
A module feeder, adjacent a disperser, comprising equipment for unwrapping cylindrical modules wrapped with a cover, including a device for picking a module up off an underlying surface and a mechanism for rotating the module when it is off the underlying surface.
A module feeder, adjacent a disperser, for unwrapping cylindrical modules wrapped with a cover, comprising a device for detecting which direction the cover is wrapped around the module.
A module feeder equipped to handle rectangular modules and cylindrical modules wrapped with a cover including a conveyor for moving the modules toward a disperser and a device for removing the cover from the cylindrical modules, the device being movable to a position outside the path of movement of the rectangular modules to allow the rectangular modules to pass toward the disperser.
A module feeder comprising a conveyor for moving cylindrical modules wrapped with a cover toward a disperser and a device for selectively rotating the modules clockwise or counterclockwise.
A module feeder, adjacent a disperser, for unwrapping a cylindrical module wrapped with a cover and wherein there is a relative direction of movement between the disperser and the module feeder and the modules have an axis parallel to the direction of movement, comprising a device for placing the module on an underlying surface so the module axis is parallel to the direction of movement.
A chain bed conveyor providing a chain plane for conveying cylindrical modules wrapped with a plastic cover, comprising
- an endless chain having a series of interconnected links including a plurality of pusher links, the pusher links comprising a body including a top edge above and parallel to the chain plane and a leading edge, merging with the top edge and defining an obtuse angle therewith, the leading edge defining an acute angle with the chain plane, the acute angle facing the top edge.
A module feeder, adjacent a disperser, for unwrapping a cylindrical module wrapped with a cover, comprising a device for picking up the modules up off an underlying surface, rotating the modules and then replacing modules on the underlying surface, and a mechanism for distinguishing between adjacent modules and providing an output signal, the picking up device being positioned in response to the output signal.
A module feeder 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;
- a mechanism for removing the cover when the module is picked up off the conveyor, a motor for moving the picking up device in the direction of movement and a control unit for moving the conveyor and the picking up device at the same speed.
The method of conveying cylindrical seed cotton modules having ends and a cylindrical axis passing through the ends, comprising placing the modules on a conveyor with the cylindrical axis parallel to a direction of movement of the conveyor, and powering the conveyor and thereby moving the modules toward a disperser.
A module feeder comprising a conveyor for delivering a series of juxtaposed cylindrical modules wrapped with a plastic cover toward a disperser, a device for picking up one of the modules from between adjacent modules and conducting an operation thereon while the conveyor is moving the modules toward the disperser, the device including a mechanism for replacing the module between the adjacent modules after the completion of the operation.
A module feeder, adjacent a disperser, for unwrapping a cylindrical module wrapped with a cover and wherein there is a direction of relative movement between the disperser and the module feeder, the module having ends, comprising a slitter oriented relative to the direction of movement for cutting the cover along a path between the ends.
A module feeder, adjacent a disperser, for unwrapping a cylindrical module wrapper with a cover and wherein there is a direction of relative movement between the disperser and the module feeder, comprising a device for rotating a module and a device for unwrapping the cover while rotating the module.
A device for handling a module wrapped with a plastic wrapping, comprising a device for picking a module up off an underlying surface, a mechanism for rotating the module when it is off the underlying surface and equipment for removing the plastic wrapping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.