Apparatus and Method for Removing Wrap from Cotton Modules

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.

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.