Method and assembly for processing round seed cotton modules

An apparatus for enabling the release of produce from a module retained by a plastics sleeve, the apparatus comprising;

• a primary support frame including legs fixed to ground surface via feet
• a gantry which supports a compression assembly capable of receiving and retaining the module;
• means to enable the compression assembly to moves between a non working state in which the compression assembly is elevated above a work station and a working state in which the compression assembly is at a work station in which compression arms are capable of retaining a produce module;
• wherein the compression assembly includes means to enable the arms to apply a radial force to the module sufficient to allow the compression assembly to remove the plastics sleeve and allow the produce to gravitate through a free end of the module as the plastics sleeve is elevated away from the produce.

A method of releasing a produce bale from a retaining sleeve, using an apparatus comprising;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• an apparatus for enabling the release of produce from a module retained by a plastics sleeve, the apparatus comprising;
• a primary support frame including legs fixed to ground surface via feet
• a gantry which supports a compression assembly capable of receiving and retaining a module;
• means to enable the compression assembly to moves between a non working state in which the compression assembly is elevated above a work station and a working state in which the compression assembly is at a work station in which compression arms are capable of retaining a produce module;
• the method comprising the steps of;
• a) placing the produce module at a work station underneath the apparatus so that the module is sitting on an open end;
• b) advancing arms of the compression assembly so that a radial force is applied to a wall of the module sufficient to friction grip the sleeve;
• c) elevating the compression assembly so that the sleeve is elevated away from the produce module until the sleeve is released from the module,
• d) allowing the produce to gravitate through a free end of the plastics sleeve as the sleeve is elevated away from the produce;
• e) discarding the plastics sleeve and advancing the produce to a further processing state away from the apparatus.