Abstract:
An apparatus to tilt, flip, or rotate a round cotton module on a conveying system employs actuated arms includes that support a bar which fits in place of a roller on a provided conveyor system having multiple rollers. A cotton module can be easily rotated or flipped to a vertical position when the bar rotates between initial reclined and final elevated positions. The wrapping can be removed once the cotton module reaches the final elevated position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/078,681, filed Apr. 1, 2011, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/407,101, filed on Oct. 27, 2010, both of which of are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0002]    Priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/078,681, filed Apr. 1, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/407,101, filed Oct. 27, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0004]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The apparatus of the present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying cotton bales or cotton modules wherein a lever or flipper rotates each bale or module from a first prone position to a second, elevated upright position while traveling along a conveyor (of rollers, for example). More particularly, this invention relates to a device that is used to tilt or flip cotton modules on for example a roller equipped conveying system wherein each module travels in a first prone position along a first conveyor or section and then is flipped upright. 
         [0007]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0008]    There are prior art bale/module flipping devices that have been patented. Examples of possibly related patents directed to such devices are listed below and each patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference: 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,939,569; 3,286,854; 3,322,256; 3,344,902; 3,612,309; 3,923,176; 4,050,598; 4,103,794; 4,179,017; 5,540,534; 6,811,367; and US Publication Nos. 2004/0005208; 2009/0202327; 2010/0024617. A competing cotton module handling product can be seen at: 
         [0000]    http://www.stoverequipment.com/unwrapper%20GIS.html. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides an apparatus that tilts or flips or rotates a round cotton module traveling on a conveying system. The bale is tilted, flipped or rotated by means of an actuated lever or arm. The apparatus includes two horizontal arms extending some distance down each side of a module feeder conveyor. 
         [0011]    These two horizontal arms each have pivot points at one end and a beam connecting the two arms on the other end. The beam that connects the two arms extend across the module feeder conveyor and rests between two rollers on a roller bed type module feeder conveyor or between two of the chain sprockets on a chain bed type module feeder conveyor. The two horizontal arms rotate upwards in sequence by means of extensible rams or cylinders (e.g., hydraulic cylinders) in order to cause the connector beam to rotate a round cotton module from its side onto its end for the purpose of enabling easy removal of the plastic wrap that envelops all or part of the round module. 
         [0012]    The plastic wrap can be partially cut, either manually or automatically, in order to allow the wrap to be removed at the bottom portion of the round cotton module. By only removing the bottom portion of the plastic wrap, the top portion of the plastic wrap (which has not been removed) will hold the round cotton module together until such time that the next round module in the sequence has been partially unwrapped. 
         [0013]    Once the next round cotton module in the sequence has been partially unwrapped, the wrap is completely removed from the first round module, allowing the module to fall apart, providing an even flow of cotton down the conveyor and into the module feeder. 
         [0014]    A lever arm or flipper arm takes the place of a roller, or can be placed in between two rollers. 
         [0015]    The flipper arm or lever arm can be placed between two sprockets at adjacent ends of chain sections on chain bed conveyors. 
         [0016]    The cotton module has wrap that can remain on the module to hold it together until the next module is flipped. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary end view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is another side fragmentary elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating rotation of the actuating arm; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating rotation of the actuating arm; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing rotation of the actuating arm; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side fragmentary elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cotton module after it has been rotated from a first prone or horizontal position to a second upright or vertical position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a fragmentary sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    The apparatus of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-14 , designated generally by the numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . Cotton module flipping apparatus  10  provides an apparatus and method for rotating or flipping a cotton module  20  from a prone or generally horizontal position (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 - 6 ) to an upright or vertical position (see  FIGS. 1 ,  11 - 12 ). Cotton modules  20  are generally cylindrically shaped, having ends  21 ,  22  and side wall  23 . Modules  20  are typically about 8′ long and about 90″ in diameter. Modules  20  are moved on a conveying system  13  that includes a frame  50  supporting rollers  12 ,  16 . 
         [0033]    The cotton module handling apparatus  10  can employ a lifting mechanism  14  in the form of a hydraulically operated flipper or lever device which has a bar  11  that fits in place of one of the rollers  12  or  16  in a conveyor system  13  (see  FIG. 4 ). The two arms  32 ,  34  (one on each side of the conveyor) lift the bar  11  when the cotton module  20  is placed above the bar  11  (see  FIGS. 5-6 ). Bar  11  can be powered by lift cylinder or cylinder  18 . Cylinder  18  rotates arms  32 ,  34  to move each module  20  from a position on its side to a vertical position so that the plastic wrap  24  around module  20  can be removed before the cotton enters the cotton module feeder disperser head  15 . These round cotton modules  20  are similar to round hay bales and can be created by a John Deere® 7760 cotton picker. 
         [0034]    Bar  11  need not be square as shown, but could be round or some other shape and could for example be a roller. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 1 , there can be seen a plurality of cotton modules  20  being conveyed toward cotton module feeder disperser head  15 . Each of the modules  20  is rolling upon rollers  12 ,  16  of a conveyer system or feeder-conveyor system  13 . In FIGS.  1  and  4 - 11 , a gap  46  is provided that is receptive of bar  11 . Rollers  12  are the rollers before the gap  46 . Rollers  16  are rollers that are after the gap  46  when considered in a direction of travel indicated by arrow  48  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0036]    Each cotton module  20  has an outer side wall  23  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that can be generally cylindrically shaped. The outer side wall  23  is covered with a wrapper or wrapping  24  that is typically removed substantially immediately prior to the receipt of a cotton module into cotton module feeder disperser head  15 . The module  20  thus includes the wrapper or wrapping  24  and the cotton  26  contained therein. As each cotton module  20  reaches gap  46 , the module  20  is placed over bar  11 . This initial position can be seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  6 . Bar  11  is able to move from a reclined position wherein it rests in gap  46  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  to an elevated position as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 . A fully elevated position is shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0037]    In order to move the cotton module  20  from the position of  FIGS. 3-6  to the position of  FIG. 12 , an extensible cylinder  18  is provided. This extensible cylinder  18  can be a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or other extensible cylinder. The cylinder  18  is mounted to an underlying support surface such as a concrete floor  58  with a foot  28 . There can be a pivotal connection  52  between foot  28  and cylinder  18  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Extensible cylinder  18  includes a cylinder  54  and a push rod  30  that extends and retracts into or out of cylinder  54 . A pair of arms  32 ,  34  are pivotally attached to frame  51  at pivots  40 ,  42  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7 ). Frame  51  can provide a column or post  36 ,  38  for each arm  32 ,  34  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0038]    Push rod  30  forms a pivotal attachment at  56  to arm  32 . There can be an additional extensible cylinder  18  attached to the arm  34  in the same fashion as the arm  32  attachment to the extensible cylinder  18  shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0039]    Arm  32  is pivotally attached to column or post  36  at pivot or pivotal attachment  40 . Arm  34  is pivotally attached to column or post  38  at pivot or pivotal attachment  42 . A base or anchor plate  44  can be provided and mounted to an underlying support surface such as a concrete floor or slab  58 . Such an anchor plate or base  44  could be a steel or other structural material with foot  28  and column or post  36 ,  38  welded thereto. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 1 , there is a module  20  that is shown in transition, designated generally as the numeral  60 . This transition position shows the module  20  as it is being moved from a reclined position to an upright or upstanding position. 
         [0041]    This transition or intermediate position  60  can also be seen by viewing  FIGS. 5 and 6  for the initial reclined position of the module  20 , and  FIGS. 9 and 10  which show the transitional or intermediate position  60  and finally to  FIGS. 11 and 12  that show the module  20  in the final elevated or upright or flipped position that is required for removal of its wrapper or wrapping  24 . 
         [0042]    The flipper apparatus of the present invention can be made of for example 5″ square steel tube and can have, for example, dimensions of for example 168″ in width, 45¾″ in height, with a distance of pivot  40  to bar  11  of about 70″, and with a distance from pivot  52  to pivot  56  (see e.g.  FIG. 9 ) of about 40″ when the cylinder  18  is retracted and about 72″ when the cylinder  18  is extended, with a bar  11  length of about 156″, when used with a roller conveyor having a width of 120″with rollers about 6⅝″ in diameter. Not shown in the drawings is the hydraulic or pneumatic system which actuates the cylinders  18 . This system can be any commercially available hydraulic or pneumatic system, such as a hydraulic power unit utilizing a 10 hp electric motor to pump hydraulic fluid, available from Franklin Electrofluid Co., Inc. of Memphis, Tenn. Preferably, the controls for the hydraulic or pneumatic system are adjacent catwalk or operator platform  61  and stepped side boards (retaining wall)  62 , both shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 1 , to allow manual activation of flipper  14  by a worker. Catwalk  61  allows workers to access modules  20  adjacent flipper  14  so they can optionally partially remove wrapping  24  before modules  20  are flipped, and completely remove wrapping  24  after modules after they are enclosed between retaining walls  62  (though only one retaining wall  62  and one catwalk  61  are shown in  FIG. 1 , preferably on the other side of conveyors  13  are a like catwalk and retaining wall), so that when the wrapping  24  is removed and the bales  20  collapse, they do so where the cotton in bales  20  will be retained by retaining walls  62  and travel to cotton feeder head  15 . 
         [0043]    Stairs (not shown) are adjacent cotton feeder head  15  to allow workers access to the top of cotton feeder head  15 . Disperser rollers  63  in the feeder head help to break up the cotton in the modules after the wrapping  24  has been removed. 
         [0044]    Optionally, the actuating system is automatically activated responsive to the positioning of a cotton module  20  above the bar  11  (this can be accomplished by, for example, providing an optical electronic switch or mechanical limit switch or any other detector to detect the presence of a module  20  in position to be flipped). 
         [0045]    Preferably, the conveyor stops automatically by means of for example a proximity switch normally in contact with bar  11  when bar  11  is in the resting position. This allows one module  20  to be flipped properly and the bar  11  to return to the resting position before another module  20  passes over gap  46 . This proximity switch could, for example, be located below gap  46 . 
         [0046]    Also, one could include an automatic cutting device to cut the wrapper  24  as the module  20  passes the cutting device or when module  20  arrives at the cutting device. 
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment of the cotton module conveying and flipping apparatus  10 , the cotton module  20  is elevated above the rollers  12 ,  16  as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , with only bar  11  in contact with the upper end portion of module  20 . 
         [0048]    The conveyors, whether chain or roller type, are usually split into sections that are driven independently. Because it is important to have a constant feed of cotton to the feeder head, it might be beneficial to further split these sections at some points before or after the flipper in order to run a conveyor section or conveyor sections at a higher speed to close any gaps that may occur between the round modules when there is a time lag between arrivals of cotton bales (so new cotton bales can speed up to catch up with cotton bales already near the feeder head). 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0049]    The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 cotton module handling apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 bar 
               
               
                 12 
                 roller 
               
               
                 13 
                 conveyor system/feeder-conveyer 
               
               
                 14 
                 lifting mechanism 
               
               
                 15 
                 cotton module feeder disperser head 
               
               
                 16 
                 roller 
               
               
                 18 
                 extensible cylinder/hydraulic cylinder 
               
               
                 20 
                 cotton module 
               
               
                 21 
                 end 
               
               
                 22 
                 end 
               
               
                 23 
                 outer side wall 
               
               
                 24 
                 wrapper/wrapping 
               
               
                 26 
                 cotton 
               
               
                 28 
                 foot 
               
               
                 30 
                 pushrod 
               
               
                 32 
                 arm 
               
               
                 34 
                 arm 
               
               
                 36 
                 column/post 
               
               
                 38 
                 column/post 
               
               
                 40 
                 pivot/pivotal attachment 
               
               
                 42 
                 pivot/pivotal attachment 
               
               
                 44 
                 base/anchor plate 
               
               
                 46 
                 gap 
               
               
                 48 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 50 
                 frame 
               
               
                 51 
                 frame 
               
               
                 52 
                 pivot/pivotal connection 
               
               
                 54 
                 cylinder 
               
               
                 56 
                 pivot/pivotal attachment 
               
               
                 58 
                 floor/slab 
               
               
                 60 
                 transition positioner 
               
               
                 61 
                 operator platform 
               
               
                 62 
                 stepped side boards 
               
               
                 63 
                 disperser rollers 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0050]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0051]    The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.