Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for, unwrapping a module of cotton or other fibrous material from a wrapping having at least one layer of plastics-sheet material, the method including the steps of: raising the module to a first, or elevated, position on a lift conveyor or vertically-movable support surface; advancing a plurality of gripper heads, mounted on a support frame, to an advanced position, into gripping engagement with the layer(s) of the sheet material wrapping; lowering the lift conveyor or vertically-movable support surface from the first position towards a second, or lowered, position; and retracting the plurality of gripper heads, to expand the wrapping to progressively release the cotton or other fibrous material from the lower portion to the upper portion of the module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a cotton module unwrapping method and apparatus. 
         [0003]    The invention particularly relates, but is not limited to, a method of, and apparatus for, unwrapping round modules, or cylindrical rolls, of cotton wrapped in plastics-sheeting (e.g. polyethylene sheeting). 
         [0004]    Throughout the specification, the term “cotton” shall be used to include other natural fibres (e.g. wool and flax) or fibrous materials (e.g. tobacco leaf). 
         [0005]    2. Prior Art 
         [0006]    Conventionally, harvested cotton has been compressed into large rectangular modules for transport. These rectangular modules require large machines to form the rectangular modules in the field. 
         [0007]    Due to the bulk and weight of the rectangular modules, large transport and handling systems are required to transport the rectangular modules to the cotton gin for processing of the cotton. 
         [0008]    In recent years, there has been a transition to forming the harvested cotton in round modules (i.e. cylindrical rolls), which are wrapped in several layers of plastics-material (e.g. polyethylene) sheeting. Many cotton farmers are transitioning to round modules to reduce the amount of equipment and seasonal labour required to harvest the crop. 
         [0009]    A major limitation with the plastics-sheeting wrapping is that the wrapping is easily damaged and can become a contaminant if introduced to the ginning process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the invention to provide a method for releasing the cotton in a round module, or cylindrical roll, from the surrounding wrapping where the likelihood of the wrapping contaminating the cotton is overcome, or at least ameliorated. 
         [0011]    It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide such a method where the release of the cotton in the round module from the wrapping is controlled and conducted in a safe manner. 
         [0012]    It is a further preferred object to provide a method where the released wrapping is drawn, or otherwise moved, away from the released cotton. 
         [0013]    It is a still further preferred object to provide an unwrapping machine for affecting the unwrapping method. 
         [0014]    Other preferred objects will become apparent from the following description. 
         [0015]    In one aspect, the present invention resides in a method of unwrapping a (preferably round) module of cotton (or other fibrous material) from a wrapping of at least one layer of (preferably plastics-) sheet material including the steps of: 
         [0016]    a) raising the round module to a first (or elevated) position on a lift conveyor (or vertically-movable support surface); 
         [0017]    b) advancing a plurality of gripper heads, mounted on a support frame, to an advanced position, into gripping engagement with the layer(s) of the sheet material wrapping; 
         [0018]    c) lowering the lift conveyor (or vertically-movable support surface) from the first position towards a second (or lowered) position; and 
         [0019]    d) retracting the plurality of gripper heads, to expand the wrapping to progressively release the cotton (or other fibrous material) from the lower portion to the upper portion of the round module. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the method includes the further step of: 
         [0021]    e) as, or after, the lower portion of the cotton is being released from the wrapping, the wrapping is engaged by a discharge apparatus on the support frame for delivery to a waste collection site. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the wrapped round module is conveyed to a feed side of the lift conveyor with the central axis of the round module arranged substantially vertically, when the lift conveyor is in the second position. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the released cotton falls into a heap or pile on the lift conveyor, and is discharged from a discharge side of the lift conveyor when the lift conveyor has returned to the second position (and is capable of receiving the next round module to be unwrapped). 
         [0024]    In a second aspect, the present invention resides in an unwrapping machine for unwrapping at least one layer of (preferably plastics-) sheet material wrapping from a (preferably round) module of cotton (or other fibrous material), the machine including: 
         [0025]    a support frame; 
         [0026]    a lift conveyor (or vertically-movable support surface), within the support frame; 
         [0027]    a lifting mechanism to selectively move the lift conveyor from a first (or raised) position to a second (or lowered) position; 
         [0028]    a plurality of gripper heads, the gripper heads being mounted on movable support mechanisms; and 
         [0029]    the support mechanisms are mounted on the support frame and are operable to selectively advance the gripper heads into engagement with the layer(s) of the sheet material wrapping; so arranged that: 
         [0030]    as the lifting mechanism lowers the lift conveyor from the first position to the second position, the support mechanisms retract the gripper heads outwardly towards the support frame to cause the wrapping to be expanded to progressively release the cotton from the lower portion to the upper portion of the round module onto the lift conveyor. 
         [0031]    Preferably, a feed conveyor delivers the unwrapped round modules to a feed side of the lift conveyor, when the lift conveyor is in the second position. 
         [0032]    Preferably, a discharge conveyor receives the released cotton from a discharge side of the lift conveyor when the lift conveyor has returned to the second position. Preferably, the feed and discharge sides are opposed on the lift conveyor. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the lift conveyor has a carriage mounted on substantially-vertical guides on the support frame, the carriage supporting a conveyor belt or conveyor rollers to support the wrapped round module and the released cotton; and a drive mechanism for the conveyor belt or conveyor rollers. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the lifting mechanism employs cables and sheaves, or chains and sprockets, or hydraulic- or pneumatic-ram(s), to raise and lower the lift conveyor. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the support frame has a plurality of posts or columns, where each column supports a respective support mechanism. 
         [0036]    Preferably, each support mechanism incorporates a scissor-arms assembly, or like arrangement, to selectively advance/retract their respective gripper heads in a substantially-vertical orientation. 
         [0037]    Preferably, each gripper head has a substantially-vertical engagement face or plate, and a plurality of gripper fingers or spikes extend there-from to engage the wrapping. The fingers or spikes may be selectively retractable behind the engagement face or plate to release the wrapping. 
         [0038]    Preferably, a discharge apparatus is provided at, or adjacent, the top of the support frame, and has at least one pair of pinch rollers adapted to engage an upper portion of the wrapping when at least a portion of the cotton has been released from the wrapping, together with a drive mechanism for the pinch rollers. 
         [0039]    In a third aspect, the present invention resides in a gripper finger or spike for a gripper head for an unwrapping machine, the gripper finger or spike including: 
         [0040]    a shank mountable on the gripper head at an inner end; and 
         [0041]    a chisel or knife-like cutting portion at the distal end of the shank, the cutting portion being locatable in a cutting position forwardly of the gripper head. 
         [0042]    Preferably, the shank is mounted on a support rod in the gripper head and extends co-axially through a hole in an engagement face on the gripper head; and 
         [0043]    the support rod is optionally mounted for movement between a retracted position, where the cutting portion is rearwardly of the engagement face, and the (extended) cutting position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0044]    To enable the invention to be fully understood, preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0045]      FIG. 1  is a schematic top plan view of a first stage of the unwrapping method of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of one method of orienting a round module with the feed conveyor; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  is a schematic end elevational view of a second method of orienting a round module with the feed conveyor; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  is a schematic top plan view of the second stage of the unwrapping method; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view corresponding to  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6  is a schematic top plan view of the third stage of the unwrapping method; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side view corresponding to  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 8  is a front isometric view of the unwrapping machine with the lift conveyor in a lowered position to receive the round module to be unwrapped; 
           [0053]      FIG. 9  is a similar view, with the lift conveyor in a raised position, where the round module is partially-unwrapped; 
           [0054]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the unwrapping machine after the commencement of the unwrapping operation; 
           [0055]      FIG. 11  is a sectional side view taken on line Z-Z on  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged side view of Detail A on  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 13  is a similar view to  FIG. 10  after the round module has been unwrapped; 
           [0058]      FIG. 14  is a sectional side view taken on line Z-Z on  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged side view of Detail A on  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 16  is a front isometric view one of the scissor arm assemblies and associated gripper head of the machine; 
           [0061]      FIG. 17  is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the gripper head; 
           [0062]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the scissor arm assembly and gripper head, with a portion of the gripper head being shown in section on line A-A on  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged side view of Detail B on  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0064]      FIGS. 20  is an underside front view of a second embodiment of the unwrapping machine; 
           [0065]      FIG. 21  is a top rear isometric view thereof; 
           [0066]      FIG. 22  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0067]      FIG. 23  is a front elevational view thereof; 
           [0068]      FIG. 24  is a rear sectional view thereof; and 
           [0069]      FIG. 25  is a sectional side view of the unwrapping machine. 
       
    
    
       [0070]    NB: Any annotations, dimensions, notes or other descriptive markings, on the drawings are for illustration purposes and to assist the skilled addressee in the understanding of the invention only, and are not limiting to the scope of invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0071]      FIGS. 1 to 3 ,  4  and  5 , and  6  and  7 , respectively, schematically illustrate the three primary stages of the method of unwrapping a round module  10  of cotton C, in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0072]    In the first stage illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the wrapped round modules  10 , e.g. as received from the field, are placed on a feed conveyor  20 , the round modules  10  being re-oriented, if necessary, so that the central axes of the round modules  10  are substantially vertical and (preferably) aligned with the center-line of the feed conveyor  20 . 
         [0073]    In the second stage, illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the wrapped round modules  10  are advanced into the unwrapping machine  30  sequentially, are raised to an unwrapping position by the lift conveyor  40 , and the wrapping W is engaged by the gripper heads  56 . 
         [0074]    In the third stage illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lift conveyor  40  is moved downwardly as the gripper heads  56  are retracted outwardly. The cotton C falls from the lower portion of the round module  10  onto the lift conveyor  40 . When the lift Conveyor  40  is fully lowered, the conveyor belt  41  on the lift conveyor  40  is operated to advance the released cotton C onto the discharge conveyor  90 , which transports the pile of cotton C to the disperser conveyor  95  for further processing. 
         [0075]    The next wrapped round module  10  is advanced to the lift conveyor  40 , and the cycle is repeated. 
         [0076]    It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the controls for the feed conveyor  20 , the unwrapping machine  30 , and the discharge conveyor  90  will be linked e.g. by a computer-based system, so that the respective machines  20 ,  30 ,  90  operate in the desired operating sequence within the unwrapping cycle. 
         [0077]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the unwrapped round modules  10  may not be forwarded to the feed conveyor  20  with the desired orientation. In  FIG. 2 , where the central axis of the round module  10  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the feed conveyor  20 , but is “laid down” substantially horizontally, the module transporter (not shown) can rotate the round module through 90° to the desired orientation. Alternatively, in  FIG. 3 , if the central axis of the wrapped round module  10  is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the feed conveyor  20 , the module transporter places the round module  10  in a tipping cradle  21 , which is raised to deposit the round module  10  on the feed conveyor  20  with the desired orientation. 
         [0078]    The feed conveyor  20  may have a conveyor belt  22  to support/advance the round modules  10  to the unwrapping machine  30 . Alternatively, the feed conveyor  20  may have a plurality of driven rollers  23 , which allow any rubbish adhering to the exterior of the wrapping W to be dislodged and fall to the floor for collection, to minimize potential contamination of the released cotton C. 
         [0079]    The discharge conveyor  90  has a conveyor belt  91  to support the heap or pile of loose cotton C received from the lift conveyor and conveys the loose cotton C to the disperser conveyor  95 , where the cotton C passes through between substantially star-shaped rotor blades  96  mounted at equal spacing across horizontal drive-shafts  97  journalled in bearings in vertical side plates (not shown). 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the unwrapping machine  30  has a substantially square support frame  31  in top plan view—see FIG.  10 —with vertical columns  32  at respective corners of a base frame  33  anchored to the floor via corner foot-plates  34  and anchor bolts (not shown). The columns  32  connect the base frame  33  to a head frame  35 ; and the pairs of columns  32 , along the opposed sides of the path of the round modules  10 /released cotton C, are interconnected by cross-bars  36  and stabilised by angle braces  37 . 
         [0081]    The lift conveyor  40  has a carriage  42 , where parallel rollers (not shown) are journalled in bearings (not shown) in parallel side members  43  of a carriage chassis  44 , the rollers supporting the lift conveyor belt  41 , and the head and/or tail rollers are selectively driven by an electric- (or pneumatic-) motor (also not shown) to drive the lift conveyor belt  41 . 
         [0082]    The carriage chassis  44  of the lift conveyor  40  is guided in its vertical path between the lowered- and raised-positions by guide rollers (not shown) which engage vertical guide rails  45  which are mounted on the cross-bars  36  and the base frame  33 . 
         [0083]    A cable-and-pulley system  46  has respective head-pulleys  47  rotatably mounted on the intermediate cross-bars  36  and tail-pulleys  48  rotatably mounted on the base frame  33 . Each pair of head- and tail-pulleys  47 ,  48  is provided with a lift cable  49  (as a continuous loop) to which is attached the carriage chassis  44 . One of the lift cables  49  is driven by the tail-pulley  48  connected to one end of a driveshaft  50  on a lift motor/transmission assembly  51  mounted on the base frame  33 . The other lift cable  49  is driven by a driving cable  52  which connects a driving pulley  53 , at the other end of the driveshaft  50  on the lift motor/transmission assembly  51 , to a driven pulley  54  on a driving shaft  55  to which the tail-pulley  48  is connected. The arrangement of the lift cables  49  ensures that both sides of the carriage chassis  44  are raised/lowered in unison. 
         [0084]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 11 ,  13  to  14 , and in more detail in  FIGS. 16 to 19 , respective gripper heads  56  are mounted on each column  32  of the support frame via respective support mechanisms  64 , each incorporating a scissor-arms assembly  65 . 
         [0085]    Each gripper head  56  has a hollow body  57  with a substantially vertical engagement plate  58  connected to a backing plate  59  by side webs  60 . Gripper fingers or spikes  61 —see FIG.  19 —are mounted on support rods  62  behind the engagement plate  58  and extend through respective holes  63  in the engagement plate  58 . (The support rods  62  may be fixed relative to the engagement plate  58 ; or may be horizontally-movable relatives thereto to enable the gripper fingers or spikes  61  to be retracted so as to not project from the engagement plate  58  on initial engagement with the round module  10 .) 
         [0086]    The gripper fingers or spikes  61  have chisel or knife-like cutting edges  161 , rather than a pointed tip, to cleanly cut the wrapping W. (Conventional pointed spikes tend to rip a hole in the wrapping W, leaving a small piece of plastic stretched over the end of the spike. At some time, the spike releases the piece of plastic in the round module, to thereby inject contamination into the cotton in the round module.) 
         [0087]    The support mechanism  64  for each gripper head has a scissor-arms assembly  65 , with respective first- and second scissor arms  66 ,  67 . 
         [0088]    The first scissor arm  66  has its outer (upper) end hingedly connected to the adjacent column  32  by a hinge assembly  68 . The inner (lower) end is hingedly connected to a first traveler  69  slidably mounted on a vertical guide track  70  on the backing plate  59  of the gripper head  56 , via a hinge assembly  71 . 
         [0089]    The second scissor arm  67  has its inner (upper) end hingedly connected to the backing plate  59  of the gripper head  56 ; and its lower (outer) end hingedly connected to a second traveler  72  slidably mounted on a vertical guide track  73  on the column  32 ; via similar hinge assemblies  74 ,  75 . 
         [0090]    A pneumatic actuator (or ram)  76  has the lower end of a cylinder  77  mounted on the column  32  and the distal end of the piston rod  78  is connected to a bracket  79  at the lower end of the second traveler  72 . By extending the pneumatic actuator  76 , the scissor arms  66 ,  67  move the gripper head  56  inwardly towards the centre of the unwrapping machine  30  i.e. away from the column  32 . 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 15 , the discharge mechanism  80  is mounted on the head frame  34  above the discharge end of the lift conveyor  40 . 
         [0092]    A pair of pinch rollers  81  has parallel rotational axes spring-mounted on the inwardly-directed portion of the body  82  of the discharge mechanism  80 , the pinch rollers  81  being driven by an electric unwrapping motor via a belt-and-pulley drive assembly  83 . 
         [0093]    A pair of compression rollers  84  are mounted rearwardly (i.e. outwardly) of the pinch rollers  81  and rotate about horizontal axes, the compression rollers  84  being driven by an electric compression drive motor. A lower bag guide roller  86  is mounted forwardly of, and below, the lower of the compression rollers  84 . The axle of at least the upper compression roller  84  is journalled in bearings which are vertically movable within the discharge mechanism body  82  and are vertically movable via a compression roller cylinder  87 ; so that the compression rollers  84  apply a preset minimum compressive force on the unwrapped plastic wrap W as it is drawn away from the cotton C by the pinch and compression rollers  81 ,  84 . 
         [0094]    A bag pinch gripper  100 , in the form of a hook  101 , is hingedly mounted on, and extends inwardly from, a pinch gripper head  102  which can be extended inwardly, or retracted outwardly, by a pneumatic pull back cylinder  103 ; the bag pinch gripper  100  being able to be swung downwardly into engagement with the adjacent portion of the wrapping W. 
         [0095]    A vertical wrap spindle  104  is mounted rearwardly (i.e. outwardly) of the compression rollers  84  to receive the waste wrapping W drawn from the round module  10 , and is driven by an electric wrap motor  105 . 
         [0096]    An RF plastics-welding head  106 , with an extendible/retractable welding iron  107 , is located adjacent the wrap spindle  104 . 
         [0097]    A pneumatic eject cylinder  108  vertically moves the wrap spindle  104  from a (raised) wrapping position to a (lowered) discharge position, where a waste roll R comprising one or more wrapped/welded waste wrappings on the wrap spindle  104  is transferred to a transverse waste discharge conveyor  109  for transport to a waste discharge location. 
         [0098]    The waste discharge conveyor  109  is mounted on the head frame  34  of the unwrapping machine  30  and has a conveyor belt  110  to support and convey the waste rolls R. 
         [0099]    The operational cycle of the unwrapping machine will now be described. 
         [0100]    In the lowered position (see  FIG. 8 ), the lift conveyor  40  receives a round module  10  to be unwrapped from the feed conveyor  20 , in the correct orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , where the lift conveyor belt  41  advances the round module  10  to the centre of the carriage  42 . 
         [0101]    The lift motor/transmission assembly  51  is operated to drive the lift cables  49  to raise the carriage  42  to the raised position—see  FIGS. 5 and 9 . 
         [0102]    The pneumatic actuators  76  for each support mechanism  64  is extended, to cause the scissor arms  66 ,  67  to advance the gripper heads  56  towards the round module  10  until the engagement plates  58  engage the wrapping W, which is pierced by the gripper fingers or spikes  61 . (When the gripper fingers or spikes  61  are movably mounted in each gripper head  56 , it is preferable they are retracted as the engagement plates  58  engage the wrapping W, and are then extended into engagement with the wrapping W.) 
         [0103]    The bag pinch gripper  100  is also extended and swung down to engage the upper rim of the wrapping W. 
         [0104]    The unwrapping step now commences. 
         [0105]    The gripper heads  56  and the bag pinch gripper  100  are simultaneously retracted (i.e. moved outwardly) by the pneumatic actuators  76  and the pneumatic pull back cylinder  103 , while the lift motor/transmission assembly  51  is operated to slowly lower the lift conveyor carriage  42 —see  FIGS. 10 to 12 . 
         [0106]    The cotton C in the lower portion of the round module  10  is no longer supported by the lift conveyor belt  41 , and the four-way stretching of the wrapping W by the gripper heads  56  reduces the frictional contact between the cotton C in the round module  10  and the wrapping W. 
         [0107]    The cotton C in the lower portion starts falling free from the roll module  10 , and the cotton C is gradually released from the lower portion to the upper portion, until all the cotton C is received on, and supported by, the lift conveyor belt  41  in a heap or pile. 
         [0108]    As the bag pinch gripper  100  is retracted, it feeds the engaged portion of the upper rim of the wrapping W into engagement with the (driven) pinch rollers  81  (and over the lower bag guide roller  86 ) to the compression rollers  84 . The wrapping W is drawn away from the centre of the unwrapping machine  30  and is wound onto the vertical wrap spindle  104 . 
         [0109]    When the entire wrapping W is received on the wrap spindle  104 , the RF welding head  106 , advances the welding iron  107 , to weld the wrapping W into a waste roll R about the wrap spindle  104 . 
         [0110]    The eject cylinder  108  is extended to transfer the waste roll R to the waste discharge conveyor  109  for transfer to a waste discharge location. (NB: A number of the wrappings W may be formed into a waste roll Ron the wrap spindle  104  before transfer to the waste discharge conveyor  109 .) 
         [0111]    The skilled addressee will appreciate the waste rolls R can be returned to a plastics manufacturer for recycling of the plastics-material. 
         [0112]    When the lift conveyor carriage  42  is in the lowered position, supporting the heap or pile of released cotton C, the lift conveyor belt  41  is operated to transfer the cotton C to the discharge conveyor  90 —see  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0113]    The lift conveyor  40  is ready to receive the next round module  10  to be unwrapped, and the cycle is repeated. 
         [0114]      FIGS. 20 to 25  illustrate a second embodiment of the unwrapping machine  230  where the bag pinch gripper  300  has a movable jaw  301 , moved by a pneumatic cylinder  302 , and co-operates with a fixed jaw, or anvil,  303  to grip the upper rim of the wrapping W, before the bag pinch gripper  300  is retracted by rams  376  to enable the wrapping to be received on the wrap spindle  304 . 
         [0115]    The wrap W gripped by the bag pinch gripper  300  is guided towards the compression rollers  384  by vertical head rollers  382  driven by belts  381  and over a lower guide belt passing around the guide roller  386 . The belts  381  will assist in guiding the wrap W towards the compression rollers  384 . 
         [0116]    The unwrapping method and apparatus  230  is arranged to direct the wrap W, in a single piece, to the wrapping spindle  304  to ensure none of the wrap W contaminates the cotton released from the module. 
         [0117]    The skilled addressee will appreciate the following (but non-exhaustive) list of advantages of the present invention include: 
         [0118]    a) the cotton is released from the round modules in a controlled manner; 
         [0119]    b) by not cutting the wrapping, the problem of waste plastics contaminating the released cotton is overcome, or at least ameliorated; 
         [0120]    c) the plastics-material is positively drawn away from the cotton, and is collected/transported for recycling; 
         [0121]    d) the unwrapping machine can be easily integrated with existing feed and discharge conveyors at the cotton gin; 
         [0122]    e) the feed conveyor, unwrapping machine and the discharge conveyor can be easily linked, and their respective operations timed/controlled by a master (programmable) control system; 
         [0123]    f) the unwrapping machine can be constructed from many off-the-shelf components, at a reduced capital, cost, while providing a robust/reliable machine; 
         [0124]    g) the cotton is released into a heap or pile which is easily handled/transported; and 
         [0125]    h) the system is fully automated and does not require a dedicated operator. 
         [0126]    The present invention, as hereinbefore described and illustrated, provides a relatively simple, but safe and highly efficient, method of, and apparatus for, the unwrapping of round modules of cotton or like materials. 
         [0127]    Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention.