Patent ID: 8015670

Claim:
A module feeder for digesting cotton modules comprising a disperser for reducing a cotton module into cotton clumps including a series of disperser drums and a first conveyor moving a cotton module into the drums; second and third conveyors for moving cotton modules in a direction of movement toward the first conveyor; and a mechanism for removing a plastic wrapper from successive ones of the modules including a mechanism having a base that is immobile relative to the direction of movement of the conveyors, the mechanism comprising components located adjacent the second conveyor to remove a plastic wrapper from the module and, while removing the plastic cover, creating a gap between adjacent modules; the third conveyor being between the second conveyor and the first conveyor, the first conveyor including a motor for driving the first conveyor at a first speed and the third conveyor includes a motor for driving the third conveyor at a first speed equal to the speed of the first conveyor and at a second speed substantially greater than the first speed for closing up the gap between adjacent modules.