Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for conveying material as it is removed from rows of bales for subsequent utilization during a spinning operation, the apparatus including a generally elongated channel having an elongated longitudinally disposed slot, a frame movable along rails on opposite sides of the channel, the frame carrying a carriage pivoted thereto along with a telescopic tube for delivering material removed from bales to the channel, a flexible belt, a first end of the flexible belt being secured to an end of the channel, a second end of the flexible belt being entrained about a drum such that the flexible belt can be placed in overlying relationship to the slot upon movement of the frame along the rails whereby material delivered into the channel is covered by the belt and a drive mechanism for appropriately rotating the drum to wind and unwind the belt during movement of the frame along the rails.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control device for opening fiber bales arranged in a row including a carriage movable along a horizontal rail and carrying a slide which is vertically reciprocal with the slide carrying grabbing fingers which can both grab and release a fiber bale, such as a pressed bale of cotton, and a pneumatic control circuit for pneumatically oscillating the carriage, operating the grabbing fingers and moving the slide up and down, the pneumatic control system also including a program wheel carrying a plurality of contact cams which operate a valve to initiate the cycling of the device and a pneumatically operated ratchet for indexing the program for appropriately cycling the control device and moving the fiber bales as desired.