Abstract: An improved package wind cutter utilizes a specially configured guide hook carried on the periphery of a reduced diameter winder dome to eliminate the need for a pressure roller mounted internally of the winder dome, thereby simplifying the manufacture, operation and maintenance of the apparatus and appreciably improving the strand distribution characteristics of the cutter as the relative speed of the cutter reel and winder dome are varied. The improved guide hook passes the strand from the dome to the reel with minimum separation from both the reel and the remaining pressure roller.

Abstract: A roller gin capable of producing lint substantially free of linter fibers utilizes a wall construction to prevent the seed from contacting the ginning roll, a ginning slot in the wall through which an airflow draws the fibers. A ginning roll adjacent the slot on the opposite side of the wall grasps the fibers along a nip point formed between the roll and wall proximal the slot and urges the fibers along a path on one side of the wall while the seeds are urged along a divergent path on the other side of the wall.

Abstract: A blade quality monitor for use with cutter reels having specifically identifiable blades utilize a sensor to detect the position of a physical anomaly on the reel. Additional sensors sense the force at the interface between the cutter reel, the material wrapped thereon and the associated pressure roller. The position of the physical anomaly is correlated with the sensed force to determine the magnitude thereof at each blade which is indicative of the condition of the blade with respect to sharpness or intactness.

Abstract: A bin transport system for a fiber baling apparatus utilizes a plurality of portable upwardly opening bins which have openable bottoms. The bins are transported from a plurality of fiber filling stations to a single compression staton by a four-part transport means utilizing a dual carriage cross shuttle which moves the portable bins to and from positions adjacent the filling stations and the compression station. A pair of dedicated bin transporters are utilized to transport the bins such that one transporter delivers full bins from the filling stations to a position adjacent the compression station while the other transporter delivers empty bins from the compression station to a position adjacent each filling station.

Abstract: A bin transport system for a fiber baling apparatus utilizes a plurality of portable upwardly opening bins which have openable bottoms. The bins are transported from a plurality of fiber filling stations to a single compression station by a four-part transport means utilizing a dual carriage cross shuttle which moves the portable bins to and from positions adjacent the filling stations and the compression station . A pair of dedicated bin transporters are utilized to transport the bins such that one transporter delivers full bins from the filling stations to a position adjacent the compression station while the other transporter delivers empty bins from the compression station to a position adjacent each filling station.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing small quantities of fiber or like material from a plurality of bales of the same arranged in rows. The apparatus comprises angularly arranged conduits, one end of which is maintained in sealing relation to another and mechanism for moving up and down one of the conduits for removing the fiber from the bales. Improved sealing means for the mechanism comprises generally flat strips of material spanning and sealing slots in the upper surfaces of the conduits together with means to run under the strip of material without losing the seal. One of such mechanisms seals the two conduits together and the other such mechanism carries the actual pickup mechanism and seals it to the conduit up and down which it reciprocates. All of the mechanisms are under control of an operator who walks up and down the aisles between the rows of bales.

Abstract: A charge door assembly for automated operation of a baler utilizes a truncated wedge-shaped door pivotally mounted to the baler at a point beneath the lowest point of travel of a conventional movable platen. The door pivots outwardly to admit a charge of material onto the platen from a feed apparatus. Intermeshing teeth are provided along the door assembly fact to separate any material extending outwardly of the door as the door closes. Sufficient space is provided between the door and the passageway therefor to allow material stringing from the teeth to be attenuated and subsequently entrained by the action of the baler.

Abstract: An outside-in tow cutter having a horizontal axis of rotation for its cutter reel assembly which includes an inner plate and an outer ring carrying radially disposed cutter blades, the outer ring having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the circle formed by the cutting edges of the blades. The outer ring also carries an annular lip which cooperates with a snug fitting discharge hooper so that a subatmospheric pressure may be induced within said reel and said discharge housing to facilitate the removal of cut tow therefrom and to provide for pneumatically drawing the uncut tow onto the cutter reel assembly via an inlet housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved roller gin having means for cleaning debris from the knife, and a process of operating such gin. Specifically, the gin includes means to rotate the roll in reverse, periodically, if desired, whereby any cotton, leaf, or other trash draped over the knife is thrown off or discharged from the gin. Means also is disclosed to operate the gin and its feeder in a fashion to gin all cotton enroute from the feeder to the gin prior to the gin going through its cleaning operation.

Abstract: A baling chamber for a fiber press utilizing rigid upright doors pivotally mounted along their lower portions to contain fibers compressed thereinto by a moving platen. The doors separate slightly at the upper portion thereof responsive to the final compression of the bale thereby reducing the lateral pressure on the bale. One of the doors has rollers thereon to cooperatively engage a track parallel therewith such that the door may be displaced for removal of the bale.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for feeding modules of seed cotton to disperser apparatus. The apparatus is capable of picking up, moving and delivering to the disperser the modules of cotton to be ginned, and further is constructed and arranged to load or discharge modules from either end of the apparatus and to run under a module or modules, thereby to reach one located more distantly from the disperser than the others. Also disclosed are various controls and safety devices for the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for segregating and baling textile wastes supplied from a plurality of separate sources embodies a plurality of filling stations which receive the wastes from the separate sources. An upwardly opening portable waste receiving bin is mounted within each filling station with the lower end of each bin carrying a detachable bottom platen. A transfer mechanism moves each bin selectively, back and forth between its filling station and a compression station where the wastes are compressed within the bin. Actuator units in the compression station disconnect the bin from its platen and raise the bin to an upper position about a movable ram to thus expose the bale for final bale out.

Abstract: A cotton ginning system embodying a lint cleaner in which the batt of cotton delivered to the lint cleaner is maintained at an optimum thickness even though the rate of ginning varies. The batt thickness is maintained by correlating the same with the rate of feed of seed cotton to the system. Controls are provided to assure that the batt remains at optimum thickness, and such optimum thickness is assured by sensing the rate of input of seed cotton to the system.

Abstract: A cotton ginning system embodying a lint cleaner and a process of operating the same in which the batt of cotton delivered to the lint cleaner is maintained at an optimum thickness even though the rate of ginning varies. The batt thickness is maintained by correlating the same with the rate of feed of seed cotton to the system. Controls are provided to assure that the batt remains at optimum thickness, and such optimum thickness is assured by sensing the rate of input of seed cotton to the system.

Abstract: An inside-out cutter for material such as tow in which there is a single pressure roller, which roller has an outside diameter larger than one-half the inside diameter described by the cutting edges of the blades. The large diameter of such roller provides a gradual rather than an abrupt entrance-way for the fiber between the roller and the blades. The apparatus further is constructed to permit the movement of the pressure roller to be moved from a fiber cutting relation to the blades to a more centered position for removal of the roller from the apparatus, as when changing blades or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ginning system incorporating a roller gin and a feeder for the same. Means is provided for presenting the cotton to the roller gin substantially one lock at a time. Incorporated in the gin is means to move the ginning roller into and out of ginning relation to the ginning knife, and means is provided in the system to cause the ginning roller to move out of ginning relation to the knife whenever there is less than a predetermined amount of seed cotton in the feeder.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for cutting piling, trees and the like, provided with means permitting the apparatus to be placed about a pile or the like by moving it generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the pile. Specifically, the apparatus comprises longitudinal frame members carrying at one end a driven blade and at the other end a stationary blade or anvil. The stationary blade is mounted on an end cross member, one end of which is pivotally secured to one of the longitudinal frame members and the other end of which is adapted for locking to the other of the members. By pivoting the end member carrying the stationary blade upwardly or out of the general plane of the frame, the device may be opened up so that it may be slipped about a piling or tree, without having to be lowered thereabout as has heretofore been required.

Abstract: A self-powered vehicle especially adapted for handling modules of cotton comprising a single frame which serves not only as a chassis frame for the vehicle, but also serves as a conveyor frame. Apparatus is associated with one set of wheels, either the front or rear set, to raise and lower the frame relative to that set of wheels, thus to place one end of the frame closely adjacent the ground or to a pallet on which the module rests. Apparatus also is provided to drive the vehicle and the conveyor in opposite directions whereby the module may be loaded onto the conveyor without substantial translatory movement of the module. Further details include sensors effective to limit downward movement of the loading and unloading end of the frame; and a control cab mounted immediately adjacent the loading and unloading end of the frame and displaced laterally therefrom.

Abstract: The application discloses an assembly comprising an elongated knife in association with a heating unit together with means to mount the assembly so as substantially to eliminate all warping or other distortion of the knife due to heat. Specifically, the knife is mounted directly against the sheath of an electric resistance type heating unit. The heating unit and knife are mounted from a supporting frame in such fashion that they may expand or "grow" axially, thus substantially to eliminate distortion of the heating unit and knife. Also associated with the supporting framework for the heating unit and knife is means slightly to tension the sheet to be cut on either side of the knife, while the cutting takes place, thus to prevent after-cutting contact of the sheet edges with the knife.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ginning system incorporating a roller gin and a feeder for the same. Means is provided for presenting the cotton to the roller gin substantially one lock at a time. Incorporated in the gin is means to move the ginning roller into and out of ginning relation to the ginning knife, and means is provided in the system to cause the ginning roller to move out of ginning relation to the knife whenever there is less than a predetermined amount of seed cotton in the feeder.