Abstract: A bale tying apparatus for use with a baling press distinguished from the prior art mechanisms in that the articulated arms which shape wire ties about a bale also incorporate elements on the ends thereof to effect the tying of the wires without engagement of the wires with positioning surfaces in the follow block of the press. Thus the tying function is made more reliable and is independent of the follow block precise positioning. A wire loop on at least one end of the wire tie remains in contact with the arm mechanism until the wire knot is made up. The apparatus may use wire loop holding devices at the ends of both arms or may use a housing carried on the end of one arm with an opening for insertion of the other end by the other arm.

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: The long term water intrusion resistance of cable splice systems that use a gelable encapsulant that is pressurized prior to geletion can be improved by providing pressurization means that maintain the pressure on the cured encapsulant above a given pressure p.sub.2 >p.sub.o, where p.sub.o is the ambient pressure. Absent such pressurization means, the pressure on the encapsulant typically decreases with time due to creep or relaxation of nominally rigid components, e.g., a polymeric closure around the encapsulated splice, or varies due to differential thermal contraction. The pressurization means comprises one or more energy storage elements, e.g., an elastic member such as a spring, or a volume of compressed gas.

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: 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 specification discloses apparatus for baling fibers in which the baling chamber is defined at least in part by one wall mounted for movement from a first position relative to an opposite wall to a second position farther from the second wall. There is means for moving the movable wall away from the second wall after the platen has entered the baling chamber but prior to final compression of the bale therein or means to move the wall in response to a predetermined bale compressing position of the movable platen. Further, the wall may be moved in response to a predetermined compressive force exerted by the platen on the bale. Still further, means is provided to overcompress the bale to some extent thus to destroy some of the inherent spring-back of the bale of fibers.

Abstract: A baling chamber for fibers and the like having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, one of the end walls being split vertically and with its halves pivotally mounted to the pivoted side doors. Linkage mechanism is associated with the split end door to cause its parts to move away from the bale and away from each other when the side doors are opened. The mechanism also includes improved means for locking the walls together, such as a floating locking bar carried by one of the side walls and disposed to engage the free end of one of the other walls. A contoured slot in a part of the wall causes the locking bar to assume proper locking and unlocking positions.

Abstract: Process for baling fibers to uniform density within a fixed range even through the bales vary in weight or size. The invention results in bales which exert substantially the same force against the restraining ties or straps placed thereabout, which forces are within safe strength limits for the ties. The application discloses apparatus which may be used to carry out the process including controls for preventing overstressing the press and for actuating an automatic strapping apparatus only at the proper time.

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.