Abstract: A cotton receiving and densification apparatus for an upper region of a cotton module builder adapted for receiving a plurality of side-by-side flows of cotton and air and converging and densifying the cotton for distribution and conveyance downwardly into the module builder, including a cotton receiving chamber which tapers into a cotton densification chamber, both chambers being located above and downwardly opening into an upper region of a cotton compacting chamber of the module builder, the apparatus being capable of remaining intact when the module builder is collapsed for transport and storage.

Abstract: A cotton receiving basket for an on-board cotton harvesting machine including a lower basket having a plurality of upwardly extending walls having upper portions including elongate upper seal elements extending therealong, respectively; a basket lid having a plurality of downwardly extending walls having lower portions including elongate lower seal elements extending therealong, respectively, and the lower basket and the basket lid being telescopically related so as to be movable one relative to the other between a telescopically retracted position and a telescopically extended position, and wherein the upper and lower seal elements have oppositely facing tapered seal surfaces, respectively, which are cooperatively engaged along substantially the lengths thereof forming substantially sealed conditions therebetween when the lower basket and the basket lid are in the telescopically extended position.

Abstract: Authentication based on contextual attributes of a client device may be accomplished by receiving, by a service provider, a request for access from the client device to available content; determining whether access to the content is restricted by a policy; challenging the client device to provide contextual attributes required by the policy, when the policy restricts access to the content; receiving contextual attributes from the client device; determining if the received contextual attributes meet requirements of the policy; and enabling access to the content by the client device when the contextual attributes meet the requirements.

Abstract: An integrated door pivot and conveyor drive for an unloading door or ramp for a receiver for harvested crops such as a cotton receiver of a cotton harvesting machine. The integrated pivot and conveyor drive facilitates pivotability of the door or ramp, particularly conveyor chains and a floor of the door or ramp, relative to a floor of the receiver as the door or ramp is pivoted between a closed position angularly related to the floor of the receiver at about a 90° angle forming a closure, and an open position oriented coplanar with or parallel to and just below the floor of the receiver, forming a substantially continuous conveyor surface for conveying harvested crops from the receiver.

Abstract: A cotton receiver for a cotton harvesting machine and a method of operation of the same. The receiver includes a cotton compacting chamber, a precompacting area above the chamber, and an accumulator deployable upwardly from the precompacting area to increase the cotton holding capacity thereof. Compactor apparatus is located in the compacting chamber and is configured for holding cotton thereabove separate from cotton therebelow. The compactor apparatus is movable downwardly against cotton therebelow for compacting it into a unitary body or module, including while holding cotton thereabove, and is controllably operable for conveying cotton held thereabove downwardly therethrough, subsequent to unloading a completed compacted body of cotton.

Abstract: A cotton packager including a floor surface for supporting a compacted body of cotton, the floor surface including at least one sheet of a low friction polymer material on which the compacted body of cotton is supported, for facilitating movement and conveyance of the compacted body of cotton from the packager. The packager can include an unloading ramp pivotable to an unloading position extending outwardly from the floor surface and including a conveyor surface including at least one sheet of a low friction polymer material, for facilitating passage of a compacted body of cotton thereover. The floor surface and the conveyor surface can each include at least one conveyor chain thereon, supported on the low friction polymer material sheet, or in channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cotton module building utilizing one or more augers on a compactor frame movable for compacting cotton in a cotton compacting chamber of the module builder. The auger or augers are rotatable for moving accumulated cotton in opposite directions therein, and are tiltable by contact with cotton accumulated unevenly in the chamber. A position or positions of the auger or augers are sensed for detecting tilting of the auger or augers. A controller responsively controllably operates the auger or augers for moving cotton in contact therewith in an appropriate direction for reducing the tilting and more evenly distributing the cotton. The cotton can then be compacted into a cotton module having desired dimensions.

Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.

Abstract: A pivoting unloading door for ramp assembly and common conveyor drive for door or ramp segments thereof. The door or ramp segments are pivotable about a pivotal axis between a folded or closed position in generally overlaying relation one to the other, and an unfolded or open unloading position in parallel, end-to-end relation, the door segments including conveyors thereon for conveying objects or matter thereover when in the unloading position. The door assembly includes a common drive for the conveyors which is disposed beneath the conveyors in the unloading position in coaxial relation with the pivotal axis, and which is operable for simultaneously moving the conveyors. The output of the drive can extend through a pivot joint connecting the door segments, and can connect the elements of the pivot joint.

Abstract: A control and method for a cotton module building program for an on-board cotton module builder of a cotton harvester, which utilizes a signal or output from a yield monitor as a factor in determining and varying cotton module building parameters, which can include auger direction and duration of operation, compactor positions and compacting strokes for best compacting a cotton module under the yield conditions. A module complete signal which can be a visual or audio signal, can be outputted when the yield monitor detects a predetermined cotton module weight, for signaling approach of a required unloading of a cotton module.

Abstract: An operator presence system for a cotton harvester including an on-board cotton module builder, the system including a mount for installing a ground access ladder at a first position for providing access to a service platform for routine service and maintenance, and a second mount at a second location for installing the ground access ladder adjacent to a ladder segment extending to an upper region of the machine, the mount at the second location including a switch or other device for disabling or locking out at least a hydraulic system of the module builder when the ladder is mounted to the second mount, and which re-enables operation when the ladder is removed therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus and method providing a ground following capability for an unloading ramp on a receiver of a cotton harvester. At least one fluid cylinder is provided including at least one rod extendible for moving the ramp downwardly to an unloading position and retractable for raising the ramp. A valve apparatus is connected between a source of pressurized fluid and the at least one cylinder and is controllably operable by a control for directing pressurized fluid to the at least one cylinder for extending the at least one rod for moving the ramp to the unloading position. The valve apparatus is automatically operable responsive to exertion of a force against at least one of the rods in a direction for retracting the rod, for directing pressurized fluid from the at least one cylinder to allow the rod to be retracted by the force to thereby raise the ramp.

Abstract: Compactor apparatus for an on-board module builder, including single cylinders and guide members on opposite sides of the module builder for guiding and effecting a cotton compacting process. The compactor apparatus includes a frame disposed in a cotton module builder chamber, movable downwardly within the chamber against the cotton for compacting the cotton against the floor and walls of the chamber. The frame includes cross members which extend across the chamber and protrude outwardly therefrom through upwardly and downwardly extending slots or passages through the sides of the module builder. The ends on each side are connected together by an exterior side structure which is movable upwardly and downwardly by a suitable driver, guided by at least one vertically extending guide member.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: A cotton receiver of a cotton harvesting machine including a floor and opposing side walls defining a cotton compacting chamber, each of the side walls including a plurality of spaced apart perforations therethrough for passage of air from the chamber, and a door enclosing an end of the chamber. The receiver includes compacting apparatus for compacting cotton into a compacted body which will have a sideward shape and extent at least generally defined by the opposing side walls, the door being openable to allow removal of a compacted body of cotton from the chamber through the end. The opposing walls are tapered divergingly toward the end such that when a compacted body is removed from the chamber through the end, cotton protruding into the perforations will be released.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules that encode plant proteins involved in photoperiodism and circadian rhythms are disclosed. These molecules may be introduced into plants in order to alter the photoperiodic and/or circadian clock-based gene expression of the plants.