Cylindrical module unwrapping device and method

Abstract

A device and method for removing fibrous materials from a wrapped cylindrical module of fibrous material. The wrap material encloses the lateral sides of the cylindrical module, but only overlaps a portion of each end of the module. A cylindrical module is advanced on its side upon a conveyor to a loading position where it is lifted by one or more grasping members on one or more arms to an unloading position without altering the orientation of the module. The cylindrical module is then turned vertically to allow the fibrous material to fall out of the wrap material. The wrap material remains attached to the grasping member by a plurality of projections. Once empty, the empty wrap material may be manually removed and discarded and the arm returned to the loading position to lift the next module.

1 . A device for removing fibrous materials from a module of fibrous material having a wrap material enclosing the sides of the module, said device comprising:
 (a) one or more arm structures pivotably affixed at a base end along side a conveyor of such modules, said arm structure having a working end opposite the base end, said working end positionable between a loading position and an unloading position;   (b) said arm structure having a lift element for engaging the sides of a module lying on the conveyor, said lift element pivotably attached at a pivot point to said arm structure proximate the working end of said arm structure.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said arm structure further comprises a pair of arms, one of each such arms affixed opposite the other arm on opposing sides of the conveyor. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the lift element further comprises one or more grasping members for engaging the module. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said grasping member comprises one or more plates having a plurality of projections upon an inward surface of said plate. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said projections comprise spikes for puncturing the wrap material. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for raising and lowering said arm structure between said loading position and said unloading position. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a turning mechanism for rotating said lift element about the pivot point. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising a pushing mechanism for pushing the grasping member against the module. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said arms are joined by a cross piece. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2  wherein each of said arms further comprise a plurality of parallel arm posts joined by spacers. 
   
   
       11 . A method of removing fibrous materials from a cylindrical module of fibrous material having a wrap material enclosing a curved surface of the module, said module having a vertical axis, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) loading a module on its curved surface upon a conveyor;   (b) advancing the module upon the conveyor to a loading position;   (c) engaging the curved surface of the module;   (d) lifting the module to an unloading position above the conveyor while maintaining the vertical axis of the module substantially parallel to the conveyor;   (e) turning the module to bring the vertical axis of the module to a vertical orientation so that the fibrous material falls out of the wrap material onto the conveyor.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said engaging step further comprises puncturing the wrap material with a plurality of spikes to assist in retaining the wrap material as the fibrous material is unloaded during the turning step. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the loading position is adjacent one or more arm structures pivotably affixed at a base end along side the conveyor, said arm structure having a working end opposite the base end, said working end positionable between the loading position and the unloading position. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the arm structure further comprises a lift element for engaging the curved surface of the module, said lift element pivotably attached at a pivot point to said arm structure proximate the working end of said arm structure. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the engaging step further comprises engaging the curved surface of the module from substantially opposite sides of the module. 
   
   
       16 . A device for emptying fibrous materials from within a wrapping enclosing the curved surface of a compacted module of fibrous materials, said device comprising:
 (a) a first arm structure pivotably affixed at a base end along a first side of a conveyor of such modules, said first arm structure having a working end opposite the base end, said first arm structure being moveable between a loading position and an unloading position;   (b) a second arm structure pivotably affixed at a base end opposite the first arm structure along a second side of the conveyor, said second arm structure having a working end opposite the base end, said second arm structure being moveable between a loading position and an unloading position;   (c) a first lift element carrying one or more plates for pressing against the curved surface of the module, said lift element pivotably attached at a pivot point to said first arm structure;   (d) a second lift element carrying one or more plates for pressing against the curved surface of the module, said lift element pivotably attached at a pivot point to said second arm structure.   
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein said plates further comprise a plurality of projections upon an inward surface. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein at least some of said projections comprise spikes for puncturing the wrapping. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein said spikes are between about 1 centimeter to about 10 centimeters in length and between about 0.3 centimeters to about 2 centimeters in diameter at a widest point. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the first arm structure and the second arm structure are joined by a cross piece.