System and method for packaging cotton sliver
A method for packaging cotton sliver for efficient transport includes the steps of laying the sliver in a uniform-density pattern onto a bottom cap, placing a top cap on the sliver, applying pressure to the top and bottom caps to compress the sliver to a higher second density at which the compressed sliver is rigid, and strapping the compressed sliver and caps in order to form a rigid package for handling and transport. A packaging system includes an oblong can that receives the sliver, a compression baler for compressing the sliver to a high density, and a strapping apparatus for strapping the compressed sliver and caps to retain the compression.
1. A sliver package of suitable dimensional and structural integrity for efficient storage and transport, comprising:
a substantially continuous length of cotton sliver in the form of an elongate strand of loosely assembled untwisted cotton fibers of a substantially uniform transverse cross-section, laid in a pattern of offset loops forming consecutive loop layers extending from a bottom loop layer to a top loop layer within an oblong footprint and having a substantially uniform initial density, the layers being compressed in the direction of the layers to a substantially higher, substantially uniform compressed density while substantially maintaining the oblong footprint;
a rigid top cap having a footprint substantially the same as the footprint of the loop layers and disposed in overlying relation to the top loop layer;
a rigid bottom cap having a footprint substantially the same as the footprint of the loop layers and disposed in overlying relation to the bottom loop layer; and
a plurality of straps disposed about the compressed pile and the caps for retaining the loop layers in a compressed state, the caps maintaining the compressive force on the sliver.
2. A sliver package according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a protective cover for the strapped sliver.
3. A sliver package according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the caps is formed of fiberboard.
4. A sliver package according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the caps is formed of corrugated cardboard.
5. A sliver package according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the caps is formed of plastic.
6. A sliver package according to claim 1 , wherein the strapped and compressed sliver forms a sufficiently rigid and stable package to enable handling without damage to the sliver.