Single-chamber baler apparatus and method for forming and packaging bales with said apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a single-chamber baler (1) for forming bales and wrapping the bales with wrapping material, the wrapping bales comprising compressible material of natural and / or synthetic fibers, the single-chamber baler (1) comprising a pressing and wrapping area (2), a top ram (3), a bottom ram (4), and a wrapping device for wrapping the bales, the material being formed into a bale in the pressing and wrapping area between the top ram and the bottom ram, the wrapping device comprising a film wrapper that can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, whereby a portion of the bale is wrapped by rotating the film wrapper counterclockwise around the bale and another portion of the bale is wrapped by rotating the film wrapper clockwise around the bale.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a single-chamber baler for forming bales and wrapping them with wrapping material. The single-chamber baler according to the invention is used in particular for automatically wrapping bales and then automatically bundling the bales with bundling material.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for forming and wrapping bales using such a single-chamber baler apparatus. Further related to. [Background technology]

[0003] Single-chamber balers, in which the material is forced vertically between a top ram and a bottom ram, are known and exist in different configurations. These single-chamber balers compress compressible materials, such as natural and synthetic fibers, paper, cardboard, foam, and plastics, into a bale in the pressing area using a pressing force of 50 to 5,000 kN.

[0004] After being compressed, the bales are provided with a wrapping material to prevent loss of material and / or contamination of the compressed material, to maintain the dimensional stability of the bale, and to protect the bale from moisture, etc. The wrapping material may be a sheet material made, for example, of cardboard, or a flexible material such as a plastic film or fabric. After wrapping, the formed bales may be tied manually or automatically using strap-like or wire-like material made, for example, of iron, steel, or plastic.

[0005] Currently, the wrapping material is often applied manually after the previous bale has been removed (manually or automatically) from the pressing area, and the wrapping material is in the form of two covers that are placed on the top and bottom rams before feeding the compressible material into the pressing chamber.

[0006] Manual application of packaging material has the disadvantage of being time-consuming, resulting in the capacity of such single-chamber baler systems being limited to approximately seven bales per hour. A further disadvantage of manual packaging is that one or two workers are required to apply the packaging material, resulting in high labor costs.

[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0318640 discloses a rotary wrapping device suitable for wrapping bales, in which the bales are compressed in a baler device consisting of a pre-press structure and a main press structure, and the pre-compressed material is transported to the main press structure via a connecting passageway. Such a wrapping device is not suitable for use in combination with a single-chamber baler device due to the limited space available. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a single-chamber baler that allows a user to fully automatically wrap bales in the single-chamber baler, thereby increasing the capacity of the single-chamber baler. In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for fully automatically wrapping bales and a method for subsequently automatically tying the bales in the single-chamber baler with tying material.

[0009] The objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a single-chamber baler apparatus for forming a bale and wrapping the bale with wrapping material, the wrapped bale comprising compressible material of natural and / or synthetic fibers, the single-chamber baler apparatus including a pressing and wrapping area, a wrapping device configured to wrap the bale in the pressing and wrapping area, a top ram, and a bottom ram, the material being formed into a bale in the pressing and wrapping area between the top ram and the bottom ram, the pressing and wrapping area having an outfeed edge along the bale wrapped in the pressing and wrapping area, the wrapping device including a film wrapper rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise, whereby a portion of the bale is wrapped by rotating the film wrapper counterclockwise around the bale, and a portion of the bale is wrapped by rotating the film wrapper clockwise around the bale. and wrapping another portion of the bale by placing the film wrapper over the bale, the film wrapper being rotatable counterclockwise at least between a start position and a transfer position and clockwise at least between the transfer position and an end position; the single-chamber baler apparatus including a vertically adjustable pressing section having a plurality of pressing chamber walls, the vertically adjustable pressing section being adjustable between a pressing position and a wrapping position, in which the compressible material can be compressed in a pressing and wrapping area between the top ram, the bottom ram and the pressing chamber walls of the pressing section before being formed into a bale; in the wrapping position, the side walls of the bale formed in the pressing and wrapping area are accessible to the wrapping apparatus, and the start position of the film wrapper is located opposite the outfeed edge of the pressing and wrapping area. The pressing section is preferably a one-piece tubular housing having an open bottom side and an open top side, and is formed by a plurality of wall panels, i.e., pressing chamber walls, welded together. Preferably, the pressing section is vertically movable. The bale is formed in the pressing section when the pressing section is in the pressing position, i.e., the lowered position. Once the bale is formed, the pressing section moves upward to the wrapping position, after which the side walls (side surfaces) of the formed bale, i.e., the four upright walls, still in the pressing and wrapping area, can be wrapped with a film wrapper.

[0010] By locating the film wrapper at the starting position opposite the outfeed edge where the wrapped (and possibly further bundled) bale leaves the pressing and wrapping area of ​​the baler, the film wrapper does not form an obstacle to the up and down movement of the pressing section. Such single-chamber baler machines have the advantage that bale formation and wrapping can be carried out fully automatically. As a result, single-chamber baler machines are suitable for forming and wrapping bales at a high capacity, preferably 10 to 15 bales per hour. The standard bale dimensions (length x width x height) are 1140 x 740 x 950 / 1150 cm.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler according to the invention, the wrapping device includes a rotating ring mounted below the bottom ram, and the film wrapper is connected to the rotating ring for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the film wrapper. Mounting the rotating ring below the bottom ram allows for compact rotation of the rotating wrapper, which is advantageous for single-chamber baler devices where the space available for the wrapping device is limited. The rotating ring is mounted on a bottom housing forming part of the single-chamber baler according to the invention.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler apparatus according to the present invention, the packaging device includes a drive means for driving the rotating ring. Because the drive means drives the rotating ring without directly driving the film packaging, the film packaging can be kept relatively compact. Because the film packaging does not need to include an additional drive means, the film packaging can be kept relatively light, and as a result, the rotating ring, and therefore the film packaging, can be driven in an energy-efficient manner.

[0013] The pressing section is preferably vertically adjustable. When compressible material is fed into the pressing section, the pressing section is positioned at the bottom of the pressing device in the pressing and wrapping area. In this position, i.e., the pressing position, the bottom ram of the pressing section and the pressing chamber wall are substantially in contact with each other. The bottom ram, the top ram and the pressing section thus form the pressing chamber. Before wrapping the bale, the pressing section is raised so that the upright walls (or upright edges) of the bale can be wrapped by the wrapping device.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler apparatus according to the invention, the wrapping device includes guide means for guiding the wrapping material through the film wrapper as it rotates around the bale, the guide means ensuring that the wrapping material is applied under tension around the bale during the rotational movement.

[0015] The film wrapping is rotatable counterclockwise at least between the start position and the delivery position, and clockwise at least between the delivery position and the end position. While the film wrapping is rotating between the delivery position and the end position, the film wrapping passes through the start position. After the wrapping cycle is completed, the film wrapping rotates counterclockwise and returns to the start position. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the aforementioned direction of rotation of the rotating wrapping may be reversed, for example, due to the configuration of the wrapping unit, so that the film wrapping is rotatable clockwise at least between the start position and the delivery position, and counterclockwise between the delivery position and the end position. While the film wrapping is rotating between the delivery position and the end position, the film wrapping passes through the start position. After the wrapping cycle is completed, the film wrapping rotates clockwise and returns to the start position.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler apparatus according to the invention, the wrapping device includes a translatable wrapping body capable of linear movement for gripping the wrapping material at the transfer position and conveying the wrapping material along a direction toward the end position of the film wrapping so as to wrap a portion of the bale. It is clear that "translatable" is intended to mean that the translatable wrapping body performs a substantially linear movement, while the film wrapping performs a substantially circular movement.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler device according to the invention, the film wrapper is configured to provide the wrapping material and the translating wrapper is configured to take over the wrapping material from the film wrapper, which allows the bales to be wrapped more quickly, resulting in the advantage of shorter cycle times.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler according to the invention, the single-chamber baler further comprises an upper gripping device fitted to the top ram and a lower gripping device fitted to the bottom ram, the upper and lower gripping devices being configured to grip the packaging material. Preferably, when the upper or lower gripping device is actuated, the packaging material is clamped between one of the gripping devices and the bale to be wrapped.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler according to the invention, the single-chamber baler further comprises a cutting device for cutting the wrapping material. More preferably, the film wrapper is movable between an end position and a cutting position at the end position of the film wrapper.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the single-chamber baler according to the present invention, the single-chamber baler further includes a strapping device for strapping the wrapped bales with strapping material. The strapping device preferably straps the formed bales with strapping material in the form of a wire, such as iron, steel, or plastic straps or wires. This strapping also occurs when the wrapped bales are positioned in the pressing and wrapping area. The strapping device also includes guide means. The guide means for the strapping device is preferably also mounted on the bottom housing of the baler. The guide means includes a linearly movable carriage and a swivel ring bearing. Since the swivel ring of the wrapping device and the guide means for the strapping device are both mounted on the same housing, i.e., the bottom housing, the wrapping device and the strapping device can be easily aligned with each other. This embodiment allows for a compact design that is easily accessible for maintenance, for example.

[0021] Another subject matter of protection of the present invention relates to a method for forming and wrapping bales in a single-chamber baler machine as described above, said method comprising the steps set out in the independent method claim.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the bale forming and wrapping method, in step (j), the upright surfaces of the formed bale are covered by wrapping a portion of the upright surfaces of the formed bale with a linear motion of a translating wrapper and wrapping another portion of the upright surfaces with a rotational motion of a rotating wrapper.

[0023] In order to further illustrate the properties of the present invention and to show further advantages and specific features thereof, a more detailed description will now be given of a single-chamber baler machine including a wrapping device according to the invention, and of a method for wrapping bales using such a wrapping device, with the understanding that nothing in the following description should be interpreted as a limitation on the protection of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0024] In this description, reference numerals are used to refer to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of a single-chamber baler device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Detailed view of the rotating ring, rotating packaging and drive means [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a single-chamber baler device according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a single-chamber baler device according to the invention, with the adjustable pressing section in the raised or wrapping position; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the baler device shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a single-chamber baler device according to the invention, with the adjustable pressing section in the lowered or pressing position; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the baler device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The single-chamber baler apparatus (1) shown in Figure 1 is suitable for automatic wrapping and bundling of bales. The apparatus (1) includes a pressing and wrapping area (2), a top ram (3), a bottom ram (4), a vertically adjustable pressing section (16), and an infeed section (6), through which compressible material is fed into the pressing section (16). The adjustable pressing section (16) is a tubular housing formed by pressing chamber walls (5). In Figures 1, 6, and 7, the pressing section (16) is shown in the pressing position. The pressing and wrapping area is an area of ​​the baler apparatus (1) where bales are either pressed or wrapped and bundled, depending on where the pressing section (16) is located. The pressing and wrapping area (2) has an outfeed edge (indicated by reference number (15)) along which the wrapped and tied bales leave the pressing and wrapping area (2).

[0027] Before the bale is formed, the pressing section (16) rises to the wrapping position. In the wrapping position, a bottom sheet of packaging material is placed on the bottom ram (4). The adjustable pressing section (16) then descends and returns to the pressing position. In the pressing position, the pressing and packaging area (2) is bounded by the walls of the pressing section (16) and the top and bottom rams, and compressible material is introduced into the pressing and packaging area (2) via the infeed section (6). The top ram (3) is then driven to perform a pressing stroke. The introduction of compressible material and the execution of a pressing stroke are repeated until the desired amount of compressible material is in the pressing and packaging area (2). Once the final amount of compressible material has been introduced, a top sheet is placed at the top of the pressing section (between the pressing wall and the top ram). A final pressing stroke is then performed, and the compressible material is formed into a bale between the top ram (3) and the bottom ram (4). At that point, the bottom sheet is between the formed bale and the bottom ram (4), and the top sheet is between the formed bale and the top ram (3).

[0028] After the bale is formed, the adjustable pressing section (16) rises to the wrapping position. The top ram (3) may continue to apply constant pressure to the formed bale. The bale is then wrapped. For this purpose, the single-chamber baler apparatus (1) includes a wrapping device having a film wrapper (7) connected to a rotating ring (8) mounted below the bottom ram (4). The rotating ring (8) and thus the film wrapper (7) are driven by a drive means, in this case an electric motor (9). The film wrapper (7) is first rotated counterclockwise from a start position to a transfer position, for example, to apply wrapping material to one portion of the bale. Subsequently, after a translational movement, the film wrapper (7) rotates clockwise from the transfer position to an end position to apply wrapping material to another portion of the bale. During the counterclockwise and clockwise rotation of the film wrapper (7) performed in conjunction with the translational movement, the applied wrapping material portions of the bale overlap to a certain extent, so that the side walls of the bale are completely wrapped with the wrapping material. After applying the wrapping material to the bale, the film wrapper (7) moves from the end position to the cutting position (CP). At the cutting position, a cutting device (not shown) cuts the wrapping material.

[0029] It is important to note in this case that, as can be seen from Figures 5 and 7, the film wrap is essentially located on the baler device opposite the outfeed edge (15) of the pressing and wrapping area (2). This position may be considered the starting position mentioned above. This configuration allows the adjustable pressing section (16) to be moved up and down without any problems.

[0030] After the wrapping material is cut, the bales may be tied together. To this end, the wrapping machine may include a tying device (not shown) for tying the formed bales together with tying material. The tying device preferably ties the formed bales together with strap-like or wire-like tying material, for example, iron, steel, or plastic wire or strips.

[0031] The packaging device further includes an upper gripping device (10) fitted to the top ram (3) and a lower gripping device (11) fitted to the bottom ram (4). The upper gripping device (10) and the lower gripping device (11) are configured to grip the packaging material. For example, when the film wrapper (7) is in the transfer position, both gripping devices (10, 11) are activated. As a result, the packaging material applied by the film wrapper (7) is clamped between the gripping devices (10, 11) and the formed bale. The gripping devices (10, 11) allow further movement of the film wrapper (7) without blocking the already applied packaging material. The gripping devices (10, 11) can also grip the packaging material after the film wrapper (7) reaches the end position. Thus, the packaging material remains in place while the film wrapper (7) moves from the end position to the cutting position (CP) and bundles the formed bale.

[0032] The film wrapper (7) is provided with wrapping material by a rotatable roll holder (13). The rotatable roll holder (13) is provided to receive a roll of wrapping material (14), and the roll holder (13) is drivable to apply tension to the wrapping material during wrapping of the bale. Figure 2 shows a detail of Figure 1. The film wrapper (7) is connected to a rotating ring (8) mounted below the bottom ram (4). The rotating ring is attached to the bottom housing of the baler. The rotating ring (8) is driven by an electric motor (9). The arrangement in which the film wrapper (7) is connected to the rotating ring (8) and the rotating ring (8) is mounted below the bottom ram (4) is sufficiently compact to be installed in a single-chamber baler. This arrangement is advantageous for single-chamber baler machines (1) where the space available for providing the wrapping equipment is limited.

[0033] Figure 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a single-chamber baler device (1) according to the present invention. Here, the packaging device includes a linearly movable translational packaging body (12) in addition to the film packaging body (7). Figure 3 shows the rotation circle (A) and the linear movement line (B) of the film packaging body (7) and the translational packaging body (12), respectively. The film packaging body (7) is provided with packaging material by a rotatable roll holder (13).

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the film wrapper (7) in the start position (SP), opposite the outfeed edge (15) of the pressing and wrapping area (2). The bale is formed, and the adjustable pressing section (16) (not shown) is adjusted to the wrapping position. A bottom sheet is already placed between the bale and the bottom ram (4). A top sheet is already placed between the bale and the top ram (3). The film wrapper (7) rotates counterclockwise from the start position (SP) to the transfer position (AP) and carries the wrapping material from a roll of wrapping material (14) placed in a roll holder (13). At the transfer position (AP), the translating wrapper (12) takes over the wrapping material from the film wrapper (7). The translating wrapper (12) then moves from the transfer position (AP) to the end position (EP). At the end position (EP), the upper and lower gripping devices (10, 11) (not shown) are activated, clamping the wrapping material applied by the translating wrapper (12) between the upper and lower gripping devices (10, 11) and the bale to be wrapped. The translating wrapper (12) then releases the wrapping material. The translating wrapper (12) may then return toward the delivery position (A) to prepare for the next bale to be wrapped. After the wrapping material is clamped between the upper and lower gripping devices (10, 11), the film wrapper (7) rotates clockwise from the transfer position (AP) to the end position (EP). At the end position (EP), the upper and lower gripping devices (10, 11) are again activated, clamping the wrapping material applied by the film wrapper (7) between the upper and lower gripping devices (10, 11) and the bale to be wrapped. The film wrapper (7) then rotates to a cutting position (CP) for cutting the wrapping material with a cutting device (not shown). After the wrapping material has been cut, the bale may be tied. For this purpose, the single-chamber baler apparatus (1) may include a strapping device (not shown) for tying the formed bale with a strapping material. The strapping device preferably uses strap-like or wire-like strapping material, such as iron, steel, or plastic wire or strip, to tie the formed bale. An important difference from the baler apparatus described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0318640 is that the guide means of the strapping device are located in the bottom housing rather than forming part of the superstructure.By having both the rotating ring and the guide means of the strapping device attached to (or forming part of) the bottom housing, both parts can be relatively easily aligned with each other, which is important for a simple and compact assembly.

[0035] A further advantage of the baler device (1) according to the invention is that wrapped and bound bales can be easily and smoothly removed from the device (1) via the outfeed edge (15). Preferably, the bales are removed by a movable carriage provided with two forks. The forks rotate and thus lift the bale, after which the carriage moves and the bale is removed from the pressing and wrapping area of ​​the baler.

[0036] Figure 3 shows the cutting position (CP) a little further clockwise from the end position (EP), and it is clear that the cutting position (CP) is at a different location on the rotation circle (A) of the rotating package (7).

Claims

1. A single-chamber baler (1) for forming bales and wrapping the bales with wrapping material, the wrapped bales comprising compressible material of natural and / or synthetic fibers, the single-chamber baler (1) comprising a pressing and wrapping area (2), a wrapping device configured to wrap the bales in the pressing and wrapping area (2), a top ram (3) and a bottom ram (4), the material being formed into a bale in the pressing and wrapping area (2) between the top ram (3) and the bottom ram (4), the pressing and wrapping area (2) having an outfeed edge (15) along the bale wrapped in the pressing and wrapping area (2), the wrapping device comprising a film wrapper (7) rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise, the film wrapper (7) being rotated around the bale in a counterclockwise direction to wrap a portion of the bale, and the film wrapper (7) being rotated around the bale in a clockwise direction. and wrapping another portion of the bale with the film wrapper, the film wrapper being rotatable counterclockwise at least between a start position and a transfer position and clockwise at least between the transfer position and an end position; the single-chamber baler apparatus (1) including a vertically adjustable pressing section (16) having a plurality of pressing chamber walls (5), the vertically adjustable pressing section (16) being adjustable between a pressing position and a wrapping position, in which compressible material can be compressed in the pressing and wrapping area (2) between the top ram (3), the bottom ram (4) and the pressing chamber walls (5) of the pressing section (16) before being formed into a bale; in the wrapping position, side walls of the bale formed in the pressing and wrapping area (2) are accessible to the wrapping apparatus; and the start position of the film wrapper is located opposite the outfeed edge of the pressing and wrapping area (2).

2. 2. The single-chamber baler apparatus (1) of claim 1, wherein the packaging device includes a rotating ring (8) mounted below the bottom ram (4), and the film packaging (7) is connected to the rotating ring (8) for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the film packaging (7).

3. 3. A single-chamber baler device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the wrapping device comprises drive means for driving the rotating ring (8).

4. The single-chamber baler apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wrapping device includes guide means for guiding the wrapping material through the film wrapping while the film wrapping rotates around the bale.

5. The single-chamber baler apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wrapping device includes a linearly movable translating wrapping body for gripping the wrapping material at the transfer position and conveying the wrapping material along a direction toward the end position of the film wrapping body so as to wrap a portion of a bale.

6. The single-chamber baler apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus (1) further comprises an upper gripping device fitted to the top ram and a lower gripping device fitted to the bottom ram, the upper gripping device and the lower gripping device being configured to grip the packaging material.

7. A single-chamber baler apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus further comprises a cutting device for cutting the packaging material.

8. 8. A single-chamber baler device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the film wrapper is movable between the end position and a cutting position at the end position of the film wrapper.

9. A single-chamber baler apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises a binding device for binding the wrapped bales with binding material.

10. A method for forming and wrapping bales in a single-chamber baler device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: (a) placing a bottom sheet of packaging material on a bottom ram (4) so ​​as to cover the bottom of the bale to be formed; Step (b) of placing the pressing section (16) in its pressing position; (c) introducing a quantity of compressible material into said pressing section (16); Step (d) of driving the top ram (3) or the bottom ram (4) to perform a pressing stroke; Step (e) of retracting the top ram (3); repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) until there is a desired amount of compressible material in the pressing section (16), and after or when step (c) is last performed and before covering the top surface of the bale to be formed, step (f) of placing a top sheet of packaging material between the bale to be formed and the top ram; (g) driving the top ram or the bottom ram before the final pressing stroke to form the bale is performed; (h) placing said pressing section (16) in its packaging position; (i) transferring packaging material from a rotating packaging to a translating packaging; (j) covering the upright surfaces of the formed bale by wrapping a portion of the upright surfaces of the formed bale with a counterclockwise rotational movement of the rotary wrapper and wrapping another portion of the upright surfaces with a clockwise rotational movement of the rotary wrapper; A method comprising:

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein in step (j), the upright surfaces of the formed bale are covered by wrapping a portion of the upright surfaces of the formed bale with the linear motion of the translating wrapper and wrapping another portion of the upright surfaces with the rotational motion of the rotating wrapper.

Images