Bale Cutting Apparatus Retaining Plastic Coverings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of bales is inefficient and hazardous due to the need to manually remove outer plastic coverings, which can entangle or be chopped by machinery, causing unpleasant odors and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A bale cutting apparatus that attaches to a prime mover, featuring a cutting mechanism to retain the bale against a stop member, cutting through the bale while retaining the covering materials, and using hydraulically operable cutters and clamps to separate the fodder from the coverings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual removal of bale coverings is performed, then the coverings can be removed completely, but the operator faces safety hazards and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bale cutting apparatus enables the bale to be processed automatically without requiring the operator to manually remove coverings. The cutting means automatically cuts through the bale and coverings, and the gripping means automatically grabs and retains the coverings, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual intervention for this hazardous task.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus extracts the hazardous function of manual covering removal from the operator and transfers it to the mechanical cutting means. The cutting means is specifically designed to cut through both the bale and its coverings, separating the covering removal function from manual labor and placing it within the automated system.
2Productivity
If plastic coverings are not removed before feeding, then handling time is reduced, but the coverings can entangle or be chopped by machinery causing catastrophic consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary cutting of the coverings at the point of bale processing. The cutting means cuts through the coverings before the fodder enters the feeding system, and the gripping means immediately grabs the cut coverings to prevent them from entering the feeding machinery, thus eliminating the entanglement risk while maintaining efficient handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting means and gripping means act as intermediary elements between the bale and the feeding machinery. They intercept the coverings at an intermediate stage, cutting and retaining them before they can reach the feeding system, thus preventing the harmful interaction between plastic coverings and machinery.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cutting means moves through the entire bale, then complete cutting is achieved, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting means is designed to perform partial cutting through the bale - specifically cutting through the coverings and the outer portion of the bale containing the fodder. The cutting edge traverses the bale from one side to the other, cutting through the coverings and releasing the fodder, without requiring excessive movement beyond what is necessary to achieve complete separation of coverings from fodder.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Eliminates the need for manual removal of bale coverings, preventing entanglement and chopping, reducing safety hazards and time consumption while maintaining cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
The cutting means comprises a hydraulically operable cutter pivotally mounted on and movable on the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bale cutting apparatus comprising attachment means for coupling the apparatus to a prime mover and a cutting means to cut through a bale containing fodder. The apparatus has cutting means that is operable to retain the bale against a stop member and cut through the bale such that the fodder is discharged from the bale and any bale covering materials are retained by the apparatus. The present invention eliminates the need to separately remove any covering materials in which the fodder is wrapped.