Net Wrap Roll Lift Markings for Balanced Baler Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Baler implements face issues with the supply roll of wrap material tilting or leaning due to the lift hook and/or loops being off-center relative to the roll's center of gravity, causing instability during lifting.

Innovation Solution

The supply roll is equipped with axial position identifiers positioned relative to the combined center of gravity, which define the desired lift locations, ensuring balanced lifting by marking the exterior circumference of the roll or roll cover, either for single or dual-point lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lift hook and loops are positioned on the supply roll, then the supply roll can be lifted into the wrap system, but the supply roll tilts or leans to one side causing instability during lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting operationVSAvoidsupply roll stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-marking the axial position identifiers on the supply roll before lifting. These markings indicate the correct orientation and position of the lift hooks relative to the center of gravity, allowing operators to properly position the lifting equipment in advance. This prevents tilting during lifting by ensuring the center of gravity is correctly aligned with the lift hooks from the beginning of the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If axial position identifiers are added to the supply roll, then lift locations can be precisely identified, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelift location identificationVSAvoidsupply roll structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color changes or visual markings (axial position identifiers) on the supply roll to indicate lift locations. These identifiers may be colored bands, painted markings, or other visual indicators that provide clear visual cues to operators about where to position the lift hooks. This simple visual indication system achieves precise lift location identification without adding mechanical complexity to the supply roll structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4218398B1Net wrap roll with lift hook location markings
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 DEERE & CO
  • EP4218398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4218398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4218398B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A supply roll for a wrap system of a baler implement includes a core having a circumferential wall surface forming a cylindrical shape concentric with a central longitudinal axis. A wrap material includes a length wound about the circumferential wall surface of the core, and defines an exterior circumference. The core and the wrap material cooperate to define a combined center of gravity. An axial position identifier is disposed on the exterior circumference of the wrap material, and is positioned relative to the combined center of gravity to define a desired lift location.