GB2394932A

GB2394932A - Bale wrapping machine

Info

Publication number: GB2394932A
Application number: GB0224042A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dowson Walton
Original assignee: DOWSON WALTON JOHN
Current assignee: DOWSON WALTON JOHN
Priority date: 2002-10-16
Filing date: 2002-10-16
Publication date: 2004-05-12
Also published as: GB0224042D0

Abstract

A bale wrapping machine comprises an in-feed conveyor 8 pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis 14 transverse to the conveying direction. Wrapping film is applied from a reel 6 rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis parallel to the conveying direction. The conveyor 8 can be pivoted upwardly to bring a square bale held by hooks 16 into an upright position for wrapping of end and some side surfaces. The conveyor can then be lowered to the horizontal position to advance the square bale along retractable tines 15 for completion of the wrapping. End rollers 10 of the in-feed conveyor 8 and 11 of an out-feed conveyor 9 can be driven to rotate a round bale during wrapping thereof The conveyors 8, 9 can be pivoted downwardly during loading and unloading of a bale, respectively.

Description

Universal Bale Wrapping Machine The invention, for which I hope to gain a

patent, relates to a bale wrapping machine as commonly used in agriculture, to wrap bales of forage or bedding in stretch type plastic film, to provide an air tight and weatherproof finish.

There are currently a number of various types of machine available including rotating table, rotating arm and orbital type mechanisms to apply the film. In most cases the bale rotates on 2 axes relative to the reel of film to completely cover the bale. This can be achieved by rotating the bale continuously on one axis and rotating the film around the bale on a second axis (rotating arm type). It can also be achieved by rotating the bale on 2 axes while the film is held stationary (rotating table type).

Some machines will wrap bales behind the baler or be used as a trailed machine separate from the baling operation. Some machines will operate statically as bales are brought to the wrapper, by other means. Some machines will perform combinations of the above operations and may be capable of all 3 basic methods. A third type of machine can wrap bales into a long tube rotating the film on one axis only usually employing an orbital wrapping mechanism. This machine requires the 2 ends of the tube to be sealed by other means.

The Universal Bale Wrapping Machine can wrap round or square bales in any of the previously described modes. Further, it can wrap both round and particularly square bales fast enough to wrap directly behind the baler. It is of simple construction and operates in a way which can save plastic film for any given number of layers required.

Description

See Diagram 1 The machine consists of a drawbar 1, pivoted vertically 2, on a chassis 3. An axle and wheels 4, provide mobility. An orbital type film distribution mechanism 5, is mounted on the chassis and this can be fitted with one or more film distributors 6, each having one cut and hold mechanism 7, appropriately positioned. There is a feed conveyor 8, and a discharge ramp 9, with large rollers at their ends 10 and 11 respectively. At the front there may be a pickup/conveyor 12 with the means to raise the bales from the ground onto the feed conveyor.

The discharge ramp can pivot on a horizontal axis 13. The feed conveyor can pivot about a horizontal axis 14 and has support tines 15 and hooks 16 pivotal from the conveyor sub frame 17. Operation (Square Bales) The machine can be towed offset behind a tractor by swinging the drawbar 1 to an offset position or the machine can be towed behind the baler and receive bales directly from the chamber by re-positioning the pickup conveyor 12.

See Diagram 2 As the bale moves along the feed conveyor 8, it is stopped when it reaches its correct position.

Simultaneously hooks 16 penetrate the bottom of the bale 18 and secure it to the feed conveyor. See Diagram 3 The feed conveyor 8 complete with bale tilts to a substantially vertical position placing the bale within the orbital wrap mechanism 5 as wrapping begins. As the film 6 is rotated around the bale it can be seen that the ends and sides of the bale are covered with film. Oscillation of the feed conveyor as indicated during wrapping will spread the film across the ends and some way along the top and bottom of the bale. Alternatively the feed conveyor 8 or the orbital mechanism 5 can be moved backwards and forwards to achieve the same effect.

See Diagram 4 The feed conveyor 8 tilts back to the horizontal position before the hooks 16 are withdrawn.

The feed conveyor moves the bale through the orbital wrapping device 5 and on to the discharge conveyor 9 which finally takes the bale through as the film 6 is wrapped around the bale covering the top, bottom and sides and completing the wrap. The bale can be supported on retractable tines 15 as it is fed through the orbital mechanism towards the discharge conveyor. See Diagram 5 The discharge conveyor 9 can tilt down to gently lower the finished bale to the ground.

Operation (Round Bales) See Diagram 6 The bale 19 can be positioned between the end rollers 10 and 11 of the feed and discharge conveyors. As the conveyors operate they will turn the bale on a lateral axis by the orbital mechanism 5 to complete the wrap. The bale can be located between the rollers by using the hooks 16 on the feed conveyor 8 and its cylinder 20 as a pickup device. Alternatively a cradle type pickup mechanism could replace the feed conveyor or work in conjunction.

Claims

1. A bale wrapping machine with a feed conveyor that pivots on a substantially horizontal transverse axis adjacent to a film distribution mechanism, rotating on a substantially horizontal axis at 90 degrees to the feed conveyor. The feed conveyor pivots up in such a way that the bale moves within the wrapping zone and the ends and sides can be totally wrapped.

2. A wrapping machine as in 1 where in the feed conveyor has a mechanism such as hooks or clamps to secure the bale to it as it pivots to a substantially vertical position

3. A bale wrapping machine as in 1 where tines(that may be movable) project from the pivoting end of the feed conveyor to support the bale as it subsequently moves horizontally through the wrapping zone and the top, bottom and sides are wrapped

4. A bale wrapping machine as in l.Where rollers at the end of the feed and discharge conveyors can be used to rotate round bales.