GB2188587A - Bale wrapping device - Google Patents

Abstract

A bale wrapping device rotates the bale (12) about one axis (24) and at the same time rotates an arm (58) carrying a wrap material (61) around the bales to wrap the entire bale. This may be achieved by enclosing the bale (12) in a frame which, when closed, positions the bale against a roller, or between rollers (26,44) and the frame moved, via a vehicle such as a tractor or the like, to roll the bale (12) along the ground and rotate the bale (12) about its cylindrical axis (24). A rotating arm (48) having spaced vertically downward disposed spindles (58), each carrying a roll (61) of plastic wrap and an associated wrap clutch tensioning device (62) is disposed above the bale (12). In operation, initially an end of each wrap (61) is tucked into the bale (12) and the arm rotates so that the film (61) is wrapped around the middle of the bale (12) and simultaneously the rollers (26,44) are caused to rotate the bale, by moving the vehicle, so that the entire bale is wrapped. Continuous operation is achieved using wrap cutter and retaining means (64) mounted to each side of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bale wrapping device The present invention relates to a bale wrapping device, particularly, but not exclusively, for wrapping bales of hay, straw and the iike forsilage and to minimise spoilage of the bale.

Ideally, a bale wrapping device should satisfy a numberofcriteria in addition to being reliableand relatively inexpensive. It should be capable of using the existing hydraulic system of a tractor or other vehicle such as fork lift truck and it should be capable of being used with bales of different sizes. In addition, the wrapping operation should be readily controlled by the operator from inside the cab and the existing gearing and drive of the vehicle should be used to assist in the wrapping procedure. Also bales should be able to be wrapped and discharged continuously without the operator having to leave the cab after a wrapping operation has started. The device should also be attachable to any suitable side of the vehicle.

There is a known bale wrapping machine available under the name 'Silawrap', which device is secured to the rear of a tractor and a valve control box is also fitted to the rear of the tractorto control hydraulic transmission to the device. The device consists of a wheeled trailer having a fixed platform on which is rotatably mounted a bale wrapping platform. At one side of the trailer bale loading skids are mounted which are used to locate a cylindrical bale and lift it onto the wrapping platform. On the wrapping platform are located two spaced rollers interconnected by a flexible web on which the bale sits. A plastic wrap roll is mounted on a vertical spindle at the rear of the tractor.An operator standing at the rear of the tractor controls the valve operating to rotate the bale about a vertical axis, and plastic wrap is tacked onto the bale to unwind the roll aroundtheflatends ofthe bale. Simultaneously, hydraulic drive rotates the spaced rollers so that the bale rotates about its cylindrical axis so that overlapping sides of the bale are wrapped. This continues until the entire bale is wrapped and the plastic film is then cut and the bale tipped offthe wrapping platform.

Although the Silawrap device generally works well, it is expensive and suffers from several drawbacks. Firstly, the operator requires to stand at the rear of the tractor operating the controls and this is potentially hazardous. Also the device is not used with other vehicles and is only attachable to the rear of a tractor and continuous wrapping of several bales without operator involvement in attaching the wrapping to the bales is not possible. Furthermore, many parts are required and it is relatively expensive.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved bale wrapping device in which the disadvantages associated with the aforementioned prior art devices are obviated or mitigated.

This is achieved by providing a bale wrapping device which rotates the bale about one axis and at the same time rotates an arm carrying a wrap materiai around the bales to wrap the entire bale.

In a preferred arrangement this is achieved by enclosing the bale in a frame which, when closed, positions the bale against a roller, or between rollers and the frame moved, via a vehicle'such as a tractor orthe like, to roll the bale along the ground and rotate the bale about its cylindrical axis. A rotating arm having spaced vertically downward disposed spindles, each carrying a roll of plastic wrap and an associated wrap tensioning device is disposed above the bale.

In operation, initially an end of each wrap is tucked into the bale and the arm rotates so thatthefilm is wrapped around the middle ofthe bale and simultaneouslythe roller is driven to rotate the bale so thatthe entire bale iswrapped.

The operation is complete in seconds and tension of the wrapping film is controlled by clutch tensioning mechanisms mounted on the end of each arm. Continuous operation is achieved using wrap cutter and retaining means mounted to each side of the device. Once a bale has been wrapped, hydraulic controlled cutter arms are actuated to tear and cut the wrap and at the sametimefirmly hold or jam the wrap against a pad on the frame. The wrap is weakened so that when the wrapped bale is discharged the remaining wrap is torn apart, but ends of the wrap are retained on the pad. The next bale is then disposed in a wrap position and the arm rotated to start the bale wrapping operation. Once several wraps have occurred the retaining arms can be released and the remaining wrapping operation continues.The procedure is then repeated for subsequent bales.

The frame has a doorwhich can be raised or lowered by hydraulic arms driven from the tractor and lifting forkandwheels ora rollerwhich can also be driven, are mounted on the inside of the door so that when the bale is located in the frame opposite the driven roller, closing the door positions the bale between the rollers so that when the vehicle is moved the wheels or rollers mounted inside the door and frame permitthe bale to roll over the ground and to rotate about its cylindrical axis.

This device can be mounted at the front or side of a tractor and can also be used with a fork lift truck. The device is adjustable to accomodate bales of different sizes, and the rollers can be slidable relative to the legs to accommodate larger diameter bales. The device has wheels but alternatively skids can be provided. The wrapping operation results in a criss-cross overlay of adjacent wraps, giving efficient sealing and strength at wrap.

Accordingly in one aspect of the invention there is provided a bale wrapping device comprising bale locating means for positioning a bale in said device for wrapping, means for rotating said bale to rotate relative to said device and about an axis of said bale, bale wrapping means consisting of an arm disposed substantially above the centre of the bale and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, said rotatable arm carrying at least one vertically disposed spindle adapted to receive a roll of wrapping film so that said film is disposed at substantially half the height of the bale when centred, the arrangement being such that, in use, said device is adapted to be moved in a direction so that the bale rotates in the frame, and said rotatable arm is simultaneously rotated about said bale so that film iswrapped around the entire bale.

Preferably said device is adapted to be attached to a 3-point latch at the rear of a tractor. Alternatively it may be secured to any other suitable drive means.

Preferablyfor rotating said bale means is a pair of rollers, and a vehicle for moving the frame so that the bale rotates relative to the rollers and the ground.

Alternatively, said means is a hydraulically powered roller adapted to be driven by the tractor hydraulic system. Also said means includes freely rotatable wheelsfor guiding the rotation of said bale.

Alternatively, said rollers may both be hydraulically powered.

Conveniently, spaced first and second roller means are coupled to the bale locating meansfor retaining the bale in the locating means and permitting the bale to rotate without damaging the wrapping film.

Preferably, also said second roller are movable between a first out-of-use position for permitting the bale to enter into a wrapping position and an in-use position for engaging the side ofthe bale, in use, to retain the bale in the wrapping position.

Preferably, also the arm is height adjustable and two spindles and rollers are provided which are also adjustable to accommodate bales of different sizes.

Preferably also at least one wrap cutting and retaining means is provided at the side oftheframe and the number of said means correspond to the number of rolls of wrap used. Conveniently one wrap cutting and retaining means is provided for each spindle.

Conveniently said wrap cutting means comprises a hydraulically actuatable arm movable between an out-of-use position and an in-use wrap cutting and retaining position, said arm having retainer means for retaining wrapping film against the frame after the cutting of said wrapping film. Conveniently said cutting means has a plurality of cutters spaced along the length of said arm for tearing said wrapping film to weaken said film without completely separating said film before said retained means retains said film against said frame.

Preferably said frame has a resilient pad positioned to be engaged by said retained means for trapping wrapping film there against.

The frame is made of steel but may be made of any other suitable material such as aluminium or heavy duty plastic. The guard frame surrounds the entire structure permitting safe and efficient wrapping.

Accordingly in a second aspect ofthe invention there is provided apparatus for use with a bale wrapping device for permitting substantially continuous bale wrapping of a plurality of bales, said apparatus comprising at least one wrapping film cutting and retaining arm provided at the side of said bale wrapping device, sai-d cutting and retaining arm being actuatable between an out-of-use position and an in-use wrap cutting and retaining poSition, said arm having retainer means for retaining wrapping film against the frame after the cutting of said wrapping film.

Preferably said cutting arm has a plurality of spaced cutters spaced along the length of the arm for tearing said wrapping film to weaken said film without complete severing thereof to permit said retaining means to hold said wrapping film against said frame.

Preferably said frame has a resilient pad positioned to be engaged by said retainer means for trapping wrapping film there against.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying photographs and drawing in which Figures 1 and 2 are photographs of a bale wrapping device in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention showing respectively an unwrapped bale in a wrapping position and a completely wrapped bale; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic and perspective view of the device shown in the photographs of Figures 1 and 2. with a cylindrical bale shown in broken outline; Figure 3a is a sectional view taken on lines 3a - 3a in Figure 1 showning how film is retained againstthe frame by wrapping film cutting and retaining means;; Figure4is a photograph showing film being cut after a bale has been wrapped, and Figure 5shows how retaining means hold a cut end of wrapping film againsttheframeto facilitate continuous wrapping ofthe next bale.

Reference is now made to the Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings which illustrates an embodiment of a bale wrapping device, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

In particularFigure 1 depicts a balewrapper hitched to a tractor and having an unwrapped bale therein for being wrapped. Figure 2 depicts the bale after being wrapped and it will be noted from a comparison ofthe photographsthatthe balewas rolled bydrivingthetractorforward.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the drawings which shows a bale wrapper 10 containing a cylindrical bale of hay 12, shown in broken outline, for wrapping by a plastic film, as will be later described.

The bale wrapping device 10 hasfirstframe portion 14 of generally rectangular shape atthe bottom of which can be connected two box-section tubes 16 each having a skid 18 at its base. The rectangular portion 14 is adapted to be mounted, at spaced locations 20, to the 3-point hitch of a tractor, which is not shown in the interest of clarity.

Spaced horizontal tubular legs 22 project from frame 14 and are spaced apart by a predetermined width to determine an opening for receiving the cylindrical bale 12 with cylindrical axis 24 perpendiculartothe legs as shown. A roller 26 is mounted between legs 22 and is rotatable about axis 28for permitting the bale to rotate about its axis 24.

Across legs 22 is mounted a generally U-shaped frame part 30 which is connected to rear frame part 14bycross beams 32. Between each sideof U-shaped part 32 and rearframe part 14 is disposed a wire mesh guard 34 best seen in Figures 1 and 2for operator protection. A rear door 36 with a similar guard 37 is pivotably mounted at pivot points 38 to the frame 30 and is pivotable upwardly and outwardlyfrom frame 30to permit the bale to leave and enterthe bale wrapperas shown in Figures 1 and 2.The guard 36 is moved by hydraulic arms40, driven by the hydraulic pump ofthetractor(not shown). At the lower end of guard 36 a cross-member 32 carries a pair of legs 43 on which is mounted a second roller 44.The second roller 44 is proportioned and arranged for engaging the bale 10 in a wrapping position as will be described.

At the top of the frame position 30, and between members 32 is disposed a transverse beam 46 which carries a rotatable arm 48 adapted to be disposed over substantiallythe centre of the bale 12. A hydraulic motor 50 is mounted on the arm frame 30 and drives a pulley 52 which is coupled to driven pulley 54 and shaft 55 via drive belt 56, using the hydraulic supply from the tractor. The rotatable arm 54 is connected to the bottom of shaft 55 and extends beyond the edges of the bale 12. At each end ofthe arm 48 a vertical arm 58 is mounted and at the lower end ofthe arm, a film wrapping carrying unitand tensioning device 60 is provided as best seen in Figure 5.The device 60 carries a roll of black plastic film 61 forwrapping around the bale and a tensioning unit 62 consisting of a pair of rollers through which the film is fed to bale 12. Each leg 22 carries a pivotally mounted arm 64 which carries a plurality of film cutters 66 spaced apart along the length of the arm. The arm is coupled to a hydraulic piston for moving the arm between an out-of-use position, as shown, and a cutting and a retaining in-use position, best seen in Figures 3a, 4 and 5, because the wrap rolls 61 are 180" apart, in plan view, the cutting and retaining devices 64 are similarly disposed on the frame. Indeed, in the diagram shown, the cutting devices 64 are disposed on different sides of the bale axis.At the end of each device is a wrap retaining element 68 which appears hookshaped and which is oriented at an angle'two the vertical so that in use, as best seen in Figures 3a and 5the retainer conforms to the table surface to provide a secure contact for retaining the film 61.

A pad 70 is located on each leg 22 for being engaged bytheelement68sothatthefilm 61 is securely held.

Itwill be seen that all hydraulicaliy operated elements are coupled to a valve block 72 and in turn to a hydraulic power supply on the tractor. Also outrigger spindles 74 can be provided for carrying spare rolls offilm.

In use, the bale wrapping device is mounted to the 3-point hitch atthe rear of the tractor and in orderto wrap a bale with the device as shown, the rear door 36 is raised and tractor is reversed with the wheels in the position shown in broken outline so that a bale is received between the legs until the bale abuts roller 26. The operator then takes an end of the plasticfilm from each roll and tucks it securely into the bale. The operatorthen lowers the rear door 36 so that rollers 26,44engage bale 26. The operatorthen actuatesthe hydraulicdriveto motor50which causes the arm 48 and hence rolls 60 to rotate around the bale unwinding plastic film from the roll as it rotates so that a band offilm 63 is wrapped around the bale.

Simultaneously, rotatable rollers 26,44 perm it the bale 12 to rotate relative to the ground about bale axis 24 and frame and causes different sections 62 of the bale to be wrapped so that adjacent wraps overlap providing a strong secure wrap over the entire bale. Once the entire bale is wrapped, the operation is stopped, the rear door 36 is raised, the bale drops down and the operatorthen cuts thefilm by actuating the arm 64 via hydraulic cylinders to the cutting and retaining position and the cutters 66 tear the film as seen in Figure 4. The film is then retained between the retainer 68 and pad 70 and to discharge a wrapped bale. The tractor is driven forward and the torn wrap is severed to leave a wrapped bale as shown in Figure 2.Another bale can be positioned on the wrapper and the door 36 closed and the wrapping operation recommenced. Because the film is retained it becomes wrapped around the bale several times and once "attached" the operator can move the arms to the out-of-use position shown.

This procedure can be repeated for many bales without the operator having to leave the cab saving time and effort particularly in bad weather. Rollers 26,47, rotate as the bale rotates without risk of damaging the already wrapped parts of the bale.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the apparatus hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the rollers 26,44 can be adjustable relative to the legs to accomodate different sized bales. Similarly, the length of arm 48 and vertical arm 58 can be adjustable to accomodate different sized bales. The roller 44 may be replaced by wheels or small rollers and roller 26 maybe replaced by a plurality of wheels, and both, or either rollers can be hydraulically driven. The device may also be attached to the front or side of a tractor orto a fork lift truck. It should be understood that the term wrapping includes "sealing" to exclude air. It will also be understood that two rotating arms may be provided, each arm carrying a roll of plastic wrap.

Advantages ofthe device hereinbefore described are that the mechanical drive of the tractor and rotation of rollers serve to move the bale to permit it to be entirely wrapped by a rotating roll of plastic film. The entire bale is safely and rapidly wrapped under control of the operator in the cab, and the operator does not require to be beside the device during the wrapping operation and multiple bales can be continuously wrapped or packaged without the operator having to leave his cab. Additionally, the hydraulic system is used to control wrapping by rotating the plasticfilm about the bale. The device is relatively inexpensive and uses standard parts and can accommodate bales of different sizes.

Overlapping of adjacent wraps provides a strong, secure seal ofthe bale.

Claims (18)

1. Abalewrapping device comprising bale locating means for positioning a bale in said device for wrapping, bale rotating means for rotating said bale to rotate relative to said device and about an axis of said bale, bale wrapping means consisting of an arm disposed substantially above the centre of the bale and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, said rotatable arm carrying at least one vertically disposed spindle adapted to receive a roll of wrapping film so that said film is disposed at substantially halfthe height of the bale when centred,the arrangement being such that, in use, said device is adapted to be moved in a direction so that the bale rotates in the frame, and said rotatable arm is simultaneously rotated about said bale so that film is wrapped around the entire bale.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is attachableto a 3-point latch atthe rearof a tractor.

3. A. device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is securable to any other suitable drive means.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said bale rotating means for rotating said bale means is a pair of rollers and a vehicle for moving theframe so thatthe bale rotates relativeto the rollers and the ground.

5. A device as claimed i n any one of claims 1-3 wherein said bale rotating means is a hydraulically powered rolleradaptedto be driven bythetractor hydraulic system.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein spaced first and second roller means are coupled to the bale locating means for retaining the bale in the locating means and permitting the bale to rotatewithout damaging the wrapping film.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second roller means is movable between afirst out-of-use position for permitting the bale to enter into a wrapping position and an in-use position for engaging the side of the bale, in use, to retain the bale in the wrapping position.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein also the arm is height adjustable and two spindles and rollers are provided which are also adjustable to accomodate bales of different sizes.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one wrap cutting and retaining means is provided at the side ofthe frame and the number of said means correspond to the number of rolls of wrapping film.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein one wrap cutting and retaining means is provided for each spindle.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9Or 10wherein said wrap cutting means comprises a hydraulically actuatable arm movable between an out-of-use position and an in-use wrap cutting and retaining position, said arm having retained means for retaining wrapping film against the frame after the cutting of said wrapping film.

12. Adevice as claimed in anyone claims9to 11 wherein siad cutting means has a plurality of cutters spaced along the length of said arm for tearing said wrapping film to weaken said film without completely separating said film before said retained means retains said film against said frame.

13. A device as claimed in anyone of claims 9 to 12 wherein said frame has a resilient pad positioned to be engaged by said retained meansfortrapping wrapping film thereagainst.

14. Apparatus for use with a bale wrapping device for permitting substantially continuous bale wrapping of a plurality of bales, said apparatus comprising at least one wrapping film cutting and retaining arm provided atthe side of said bale wrapping device, said cutting and retaining arm being actuatable between an out-of-use position and an in-use wrap cutting and retaining position, said arm having retainer means for retaining wrapping film.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14wherein said cutting arm has a plurality of spaced cutters spaced along the length of the arm for tearing said wrapping film to weaken said film without complete severing thereof to permit said retaining means to hold said wrapping film against said frame.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14wherein said frame has a resilient pad positioned to be engaged by said retained meansfortrapping wrapping film there against.

17. A device substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.