GB2184979A

GB2184979A - Method and apparatus for baling

Info

Publication number: GB2184979A
Application number: GB08600247A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Dennis Benton Milnes
Original assignee: Snowflake Woodshaving Co Ltd
Current assignee: Snowflake Woodshaving Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-01-07
Filing date: 1986-01-07
Publication date: 1987-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2006-01-07
Also published as: GB2184979B; GB8600247D0

Abstract

Baling apparatus 10 for woodshavings and sawdust comprises a filling hopper 12 to receive woodshavings and sawdust from a cyclone or conveyor. A piston 16 is actuated by an hydraulic ram 18 in a press chamber 14. A retractable gate member 44 forming one wall of the press chamber permits sequential compression and then ejection of bale material into a packaging device in which the baled material is pushed into a discharge tube 56 over which a polythene bag 58 has been inserted. The bag is closed by wire closures, staples or the like. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for baling This invention relates to a method and apparatus for baling. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to the baling of woodshavings and sawdust, but may also be applicable to the baling of other materials.

Previously proposed baling appartus is subject to various shortcomings including those concerning the formation and definition of the individual bale.

For example, in the case of many balers there is difficulty in the separation of one bale from the next, and this is of particular significance where it is necessary to package the bale in, for example, a polythene bag or the like, since if the bale is not well defined the entry of same into the bag will be rendered difficult and the closing of the bag will likewise pose problems.

In the case of agricultural straw and hay balers the same problem arises where the compressed bale material is continuously extruded through a tapering bale formation chamber, and the separation of one bale from the next is performed by a fork mechanism which plunges through the bale material and, in association with a twine releasing and tying mechanism serves to secure the bale in its desired compressed condition.

Such an arrangement is not suitable for woodshavings or the like, and improvements in this and other respects are needed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, baling apparatus comprises bale forming means to define a bale during formation of same without the use of a preceding bale as part of the bale forming means.

Preferably, the bale forming means includes a bale forming member which is movable between bale forming and bale releasing positions. The bale forming member may be in the form of a retractable gate member. The gate member may form one wall of the bale forming means. An opposite wall of the bale forming means may comprise bale ejection means.

The bale ejection means may comprise linear thrust means, for example a hydraulic ram.

Preferably, the baling apparatus comprises bale packaging means. The bale packaging means may comprise a duct to receive compressed bale material whereby packaging material can be inserted over the duct and ejection of the bale material through the duct causes same to be inserted into the packaging material.

Preferably, the bale forming means includes actuatable bale ejection means. The bale ejection means may be arranged to act generally laterally with respect to the direction in which the bale material is compressed in the bale forming means.

The invention also provides a method of baling comprising the step of compressing bale material in bale forming means so as to define a bale without the use of a preceding bale as part of the bale forming means.

Preferably, the method includes the step of moving a bale forming member between a bale forming and bale releasing position. The bale forming member may be in the form of a retractable gate member forming one wall of the bale forming means, an opposite wall thereof comprising bale ejection means, and the method further comprising the step of causing said bale ejection means to eject a bale when said bale forming member is in its bale releasing position. Preferably, the direction of bale ejection is generally laterally with respect to the direction of compression of bale material in the bale forming means.

In a preferred embodiment described below a baling machine for baling woodshavings, which are a low density material, compresses them and expels them or ejects them into a polythene bag, which retains the shavings in their pressed shape. The baling machine comprises two hydraulic presses, the first one serving to compress the woodshavings into a bale forming chamber, and the second press serving to eject the compressed material from the bale formation chamber into a polythene bag.

In the method of baling employed in the described embodiment, woodshavings fall from a cyclone or loading system into a press chamber which is approximately the size of a coffin and having a filling hopper extending above it. The woodshavings are compressed by a piston which is extended across the bottom of the filling hopper and moves the shavings into the bale forming chamber. The piston remains in position forming one wall of the bale forming chamber. At this stage,the exit from the bale forming chamber is closed by a steel gate member. This latter member is opened by a second hydraulic cylinder whereupon a third hydraulic cylinder pushes the compressed woodshavings through a rectangular section tube over which a bag has been previously placed.The baled material is ejected into the bag which retains the pressure of the baled woodshavings and the result is a well defined rectangular section bale. All pistons then return to their starting positions and another cycle can be commenced. The amount of woodshavings to be compressed can be controlled by reducing the length of stroke of the press ram.

A hydraulic pump and tank unit driven by an electric motor provides hydraulic power, which is directed to three double-acting hydraulic cylinders through electrically operated direction control valves. The whole operation is controlled by an electric control panel and can operate either automatically or manually. The cycle time is usually around 40 seconds. The compression ratio is normally approximately 4 to 1, but can be adjusted.

According to a further aspect of the inven tion there is provided baling apparatus and a method of using same comprising any novel feature or novel combination of features dis closed herein.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with refer ence to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic plan view of baling apparatus; and Fig. 2 shows elevation view of the appara tus of Fig. 1.

A shown in Fig. 1, baling apparatus 10 comprises a filling hopper 12 to receive woodshavings and sawdust from a cyclone or conveyor. The hopper has slightly downwardly diverging walls leading to a press chamber 14 through which a piston 16 can be moved un der the action of an hydraulic ram 18 oper ated by a hydraulic unit 20 comprising a pump 22 driven by an electric motor 24 and having a reservoir 26 and connected by conduits 28 to the hydraulic system which includes a hy draulic control valve block 30 and an electric control unit 32.

Piston 16 moves from left to right as seen in Fig. 1 between side walls 34,36 of press chamber 14 and compresses the woodshav ings into a bale forming chamber 38 defined by a rear wall 40, an eject piston 42, a gate member 44 and upper and lower walls 46, 48.

Thus, press piston 16 together with items 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 define the six walls of the bale forming chamber 38 into which the woodshavings are compressed during use.

Then, gate member 44 is retracted by a hydraulic cylinder 52 mounted on a bracket 54 and cylinder 50 causes piston 42 to extend and push the baled material into a discharge tube 56 over which a polythene bag 58 has been inserted. As the piston 42 advances the baled material is pushed into tube 56 and onwards until it is enclosed by bag 58 after ejection from tube 56, whereupon the bag can be closed by means of wire closures, staples or the like.

Then, the pistons 16 and 42 are retracted and gate member 44 is returned to its closed position and the above sequence of operations can be repeated to form a second bale.

Among modifications which could be made in the above embodiment while remaining within the scope of the invention are variations in the method of compressing the material to be baled. It would be possible to provide for more than one compressing movement of the press piston, if desired. Variations in the compression ratio are likewise envisaged. Means may be provided for monitoring the density of the uncompressed material re ceived from the filling hopper into the press chamber. Where a single pressing stroke is used, the arrangement may be such that compression does not begin until the density has reached a desired level.

The means for actuating the press piston and the eject piston may be modified according to requirements. A mechanical drive could be provided of course. This is the case also with the means for controlling the retractable gate member. The direction of ejection could be changed according to need. The method of the invention may well be applicable to other materials which might not require packaging, polythene bags or the like to contain the material after baling, and in such a case it might be sufficient to provide for tying with twine or the like as in agricultural usage.

Claims

1. Baling apparatus comprising bale forming means to define a bale during formation of same without the use of a preceding bale as part of the bale forming means.

2. Baling apparatus according to claim 1 adapted for the baling of woodshavings and sawdust.

3. Baling apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bale forming means includes a bale forming member which is movable between bale forming and bale releasing positions.

4. Baling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the bale forming member is in the form of a retractable gate member.

5. Baling apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the gate member forms one wall of the bale forming means.

6. Baling apparatus according to claim 5 wherein an opposite wall of the bale forming means comprises bale ejection means.

7. Baling apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said bale ejection means comprises linear thrust means, for example a hydraulic ram.

8. Baling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising bale packaging means.

9. Baling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the bale packaging means comprises a duct to receive compressed bale material whereby packaging material can be inserted over the duct and ejection of the bale material through the duct causes the bale material to be inserted into the packaging material.

10. Baling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising actuatable bale ejection means.

11. Baling apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the bale ejection means is arranged to act generally laterally with respect to the direction in which the bale material is compressed in the bale forming means.

12. Baling apparatus for the baling of woodshavings, sawdust and the like substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.