DK202100414A1

DK202100414A1 - System for de-wiring bales

Info

Publication number: DK202100414A1
Application number: DKPA202100414A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Jensen Kjeld
Original assignee: Retec Miljoe Aps
Priority date: 2021-04-27
Filing date: 2021-04-27
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: DK181098B1; WO2022229162A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for de-wiring bales wound with one or more metal wires. The system comprises a winder unit that is particularly efficient in releasing the formed wire coil as it can assume two configurations. A first relatively wide first configuration used during the winding, i.e., rotating, operation, and a second relatively narrow configuration, after the winding operation, allowing the coiled wire to fall off winder unit.

Description

DK 2021 00414 A1 System for de-wiring bales Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to the field of bale management, and more particularly the process of de-wiring bales.

Background of the invention Many items or materials are bundled or baled for handling, transport, and storage.

As an example, recycled materials are often compressed together in a bale, and maintained in the bale shape by one or more wires that are wrapped around the material to keep the material compressed.

In order to use the material, e.g., feed the material into a recycling process, the wire must be removed, and the material loosened.

When the wire is severed and removed from the bale, the material will expand to a less compressed or decompressed state.

Often, the de-wiring operation is carried out manually.

In such an operation, an operator will manually cut and remove the wire.

Hence, such manual operations can be time consuming and can possibly cause injury to the operator's hands.

Automated de-wiring systems are however known but are complex and slow.

The mechanism for removing the cut wire may comprise a unit adapted for winding up the cut wire.

However, this unit is very slow at removing the coiled wire, thereby becoming a bottleneck of the entire de-wiring process.

Object of the Invention The objective of the present invention is to provide an alternative system for de- wiring bales that solves or at least alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

> DK 2021 00414 A1 Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for de-wiring bales wound with one or more metal wires. The system comprises a winder unit that is particularly efficient in releasing the formed wire coil as it can assume two configurations. A first relatively wide first configuration used during the winding, i.e., rotating, operation, and a second relatively narrow configuration, after the winding operation, allowing the coiled wire to fall off winder unit.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a system for de-wiring bales wound with one or more metal wires, said system comprising: - a de-wiring zone; - a transportation unit adapted for transporting a bale in and out of said de-wiring zone; - a cutting system comprising one or more knives adapted for cutting one or more metal wires wound around said bale; and - a pulling mechanism adapted for pulling said cut wire(s) away from said bale; wherein said system further comprises: - a winder unit adapted for receiving a part of said cut wire(s) from said pulling mechanism and winding said cut wire(s) into a coil; wherein said winder unit is adapted for being in a relatively wide first configuration and in a relatively narrow second configuration. In the present context, the term “wire” should be understood broadly and to cover all bale binding materials in the form of wires and straps that can be coiled. The de-wiring zone is the area within the system, where a bale is de-wired. The de-wiring zone is flanked by the different components of the system. As an example, the cutting system, pulling mechanism, and winder unit may be mounted on or suspended from a chassis defining the de-wiring zone. A transportation unit, such as one or more belt conveyors, or the like, transports

2 DK 2021 00414 A1 the bale in and out of said de-wiring zone and may define the floor of said de- wiring zone. The pulling mechanism, and winder unit are preferably positioned on the same side of the of the de-wiring zone. The cutting system and the winder unit/pulling mechanism may on the other hand be positioned on either side of the de-wiring zone, or on the same side of the de-wiring zone. Alternatively, the cutting system may be positioned above or below the de-wiring zone, while the winder unit/pulling mechanism is positioned on the side of the de-wiring zone. The cutting system may extend through the transportation unit, such as between two belt conveyors. The winder unit/pulling mechanism is preferably positioned on the side of the de-wiring zone to allow gravity to aid in the coiled wire to fall off. Alternatively, a pushing means/device is integrated into the winder unit and adapted to mechanically remove the coiled wire therefrom. Such a pushing device could comprise a plunger operatively coupled to a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric actuator.

In one or more embodiments, the winder unit is configured to move between a first extended position and a second retracted position, relative to said de-wiring zone.

In one or more embodiments, the pulling mechanism is configured to move between a first extended position and a second retracted position, relative to said de-wiring zone. This movement operation may aid in pulling in the cut wire.

In one or more embodiments, the pulling mechanism comprises a pair of serrated blades adapted for grabbing onto a part of said cut wire(s). One of said blades may be fixed, while the other is adapted for being reciprocated. One of the serrated blades may be hook shaped, thereby better being able to pull in the cut wire. Preferably, the pulling mechanism is integrated into the winder unit. The blades may be configured for cutting the wire after the pulling operation is terminated.

1 DK 2021 00414 A1 In one or more embodiments, the winder unit comprises: - an elongate and vertically arranged inner core unit adapted for being rotated around its longitudinal axis; and - a plurality of vertically arranged elongate elements movably connected to said inner core unit; wherein each of said elongate elements are adapted for being positioned in an extended first position, thereby defining a the winder unit's relatively wide first configuration, and in a retracted second position, thereby defining the winder unit's relatively narrow second configuration.

In one or more embodiments, each of said elongate elements are connected to said inner core unit via a link of a first type; wherein said link of a first type is hingedly connected, respectively, to said inner core unit and to one of said elongate elements.

In one or more embodiments, the inner core unit comprises: - an inner rod; - an outer tube; and - a plurality of links of a second type, each hingedly connected, respectively, to one of said elongate elements and to said inner rod; and wherein said inner rod is adapted for moving up and down within said outer tube; wherein each of said links of a first type are hingedly connected to said outer tube.

In one or more embodiments, the links of a first type in combination with said outer tube are adapted for acting as supports for said elongate elements, and wherein said links of a second type in combination with said inner rod are adapted for acting as lever arms for said elongate elements.

på DK 2021 00414 A1 In one or more embodiments, the pulling mechanism comprises a cutting system adapted for releasing a pulled wire from said pulling mechanism.

In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a control unit configured for, preferably sequentially, activating and deactivating said cutting system, said pulling mechanism, and said winder unit.

The control unit may e.9., first activate the cutting system, pulling mechanism, and winder unit to move from a retracted position relative to the de-wiring zone to an extended position relative to the de-wiring zone.

When in position, the pulling mechanism is preferably first activated to grab a wire wrapped around a bale.

Then the cutting system is activated to cut said wire.

However, both the pulling mechanism and the cutting system may alternatively be activated simultaneously.

When the wire is cut, the pulling mechanism may be activated to return to its retracted position relative to the de-wiring zone, thereby pulling in the cut wire to at least partly release it from the bale.

During the movement towards its retracted position relative to the de-wiring zone, the winder unit may be activated to aid in the pulling process to completely release the cut wire(s) from the bale.

Alternatively, the winder unit is first activated when the pulling mechanism has returned to its retracted position relative to the de-wiring zone.

In general, the winder unit and the pulling mechanism are connected, e.g., built into a single unit, thereby being capable of moving together.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value.

When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

. DK 2021 00414 A1 It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention. Brief description of the figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention with a bale positioned therein.

Figure 3 is a close-up view of a winder unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where some of the elongate elements have been removed to show the inner core unit.

Figure 4 is a close-up view of a winder unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the outer tube of the inner core unit has been removed to show the inner rod, and where the winder unit is in its relatively narrow second configuration.

Figure 5 is a close-up view of a winder unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the winder unit is in its relatively wide first configuration.

Figure 6 is a front view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the pulling mechanism is moving towards a first extended position relative to the de-wiring zone.

Figure 7 is a front view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the pulling mechanism is in a first extended position relative to the de-wiring zone.

, DK 2021 00414 A1 Figure 8 is a front view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the pulling mechanism has returned to a second retracted position relative to the de-wiring zone, and where the winder unit is in its relatively wide first configuration.

0 DK 2021 00414 A1 References 10 Bale 110 De-wiring zone 120 Transportation unit 130 Cutting system 140 Pulling mechanism 142 Serrated blade 150 Inner tube 151 Inner rod 152 Inner core unit 153 Outer tube 154 Elongate element 155 Link of a second type 156 Link of a first type 160 Chassis Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

The apparatus 100 comprises a de-wiring zone 110 defined by a chassis 160, a transportation unit 120 adapted for transporting a bale 10 (shown in Figure 2) in and out of said de-wiring zone 110, a cutting system 130 comprising a plurality of knives (here embodied as two reciprocating knife blades) adapted for cutting one or more metal wires (not shown) wound around said bale 10, a pulling mechanism 140 adapted for pulling said cut wire(s) away from said bale 10, a winder unit 150 adapted for receiving a part of said cut wire(s) from said pulling mechanism 140 and winding said cut wire(s) into a coil.

The pulling mechanism 140 is here shown integrated into the winder unit 150, i.e., they are built into a single unit.

The function of the specific embodied chassis 160 is here to allow the pulling mechanism 140 and the cutting system 130 to move from a retracted position relative to the de-wiring o DK 2021 00414 A1 zone 110 and into an extended position relative to the de-wiring zone 110, where the cutting and pulling operations are initiated. Preferably, the cutting operation is initiated after the pulling mechanism 140 has grabbed the wire to secure that the wire will not dislocate and thereby be more difficult to grab by the pulling mechanism 140. Hereafter, the pulling mechanism 140 initiates the pulling operation. The pulling mechanism 140 and the cutting system 130 is here shown positioned on each side of the de-wiring zone 110, but they may just as well be positioned on the same side of the de-wiring zone 110, or the cutting system 130 may be positioned above or below the de-wiring zone 110.

Figure 3 is a close-up view of a winder unit 150 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The winder unit 150 is adapted for being in a relatively wide first configuration and in a relatively narrow second configuration. The winder unit 150 comprises an elongate and vertically arranged inner core unit 152 adapted for being rotated around its longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertically arranged elongate elements 154 (some of which are removed for a better view of the inner core unit) movably connected to said inner core unit 152. Each of the elongate elements 154 are adapted for being positioned in an extended first position, thereby defining a the winder unit's 150 relatively wide first configuration, and in a retracted second position, thereby defining the winder unit's 150 relatively narrow second configuration. This is made possible by connecting each elongate element 154 to the inner core unit 152 via a link of a first type 156. The link of a first type 156 is hingedly connected, respectively, to the inner core unit 152 (more specifically to the outer tube 153 described below) and to one of said elongate elements 154. The inner core unit 152 comprises an outer tube 153, an inner rod 151 (better seen in Figure 4, where the outer tube 153 has been removed), and a plurality of links of a second type 155, each hingedly connected, respectively, to one of said elongate elements 154 and to said inner rod 151. The inner rod 151 is adapted for moving up and down within the outer tube 153, and only the end of the inner rod 15 is visible in Figure 3 as this illustrates its retracted position. As mentioned above, each of the links of a first type 156 are hingedly connected to the outer tube 153. The links of a first

0 DK 2021 00414 A1 type 156 in combination with the outer tube 153 are adapted for acting as supports for the elongate elements 154, and the links of a second type 155 in combination with the inner rod 151 are adapted for acting as lever arms for the elongate elements 154.

Figure 4 is a close-up view of a winder unit 150 and pulling mechanism 140 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the outer tube 153 of the inner core unit 152 has been removed to show the inner rod 151, and where the winder unit 150 is in its relatively narrow second configuration. The pulling mechanism 140 comprises a pair of serrated blades adapted for grabbing onto a part of said cut wire(s). One of the blades is fixed, while the other is adapted for being reciprocated. Here it can be seen that the blades of the pulling mechanism 140 extend beyond the elongate elements 154, thereby allowing it to grab onto a wire. Figure 5 is a close-up view of the winder unit 150 of Figure 4, where the winder unit 150 is in its relatively wide first configuration, and where the blades of the pulling mechanism 140 are hidden behind the elongate elements 154.

Figure 6 is a front view of a system 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the pulling mechanism 140 and the cutting system 130 are both moving towards a first extended position relative to the de-wiring zone

110. Figure 7 is a front view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the pulling mechanism 140 and the cutting system 130 are both positioned at a first extended position relative to the de- wiring zone 110. Due to the plurality of pairs of teeth (about 30 each, preferably within the range of 10-200) distributed along the length of both the pulling mechanism 140 and the cutting system 130, it is possible to handle bales with differing positions of the wires and bales with multiple wires. In Figure 8, the pulling mechanism 140 and the cutting system 130 has returned to a retracted second position relative to the de-wiring zone 110. The winder unit 150 thereby drags in the cut wire and retains its relatively wide first configuration before rotating around its centre axis to coil the wire. When the wire is coiled, the winder

1 DK 2021 00414 A1 unit 150 retains its relatively narrow second configuration, while the pulling mechanism 140 releases its grip of the wire, to allow the coil to fall off.

Some embodiments may include that the pulling mechanism 140 is capable of cutting the wire at positions where the wire is grabbed.

Claims

12 DK 2021 00414 A1 Claims

1. A system (100) for de-wiring bales (10) wound with one or more metal wires, said system comprising: - a de-wiring zone (110); - a transportation unit (120) adapted for transporting a bale (10) in and out of said de-wiring zone (110); - a cutting system (130) comprising one or more knives adapted for cutting one or more metal wires wound around said bale (10); and - a pulling mechanism (140) adapted for pulling said cut wire(s) away from said bale; characterized in that said system further comprises: - a winder unit (150) adapted for receiving a part of said cut wire(s) from said pulling mechanism (140) and winding said cut wire(s) into a coil; wherein said winder unit (150) is adapted for being in a relatively wide first configuration and in a relatively narrow second configuration.

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein said winder unit (150) is configured to move between a first extended position and a second retracted position, relative to said de-wiring zone (110).

3. The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-2, wherein said pulling mechanism (140) comprises a pair of serrated blades (142) adapted for grabbing onto a part of said cut wire(s).

4. The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein said pulling mechanism (140) is integrated into said winder unit (150).

5. The system (100) according to claim 4, wherein said winder unit (150) comprises: - an elongate and vertically arranged inner core unit (152) adapted for being rotated around its longitudinal axis; and

1 DK 2021 00414 A1 - a plurality of vertically arranged elongate elements (154) movably connected to said inner core unit (152); wherein each of said elongate elements (154) are adapted for being positioned in an extended first position, thereby defining a the winder unit's (150) relatively wide first configuration, and in a retracted second position, thereby defining the winder unit's (150) relatively narrow second configuration.

6. The system (100) according to claim 5, wherein each of said elongate elements (154) are connected to said inner core unit (152) via a link of a first type (156); wherein said link of a first type (156) is hingedly connected, respectively, to said inner core unit (152) and to one of said elongate elements (154).

7. The system (100) according to claim 6, wherein said inner core unit (152) comprises: - an inner rod (151); - an outer tube (153); and - a plurality of links of a second type (155), each hingedly connected, respectively, to one of said elongate elements (154) and to said inner rod (151); and wherein said inner rod (151) is adapted for moving up and down within said outer tube (153); wherein each of said links of a first type (156) are hingedly connected to said outer tube (153).

8. The system (100) according to claim 7, wherein said links of a first type (156) in combination with said outer tube (153) are adapted for acting as supports for said elongate elements (154), and wherein said links of a second type (155) in combination with said inner rod (151) are adapted for acting as lever arms for said elongate elements (154).

14 DK 2021 00414 A1

9. The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein said pulling mechanism (140) comprises a cutting system adapted for releasing a pulled wire from said pulling mechanism (140).

10. The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-9, further comprising a control unit configured for, preferably sequentially, activating or deactivating said cutting system(s) (130), said pulling mechanism (140), and said winder unit (150).