Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
  • B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
  • B30B9/3003—Details
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
  • B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
  • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
  • B65B13/24—Securing ends of binding material
  • B65B13/32—Securing ends of binding material by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive
  • B65B13/322—Friction welding
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B27/00—Bundling particular articles presenting special problems using string, wire, or narrow tape or band; Baling fibrous material, e.g. peat, not otherwise provided for
  • B65B27/12—Baling or bundling compressible fibrous material, e.g. peat

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for pressing and strapping bales of material in a baler.
• the invention also relates to a baler for pressing and strapping bales of material.
• Strapping systems are often used to bind and secure various types of materials after they have been compressed and formed into a bale.
• individual bales of materials are bound with metal wire immediately after the bale has been created, the metal wire being secured, as needed, along the length of the bale in order to maintain the bale in formed and compressed state.
• metal wiring adequately performs its function of securing the baled material and preventing the bulk of the bale from falling apart, the material cost for the metal wire is relatively high. Additionally, if metal wire is used to bind bales of garbage or solid waste used as refuse derived fuel (RDF) it must be removed in a subsequent step in the process, since the wire would survive the incineration process intact.
• RDF refuse derived fuel
• a strap track assembly comprises a frame, a track, and a flap assembly.
• the frame is sized and configured to permit a bale of material to pass there through.
• the track is coupled to and positioned along an inner surface of the frame, with the track sized and configured to house a length of strapping material therein.
• the flap assembly is operatively connected to a portion of track positioned along a lower portion of the frame, with the flap assembly including a first flap in selective contact with a second flap.
• the first flap may be constructed of a metallic material
• the second strap may be constructed of an elastomeric material such as rubber.
• a debris cover may be operatively connected to a front surface of the frame, with a portion of the debris cover positioned above at least a portion of the track so as to inhibit individual pieces of baled material from contacting the flap assembly and/or the track.
• Individual plates may be operatively connected to and extend away from an exit portion of an associated baler.
• a drawback with the system and method described above is that the strapping process is quite complicated and the interconnection of the strap ends often requires some kind of a heat generating process.
• a method for pressing and strapping bales of material in a baler comprises the steps of feeding the material into the baler in a first direction, compressing the material into a bale by means of a main press, transporting the bale of material in a second direction to engage with a continuous strap which in an initial position crosses the second direction in the baler, and moving the strap in relation to the bale to substantially enclose the bale.
• the method is characterised by the step of friction welding the strap together to completely enclose the bale.
• the continuous strap is made of a plastic material which makes the strap cheap and combustible.
• the friction welding of the strap is preferably performed in an overlapping manner which creates a stable and rigid point of attachment.
• the step of friction welding may comprise welding the strap together at a first welding point and at a second welding point.
• the strap may be cut by means of a cutting element between the first welding point and the second welding point, such that the enclosed bale of material is detached from the continuous strap which in turn moves back to the initial position.
• the strap is cut first and thereafter welded at the first welding point to secure the strap around the bale and at the second welding point to again form the continuous strap after the cut.
• the first welding point and the second welding point may be provided simultaneously. Thereafter, the process may be repeated time after time without any manual contribution from service personnel.
• the step of transporting the bale may comprise pushing the bale by means of the main press in the second direction into engagement with the continuous strap so that it at least partially encloses the bale.
• the main press has a dual function.
• the material is compressed within the press chamber by moving the main press in the second direction to engage with the material and compress the same into a bale.
• the bale is transported in the second direction by moving the main press to engage with the continuous strap.
• the step of moving the strap may comprise hooking the strap by means of a strap element and pulling the strap in relation to the bale to substantially enclose said bale.
• the strap element is constituted by a needle provided with a hook on one of its outer ends.
• the needle is lowered in the first direction to hook the strap and pull it upwards so that the strap substantially surrounds the bale of material.
• the strap may be cut and welded in order to release the bale of material from the continuous strap which in turn moves back to said initial position. From here, the entire process can be repeated.
• the objects are achieved in full, or at least in part, by a baler for pressing and strapping bales of material.
• the baler comprises an inlet for receiving the material in a first direction into a press chamber in which the material is to be compressed, a main press movably arranged in connection with the press chamber and adapted to compress the material into a bale and to transport the bale of material in a second direction, a continuous strap crossing the second direction and adapted to engage with the bale of material when transported in the second direction, and a strap element movably arranged in connection with the press chamber and adapted to move the strap in relation to the bale to substantially enclose the bale.
• the baler is characterised in that it further comprises a friction welding unit adapted to friction weld the strap together to completely enclose the bale.
• the main press may comprise a pressing element arranged on a cylinder that is movable in the second direction between an idle mode and a working mode.
• the main press In the idle mode, the main press is still.
• the main press In the working mode, the main press is conducting the step of compressing the material in the press chamber into a bale together with the step of transporting the bale of material in the second direction.
• the pressing element of the main press may further comprise a through hole through which the strap element is adapted to move to reach the strap.
• the through hole is provided to avoid a conflict between the main press and the needle during the strapping process of the bale of material.
• the baler may further comprise a cutting element adapted to cut the strap, such that the enclosed bale of material is detached from the continuous strap which in turn moves back to its initial position.
• the friction welding unit may comprise a movable cutting tool and a fixed welding tool, wherein the movable cutting tool is movable in the second direction.
• the movable cutting tool may assist the strap element in enclosing the bale of material with the strap.
• the movable cutting tool may be moved to retrieve the strap and move the same in the second direction in order to substantially enclose the bale.
• the baler may further comprise first roller and a second roller arranged outside of the press chamber and between which the strap extends. Further, the baler may comprise at least one guiding roller adapted to guide the strap between the first roller and a second roller. The first and second roller may easily be removed and replaced when the strap is used up.
• the baler may further comprise a pre-press adapted to pre-press the material into the press chamber. In more detail, the pre-press may be pivotably arranged in connection with the press chamber and adapted to pivot about a shaft between an idle mode and a working mode.
• the method may be used independently from the baler described in the present application. In other words, the method may be used in
• first and second direction described herein may be varied in any suitable way.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a baler according to one aspect of the present invention.
• Fig. 2a-2e are side views of the baler in Fig. 1 performing method steps according to another aspect of the invention.
• Fig. 3a-3i are side views of a friction welding unit when performing the steps of cutting and welding a continuous strap in the baler.
• Fig. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a baler 1 for pressing and strapping bales 2 of material.
• the baler 1 comprises an inlet 3 for receiving the material in a first direction into a press chamber 4 of the baler 1 in which the material is to be compressed.
• the inlet 3 is in direct
• the first direction is a vertical direction in relation to the baler 1 .
• the material to be processed in the baler 1 can be transported by means of a conveyor (not shown) to the inlet 3 and from there by gravity into the press chamber 4.
• the baler 1 further comprises a pre-press 5 that is pivotably arranged in connection with the press chamber 4 via a shaft 6.
• the pre-press 5 can thus pivot between an idle mode and a working mode.
• the pre-press is in the idle mode (Fig. 2a)
• the material is allowed into the press chamber 4 via the inlet 3.
• the prepress 5 is in the working mode (Fig. 2b)
• the prepress 5 will help pressing the material into the press chamber 4 while simultaneously closing the inlet 3 so that no additional material can enter into the press chamber 4.
• the compression phase of pressing the material into a bale 2 can be initiated (Fig. 2b).
• the baler 1 is equipped with a main press 7 movably arranged in connection with the press chamber 4.
• the main press 7 has the function of compressing the material into a bale 2 and, simultaneously, transporting the bale 2 in a second direction.
• the second direction is a horizontal direction in relation to the baler 1 .
• the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
• the main press 7 comprises a pressing element 14 arranged on a cylinder 15 that is movable in the second direction between an idle mode and a working mode. In the idle mode, the main press 7 is still and in its initial position. Here, other parts of the baler are in operation or the baler 1 is simply not in use.
• the main press 7 In the working mode, the main press 7 is conducting the step of compressing the material in the press chamber 4 into a bale 2 and simultaneously the step of transporting the bale 2 of material in the second direction.
• the baler 1 further comprises a continuous strap 8 that extends between a first roller 9 and a second roller 10 and crosses the second direction in the baler 1 .
• the first roller 9 and the second roller 10 are arranged outside of the press chamber 4.
• the baler 1 also comprises two guiding rollers 1 1 arranged in the bottom section of the baler 1 which are adapted to guide the strap 8 between said first roller 9 and a second roller 10.
• the bale 2 will automatically engage with the continuous strap 8 when it is transported in the second direction by means of the main press 7 so that the bale 2 is partly enclosed by the strap 8.
• the position and number of guiding rollers 1 1 may be varied based on design and function of the baler 1 . This also applies for the first and second rollers 9, 10.
• a strap element 12 is movably arranged in connection with the press chamber 4.
• the strap element 12 is constituted by a needle with a hook at one of its outer ends.
• the needle is lowered (Fig. 2c) in the first direction to hook the strap 8 and pull it upwards (Fig. 2d) so that the strap 8 substantially surrounds the entire bale 2 of material. From here, the final step of the strapping process can be initiated.
• the pressing element 14 of the main press 7 comprises a through hole 16 through which the strap element 12 is adapted to move when reaching for the strap 8 in order to avoid a collision between the pressing element 14 and the strap element 12.
• the through hole has an elongate cross-section.
• the through hole 16 may extend in the second direction such that it is open to a side of the pressing element 14. This makes it possible for the main press 7 to exert pressure on the bale 2 during the entire strapping process.
• the baler 1 comprises a friction welding unit 13.
• the continuous strap 8 has been arranged to enclose the entire bale 2, as described above, it is held, cut and welded by the friction welding unit 13 so that the enclosed bale 2 of material is detached from the continuous strap 8 which in turn moves back to its initial position (Fig. 2e).
• the main press 7 also acts to maintain the bale of material in the right position during this final step. From here, the entire pressing and strapping process can be repeated.
• Fig. 3a-3i illustrate one preferred embodiment of the friction welding unit 13 of the baler 1 and how it is used.
• the friction welding unit 13 comprises a movable cutting tool 21 and a fixed welding tool 24.
• the fixed welding tool 24 comprises a movable portion 18 on which a first weld head 19 and a second weld head 20 are arranged, a movable upper holding element
• the movable cutting tool 21 includes the cutting element 17.
• Fig. 3a the initial position of the friction welding unit 13 is illustrated.
• one portion of the continuous strap 8 has just been pulled up by the strap element 12 and another portion of the strap 8 has been put into place by the movable cutting tool 21 of the friction welding unit 13 so that the bale 2 of material is enclosed.
• the strap 8 is now in position to be welded together.
• the upper and the lower holding elements 22, 23 are moved towards each other in a vertical direction in order to clamp the continuous strap 8 in four different clamping points C1 -C4.
• the continuous strap 8 is cut by means of the cutting element 17 in a first point (Fig. 3c).
• the movable cutting tool 21 is moved in a horizontal direction towards the movable portion 18 of the friction welding unit 13 (Fig. 3d).
• the cut ends of the strap are folded by means of the movement of the movable portion 18 in the second direction.
• the movable portion 18 of the friction welding unit 13 is moved in the horizontal direction towards the movable cutting tool 21 (Fig. 3f).
• the other cut ends of the strap are folded by means of the movement of the movable cutting tool 21 .
• the movable cutting tool 21 is moved back to its initial position so that the four cut ends of the continuous strap can be welded together by means of the first and second weld heads 19, 20 (Fig. 3g).
• the friction welding of the straps 8 is normally conducted on the upper side of the bale 2, preferably in the middle of the bale 2 and in the second direction in relation to the bale 2.
• the size, shape and number of the components in the baler may be varied. Also, these components may be moved in any suitable way.
• the cutting element is for example preferably moved by means of hydraulics. However, other possibilities are naturally also possible, such as by means of air or electricity.
• the number and position of the weld heads may be varied in any suitable way. In one embodiment, there are five friction welding units, five strap elements and five through holes in the main press.
• each friction welding unit comprises a cutting tool and a welding tool having two weld heads. This way, the straps may be arranged on the bale in an intersecting manner.
• the size and shape of the strap may also vary.
• the strap has a width of 16 mm and a thickness of 0,8 mm.
• the strapping around the bale of material may be arranged in any suitable way. The amount of separate straps and the pattern they form together on the bale of material may thus be varied.
• the movable holding elements may be connected to a motor which makes them vibrate. They may also comprise a thorny surface. It should be noted that during the welding process it is either the movable holding elements that vibrate while the weld heads are kept still, or the weld heads vibrate while the movable holding elements are kept still.
• the baler may be a sheer baler. In this case, there is no prepress present in the baler. Instead, a knife is used, which cuts off the superfluous material above the main press.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 2016
  • 2016-03-17 SE SE1650364A patent/SE539873C2/en unknown
  • 2016-11-14 WO PCT/SE2016/051122 patent/WO2017160199A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2016-11-14 EP EP16894718.2A patent/EP3429836A4/de not_active Withdrawn

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