GB2193683A - Wrapping apparatus for bales - Google Patents

Abstract

An agricultural apparatus for wrapping bales (20) with plastics material film (12) having a main frame (1) connectable (2) to a vehicle (not shown); roller means (3) for abutting the bale (20) so that upon movement of the vehicle the bale (20) may be caused to roll; a cantilever frame portion (4) extending into a region above the abutting means (3) and bale (20) and having a support arm (5) mounted so as to be rotatable relative thereto and provided with means (11) for receiving a roll (12) of plastics material film (12') with said support arm (5) being drivable (6-9) so as to rotate, in use, around the bale (20) so that when such is being rolled, the bale is eventually completely wrapped in film; the improvement comprising first film engaging or clamping means (14) displaceable from a position out of the path of the film (12') during the wrapping operation, into the path of said film during the wrapping operation so that said film may be wound around a portion of said first means (14), and second film clamping means (21) for enabling film (12') abutting said first film-engaging means (14) to be clamped or held relative thereto or severed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wrapping apparatus for bales The present invention relates to an improved agriculture apparatus for wrapping bales and in particular for wrapping big bales of silage or straw, preferably with plastics material film or sheet.

In recent years baling machines have been developed which produce big bales of hay and in particular roll-type big balers produce cylindrical bales of hay. Recently a development in the production and storage of silage has taken place wherein instead of storage in silos, the green crop is cut and then collected and rolled into bales of generally cylindrical shape, which are held in position by being tied together, and subsequently, the bale is enveloped in a plastics material covering.

Cylindrical silage bales may be of such size as desired and may be approximating the big bale dimension used for hay, if required. However, depending upon the nature of the crop and whether or not such is wet, the size of the silage bales may vary depending upon conditions. It has been proposed to envelope such silage bales in plastics material bags although such operation involves considerable labour and additional manpower in raising the bales and then enveloping the bale in the bag and then tying the ends, Furthermore, in view of the different sizes of bales which may be produced and the machines for producing such, a large store of different sized plastics material bags is necessary which can prove troublesome and costly.Furthermore, if an oversized piastic bag is used there is a danger that if the bags are stored outside and subject to chaffing as a result of wind or gales, then the plastics can tend to wear or holes be produced because of the slack plastics material, with consequent likely damage to the silage. Also, with oversized bags, rain water can collect in the folds which can prove particularly troublesome.

Recently machines have been developed which enable a roll bale to be wrapped in a continuous sheet of plastics material such as polyethylene sheet or film such as sold as "Cling-film" and the advantage of such machines is that a tight wrapping of the bale is produced which, in addition to allowing for shrinkage, avoids or minimizes the previously mentioned disadvantages and also avoids the necessity of keeping differently sized wrapping bags.

Such known wrapping apparatus generally comprise a wheeled frame attachable at one end to the lifting linkage of a tractor and have a grounding engaging roller at the other end extending transverse to the direction of reversing movement of the tractor and for engaging with a bound roll bale so that upon traversing the tractor, the transverse roller presses against the bale and causes such to roll. The machine frame has a cantilever portion on the end of which a further arm is rotatably mounted and rotatably driven by suitable hydraulic means from the hydraulic power-supply of the tractor. On the free end of the support arm remote from its mounting bearing, a cylindrical roll of plastics material sheet or film is mounted with its axis extending generally vertically and mounted so as to be rotatable with such braking action as is desired.The support arm carries the roll of film at a location such that, in use, the film will be wrapped around the bale. In use, the tractor is reversed towards a bale so that the transverse roller is in the region of or abuts the bale, the driver then dismounts from the tractor cab pulls a section of the film roll off the roll and tucks such into the string or other binding around the bale, the driver remounts the cab and reverses the tractor whilst at the same time activating the hydraulic supply to the hydraulic drive motor which rotates the support arm about a substantially vertical axis so that the plastics film is drawn off the roll and during the rolling movement of the bale, the support arm rotates the roll of film in a substantially horizontal plane around the bale so that such is eventually completely wrapped in film whereupon the operator stops the tractor and the drive for the support arm. The driver then dismounts again from the cab and severs the plastics film and tucks the end attached to the bale into one of the previous bale wrappings to secure the free end of the film in the bale and the driver subsequently remounts the tractor and continues the operation with the next bale.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce the amount of dismounting and mounting of the operator in the wrapping operation and to provide a more efficient wrapping system.

According to the present invention there is provided in an agricultural apparatus for wrapping film from a rollaround a bale, including means for clamping a portion of the film, which has been drawn off said roll, at the commancement of the wrapping operation and/or at or towards the end of the wrapping operation. Preferably means for enabling the film to be severed between the clamping means and the bale will be provided. Preferably the clamping means will be displaceable into the path of the drawn-off film prior to subsequent clamping of the film.

It is envisaged the improvement according to the present invention may be incorporated in any wrapping machine wherein relative rotational movements between the bale and the apparatus or part thereof occur or are effected. In known wrapping machines, the relative movement is effected by rolling the ball along the ground, although apparatus are envisagedintha present invention wherein the bale may be picked-up, rotated about its central axis on suitable rotation means and the film wrapped therearound during such rotation. It is also envisaged the wrapping apparatus and improvement may be incorporated in a baling machine so as to wrap the bale at the same time or subsequent to tying such or may effect the wrapping subsequent to baling and prior to discharge of the bale onto the field.

The agricultural apparatus may be attached to the rear of a baler or any vehicle and suitably driven.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided in an agricultural apparatus for wrapping bales with plastics material film having a main frame connectable to a vehicle; means for abutting the bale so that upon movement of the vehicle the bale may be caused to roll; a cantilever frame portion extending into a region above the abutting means and bale and having a support arm mounted so as to be rotatable relative thereto and provided with means for receiving a roll of plastics material film with said support arm being drivable so as to rotate,in use, around the bale so that when such is being rolled the bale is eventually completely wrapped in film; the improvement comprising film engaging or clamping means displaceable from a position out of the path of the film during the wrapping operation,into the path of said film during the wrapping operation so that said film may be wound around a portion thereof,and means for enabling film abutting said film-engaging means to be clamped or held relative thereto or severed.

The means for enabling the film to be held relative to the displaceable film engaging means is preferably at least one abutting surface and, preferably, one which is resilient or resiliently coated or otherwise adapted so as to provide adequate gripping of the film and will be preferably located out of the path of movement of the film during the wrapping operation. The clamping action is effected by displacing the displacing member so as to abut thereagainst thus trapping the film between the displaceable engaging member and the abutting surface(s).

The film may be severed by moving the tractor away from the bale so that the pulling force simply rips the film although, preferably, means will be provided to encourage such severing and preferably comprise knife or other cutting means located in a position so that once the film is clamped and the tractor draws the frame away from the bale, the film, is severed by said cutting means preferably in the region between the clamping and the bale; the severing in such region leaves the film clamped in position so that a subsequent rotary movement of the support arm and film around a new bale may be commenced with the film and being held in position by the engaging means so as to enable the film to be pulled from the roll which rotates as it undergoes the rotary movement about the bale.

The displaceable film engaging means will preferably comprise an elongate member or bar suitably mounted on the apparatus frame and displaceable by suitable drive means.

Such as, for example, by a double acting hydraulic cylinder connectable to the hydraulic power of the tractor, or any other suitable means. Preferably, knife or other severing means will be carried by the elongate member and, preferably be located in an end region which in its operative position will be closer to the bale than the clamping members. Such severing means may comprise an inclined blade means, preferably inclined at approximately 45" to the axis of the elongate member and also inclined in its plane to effect the desired severing action.

The abutting means forming the part of the clamping means may in a preferred embodiment comprise two spaced apart surfaces which are preferably tubular or rod-like members and preferably covered in resilient means or plastics material which may be ribbed so as to provide for an increased gripping effect and will be spaced apart such that when the elongate rod forming the film engaging member is displaced into its gripping position, it lies in a position between both rods and abutting both such surfaces so as to clamp the plastics film between the three members.

Preferably, the abutting means will be located extending in a substantially horizontal plane so that the elongate rod will also extend in a substantially horizontal plane in its clamping position although any disposition out of the film path is possible. In its film engaging position the elongate member will extend upwardly and preferably extend substantially vertically so as to cause the film to be wrapped therearound.

The elongage member forming the film engaging means is pivotted towards one end and because the pivot may be spaced from the ends of the abutting surface(s), a stop or limiting projection will preferably extend from a surface of the elongate member so as to locate in the clamping position adjacent the ends of the abutting surface(s) to prevent the film being pulled away from the abutment clamping action in the normally downward movement of the elongate member into the clamping position.

In use, the free end of the film pulled-off the roll will be clamped by the displaceable engaging member in its position out of the path of the rotary support arm and the tractor will be normally reversed so that the abutting member which will preferably be a transverse roller abuts a lower region of the bale.The tractor is reversed so as to roll the bale whilst at the same time the support arm is driven so as to rotate such around the bale and the film, having one end clamped by the displac ing means, is drawn off the roll and wrapped around the bale for as many layers, normally four layers, as is required or up the penultimate required wrapping whereupon the displaceable film engaging member is displaced so as to extend into the region of the wrapping path of the film so that on the final wrapping rotation of the supportarm, the film wraps around a portion of the displacing member which is subsequently displaced into its clamping position so as to firmly grip the film against the abutting surface(s) whereupon the tractor will normally be driven forwardly so as to sever the film between the clamping means and the bale and preferably with the assistance of suitable cutting or severing means when provided. The operation may then be repeated with subsequent bales and upon completion of the baling operation the driver may simply walk around the bales tucking in the loose ends, as may be necessary, although the ripping action tends to form a suitable bond in any event.

It will be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment relative rotation between the bale and film supply occurs about two axes i.e. the central axis of the bale and about an axis transverse thereto.

The invention will be described further by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation illustrating a bale wrapping apparatus having an embodiment of the clamping and severing device according to the present invention incorporated therein; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the bale being omitted; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the encircled portion of Fig. 2 illustrating the film, the frame, the abutting surfaces but with the displaceable film-engaging means being indicated in broken line; and Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevation of the detail of Fig. 3 but with the frame of the apparatus being omitted and the abutting surfaces being indicated in broken line i.e. mainly shown a portion of the displaceable film-engaging member.

An agricultural apparatus for wrapping bales of silage is illustrated in Fig. 1 and it is of a type comprising a frame 1 having an upright portion 1' provided with connection points 2 for connection to a linkage of a tractor (not shown) and two, generally horizontally extending portions 1" which when viewed in plan view as illustrated in Fig. 2 form side arms of a substantially U-shaped section with the two parallel arm portions supporting a transverse roller 3 which is in the normal position of use is remote from the tractor. A cantilever arm portion 4 of the frame 1 has an angled support arm 5 rotatably mounted in bearings (not shown) at the end thereof and having a sprocket wheel 6 drivably connected therewith. A hydraulic motor 7 is provided having hydraulic supply and return pipes 8 and connectable to the hydraulicsupply of the tractor in known manner (not shown).The hydraulic motor 7 carries a sprocket wheel 9 on its drive shaft and around the wheels 6 and 9, a chain drive 10 is provided so that upon operation of the motor 7 the support arm 5 executes a rotary movement.

The support arm 5 carries a rotary support means 11 at its free end upon which a roll of plastics material film 12 is securable so as to be rotatable thereon. Suitable brake means on the rotary support means for the roll of film 12 are provided and adjustment thereof is possible via adjustment means 13, in known manner, so as to enable the braking effect to be reduced as the amount of film on the roll diminishes and to thus avoid excessive tension being created. The frame 1 is also supported by ground engaging wheels 1a. The nature of the frame in the region of the linkage connection points 2 is not of major significance but may comprise two angled side portions connecting substantially midway up the upright portion 1' to provide for stability and strength. Generally such features are known from existing bale wrapping apparatus.

The improvement according to the present invention generally comprises the apparatus shown on the lower proximate arm as viewed in Fig. 1 and in the right-hand arm 1" as viewed in Fig. 2 and comprises displaceable film-engaging means in the form of an elongate rod 14 pivotally mounted on the frame portion 1" at 15 and the axle thereof securably connected to an angled or crank arm 16 which is pivotally connected to the piston rod 17 of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 18 mounted on the frame 1". Suitable hydraulic hose connections 19, 19' are provided and coupleable in known manner to the hydraulic system of the tractor (not shown).Thus operation of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 18 enables the displaceable member 14 to be displaced from the upwardly extending position of Fig. 1 wherein it may lie in the path of film 12' being wrapped around a bale 20 of silage and displaceable into a substantially horizontal position, as illustrated generally in Figs. 3 and 4, wherein it carries the film 12' therewith so as to abut abutment members 21 and 22 mounted on the frame arm 1".

These abutment members 21 and 22 may comprise elongate preferably cylindrical rods connected to the frame 1' at each end and preferably adapted or coated in a film-engaging material such as plastics or rubber, which may be ribbed, to enhance the gripping action.

The members 21 and 22 will be so positioned and spaced so that the elongate rod 14 in its substantially horizontal gripping position lies therebetween and abuts each of such so as to clamp the film 12' securely between such members. A curved or arcuate extension 23 is provided extending from the elongate member 14 so as to prevent the film 12' sliding down the bar 14 as it moves to the clamping position and preventing the film from moving away from the clamping member 21, 22.

On the end of the elongate member 14, a severing means in the form of a knife or blade member is mounted and inclined relative to the axis of the rod and also inclined to the plane of the paper so that in the clamping position of member 14 the film material will be pulled together and drawn against the cutting surface when the tractor moves the frame 1' in a direction away from the bale 20 so as to sever the film 12' in a region between the member 14 and the bale 20. This advantageously leaves the remaining portion of the film 12' clamped by the member 14 between the members 21 and 22 so as to permit a subsequent wrapping operation to be initiated.

In operation, the frame 1 is moved by the tractor (not shown) so that roller 3 abuts the bale 20. From a previous operation or by result of an initial manual application, a length of film 12' extends from the roll 12 and is clamped between the member 14, in its horizontal clamping position, and abutting the members 21, 22. As the tractor reverses, the roller 3 rotates the bale 20, the hydraulic motor 7 via sprocket 9, chain 10 and sprocket 6 rotates the support arm 5 in an anti-clockwise direction when viewed from above (i.e.from a starting position as illustrated in Fig. 1 into the paper) so that film 12' is drawn off the roll 12 and wrapped around the bale 20 as it rotates for sufficient times as is required.In the penultimate winding, the hydraulic cylinder 18 is activated so as to move the member 14 into the position shown in Fig. 1 so that the last wrapping of the film 12' surrounds a portion thereof whereupon the hydraulic cylinder is reversed and the member 14 is returned to its substantially horizontal position so as to clamp the film. Subsequently movement of the frame 1 away from the bale 20 causes the film 12' to be stretched somewhat and also to abut against the cutting surface of the blade 25 so as to sever the film 12'. The free end of the film is clamped on the frame 1 between members 14, 21 and 22 and thus permits a subsequent wrapping operation to be corrected on a new bale without any need to attach the film to the bale as hitherto.The pulling action in the severing operation tends to grip the layers of film together on the bale and provide adequate securement although, if desired, the free end of the severed film 12' may be tucked into a wrapping of the bale.

Various modifications and improvements may be made as desired. The device according to the invention may be located on the other arm portion 1".

An improvement resides in the mounting of the support means 11 which enables the roll 12 to be relocated through 90' inan alternative position on arm 5 so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis which enables the cylindrical surfaces of big bales of hay to be wrapped and weather-proofed whilst leaving the sides free.

Whilst a severing means has been disclosed such is not essential and the mere pulling action may effect such severing of the film or other means may be provided. Any number of clamping surfaces may be provided of any suitable shape. Alternatively, means may be provided to clamp against the member 14 in its upwardly extending position and preferably be with suitable severing means.

In its broadest aspect the present invention simply relates to neans for enabling film to be processed and handled by suitable clamping means. It is thus envisaged that whilst the previous description has been directed to clamping means for agricultural uses, the clamping means in broad concept and the specific praferred aspects thereof may be provided for industrial or other uses wherein film or sheet has to be processed by being drawn off a roll or the like. Thus according to the broadest aspect of the invention in an apparatus wherein film or sheet material is processed or used, there is provided means for clamping a portion of the film or sheet. The various preferred features referred to previously herein ara optionally incorporated in such broader concept.

Claims (24)

1. An agricultural apparatus for wrapping film from a roll around a bale, including means for clamping a portion of the film, which has been drawn off said roll, at the commencement of the wrapping operation and/or at or towards the end of the wrapping operation.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which there is provided means for enabling the film to be severed between the clamping means and the bale.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the clamping means is displaceable into the path of the drawnoff film prior to subsequent clamping of the film.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 incorporated in a wrapping machine wherein relative rotational movements between the bale and the apparatus or part thereof occur or are effected.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which relative movement is effected by the bale being picked-up and rotated about its central axis on suitable rotation means and wherein the film wrapped therearound during such rotation.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 incorporated in a baling machine and operable so as to wrap the bale at the same time or subsequent to tying such or so as to effect the wrapping subsequent to baling and prior to discharge of the bale onto the field.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, which is attachable to the rear of a baler or any suitable vehicle and suitably driven.

8. An agricultural apparatus for wrapping bales with plastics material film having a main frame connectable to a vehicle; means for abutting the bale so that upon movsment of the vehicle the bale may be caused to roll; a cantilever frame portion extending into a region above the abutting means and bale and having a support arm mounted so as to be rotatable relative thereto and provided with means for receiving a roll of plastics material film with said support arm being drivabie so as to rotate, in use, around the bale so that when such is being rolled the bale is eventually completely wrapped in film; the improvement comprising first film engaging or clamping means displaceable from a position out of the path of the film during the wrapping operation, into the path of said film during the wrapping operation so that said film may be wound around a portion of said first means, and second film clamping means for enabling film abutting said first film-engaging means to be clamped or held relative thereto or severed.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the second means for enabling the film to be held relative to the first displaceable film engaging means has at least one abutting surface and, preferably, one which is resilient or resiliently coated or otherwiss adapted so as to provide adequate gripping of the film.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the second film engaging or clamping means is located out of the path of movement of the film during the wrapping operation, and wherein the clamping action is effected by displacing the displaceable first film engaging or clamping means so that such abut against the second film engaging means thus trapping the film between the displaceable first engaging means and the abutting surface(s) of the second engaging means and together forming clamping means.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, in which means are provided to encourage film severing and comprise knife or other cutting means located in a position such that once the film is clamped and a tractor draws the frame away from a bale, the film, is severed by said cutting means preferably in the region between the clamping and the bale; the severing in such region leaving the film clamped in position so that a subsequent rotary movement of the support arm and film around a new bale may be commenced with the film and being held in position by the clamping means so as to enable the film to be pulled from the roll which rotates as it undergoes the rotary movement about the bale.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, in which the displaceable first film engaging means comprise an elongate member or bar suitably mounted on the apparatus frame and displaceable by suitable drive means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the drive means is a double acting hydraulic cylinder connectable to the hydraulic power of the tractor, or any other suitable means.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12,in which knife or other severing means is carried by the elongate member and, preferably, located in an end region which in its operative position will be closer to the bale than the clamping members.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claims 12 or 14, in which the severing means comprises an inclined blade means, preferably inclined at approximately 45" to the axis of the elongate member, and also inclined in its plane to effect the desired severing action.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 15, the second film engaging or clamping means forming the part of the clamping means comprise two spaced apart surfaces which are preferably of two tubular or rod-like members and preferably resilient covering means or plastics covering material which is preferably ribbed so as to provide for an increased gripping effect.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which the spaced apart surfaces are such that when the elongate member forming the first film engaging means or member is displaced into its gripping position, it lies in a position between both spaced apart surfaces and abuts both such surfaces so as to thus clamp the plastics film between the three members.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which second film engaging means are located extending in a substantially horizontal plane so that the elongate rod forming the first clamp ing means also extends in a substantially horizontal plane when in its clamping position.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 18, in which the first film engaging means is an elongate member which extends upwardly and preferably substantially vertically, so as to cause the film to be wrapped therearound during the bale wrapping operation

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the first film engaging means is pivotted towards one end and, where the pivot is spaced from the ends of the abutting surface(s), a stop or limiting projection extends from a surface of the elongate member so as to locate in the clamping position adjacent the ends of the abutting surface(s) to prevent the film being pulled away from the abutment clamping action in the normally downward movement of the elongate member into the clamping position.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20 wherein, in use, relative rotation between the bale and film supply occurs about two axes i.e. the central axis of the bale and about an axis transverse thereto.

22. An agricultural apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of wrapping bales substantially as herein described.

24. A bale whenever wrapped in accordance with the method or apparatus of the invention.