GB2527773A

GB2527773A - Bale cutter

Info

Publication number: GB2527773A
Application number: GB1411662.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Hawkes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-01
Filing date: 2014-07-01
Publication date: 2016-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-01
Also published as: GB201411662D0; GB2527773B

Abstract

A bale cutter, for bales of plastics material comprises a frame 1, a grid formation of cutting bars 11 and a counter block 17, wherein both the formation of cutting bars and the counter block are mounted to the frame so that one of the block and the bars are movable towards and away from the other. The block is provided with recesses (25, figure 2) substantially corresponding to the formation of the cutting bars as to receive the cutting bars within the recesses when the block and the cutting bars are moved towards each other. A pivotally mounted hydraulic ram 7 may be provided for moving the block and bars relative to each other, wherein the block may engage side runners (15, figure 2) via protrusions 19.

Description

BALE CUTTER

This invention relates to a bale cutter which may be used for cutting bales or loose material.

Materials to be recycled, such as plastics, are often gathered together in bales, but in order to be recycled the materials need to be cut or formed into small pieces. With bales this is conventionally accomplished with the aid of a rotary cylinder provided with teeth around the periphery of the cylinder, the cylinder being urged against the bale by gravity or a ram, such as a hydraulic ram. Such an apparatus tears the material into small pieces. Alternatively, axially extending knives may be provided along the periphery of the cylinder to cut the material into small pieces. A screen may be provided such that the torn or cut material is unable to pass through the screen until it has been reduced to a suitably small size. Such apparatus tends to be large in size, costly and is not portable. Also, the cutting teeth or blades require regular re-sharpening which leads to high maintenance costs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bale cutter which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a bale cutter comprising a frame; a formation of cutting bars mounted on the frame; and a counter block mounted on the frame, the block and bars being movable towards and away from each other, the block being provided with recesses corresponding substantially to the formation of cutting bars for receiving the cutting bars in the block when the block and the cutting bars are moved towards each other.

A ram, such as a hydraulic ram, may be provided for moving the block and the bars relative to each other. The ram may be pivotably mounted at one end to the frame and at the other end to one of the block and the cutting bars.

The cutting bars may be arranged in a rectilinear grid. The grid may be in the form of three lateral bars and three upright bars substantially evenly spaced at the end of the frame so as to form an array of four by four substantially square apertures.

The block may be formed with an array of recesses corresponding to the configuration of the cutting bars. The recesses may be dimensioned such that the cutting bars fit into the recesses. The depth of the recesses may be such that the bars are completely received within the recesses when the bars and the block are moved towards each other. The width of the recesses may be such that the bars fit closely within the recesses. The array of recesses may be in the form of three lateral recesses extending the width of the block and three upright recesses extending the height of the block, the recesses being substantially evenly spaced so as to form an array of four by four substantially square protrusions.

The edges of the bars positioned closer to the block may be sharpened to provide a cutting edge.

A region of the sides and base of the frame intermediate the cutting bars and the block may be closed.

The sides of the frame may be provided with runners for supporting the movable one of the cutting bars and the block. The runners may be recessed into the closed sides of the frame, where provided. The runners may be positioned towards the bottom and towards the top of each side internally of the frame. The movable one of the cutting bars and the block may be slidably mounted on the runners by way of corresponding protrusions. Alternatively, the runners may protrude from the sides of the frame and may engage in corresponding recesses provided in the movable one of the cutting bars and the block.

The cutting bars may be fixedly mounted on the frame with the counter block being movable towards and away from the bars. The bars may be provided at an end of the frame.

The bale cutter may include a counter frame corresponding substantially to the configuration of the formation of the cutting bars, the counter frame being provided within the recesses of the block. The counter formation may be movable within the recesses of the block towards and away from the formation of cutting bars. The frame may include stop means against which a member extending from the counter formation engages to move the counter formation within the recesses of the block as the block and cutting bars are moved away from each other. Four members may extend from the counter formation. The stop means may comprise a bar extending across the frame. The bale cutter may include guide means for the member between the block and the stop means.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of exam pie, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one embodiment of a bale cutter according to the present invention in a first configuration; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 with the bale cutter in a second configuration; and Figure 3 is a side view showing pad of the bale cutter of Figures 1 and 2 in more detail.

The bale cutter shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a box-like frame 1 having in the illustrated embodiment substantially square ends and substantially rectangular sides, the sides being of a greater length than the depth thereof.

The ends of the frame may be about 1 m square, while the overall length of the frame may be about 3 m. One end 3 of the frame is provided with a central support, for example provided by diagonal beams 5, at which a first end of a ram 7 is mounted. The ram is ideally a hydraulic ram, for example powered by a 15 to 30 tonne hydraulic motor which may provide hydraulic fluid at up to 300 bar.

The other end of the frame 1 is closed by a formation of cutting bars in the form of a grid 9 of metal cutting bars 11 arranged in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a rectilinear grid. The grid may be in the form of three lateral bars and three upright bars substantially evenly spaced at the end of the frame so as to form an array of four by four substantially square apertures. It should be noted that other dimensions may be used and that the number and arrangement of bars may also be varied. The edges of the bars 11 positioned internally of the frame are sharpened to provide a cutting edge array. In practice, the bars may have a depth of about 100 mm and a thickness of about 10 mm to provide sufficient strength. As shown in Figure 1, one or both sides of the frame 1 are provided with linkages 12 which can be attached to standard (three-point) linkages provided on a tractor or the like for transporting the bale cutter. The tractor can also provide hydraulic power for operating the bale cutter.

Alternatively, the bale cutter can be lifted and transported with a fork lift.

The region of the sides and base of the frame 1 adjacent to the grid 9 may be closed (at 13) to prevent material escaping, while the remaining portions of the sides and base of the frame and the entire top of the frame may conveniently be open.

The closed sides 13 of the frame are provided with substantially horizontal recessed runners 15, for example positioned towards the bottom and towards the top of each side internally of the frame. The runners 15 may be in the form of a recess in the internal face of the closed side and extending substantially horizontally from the region of the grid 9 towards the far end of the respective closed side.

A substantially square counter block 17 is provided within the closed end of the frame and is slidably mounted on the runners 15 by way of corresponding protrusions 19, the block 17 having a support 29 for an array of protrusions 27 which extend generally perpendicularfrom the support in the direction of the grid 9. It should be noted the closed sides of the frame and the block 17 may engage in other ways, for example the runners 15 may protrude from the closed sides of the frame 1 and may engage in corresponding recesses provided in the block 17. A second end of the ram 7 is attached substantially in the centre of the block 17. As can be seen in more detail in Figure 3, the hydraulic ram 7 is secured to the block 17 by way of a first pivotal connection 21 and to the end 3 of the frame 1 by way of a second pivotal connection 23.

As the ram 7 is extended and contracted, the block 17 moves towards and away from the grid 9, with Figure 1 showing a configuration in which the block 17 is retracted from the grid 9 and Figure 2 showing a configuration in which the grid 9 is within the block 17.

The protrusions 27 in the block 17 are formed by an array of recesses 25 corresponding to the grid 9, that is, in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a rectilinear grid. The array of recesses may be in the form of three lateral recesses extending the width of the block and three upright recesses extending the height of the block, the recesses being substantially evenly spaced so as to form an array of four by four substantially square protrusions 27. The recesses are dimensioned such that the bars 11 of the grid fit between the substantially square protrusions of the block, the depth of the recesses being such that the bars 11 are completely received within the recesses and the width of the recesses being such that the bars fit closely within the recesses (for example the recesses may have a width of about 14 mm such that there is a gap of about 2 mm between each side of the bars 11 and the adjacent face of the recess).

As can be seen from Figure 3, a counter formation in the form of a further grid 31 of metallic material is positioned within the recesses 25 provided in the block 17 to provide a counter surface, or anvil, against which the cutting bars 11 can act. The configuration of the further grid 31 corresponds substantially to the configuration of the grid 9 with the further grid being movable within the recesses of the block towards and away from the grid 9. As shown in Figure 3, the further grid is positioned in the region of the exposed face of the block 17, but in practice, as the cutting bars 11 enter the recesses 25, the further grid is urged into the recesses until it comes into contact with the support 29, whereupon further movement is prevented and cutting of material within the bale cutter by the cutting bars 11 is completed. As the ram 7 is retracted and the block 17 is -a -moved out of contact with the grid 9, members in the form of rods 33 which extend from the further grid 31 in a direction away from the grid 9 engage with a stop 35 which extends across the frame 1 to move the further grid 31 back towards the front of the block 17 as shown in Figure 3. Rods 33 may be positioned at suitable locations on the further grid 31, extending through the rear of the block 17 to engage with one or more supports 35. In practice, four rods 33 may be provided, one in the region of each corner of the further grid 31 and the rods may engage with two stops 35 in the form of square bars, one extending across each of the upper and the lower region of the frame 1. To ensure satisfactory contact between the ends of the rods 33 and the stops 35, guide means, such as a plate with an aperture through which a rod 33 extends (not shown) may be provided to guide the respective rod against the respective stop.

In use of the bale cutter, with the ram 7 retracted and the block 17 spaced from the grid 9, a bale, for example of plastics material, is positioned within the frame 1 between the block and the grid. It should be noted though that the material to be cut need not be in the form of a bale, but could be loose material placed within the frame 1 between the block and the grid. The closed base region of the frame supports the bale, while the closed side regions of the base prevent material escaping laterally of the frame. The hydraulic ram 7 is then activated to move the block 17 towards the grid 9 and to urge the material of the bale through the grid so as to cut the material of the bale into smaller pieces. During this operation the grid 9 moves toward the further grid 31 which, in turn, retracts into the recesses 25 until the rear side of the further grid contacts the suppod 29.

At this stage the cutting edges of the grid 9 are urged against the further grid 31 to cut any remaining material within the recesses 25. Once the ram has been extended to such an extent that the grid 9 is entirely received within the recesses 25 of the block and any remaining material has been cut, the ram is retracted so as to move the block away from the grid and to allow another bale to be positioned between the block and the grid. In so doing, the rods 33 engage the stops 35 to move the grid 31 towards the exposed face of the block 17. This has the effect of clearing the recesses 25 of any material which may have become lodged in the recesses of the block in readiness for cutting the next bale. In this manner it is possible to process about four bales every minute.

It should be noted the bale cutter can be modified in a number of ways. For example, the grid and block can be interchanged, with the block being stationary on the frame and the grid being mounted on the hydraulic ram.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bale cutter comprising a frame; a formation of cutting bars mounted on the frame; and a counter block mounted on the frame, the block and bars being movable towards and away from each other, the block being provided with recesses corresponding substantially to the formation of cutting bars for receiving the cutting bars in the block when the block and the cutting bars are moved towards each other.
2. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ram is provided for moving the block and the bars relative to each other.
3. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ram is a hydraulic ram.
4. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the ram is pivotably mounted at one end to the frame and at the other end to one of the block and the cutting bars.
5. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting bars are arranged in a rectilinear grid.
6. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grid is in the form of three lateral bars and three upright bars substantially evenly spaced at the end of the frame so as to form an array of four by four substantially square apertures.
7. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the block is formed with an array of recesses corresponding to the configuration of the cutting bars.
8. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recesses are dimensioned such that the cutting bars fit into the recesses.
9. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the depth of the recesses is such that the bars are completely received within the recesses when the bars and the block are moved towards each other.
10. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the width of the recesses is such that the bars fit closely within the recesses.
11. A bale cutter as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the array of recesses is in the form of three lateral recesses extending the width of the block and three upright recesses extending the height of the block, the recesses being substantially evenly spaced so as to form an array of four by four substantially square protrusions.
12. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the edges of the bars positioned closer to the block are sharpened to provide a cutting edge.
13. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a region of the sides and base of the frame intermediate the cutting bars and the block is closed.
14. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sides of the frame are provided with runners for supporting the movable one of the cutting bars and the block.
15. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14, wherein the runners are recessed into the closed sides of the frame, where provided.
16. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the runners are positioned towards the bottom and towards the top of each side internally of the frame.
17. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the movable one of the cutting bars and the block is slidably mounted on the runners by way of corresponding protrusions.
18. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the runners protrude from the sides of the frame and engage in corresponding recesses provided in the movable one of the cutting bars and the block.
19. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting bars are fixedly mounted on the frame with the counter block being movable towards and away from the bars.
20. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 19, wherein the bars are provided at an end of the frame.
21. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim and including a counter formation corresponding substantially to the configuration of the formation of the cutting bars, the counter formation being provided within the recesses of the block.
22. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 21, wherein the counter formation is movable within the recesses of the block towards and away from the formation of cutting bars.
23. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 22, wherein the frame includes stop means against which a member extending from the counter formation engages to move the counter formation within the recesses of the block as the block and cutting bars are moved away from each other.
24. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 23, wherein four members extend from the counter formation.
25. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the stop means comprises a bar extending across the frame.
26. A bale cutter as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25 and including guide means for the member between the block and the stop means.
27. A bale cutter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:CLAIMS1. A bale cutter comprising a frame; a formation of cutting bars mounted on the frame; a counter block mounted on the frame, the block and bars being movable towards and away from each other, the block being provided with recesses corresponding substantially to the formation of cutting bars for receiving the cutting bars in the block when the block and the cutting bars are moved towards each other; and a counterformation corresponding substantially to the configuration of the formation of the cutting bars, the counter formation being provided within the recesses of the block. IC)2. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ram is provided for moving 0 the block and the bars relative to each other. IC) r3. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ram is a hydraulic ram.4. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the ram is pivotably mounted at one end to the frame and at the other end to one of the block and the cutting bars.5. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting bars are arranged in a rectilinear grid.6. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grid is in the form of three lateral bars and three upright bars substantially evenly spaced at the end of the frame so as to form an array of four by four substantially square apertures.7. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the block is formed with an array of recesses corresponding to the configuration of the cutting bars.8. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recesses are dimensioned such that the cutting bars fit into the recesses. IC)9. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the depth of the recesses is 0 such that the bars are completely received within the recesses when the bars LI) and the block are moved towards each other. r10. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the width of the recesses is such that the bars fit closely within the recesses.11. A bale cutter as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the array of recesses is in the form of three lateral recesses extending the width of the block and three upright recesses extending the height of the block, the recesses being substantially evenly spaced so as to form an array of four by four substantially square protrusions.12. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the edges of the bars positioned closer to the block are sharpened to provide a cutting edge.13. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a region of the sides and base of the frame intermediate the cutting bars and the block is closed.14. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sides of the frame are provided with runners for supporting the movable one of the cutting bars and the block. IC)15. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14, wherein the runners are recessed 0 into the closed sides of the frame, where provided. IC) r16. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the runners are positioned towards the bottom and towards the top of each side internally of the frame.17. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the movable one of the cutting bars and the block is slidably mounted on the runners by way of corresponding protrusions.18. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the runners protrude from the sides of the frame and engage in corresponding recesses provided in the movable one of the cutting bars and the block.19. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting bars are fixedly mounted on the frame with the counter block being movable towards and away from the bars.20. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 19, wherein the bars are provided at an end of the frame. IC)21. A bale cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the counter 0 formation is movable within the recesses of the block towards and away from the formation of cutting bars.22. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 21, wherein the frame includes stop means against which a member extending from the counter formation engages to move the counter formation within the recesses of the block as the block and cutting bars are moved away from each other.23. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 22, wherein four members extend from the counter formation.24. A bale cutter as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the stop means comprises a bar extending across the frame.25. A bale cutter as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 and including guide means for the member between the block and the stop means.26. A bale cutter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. IC) IC) r