MXPA97010089A - Appliance to wrap pa - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bale wrapping apparatus that includes a frame, a loading platform, a bale wrapping station, and a delivery skirt, pusher element provided on the bale loading platform where the pusher element includes a pusher disk mounted on a carriage, longitudinally slidable from the platform on slides provided on the platform, first and second spaced apart longitudinal end members provided on the platform, a cylinder mounted on the first end member and includes a piston extending from therein, a fastener mounted on the piston, a first flexible stretch elongated tension member attached at one end to the carriage, which passes around a gear to the first end member and around one gear mounted on the fastener and the other end of the first tension member is attached to the frame while a second tensile member resistant to flexure stretch and elongate is fixedly connected to the second end member and the second tension member extends around an additional meshing in the fastener and about an additional meshing in the second end member to be connected to the other end of the carriage to advance and retract the carriage as the piston that mounts the bra extends or retr

Description

APPLIANCE TO WRAP PACAS Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus for wrapping bales, and more particularly, to a device for continuously wrapping cylindrical bales of hay or the like in the field.

BACKGROUND ART It has been discovered that similar hay or silage can be stored in the field, including throughout all the winter months, without significantly affecting the condition of the hay or the like. Hay or silage is typically formed in cylindrical modular bales. The bales are individually wrapped as separate packages, and left in the field or in an appropriate storage area. The bales can be wrapped tightly in polyethylene film by means of equipment similar to the one used to wrap loose material on pallets. It has been discovered that this method is favored by farmers, since they do not have to invest in large storage barns. However, the success of this method is mitigated by the considerable amount of handling to wrap each bale. An improved bale wrapping machine is described in Canadian Patent Number 1,285,862 issued July 9, 1991 to David W. Anderson. This apparatus includes a vehicle mounted on wheels that has a loading table, a wrapping section, and a skirt that slopes downward toward the floor. The individual bales are placed on the loading board, and a pusher plate presses on the end of the bale, pushing against a previous bale in series. Part of the length thus formed of bales, rests on the ground. Accordingly, as the pusher presses on the end of the last bale, the vehicle advances as a reaction to the force exerted on the cylinder thus formed, due to frictional resistance by the cylinder thus formed on the ground. Since the vehicle is provided with wheels, it offers little resistance to the force produced by the pusher plate. Accordingly, it can be seen that the vehicle moves slowly as the individual bales are loaded onto the vehicle, while a continuous wrapped roller of hay is left on the ground. Significant savings can be made through this device, which can be operated by a single operator. The apparatus of Canadian Patent Number 1,285,862 has certain drawbacks. First, due to the inclination and length of the vehicle, the height of the loading table is not accessible for the many small farm loaders. Second, the vehicle, unless brakes are provided on the wheels, has little resistance to the force of the pusher plate on the end of the cylinder, so that the bales are not compressed sufficiently. It is necessary that the hay is well compressed, when it is wrapped, to minimize the oxygen present inside the bales. Third, the overall size of the vehicle makes it difficult to use, and it is less economical. These problems have been solved by Laver in U.S. Patent No. 5,152,125 issued October 6, 1992, but there still appear to be some unresolved problems. In this patent, Laver describes elements to adjust the inclination of the structure that supports the ring, which in turn delivers the film on the bales. In addition, it describes the alteration of the separation for a better covering of the union between the bales of different sizes or shapes. Not only is the idea of moving the hoop dangerous, because it can be uncoupled from the wheels, but the unwinding of the film around the bale cylinder at any other angle that is not perpendicular to its trajectory will decrease the number of coats of plastic per centimeter on top and bottom. The most critical part of the cylinder is the lower part. In addition, this mechanism increases the complexity, and consequently, the price of the device. Neither Laver nor Anderson teach an element for effective directional control, often necessary near a trench or in a limited area. The angle of the axis of the bales, while they are seated on an operative machine in relation to the ground, must be kept as low as possible, to minimize the tensions on the lower part of the film in the delivery. Most machines put a high tension on the film in the delivery area. For example, Laver provides a roller conveyor on the main frame separated above the ground, which means that the wrapped bales have to fall a few centimeters before being supported on the ground. Both Laver and Anderson have flat delivery conveyors, and do not provide any element to guide or direct the bales as they are wrapped, in order to provide tighter joints between the bales, and to obtain a better quality silage. The force is communicated through the long cylinder on the ground, and since there are no guides to the delivery of the cylinder, it tends to form a random S configuration, which takes up more space and places higher stresses on the plastic film.

Description of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bale wrapping apparatus, by comparing with the aforementioned device. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for forming elongated rolls of hay or silage, which provides sufficient resistance to forward movement of the vehicle, to provide the required compression to the bales being wrapped, in order to reduce the air present in the wrapped cylinder thus formed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described in Canadian Patent Number 1,285,862, with a loading table at a height that is accessible to most small farm loaders, thereby eliminating the need to obtain a special charger to be able to use the bale wrapping device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compact bale wrapping apparatus that is easily stored when not in use, that is light and economical in relation to the prior art. It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide an improved bale wrapping apparatus that is less expensive and more efficient, while forming elongated bale cylinders, while preserving the quality of the wrapped silage, and providing sufficient resistance to forward movement of the wrapping machine, to properly compress the bales so as to form tight joints while they are wrapping. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a wrapping apparatus having a low profile, and to deliver the wrapped cylinder to the ground at a minimum height and angle, and wherein the apparatus provides a guiding element at the end of the housing. delivery, in order to maintain the linear integrity of the wrapped cylindrical bales. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a slider having a loading platform, a wrapping section, and a delivery skirt over a single frame, wherein the frame includes slides, adapted to support the frame on the floor, and to allow the sliding movement on the ground in a forward direction, extending the loading platform, the wrapping section, and the delivery skirt at an angle with the horizontal of at least 3 degrees and without exceeding 7 degrees, including the platform of loading a pusher element including a motor-driven sliding stop member, a film wrapping element mounted on a rim in the wrapping section, and a friction free surface on the delivery skirt, whereby, they can be placed individual bales of hay or silage on the loading platform, and can be pushed through the wrapping station on the delivery flap, by means of the of the pusher element, and when a series of bales has been advanced to the ground from the delivery flap, the slider will advance forward on the pads on the ground, as a reaction to the movement of the pusher element. In another embodiment of the present invention, the bale wrapping apparatus includes a low sling frame, which provides a surface delivery angle. The apparatus includes a loading platform, a wrapping section, and a delivery section, with a pusher element mounted on the loading platform. Steerable wheels are mounted on the front of the frame, on the loading platform, while the frame is adapted in the delivery section to slide on the ground. The delivery section is provided with guiding elements to maintain the linear integrity of the cylindrical bales that are being formed.

Brief Description of the Drawings Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of illustration, a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bale wrapping apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an additional detail of the present invention. Figures 5a and 5b are schematic views showing further details of the aspect of the invention illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a perspective view taken from another angle of the embodiment shown in Figure 6.MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, it is illustrated that the bale wrapping apparatus 10 includes a loading platform 12, a wrapping station 14, and a delivery flap 16. The wrapping apparatus of bales 10 includes a frame 20 that includes an elongated frame member 24 that extends at a surface angle with the horizontal. A mounting trough 18 forms part of the loading platform. The trough 18 is supported on vertical frame members 22. The bale wrapping apparatus can be towed to a particular location. For this purpose, a pair of trailer wheels 40 is provided on the frame 20, and includes a fastener 26, as seen in Figure 3, to which a piston and cylinder 28, 30 configuration is pivotally mounted. of piston and cylinder 28, 30. The piston and cylinder configuration 28, 30 is connected to a monitoring leg 32, which in turn is fixedly connected to the pivot shaft 38. Crank arms 36 are mounted to the arrow of pivot 38, and are subtended on an axis 34, where wheels 40 are mounted for rotation. Accordingly, the wheels 40 can be placed in a transport position, as shown in Figure 3, in full lines by activating the piston and cylinder configuration 28 and 30. During operation, the wheels 40 are retracted, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and in the dashed lines of Figure 3. The bale wrapping apparatus is a slider, and includes the skids 50. The skids 50 are each pivotally mounted to an arrow 52, the which is part of the spindle 48 that rotates in the support bearing 42. A sleeve 44 is fixed in the spindle 48, and can be directed, as represented by the steering lever 46. As shown in Figure 1, it is mounted a gasoline engine 54, with an associated oil pump on the frame, on the side of the loading platform 12, and operating the different hydraulics. Also located is an operator control station 55 on one side of the loading platform 12, and an operator can control the different hydraulic systems of the bale wrapping apparatus. The trough 18 includes a semicircular bed on which the individual bales H can be located by means of a typical farm tractor loader. A pusher plate 56 is provided in the trough 18, and moves longitudinally. The pusher plate 56 is for pushing the bales in a longitudinal direction of the bale wrapping apparatus and through the bale wrapping station 14, against the cylinder B that is being formed. Figures 4 and 5a and 5b illustrate the operation of the pusher plate 56. A carriage 58 moves on rails, shown in dotted lines, in Figure 4. The carriage 58 mounts the wheels 60 that move on these rails or tracks in the lower part of the tundish 18. A cylinder 64 is fixed at one end to an end plate 62 of the loading platform 12. A piston 66 mounts a fastener 68, which in turn assembles three independent toothed gears 67, 69, and 76. Referring to Figures 4 and 5a, a pair of chains 72a and 72b (identical, and identified as 72 in Figure 5a) are attached at one end to the carriage 58. The other end of the chains chains 72a and 72b are attached to a fastener 70, which includes adjustment anchors 73. The chains 72a and 72b pass over the gear teeth 67 and 69 mounted on the fastener 68, then around the gear teeth 71 and 73, respectively, on the end plate 62, and eventually to the carriage 58. Figures 4 and 5b illustrate the another chain configuration that is represented by the numeral 78. The chain 78 is fixed at one end to the carriage 58, and at the other end to an end plate 74. The chain 78 extends around the gear 76 and the fastener 68 , around the gear tooth 80 on the end plate 74, and joins the carriage 58. For example, for a route of 91.44 centimeters, the push plate will have a linear displacement of 182.88 centimeters. In accordance with the above, a much more compact mechanism is possible, and must be located under the loading platform. In operation, when it is required to advance the pusher plate 56 against a new bale H, the piston 66 extends from the cylinder 64, advancing the fastener 68 to the left in Figures 4 and 5a, thereby retracting the chain 72, or at least its upper track. At the same time, the upper track of the chain 78 is lengthened, and is being pulled by the carriage 58 as the fastener 68 moves to the left further releasing the chain 78 on its upper track. When the pusher plate 66 is to be retracted to receive another bale H, the piston 66 retracts inside the cylinder 64, and the course of the chain is reversed. The wrapping station 14 includes a conventional film wrapping apparatus, which is partially described in Canadian Patent Number 1,285,862 of Anderson, mentioned above. The wrapping section includes an outer ring 82 and an inner ring 84. In FIG. 2, a film holder 86 is illustrated, and a roll of film 88 is provided on the holder. The fastener 86 travels around the cylinder B along the path defined by the hoops 82 and 84, wrapping the film around the bale H that is being added to the end of the cylinder B. The end of the frame member 24 is also provided. with skids 90, as shown in Figure 2. The delivery flap 16 is mounted on the end of the frame 20, and includes a conveyor frame 92, with the pulleys 94 and 96 at each of its ends, and a band conveyor 98 extending around the pulleys 94 and 96. The end of the frame 92 is provided with skids 100. The axis of the path formed by the trough 18 and the delivery skirt 16, is at a surface angle with the horizontal, possibly between 3 degrees and 7 degrees. It is necessary to extend the cylinder B that is being formed in a gradual way, so as not to tear the envelope. It has been found that the optimum angle is 3.5 degrees from the horizontal. This provides a relatively low trough to receive the bales from a loader, while providing the necessary tilt. The provision of skates instead of wheels, as in the Anderson Patent, allows having a lower profile. As described in the Anderson patent, the purpose is to use the frictional resistance of the weight of the cylinder being formed on the ground, to move the bale wrapping apparatus forward as a reaction to the pusher plate 56. Unfortunately, with Anderson patent, the apparatus includes wheels that provide very little resistance to the reaction force, allowing very small compression forces on the hay that forms the bale, as the cylinder is forming. The slider proposed in the present embodiment, which is mounted on runners, allows to have a friction necessary to force the pusher plate 56 to compress the bales in the end forming the cylinder B, while still advancing the bale wrapping apparatus on soil. Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a bale wrapping apparatus 110 including a loading platform 112, a wrapping station 114, and a delivery skirt 116. The bale wrapping apparatus 110 includes a frame 120 and a mounting trough 118. The steering wheels 150 can be directed by hydraulic elements with a suitable steering link 152. Accordingly, the operator can steer the vehicle during forward movement thereof during the operation. The frame 120 in the delivery section 116, is to be supported and slide on the ground. Accordingly, a sliding plate 154 can be provided under the frame, to allow a low and wide distribution over the floor, while allowing the frame to slide at the delivery end thereof. A combination of wheels and the portion with skids of the frame, after many trials, has indicated that an adequate amount of resistance to forward movement is obtained. Accordingly, adequate pressure will be applied by the pusher plate 156, to provide tight joints between the bales being pushed by the pusher plate 156 through the wrapping section. The apparatus is kept in a low sling, down the rim 182, and consequently, when the film roll passes under the rim 182, a very narrow tolerance remains, sometimes of the order of 1.27 centimeters. In the present embodiment, experimentation has shown that a 7 degree angle is a good compromise between competitive factors, such as obtaining a relatively short wrapping machine, or providing a surface delivery angle. The angle of 7 degrees is the angle of the platform of the wrapping apparatus in relation to the horizontal. Since the wrapping apparatus is rarely in the theoretical horizontal in operation, the 7 degree angle is measured between the axis of the bales on the wrapping apparatus 10 and the axis of the formed cylinder remaining on the ground beyond the delivery section 116.. The delivery section 116 is provided with a pair of roller conveyors 172 and 174, which form a V therebetween, and create a low sling trough for delivery of the cylinder. The end of the delivery conveyor 170 is supported on the ground, and consequently, the distance between the outlet of the delivery conveyor and the floor is reduced thereby reducing the chances of damaging the film or plastic in the lower portion of the delivery conveyor. cylinder as it is being delivered.

Claims (5)

1. A bale wrapping apparatus for wrapping bales, while forming an elongated cylinder, and delivering the cylinder to the ground, which comprises a skid having a loading platform, a wrapping section, and a delivery flap over a single frame, wherein the frame includes slides adapted to support the frame on the ground, and which allow the sliding movement on the ground in a forward direction, extending the loading platform, the wrapping section, and the delivery skirt in a angle such that the axis of the bales on it is between 3 degrees and 7 degrees of the axis of the cylinder formed on the ground, including the loading platform a pusher element with a pusher member driven by motor, a film wrapping element mounted in the wrapping section, and a friction-free surface on the delivery flap, whereby individual bales of hay or silage can be placed on the plat load shape, and can be pushed through the wrapping station on the delivery flap, by the action of the pusher element, and when a series of bales has advanced to the ground from the delivery flap, the fader will advance forward on the slides on the ground as a reaction of the pushing force of the pusher element. A bale wrapping apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein retractable wheels are provided on the frame, for the purpose of towing the bale wrapping apparatus during transport. 3. A bale wrapping apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the delivery flap is provided with a conveyor belt to provide a friction-free surface. 4. A bale wrapping apparatus including a frame, a loading platform, a bale wrapping station, and a delivery flap, a pusher element provided on the bale loading platform, wherein the pusher element includes a pusher plate mounted on a carriage, the carriage being slidable longitudinally of the platform on tracks provided on the platform, - first and second end plates longitudinally provided on the platform, a cylinder mounted on the first end plate, and including a piston extending therefrom, a fastener mounted on the piston, a flexible, elongate stretch-resistant tension member, attached at one end to the carriage, which passes around a toothed gear mounted on the second end plate and around of a toothed gear mounted on the fastener, and the other end of the tension member being anchored to the frame, while a second tension member is fixedly connected. n stretch resistant, flexible, elongate, to the second end plate, and the second tension member extends around another gear meshing on the fastener, and around another gear meshing on the second end plate, to connect to the other end of the carriage, to advance and retract the carriage as it extends or retracts the piston that mounts the fastener. 5. A bale wrapping apparatus for wrapping bales while forming an elongated cylinder of these bales, and delivering the cylinder to the ground, which comprises a slider having a loading platform, a wrapping section, and a skirt delivery on a single frame, including the steering wheel frame at its front end, on the loading platform, and a skid element provided on the delivery skirt, such that the wrapping apparatus can slide on the ground in a forward direction, extending the loading platform, the wrapping section, and the delivery skirt at an angle such that the axis of the bales on the wrapping apparatus is between 3 degrees and 7 degrees of the cylinder axis formed on the ground , including the loading platform a pusher element with a pusher member driven by motor, a film wrapping element mounted on a ring in the wrapping section, a pair of roller conveyors forming the delivery skirt, side by side, and forming a V with a tundish therebetween, by means of which, the individual bales of hay or silage can be placed on the loading platform, can be pushed through the wrapping station, can be guided on the delivery flap, and can be formed by the pusher element, and while advancing the cylinder to the ground from the delivery flap, the skimmer will advance forward on the wheels and the skids, as a reaction to the compression force of the pusher element.