NZ264945A - Round hay bale wrapping device with wrapping achieved by interaction of fixed and rotating hoops to which reels of wrapping film are attached - Google Patents

Description

264 9 4 5 Patents Form No. 5 Patent No: 264945 Dated: 18th November 1994 Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVED BALE WRAPPING MACHINE I, GEOFFREY FORBES WALLACE, of No. 9 RD (no street name), Waimate, New Zealand, a New Zealand citizen, hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 26 49 4 5 The present invention relates to an improved bale wrapping machine for wrapping a plurality of articles of substantially cylindrical shape to form a long, cylindrical package. In particular the present invention is directed to the wrapping of hay bales of uniform cross-section (from 1 to 2 metres ip^ diameter and up to 1.5 y metres long).

At present such bale wrapping machines are known. US Patent No. 4793124 (Anderson) discloses such a machine with a rotary hoop through which bales are moved, whilst film (fed from reels on the rotary hoop) is helically wrapped about the bales. New Zealand Patent Application No 233249 discloses substantially the same machine.

The film, when wrapped around the bales, is overlapped. The amount of overlap is at the discretion of the operator of the machine and can vary from virtually no overlap to 100% overlap, with the most common overlaps being in the range 25% to 50%. Regardless of the amount of overlap, minor variations in the uniformity of the exterior shape of the bale, the differences between one bale diameter and the next, and differences in the level of the surface on which the wrapped bales are placed all lead to strains on some parts of the wrapped film, movement of parts of the film and/or an excess of film along some exterior edges of the film.

All these can lead to a problem of wind, air or rain (or any combination of all three) obtaining an entrance to the hay within the bales. These can cause severe deterioration in the surface hay of a bale or in the whole bale. At the time of wrapping, every care and attention to the quality of the wrapping may not remove the 26 49 4 5 problem of subsequent exposure of the bales, or part of the bales, to the elements, and thus the deterioration of the bales.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bale wrapping machine which overcomes these difficulties, without the need to increase the amount of overlap, and without the need to put the wrapped bales through another bale wrapping machine or through the same machine a second time, nor to increase the uniformity of the bales produced by the baling machine used (to avoid the problem).

The present invention provides an improved bale wrapping machine for wrapping articles with multiple layers of film, which machine includes a wheeled base frame with a bale-receiving platform followed by bale-wrapping means and a roller bed leading to ground level; wherein said bale wrapping means includes: a hoop arrangement with one or more fixed hoops and two or more rotary hoops which are rotatable coaxially with the or each said fixed hoop; at least two reels for film, at least one being secured to each said rotary hoop, wherein the film from the reel or reels secured to each rotary hoop wraps bales passing through the machine independently of the wrapping achieved by the or each reel on any other rotary hoop, such that the resultant cylindrical shape of the bales has two or more independently wrapped layers of film therearound.

Preferably the hoop arrangement includes two spaced apart, fixed hoops with three rotary hoops, such that two independent sets of reels (of preferably two reels each) are disposed each between adjacent rotary hoops. 264 9 4 5 Alternatively, the hoop arrangement includes four rotary hoops with two independent sets of reels, each set positioned between adjacent rotary hoops wherein said rotary hoops form two spaced apart arrangements which maybe at an angle one to the other. Preferably one set of reels counter-rotates relative to the other.

Preferably the bale-receiving platform is shaped slightly to assist the passage of bales thereacross. Also preferably the platform incorporates a hydraulic ram or other bale-propelling means to assist the bale in passing through the machine.

By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the machine of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a section view of the hoop arrangement of the machine of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the rotary hoops of the machine of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a partial section of a bale after passing through the machine of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 a bale wrapping machine 2 is thereshown. The machine 2 includes a wheel assembly and chassis frame 3, a bale-receiving platform 4, a hoop assembly 5, and a roller bed 6 sloping down to ground level 7. Whilst the ground is show n in this figure as horizontal, it will be appreciated that the machine 2 can also operate where the ground is uneven or sloping. In the event of the latter option, the machine 2 may be oriented so that the wheel assembly 3 is positioned down-slope from the roller bed 6. The platform 4 has associated with it means to move the bale 26 49 4 5 along and through the hoop assembly 5. This may be in the form of a hydraulic ram (not shown), as is desired.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the hoop assembly 5 includes a frame with two fixed vertical hoops 8. These fixed hoops 8 are secured to the wheeled assembly and chassis frame 3 of the machine 2. If so desired, a diagonal strut or struts (not shown) from the frame to the fixed hoops 8 can be added in known manner, for additional structural support for the hoop assembly 5.

The hoop assembly 5 further includes three outer, rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) which are positioned concentrically and coaxially with the fixed hoops 8. A plurality of bearings 12 secured to the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) bear against bearing surfaces on the fixed hoops 8. The bearings 12 are spaced evenly about the circumference of each of the fixed hoops 8, to ensure smooth and even rotation of the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11). Figure 3 shows the three rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) as being rigidly connected so that the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) all rotate together. However it will be appreciated that, with the addition of a further hoop (not shown) that two sets of rotary hoops may be rotated independently of one another. The rotary hoops (9,10, 11) can be driven by known means, for example a chain drive or a friction wheel (not shown), with the power source (not shown) being selected to suit the machine 2. Such power sources cou'd be, for example, a hydraulic motor, independent of the machine 2, a machine-mounted motor, or the power take off of a tractor.

Alternatively each set of rotary hoops (9,10) (10,11) may be replaced with one centrally located hoop (not shown). 26 49 4 5 Between each adjacent pair of the rotary hoops (9,10,11) a pair of reels (13, 14) are secured. The reels (13,14) and associated fittings are positioned on opposite sides of the pair of rotary hoops. The pcirs of reels (13, 14) on each set of adjacent hoops are set at different positions around the circumference of the hoops (9,10,11) (when view in plan as shown in Fig. 2). Each reel (13, 14) has an associated tension roller 15 to ensure that the film 17 unwinds from the reel (13, 14) at a constant tension. Each reel (13, 14) may further include an associated idler roller (not shown), if so desired. The film 17 on each reel (13, 14) unwinds in the direction of arrow A (Fig. 2), when the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) are moving clockwise (arrow B, Fig. 2), passes over the associated tension reel 15 and towards the bale 16 in the direction of arrow C (Fig. 2).

The reels (13,14) containing the film 17 have been described above as a pair of reels (13, 14) associated with each adjacent pair of rotary hoops ({j, 10, 11). However, it will be appreciated that the number of reels (13,14) may vary from one up three or four or more, as is desired. Also, the number in each set of reels (13,14) may be different.

As shown in Fig. 3 the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) are secured in fixed spatial relation one to the other. A plurality of cross struts 21, evenly spaced about the circumference of the rotary hoops (9,10,11) are positioned between adjacent hoops. Broad, U-shaped struts (not shown) may also be secured between the two fixed hoops 8, with the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) being positioned within the space formed by the U. Other structural support of known type may be added, if so desired. 26 49 4 5 The above-described machine 2 operates as follows: The machine 2 is positioned at the beginning of the place where the wrapped bale package is to be stored. The film 17 is positioned on the reels (13, 14) and over the respective tension rollers 15. The motor is connected to the drive means and the rotary hoops (9,10, 11) are then able to rotate.

A bale 16 is positioned on the platform 4 and moved towards and through the hoop assembly 5. Another bale is placed immediately behind this first bale 16 so that bales moving through the machine 2 are touching or very close together. This provides optimum conditions for best results in the wrapped package. The film 17 from the rotary hoops (9, 10, 11) is wrapped around the first bale 16 as it proceeds through the hoop assembly 5. It can be pushed through by the bale-moving means of the platform 4 either with or without the next bale to be wrapped immediately behind.

The film 17 from the first set of reels (13, 14) is wrapped helically around the bale 16. This wrapping results in an inner layer 18 (Fig. 4) of overlapping thickness of film 17 being positioned against the exterior of the bale 16. The film 17 from the second set of reels (13, 14), adjacent the roller bed 6, results in a second layer 19 of overlapping thickness of film 17.

As the bale 16 moves through the hoop assembly 5 it is supported at the appropriate level by two tines 20. The tines 20 are positioned so that the film 17 is wrapped over them. As the bale 16 is moved through the hoop assembly to the roller bed 6, the bale 16 moves over the tines 20 and the film 17 moves under the tines 20 so that the bottom of the bale 16 is wrapped but supported at the same time. 26 4 9 4 5 As the wrapped bale 16 emerges onto the roller bed 6 the next bale, immediately behind bale 16 is in the process of being wrapped by the film 17. As wrapped bales emerge onto the roller bed 6 and are moved onto the prepared ground, the machine 2 is moved forward, away from the wrapped bales.

Thus a continuous, wrapped cylindrical package is left behind the machine 2. If the bales wrapped were not uniform in cross-section, or contained irregularities across the surface, these are now contained inside two separate layers of film wrapping (18, 19). Thus if any unevenness in the wrapping of the outer layer 19 permits the entry of wind and weather, the inner layer 18 prevents this from reaching the hay in the bales.

The beginning and end bales may include a flat facing of film or straw bales may be used as the first and last bales as is desired. These are abandoned when the hay bales are used, having served their purpose as protection for the hay bales.

When the machine 2 is to be moved from one processing site to another or to a storage area, the roller bed 6 can be hitched up to the back of the hoop assembly 5 in known manner, and conventional towing means used to tow the machine 2 behind a tractor or other vehicle.

The preferred embodiment has been described above with reference to a single hoop assembly 5. However, it will be appreciated that with modification the machine 2 could incorporate a series of hoop assemblies 5 wherein each assembly 5 includes one or more fixed hoops 8 and two rotary hoops 9, 10. Advantageously, the rotary hoops 9,10 of each assembly 5 counter-rotate relative to any adjacent assembly 5 so that the bale 16 is wrapped in multiple layers of film 17 which are overlaid in 8 26 49 A 5 a criss-cross manner of alignment relative to the previous layer. It however would be necessary to further include a spacer roller (not shown) positioned between each pair of hoop assemblies (5,5) to assist the passage of the bales 16 thereacross. Preferably the series of hoop assemblies 5 would be sequentially downwardly inclined. Preferably the wheel assembly and chassis frame 3 incorporate two axles either side of the series of hoop assemblies (5,5).

Claims (9)

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A bale wrapping machine for wrapping articles with multiple layers of film, which said machine includes a wheeled base frame with a bale-receiving platform followed by bale - wrapping means and a roller bed leading to ground level; wherein said bale wrapping means includes: a hoop arrangement with one or more fixed hoops and two or more rotary hoops which are rotatable co-axially with the or each said fixed hoop; at least two reels for film, at least one being secured to each said rotary hoop, wherein the film from the reel or reels secured to each said rotary hoop wraps bales passing through said machine independently of the wrapping achieved by the or each reel on any other said rotary hoop, such that the resultant cylindrical shape of the bales has two or more independently wrapped layers of film tlierearound.

2. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hoop arrangement includes two adjacent but spaced fixed hoops with three rotary hoops, such that two independent sets of reels are disposed each between adjacent rotary hoops.

3. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein each set of reels consists of two reels. 10 264945

4. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hoop arrangement includes four rotary hoops with two independent sets of reels, each set positioned between adjacent rotary hoops wherein the said four rotary hoops form two adjacent but spaced arrangements.

5. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two said hoop arrangements are set at an angle relative to eachother.

6. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotary hoops of each said hoop arrangement counter-rotate relative to any adjacent hoop arrangement and wherein said chassis incorporates a spacer roller between each pair of hoop assemblies to assist the passage of the bale thereacross.

7. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein two independent sets of reels (with at least 2 sets of reels each) are disposed between adjacent rotary hoops of each said hoop arrangement.

8. A bale wrapping machine as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein said bale-receiving platform incorporates a hydraulic ram or other bale-propelling means to assist the bale in passing through said machine. 11 26 49 45

9. A bale wrapping machine for wrapping articles with multiple layers of film substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. GEOFFREY FORBES WALLACE. by his authorised agents, P.L. BERRY & ASSOCIATES. per: END OF CLAIMS 12