WO2006057608A1

WO2006057608A1 - An apparatus anda method for creating a wrapping around a set of pulp bale produced according to the method

Info

Publication number: WO2006057608A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/001770
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnt Ove GRÖNLI; Jörgen Lindström
Original assignee: Södra Cell Ab
Priority date: 2004-11-25
Filing date: 2005-11-25
Publication date: 2006-06-01
Also published as: SE532953C2; EP1814786A1; SE0402877D0; SE0402877L

Abstract

The present invention comprises an installation, a method and a paper pulp bale thus produced by the intermediary of the method which is adapted to seal and/or secure an envelope (8), formed from one single envelope sheet (8') about a compressed set ('S2a') of pulp sheets or the like. In particular, it is disclosed that a single envelope sheet (8') be given a width corresponding to a selected length of an edge or side of the set ('S2a') and be given a length in order, on the one hand, wholly to surround said set ('S2a') and, on the other hand, in addition to permit the diverging end regions (8 a, 8b) of the sheet to overlap one another. Within said overlapping end regions (8a, 8b), one or more flaps (18a, 18b) are formed. The flaps are brought by means (30) to a coordination in order to seal and/or secure the flaps to one another.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION: An Apparatus and a Method for creating a Wrap¬ ping around a Set of Pulp Sheets as well as a Pulp Bale produced according to the Method,

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general and primarily to an installation or a plant for creating, with a sheet, a wrapping about a set of compressed pulp sheets, the apparatus related to said plant comprising a number of units or processing stations oriented in series, hereinafter referred to as first, second, functional unit, and so on.

The present invention does not preclude the coordination of combining two or more of these units into a single functional unit.

The present invention secondarily refers to a method for sealing and/or securing a wrapping formed as a sheet about a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like.

In addition, the present invention relates to a pulp bale, where a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like is enclosed by a sheet, serving as a wrapper sheet.

The pulp sheets and the utilised sheet-shaped wrapping may advantageously be adap¬ ted to be similarly structured and display properties which make a fibre-water solution or suspension of the pulp in water.

While the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to a pulp bale, where stacked and compressed pulp sheets are wrapped by a wrapper sheet, the use of so-called flash dried or hot air dried paper pulp also falls within the scope of the present invention and, in such instance, will occur as a compressed unit envelo¬ ped or wrapped by such a wrapping sheet.

Given that the prior art utilises two wrapping sheets and with available means folds them around a set of compressed pulp sheets in order to completely envelop or cover these pulp sheets, this process has been designated in the following description as the preparation and formation of a "wrapping".

Since the present invention calls for the utilisation of but a single sheet dimensioned for solely enclosing the compressed pulp sheets, in which event the opposing end portions are exposed, the following description has designated this process as the preparation and formation of an "envelope", the width of the envelope thereby being capable of being adapted to extend between end rim portions or sections associated with each sheet inside a pulp bale or may be dimensioned somewhat shorter.

In the description hereinafter the following expressions are used.

A "stack" indicates a number of pulp sheets loosely placed on top of each other.

A compressed set or "stack" of pulp sheets may indicate three different compression rates.

A first compression rate where the "stack" is fully compressed.

A second compression rate where the first previous compression has expanded due to lack of active compression forces.

A third compression rate where the second compression has further expanded and filling up the envelope. BACKGROUND ART

Apparatuses with functional units, methods and arrangements of the above-disclosed nature and adapted for the above-disclosed technical field are previously known in the art and in a plurality of different embodiments.

With reference to Fig. 1, this figure illustrates the technique employed for creating a complete "wrapping" for entirely enclosing a set of compressed pulp sheets, for the formation of a wrapped paper pulp bale.

Thus, it is previously known in the art in such wrapping, for the formation of a sealed paper pulp bale, to employ metal wires, such as steel wires, for keeping the comp¬ ressed paper pulp sheets and the two wrapping sheets in position in a first compression state.

It is then previously known in the art, in an apparatus for creating, with two separate wrapping sheets utilised as outer cover and protection, a tight package around a set of compressed pulp sheets, to utilise a number of sequentially oriented functional units.

Thus, this figure 1 shows the utilisation of a first functional unit adapted for loosely being able to place pulp sheets on one another, in order thereby to form a "stack".

It is further previously known in the art to utilise a second functional unit adapted for compressing said "stack", to the order of a magnitude of 50%, by applying a compressive force against a compressive pressure plate in a direction at right angles to a plane associated with the superficial extent of a pulp sheet for causing said first compression rate.

It is also previously known in the art to create, within this second functional unit, a well adapted compression of said "stack" into a compressed "set" of pulp sheets, on towhich set a tray-like depression is stamped, in any event on the uppermost surface of the set. This tray-like depression leaves a surrounding edge surface or rim forming siad tray, which, in any event is to extend around the edge area or rim of the compressed set.

It is further previously known in the art to apply, in a third functional unit, two pre- ferably square (14O x 140 cm) wrapping sheets around the compressed set and where these wrapping sheets are placed one on the underside and one on the upper side of the set.

Those parts of the wrapping sheets, which are located outside the compressed set, are folded, in accordance with that illustrated in Fig. 1, and, in a further — fourth - func¬ tional unit, a number of three separate metal- or steel-wires are wrapped around the compressed set and the thus folded two wrapping sheets.

hi addition, by the intermediary of said fourth functional unit, the preconditions are created for securing said sheet-shaped two wrapping sheets to said compressed set with the aid of said metal wires in order thereby to create a sealed paper pulp bale.

An apparatus of the type contemplated here also discloses, in accordance with Fig. 2, the utilisation of a fifth functional unit, where this unit is to be adapted to coordinate a selected number of wrapped paper pulp bales with one another and orient them over one another and side-by-side, in order thereby to form a coordinated and standardised set of pulp bales which, hereinbelow, will be designated a "bale coordinated unit".

The prior art technology in such apparatuses and installations also proposes a sixth functional unit, adapted for connecting or coordinating said "coordinated unit" by the application of a number of parallel turns of a plurality of metal wires surrounding individual bales where each one of these metal wires is tied or connected for its turn.

It is further previously known in the art that each one of the thus utilised metal wires consists of steel wires and where the closing of each one of said steel wires takes place in the above-disclosed fourth functional unit, for the formation of a wrapped and sealed paper pulp bale.

In said fifth functional unit, there is thus coordinated a selected number of paper pulp bales, for instance eight paper pulp bales in rows and columns while said sixth functional unit is to be adapted to apply in any event two individual metal wires, each as a loop, when such a unit of paper pulp bales is to be transported by rail or road haulage and further individual turns, ideally with a corresponding wire gauge diameter if transport of these units is to be put into effect by shipping.

A wrapped paper pulp bale, according to Fig. 1, consists of a right-angled paralle¬ lepiped and is given, merely for the purposes of orientation, a length-orienting dimension "L", a height-orienting dimension "H" and a breadth- or width-orienting dimension "B".

With reference to Fig. 2, it is there illustrated that a "unit", coordinated from wrapped paper pulp bales, has been given a length-dimension designated "L", a breadth- or width-dimension designated "2B", and a height-dimension designated "4H", in order thereby to illustrate that such a "coordinated unit" comprises and encloses eight paper pulp bales, each wrapped and sealed by means of three individual metal wires.

A method which is employed in order thereby to fold, seal and/or secure a wrapping formed as two sheets about a compressed set of paper pulp sheets or the like bale for the formation of a wrapped and sealed paper pulp bale is apparent from the above summarily disclosed apparatus or installation, where reference is also made to the apparatus, illustrated in Fig. 3, and its functional units under the utilisation of a disclosed fourth functional unit as well as fifth and sixth functional units.

The following patent publications also form parts of the prior art. GB-A-1297217

This patent publication discloses a method for baling bundles of paper pulp comprising: positioning top and bottom wrapper sheets, having projecting side and end flanges, in register with the top and bottom of a pulp bundle; applying a repulpable adhesive to a portion of the projecting side flanges; forming side seam bonds by folding the side flanges into overlapping relationship, and applying a compressive pressure of greater than 10 pounds per square inch gauge to said overlapping flanges for a time greater than about 5 seconds; forming end flaps in the wrapper sheets by folding said projecting end flanges applying said adhesive to a portion of said end flaps; and forming end flap bonds by applying a compressive pressure of greater than 10 pounds per square inch gauge to said end flaps for a time greater than 15 seconds.

SE-C2-503 215 This patent publication discloses a paper pulp bale with a compressed pulp stack enclosed by wrapping sheets folded along opposing sides causing overlapping sections where the wrapping sheet is folded to a multitude of layers.

For the purpose of fixing the wrapping sheet towards the compressed pulp stack the sheet is formed with a number of flaps (26), said number corresponds to the number of sheets, and said flaps (26) being punched out by forming holes and folded along a common line (25).

The punching means 2 exposes a compression plate (9) with an opening (10) adapted for free movement of a cutting tool (11) arranged to cut flaps from the wrapping sheet (7) and the overlapping sections (8, 8').

A means (14) is adapted to rotate by the use of a cylinder arrangement (19) and folding the flaps of the wrapping sheet to the inner side of the sheet. BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Concerning the circumstance that the technical deliberations that must be made by a person skilled in the art to be able to offer a solution to one or more technical problems posed is, on the one hand, initially a necessary insight into the measures and/or sequence of measures to be adopted and, on the other hand, a necessary selection of the means required, the following technical problems are likely, in view hereof, to be relevant in the evolution of the subject matter of the present invention.

Considering the state of the art as described above, in conjunction with an apparatus or an installation or plant for creating, with two wrapping sheets, a wrapping about a compressed set of pulp sheets, comprising a number of functional units associated with the apparatus, a method for sealing and/or securing a wrapping sheet about a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like as well as a pulp bale, where a compressed set of pulp sheets are to be enclosed by a wrapping sheet, it should probably therefore be seen as a technical problem to be able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures, steps and/or considera¬ tions which will be required in order to create a sealed "envelope" around said set of pulp sheets while utilising a single wrapping sheet and where this sealing of said wrapping sheet will be able to be put into effect without, to this end, needing to utilise surrounding metal wires, in particular utilising three steel wires for each bale.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures, steps and/or and considera- tions which will be required in order to create, by means of a single envelope forming sheet, a sealed pulp bale, without the pulp bale needing to be provided with surrounding three metal wires or using glue or adhesive agent and where a number of pulp bales, coordinated into a "coordinated unit", will be able to be lifted and displaced with the aid of trucks and where the lowermost bales will normally be subjected to the greatest compressive and/or tractive forces. There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a sheet related self-locking structure or arrangement, applicable to seal the envelope.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause each sheet related self-locking structure or arrangement used as an envelope to act under a clamping or compressive force and where a locking and/or sealing of a pulp bale within a "coordinated unit" is held in position by the pressure from three superjacent pulp bales (exceeding 750 kg), where a locking and/or a sealing of a pulp bale, located on top of the lowermost pulp bale, is held in position by the pressure from two superjacent pulp bales, and so on.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a self-locking structure or arrangement applicable to the two end regions of the wrapping sheet to act under a compressive or pressure force from superjacent pulp bales and where a truck will be capable of lifting and displacing two or more such pulp bales stacked on one another and where the envelope, according to the present invention, will be capable of being selected with a thickness and/or a stiffness so that the material may withstand normal handling, without the imminent risk of defective locking and uniting function.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a self-locking structure or an arrangement appli¬ cable for the wrapping sheet to act under a clamping or pressure action from superjacent pulp bales and where the dimensions of a single enveloping sheet, disclosed according to the present invention, intended to cover or envelop for slightly more than one turn a compressed set of pulp sheets in order thereby to be able to create an adapted suitable overlapping of the end regions of the envelope, typically of the order of a magnitude of between 15 and 50 cm.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause the actual amount of requisite enveloping material to be reduced for each pulp bale and where such a reduction may be assumed to dis¬ play levels applicable in any event to the end regions and being of the order of a magnitude of 30 to 40% calculated per m².

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause the envelope sheet to be dimensioned so that there will be no covering over mutually diverging or facing away surfaces or end portions of the utilised compressed set.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to reduce, towards elimination, the risk that pulp sheets thus compressed into a set will be able to slide out of a pulp bale, provided with an envelope sheet and sealed in accordance with the disclosures of the present invent- tion.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to prevent such a sliding by permitting an upper surface of each compressed set of pulp sheets to be depressed, such as by causing the formation of one or more tray-like depressions within a central region of the set.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to leave open opposing end portions of a sealed pulp bale, since it may be assumed that open end walls not only afford a material reduction but will moreover be able to afford less risk that a pulp bale be ruptured in the event of reckless truck handling.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to create a direct saving of previously utilised metal wires and where such a wire saving has proved to be capable of being of the order of magnitude of 0.3 kg per pulp bale.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required, in order to cause the disclosed combination of compressed pulp sheets and a single envelope sheet, without needing to utilise metal wires, to create the pre- conditions for thus sealed pulp bales to be released directly down into a water based solvent or suspension within a pulper and the only matter which then needs to be removed is the metal wiring which surrounds the "coordinated unit", which thereby entails a saving of the personnel which would otherwise be required for the previously necessary wire cutting of such sealed pulp bales, or alternatively eliminate investment and maintenance costs for utilised automatic wire removal means.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to reduce, towards eliminating, the safety risk which pre- vails in the sales- or user-circle, when the metal wires surrounding each pulp bale and/or each "coordinated unit" are to be severed and removed, in particular since the metal wires, in such a sealed state, on many occasions, display high tensile stresses and/or tensile tension and when these wires are severed such stresses are released which, on numerous occasions, has entailed that the severed wire strikes the operator.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in an apparatus or installation according to the present invention, in order, at said third functional unit, to utilise a single envelope sheet, that said enve¬ lope sheet is to be given such longitudinal extent that the free ends or diverging end areas of the envelope sheet will slightly overlap one another in order, with the aid of said fourth functional unit and further functions, to cause the formation of through- going flaps through the overlapping end regions, and that said flaps, with the aid of a number of functional means, will be able to be brought to an aggregate position, in order to secure and/or seal the end regions to one another.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause said functional means to be given a coordinated func¬ tional pattern, whose coordinated sequence entails that: a) a first means will bring and fold the free ends or end regions of an envelope sheet to overlap one another, b) a second means is to be passed in between the overlapping end regions and an upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets, in order to serve as a subjacent abutment, c) a third means is to be adapted to stamp out coordinated flaps from the end regions while utilising said subjacent abutment, d) a fourth means is to be adapted to bend said flaps simultaneously against and along the underside of the end regions, and such a fourth means may consist of a horizontal movement of said third means, and e) a fifth means will be able to displace said third means out of the position be- tween the overlapping end regions and the upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order for said second, fourth and fifth means within the functional unit to be displaceably disposed horizontally along an uppermost located upper surface of a pulp sheet, in order thereby to be able to bend formed flaps in a direction towards 180° and moved under adjacent end regions.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad- vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order for a depth, allocated to a tray form, to be adapted to be shallower than a length of each respective flap.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad- vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to propose a method for sealing and/or securing an envelope, formed as a single sheet, for a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like bale and where said envelope sheet is to be given a width corresponding, or in any event sub¬ stantially corresponding to a selected edge of said compressed set and be given a length in order, on the one hand, to envelop wholly said set and, on the other hand, in addition to permit the free ends of or the diverging end regions of the envelope sheet to overlap one another in order, within said overlapping end regions, to form, by a punching process, one or more flaps, and that said flaps may be brought to coordination in order to seal and/or secure the flaps to one another in such a manner that they may absorb and/or withstand traction- or compression forces which occur and act in opposing directions in relation to said end regions.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select said envelope sheet from a material which corresponds to the material of the set of associated pulp sheets, in order thereby to form a unit which may be directly put into use by the disposer or user in its pulper means.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad- vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select the length of the envelope sheet so that the free end regions will overlap one another by a preselected distance and where said distance will be able to take into account savings which are directly dependant upon the length of the envelope sheet, the structure of the selected envelope sheet etc. and which in practice should in any event require an overlapping distance which is greater than 10% of the width of the formed set.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select said flaps at a predetermined selected number and be oriented in a longitudinal orientation of the formed set.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select said number of flaps to a predetermined number, such as, by way of proposal, four to ten.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select each respective flap at a predetermined length, such as between 2 and 10 cm, in particular between 4 and 6 cm.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a distance between two adjacent flaps to be selected to be greater than a width of said flap and in particular that the distance be selected to be between 150 and 400% of the width of the flap.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order cause said flaps to be oriented in two or three rows, oriented in parallel and along within the overlapping free end regions. There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to provide said compressed set with in any event one tray-shaped upper portion, with the edges of or the rim of the tray shape corresponding with the edges of said compressed set of pulp sheets or the like.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to adapt the depth of the tray shape to be in any event slightly less than the length of each respective flap.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to insert a second means, in the form of an abutment, between the uppermost surface of the set and over the tray-shaped upper portion and the overlapping end regions in order to form, by means of a punch arrangement disposed over the compressed set, said flaps in one and the same working operation.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select the utilised abutment so as to be substantially a punch dye, in which a row orientation of holes may be formed and corresponding to the configuration of the formed flaps.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order initially to cause said flaps to be bent in a direction towards the upper surface of said tray shape and to be displaced further towards a sealing and/or securing position under the utilisation of a displacement of an abutment.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select a functional pattern or sequence related to the move¬ ments of one or more means, such as forwards, to one side, rearwards, to the other side, to be substantially selected in a horizontal direction.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order, during the bending or rotational movement of the flap about a crease line or the like, to create the preconditions so that the flap is bent in a direction towards 180° under and during a sliding cooperation along a lower surface of the tray shape.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select the material in the envelope sheet as a paper pulp sheet, with a selected grammage, of typically 500 to 1200 g per m² , and where the paper pulp sheet may advantageously display a thickness of approximately 2 mm depending upon tensile index value.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad- vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select the material to have a structure approximating struc¬ tures of "longfibres" and thereby to be wood fibre based with requisite strength and stiffness.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to select the material in the envelope sheet to be stiff, and that coordinated flaps, such as those oriented within a row, are bent simultaneously at an angle towards 180° or slightly less. There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the ad¬ vantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like to be en¬ closed by one single envelope sheet of a width corresponding to one edge of the set and a length offering an overlap of the free ends or end regions of the envelope sheet, and that the end regions are secured to one another in order thereby to form a packed and/or sealed paper pulp bale.

SOLUTION

In this instance, the present invention takes as its point of departure or concept the prior art, as disclosed by way of introduction and applicable to an apparatus or an in¬ stallation and a method for creating, by a sheet, a wrapping around a set of pulp sheets or the like in order to seal and/or secure said wrapping sheet about a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like, as well as a thus produced pulp bale and in which the apparatus, observing the preconditions disclosed above, affords the possibility of utilising, at a (third) functional unit, a single wrapping sheet, whereby said wrapping sheet is to be given such a longitudinal extent that the free ends or diverging, end regions of the envelope will slightly overlap one another, forming, with the aid of a (fourth) functional unit, through-going flaps within the overlapping end regions and that said flaps, with the aid of an additional functional unit and means related thereto are brought to a coordinating position in order to secure and/or seal the end regions to one another in such a manner that these resist expansion of the pulp bale after a compression of the set of pulp sheets generating tensile and/or compressive stresses.

To be able to solve one or more of the technical problems as outlined above, the pre¬ sent invention particularly discloses that the prior art technology for the apparatus be supplemented by causing an additional functional unit with associated means to be insertable between said tray form and said overlapping regions and thereby serve as an abutment during the forming, such as punching, of said flaps and a bending of the flaps. In addition, it is disclosed that said additional functional unit with associated means be displaceably disposed along the upper surface of an uppermost paper pulp sheet in order thereby to bend and move the flaps towards and to 180° in a direction under the end regions.

The present invention further discloses that the depth of a tray form within a compressed set of paper pulp sheets be adapted to be shallower than the length of a corresponding flap.

In this instance, the present invention further departs from the prior art as disclosed by way of introduction in respect of a method for sealing and/or securing a sheet ser¬ ving as "envelope" sheet about a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like.

In order to be able to solve one or more of the above-outlined technical problems, the present invention particularly discloses that the prior art be supplemented in that a single as an envelope adapted sheet is to be given a width, corresponding to a selected length of an edge for said set, and be given a length in order, on the one hand, wholly to surround or envelop said set and, in addition, to permit the free ends or diverging end regions of the sheet to overlap one another in order, within the said overlapping end regions, to form one or more flaps, and that said flaps in addition are to be brought to mutual coordination for sealing and/or securing said end regions with the aid of the flaps to one another in such a manner that the flaps may absorb or withstand tensile and/or compressive forces acting on said overlapping end regions, for instance such forces as derive from an expansion of the compressed set of pulp sheets or the like.

As preferred embodiments, falling within the scope of the basic concept of the present invention, it is disclosed that said sheet-shaped envelope be selected from a material corresponding to the material of the set of associated paper pulp sheets. It is further disclosed that the length of the envelope sheet be selected so that the free ends or end regions will overlap one another by a distance which in any event is greater than 10% of the width of the set.

It is further disclosed that said flaps are to be selected at a given number and be oriented in a longitudinal orientation of the set.

It is further disclosed that the number of flaps may be selected between four and ten.

It is particularly disclosed, according to the present invention, that each respective flap be selected to be of a length of between 2 and 10 cm, for instance between 4 and 6 cm, and in particular that the distance between two adjacent flaps be selected to be larger than the width of a flap.

The distance between adjacent flaps may advantageously be selected to be between 150 and 400% of the width of the flap.

According to the present invention, the method discloses that said flaps may very - well be oriented in two or three rows or in another structure and orientation in order that the thus folded flaps will be capable of absorbing prevailing tensile and com¬ pressive forces.

Further, the method, according to the present invention, discloses that said compressed set be given in any event one upper portion formed as a tray where the depth of the tray formation is to be adapted to be slightly less than the length of each respective flap.

A means or an abutment is to be inserted between the uppermost surface of the set and the lower surface of the overlapping end regions in order, with the aid of a flap- forming arrangement, such as a punch arrangement, to form said flaps. Further, the present invention discloses that said flaps are to be initially bent in a di¬ rection towards said tray-shaped upper surface and be displaced further towards a sealing or securing position utilising said means or abutment and where the move¬ ment of the means or the abutment is selected to be horizontal or essentially horizontal.

The method further discloses that, during the bending or rotation movement of the flaps, about an allotted line of rotation or the like, the flaps are to be bent under sliding and during a cooperation with an upper surface of the tray formation and to an orientation locking said flaps.

The method according to the present invention, also discloses that the material of the envelope sheet is to be selected to be a pulp sheet, with a selected grammage of between 500 and 1,200 g per m², and more specifically that the material is selected with a structure corresponding to the structure which is afforded in a fibre structure allotted the definition of "longfibres".

The method, according to the present invention, utilises a material in the envelope, sheet which is selected to be rigid and that coordinated flaps within a row are bent simultaneously at an angle towards 180° or slightly less.

The present invention also discloses a paper pulp bale where a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like is enclosed by a single sheet material serving as an envelope with a width corresponding to the distance between edges of the set and a length which affords an overlapping of the free ends of or end regions of the envelope or the sheet and that the end regions are mechanically secured to one another so as to be able to absorb tensile or compression forces.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages which may principally be considered as characteristic of the present invention and the specific significative characterising features thereby disclosed are that, hereby, there have been created the preconditions, in an apparatus and a method, for creating a paper pulp bale without the utilisation of any sealing metal wires.

An apparatus and a method adapted for the apparatus are afforded for forming and/or sealing pulp bales, where the method discloses, for building up a pulp bale, the utili¬ sation of a single envelope sheet, where the free ends or diverging end regions (facing away end regions) of the envelope sheet will be adapted to overlap one another and with the aid of a functional unit will cause through-going flaps, within said overlapping end regions, so that said flaps, with the aid of an additional functional unit and means related thereto, are brought to a coordinating position for mechanically securing and/or sealing the free end regions to one another in such a manner that the flaps will absorb or withstand mutually diverging forces acting on the end regions in order to withstand those forces which will occur int. al. because of the expansion tendency related to the previously compressed set of pulp sheets.

That which may principally be considered as characteristic of an apparatus or installation, according to the present invention, is disclosed in the characterising section of appended Claim 1, that which may principally be considered as characterising for a method for sealing and/or securing an envelope formed as a single sheet about a previously compressed set of pulp sheets or the like, is disclosed in the characterising section of appended Claim 10 and a paper pulp bale, preferably produced in an apparatus or alternatively by the intermediary of a method, according to the present invention, is disclosed in the characterising section of appended Claim 34.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The state of the art and a currently proposed embodiment, displaying the significative characterising features associated with the present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow for the purposes of exemplification and with reference to the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art paper pulp bale with a surrounding wrapping consisting of two wrapping sheets and sealed together with the aid of three surrounding single metal wires;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an aggregate of a selected number of paper pulp bales, according to Fig. 1, for instance four superposed on one another and two side-by-side for the formation of a "coordinated set" of paper pulp bales or a "coordinated unit", held together by a selected number of individual loops of metal wire;

Fig. 3 is a highly schematic presentation showing an apparatus for creating, with the aid of a single wrapping sheet, a wrapping about a set of previously compressed pulp sheets comprising a number of sequentially oriented functional units and where the concept of the present invention is intended to be schematically illustrated;

Fig. 4 is a perspective presentation of a paper pulp bale, of the same dimension as that illustrated in Fig. 1, but where the associated wrapping utilises but a single sheet-shaped material where the free ends or diverging end regions will slightly overlap one another and where through-going flaps, within the overlapping end regions, are brought to a mechanically coordinating position in order to secure and seal the end regions to one another for preventing or withstanding occurring tensile- and/or compress¬ ive forces which act on the diverging end regions of the envelope from be¬ ing capable of rupturing the securing and/or sealing function;

Fig. 5 is a perspective presentation of a "coordinated unit" of eight sealed paper pulp bales each covered by an "envelope", according to Fig. 4, the paper pulp bales being surrounded and secured to one another with the aid of a selected number of individual metal wires, in a manner corresponding to that illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken through one of a plurality of through-going flaps and where the shown flap assumes a position mechanically securing the overlapping end regions;

Fig. 7 shows, in a selected number of sequences, how each of said flaps are formed and how a number of through-going flaps are bent and displaced into a coordinating position, so as to secure and/or seal mechanically end regions of the envelope sheet to one another; and

Fig. 8 shows, in a selected number of sequences, associating to the sequences illustrated in Fig. 7, the formation of the flaps and the bending of the flaps in perspective views and utilising a number of means and/or a displace¬ ment of one and the same means and where the dimensional disclosures have been exaggerated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

With reference to Fig. 1, this figure thus shows in perspective view a paper pulp bale which has been provided with a first, upper sheet-shaped wrapping sheet l'a and a second, lower sheet-shaped wrapping sheet l'b, these two wrapping sheets l'a; l'b being shown folded together in order thereby to enclose and cover an inner and previously compressed set of pulp sheets, only partly shown, but having been given the reference numeral 1 'c.

The paper pulp bale 1', consisting of said compressed set l'c, being surrounded by said two wrapping sheets l'a and l'b, respectively, is moreover surrounded, on the one hand, by a first metal wire (or steel wire) 2a' and, on the other hand, by a second metal wire 2b' and finally by a third metal wire 2c', oriented at right angles to the remaining two metal wires. Means and arrangements are previously known in the art for winding each one of these threads or wires 2a', 2b' and 2c' one turn about the compressed set of pulp sheets l'c and the wrapping sheets l'a and l'b serving as wrapping material, and to secure the ends to one another.

This paper pulp bale 1 ' has been given a right-angled parallelepipedic configuration of a length, designated "L", a height designated "H" as well as a breadth or width, designated "B".

When such a paper pulp bale 1 ' is to be utilised by a purchaser or consumer in its pulper arrangement or means, it is naturally necessary that the metal wires 2a', 2b' and 2c' be severed and removed before the paper pulp bale 1 ' can be put to use as a fibre suspension in added water in excess.

With reference to Fig. 2, it is there shown that a number of "2 x 4" paper pulp bales, each one carrying reference numeral 1' according to Fig. 1, are coordinated to form a "coordinated unit" 10', this "coordinated unit" being held together by a number of individual loops of a selected number of metal wires 10' a.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PROPOSED EMBODIMENT

It should be emphasized by way of introduction that, in the following description of a currently proposed embodiment which displays the significative characterising featu¬ res, related to the present invention and which is clarified by means of the figures shown in the accompanying Drawings, we have selected terms and special termino¬ logy with the intention principally of clarifying the inventive concept.

However, in this context it should be observed that the expressions selected here should not be considered as restrictive exclusively to the terms selected and utilised here but it should be understood that each thus selected term is to be interpreted so that, in addition, it encompasses all technical equivalents which function in the same or substantially the same manner in order thereby to be able to attain the same or substantially the same intention and/or technical effect.

With reference to Fig. 3, there is illustrated the production of a sealed paper pulp bale, 1 in accordance with the present invention, and a subsequent coordination of "2 x 4" paper pulp bales 1 in order, as a "coordinated unit" 10, to be held together with the aid of a number of separate and surrounding metal wires 10a (10'a).

If an apparatus, plant or installation "A", according to Fig. 3, is utilised for the production of paper pulp bales, according to bale 1' in Fig. 1, and a packaging into coordinated units 10', minor modifications are required of the units, included in the apparatus or installation.

An installation "A", according to Fig. 3, is adapted to create, using a single envelope sheet 8', an envelope 8 about a previously compressed set of pulp sheets "S2" which have been allowed to expand somewhat "S2a".

This installation "A" includes a first functional unit "Al".

This unit "Al" is adapted to loosely "stack" pulp sheets on pulp sheets above one another for the formation of a coordinated loose "stack".

Some of the stacked pulp sheets have been given reference numeral, such as "Pa", for an upper sheet, "Pb" for a subjacent sheet, while a thus structured complete "stack" has been given reference numeral "Sl".

The stack "Sl" here rests against a fixed support 100.

A second functional unit "A2" is adapted to cause a compression of a complete loose "stack" "Sl" and where the degree of compression may be selected to be approximately 50%. This compression takes place by the application of a compressive force "Fl" acting against a pressure plate 101 in a direction at right angle to a plane "Pb'", related to the pulp sheet "Pb".

The second functional unit "A2" is further adapted to finally compress the "stack" "Sl" to a predetermined extent, in order thereby to create an adapted, compressed set of pulp sheets, here in the form of a compressed "stack" which has been given reference numeral "S2".

The stack "Sl" and its compressed form "S2" as a compressed set of pulp sheets has an uppermost sheet designated "Pc".

The compressed stack is designated hereinafter as a fully compressed "set" designated "S2" and, during the compression, a tray-liked formation 20 is stamped in any event on the uppermost surface or sheet/sheets "Pc", as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow and as will be apparent in particular from Figs. 6 and 8.

In a third functional unit "A3", the pressure plate 101 is to be raised in order to re- lease the set "S2" which, in such instance, expands to a new set "S2a". This may also be designated as a compressed set, however previously fully compressed and thereafter slightly expanded.

By measures (not shown), the unit "A3" is adapted, by the intermediary of means (not shown), to apply the partly compressed set "S2a" on a single envelope sheet 8', which is to form the final envelope 8 around the compressed and somewhat expanded set "S2a".

It should be observed that, once a sealing has been completed, in accordance with Fig. 6, the set "S2a" will expand slightly further and thereby generate small tensile forces on the envelope 8. In the present invention, the third functional unit "A3" is to be adapted not only to apply an envelop sheet, which has been given reference numeral 8', under the partly compressed set "S2a", which entails that an upper pressure plate "A3a" (101) is now lifted up to an illustrated upper position but also to create the preconditions in order, by the intermediary of means (not shown), to surround side portions of the set "S2a" with sheet 8' related end portions 8 a, 8b.

Thus, the sheet 8' is, by means (not shown in Fig. 3), bent around the compressed set "S2a" in order to assume the position illustrated in Fig. 7A.

A fourth functional unit "A4" is adapted, with the aid of a number of means and a given displacement thereof, to fix the end portions 8a, 8b of said envelope sheet 8' about said previously compressed set "S2a" in order to create a sealed paper pulp bale 1.

This mechanical securing of the end portions 8a, 8b to one another may then be put into effect with the aid of means and functions in a selected sequence.

This sequence is illustrated more in detail in Fig. 7 under the sequences designated "A" to "E", but also illustrated in side elevation in Fig. 8.

With particular reference to Fig. 7, this Drawing figure illustrates the utilisation of: a) a first means 71 (not shown in detail) which is adapted to fold and move sections of the envelope sheet 8' up over the opposing side portions of the set "S2a", and fold the envelope sheet 8' over the upper surface of the set and further to cause the end regions 8 a, 8b of the sheet 8' to overlap one another, b) a second means 72, as a subjacent abutment 30, have been given a rail form and is to be moved, by means of a force "Pl", in between the overlapping end regions 8a, 8b and an upper surface "Pc'" related to the uppermost sheet "Pc" for the previously compressed pulp sheets "S2a", to serve as said abutment

(Fig. 7B) and where the end regions 8a, 8b will be moved and folded over the uppermost sheet "Pc", c) a third means 73 is included in a per se previously known punching arrangement (not shown) and adapted to punch out coordinated flaps 18 a, 18b from the overlapping end regions 8a, 8b under the utilisation of said subjacent abutment 30 (Fig. 7C), d) a fourth means 74 is to be adapted to bend said flaps 18a, 18b simultaneously towards and against the underside of the end regions 8a, 8b, and this fourth means may consist of an activated force "P2" for a horizontal movement for said inserted second means 72 or abutment 30, e) a fifth means 75 is to activate a force "P3" for displacing said second means 72 or abutment 30 out of the position between the overlapping end regions 8a,

8b and the uppermost sheet "Pc" and its surface of the previously compressed pulp sheets "S2a", and f) a sixth means 76 which is to activate a force "P4" in order to displace said se¬ cond means 72 and the abutment 30 to its starting position in accordance with Fig. 7 A.

Once again referring to Fig. 3, it is there illustrated that, in a fifth functional unit "A5", there is coordinated a selected number, as illustrated in Fig. 5, of paper pulp bales 1, Ia, Ib, Ic as well as 2, 2a, 2b, 2c with one another such as four paper pulp bales superposed over one another 1 — Ic and 2 — 2c, respectively, and two side-by- side 1, 2; Ia, 2a, and so on for the formation of a coordinated set of paper pulp bales or a "coordinated unit", which has been given reference numeral 10 in Fig. 5.

A sixth functional unit "A6" is adapted to connect the paper pulp bales 1 within said "coordinated unit" 10 by the application of a number of separate turns of a metal wire 10a, in accordance with that which was already illustrated in conjunction with Fig. 2 and more precisely illustrated in Fig. 5.

With the aid of said fourth unit "A4" there are now formed, by the utilisation of ad- ditional means according to Fig. 7 and 8, through-going flaps 18a, 18b within the overlapping end regions 8a, 8b and these flaps are also, with the aid of functional means, brought to a coordinating position (according to Fig. 6) in order to mechanically secure and/or seal the end regions 8a, 8b to one another.

It is further disclosed that associated means 72, as 30, are displaceably disposed along the upper surface of the uppermost pulp sheet "Pc" in order to bend and displace the flaps in a direction towards 180° and under the end regions 8a, 8b as will be more closely apparent from Fig. 8.

The installation or plant "A" according to Fig. 3 also requires that a tray formation 20 be formed and where the depth 20a of the tray is then adapted to be shallower than a length given to each respective flap.

The present invention further discloses a method for folding and sealing and/or se¬ curing an envelope 8, formed by an envelope sheet 8' about a previously compressed set "S2a" of pulp sheets or the like.

The method now utilises, according to Fig. 8, a single envelope sheet 8' and where the formed envelope 8 is to be given a width where the width is to correspond to a selected edge "L" of said set "S2" or "S2a", respectively, but where the envelope sheet 8' is to be given a length in order, on the one hand, wholly to surround said set "S2a" and, on the other hand, in addition permit the end regions 8a, 8b of the envelope sheet 8' to overlap one another by a predetermined amount.

Within said overlapping end regions 8a, 8b there are formed one or more flaps (Fig. 8c) and said flaps 18a, 18b are brought to coordination in order to seal and/or secure the flaps to one another.

The flaps have here in Fig. 8, like in Fig. 6, been given reference numeral 18a for the end region 8a and 18b for the end region 8b.

The flaps 18a, 18b are to be brought to coordination (Fig. 6) in order thereby to be able to seal or secure the flaps to one another in such a manner that occurring counter-directed tensile stresses "F2" and "F3", respectively, on the end regions 8a and 8b will be absorbed by the bending of the flaps.

The length of the envelope sheet 8' is selected so that the end regions will overlap one another a distance which is larger than 10% of the width "B" of the set "S2" or "S2a", respectively. More particularly, it is disclosed that said pair of flaps 18a, 18b are to be selected to be a number and be oriented and given longitudinal orientation in a set which is apparent from Fig. 7, where, however, only one row is illustrated.

Said flaps 18a, 18b are selected to a chosen number and oriented in a longitudinal orientation in the set "S2a" and where the number of flaps may very well be selected to be between four and ten in order thereby to be able to absorb occurring tensile and compressive stresses.

As an alternative, it might be mentioned that the flaps 18a, 18b may very well be ori¬ ented in two or three rows, or alternatively be distributed in another suitable manner over the overlapping regions 8a and 8b.

Fig. 6 and 8 further illustrate that said compressed set "S2a" is to be given in any event one tray formed upper portion 20 and where the depth of the tray formation 20a is to be adapted to be slightly less than a length of each respective flap, as is cla¬ rified in Fig. 8 with reference to Figs. 8C, 8Cl and 8D.

According to the embodiment of the invention, it is disclosed that, as abutment, there is selected a means 30 formed in principle like a rail and in which has been formed a row of recesses 31, 31a adapted to the flaps and given an outer configuration which coincides with the outer configuration of a stamp 73.

Fig. 8 is further intended to illustrate that said flaps 18a, 18b may initially be bent (Fig. 8C) in a direction towards the inner surface 20b ("Pc") of said tray formation

20 and be displaced further (Fig. 8Cl) by the means 30 towards a position for sealing and securing where the free end 18a' of the flap 18a and the free end 18b' of the flap 18b will, because of inherent resilient forces, abut against the bottom 20b of the tray formation.

The sequence illustrated in Fig. 8Cl and 8D requires that the end regions 8a, 8b be raised further from the edge or sheet "Pc'", a distance which has been given reference numeral "8Cl".

When the abutment 30 (Fig. 8Cl) has bent the flaps 18a, 18b to 180°, the parts 8a, 8b rest against the abutment 30 (Fig. 8D), and when the abutment 30 has been removed (Fig. 8E) the flaps 18a, 18b fall down into the tray-shaped depression 20.

It is thus obvious that the movement of the abutment 30 or the means 72 is selected to be horizontal.

It is particularly illustrated that, during the bending or rotational movement of the flaps 18a, 18b about a created line of rotation or the like, the flaps 18a, 18b are bent under sliding cooperation with the inner surface 20b of the tray formation.

With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the functional pattern or sequence of the means 30 is illustrated.

The arrow "Pl" illustrates that the rail-shaped means 72; 30 with the recesses 31, 31a are moved in between the upper surface of the upper sheet "Pc" and its plane "Pc'" and the lower surface of the overlap 8b or 8a and, in a punch operation, Fig. 7C, U- shaped recesses are formed with the flaps 18a, 18b oriented obliquely downwards.

In a subsequent displacement of the means 72; 30 in the direction of the arrow "P2", the flaps are bent to the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

The arrow "P3" illustrates that the means 72; 30 are drawn out of their inner position in order, in a laterally related movement in accordance with arrow "P4", to cause the means 72; 30 to return to their original position, according to Fig. 7A. The invention also discloses a paper pulp bale 1 where a compressed set of pulp sheets "S2a" or the like is enclosed by a single envelope sheet 8' serving as an envelope 8 and being of a width corresponding to a length given to the set and a length which affords an overlap of the end regions 8a, 8b of the envelope sheet 8' and that the end regions are secured to one another.

The securing of the end regions 8a, 8b should then be structured so that this securement may resist the forces which will occur when the compressed set "S2a" of pulp sheets is caused to expand further slightly and thereby accommodate the hori¬ zontally counter-directed force composants.

The present invention is intended to utilise this additional expansion of the pulp bale 1 in such a manner that the envelope 8 may be extended up after the locking or sea- ling has been completed.

The flaps or barbs are structured and constructed so that they can be punched direct through both sheets within the end regions and this punching operation is carried out once the envelope sheet 8' has been laid around the paper pulp bale 1.

The preconditions will hereby be created for the flaps never to be incorrectly oriented in relation to one another.

It may, however, be observed that prefabricated envelopes with flaps may also be uti- lised but adjustment problems are to be expected when these are to match one anot¬ her in a wrapping machine.

The present invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiment given by way of example above, but may undergo modifications without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as illustrated in the appended Claims. In particular, it should be observed that each illustrated unit and/or circuit may be combined with every other illustrated unit and/or circuit without departing from the scope of the invention in order to be able to attain the desired technical function.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An installation or plant for creating, with one sheet only a wrapping around a set of compressed pulp sheets comprising: a. a first functional unit, such as one unit, adapted to loosely stack pulp sheet on pulp sheet over one another, for the formation of a "stack", b. a second functional unit adapted to compress said "stack" by applying a compressive force in a direction at right angles to a plane of the pulp sheets in order thereby to create a compressed set of pulp sheets and in which a tray-like formation is stamped, in any event in the uppermost surface of the set, c. a third functional unit adapted to apply said wrapping sheet around said com¬ pressed set, d. a fourth functional unit adapted to secure said wrapping sheet around said compressed set and for creating a sealed paper pulp bale, e. a fifth functional unit adapted to coordinate a selected number of paper pulp bales with one another such as superpose on one another and side-by-side, for the formation of a coordinated set of paper pulp bales, and f. a sixth functional unit adapted to connect said coordinated set into a "coordinated unit" by the application of a number of individual turns of metal wire, characterised in that, at said third unit, according to "c" above, use is made of a single envelope sheet, that said envelope sheet is given such elongate extent that the deviating or off-directed end regions of said envelope sheet will slightly overlap one another, that, with the aid of said fourth unit, according to "d" above, there are formed through-going flaps within the overlapping end regions and that said flaps are brought, by utilised means, to a coordinating position, in order to secure and seal the end regions to one another.

2. An installation as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that means are insertable between said tray-like formation and said overlapping regions and serve as an abut¬ ment during the formation, such as by punching, of said flaps.

3. An installation as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that means are dis- placeably disposed along an upper surface of an uppermost pulp sheet, in order to bend said flaps towards 180° under said end regions.

4. An installation as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the depth of the tray-like formation is adapted to be shallower than a length given to each respective flap.

5. An installation as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that first means are to move said end regions of the envelope sheet so as to overlap one another.

6. An installation as claimed in Claim 1 or 5, characterised in that second means are to be moved in between said overlapping end regions and said upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets, in order to serve as an abutment.

7. An installation as claimed in Claim 2 or 6, characterised in that third means are to be adapted to punch out coordinated flaps from the end regions while utilising a subjacent abutment.

8. An installation as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that fourth means are to be adapted to bend said flaps simultaneously towards and/or against the underside of each end region and said fourth means are to create a horizontal movement of said second means and fifth means are to be able to displace said second means out of its position between the overlapping end regions and the upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets.

9. An installation as claimed in Claim 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that fifth means are to be able to displace said second means out of the position between the over- lapping end regions and the upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets.

10. A method of sealing and securing an envelope sheet about a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like, characterised in that a single envelope sheet is given a width, or in any event substantially a width, corresponding to a selected edge of a side of said set and is given a length in order, on the one hand, wholly to surround said set and, on the other hand, moreover to permit the end regions of the envelope sheet to overlap one another, that one or more flaps are formed within said overlapping end regions and that said flaps are brought to coordination in order to seal and/or secure the flaps to one another.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that said envelope sheet is selected from a material, which is identical to the material of the set of associated pulp sheets.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that the length of the envelope sheet is selected so that said end regions will overlap one another a distance which is larger than 10% of the width of the set.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 10, 11 or 12, characterised in that said flaps are selected to be a predetermined number and oriented in a longitudinal orientation of the set.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, characterised in that the number of flaps is selected to be between four and ten.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 13, characterised in that each respective flap is selected to be of a length of between two and ten cm, for example between four and six cm.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 13, characterised in that the distance between two adjacent flaps is selected to be greater than a width given to the flap.

17. A method as claimed in Claim 16, characterised in that the distance is selected to be between 150 and 400% of the width of the flap.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 13, characterised in that said flaps are oriented in two or three rows.

19. The method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that said compressed set is given in any event one tray-shaped upper surface portion.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that the depth of the tray formation is adapted to be slightly less than a length given to each respective flap.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or 19, characterised in that an abutment is inserted between an uppermost surface of the set and overlapping end regions in order, by means of a punch arrangement, to cause the formation of said flaps.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21, characterised in that a rail is selected as said abutment and in which rail there are formed a number and/or a row of recesses cor¬ responding to the configuration of flaps.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or 22, characterised in that said flaps are bent in a direction towards said tray-shaped upper surface and are displaced further towards a sealing and/or securing position by said means.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, characterised in that the movement of the abutment or the means is selected to be horizontal.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 19, 20, 23 or 24, characterised in that, during the bending or rotational movement of the flap about a created bending line or the like, the flap is bent under a sliding cooperation along the inner surface of the tray-like formation.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that the material in the envelope is selected as a pulp sheet with a grammage of 500 to 1,200 g/m².

27. A method as claimed in Claim 10, 11 or 26, characterised in that the material is selected to have a structure corresponding to the structure afforded by longfibres.

28. A method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that the material in the envelope is selected to be rigid and that coordinated flaps within a row are bent si¬ multaneously at an angle towards 180° or slightly less.

29. A method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that first means are to move the end region of the sheet-shaped envelope so as to overlap one another.

30. A method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that a second means is to move in between the overlapping end regions and the upper surface of the com¬ pressed pulp sheets so as to serve as an abutment.

31. A method as claimed in Claim 21, 22 or 23, characterised in that a third means is to be adapted to punch out coordinated flaps from the end regions while utilising said subjacent abutment.

32. A method as claimed in Claim 30, characterised in that fourth means are to be adapted to bend said flaps simultaneously against the underside of the end regions, and said fourth means may consist of a horizontal movement of said second means and a fifth means should be able to displace said second means out of the position between the overlapping end regions and the upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets.

33. A method as claimed in Claim 30 or 32, characterised in that sixth means are to be able to displace said second means out of the position between the overlapping end regions and the upper surface of the compressed pulp sheets.

34. A paper pulp bale, characterised in that a compressed set of pulp sheets or the like is enclosed by a single envelope sheet of a width corresponding to a length given to the set and a length which affords an overlapping of the end regions of the enve¬ lope sheet, and that the end regions are secured or sealed to one another.