IES72136B2 - Improvements in or relating to a bale wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

AFPLiCATiOK He, 'X*** PPA930 This invention relates to improvements in or relating to a bale wrapping machine.

Bale wrapping machines are well known. They generally comprise a turntable platform mounted on a fixed or mobile base the platform being rotatable relative to the base about a substantially horizontal plane. Mounted on the platform are rollers capable of rotating a cylindrically shaped bale of straw about its own axis. A feeding mechanism is provided for feeding a wrapping material, such as polyethylene, to the bale.

Thus, with the combined rotation of the platform and the bale, the bale is automatically wrapped in its entirety following which it may be discharged from the machine.

In the case of the known machines, the feeding mechanism comprises a support for the roll of wrapping material together with rollers for enabling the smooth delivery of the material to the bale.

The wrapping material is dispensed from a cylindrical roll which, when full of the material, is relatively heavy and difficult to lift. Again in the known machines, it is necessary to lift the roll of material relatively high and with its axis substantially vertical so as to suitably engage the roll in the feeding mechanism. Because of the weight of the full roll of wrapping material and moreover, because of the design of the feeding mechanism, the lifting must be done manually. Inherent dangers associated with such manual lifting include back injury, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive and convenient solution to this problem.

The invention, therefore, provides in a .bale wrapping machine having a rotatable platform on which is mounted a bale rotating mechanism; means for feeding bale wrapping material to the rotating bale said means including a support means for a roll or bobbin of the bale wrapping material the improvement which comprises providing a spindle for the bobbin which spindle when in a first position of use enables the bobbin to be placed thereon with its axis in a substantially horizontal position and when in a second position of use enables the support of the bobbin with its axis in a substantially vertical in-use condition.

The invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a bale wrapping machine according to the invention; Figures 2-4 are perspective views of the * support means for the bale wrapping material in various positions of use.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a bale wrapping machine 10 according to the invention.

For ease of understanding, a full detailed view of the machine 10 is not shown. This should not affect the full understanding of the operation of the machine as (a) the parts not shown are well-known to those skilled in the art and (b) the improvements are fully shown in the drawings.

The machine 10 generally comprises a base 11 having wheels 50 for enabling the machine 10 to be towed by a vehicle such as a tractor (not shown) Mounted on the base 11 is a rotatable platform 12 which is capable of rotating in a substantially horizontal plane. Mounted on the platform 12 is a plurality of rollers of which two (13, 14) are shown. The rollers 13,14 are connected by endless belts 15,15,17 as are the other rollers.

In use, a cylindrical bale of hay is placed on the rollers 13,14 and by appropriate well-known means, the platform 12 is capable of rotating substantially horizontally while at the same time the plurality of rollers 13,14 rotate thereby causing the bale to rotate about its own axis.

Attached to the base 11 is an arm 20 which supports an upright 21. Attached to this upright is a plurality of rollers generally shown as 22 for guiding bale wrapping material from a bobbin of the material to the bale per se. Thus, with the bale rotating in the manner described above, the bale wrapping material is automatically pulled from the bobbin of material resulting in the complete wrapping of the bale following an appropriate number of revolutions of the platform 13 depending on the size of the bale.

Referring now to Figures 2-4, there is shown the upright 21 having the rollers 22 mounted thereon.

Projecting substantially from the upright 21 is first arm 25 which supports a rod 26 capable of being moved vertically but also being capable of being held in a desired location by a lock nut 27. The base of the rod 26 has a suitable disc 28 for engaging with the bobbin of bale wrapping material.

Also attached to the upright 21 is second arm 35. The arm 35 supports a spindle 36 for engaging with the bobbin of bale wrapping material. The arm 35 is attached to the upright 21 so as to be capable of pivotal movement relative thereto. Thus, in Figure 2 of the drawings, the arm 35 is shown in a second position of use resulting in the spindle 36 being in a substantially vertical position. In Figure 3, the arm 35 is shown in an intermediate position of use so that the spindle 36 is approximately at 45° relative to the upright 21; in Figure 4, the arm 35 is shown in a first position of use so that the spindle 36 is substantially horizontal (approximately 90°) relative to the upright 21.

When in the first position of use, it is relatively easy to mount thereon the bobbin of bale wrapping material following which, the spindle 36 is placed in the second position of use thereby enabling the bale wrapping material to be threaded through the rollers 22. Prior to placing the spindle 36 in the first position of use, the rod 26 is slightly elevated so as to enable the bobbin to assume the vertical condition following which the rod 26 is lowered thereby enabling the disc 28 to engage with the bobbin. The base of the spindle 36 also has a disc 38 similar to the disc 28 to engage with the other end of the bobbin. Thus, by now lowering the rod 26, the disc 28 engages with the bobbin which together with the disc 38 provides a support for the bobbin which is capable of rotating relative thereto.

The significant advantage of the improvement is that because the combined weight of the bobbin and bale wrapping material is relatively heavy, it is possible with relative ease than heretofore to mount the material onto the machine when the spindle 35 is in the second position of use.

The invention is not limited by or to the specific embodiment described which can undergo considerable variation without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS;

1. In a bale wrapping machine having a rotatable platform on which is mounted a bale rotating mechanism; means for feeding bale wrapping material to the rotating bale said means including a support means for a roll or bobbin of the bale wrapping material the improvement which comprises providing a spindle for the bobbin which spindle when in a first position of use enables the bobbin to be placed thereon with its axis in a substantially horizontal position and when in a second position of use enables the support of the bobbin with its axis in a substantially vertical in-use condition.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the spindle is mounted on a second arm rotatably mounted on the support means, the arm enabling the spindle to assume said first, second or intermediate positions of use.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 2 which further comprises a first arm mounted on said support means in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship and above said second arm; said first arm supporting a rod which is capable of substantially vertical movement towards and away from said spindle, the rod and the spindle being in substantially co-axial alignment; means for releasably securing the rod against vertical movement; said rod 5 providing additional support for the bobbin.

4. . A machine as claimed wherein the base of the rod incorporates a disc member for positive engagement with the bobbin when the bobbin is in the vertical position of 10 use.

5. A machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and or illustrated in the accompanying drawings .