Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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" OPEN TOP FINGER BALER "
This invention relates to an improved open top baler built for
efficiency, performance and safety.
" BACKGROUND ART "
Open top balers offer many benefits when compacting
fibrous materials, where materials are compacted into a bale
for storage, transport and handling. Such baling operations
are performed by a variety of press types. Most press types
are of a vertical nature where a pressing plate moving in a
to vertical plane where materials are placed in a fixed sized
hopper " a door closed ". The pressing plate then forces the
materials into a lower hopper for compaction. Many open top
balers have a rotary wheel where materials are rolled and
munched to form a compacted bale. Many open top balers
make poorly shaped bales which create transport difficulties.
Open top , balers have experienced exceptance problems in
many places on account of possible accidental entry from
overhead and possible associated injuries.
" DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION "
It is therefore an object of the present invention top provide
a pressing system which will go towards obviating or
minimising the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet
effective manner.
The present invention therefore provides a baling press
comprising of an enclosure into which material is to be
compressed. A hopper located above the mouth of the
enclosure and positioned to feed material to be baled into the
enclosure, a plurality of pressing fingers extending into the
hopper through vertical slots in the hopper walls. Actuation
3o means arranged to move the fingers downwardly from an
elevated position in the hopper to a lower position adjacent to
the mouth of the enclosure, then to return the fingers to an
elevated position.
The pressing mechanism consists of pressing fingers
pivotally attached outside hopper walls to main arms which in
turn are pivotally attached to extensions of the pressing
enclosure.
The said actuation means is linked to the pressing
fingers in such a manner as to cause them to stand rigidly
q.o outwards into the hopper when they are moved downwardly.
The said actuating means is so linked to the pressing fingers
to cause them to retract from the hopper when moved
upwardly. The mechanical geometry is so arranged to ensure
that the fingers withdraw through the slotted wall with
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minimal disturbance to materials in the upper holding
chamber.
The utility of this pressing action allows many useful
control functions to be integrated into the electronic control
package. Further there is scope to incorporate sophisticated
to safety procedures and detection systems. During a pressing
cycle the pressing fingers follow a path inside the hopper. The
pressing fingers withdraw from the hopper on the upward
path. Presses are equipped with an upper and lower door for
bale removal. The pressing fingers are in a staggered
15 formation to give full bale top coverage yet maintaining
generous clearance between the opposing finger tips.
The press is fully electronically controlled with a PLC
controller. Situated in the upper holding chamber are infra
red sensors which detect material initiating a cycle each
2o time the infra red beam is broken. To protect the open top
system by accidental entry by a person and possible injury as
a result of activating the machine via the infra red beam. A
PIR detector situated above the open hopper. Situated in such
a manner as not to interfere with the loading of the
25 hopper. The PIR detector is linked to the PLC controller to
protect by closing the machine down when entered by a
person or part thereof.
" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS "
Fig. 1 elevation view of press showing finger in several
30_ positions and the path of the fingers during one pressing
cycle.
Fig. 2 elevation view of press showing fingers up and
retracted.
Fig. 3 elevation view of press showing fingers up and
35 extended.
Fig. 4 elevation view of press showing finger part way
down.
Fig. 5 elevation view of press showing fingers down.
Fig. 6 elevation view of finger assembly unit.
4o Fig. ~ part perspective view of press showing fingers
entering the upper chamber through the slotted press wall.
Fig. 8 over head view of the staggered arrangement with
the fingers down.
Fig. g press sketch.
45 Fig. to passive infra red mounting
Fig. m abstract drawing
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" MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION "
The compactor consists of a base and two sides of the
pressing compartment constructed as an integral unit, the
other two sides of the pressing compartment are pivotally
attached. The left and right sides are provided with abutments
onto which the pressing assembles pivot. The left and right
sides and the back have a structure attached to their upper
edge which forms a hopper, a secondary door is hinged above
to the pivotally attached front side.
The compactor is powered by a hydraulic system with
all functions monitored and controlled by electronics. ~ Two
hydraulic cylinders are supplied which power the pressing
assemblies, a third cylinder which powers the bale ejection
mechanism.
All compressible materials require some form of
retention system when compacted and removed from the
compactor. In many applications ropes, strings, strap or wire
placed in a plurality of places around the bale is sufficient.
2o The press has been designed particularly, though not solely
for applying string ties around the bale. The string is supplied
on rolls and placed in a holder on the side of the press, the
end of the string is then threaded through the string lock
unit, sufficient string is drawn through to allow it to be
placed under a clip situated on the floor of the baler. The
string lock is situated on the top right hand side of the baler
hopper and is actuated by the top door. When the top door
is opened the twine lock releases the twine allowing it to be
drawn through for restringing. When the top door is closed,
3o the twine lock locks fastening the twine preventing it being
drawn into the baler with the material flow. In fig. 1 the
compactor consists of a hopper 1, front door 2 and a upper
secondary front door ( not shown ), compressible materials can
be loaded into the hopper 1 for compaction by either opening
the secondary front door or placing the material over
the top directly into the hopper 1.
When the power is switched on, the electronics disable
all detection systems that cause the compactor to
automatically initiate a pressing cycle. The electronic controller
4o has up, down and eject switches. If we assume the compactor
is positioned as shown in figure g, then the down button
must be pressed to commence operation. The electric motor
immediately starts but all ' movement of the press is disabled
for q. seconds, thus giving an audible warning period. The
motor continues to run for 16 seconds after the completion of
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any operation and during this time the 4 seconds operation
delay is disabled. Once the motor has stopped the 4 second
delay is enabled again. The compactor is equipped with a
keyed ignition.
In the preferred form of the invention the passive infra
red detector is incorporated into the open top baler and
positioned, situated and directed in such a manner so as to
provide an electronic curtain for the open top of the baler.
Referring to fig. 1o the baler is equipped with detachable
to framework ( 1g ) attached to this frame work is a special
shaped adjustable shield (15 ), mounted in this shield is a
passive infra red detector. The shield ( 14 ) is so constructed
so as to direct the activity of the PIR into the balers upper
hopper only with no activity from the Passive Infra Red
device outside the baler confines. The entry of material into
the baler hopper will have no effect not registering with the
PIR. Many standard electronic curtains respond to movement
only and as such are unsuitable for this particular application.
The PIR unit responds to a combination of movement and
2o body heat making it ideal for detection of a person or part
thereof. The PIR system is coupled via an electrical lead to
the baler PLC controller so that when the PIR is activated the
controller closes the function of the baler down irrespective of
the position of the balers pressing mechanism may be at the
time. The PIR curtain on account of its particular means of
application creates a very safe system for open top machines.
If the PIR system were to fail or be removed this will render
the baler electronic system inactive. The director shield ( 15 )
is adjustable to suit the various sized openings on different
3o size and shaped machines.
The pressing means are the finger ~ assembly units
situated on either side of the press structure fig's. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
The finger assembles are attached to the baler structure via
four pivot bearing ( 6 A ). The finger assemblies are connected
4o to the double acting hydraulic cylinders ( ~ ) at the top by a
pivot lug ( 9 ) situated on the finger cluster unit ( 3 ) and
attached the bottom end to the press structure ( 13 ). The
hydraulic cylinders are in turn plumbed into a singular
hydraulic system and are controlled by the above mentioned
45 PLC control system. The finger assembly unit fig. 6 consists of
a finger cluster unit ( 3 ) and a carrier frame ( 4 ) and a full
length pivot pin ( 5 ). The finger cluster unit ( 3 ) has a
plurality of staggered fingers. The two outer fingers on the
finger cluster unit protrude to the rear of the cluster unit to
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coupled together as a singular unit by a substantial hollow
bar section which has on its underside ( of the finger cluster
unit g ) the anchor point on which the above mentioned
hydraulic cylinders anchor ( g ).
1o The finger cluster unit ( 3 ) is attached to the carrier
frame ( q. ) by a full length pivot pin ( 5 ), pivot pin ( 5 )
being restrained by a split pin both ends. Welded to the
carrier frame ( q. ) are the stopper lugs ( 6 ), the stopper lugs
( 6 ) contact with the two outer finger rear protrusions. The
stopper lugs ( 6 ) govern the rotational amount of the finger
cluster unit ( 3 ) in both directions. On the pressing stroke the
stopper contacts the finger cluster unit as in fig. 6. On the
retraction or the up stroke the finger cluster unit rotates to
contact the stopper ( 6 ) as in fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the position
of the finger assembly unit with the hydraulic cylinders ( ~ )
fully extended. The fingers are vertical and completely clear of
the loading hopper chamber ( 1 ). At this fully extended point
the spring loaded locking device ( not shown ) engages locking
the finger cluster unit ( 3 ) and the carrier frame ( q. ) into a
rigid unit for the descending stroke, fig. 3.
When the down button is activated the double acting
hydraulic cylinders begin to close drawing the rigid finger
assembly fingers through the slotted walls of the loading
chamber ( ~ ) fig. ~ and proceeding on the downward path
3o sweeping well into the upper chamber fig. q., proceeding all
the way down on their compaction stroke. As the fingers
travel down, they move closer together from each side until
they achieve full travel on the compression stroke fig. ~5. The
staggered finger arrangement spanning to cover the whole
bale top fig. 8. As the fingers approach each other on the
compaction stroke some material is forced into the centre
between the finger points which requires generous clearance
between the finger points to prevent machine damage. The
staggered finger arrangement fig. 8 giving both coverage and
q.o clearance.
The pressing assembly remains in the down position ( fig. 5 )
until further materials are thrown into the loading chamber
( i ), the deposited materials are then detected by the infra
red sensor unit situated in the loading chamber ( 1 ). The
q.5 infra red sensor unit then activates the control system
reversing the direction of the double acting hydraulic cylinders
( 7 ) as the hydraulic cylinders ( ~ ) commence to open on the
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return ( up ) stroke the spring loaded latch which kept the
pressing assembly rigid on their descending stroke is released
causing the assembly to relax and pivot as in fig's.1 and 2.
The assemblies remain relaxed and unlocked until fully
extended as in fig. 3. Because of the relaxed action of the
pressing finger assembly fig.l on account of the finger
retraction path fig.1, finally withdrawing through the slotted
to hopper wall ( stage 2 ), fig. 1. Situated on both sides of the
baler and attached at one end to the press structure and the
other end to the finger assembly unit are position control
struts 11, fig. 2. These strut units are a sealed oil charged unit
which govern the function of the fingers and finger assemblies
on the return ( up ) stroke. Internally the resistance struts have
a piston unit with a value which allows the oil to flow without
restriction on the descending pressing stroke offering no
resistance in this direction. On the return stroke of the
pressing finger assembly ( up ) the strut is forced closed
2o closing off the free flow value and forcing the oil flow through
another path in the piston. This pathway applying a
predetermined amount of resistance, this resistance being
governed by the oil flow speed.
As the finger assembly units begin to rise from a
position as in fig. 5 the position control struts ( 11 ) which are
attached to the finger assembly units by a pair of anchor lugs
10, fig. 6 begin to close slowly applying only a small amount
of resistance at this point of the return stroke. On account of
the geometry of the finger assembly unit, the speed of return
go or layback of the collapsed finger assembly unit greatly
increases. The greatest amount of speed being when the
assembly is as in fig. 2 and correspondently the greatest
amount of resistance is offered by the position control strut
at this point. The increased resistance at this point fig. 2
coupled with the fact that pivot g having the optimum
leverage point in relation to centre pivot 5. The combination
of pivot location, the force applied by the hydraulic cylinder
and the resistance applied in the other direction by the
position control strut combine to create a rotation effect of
4o the finger cluster unit rotating the finger cluster unit g to
stand vertical as in
fig. 2 and fig. 1. When the rotation of the finger cluster unit is
complete the spring loaded lock as previously mentioned but
not illustrated engages. At this point as in fig. 2 the hydraulic
cylinders continue to apply force on the extended finger
assembly unit overcoming the force applied by the position
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control strut, which at this point has relaxed its grip on
account of the decrease in its closing speed. The finger
assembly is then gently pushed back until they come into
contact with polymer
bumpers 12, fig. 3.
The combination of the function of the position control
strut and the baler geometry ensure a smooth bump free
return giving the unit location stability. Fitted into the
1o hydraulic system are pressure switches which are linked into
the electronic control system, these are sensitive and adversely
effected by pressure spikes in the hydraulic system. The
double acting hydraulic cylinder ( ~ ) are regenerated on the
return stroke to speed up their return and as such can create
15 severe pressure spikes in the hydraulic system when the
pressing finger assembly reaches the position as in fig. 2. The
position control struts ensure a smooth spike free return on
account of positioning and timing.
