Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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WRAPPING MECHANISM PROTECTION DEVICE FOR BALE WRAPPING
APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of bale wrapping. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a wrapping mechanism
protection
device for a bale wrapping apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the agricultural field, crop such as, for example and without being
!imitative hay, straw, corn straw or the like, is typically shaped in bales
for handling
and storage. The baled material is commonly subsequently wrapped in wrapping
film such as a plastic wrapping film, for example in order to eventually turn
the crop
into fodder.
[0003] According to different factors such as, for example and without being
limitative, the production needs of the farmers, the storage space, individual
preferences, etc., the bales can be wrapped individually or as a tube
containing
multiple bales continuously wrapped together. Apparatus which can wrap bales
individually or inline (i.e. together in a tube) are known in the art.
[0004] Some of them may include a bale wrapping mechanism for wrapping the
bale received therein with the wrapping film. The bale wrapping mechanism may
include a frame which defines a perimeter configured to circumference the bale
and a middle section aperture configured to receive the bale therein. Such
bale
wrapping mechanism may further include a film-carrying device which is
operatively mounted to the frame for travelling along the perimeter and for
dispensing the wrapping film to at least partially wrap the bale. The film-
carrying
device usually comprises a film-carrying main frame, a spool holder rotatably
mounted on the film-carrying main frame for mounting a spool of the wrapping
film
thereon and optionally, a tensioner, also mounted on the film-carrying main
frame
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at a distance from the spool holder for tensioning the wrapping film being
dispensed. Such known agricultural machinery dedicated to bale wrapping and
which can perform individual bale wrapping and/or inline bale wrapping however
tend to suffer from several drawbacks.
[0005] Indeed, when the bale is ready to be wrapped and is positioned in the
bale
wrapping mechanism of the bale wrapping apparatus, crop debris extending from
the formed bale such as, for example and without being [imitative corn straw
debris
or the like, tend to interface with the wrapping film travelling from the
spool to the
tensioner and/or from the tensioner to the bale, thus perforating parts of the
wrapping film and/or cutting sections of the wrapping film, prior to the
wrapping film
reaching the bale. Storing a wrapped bale of which the wrapping film has been
damaged during the wrapping process (e.g. perforated, cut, etc.) may
negatively
impart on the process of turning the crop into fodder. Most of the time, the
bale
needs to be unwrapped, and re-wrapped, or alternatively, more plastic material
is
needed to adequately and completely wrap the bale. Such alteration of the
wrapping film can therefore lead to additional steps that need to be performed
by
the farmer, and therefore, to an economic loss (loss of time, loss of
material, etc.).
[0006] In view of the above, there is therefore a need for an improved
wrapping
mechanism protection device for a bale wrapping apparatus which, by virtue of
its
design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of
the above-discussed concerns.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a wrapping
mechanism
protection device for a bale wrapping apparatus that overcomes or mitigates
one or
more disadvantages of known bale wrapping apparatus or at least provides a
useful alternative.
[0008] According to an embodiment, there is provided a bale wrapping mechanism
for wrapping a bale received therein with a wrapping film, the bale wrapping
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mechanism comprising: a frame defining a perimeter configured to circumference
the bale and a middle section aperture configured to receive the bale therein;
and a
film-carrying device operatively mounted to the frame for travelling along the
perimeter and for dispensing the wrapping film to at least partially wrap the
bale,
the film-carrying device comprising: a film-carrying main frame; a spool
holder
rotatably mounted on the film-carrying main frame for mounting a spool of the
wrapping film thereon; and a wrapping mechanism protection device extending
from at least one of: the frame and the film-carrying main frame and being
configured to prevent the bale received in the frame to interface with the
wrapping
film when the bale is being wrapped.
[0009] According to another embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the film-carrying device further comprises
a
tensioner mounted on the film-carrying frame at a distance from the spool
holder
for tensioning the wrapping film being dispensed, the wrapping mechanism
protection device being further configured to prevent the bale received in the
frame
to interface with the dispensed wrapping film traveling towards the tensioner
when
the bale is being wrapped.
[0010] According to a further embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the film-carrying main frame comprises
spaced apart longitudinal members for rotatably mounting the spool holder.
[0011] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the bale
wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the film-carrying main frame further
comprises a first transversal member joining the spaced apart longitudinal
members.
[0012] According to another embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the film-carrying main frame further
comprises a second transversal member distant from the first transversal
member,
the second transversal member joining the spaced apart longitudinal members.
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[0013] According to a further embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein one of the spaced apart longitudinal
members defines a first longitudinal member axis, the other one of the spaced
apart members defines a second longitudinal member axis, the first transversal
member defines a first transversal member axis, the second transversal member
defines a second transversal member axis, the first and second longitudinal
member axis being substantially perpendicular to the first and second
transversal
member axis.
[0014] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the bale
wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
defines first and second ends, at least one of the first and second ends of
the
wrapping mechanism protection device being mounted at at least one of the
first
and second transversal members.
[0015] According to another embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the first end of the wrapping mechanism
protection device is being mounted on the first transversal member.
[0016] According to a further embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
defines a first surface and a second surface extending from the first surface
at a
first angle.
[0017] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the bale
wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
defines a third surface extending from the second surface at a second angle.
[0018] According to another embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
defines space apart longitudinal edges and further wherein the wrapping
mechanism protection device comprises spaced apart connection sections
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extending at respectively the spaced apart longitudinal edges to connect the
wrapping mechanism protection device to the film-carrying main frame.
[0019] According to a further embodiment, there is provided the bale wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein one of the spaced apart connection
sections perpendicularly extends from the first surface of the wrapping
mechanism
protection device at one of the spaced apart longitudinal edges, and further
wherein the other one of the spaced apart connection sections perpendicularly
extends from the first surface of the wrapping mechanism protection device at
the
other one of the spaced apart longitudinal edges.
[0020] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the bale
wrapping
mechanism as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
is releasably coupled to the film-carrying main frame.
[0021] According to another embodiment, there is provided a film-carrying
device
for a bale wrapping mechanism adapted to wrap a bale received therein with a
wrapping film, the bale wrapping mechanism comprising a frame defining a
perimeter configured to circumference the bale and a middle section aperture
configured to receive the bale therein, the film carrying device being adapted
to be
operatively mounted to the frame for travelling along the perimeter and to
dispense
the wrapping film to at least partially wrap the bale, the film-carrying
device
comprising: a film-carrying main frame; a spool holder rotatably mounted on
the
film-carrying main frame for mounting a spool of the wrapping film thereon;
and a
wrapping mechanism protection device extending from the film-carrying main
frame and being configured to prevent the bale received in the frame to
interface
with the wrapping film when the bale is being wrapped.
[0022] According to a further embodiment, there is provided the film-carrying
device as defined above, further comprising a tensioner mounted on the film-
carrying frame at a distance from the spool holder for tensioning the wrapping
film
being dispensed, the wrapping mechanism protection device being further
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configured to prevent the bale received in the frame to interface with the
dispensed
wrapping film travelling from the spool holder towards the tensioner when the
bale
is being wrapped.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the film-
carrying
device as defined above, wherein the film-carrying main frame comprises spaced
apart longitudinal members for rotatably mounting the spool holder, a first
transversal member joining the spaced apart longitudinal members and a second
transversal member at a distance from the first transversal member, the second
transversal member joining the spaced apart longitudinal members.
[0024] According to another embodiment, there is provided the film-carrying
device
as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device defines a
first surface and a second surface extending from the first surface at a first
angle.
[0025] According to a further embodiment, there is provided the film-carrying
device as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
defines a third surface extending from the second surface at a second angle.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the film-
carrying
device as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device
defines space apart longitudinal edges and further wherein the wrapping
mechanism protection device comprises spaced apart connection sections
extending from the spaced apart longitudinal edges to connect the wrapping
mechanism protection device to the film-carrying main frame.
[0027] According to another embodiment, there is provided the film-carrying
device
as defined above, wherein the wrapping mechanism protection device defines
first
and second ends, at least one of the first and second ends of the wrapping
mechanism protection device being mounted at at least one of the first and
second
transversal members.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent upon
reading the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof,
given for
the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings
in which:
[0029] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a bale wrapping apparatus in
accordance
with an embodiment and where bale wrapping apparatus is configured in an
inline
bale wrapping configuration.
[0030] Figure 2 is an isometric view of the bale wrapping apparatus of Figure
1,
where bale wrapping apparatus is configured in a single bale wrapping
configuration.
[0031] Figures 3A to 3C are views of the bale wrapping apparatus of Figure 1
which is configured in the inline bale wrapping configuration, showing
different
stages a sequence of operation which provides the wrapping of multiple bales
in a
single tube, where:
[0032] Figures 3A and 3B are respectively a left side elevation view and a
front
elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with the first bale being in a
wrapping
section of the apparatus and further, being wrapped by a bale wrapping
mechanism; and
[0033] Figure 3C is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
multiple bales being wrapped in a single tube.
[0034] Figures 4A and 4B are views of the bale wrapping apparatus of Figure 2
which is configured in the single bale wrapping configuration and showing a
stage
of a sequence of operation which provides the wrapping of a single bale, where
Figures 4A and 4B are respectively a left side elevation view and a front
elevation
view of the wrapping apparatus with the bale being positioned in the wrapping
section during the wrapping process.
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[0035] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the film-carrying device in
accordance
with an embodiment;
[0036] Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the film-carrying device of Figure
5; and
[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the film-carrying
device
of Figure 5 dispensing a wrapping film on a bale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to
similar
elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to
not
unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures
contain
references to all the components and features, and references to some
components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and
features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can
be
easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations,
materials
mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present
disclosure are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes.
[0039] Moreover, although the embodiments of the wrapping mechanism
protection device and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain
geometrical
configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these
components and
geometries are needed and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense.
It is
to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other
suitable
components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable
geometrical
configurations, may be used for the wrapping mechanism protection device, as
will
be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person
skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that positional descriptions
such as
"downstream", "upstream", "above", "below", "left", "right" and the like
should,
unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and
correspond to
the position and orientation of the wrapping mechanism protection device and
corresponding parts shown in the Figures, with "upstream" corresponding to a
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position closer to a bale loading support structure of the bale wrapping
apparatus
and "downstream" corresponding to a position closer to a bale unloading
support
structure of the bale wrapping apparatus. Positional descriptions should not
be
considered limiting.
[0040] To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative and
qualitative expressions given herein may be qualified with the terms "about"
and
"substantially". It is understood that whether the terms "about" and
"substantially"
are used explicitly or not, every quantity or qualification given herein is
meant to
refer to an actual given value or qualification, and it is also meant to refer
to the
approximation to such given value or qualification that would reasonably be
inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due
to the
experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value.
[0041] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3A-
3C
and 4A-4C, there is shown a bale wrapping apparatus 20, which is provided with
a
wrapping mechanism protection device 84 adapted and configured to prevent the
wrapping film 36 that is being dispensed to interface with crop splinters
extending
from the formed bale 30 such as, for example and without being [imitative corn
straw debris or the like, when the bale 30 is positioned in the bale wrapping
mechanism of the bale wrapping apparatus and is being wrapped.
[0042] Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a bale
wrapping apparatus 20 for wrapping bales of crop such as, for example and
without being limitative, hay, haylage, straw, corn straw, etc. or any
combination
thereof. The bales usually have a cylindrical shape or a square shape and are
wrapped with plastic film to promote, for instance, fermentation in the
production of
fodder or silage. In the agricultural field, bales are typically wrapped
individually or
inline (i.e. in a tube of multiple bales). In the case of individual wrapping
of
cylindrical bales, the bales are individually wrapped on their rounded
peripheral
surface and on their substantially flat ends. In the case of inline wrapping
(i.e.
multiple wrapping), multiple bales are successively wrapped on their rounded
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peripheral surface. The substantially flat ends of the first and last bales of
the tube
which define the extremities of the tube of successive bales can also be
wrapped
to ensure sealing of the tube and prevent spoilage of the fodder. One skilled
in the
art will understand that, wrapping of the substantially flat ends of the first
and last
bales of the tube which define the extremities of the tube can be performed
before
or after the inline wrapping described below and will not be described in
detail
herein. The tubes may have various lengths according to the number of bales
wrapped, no specific limitations being created by the apparatus for the number
of
successive bales that can be wrapped in the inline bale wrapping
configuration.
[0043] As will be easily understood by one skilled in the art, the bale
wrapping
apparatus 20 described herein is presented as an apparatus designed for
wrapping
bales, but it could also be used to wrap other objects such as and without
being
!imitative boxes, packages, bundles of items or the like.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bale wrapping apparatus
20 is configurable between an inline bale wrapping configuration (Figure 1)
where
the apparatus 20 is configured to receive bales in a longitudinal orientation
(i.e. to
receive the bales in an orientation where they are longitudinally
substantially
parallel to a longitudinal axis L), and a single bale wrapping configuration
(Figure 2)
where the bale wrapping apparatus 20 is configured to receive rounded bales in
a
crosswise orientation (i.e. to receive the bales in an orientation where they
are
longitudinally substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. One
skilled in
the art will however understand that, in an embodiment, the bale wrapping
apparatus 20 could operate only in an inline bale wrapping configuration (as
shown
in Figure 1) or a single bale wrapping configuration (as shown in Figure 2),
the
wrapping mechanism protection device 84 which will be described in more
details
below, being independent from the wrapping configuration of the bale wrapping
apparatus 20. In fact, both configurations are shown herein to show the
versatility
of the wrapping mechanism protection device 84, which can be used in either or
both configurations of the bale wrapping apparatus 20.
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[0045] In the embodiment shown, the bale wrapping apparatus 20 comprises a
bale loading support structure 22, a bale wrapping mechanism 24 and a bale
unloading support structure 26 positioned successively along the longitudinal
axis
L of bale wrapping apparatus 20. The bale wrapping apparatus 20 also comprises
a chassis 32 onto which the bale loading support structure 22, the bale
wrapping
mechanism 24 and the bale unloading support structure 26 are mounted.
[0046] The bale loading support structure 22 defines a receiving end 23 and is
sized, shaped and/or configured such as to receive unwrapped bales. In an
embodiment, the bale loading support structure 22 also comprises a bale
biasing
member 42 (or pusher) which is movable longitudinally along the bale loading
support structure 22 (i.e. movable in a direction substantially parallel to
longitudinal
axis L) to push an unwrapped bale towards wrapping section 40.
[0047] The bale unloading support structure 26 is positioned downstream of
wrapping section 40 and is sized, shaped and configured such as to receive
wrapped bales from the bale wrapping mechanism 24, with the bales travelling
onto the bale unloading support structure 26, towards an adjacent ground
surface.
In the embodiment shown, the bale unloading support structure 26 includes a
plurality of free rolling rollers 27 operating as conveying elements to favor
the
movement of the bales on bale unloading support structure 26 and towards the
adjacent ground surface. One skilled in the art will however understand that
other
types of conveying elements could alternatively be used.
[0048] Still referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown that the bale
wrapping
mechanism 24 is positioned in the wrapping section 40 defined between the bale
loading support structure 22 and the bale unloading support structure 26 along
the
longitudinal axis L of the bale wrapping apparatus 20. The bale wrapping
mechanism 24 defines a rotation axis R which is substantially perpendicular to
the
longitudinal axis L. The bale wrapping mechanism 24 includes a frame 48 and a
film-carrying device 28 which is drivable onto/along frame 48 to rotate around
a
bale.
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[0049] The frame or hoop 48 is mounted to the chassis 32 of the bale wrapping
apparatus 20 and extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis L, between
lateral portions/edges of the chassis 32. The frame 48 is adjacent to a
downstream
portion of the bale loading support structure 22. The frame 48 defines a void
middle section or middle section aperture 48A and is shaped and sized such as
to
receive a bale positioned in the wrapping section 40, in the void middle
section 48A
thereof, with the frame 48 surrounding a section of the bale positioned in the
wrapping section 40. The frame 48 defines an annular shape. In the course of
the
present disclosure, the term "annular" is used to refer to a shape defining a
ring
around a center void and which can have a circular shape or a non-circular
shape
(e.g. hexagonal shape, octagonal shape, square shape) with rounded corners, to
allow a smooth movement of the film-carrying device 28 to be performed around
a
bale. The film-carrying device 28 is operatively and slidably mounted to the
frame
48 and is movable/slidable along the periphery of frame 48 to be driven around
a
bale positioned in the wrapping section 40. Therefore, it can be appreciated
that
the frame 48 may have any appropriate size, shape and/or configuration which
would allow film-carrying device 28 to dispense film around a bale.
[0050] In order to dispense film and to cover at least part of a bale passing
within
the middle section or middle section aperture 48A of the frame 48, the film-
carrying
device 28 comprises a spool holder 60 for rotatably mounting a spool 62 of
wrapping film. The film-carrying device 28 also includes a tensioner 63 for
tensioning the wrapping film being dispensed and further, for wrapping around
a
bale as the film-carrying device 28 is driven around the bale. As illustrated,
frame
48 of bale wrapping mechanism 24 extends substantially perpendicular with
respect to the longitudinal axis L.
[0051] Referring now more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, there is
shown
in more details the bale wrapping mechanism 24 for wrapping a bale, such as
bale
30 which is received therein, using wrapping film 36. Indeed, as defined
above, the
bale wrapping mechanism 24 comprises the frame 48 which defines a perimeter 80
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configured such as to circumference the bale 30. The frame 48 further defines
the
middle section aperture 48A, which is configured to receive the bale 30
therein.
The bale wrapping mechanism 24 further comprises the film-carrying device 28
which is operatively mounted to the frame 48 for travelling along perimeter 80
and
for dispensing wrapping film 36 to at least partially wrap the bale 30.
[0052] As best illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the film-carrying device 28
comprises a film-carrying main frame 82, with the spool holder 60 being
rotatably
mounted on the film-carrying main frame 82 for mounting the spool 62 of
wrapping
film 36 thereon, and the tensioner 63, which is mounted on the film-carrying
main
frame 82 at a distance from the spool holder 60, for tensioning the wrapping
film 36
being dispensed (see Figure 7). The film-carrying device 28 further comprises
a
wrapping mechanism protection device 84, which extends from the film-carrying
main frame 82. The wrapping mechanism protection device 84 is configured to
prevent the bale 30 received in the frame 48 (e.g. the debris (i.e., strings,
threads,
strands etc.) extending from or provided by the bale 30) to interface with the
wrapping film (i.e. with the spool 62 of wrapping film 36, the tensioner 63,
and/or
the wrapping film 36 extending therefrom or in-between), when the bale 30 is
being
wrapped. Indeed, the wrapping mechanism protection device 84 is configured to
prevent wrapping film 36 dispensed from the spool 62 towards the tensioner 63
and/or from the tensioner 63 to the bale 30, to interface with splinters (e.g.
stems,
stalks, twigs, or the like) extending from the bale 30.
[0053] Even though the wrapping mechanism protection device 84 is shown to
extend from the film-carrying main frame 82, it is important to be mentioned
that a
person skilled in the art to which the bale wrapping mechanism 24 pertains
would
understand that, instead of extending from the film-carrying main frame 82,
the
wrapping mechanism protection device 84 could extend directly from the frame
48,
or from any other component of the bale wrapping apparatus 20, while still
running
along the perimeter 80 of the frame 48 together with the film-carrying device
28
and preventing the bale 30 received in the frame 48 to interface with the
spool 62
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of wrapping film 36 and/or with the tensioner 63, when the bale 30 is being
wrapped (or at least as it prevents interfacing with the spool 62 of wrapping
film 36
and with wrapping film 36 being dispensed from spool 62 and travelling towards
tensioner 63).
[0054] Still referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, there is shown that the film-
carrying
main frame 82 comprises spaced apart longitudinal members 86, 88 which are
configured to rotatably mount the spool holder 60 and to receive the tensioner
63.
The film-carrying main frame 82 further comprises a first transversal member
90
which joins the spaced apart longitudinal members 86, 88, as well as a second
transversal member 92, which is found at a distance from the first transversal
member 90. As illustrated, the second transversal member 92 also joins the
spaced apart longitudinal members 86, 88. The longitudinal member 86 defines a
first longitudinal member axis L1, the longitudinal member 88 defines a second
longitudinal member axis L2, the first transversal member 90 defines a first
transversal member axis T1, while the second transversal member 92 defines a
second transversal member axis T2. As shown, the first and second member
longitudinal axis L1, L2 are being oriented substantially perpendicularly to
the first
and second member transversal axis T1, T2.
[0055] Still referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, there is further shown that the
wrapping
mechanism protection device 84 defines first and second ends 94, 96. In the
embodiment shown, the first end 94 of the wrapping mechanism protection device
84 is mounted on the first transversal member 90, while the second end 96 of
the
wrapping mechanism protection device 84 is mounted on the spaced apart
longitudinal members 86, 88, as it will be described in more details below.
[0056] In the embodiment shown, the wrapping mechanism protection device 84
defines a first surface 98, a second surface 100 which extends from first
surface 98
at a first angle el , as well as a third surface 102 which extends from second
surface 100 at a second angle e2. The first surface 98, second surface 100 and
third surface 102 may be integrally formed and for example, folded within a
single
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sheet of material, such as, for example and without being [imitative, a
plastic,
sheet, a metallic material sheet or the like. Indeed, a first group of folds
104 may
be provided between the first surface 98 and the second surface 100 (the
second
surface 100 being inwardly folded relatively to the first surface 98 at the
first group
of folds 104), while a second fold 106 may be provided between the second
surface 100 and the third surface 102 (the third surface 102 being outwardly
folded
relatively to the second surface 100 at the second fold 106, 192 defining a
substantially perpendicular angle).
[0057] Even though the wrapping mechanism protection device 84 is being
illustrated as defining the first surface 98, the second surface 100 and the
third
surface 102, it is to be noted that a person skilled in the art to which bale
wrapping
mechanism 24 pertains would understand that the wrapping mechanism protection
device 84 may take any shape, size and/or configuration, while still allowing
the
film-carrying device 28 to operatively run along the perimeter 80 of the frame
48
and prevent the bale 30 received in frame 48 to interface with the spool 62 of
wrapping film 36 and/or with the tensioner 63 (most importantly, with spool 62
and
further, with wrapping film 36 dispensed from spool 62 and travelling towards
the
tensioner 63), when the bale 30 is being wrapped.
[0058] Still referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, there is shown that the wrapping
mechanism protection device 84 further defines space apart longitudinal edges
112, 114. The wrapping mechanism protection device 84 further comprises spaced
apart connection sections 116, 118. Each one of the paced apart connection
sections 116, 118 downwardly extends from the first surface 98 at respectively
spaced apart longitudinal edges 112, 114 to connect the wrapping mechanism
protection device 84 to the film-carrying main frame 82. A third fold 108 and
a
fourth fold 110 may therefore be provided between the first surface 98 of
wrapping
mechanism protection device 84 and respectively spaced apart connection
sections 116, 118. Indeed, each one of spaced apart connection sections 116,
118
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extends substantially perpendicularly from first surface 98 of wrapping
mechanism
protection device 84.
[0059] Once again, a person skilled in the art to which bale wrapping
mechanism
24 pertains would understand that connecting the wrapping mechanism protection
device 84 to the film-carrying main frame 82, or to any other component of the
bale
wrapping mechanism 24 or of bale wrapping apparatus 20, may take any form
while still allowing the wrapping mechanism protection device 84 to provide a
protection separating the bale 30 from the spool 62 of wrapping film 36 and
further,
from tensioner 63 (but most importantly, from the wrapping film 36 being
dispensed
from the spool 62 and travelling towards the tensioner 63).
[0060] According to the present scenario, a first fastener 120 and a second
fastener 122 are provided to connect the first end 94 of the wrapping
mechanism
protection device 84 with the first transversal member 90 via apertures 128,
130
located in the third surface 102. A third fastener 124 is provided to connect
the
connection section 116 found about the second end 96 of wrapping mechanism
protection device 84 with the longitudinal member 86 via aperture 132 located
on
connection section 116, while a fourth fastener (not shown) is provided to
connect
the connection section 118 found about second end 96 of wrapping mechanism
protection device 84 with the longitudinal member 88 via an aperture (not
shown).
Indeed, the connection sections 116, 118 perpendicularly extends from the
wrapping mechanism protection device 84 at spaced apart longitudinal edges
112,
114. Other configurations of wrapping mechanism protection device 84 are
however possible. For example, a wrapping mechanism protection device may
take the form or shape of a casing with side walls which would totally cover
the
spool holder 60 and/or tensioner 63 and which would extend along the full
length of
both longitudinal members 86, 88 (according to that scenario, it would not be
possible to reach the spool 62 and/or tensioner 63 from one or the other of
the
sides of the film-carrying device 28). A person skilled in the art to which
the bale
wrapping mechanism 24 pertains would understand that the film-carrying main
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frame 82 and wrapping mechanism protection device 84 may further be integrally
formed.
[0061] Still referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, there is shown that the film-
carrying
device 28 further comprises a first mounting member 136 and a second mounting
member 138, found at a distance from the first mounting member 136, which both
extends from the longitudinal member 88. Indeed, the first mounting member 136
is located at the intersection of the longitudinal member 88 and the first
transversal
member 90, while the second mounting member 138 is located at the intersection
of the longitudinal member 88 and the second transversal member 92. The first
and second mounting members 136, 138 are configured to mount the film carrying
device 28 on a rotatable annular member 144 extending along a perimeter 80 of
the frame 48 and rotatable about the frame 48, to rotate the film carrying
device 28
repetitively around the bale 30 received in the void middle section 48A of the
frame
48. In an embodiment, the rotatable annular member 144 includes a plurality of
roller assemblies 99 (See Figures 1 and 2) engaging an outer surface of the
frame
48 to allow the rotatable annular member 144 to rotate thereabout when set in
rotation, for example by a motor (not shown).
[0062] In the embodiment shown, each one of first and second mounting members
136, 138 comprises a first plate 140 and a second plate 142, spaced apart from
the
first plate 140 and mounted to opposed sides of a corresponding section of the
rotatable annular member 144. As shown, the first transversal member 90 will
receive the first and second longitudinal members 86, 88, as well as the first
and
second plates 140, 142 of the first mounting member 136, while the second
transversal member 92 will receive the first and second longitudinal members
86,
88, as well as the first and second plates 140, 142 of the second mounting
member
138. A person skilled in the art to which the bale wrapping mechanism 24
pertains
would however understand that connecting the film-carrying device 28 to the
frame
48 may take any form and therefore, that the first and second mounting member
136, 138 and the rotatable annular member 144 may take any shape, size and/or
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configurations to allow the spool 62, tensioner 63 and wrapping mechanism
protection device or deflector 84 to travel along the perimeter 80 of the
frame 48,
while protecting wrapping film 36 dispensed from spool 62 and travelling
towards
tensioner 63 from splinters 154 of bale 30 (see for example Figure 7).
[0063] Now referring more particularly to Figure 7, there is shown that, once
the
film-carrying device 28 is in a wrapping operation and travels along the
perimeter
80 of the frame 48 in the direction of arrow 150, the wrapping film 36 is
being
dispensed in the direction of arrows 152 from spool 62 towards tensioner 63,
and
further, from tensioner 63 towards bale 30. Thanks to the positioning and
configuration of the wrapping mechanism protection device or deflector 84,
splinters 154 of corn straw or the like., are prevented from interfacing with
the
wrapping film 36 of the film-carrying device 28. Such configuration of the
wrapping
mechanism protection device or deflector 84 significantly reduces chances of
perforating wrapping film 36 by splinters 154 from the bale 30, prior to the
film 36
reaching bale 30.
[0064] Now referring to Figures 1 to 4B, in both the inline bale wrapping
configuration (Figures 1 and 3A to 3C) and the single bale wrapping
configuration
(Figures 2 and 4A, 4B), the film-carrying device 28 rotates around one bale 30
(or
multiple bales) to dispense wrapping film 36 and wrap the corresponding bale
positioned in wrapping section 40. The distinction between the inline bale
wrapping
configuration (Figures 1 and 3A to 3C) and the single bale wrapping
configuration
(Figures 2 and 4A, 4B) is that, in the inline bale wrapping configuration, the
bales
30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E are maintained in the same angular position as they
move through the wrapping section 40 and towards bale unloading support
structure 26, while, in the single bale wrapping configuration, the bale 30 is
driven
in rotation about rotation axis R while it is being wrapped in wrapping
section 40. In
the inline bale wrapping configuration multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E
can
be wrapped successively in a single tube (as shown in Figure 3B)
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lnline bale wrapping
[0065] Figures 3A to 3C show multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E are being
wrapped in a single wrapping tube, as the apparatus is configured in the
inline
wrapping configuration.
[0066] Figures 3A and 3B show a first bale 30A being displaced from the bale
loading support structure 22 to the wrapping section 40 by the bale biasing
member 42 being moved longitudinally towards wrapping section 40. In Figures
3A
and 3B, the first bale 30A is being partly wrapped into wrapping film 36 by
the bale
wrapping mechanism 24.
[0067] Figure 3C shows multiple bales being wrapped by being successively
pushed from the bale loading support structure 22 towards the wrapping section
40
by the bale biasing member 42 being longitudinally displaced towards the
wrapping
section 40. The forward surface of each new bale being pushed into the
wrapping
section 40 is pressed against a rearward surface of a corresponding downstream
bale, such that upstream bale pushes the downstream bale out of the wrapping
section 40 and onto the bale unloading support structure 26. The new bale
being
positioned in the wrapping section 40 is therefore also wrapped in wrapping
film 36
by the bale wrapping mechanism 24, such that the multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C,
30D, 30E, are being wrapped in a single wrapping tube.
Single bale wrapping
[0068] Figures 4A and 4B show a bale 30 being wrapped, as the apparatus is
configured in the single bale wrapping configuration, in order to wrap bales
individually.
[0069] Figures 4A and 4B show the film-carrying device 28 being brought in
movement along frame 48 and therefore, around bale 30, to cover an outer
surface
of the bale 30 with wrapping film 36, as the bale 30 is rotated along rotation
axis
R, in order to cover the entire surface defined by bale 30 with wrapping film
36.
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[0070] Referring to Figures 1 to 4B and 7, as mentioned above, once the film-
carrying device 28 is in the wrapping operation and travels along the
perimeter 80
of frame 48 in the direction of arrow 150, wrapping film 36 is being dispensed
in the
direction of arrows 152 from the spool 62 towards the tensioner 63, and
further,
from tensioner 63 towards the single bale 30 being wrapped or the
corresponding
one of the multiple unwrapped bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E. Thanks to the
positioning and configuration of wrapping mechanism protection device or
deflector
84, splinters 154 of corn straw of the like, are prevented from interfacing
with
wrapping film 36 found in film-carrying device 28, which significantly reduces
the
chances of perforating the wrapping film 36 by splinters 154 from the bale 30
prior
to the wrapping film 36 reaching the single bale 30 being wrapped or the
corresponding one of the multiple unwrapped bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E.
[0071] In view of the above, thanks to the positioning and configuration of
the
wrapping mechanism protection device or deflector 84, splinters 154 of corn
straw
or the like, are prevented from interfacing with the wrapping film 36 found in
the
film-carrying device 28. As mentioned above, this results in a significant
reduction
of the probabilities of perforation of the wrapping film 36 by splinters 154
prior it
reaches bale 30, which is advantageous as it provides overall greater
integrity and
water and humidity tightness of the wrapping film covering provided over the
bale
30.
[0072] In an embodiment, the bale wrapping apparatus 20 further comprises
moving means such as wheels 46 to enable wrapping of bales and displacement of
bale wrapping apparatus 20 in a field for example. It can be appreciated that
bale
wrapping apparatus 20 can comprise other moving means or that it can be
stationary.
[0073] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and
illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended
to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate
the
features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and
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variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would
further
appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination
with
the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention
could
be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central
characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are
to
be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the
invention is
not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific
embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come
to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely
by the
scope of the appended claims.
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