Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
014134-0035
INLINE BALE WRAPPING APPARATUS WITH ACTIVATABLE
DISPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bale wrapping machinery.
More
particularly, it relates to an apparatus designed to perform inline bale
wrapping of
multiple adjacent bales, with a specific operation of the apparatus while the
first bales
of a tube of bales are laid on the ground to minimize movement of the firsts
bales on
the ground and the corresponding damaging of the wrapping that could be caused
by the rubbing of the wrapping on the ground surface.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the field of agriculture, it is common to use wrapping apparatuses,
such as
inline wrappers for wrapping together multiple bales of crop such as, for
example
and without being limitative hay, straw, corn straw or the like, to form a
tube
containing multiple bales adjacent to one another. The wrapped bales can
subsequently be stored to eventually turn the crop into fodder.
[0003] In such devices, in order to minimize the displacement of the tube of
bales on
the ground surface onto which the tube is laid after being wrapped (which is
undesirable as it can damage the wrapping of the tube and negatively impact
the
quality of the fodder), the apparatus is usually displaceable, to move with
regard to
the ground surface in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the
multiple
bales being wrapped along the frame of the apparatus, as the bales are laid on
the
ground subsequently to being wrapped into the tube. However, given that it is
also
desirable that the bales be compressed against one another to minimize air
pockets
in the tube (i.e. it is desirable that adjacent end surfaces of two
consecutive bales be
pressed against one another with a sufficient force to minimize air gaps
between
bales in the tube), it is common for inline bale wrappers to offer a
resistance to the
above-described displacement with regard to the ground surface. Such
resistance
causes the inline bale wrapper to move only when a predetermined driving force
is
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imparted on the apparatus by the bales being pushed out of the apparatus and
onto
the ground, after being compressed against one another with the desired force
to
perform the desired compression. Such a driving force can be imparted on the
apparatus only once a sufficient length of tube has been laid on the ground to
create
enough friction between the tube and the ground surface to prevent movement of
the tube with regard to the ground surface and therefore causes the force
generated
by the pressure exerted onto the bale by the apparatus to generate the
required
driving force on the apparatus. For example, the resistance can be imparted by
the
moving members, such as wheels or the like, supporting the frame of the
apparatus
onto the ground having a resistance to rolling thereof. Even in cases where no
restriction is applied to the rotative movement of the wheels supporting the
frame of
the apparatus, the inertia of the apparatus resulting from its weight causes
the inline
bale wrapper to offer a resistance to the above-described displacement
regarding
the ground surface.
[0004] In view of the above, known devices tend to lead to a displacement (a
rubbing)
of the tube of bales on the ground surface onto which the tube is laid after
being
wrapped, before a sufficient amount of bales are laid on the ground to impart
the
required driving force for the apparatus to be displaced in the direction
opposite to
the direction of movement of the multiple bales being wrapped along the frame
of
the apparatus, hence potentially damaging the wrapping of the tube and
negatively
impacting the quality of the fodder. To alleviate such problems, it is common
for
operators to manually position a voluminous stop object (such as additional
bales, a
concrete block or the like) on the ground, close to the end of the apparatus
where
the bales exit the apparatus and are laid on the ground, to retain the first
bale of the
tube and prevent displacement of the tube on the ground (i.e. for the
sufficient driving
force to be imparted on the apparatus when even the first bales of the tube
are
pushed out of the apparatus). Alternatively, operators can operate the
apparatus to
continuously drive the apparatus in the direction opposite to the direction of
movement of the multiple bales being wrapped along the frame, while the firsts
bales
of the beginning of the tube are laid on the ground, to prevent displacement
of the
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bales on the ground, and manually switch to normal operation mode once a
sufficient
number of bales have been laid on the ground for subsequent bales to impart
the
required driving force to move the apparatus when pushed out of the apparatus,
without displacement of the bales with regard to the ground surface.
[0005] As mentioned above, the displacement of the initial section of the tube
of
bales with regard to the ground surface, which occurs when no additional
operator
actions are performed, is undesirable as it can lead to lower fodder quality
made with
the wrapped crop. Similarly, the additional manual operations by the operators
are
also undesirable as they result in additional steps that need to be performed
by the
operator and therefore lead to economic loss resulting from the time lost
doing such
additional steps and/or the additional manpower required to do so.
[0006] In view of the above, there is a need for an improved wrapping
apparatus,
which, by virtue of their design and components, would be able to overcome or
at
least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with a first general aspect, there is provided an inline
bale
wrapping apparatus for wrapping multiple successive bales into a tube. The
inline
bale wrapping apparatus extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a bale
loading support structure, a bale wrapping mechanism, a bale unloading support
structure, a displacement assembly and a displacement assistance system. The
bale loading support structure is configured to successively receive unwrapped
bales and includes a bale pushing mechanism movable along the longitudinal
axis
and engageable to a corresponding one of the unwrapped bales to drive the
corresponding one of the unwrapped bales in a bale displacement direction,
towards
a wrapping section defined downstream of the bale loading structure. The bale
wrapping mechanism is positioned in the wrapping section and dispenses
wrapping
film around the multiple bales being successively driven through the wrapping
section to form the tube. The bale unloading support structure is positioned
downstream of the wrapping section and receives wrapped bales forming the tube
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from the bale wrapping mechanism, the wrapped bales travelling onto the bale
unloading support structure towards an adjacent ground surface. The
displacement
assembly supports the bale loading support structure, the bale wrapping
mechanism
and the bale unloading support structure on the ground surface and is
operative to
move the inline bale wrapping apparatus in an apparatus displacement direction
relative to the ground surface and opposite to the bale displacement
direction. The
displacement assistance system is operatively connected to the displacement
assembly and is activatable to assist the operation of the displacement
assembly to
minimize a driving force required to move the inline bale wrapping apparatus
in the
apparatus displacement direction.
[0008] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system is deactivatable
and
provides no assistance to the operation of the displacement assembly when
being
deactivated.
[0009] In an embodiment, the displacement assembly includes at least one set
of
motorized moving members. The displacement assistance system activates a motor
of the at least one set of motorized moving members, when activated and
operating,
to assist the movement of the displacement assembly.
[0010] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system includes a fluid
flow
controller controlling a fluid flow to the bale pushing mechanism and the bale
wrapping mechanism and the displacement assistance system redirects a portion
of
the fluid flow of at least one of the bale pushing mechanism and the bale
wrapping
mechanism towards the at least one set of motorized moving members, when
activated and operating.
[0011] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system includes a fluid
flow
controller controlling a fluid flow to the bale pushing mechanism and the bale
wrapping mechanism and the fluid flow controller controls a fluid flow towards
the at
least one set of motorized moving members according to the fluid flow provided
to
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at least one of the bale pushing mechanism and the bale wrapping mechanism,
when activated and operating.
[0012] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system is operatively
connected to the bale pushing mechanism and the bale wrapping mechanism and
is operating only during the operation of the bale pushing mechanism and the
bale
wrapping mechanism.
[0013] In an embodiment, the inline bale wrapping apparatus further comprises
a
chassis supporting the bale loading support structure, the bale wrapping
mechanism
and the bale unloading support structure, the displacement assembly being
mounted
to the chassis and moving the chassis with regards to the ground surface.
[0014] In an embodiment, the bale pushing mechanism includes a bale engaging
member extending upwardly and engageable to a rear surface of the
corresponding
bale of the unwrapped bales, when the corresponding bale is being driven
towards
the wrapping section by the action of the bale pushing mechanism.
[0015] In an embodiment, the bale wrapping mechanism includes a frame having a
central bore and at least one film-carrying apparatus drivable along the frame
to
rotate around the successive bales moved through the central bore and dispense
wrapping film around the bales to form the tube.
[0016] In an embodiment, the bale unloading support structure includes
conveying
elements allowing free movement of the tube of bales about the bale unloading
support structure and towards the adjacent ground surface.
[0017] In accordance with another general aspect, there is also provided an
inline
bale wrapping apparatus for wrapping multiple successive bales into a tube.
The
inline bale wrapping apparatus extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises
a
chassis having mounted thereon: a bale loading support structure, a bale
wrapping
mechanism and a bale unloading support. The inline bale wrapping apparatus
also
comprises a displacement assembly and a displacement assistance system. The
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bale loading support structure receives unwrapped bales and has a bale pushing
mechanism movable along the longitudinal axis and successively pushing the
unwrapped bales in a bale displacement direction, towards a wrapping section
defined immediately downstream of the bale loading structure. The bale
wrapping
mechanism is positioned in the wrapping section and dispenses wrapping film
around bales positioned in the wrapping section to form the tube. The bale
unloading
support structure is immediately downstream of the wrapping section and
receives
the tube of bales from the bale wrapping mechanism, the tube of bales
traveling onto
the bale unloading support structure towards an adjacent ground surface and
generating a tube driving force exerted in a direction opposite to the bale
displacement direction. The displacement assembly supports the chassis on the
ground surface and is operative to move the chassis in an apparatus
displacement
direction relative to the ground surface and opposite to the bale displacement
direction. The displacement assistance system is operatively connected to the
displacement assembly and is activable to assist the operation of the
displacement
assembly to minimize the tube driving force required to to move the chassis in
the
apparatus displacement direction.
[0018] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system is deactivatable
and
provides no assistance to the operation of the displacement assembly when
being
deactivated.
[0019] In an embodiment, the displacement assembly includes at least one set
of
motorized moving members, the displacement assistance system activating a
motor
of the at least one set of motorized moving members, when activated and
operating,
to assist the movement of the displacement assembly.
[0020] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system includes a fluid
flow
controller controlling a fluid flow to the bale pushing mechanism and the bale
wrapping mechanism and the displacement assistance system redirects a portion
of
the fluid flow of at least one of the bale pushing mechanism and the bale
wrapping
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mechanism towards the at least one set of motorized moving members, when
activated and operating.
[0021] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system includes a fluid
flow
controller controlling a fluid flow to the bale pushing mechanism and the bale
wrapping mechanism. The fluid flow controller controls a fluid flow towards
the at
least one set of moving members according to the fluid flow provided to at
least one
of the bale pushing mechanism and the bale wrapping mechanism, when activated
and operating.
[0022] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system is operatively
connected to the bale pushing mechanism and the bale wrapping mechanism and
is operating only during the operation of the bale pushing mechanism and the
bale
wrapping mechanism.
[0023] In an embodiment, the bale pushing mechanism includes a bale engaging
member extending upwardly and engageable to a rear surface of each
corresponding unwrapped bales, when the corresponding bale is being pushed
towards the wrapping section by the action of the bale pushing mechanism.
[0024] In an embodiment, the bale wrapping mechanism includes a frame having a
central bore and at least one film-carrying apparatus drivable along the frame
to
rotate around the bales moved through the central bore and dispense wrapping
film
around the bales to form the tube.
[0025] In an embodiment, the bale unloading support structure includes
conveying
elements allowing free movement of the tube of bales about the bale unloading
support structure and towards the adjacent ground surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent upon
reading the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof,
given for
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the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in
which:
[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inline bale wrapper in accordance
with
an embodiment.
[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the components of the inline
bale
wrapper in accordance with an embodiment.
[0029] Figure 3 is a detailed schematic representation of the components of
the inline
bale wrapper of Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0030] Figure 4 is a detailed schematic representation of the components of
the inline
bale wrapper of Figure 2, in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
[0031] Figures 5A to 51 are views of the inline bale wrapping apparatus of
Figure 1
showing a sequence of operation for operation of the bale wrapping apparatus,
wherein:
[0032] Figures 5A and 5B are respectively a left side elevation view and a
front
elevation view of the inline bale wrapping apparatus with the first bale in a
wrapping
section and being wrapped by a bale wrapping mechanism.
[0033] Figure 5C is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
a second
bale loaded on the bale loading support structure, while the first bale is
being
wrapped.
[0034] Figure 5D is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
the
second bale positioned in the wrapping section and being wrapped along with
the
first bale, in a single tube.
[0035] Figure 5E is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
a third
bale loaded on the bale loading support structure, while the second bale is
being
wrapped.
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[0036] Figure 5F is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
the third
bale entering the wrapping section to be wrapped along with the second bale
and
the first bale, in the single tube.
[0037] Figure 5G is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
the third
bale further into the wrapping section to be wrapped along with the second
bale and
the first bale, in the single tube.
[0038] Figure 5H is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
a fourth
bale loaded on the bale loading support structure, while the third bale is
being
wrapped.
[0039] Figure 51 is a left side elevation view of the wrapping apparatus with
the fourth
bale positioned in the wrapping section and being wrapped along with the third
bale,
the second bale and the first bale, in the single tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] 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.
[0041] Moreover, although the embodiments of the wrapping apparatus 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
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cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical
configurations,
may be used for the wrapping mechanism protection apparatus, 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 apparatus and corresponding parts shown in the
Figures,
with "upstream" corresponding to a position closer to a bale loading support
structure
of the inline bale wrapping apparatus and the end of the tube of bales that is
initially
formed (i.e. the end of the tube of bales that is first formed by the wrapping
of the
first bale of the tube) and "downstream" corresponding to a position closer to
a bale
unloading support structure of the inline bale wrapping apparatus and the end
of the
tube of bales that is lastly formed (i.e. the end of the tube of bales that is
formed by
the wrapping of the last bale of the tube). Positional descriptions should not
be
considered limiting.
[0042] 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.
[0043] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 to 51,
there
is shown an inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 for wrapping together multiple
adjacent bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D of crop such as, for example and without
being
limitative, hay, haylage, straw, corn straw, etc. or any combination thereof,
thereby
forming a tube 18 containing the multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D wrapped
together. The inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 is configured to receive the
multiple
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bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D in a longitudinal orientation (i.e. to receive the
bales 30A,
30B, 30C, 30D in an orientation where they are longitudinally substantially
parallel
to a longitudinal axis L), successively perform the wrapping of the multiple
adjacent
bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D moved along the apparatus 20, in a bale displacement
direction D along the longitudinal axis L, and finally lay the resulting tube
18 of
multiple wrapped bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D on a ground surface 16 supporting
the
apparatus 20.
[0044] More particularly, the multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are
successively
wrapped on their rounded peripheral surface. In an embodiment (not shown), the
substantially flat ends of the first bale 30A (the downstream bale) and the
last bale
30D (the upstream bale) of the tube 18 which define the extremities of the
tube 18
of successive bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D can also be wrapped to ensure sealing
of
the tube 18 and prevent spoilage of the fodder. One skilled in the art will
understand
that, wrapping of the substantially flat ends of the first bale 30A and the
last bale 30D
of the tube 18 which define the extremities of the tube 18 can be performed
before
or after the inline wrapping described below and will not be described in
detail herein.
It will also be understood that the tube 18 may have various lengths according
to the
number of bales wrapped, no specific limitations being created by the inline
bale
wrapping apparatus 20 for the number of successive bales that can be wrapped.
One skilled in the art will understand that although the bales 30A, 30B, 30C,
30D
discussed in the present description and shown in the appended Figures have a
cylindrical shape, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the bales 30A, 30B,
30C,
30D could have a different shape, such as, for example and without being
limitative,
a square shape, a rectangular shape or the like. In an embodiment, the
multiple
adjacent bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are wrapped with a plastic film to promote,
for
instance, fermentation in the production of fodder or silage.
[0045] As will be easily understood by one skilled in the art, the inline bale
wrapping
apparatus 20 described herein is presented as an apparatus designed for
wrapping
bales of crop, but one skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative
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embodiments (not shown) the apparatus could be used to wrap bales of a
different
material or could be used to wrap other objects such as and without being
limitative
boxes, packages, bundles of items or the like.
[0046] In the embodiment shown, the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20
comprises
a bale loading support structure 40, a bale wrapping mechanism 52 and a bale
unloading support structure 60 positioned successively along the longitudinal
axis L
of the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20. The inline bale wrapping apparatus
20 also
comprises a chassis 32 onto which the bale loading support structure 40, the
bale
wrapping mechanism 52 and the bale unloading support structure 60 are mounted
and a displacement assembly 70. For example and without being limitative, in
an
embodiment, the displacement assembly 70 includes at least one set of
motorized
moving members 72, such as, for instance driving wheels mounted on an axle
(not
shown) of the chassis 32, to enable the displacement of the chassis 32 (and
consequently the displacement of the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20) about
the
ground surface 16 onto which it is supported. In other words, in an
embodiment, the
chassis 32 and the displacement assembly 70, operate as a carriage for
supporting
and displacing the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 including the bale
loading
support structure 40, bale wrapping mechanism 52 and bale unloading support
structure 60. One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative
embodiments
(not shown) the displacement assembly 70 could include different moving
members
72 than the driving wheels of the embodiment shown, such as, for example and
without being limitative, tracks or the like.
[0047] The bale loading support structure 40 is sized, shaped and/or
configured such
as to receive unwrapped bales. In an embodiment, the bale loading support
structure
40 comprises a bale pushing mechanism 42 (or pusher) which is movable
longitudinally along the bale loading support structure 40 (i.e. movable in a
direction
substantially parallel to longitudinal axis L) to drive an unwrapped bale
towards a
wrapping section 50 including the wrapping mechanism 52. In the embodiment
shown, the bale pushing mechanism 42 has a bale engaging member 42A extending
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upwardly and engageable to a rear surface (or upstream surface) of a bale 30A,
30B,
30C, 30D, when the corresponding bale 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D is being driven
towards
the wrapping section 50 by the action of the bale pushing mechanism 42.
[0048] The bale unloading support structure 60 is positioned downstream of the
wrapping section 50 and is sized, shaped and configured such as to receive
wrapped
bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D from the bale wrapping mechanism 52, with the bales
30A, 30B, 30C, 30D travelling onto the bale unloading support structure 60,
towards
an adjacent ground surface 16. In the embodiment shown, the bale unloading
support structure 60 includes a plurality of free rolling rollers 62 operating
as
conveying elements to allow the free movement of the tube 18 of bales 30A,
30B,
30C, 30D about the bale unloading support structure 60 and towards the
adjacent
ground surface 16 and preventing damage to the wrapping of the tube 18. One
skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments (not
shown), other
types of conveying elements such as a conveyor belt or the like could be used.
[0049] When the tube 18 of bales engages the ground surface 16 and subsequent
bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are pushed towards the wrapping section 50 by the
bale
pushing mechanism 42 to be wrapped and added to the tube 18, a tube driving
force
is exerted on the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20, in a direction opposite
to the
bale displacement direction and corresponding to an apparatus displacement
direction D'.
[0050] The bale wrapping mechanism 52 is positioned in the wrapping section 50
defined between the bale loading support structure 40 and the bale unloading
support structure 60 along the longitudinal axis L of the inline bale wrapping
apparatus 20. In the embodiment shown, the bale wrapping mechanism 52 includes
a frame 54 having a central bore 54A (or hollow middle section) and at least
one
film-carrying apparatus 56 which is drivable onto/along frame 54 to rotate
around the
successive bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D moved through the central bore 54A and
dispense wrapping film around the bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D to form the tube
18.
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[0051] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, in an embodiment, the inline bale wrapping
apparatus 20 further includes a displacement assistance system 80 configured
to at
least temporarily assist the displacement of the the inline bale wrapping
apparatus
20 while a downstream section 18' of the tube 18 of bales is laid on the
ground
surface 16. Hence, when activated and operative, the displacement assistance
system 80 helps to minimize the displacement of the downstream section 18' of
the
tube 18 relative to the ground surface 16 by assisting the operation of the
displacement assembly 70 and therefore minimizing the tube driving force
required
by the action of the tube 18 of bales being pushed out to displace the inline
bale
wrapping apparatus 20. In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system 80
is operating only when it is activated and when the bale wrapping mechanism 52
is
also operating to wrap bales located in the wrapping section 50.
[0052] Referring to Figure 3, in an embodiment, the displacement assistance
system
80 includes a fluid flow controller 82 operative to control the fluid flow
towards
components of the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20, including the bale
pushing
mechanism 42 and the bale wrapping mechanism 52. In this embodiment, the
displacement assistance system 80 operates to redirect a portion of the fluid
flow of
at least one of the bale pushing mechanism 42 and the bale wrapping mechanism
52 towards the moving members 72 of the displacement assembly 70 (or towards a
motor 71 thereof), during the operation of the bale pushing mechanism 42 and
the
bale wrapping mechanism 52 to activate the motor 71 and assist the movement of
the moving members 72, such that they can rotate and cause movement of the
inline
bale wrapping apparatus 20 in the apparatus displacement direction D' (i.e.
the
direction opposite to the bale displacement direction D), with a minimal
driving force
being exerted on the wrapping apparatus 20 by the action of the tube 18 of
bales
being pushed out of the bale unloading support structure 60, as will be
described in
more details below. In an embodiment, the fluid flow controller 82 is a
hydraulic
controller controlling a hydraulic flow.
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[0053] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4, the displacement
assistance
system 80 again includes a fluid flow controller 82 operative to control the
fluid flow
towards components of the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20, including the
bale
pushing mechanism 42, the bale wrapping mechanism 52 and the displacement
assembly 70. In this embodiment, the fluid flow controller 82 directly
controls the fluid
flow towards the moving members 72 of the displacement assembly 70 (or towards
a motor 71 thereof), according to the fluid flow provided to at least one of
the bale
pushing mechanism 42 and the bale wrapping mechanism 52, during the operation
of the bale pushing mechanism 42 and the bale wrapping mechanism 52 to
activate
the motor 71 and assist the movement of the moving members 72, such that they
can rotate and cause movement of the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 in a
apparatus displacement direction D', with a minimal driving force being
exerted on
the wrapping apparatus 20 by the action of the tube 18 of bales being pushed
out of
the bale unloading support structure 60, as will be described in more details
below.
Once again, in an embodiment, the fluid flow controller 82 is a hydraulic
controller
controlling a hydraulic flow.
[0054] One skilled in the art will understand that, in another alternative
embodiments
(not shown) other types of controllers could be operatively connected to any
type of
mechanism which provides assistance to the movement of the moving members 72
of the displacement assembly 70, such as the driving wheels. For example and
without being limitative, the controller can control the mechanism which
provides
assistance to the movement of the components of the displacement assembly 70
based on data received from sensor (not shown) sensing data relative to at
least one
of the bale pushing mechanism 42, the bale wrapping mechanism 42, or the
section
of tube 18 being laid on the ground 16.
[0055] In view of the above, it is understood that, when activated, the
displacement
assistance system 80 operates to assist the movement of the displacement
assembly 70 only while the bale pushing mechanism 42 and/or the bale wrapping
mechanism 52 are in operation, given that it is during this time that sections
of the
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tube 18 are laid on the ground 16 and the displacement assistance system 80 is
required to operate to ease the displacement of the inline bale wrapping
apparatus
20 in the apparatus displacement direction D' and therefore prevent (or at
least
minimize) the movement of the section of the tube 18 onto the ground surface
16. It
will also be understood that the displacement assistance system 80 does not
provide
a sufficient power to the displacement assembly 70 to impart movement to the
inline
bale wrapping apparatus 20 (or the chassis 32 thereof) in itself, the movement
of the
inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 in the apparatus displacement direction D'
occurring only when a driving force is exerted thereon by the movement of the
tube
18 exiting the bale unloading support structure 60, as additional bales are
pushed
by the bale pushing mechanism 42.
[0056] In an embodiment, the operation of the displacement assistance system
80
results in a driving force of between about 500 Newtons and about 2 000
Newtons
exerted on the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20, in the apparatus
displacement
direction D', being sufficient to displace the apparatus in the apparatus
displacement
direction D'. More particularly, in an embodiment, the operation of the
displacement
assistance system 80 results in a driving force of between about 750 Newtons
and
about 1 250 Newtons exerted on the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20, in the
apparatus displacement direction D', being sufficient to displace the
apparatus 20 in
the apparatus displacement direction D'.
[0057] In an embodiment, the displacement assistance system 80 can be
activated
to operate while a downstream section 18' of the tube 18 is being laid on the
ground
surface 16 and deactivated such that is prevented from operating to allow
greater
compression between bales in the tube 18 of bales once a sufficient section of
tube
18 is laid on the ground 16 to generate the required friction to cause the
downstream
section 18' of tube 18 projecting from the apparatus 20 to remain static and
generate
the required tube driving force to overcome the inertia of the apparatus 20
and/or
the additional restriction to movement thereof and displace the apparatus 20
in the
apparatus displacement direction D'.
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[0058] Referring now to Figures 5A to 51, a sequence of operations of the
inline bale
wrapping apparatus 20 for wrapping the multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D
successively in the single tube 18 is shown. As mentioned above, one skilled
in the
art will understand that the number of multiple bales 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D which
can
be wrapped successively is only indicative and is not limited by the
embodiment
shown in the Figures.
[0059] Figures 5A and 5B show the wrapping apparatus 20 with the first bale
30A
positioned in the wrapping section 50 and being wrapped by the bale wrapping
mechanism 52. The first bale 30A is brought to the wrapping section 50 by
being
moved in the bale displacement direction D, from the bale loading support
structure
40 to the wrapping section 50 by the bale pushing mechanism 42 being moved
longitudinally towards the wrapping section 50. The first bale 30A, is driven
in the
bale displacement direction D, from the bale loading support structure 40 to
the
wrapping section 50, by the bale engaging member 42A of the bale pushing
mechanism 42 engaging a rearward surface (or upstream surface) 30A' of the
first
bale 30A and pushing the first bale 30A as it moves towards the wrapping
section
50.
[0060] Figure 5C shows the second bale 30B loaded on the bale loading support
structure 40, while the first bale 30A is being wrapped. Figure 5D shows the
second
bale 30B being moved in the bale displacement direction D, from the bale
loading
support structure 40 to the wrapping section 50, by the bale pushing mechanism
42
being moved longitudinally towards the wrapping section 50. Once again, the
second
bale 30B, is driven in the bale displacement direction D, from the bale
loading
support structure 40 to the wrapping section 50, by the bale engaging member
42A
of the bale pushing mechanism 42 engaging a rearward surface (or upstream
surface) 30B' of the second bale 30B and pushing the second bale 30B as it
moves
towards the wrapping section 50. During the process, a forward surface (or
downstream surface) 30B" of the second bale 30B is pressed against the
rearward
surface 30A' of the first bale 30A, such that the second bale 30B pushes the
first
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bale 30A out of the wrapping section 50 and onto the bale unloading support
structure 60.
[0061] Figures 5E and 5F respectively show the third bale 30C loaded on the
bale
loading support structure 40, while the second bale 30B is being wrapped and
the
third bale 30C being moved in the bale displacement direction D, from the bale
loading support structure 40 towards the wrapping section 50, by the bale
pushing
mechanism 42 being moved longitudinally towards the wrapping section 50. The
third bale 30C, is driven towards the wrapping section 50 by the bale engaging
member 42A of the bale pushing mechanism 42 engaging a rearward surface 30C'
of the third bale 30C and pushing the third bale 30C in the bale displacement
direction D as it moves towards the wrapping section 50. Once again, during
the
process, a forward surface 30C" of the third bale 30C is pressed against the
rearward surface 30B' of the second bale 30B, such that the third bale 30C
engages
the second bale 30B and starts pushing the second bale 30B out of the wrapping
section 50 and onto the bale unloading support structure 60.
[0062] At stages shown in Figures 5D to 5F, a minimal pressure is required
between
the second bale 30B and the first bale 30A and between the third bale 30C and
the
second bale 30B to drive the corresponding downstream bale 30A, 30B forward
onto
the bale unloading support structure 60, by the force exerted thereon by the
corresponding upstream bale 30B, 30C, especially in view of the plurality of
free
rolling rollers 62 (or alternative conveying elements) favoring the movement
of the
bales 30A, 30B through the bale unloading support structure 60 and towards the
adjacent ground surface 16. As can be seen in Figure 5F, once a certain
quantity of
bales 30A, 308 has been wrapped in the wrapping section 50 and transited to
the
bale unloading support structure 60 to form a section of the tube 18, the
first bale
30A of the tube 18 engages the ground surface 16, downstream of the bale
unloading support structure 60. In the embodiment shown in the appended
Figures
(see Figure 5F), the initial engagement of the first bale 30A of the tube 18
with the
ground surface 16 occurs as the first bale 30A and the second bale 30B have
been
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,
,
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wrapped in the wrapping section 50 and transited to the bale unloading support
structure 60 (with the second bale 30B being pushed onto the bale unloading
support
structure 60 by the third bale 30C being pushed into the wrapping section 50
by the
bale pushing mechanism 42). One skilled in the art will however understand
that, in
alternative embodiments (not shown), the initial engagement of the first bale
30A of
the tube 18 with the ground surface 16 could occur after a different quantity
of bales
have transited onto the bale unloading support structure 60, depending for
example
and without being limitative on the size of the bales 30A, 30B and the length
of the
bale unloading support structure 60.
[0063] Following the engagement of the first bale 30A of the tube 18 with the
ground
surface 16, downstream of the bale unloading support structure 60, the bale
pushing
mechanism 42 of the apparatus 20 operates to further press the abutting
surfaces
of the first bale 30A, the second bale 30B and the third bale 30C onto one
another,
and push a growing length of the tube 18 out of the bale unloading support
structure
60 in the bale displacement direction D and onto the ground 16 (see Figure
5G). In
conventional inline wrappers, this would lead a downstream section 18' of the
tube
18 to be displace on the ground surface 16, until a sufficient section of tube
18 is laid
on the ground 16 to generate the required friction to cause the downstream
section
18' of tube 18 projecting from the apparatus 20 to remain static and generate
the
required driving force to overcome the inertia of the apparatus 20 and/or the
additional restriction to movement thereof and displace the apparatus 20 in an
apparatus displacement direction D'.
[0064] Referring to Figure 5G, in the embodiment shown, the displacement
assistance system 80 (see Figure 3) operates to prevent (or at least minimize)
the
movement of the downstream section 18' of the tube 18 on the ground surface
16.
Indeed, as described above, the displacement assistance system 80 (see Figures
2
to 4) operates to assist the movement of the displacement assembly 70 while
the
bale pushing mechanism 42 and the bale wrapping mechanism 52 are in operation
to wrap bale 30C and the downstream section 18' of the tube 18 is laid on the
ground
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16. The displacement assistance system 80 operates to ease the displacement of
the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 in the apparatus displacement direction
D' and
therefore prevents (or at least minimize) the movement of the downstream
section
18' of the tube 18 onto the ground surface 16.
[0065] Hence, in Figure 5G, the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 is displaced
in the
apparatus displacement direction D' by the tube driving force exerted thereon
by the
downstream section 18' of the tube 18 being pushed out of the bale unloading
support structure 60 by the action of the bale pushing mechanism 42 on the
third
bale 30C, with the downstream section 18' of the tube 18 remaining static with
regard
to the ground surface 16. It will be understood that the speed of displacement
of the
apparatus 20 is substantially similar to the speed of displacement of the
bales 30A,
30B, 30C along the chassis 32 thereof, to result in minimal movement of the
wrapped
tube 18 of bales 30A, 30B with regard to the ground surface 16, therefore
minimizing
the rubbing of the tube 18 onto the ground surface 16 and the undesired damage
caused by scrapping of the tube 18 on the ground surface 16.
[0066] Similarly, Figures 5H and 51 respectively show the fourth bale 30D
loaded on
the bale loading support structure 40, while the third bale 30C is being
wrapped and
the fourth bale 30D being moved in the bale displacement direction D, from the
bale
loading support structure 40 towards the wrapping section 50, by the bale
pushing
mechanism 42 being moved longitudinally towards the wrapping section 50. The
fourth bale 30D is driven towards the wrapping section 50 by the bale engaging
member 42A of the bale pushing mechanism 42, engaging a rearward surface 300'
of the fourth bale 30D and pushing the fourth bale 30D in the bale
displacement
direction D as it moves towards the wrapping section 50. Once again, during
the
process, a forward surface 30D" of the fourth bale 30D is pressed against the
rearward surface 30C' of the third bale 30C, such that the fourth bale 30D
engages
the third bale 30C and starts pushing the third bale 30C out of the wrapping
section
50 and onto the bale unloading support structure 60. The above described
action in
turn leads to a greater section of the tube 18 being pushed out of the bale
unloading
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support structure 60 and onto the ground surface 16. Once again, the
displacement
assistance system 80 (see Figures 2 to 4) operates to prevent (or at least
minimize)
the movement of the downstream section 18' of the tube 18 on the ground
surface
16, which leads to the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20 being displaced in
the
apparatus displacement direction D' by the driving force exerted thereon by
the
downstream section 18' of the tube 18 being pushed out of the bale unloading
support structure 60 by the action of the bale pushing mechanism 42 on the
fourth
bale 30D, with the downstream section 18' of the tube 18 remaining static with
regard
to the ground surface 16.
[0067] One skilled in the art will understand that, as mentioned above, in an
embodiment, the displacement assistance system 80 is activated to operate
during
an initial phase of the operation of the inline bale wrapping apparatus 20,
while the
downstream section 18' of the tube 18 is being laid on the ground surface 16,
as
shown in Figures 5A to 51. Once a sufficient section of tube 18 is laid on the
ground
16 to generate the required friction to cause the downstream section 18' of
tube 18
projecting from the apparatus 20 to remain static and generate the required
driving
force to overcome the inertia of the apparatus 20 and/or the additional
restriction to
movement thereof and displace the apparatus 20 in an apparatus displacement
direction D', the displacement assistance system 80 can be deactivated to
allow
conventional operation of the apparatus 20 where restriction is imparted on
the
operation of the displacement assembly 70 to result in greater compression
between
bales. For example and without being limitative, a lever, a push button or the
like can
be provided to allow an operator to activate/deactivate the operation of the
displacement assistance system 80. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a
controller (not shown) can be provided to activate/deactivate the displacement
assistance system 80 in accordance with data received from sensor (not shown)
sensing data relative to at least one of the bale pushing mechanism 42, the
bale
wrapping mechanism 42, of the section of tube 18 being laid on the ground 16.
As
mentioned above, in an embodiment, when activated, the displacement assistance
system 80 is operative to assist the movement of the displacement assembly 70
only
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while the bale pushing mechanism 42 and/or the bale wrapping mechanism 52 are
in operation
[00681 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 skilled in the art would appreciate the
features of the
individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the
components. A person skilled 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 may 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 specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing
from
the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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