U.S. patent application number 13/938356 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for wrapper for wrapping bales of crop material.
The applicant listed for this patent is Forage Innovations B.V.. Invention is credited to Willem Jacobus REIJERSEN VAN BUUREN.
Application Number | 20130291484 13/938356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42830674 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130291484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
REIJERSEN VAN BUUREN; Willem
Jacobus |
November 7, 2013 |
WRAPPER FOR WRAPPING BALES OF CROP MATERIAL
Abstract
A wrapper for wrapping bales of crop material includes a frame,
a wrapping table, a wrapping device, and a loading device. The
loading device includes a pivotable loading structure, and at least
one actuator to move the loading structure between a pick-up
position and a release position, wherein the loading structure
comprises two loading arms between which the bale can be arranged.
A pivotable grip arm is mounted on each loading arm. The pivotable
grip arms are pivotable with respect to the loading arms between a
closed position and an open position, and the at least one actuator
is arranged to also move at least one of the grip arms between the
open and the closed position.
Inventors: |
REIJERSEN VAN BUUREN; Willem
Jacobus; (DIRKSLAND, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Forage Innovations B.V. |
Maassluis |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
42830674 |
Appl. No.: |
13/938356 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13592377 |
Aug 23, 2012 |
|
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13938356 |
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PCT/NL2010/000172 |
Dec 15, 2010 |
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13592377 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 2015/0755 20130101;
A01D 87/122 20130101; A01F 15/071 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/203 |
International
Class: |
A01F 15/07 20060101
A01F015/07 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2010 |
NL |
1037742 |
Claims
1. A mobile bale wrapper for wrapping bales, comprising: a frame, a
towbar mounted on the frame extending, at least partially,
alongside the frame, wherein the towbar is provided with a coupling
mechanism on a distal end thereof, the coupling mechanism being
arranged to be coupled to a towing vehicle for towing the wrapper
in a transport direction, wherein the towbar is hingedly mounted on
the frame so as to be moveable between a operable position so as to
couple the wrapper in a laterally off-set manner to the towing
vehicle, and a transport position so as to couple the wrapper in an
in-line manner to the towing vehicle, a wrapping table mounted on
the frame to support the bale during wrapping, a wrapping device
mounted on the frame to wrap wrapping material about the bale, and
a loading device to load a bale to be wrapped on the wrapping
table, wherein the loading device comprises a pivotable loading
structure, and at least one actuator to move the loading structure
between a pick-up position, in which a bale can be picked up from a
ground surface, and a release position, in which the bale can be
released on the wrapping table, wherein the loading structure
comprises two loading arms between which the bale can be arranged,
and which, at least in the pick-up position, enclose a loading area
that is located upstream of the wrapping table in the transport
direction, wherein the towbar comprises a first substantially
straight section that is mounted on the frame and a second
substantially straight section that supports the coupling
mechanism, wherein said sections are angled with respect to each
other in a plane that is substantially parallel to said loading
area and wherein, in the transport position of the towbar, the
first section extends substantially parallel to the transport
direction.
2. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the first section of the towbar
extends at a first angle with respect to the direction of
transport, wherein the first angle lies in a range between 0 to 20
degrees.
3. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the second section of the towbar
extends at a second angle with respect to the direction of
transport, wherein the second angle lies in a range between 30 to
60 degrees.
4. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the first section of the towbar
extends beyond the two loading arms, between which the bale can be
arranged in at least in the pick-up position thereof.
5. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the wrapper further comprises a
set of wheels each arranged at a side of the wrapper and on a
mutual axis that is positioned at non-right angles with respect to
the direction of transport.
6. The wrapper of claim 5, wherein the first section of the towbar
in the operable position thereof extends substantially at right
angles to the axis of the set of wheels.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/592,377 filed 23 Aug. 2012, which is a continuation of PCT
application number PCT/NL2010/000172 filed on 15 Dec. 2010, which
claims priority from Netherlands application number 1037742 filed
on 23 Feb. 2010. Both applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a wrapper for wrapping
bales, in particular bales of crop material wherein each loading
arm has a pivotable grip arm mounted, preferably at the distal end
thereof, wherein the pivotable grip arms are pivotable with respect
to the loading arms between a closed position, in which the
distance between the grip arms is smaller than the width of a bale
to be wrapped, and an open position in which the distance between
the grip arms is larger than the width of the bale, and wherein the
at least one actuator is arranged to move at least one of the grip
arms between the open and the closed position.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventional wrappers are known in the art. In a known
embodiment of the wrapper, the wrapper comprises a wrapping table
mounted on a frame to support the bale during wrapping, and a
wrapping device mounted on the frame to wrap wrapping material
about the bale. A loading device may be provided to load a bale to
be wrapped from a ground surface on the wrapping table.
[0006] The loading device is typically a pivotable support
structure which can be moved from a pick-up position in which a
bale can be picked up from the ground surface to a release position
in which the bale can be placed on the wrapping table. The
pivotable support structure usually comprises two loading arms
between which the bale can be arranged.
[0007] Generally, two types of loading devices can be distinguished
in the art.
[0008] In a first type of loading devices, friction fit is used to
lift the bale from the pick-up position to the release position. To
load a bale the loading arms are arranged at opposite sides of the
bales, and moved towards each other. By the resulting compression
force, the bale is held between the two loading arms so that the
bale can be lifted from the ground surface. An example of this type
of wrapper is the "ELHO Sideliner" manufactured by Elho, Pannainen
Finland, also described in Finnish patent publication FI117504,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0009] A drawback of this type of loading device is that the use of
forces exerted on the bale to hold the bale by friction may be less
reliable, in particular when bales of low compressed crop material
are lifted.
[0010] In the second type loading device form fitting is used to
lift the bale. In such embodiment pivotable grip arms are provided
at the distal end of the loading arms, which grip arms can be
placed in an open position and a closed position. In the open
position, the distance between the grip arms is larger than the
width of a bale to be wrapped. In this open position of the grip
arms, a bale can be positioned between the two loading arms when
the wrapper is driven towards this bale. When a bale is positioned
between the loading arms, the grip arms can be moved to the closed
position in which the distance between the grip arms is smaller
than the width of a bale. As a result, the bale is enclosed by the
grip arms, the loading arms and, possibly, further parts of the
loading structure. The bale can be lifted by pivotable movement of
the loading structure from the pick-up position to the release
position, whereby the grip arms support the bale. An example of
this type of wrapper is for instance the "Agronic 1020 or 1520"
manufactured by Agronic, Haapavesi, Finland, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0011] A drawback of this second type of loading devices is that
the movement and actuation of the grip arms requires extra parts.
In particular hydraulic cylinders are arranged on the loading arms
to move the grip arms between the open position and the closed
position. Furthermore, the actuation of the grip arms is carried
out in a separate hydraulic circuit, resulting in extra actuation
steps by the user of by a control circuit controlling the loading
of a bale on the wrapper. In an automatic system extra sensors have
to be provided to reliably control the position of the grip
arms.
[0012] Another drawback of loading devices in general is that the
bale has to be relatively accurately positioned with respect to the
wrapper before the bale can be successfully loaded on the wrapping
table. In known loading devices, the bale to be wrapped is arranged
substantially tight-fit between the loading arms to centre the bale
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wrapper. As a
consequence, a bale lying on the ground surface has to be
accurately approached by the wrapper to precisely position the bale
between the loading arms.
[0013] As a solution to this drawback, the space between the
loading arms could be increased, but this would result in the risk
that the bale is positioned off-centre with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the wrapper which is undesirable for the
wrapping process.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The aim of the invention is to provide a wrapper for
wrapping bales of crop material obviating one or more of the above
drawbacks, or at least to provide an alternative wrapper.
[0015] The present invention provides a wrapper for wrapping bales,
in particular bales of crop material, characterized in that on each
loading arm, preferably at the distal end thereof, a pivotable grip
arm is mounted, wherein the pivotable grip arms are pivotable with
respect to the loading arms between a closed position, in which the
distance between the grip arms is smaller than the width of a bale
to be wrapped, and an open position in which the distance between
the grip arms is larger than the width of the bale, and wherein the
at least one actuator is arranged to move at least one of the grip
arms between the open and the closed position.
[0016] According to the invention, the same actuator is used to
move the pivotable loading structure between the pick-up position
and the release position, and to move at least one of the grip arms
between the open position and the closed position. The use of one
actuator for both the rotational movement of the complete loading
structure and the movement of one of the grip arm obviates one
actuator and the associated hydraulic circuit.
[0017] Furthermore, the actuator can be arranged in such manner
that by one single stroke of the actuator, the actuator first moves
the grip arms from the open to the closed position to enclose the
bale within the loading structure, and subsequently moves the
loading structure from the pick-up position to the release
position. Thus, these two actions are performed directly after each
other without any control action of the user or a control device
being required. These two movements may also be performed partly
simultaneously.
[0018] It is remarked that the wrapping table and the wrapping
device may be mounted directly or indirectly on the frame.
[0019] In an embodiment, the loading structure comprises two
actuators, each actuator being arranged to move one of the grip
arms, and both actuators being arranged to move the loading
structure between the loading position and release position. In
such embodiment, simultaneous actuation of the two actuators will
first result in movement of both grip arms from the open position
to the closed position, and subsequently, in a movement of the
loading structure from the pick-up position to the release
position.
[0020] In this embodiment, the actuators are preferably connected
to a control circuit configured to actuate both actuators
simultaneously by one control action. In such embodiment the user
only has to perform one control action to realize the required
movement of the grip arms and the loading structure to load a bale
on the wrapping table.
[0021] In an embodiment, the loading arms are pivotable between a
receiving position and a loading position, wherein an angle between
the two arms is larger in the receiving position than in the
loading position.
[0022] In the loading position, the loading arms are preferably
parallel to each other so that a tight-fit can be obtained between
the bale and the loading arms over a relative large part of the
length of the loading arms. Such tight-fit is advantageous for
correctly positioning the bale with respect to the longitudinal
centre axis of the wrapping table. However, this tight-fit
arrangement of the loading arms makes the positioning of bale
between the loading arms more difficult.
[0023] By making the loading arms pivotable between a receiving
position and a loading position, wherein an angle between the two
arms is larger in the receiving position than in the loading
position, the loading arms can be arranged at a wider angle to make
the positioning of a bale between the loading arms more easy. Once
the bale is located between the loading arms, the loading arms may
be moved to the loading position, wherein the angle between the
loading arms is smaller. In this loading position a tight-fit
enclosure of the bale between the loading arms can be assured,
therewith realizing a correct position with respect to the centre
axis of the wrapping table. It will be clear that the movement of
the loading arms from the receiving position to the loading
position may also result in correct centring of the bale.
[0024] In an embodiment, the loading structure comprises two
actuators, each actuator being arranged to move one of the loading
arms and one of the grip arms, and both actuators being arranged to
move the loading structure between the pick-up position and release
position.
[0025] In such embodiment, simultaneous actuation of the two
actuators will result in movement of the loading arms from the
receiving position to the loading position, movement of both grip
arms from the open position to the closed position, and,
subsequently, movement of loading structure from the pick-up
position to the release position. Preferably, the movement of the
loading arms is carried out before the movement of the grip arms.
However, the movements of the loading arms and the grip arms can
also be performed partly or completely simultaneously.
[0026] In an embodiment, the loading structure comprises a loading
frame which is pivotably about a first axis mounted on the frame,
wherein one end of each of the loading arms is pivotably about a
second axis mounted on the loading frame, and wherein each grip arm
is pivotably about a third axis mounted on the other end of each of
the loading arms. Preferably, the first axis is substantially
horizontal, and the second and third axes run substantially
tangentially with respect to the first axis.
[0027] In an embodiment, each actuator is a linear actuator,
preferably a hydraulic cylinder. Hydraulic cylinders are very
suitable to be used as an actuator for the realization of the
invention. Furthermore, in the wrapper, or the pulling vehicle for
pulling the wrapper usually a hydraulic power source is available;
thus, no separate power source has to be provided for the
actuators.
[0028] In an embodiment, the loading arms are provided with smooth
surfaces facing each other to guide a bale to a correct position
with respect to the loading structure before the loading process is
started. It may be possible that during the approach of a bale, the
bale is not in a correct rotational or translational position with
respect to the wrapper. The smooth surfaces provided on the loading
arms may improve correction of the position of the bale during
approach. In particular, incorrect rotational positions may be
efficiently corrected by the presence of the smooth surfaces.
[0029] In an embodiment, the smooth surfaces are provided on
guiding plates formed by or mounted on the loading arms. Guiding
plates provide a practical realization of the smooth surfaces for
correcting the rotational or translational position of a bale with
respect to the wrapper.
[0030] The invention also relates to a method of loading a bale on
a wrapper, wherein the wrapper comprises: a frame, a wrapping table
mounted on the frame to support the bale during wrapping, a
wrapping device mounted on the frame to wrap wrapping material
about the bale, and a loading device to load a bale to be wrapped
on the wrapping table, wherein the loading device comprises a
pivotable loading structure, and at least one actuator to move the
loading structure between a pick-up position, in which a bale can
be picked up from a ground surface, and a release position, in
which the bale can be released on the wrapping table, wherein the
loading structure comprises two loading arms between which the bale
can be arranged, wherein on each loading arm a pivotable grip arm
is mounted, wherein the pivotable grip arms are pivotable with
respect to the loading arms between a closed position, in which the
distance between the grip arms is smaller than the width of a bale
to be wrapped, and an open position in which the distance between
the grip arms is larger than the width of the bale, and wherein the
at least one actuator is arranged to also move at least one of the
grip arms between the open and the closed position.
[0031] The method of loading the baler on the wrapper comprises the
steps of: [0032] positioning a bale between the loading arms of the
loading structure, and [0033] loading the bale on the wrapping
table by actuating the actuator or actuators, wherein upon
actuation of the actuator the actuator first moves the grip arms
from the open position to the closed position to enclose the bale
in the loading structure, and than moves the loading structure from
the pick-up position to the release position to release the bale on
the wrapping table.
[0034] In an embodiment, the loading arms are pivotable between a
first position and a second position, wherein an angle between the
two arms is larger in the first position than in the second
position, wherein upon actuation of the actuator the actuator moves
the loading arms from the receiving position to the loading
position, before or at least partly simultaneous to the movement of
the grip arms from the open position to the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The features and advantages of the invention will be
appreciated upon reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a wrapper according to the
invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the wrapper of FIG. 1 with the
loading arms in the receiving position;
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the wrapper of FIG. 1 with the
loading arms in the loading position;
[0039] FIGS. 4 and 5 show in side view different positions of the
loading device during loading of a bale; and
[0040] FIG. 6 shows in plane view the wrapper of FIG. 1 in a
transport position thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0041] The following is a description of certain embodiments of the
invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 1 shows a wrapper according to the invention,
generally indicated by the reference numeral 1. The wrapper 1 is
configured to wrap bales in wrapping material, such as plastic film
material.
[0042] The wrapper 1 comprises a frame 2 which is supported on a
ground surface 50 by wheels 3. The front end of the wrapper 1
comprises a coupling mechanism 4, can be connected to a pulling
vehicle (not shown) to pull the wrapper over the ground surface 50.
The wrapper 1 may further be connected to a hydraulic power source
of the pulling device.
[0043] A wrapping table 5 and a wrapping device 6 are mounted on
the frame 2. The wrapping table 5 is configured to support a bale
during wrapping. The wrapping table 5 may be provided with a
rotation device, for instance actuated support rolls to rotate the
bale during wrapping thereof. The wrapping device 6 is provided to
rotate rolls of wrapping material 7 about the bale to wrap the bale
in the wrapping material.
[0044] Wrapping tables 5 and wrapping devices 6 are well-known in
the art, and any suitable combination may be applied in the wrapper
according to the invention. For example, lateral guide elements may
be implemented in the wrapping device 6 as described in
PCT/NL2010/000173, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0045] A loading device 8 is provided to load a bale from the
ground surface 50 on the wrapping table 5 to enable wrapping of the
bale.
[0046] The loading device 8 comprises a pivotable loading structure
9 and two actuators 10 in the form of hydraulic cylinders. The
pivotable loading structure 9 is movable between a pick-up
position, in which a bale can be picked up from the ground surface
(shown in FIG. 1), and a release position, in which the bale can be
released on the wrapping table 5.
[0047] The loading structure 9 comprises a loading frame 11, two
loading arms 12, and two grip arms 13. The loading frame 11 is
mounted pivotably about a first substantially horizontal axis A-A
(see FIGS. 2 and 3) on the frame 2. One end of each of the loading
arms 12 is mounted pivotably about a second axis B-B on the loading
frame 11.
[0048] Each grip arm 13 is mounted pivotably about a third axis C-C
on the opposite end of the associated loading arm 12. The second
axis B-B and the third axis B-B run substantially vertically, when
the loading structure 9 is in the pick-up position.
[0049] The grip arms 13 are pivotable with respect to the loading
arms 12 between an open position (shown in FIG. 2) in which the
distance between the grip arms 13 is larger than the width of the
bale, and a closed position (shown in FIG. 3), in which the
distance between the grip arms 13 is smaller than the width of a
bale to be wrapped.
[0050] In the closed position of the grip arms 13, a bale
positioned between the two loading arms 12 is enclosed between the
loading frame 11, the loading arms 12, and the grip arms 13. This
enclosure of parts of the loading structure 9 realizes a form lock
of the bale, and the bale can be lifted by support of the grip arms
13 and the loading frame 11.
[0051] The loading arms 12 are pivotable between a receiving
position (shown in FIG. 2) and a loading position (shown in FIG.
3). In the loading position, the loading arms 12 are substantially
parallel. The distance between the loading arms 12 substantially
corresponds with the width of a bale to be wrapped, so that a bale
positioned between the loading arms 12 is arranged substantially
tight-fit between these loading arms 12.
[0052] In the receiving position, the distal ends of the loading
arms 12 are pivoted away from each other so that the angle between
the loading arms 12 is increased. In this position the distance
between the distal ends of the loading arms 12 is larger than the
width of a bale, and a bale can more easily positioned between the
loading arms 12.
[0053] Between each grip arm 13 and the frame 2 one of the
actuators 10 is provided. Each actuator 10 is arranged to move,
upon actuation, the loading arm 12 between the receiving position
and the loading position, to actuate the grip arm 13 mounted on the
loading arm 12 between the open position and the closed position,
and to move the loading structure 9 between the pick-up position
and the release position.
[0054] It is remarked that each actuator 10 is arranged for
actuation of the respective loading arm 12 and grip arm 13, and
that the actuator 10 together move the loading structure from the
pick-up position to the release position.
[0055] Generally, it is desirable that movements of the two loading
arms 12 are performed simultaneously, and, similarly it is
desirable that movements of the two grip arms 13 are performed
simultaneously.
[0056] In view thereof, the actuators 10 are connected to a common
hydraulic circuit having one actuation valve to be controlled by
the user of the wrapper. Thus, only one control action of the user
is required to load the bale on the wrapping table 5. This control
action actuates the actuators 10, resulting in the following
actions; the loading arms 12 are moved from the receiving position
to the loading position, the grip arms 13 are moved from the open
position to the closed position to form lock the bale in the
loading structure 9, and the loading structure 9 is moved from the
pick-up position to the release position to release the bale on the
wrapping table 5.
[0057] The different actions are preferably performed subsequent to
each other in the described order, but the actions may also partly
overlap. Movement of the loading arms 12 and grip arms 13 may even
completely overlap.
[0058] FIG. 2 shows the wrapper 1 of the invention ready to be
pulled towards a bale to be wrapped in order to place a bale
between the loading arms 12. The loading structure 9 is arranged in
the pick-up position, the loading arms are positioned in the
receiving position and the grip arms 13 are arranged in the open
position.
[0059] When the wrapper 1 is pulled towards a bale which rests on
the ground surface 50, there is a relative large space between the
loading arms 12 to receive the bale between the loading arms 12. As
a result less accurate approach of the bale is required to locate
the bale between the loading arms 12.
[0060] Guide plates 14 are mounted on the inner sides of the
loading arms 12, i.e. the sides of the loading arms 12 facing each
other. These guide plates 14 are provided with relative smooth
surfaces. These guide plates 14 are used to correct any translation
or rotational position errors of the bale with respect to the
loading arms 12. When the loading arms 12 are moved around the
bale, and the bale is not in the optimal position, the smooth
surfaces of the guide plates 14 may be used to translate or rotate
the bale to a better position with respect to the wrapper 1.
[0061] FIG. 3 shows the wrapper 1 during the loading process. The
loading arms 12 are moved to the loading position and the grip arms
13 are moved to the closed position, but the loading structure 9 is
still in the pick-up position. When a bale would be arranged in the
loading device 8, the bale would be enclosed by the loading
structure 9.
[0062] The loading arms 12 are arranged substantially parallel to
each other. The distance between the loading arms 12 is chosen that
a bale would be arranged tight-fit between the loading arms 12.
This has the advantage that the centre of the bale is aligned with
the middle of the wrapping table. This is advantageous in view of
the gravity forces exerted on the wrapping table. When the bale is
located substantially in the middle of the wrapping table no or
less torque is exerted on the wrapping table construction due to
misalignment of the bale.
[0063] It is remarked that when, after location of the bale between
the two loading arms 12, the bale is positioned off-centre with
respect to the longitudinal centre axis of the wrapping table 5,
this position may be corrected by the movement of the loading arms
12 from the receiving position to the loading position. Due to this
movement the bale is pushed to a position, wherein the bale is
enclosed in a tight-fit manner between the two loading arms 12.
[0064] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the actual loading of a bale 100 on the
wrapping table 5. The wrapping table 5 is arranged in a tilted
position to facilitate receiving the bale on the wrapping table 5.
When the bale is arranged on the wrapping table 5, the wrapping
table may be moved back to the position shown in FIG. 1 to carry
out actual wrapping of the bale 100. After wrapping has been
finished the wrapping table 5 may be tilted in the opposite
direction to release the wrapped bale 100 on the ground surface 50.
In one embodiment, the wrapped bale may be released through the
assistance of an unloading device, as described in
PCT/NL2010/000174, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0065] FIG. 4 shows the wrapper 1 in the same state as FIG. 3, but
in side view. A bale 100 is arranged on the loading structure 9.
The bale 100 is enclosed between the loading frame 11, the loading
arms 12 in loading position, and the grip arms 13 in the closed
position. It will be clear that bales with different diameter sizes
can be loaded by the same loading device 8.
[0066] The movement of the loading arms 12 from the receiving
position to the loading position, and the movement of the grip arms
13 from the open position to the closed position are performed by a
single actuation action of the user activating simultaneously both
actuators 10. In FIG. 4, the movement of the loading structure 8
from the pick-up position to the release position has just started.
This movement is also carried out by the actuators 10, and is the
result of the same single actuation action of the user.
[0067] FIG. 5 shows the loading structure 9 in the release
position. In the release position the bale is released from the
loading structure 9 on the wrapping table 5. This transfer may be
completely caused by gravity. However, in another embodiment
transfer means may be provided to actively transfer or to guide
transfer of the bale from the loading structure 9 to the wrapping
table 5.
[0068] After the bale 100 is arranged on the wrapping table 5, the
loading structure 9 may be pivoted back to the pick-up position to
make rotation of the wrapping means around the bale possible. After
wrapping is finished and the wrapped bale is released from the
wrapping table 5 a new bale may be loaded by the loading device 8
on the wrapping table 5 for wrapping of this new bale.
[0069] A further aspect of the wrapper 1 as described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 will now be discussed with reference to
FIG. 6, which further aspect can be used in combination with the
aspects of the invention as described heretofore, but which further
aspect can also be used independently from what has been described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0070] FIG. 6 shows the wrapper 1 of FIG. 1 in a position in which
the wrapper 1 can be transported by a towing vehicle (not shown).
The wrapper 1 as shown in FIG. 6 is exactly the same as the wrapper
1 shown in FIG. 1. Further to what has been described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the wrapper 1 further comprises a towbar
200 having a first section 201 and a second section 202. The first
section 201 and the second section 202 may be formed as a single
piece of material, but alternatively may also be formed as two
separate pieces that are attached to each other, for example by
welding or any other suitable way. In the example of FIG. 6 the
first section 201 extends substantially in parallel with the
longitudinal axis I-I which coincides with the direction of
transport (indicated with arrow X in the drawing) of the wrapper 1
when it is towed by a towing vehicle. In particular, the first
section 201 extends beyond the free end of the loading arms 12.
Preferably the first section 201 is angled with respect to the
direction of transport X or with respect to the longitudinal axis
I-I (or transport direction X) and has an angle .alpha.1 that lies
between 0 and 20 degrees, preferably between 5 and 15 degrees.
[0071] The second section 202 extends from the first section 201 at
a greater angle .alpha.2 with respect to the longitudinal axis I-I
(or transport direction X) in the depicted transport position of
the wrapper 1. The angle .alpha.2 with respect to the longitudinal
axis I-I lies between 30 to 60 degrees, preferably between 40 to 50
degrees in the depicted transport position. As can be seen in FIG.
6, the first second section 201, 202 of the towbar 200 extend
toward the longitudinal axis I-I such that when the wrapper 1 is
coupled to a towing vehicle (not shown) the longitudinal axis I-I
of the wrapper 1 substantially coincides with a longitudinal axis
of the towing vehicle. This has the effect, that the wrapper 1 can
be transported in an in-line manner with respect to the towing
vehicle by said towing vehicle and that the total width of the
combination of the towing vehicle and the wrapper 1 can be kept as
small as possible.
[0072] In order for the wrapper 1 to be put in an operable position
in which the wrapper 1 is coupled to the towing vehicle in a
laterally off-set manner (see e.g. FIG. 1) from the position (the
transport position) as shown in FIG. 6 and vice versa, the towbar
200 is hingedly mounted on the frame 2 by means of a hinge assembly
205.
[0073] The towbar 200 can be seen to be of a generally curved
shape. More in particular it can be seen that the first section 201
and the second section 202 are angled with respect to each other in
a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground 50. This has
the further effect that an area that is generally denoted with A in
FIG. 6 is kept free. The area A is encompassed by the loading arms
12 and is a loading area in which a bale to be loaded will be
located. Consequently, the towbar 200 is located completely outside
the area A. This has the advantage that it is now possible to have
a bale (either round, square or rectangular) on the wrapping table
5, to pick up a second bale and to subsequently place the wrapper 1
in the transport position of FIG. 6 without being hindered in that
movement by the towbar 200. Furthermore, it now becomes possible to
transport two bales with the wrapper 1 according to the invention
to a different location than where the bales were picked up and it
also becomes possible to wrap the bale on the wrapping table 5,
unload that bale and to load the bale between the loading arms 12
onto the wrapping table 5 while the wrapper 1 is in the transport
position of FIG. 6. With the bended towbar 200 it even becomes
possible to pick up bales that are close to obstructions.
[0074] Preferably the wrapper 1 further comprises a set of wheels 3
each arranged at a side of the wrapper 1, which wheels are
positioned on a mutual axis II-II that is positioned at non-right
angles with respect to the direction of transport X, or the
longitudinal axis I-I. This allows for the first section 201 of the
towbar 200 in the operable position thereof to extend substantially
at right angles to the axis II-II of the set of wheels 3. This is
beneficial from a viewpoint of stability during use (operation) of
the wrapper 1.
[0075] A wrapper with the bended towbar as shown in FIG. 6 has the
further advantage that the total length of the combination of the
wrapper and the towing vehicle is kept limited, whereas that total
length would increase considerably when a conventional straight
towbar would be used to achieve the same effect of keeping the
loading area between the loading arms clear from obstructions.
[0076] The wrapper as described has the advantage over prior art
wrappers that it can transport two bales at the same time from the
point of pick-up of the bales to a different location. Furthermore,
the wrapper can also advantageously and contrary to prior art
wrappers move a bale from the pick-up position to the wrapping
table while the wrapper is in the transport position in which it is
not laterally off-set to the towing vehicle but rather in-line
therewith, i.e. substantially directly behind the towing vehicle.
The wrapper achieves this while maintaining its original
length.
[0077] The towbar as shown in the drawing comprises two
substantially straight sections. However, the towbar may also be
shaped as a bar having a continuous bend for example, which bend
generally follows the shape of the towbar as shown in the drawing
while still providing the same effect. Two sections however may
however be preferred in view of towing of the wrapper during
pick-up of bales.
[0078] Further modifications in addition to those described above
may be made to the structures and techniques described herein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described,
these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the
invention.
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