GB2135955A - Wrapping bales - Google Patents

Abstract

Bales, particularly large round bales of hay, are wrapped using apparatus comprising a frame (10) carrying a tubular collar (20); a supply of tubular wrapping material (30), e.g. plastics material, supported on the framework in alignment with the collar so as to permit passage through the tubular wrapping material of a bale supplied through the collar; and retaining means (24), e.g. spring loaded arms, for securing one end of the tubular wrapping material around the collar. The apparatus may be used by a single operator with a tractor having a fore-end loader to enclose a desired number of bales in the wrapping material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bale handling Background to the invention This invention relates to the handling of bales, and concerns the insertion of bales into wrapping material. The invention finds particularly, but not exclusive, application as an aid to the production of silage from large round bales of hay.

Field of invention During recent years the technique of making silage in polyethylene bags has grown in popularity. Large round bales of hay of various sizes (normally 4' x 4' (1.2m x 1.2m)) are inserted into individual polyethylene bags. The bags are sealed and bales are left until required for feeding. This technique is generally successful. However, the operation of inserting a bale into a bag tends to be time consuming and labour intensive, usually requiring three or four operatives, providing a significant drawback.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a method for use in inserting bales into wrapping material which will simplify and speed-up the insertion procedure.

The invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in inserting bales into wrapping material, comprising a frame carrying a tubular collar dimensioned to receive a bale to be wrapped; a supply of tubular wrapping material supported on the framework in alignment with the collar so as to permit passage through the tubular wrapping material of a bale supplied via the collar; and retaining means for securing one end of the tubular wrapping material around the exterior of the collar.

In use of the apparatus the following procedure is adopted: 1. A short length of wrapping material is pulled from the end of the supply adjacent to the collar, and located around the exterior of the collar and held in position by use of the retaining means.

2. A length e.g. 2-3m of wrapping material is pulled from the other end of the supply (directed away from the collar) and the end is sealed, e.g. by tying or other suitable methods.

3. A first bale to be wrapped is picked up, conveniently using a conventional tractor and foreend loader, and is inserted into the end of the collar (directed away from the supply). The first bale is released from the loader and a second bale is then picked up and inserted into the collar. This pushes the first bale through the apparatus towards the sealed end of the wrapping material. With the second bale still carried by the loader, the loader is then lifted by approximately 1/2m. This causes the frame and collar to be lifted from the ground, carried by the bale inside, while the first bale (which has been pushed through the apparatus) remains resting on the ground. The tractor is then reversed approximately 2m, taking the frame with it.The first bale and sealed end of the wrapping remain stationary on the ground, and reversing in this way therefore causes further wrapping material to be pulled from the supply.

4. The loader is lowered to return the frame to the ground, and the tractor is then driven forward pushing the second bale into the released tubular wrapping.

5. The bale insertion and loader movement operations are repeated until a desired number of bales has been inserted into the wrapping, or until the wrapping has been filled.

The other end of the wrapping material is sealed, after cutting of the wrapping material if necessary.

Air may be extracted from the package if desired, e.g. using a vacuum pump.

The above described operation can be easily and quickly performed by a single operator with a tractor, which represents a great improvement over the current practice which requires three of four operators.

In a further aspect, the present invention thus provides a method of inserting bales into wrapping material using the apparatus of the invention, comprising the steps of: (a) pulling a short length of wrapping material from the end of the supply adjacent to collar, locating the end around the exterior of the collar and holding the material in position by use of the retaining means; (b) pulling a length of wrapping material from the other end of the supply and sealing the end; (c) picking up a first bale to be wrapped using a tractor and fore-end loader, and inserting the bale into the free end of the collar; (d) releasing the first bale from the loader; (e) picking up a second bale with the loader and inserting the second bale into the collar; (f) lifting the loader to lift the frame and collar from the ground, carried by the second bale; (g) reversing the tractor;; (h) lowering the loader to return the frame to the ground; (i) moving the tractor forward to push the second bale into the wrapping; (j) releasing the second bale from the loader; (k) repeating steps (e) to (j) with further bales until the desired number of bales have been inserted; and; (1) sealing the other end of the wrapping.

The frame conveniently comprises a metal framework including a horizontal platform on which the collar is supported. The framework desirably also includes a vertical frame surrounding the collar for further support. The horizontal platform and vertical frame are preferably linked by inclined side bars for added rigidity.

The frame is conveniently mounted on skids to facilitate transport. Further, wheels and a drawbar may also be provided.

The tubular collar is preferably a circular crosssection, for use with round bales. Such bales typically have a diameter of 4' (1 .2m) and a collarfor use of such bales therefore has an internal diameter slightly larger than 4' (1 .2m). Other bale sizes are also used, e.g. 5' (1.5m) and 6' (1,8m) in diameter, and collars of different sizes may be provided for use with bales of different sizes.

The end of the collar remote from the wrapping supply, preferably has an outwardly flared inlet to facilitate the introduction of bales.

The retaining means for securing one end of the tubular wrapping material around the exterior of the collar, conveniently comprises a plurality of retaining arms, pivotally mounted on the outer surface of the collar, each arm being moveable between an open position to permit fitting of the material and a closed position in which the material is clamped to the collar. The arms are preferably biased to their closed position, e.g. by springs, with means being provided for locking the arms in their open positions to facilitate use by a single operator.

The wrapping material preferably comprises plastics material, e.g. polyethylene, of suitable thickness.

A length of the tubular wrapping material is conveniently supported on the frame in a way concertinalike store from which material can be pulled either end for use.

The invention finds a particular application in the wrapping of hay bales in polyethylene for the production of silage. The invention also has an application in the storage and/or chemical treatment of straw, e.g. treatment with ammonia to convert straw into a foodstuff.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure 7. Is a side view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2. is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Detailed description of the drawings Referring to the drawings, the illustrated apparatus comprises a metal framework 10, comprising a horizontal platform 12 and a vertical square-frame 14 mounted atone (front) end of the platform,the platform and frame being linked by a pair of inclined side members 16. The framework is mounted on skids 18 to facilitate transportation of the apparatus between sites. Further, wheels and a draw-bar (not shown) may also be provided.

Atubular, circular section metal collar 20 is supported on the framework 10 at the front end thereof, the collar being arranged with its axis extending horizontally. The end of the collar adjacent to the front end of the framework is formed with an outwardly flared inlet 22 to facilitate the introduction of bales. The illustrated collar has an internal diameter of slightly over 4' (1 .2m)and is intended for use with round bales having a diameter of 4' (1.2m).

A plurality of spring loaded retaining arms 24 are pivotally mounted to the outer surface of the collar for pivoting movement about axis 26. Each arm 24 is moveable between an open position in which the free end 28 thereof is remote from the collar surface to permit fitting of material around the collar, and a closed position in which the arm end 28 is in close proximity to the collar surface to clamp the material to the collar. The spring loading acts to bias the arms to their closed positions, but means are also provided to enable the arms to be locked in their open positions to facilitate use by a single operator.

A supply of tubular polyethylene wrapping material 30 is supported at the other (rear) end of the framework in a concertina-like supply. The wrapping material is supported by its supporting means (not shown), arranged in alignment with the collar 20 so as to permit passage through the tubular wrapping material of a bale supplied by a collar.

The apparatus is used for wrapping bales in the wrapping material in the manner described above, and the wrapping operation an be easily and quickly performed by a single operator with a tractor.

Claims (21)

1. Apparatus for use in inserting bales into wrapping material, comprising a frame carrying a tubular collar dimensioned to receive a bale to be wrapped; means for supporting a supply of tubular wrapping material on the framework in alignment with the collar so as to permit, in use, passage through the tubular wrapping material of a bale supplied via the collar; and retaining means for securing one end of the tubular wrapping material around the exterior of the collar.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a metal framework including a horizontal platform on which the collar is supported.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the framework also includes a vertical frame surrounding the collarforfurthersupport.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the horizontal platform and vertical frame are linked by inclined side bars.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is mounted on skids.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular collar is of circular crossection, for use with round bales.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the collar has an internal diameter slightly larger than 4' (1 .2m).

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the collar remote from the wrapping supply has an outwardly flared inlet.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means for securing one end of the tubular wrapping material around the exterior of the collar comprises a plurality of retaining arms, pivotally mounted on the outer surface of the collar, each arm being moveable between an open position to permit fitting of the material and a closed position in which the material is clamped to the collar.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the arms are biased to their closed positions, with means being provided for locking the arms in their open positions.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a supply of wrapping material.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the wrapping material comprises plastics of suitable thickness.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a length of the tubular wrapping material is supported on the frame in a concertina-like store from which material can be pulled either end for use.

14. Apparatus for use in inserting bales in wrapping material, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of inserting bales into wrapping material using apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: (a) pulling a short length of wrapping material from the end of a supply adjacent to the collar, locating the end around the exterior of the collar and holding the material in position by use of the retaining means; (b) pulling a length of wrapping material from the other end of the supply and sealing the end; (c) picking up a first bale to be wrapped using a tractor and fore-end loader, and inserting the bale into the free end of the collar; (d) releasing the first bale from the loader; (e) picking up a second bale with the loader and inserting the second bale into the collar; (f) lifting the loader to lift the frame and collar from the ground, carried by the second bale; (g) reversing the tractor;; (h) lowering the loader to return the frame to the ground; (i) moving the tractor forward to push the second bale into the wrapping; (j) releasing the second bale from the loader; (k) repeating steps (e) to (j) with further bales until the desired number of bales have been inserted; and (I) sealing the other end of the wrapping.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein about 2-3m of wrapping material is pulled from said other end of the supply.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the loader is lifted by approximately 1/2m.

18. A method according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the tractor is reversed approximately 2m.

19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising extracting air from the package.

20. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein round hay bales are wrapped in polythene.

21. A method of inserting bales into wrapping material substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.