Abstract:
A baling press includes a support unit on which first and second strapping mechanisms are mounted, and the support unit is rotatable between a first position in which the first strapping mechanism is operational and a second position in which the second strapping mechanism is operational.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to British Patent Application No. 1214923.3 filed on Aug. 22, 2012, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to baling presses, i.e. to machines used for the compaction of recyclable materials, such as cardboard, plastic, RDF and the like, and tying it into bales. 
         [0003]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved baling press. 
         [0004]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of baling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a baling press which includes a support unit on which first and second strapping mechanisms are mounted, the support unit being rotatable between a first position in which the first strapping mechanism is operational and a second position in which the second strapping mechanism is operational. 
         [0006]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a support unit on which first and second strapping mechanisms are mounted, the support unit being designed to form part of a baling press and being rotatable between a first position in which the first strapping mechanism is operational and a second position in which the second strapping mechanism is operational. 
         [0007]    The first strapping mechanism may be a plastic strapper and the second strapping mechanism may be a wire tie unit, with the support unit movable through 180° between its first and second positions. 
         [0008]    According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of baling which comprises the use of a baling press as defined above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a baling press with its support unit in its retracted or home position, 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the baling press with the parts thereof in the condition shown in  FIG. 1 , 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the baling press with the support unit turned through 90° from the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the baling press with the parts thereof in the condition shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    The baling press shown in the drawings operates, in many respects, in a manner corresponding to a baling press having a single strapping mechanism and the general construction and mode of operation of the baling press will accordingly not be described in detail. The significant novel features of the baling press of the present invention relate to the manner in which bales can be strapped, i.e. bales can be strapped using either a plastic strapper or a wire tie unit and the change-over between the two forms of strapping mechanism can be effected simply and efficiently. The strapping mechanisms are indicated diagrammatically at X in  FIG. 4  and are mounted on a mounting bracket or support unit  10 . 
         [0014]    When it is desired to change-over, the operator uncouples the power and services from the strapping mechanism previously employed. The operator drives the support unit  10  for the strapping mechanism away from the exit of the eject chamber  11  using a sliding arm  12  which is driven by a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is controlled by the operator using the controls on the press. The start and stop positions of the support unit  10  are governed by limit switches (not shown). 
         [0015]    Once the support unit  10  has been moved to a safe position, i.e. sufficiently far from the eject chamber  11  for the support unit  10  to be rotated without interfering with the front of the eject chamber  11 , a quick release mechanism (not shown) is operated to unlock the support unit  10  to permit rotation thereof. The support unit  10  is then rotated about a vertical axis through 180° so that it is then in the required position and it is then locked against rotation in this position.  FIG. 2  shows the support unit  10  in its retracted or home position whereas  FIG. 4  shows the support unit  10  when it has been turned through 90° from its retracted or home position. 
         [0016]    Once the support unit  10  has been turned through 180°, the sliding arm  12  is then moved, being driven by the hydraulic cylinder, towards the eject chamber  11  and is relocated in the correct operating position, being positioned by large dowel guides  13  at the four corners of the support unit  10  once the appropriate limit switch has been operated to stop it after the required distance of travel. 
         [0017]    The services for the selected strapping mechanism on the front of the support unit  10  can then be connected to the operating system of the baling press and made ready for operation. 
         [0018]    A plastic strapper is mounted on one side of the support unit  10  and a wire tie unit is mounted on the other side of the support unit  10  so that when, for whatever reason, it is desired to change from using one form of strapping mechanism to the other, this can be effected speedily and safely, with a minimum of down-time, thus permitting the press to operate at substantially its maximum capacity. 
         [0019]    The rotary tie system (comprising the two strapping mechanisms carried by the support unit  10 ) allows for the changeover of tying systems to be effected with little downtime and with minimal operator interaction, it is thus not too onerous for the operator to change the tying mechanisms around. 
         [0020]    The rotary tie system can also be retrofitted to existing balers.