A WINDING DEVICE FOR WINDING BINDING MATERIAL

A binding material winding device for winding binding material from an object tied with said binding material comprises a guiding member and a winding member. The binding material is e.g. a strap, wire or string. The guiding member is arranged to be introduced with the binding material and configured to guide said binding material towards said winding member. The winding member is configured to be introduced with said binding material during actuation of said winding member and thereby wind and remove said binding material via said actuation.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a winding device for winding binding material like a strap, wire or string, from an object tied with said binding material, such as from a bale, like a bale comprising waste material or from other packet like object, such as a packet chipboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bales are bound e.g. by providing binding material, such as a strap, wire or string, around the material to be bound. The bale material may be any material suitable to be bound, such as for example chemical pulp or waste materials, like RDF, SRF (Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) or solid recovered fuel/specified recovered fuel (SRF)) and other waste, recyclable materials and industrial materials. When the material is bound, it is easy to store or transfer to a further processing, such as waste bales e.g. to a combustion plant. Often there is a need to open the bound bales and remove the binding material for example before further processing, for example before further processing of the waste bale, such as recycling or combusting the waste material.

There are solutions for opening the bale and e.g. for removing the binding material by a bale opener. Often the bale opener has a cutting means for cutting the binding material and gripping mechanism, which grips and cuts the binding material and removes it by pulling movement. The previous bale opener developed by the applicant comprises also rollers, where the gripping mechanism pulls the wrapping or binding material between the rollers, after which the rollers are pressed against each other and rotated so to remove the wrapping or binding material more efficiently away from the bale.

Even though the previous bale opener has several advantages, there are still some disadvantages relating to it, such as sometimes it might be that the binding material sticks to the rollers, which causes inefficiency of the bale opener. In addition when the gripping mechanism pulls the wrapping or binding material between the rollers, the bale opener cannot be used at that time, because the bale opener must wait the gripping mechanism returning back. However the gripping mechanism can return only after the rollers have removed the wrapping or binding material from the bale (and possibly also from the gripping mechanism) and when the rollers have again been opened so that the gripping mechanism can return back.

In addition there are still some disadvantages related to the removed binding material, namely often the binding materials are just stacked in the next of the opener, whereupon the vague or indefinite binding material pile at the ground nearby the bale opener is a security risk and additionally litters the free space near the opener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide a winding device for winding the binding material or tied bales or other packets efficient, reliable and fast way, and to minimize possible malfunctions, such as to eliminate problems relating to sticking of the binding materials to the device. In addition the object is to fasten the process so that there is no need to wait the removing of the binding material before the gripping means can return back to its position and for introduction to the next bale to be opened.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

The invention relates to a binding material winding device according to claim1.

According to an embodiment of the invention a binding material winding device is configured to catch the binding material, like a strap, wire or string, from an object tied with said binding material. The object may locate next to the winding device, such as on a supporting structure of a bale opener. The bale opener or the binding material winding device may comprise a gripping mechanism, which is configured to be introduced with the bale, to grip said binding material, and again to be moved away from the bale with said gripped binding material.

The binding material winding device advantageously comprises a guiding member, which is arranged to be introduced with the binding material, when the binding material is moved away from the bale advantageously by said gripping mechanism. As an example the guiding member may be or comprise a hook-shaped portion, which is configured to catch or hook the binding material when removed at least partially from the object tied by said binding material. The guiding member may also be implemented by a bar. In addition the guiding member is configured to guide said binding material towards a winding member of the binding material winding device. It is to be noted that the binding material may be plurality of straps or wires or strings, whereupon the guiding member is configured to introduce or guide all of the straps or wires or strings or the like towards the winding member. In particularly it is to be noted that the guiding member can be configured to keep the binding material (especially all of the separate straps or wires or strings or the like) tight during the introduction, whereupon the winding member can effectively wind and remove all the binding material at the same actuation, whereupon the possibility that some of the binding material will be lost is minimized. The winding member is advantageously configured to be introduced with said binding material during actuation of said winding member and thereby wind and remove said binding material via said actuation. As a result, so that after the actuation, the binding material is winded to a small bundle, such as into a form of a coil.

The winding member may comprise a movable portion, such as a sledge, which comprises a gripper for gripping the binding material when introduced by the guiding member. The gripping may be implemented by a protrusion member or a slit advantageously in the end portion of said movable portion. As an example the winding member comprises at least two protrusion members, rods or hooks, whereupon the guiding member is configured to introduce said binding material between said at least two protrusion members, rods or hooks. The protrusion members, rods or hooks comprises advantageously a common rotational axis around which the winding member is configured to rotate.

It is to be noted that when all of the binding material (plurality of straps or wires or strings or the like) is guided to the winding member, advantageously a single one bundle, such as a coil, is formed as a result of actuation of the winding member.

In addition the binding material winding device advantageously comprises also a counterpart portion, whereupon the guiding member is advantageously configured to introduce said binding material between the counterpart portion and the movable portion. The winding member is configured to move towards or against the counterpart portion during actuation and catch, advantageously to press, said binding material between the movable portion and the counterpart portion. During action the winding member is also configured to rotate around its rotational axis, and so to wind said binding material introduced so that after the actuation the binding material is winded into a coil form bundle, for example.

It is to be noted that the binding material can be removed in its entirety from the bale before winding, e.g. by an external device, such as the gripping mechanism, but that the winding member may also be used for removing the binding material during action, so during rotation of said winding member.

During the actuation the winding member is configured to press the introduced binding material between the movable portion and the counterpart portion so to catch the binding material. According to an embodiment the counterpart portion comprises a recess, which is configured for receiving the end portion of the movable portion of said winding member, such as the sledge. When the end portion of the movable portion can enter at least partially into the recess the binding material can be caught more tightly between the winding member and the counterpart portion. In addition, during the actuation, so rotation, the winding member is additionally configured to wind and thereby also possible additionally to remove (optional feature) the binding material.

According to an embodiment the counterpart portion is configured to move against the winding member, pressing the binding material and thereby guiding the binding material during the winding process. In addition during the actuation of the winding member the counterpart portion is configured to move backwards advantageously in a controlled manner, thereby controlling the thickness of the winded binding material, so the thickness of the coil of the winded binding material in the direction of rotational axis of the winding member. The thickness and size of the winded coil tends to increase during the winding when more binding material is winded to the coil. In this way the thickness and overall size of the coil of the winded binding material can be kept as small as possible. In addition also malfunctions due to expanding of the coil winded can be minimized.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment the winding device may comprise at least one guiding device, which is configured to elongate, such as move, around the winding member during actuation and thereby guiding and forcing the binding material against the winding member during winding. In addition the size of the winded binding material, so the diameter of the coil, can be controlled. The guiding device can be implemented e.g. by a plate or guiding rod, preferably at least two or three and most advantageously at least four guiding rods. However, also other types of suitable guiding device can be applied.

According to an embodiment the movable portion is configured to move backwards from the counterpart portion after winding the binding material. In addition the winding device is configured to release the winded binding material, such as the coil. The winding device, advantageously the winding member, may comprise a releasing member for releasing the coil. The releasing member may be implemented e.g. by a pushing device for pushing the winded binding material away around the winding members, such as away around the gripper. In this way the winding member and the whole winding device can be kept clean after winding.

It is to be noted that the winding device may comprise or is configured to cooperate with an external gripping mechanism. The gripping mechanism may be configured to be introduced with the object, such as the bale, supported by the supporting structure, to grip said binding material, and again to be moved away from the object with said gripped binding material, and again configured to introduce said binding material to the guiding member.

According to an embodiment the guiding member and the winding member are mutually arranged so to enable said gripping mechanism returning back towards the bale or supporting structure for supporting the bale essentially at the same time when the winding member is actuated to wind and possibly also to remove the binding material. For example the winding member may located much lower level that the gripping mechanism so that when the guiding member is caught the binding material and guided for the winding member located below the level of the gripping mechanism, the gripping mechanism is able and free to move towards the bale or supporting structure for supporting the bale. Also the mutual movement of the guiding member, winding member and/or the gripping mechanism can be arranged so to enable said gripping mechanism returning back. This naturally fastens the whole procedure of removing the binding material from the bales, and thereby offers clear advantage.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the winding device illustrated in this document, can be provided as a mobile vehicle.

The present invention offers clear advantage namely when the binding material is winded into a small (advantageously a single) bundle, it is much easier to handle and additionally the space around the bale opener and/or the winding device can be kept clear.

The present invention also offer reliable and fast way to wind the biding material in a way allowing to minimize possible malfunctions, such as to eliminate problems relating to sticking of the binding materials to the device. In addition the bale opening and binding material removing and especially the winding process can be fastened so that there is no need to wait the removing of the binding material before the gripping means can return back to its position and for introduction to the next bale to be opened.

In addition, the present invention offers to control the thickness and overall size of the coil of the winded binding material and it can be kept as small as possible. In addition also malfunctions due to expanding of the coil winded can be minimized by the present invention.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5illustrate a principle of an exemplary device100in different operation modes for winding binding material101according to advantageous embodiments of the invention. In addition a side view of an exemplary device100according to advantageous embodiments of the invention is illustratedFIG. 6.

The winding device100operates advantageously in connection with a gripping mechanism103, which is typically pushed into an object, such as to into a bale (not shown) so that it is able to grip the binding material101. When the gripping mechanism103is caught the binding material101from the bale (or other object), the gripping mechanism103is moved away114from the bale with said gripped binding material101, as is described inFIG. 1. The gripping mechanism103may be arranged in connection with an external bale opener or alternatively the binding material winding device100may comprise said gripping mechanism103. In addition, according to an embodiment the binding material winding device100may be part of the bale opening device know from prior art.

The winding device100may also comprise a guiding member102for guiding the binding material101towards a winding member104, as can be seen inFIG. 2. The guiding member102may e.g. catch the binding material101after the binding material101is moved away from the bale so after the gripping mechanism103is passed the guiding member102with the binding material101or otherwise introduced the binding material101to the guiding member102.

When the guiding member102is caught the binding material101and introduced it to the winding member104, the winding member104is actuated, typically rotated. During actuation the winding device winds and possibly also removes the binding material101so that the binding material101is winded advantageously to a small bundle108, such as into a form of a coil108, as can be seen inFIGS. 3-5.

The winding member104may also comprise a movable portion105, such as a sledge, which comprises a gripper107for gripping the binding material101. As an example the winding member104comprises at least two protrusion members, rods or hooks, as said gripper107, as can be seen e.g. inFIGS. 1 and 5 and 6. The protrusion members107comprises advantageously a common rotational axis109around which the winding member104or the movable portion is configured to rotate.

The binding material winding device100may comprises also a counterpart portion106so that the guiding member102is able to introduce the binding material101between the counterpart portion106and the movable portion105as can be seen inFIG. 6. The counterpart portion106may also comprises a recess110, which is configured for receiving the end portion of the movable portion105of the winding member104, such as the sledge, as can be seen inFIG. 6.

The counterpart portion106may also move116against the winding member104, thereby pressing the binding material101and guiding the binding material101during the winding process, as well as to move backwards116thereby controlling the thickness of the winded binding material108.

It is to be noted that the components of the device, such as especially the winding member104, end portion of the movable portion105and the counterpart portion106, may be replaceable parts.

The winding device may additionally comprise a guiding device111. The guiding device111is advantageously arranged around the winding member104during actuation so to guide and force the binding material101against the winding member104during winding. The guiding device111may be fixedly arranged (unmovable) or it can be configured to actively control the size of the winded binding material108during winding, and thus is can be arranged in movable way so that moving “outwards”115when the diameter of the coil is increased during winding, as can be seen inFIG. 4.

The guiding device111may be arranged in connection with the counterpart portion106so that the guiding device111is configured to be protruding during winding, so e.g. when the movable portion105and/or the counterpart portion106is moved against each other, or the guiding device111may be arranged in connection with the movable portion105.

The winding device100may comprise also a releasing member112for releasing the coil, as can be seen inFIG. 5.

The guiding member102and the winding member104(as well as possible also the gripping mechanism103) can be mutually arranged so to enable said gripping mechanism103returning back towards113the new bale or supporting structure for supporting the bale (or other object) essentially at the same time when the winding member104is winding the binding material101, as can be seen in (and process steps of)FIGS. 3-5.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims.

The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.