MEANS FOR A BALING DEVICE HAVING END PLATES

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for a compressor chamber (5) formed by a receiving mat and laterally situated end plates (3, 4) for the compression of waste and other material into a round bale (7), in conjunction with which the end plates (3, 4) are pivotally mounted in such a way as to cause a bale (7) to be displaced from the aforementioned compressor chamber (5). The end plates (3, 4) are supported in such a way as to be capable of displacement along the central axis (10) of the aforementioned chamber (5) by means of jacks (11, 12), and they are supported by swinging arms (15, 16) and are supported in such a way as to be capable of lateral (8, 9) displacement at the free end of each swinging arm. The pairs of jacks (11, 12) are double-acting so that, with the two pistons (11, 12) in their retracted position, the end plates (3, 4) are retained in a position in which they are disengaged from a bale (7) and, with the two pistons (11, 12) in their extended position, the end plates (3, 4) are retained in a forming position or a clamping position (I and II) for the purpose of holding a bale (7) securely between them.

Description: Means for a baling device having end plates The present invention relates to an arrangement for a compressor chamber formed by a receiving mat and laterally situated end plates for the compression of waste and other material into a round bale, in conjunction with which the end plates are pivotally mounted in such a way as to cause a bale to be displaced from the aforementioned compressor chamber. A problem encountered in previously disclosed devices of the indicated kind is that of achieving the simple and effective actuation of the end plates to enable them to be adjusted to desired separate positions. In order to prevent the lateral displacement of the end plates in such devices, extending pressure devices have been arranged, by means of which it is possible to apply pressure to a compressed bale to enable the bale to be transferred to a plastic-wrapping station. It is not possible with such an arrangement to change the volume of the intended bales that it is wished to produce by changing the length of the baling area formed between the end plates and an interacting mat . The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the aforementioned problem by simple and effective means and without the need for manual input . The aforementioned object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that the end plates are supported in such a way as to be capable of displacement along the central axis of the aforementioned chamber by means of jacks; in that the end plates are supported by swinging arms and are supported in such a way as to be capable of lateral displacement at the free end of each swinging arm; in that the jacks are double-acting so that, with the two pistons in their retracted position, the end plates are retained in a position in which they are disengaged from a bale and, with the two pistons in their extended position, the end plates are retained in a forming position or a clamping position for the purpose of holding a bale securely between them. The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a diagrammatically represented baling machine; Figs. 2-4 show front views of the lateral end plates displaced to different positions; Fig. 5 shows a side view of the entire baling device; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the actual baling unit during the period when baling is taking place; Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the unit with the lateral end plates pivoted to a position in which they are removed from the baling unit and raised; Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a baling device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 9 shows a lateral displacement mechanism for an end plate; Fig. 10 shows a jack that is being used to cause an end plate to be displaced between different lateral displacement positions; and Fig. 11 shows diagrammatic front views of the lateral end plates actuated in such a way as to be displaced to different positions. An arrangement 1 for a compressor chamber 5 formed by a receiving mat 2 and laterally situated end plates 3, 4 for the compression of waste 6 and other material into a round bale 7 comprises means of displacement to cause a formed round bale 7 to be displaced from the aforementioned compressor chamber 5 for subsequent processing of the round bale 7. In accordance with the invention, the end plates 3, 4 are supported in such a way as to be capable of lateral displacement in a direction 8, 9 along the central axis 10 of the aforementioned chamber 5 with the help of jacks 11, 12. The end plates 3, 4 are pivotally supported in a previously disclosed fashion in a direction from 13 and towards 14 the aforementioned chamber 5 by pairs of swinging arms 15, 16 and are now supported in such a way as to be capable of lateral 8, 9 displacement in the area of the free end 15A, 16A of the respective swinging arm. The two jacks 11, 12, which are preferably in the form of piston cylinders with pistons 11, 11B; 12A, 12B capable of displacement accommodated therein with associated projecting piston rods 11C, 11D; 12C, 12D, and which are caused by a pressure medium, such as a hydraulic fluid or air, to be extended from a centrally located bale forming position I, see Fig. 2, to a bale clamping position II, see Fig. 3, by actuation of the associated piston 11A, 12A and a laterally situated piston 11B, 12B, are double-acting. Thanks to the double action of the jacks 11, 12, these can be so arranged that, with the two pistons 11, 12 in the retracted position, the end plates 3, 4 are retained in a common disengaged position III free from a bale 7 and, with the two pistons 11, 12 in the extended position, the end plates 3, 4 are retained in a clamping position I and II respectively for the purpose of holding a bale 7 securely between them. The end plates 3 , 4 are mounted in such a way that they are supported on a sledge 17, 18 capable of lateral 8, 9 displacement, which is preferably in the form of a plate which is accommodated in a displaceable fashion with each of its mutually opposing lateral edges 19, 20 in its own grooved recess 21, 22. The aforementioned grooved recesses are preferably formed by pairs of lateral flanges 21, 22 securely bolted to a holding plate 23, which is supported by an aforementioned swinging arm 15, 16. Fig. 9 shows how the aforementioned lateral flanges 21, 22 are securely bolted to the plate 23 with rows of bolts 24, so that the spaces 25, 26 are formed between the respective lateral flange 21, 22 and the plate 23, and in which the plate 23 is accommodated in such a way as to be displaced therein following actuation of the associated jack 11, 12. The aforementioned jacks 11, 12 are supported in a pivotally attached fashion with an associated bearing support 27, 28 on each swinging arm 15, 16 and end plate 3, 4. The aforementioned pivoting articulations are able in this way to absorb any oblique forces or other loadings acting on the end plates 3 , 4. The aforementioned jacks 11, 12 exhibit a sufficiently long stroke length for the end plates 3, 4 to be mounted in such a way that they are capable of displacement to a position in towards the aforementioned compressor chamber 5 within the respective lateral edge 29, 30 of a receiving mat 2 extending essentially around the periphery of the entire end plate. The aforementioned mat, which can be in the form of rubber or some other flexible material, is driven separately from the aforementioned end plates 3, 4. Each of the two end plates 3 , 4 exhibit around its periphery a laterally 8, 9 broadened contact surface 31, 32, against which the mat 2 is in contact to form a compressor chamber 5 formed in between. The function of the arrangement 1 is thus that the end plates 3, 4 are normally in a central position during the actual pressing. When the bale subsequently requires to be lifted across, the end plates are pressed in for the purpose of clamping the bale securely. When the bale subsequently requires to be set down, the end plates are extended outwards beyond the normal position, which gives a greater distance between the end plates, and the bale is then free. When the bale is then released and the end plates are moved back into the chamber, they return to the normal position, which is the central position for this movement . The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings, but can be varied within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. Arrangement (1) for a compressor chamber (5) formed by a receiving mat (2) and laterally situated end plates (3, 4) for the compression of waste (6) and other material into a round bale (7) , in conjunction with which the end plates (3, 4) are pivotally mounted in such a way as to cause a bale (7) to be displaced from the aforementioned compressor chamber (5) , characterized in that the end plates (3, 4) are supported in such a way as to be capable of displacement along the central axis (10) of the aforementioned chamber (5) by means of jacks (11, 12) ; in that the end plates (3, 4) are supported by swinging arms (15, 16) and are supported in such a way as to be capable of lateral (8, 9) displacement at the free end (15A, 16A) of each swinging arm; in that the jacks (11, 12) are double-acting so that, with the two pistons (11, 12) in their retracted position, the end plates (3, 4) are retained in a position (III) in which they are disengaged from a bale (7) and, with the two pistons (11, 12) in their extended position, the end plates (3, 4) are retained in a forming position or a clamping position (I and II) for the purpose of holding a bale (7) securely between them. 2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the end plates (3, 4) are mounted in such a way that they are supported on a sledge (17, 18) capable of lateral (8, 9) displacement. 3. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 2 , characterized in that the sledge (17, 18) is preferably in the form of a plate which is accommodated in a displaceable fashion with each of its mutually opposing lateral edges (19, 20) in its own grooved recess (21, 22) . 4. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 3, characterized in that the aforementioned grooved recesses (21, 22) are formed by pairs of lateral flanges (21, 22) securely bolted to a holding plate (23) , between which the plate is accommodated. 5. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the jacks (11, 12) are in the form of piston cylinders caused by a pressure medium, such as a hydraulic fluid or air, to be extended from a centrally located bale forming position (I) to a bale clamping position (II) by actuation of the associated piston (11A, 12A) and a laterally situated piston (11B, 12B) . 6. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the jacks (11, 12) are supported in a pivotally attached fashion with a bearing support (27, 28) on each swinging arm (15, 16) and end plate (3, 4) . 7. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the end plates (3, 4) are supported in such a way that they are capable of displacement to a position in towards the aforementioned compressor chamber (5) within the respective lateral edge (29, 30) of a receiving mat (2) extending essentially around the periphery of the entire end plate. 8. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the receiving mat (2) is in the form of rubber or some other flexible material. 9. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 8 , characterized in that the receiving mat (2) is so arranged as to enclose the end plates (3, 4) .

Inventors: BRAENNSTROEM LARS-AAKE, TORAENG KRISTIAN, BRAENNSTROEM, LARS-AAKE, TORAENG, KRISTIAN
Applicants: BALA PRESS AB, BRAENNSTROEM LARS AAKE, TORAENG KRISTIAN, BRAENNSTROEM, LARS-AAKE, TORAENG, KRISTIAN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B30B9
IPC codes: B30B9