Abstract:
A wrapping material indicator arrangement for a wrapping machine, in particular a rotobaler. The indicator is supported on the circumference of a wrapping material roll, from which wrapping material is withdrawn during a wrapping operation. A rotating counter roll, pressed against the wrapping material roll, drives a rotating wheel mounted on an arm that allows the wheel to translate through an arc. The translation of the wheel and arm indicates the amount of wrapping material left on the wrapping material roll and its rotation allows an operator to monitor the operation of the rotobaler for malfunctions during the wrapping operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention concerns a wrapping material indicator used to monitor whether wrapping material is being disbursed from a roll, and how much remains on the roll in various industrial applications, in particular in agricultural applications and specifically on rotobalers. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Existing wrapping material rolls incorporate a red warning stripe that points toward either end of the roll. The wrapping material must be directly observed from the towing vehicle to allow an operator to establish whether material still remains on the roll, and whether it is being withdrawn during the wrapping operation. This type of monitoring requires the wrapping material to be directly visible to the operator, meaning the material roll is open and exposed to contamination by harvested crops, dirt, and other foreign objects. Moreover, when wrapping material has a homogeneous surface, such as netting, foil, paper and the like, it may be difficult for an operator to recognize the motion of the material. 
   In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need for a wrapping material indicator, other than simply viewing the wrapping material itself, that prevents the intrusion of crops, dirt, or other debris and that allows the operator to reliably monitor the operational status of the material roll. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   In satisfying the above need, as well as overcoming the enumerated drawbacks and other limitations of the related art, the present invention provides a wrapping material indicator located within the visual range of the operator. This allows the wrapping material itself to be provided at a different location. The indicator may include a wheel brought into rotation directly or indirectly by a rotating wrapping material roll. As a result, not only the amount but also the motion of the wrapping material can be detected. This arrangement also means the changing diameter of the material roll has no effect on the speed of rotation of the wheel. 
   To accurately reflect the motion, and the amount of wrapping material, a secure contact between the wrapping material indicator wheel and the wrapping material roll is required. This is achieved by including a counter roll brought into contact with the wrapping material roll. The wheel is then driven by means of a tensioning device, such as a belt or a chain, connected to the counter roll. Using this means, the wheel can be located in a different area than the wrapping material roll. The counter roll may be a body of revolution that extends over the entire width of the wrapping material, or it may be a shaft with wheels, that rolls upon the circumference. The counter roll may be formed of plastic, metal or other appropriate material. 
   This arrangement allows the wrapping material roll&#39;s movement and diameter to be monitored on the indicator while the roll is protected against exposure from harvested crops, rain, dirt and debris. To accomplish this at least one arm is provided having a bar mounted thereon which projects through a recess in a cover over the wrapping material roll. One end of the arm is supported on bearings in a stationary location, free to pivot, and its free end is supported on the wrapping material roll. This arrangement allows information regarding the amount of wrapping material on the roll to be determined on the basis of the changing position of the arm, and the wheel fastened to the arm, relative to the recess. A scale on the cover corresponds to the amount of material on the roll as the bar moves through the recess. Alternatively, the arm can be configured to send an electrical signal to a display or gage. 
   To assure that the wrapping material roll is held in its operating position, the arm and, if necessary, the counter roll is forced against the roll. The actuation arrangement used for this purpose may be a gas spring, a mechanical spring, or a linear motor actuated hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or the like. 
   The motion of the wrapping material and the amount of wrapping material can be determined visually (i.e. with markings), or electrically. In the latter case a signal is generated corresponding to the position and rotational speed of the wheel using, for example, a potentiometer, generator, or similar device. 
   In rotobalers, in which this invention is predominately used, the wrapping material is usually pulled off the roll by a rotating crop bale. However, malfunctions may occur if the wrapping material is grasped by a roller or another element, of the machine. This causes the roller, rather than the bale, to pull material off the roll. As such, since a roller will withdraw the material at a different rate than the bale, it is beneficial to monitor the velocity of the wrapping material roll and compare the rotational speed of the wrapping material roll to an ideal velocity. If a significant difference is detected a warning signal may be generated, alerting the operator to any malfunctions. 
   Finally, the wrapping material indicator arrangement may extend through any recess in the frame, sheathing, or similar structure. To ensure easy accessibility in case of a malfunction, the recess may be provided in or on a cover that encloses the wrapping arrangement. The recess may be provided with seals or be located in a position where no dirt, harvested crop or debris can intrude. 
   Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a review of the following description, with reference to the drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a rotobaler; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged side view of a wrapping arrangement of the rotobaler seen in  FIG. 1  with a wrapping material supply in an operating position; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the wrapping material supply seen in  FIG. 2  in a non-operating position; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a wrapping material separating arrangement in a non-operating position; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the wrapping material separating arrangement seen in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  shows the wrapping material separating arrangement seen in  FIG. 4  in an operating position; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a wrapping material indicator. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, a rotobaler embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and designated at  10 . In this case the rotobaler  10  is configured for agriculture, but it can also be used for industrial applications, garbage removal, forestry or the like. As its primary components, the rotobaler  10  includes a frame  14 , running gear (such as wheels)  16 , a towbar  18 , a baling arrangement  20 , a pick-up arrangement  22  and a wrapping arrangement  12 . The frame  14  is configured in a known manner as a welded and bolted assembly supported by the running gear  16  and coupled to a towing vehicle (not shown), by means of the towbar  18 , except when the rotobaler  10  is a stationary unit. 
   The bailing arrangement  20  surrounds a baling chamber  24 . The baling chamber  24  is enclosed by walls at its ends and is used to accept and compress a harvested crop conducted to it by the pick-up arrangement  22 . The pick-up arrangement  22  is configured to be followed, if necessary, by a cutting arrangement or other crop processing equipment that takes up harvested crop from the ground and feeds it into the baling chamber  24 . In the embodiment shown, the circumference of the baling chamber  24  is surrounded by baling elements  26  arranged in a circular arc and configured as is known in the art. At approximately the 2 o&#39;clock position, a space is formed between two baling elements  26 , through which a wrapping material  28  may be introduced. 
   The frame  14  is provided with a rear flap (not shown), that can be raised so that a cylindrical bale  30 , formed in the baling chamber  24 , can roll out. At least some of the baling elements  26  are driven in such a way that the bale  30  rotates in the clockwise direction when viewed as in  FIG. 1 . However, it is also possible for the bale to rotate counter-clockwise. 
   In the present embodiment, the wrapping arrangement  12  is located in the forward upper region of the rotobaler  10 , but could also be provided in the rear upper region, or in a center region. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a housing  32 , at least one wrapping material roll  34 , a wrapping material supply arrangement  36 , a wrapping material separating arrangement  38  and a wrapping material indicator arrangement  40  are provided with the wrapping arrangement  12 . The wrapping arrangement  12  need not be applied only to a rotobaler, but can be used in any application where a body is wrapped with wrapping material. 
   The housing  32  is formed in part by the frame  14  and contains an essentially horizontal floor  42  and a cover  44  that can open upward. In some embodiments, the floor  42  could be inclined. The cover  44  can be pivoted vertically about a hinge  46  from a closed position ( FIG. 2 ), into an open position ( FIG. 3 ). A recess  48  ( FIG. 7 ) is provided on the cover  44  located on the right as seen in the direction of operation. A retainer  50  is also provided on the inside of the rear upper region of the cover. 
   The wrapping material roll  34  stores a large length of wrapping material  28 . When the wrapping material  28  is withdrawn from the wrapping material roll  34  (located on the left in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), it is brought into contact with the wrapping material supply arrangement  36 , and is tensioned and retained by means of a counter roll  52 . As shown in the drawing, a second wrapping material roll  34  may be provided as an additional supply. The counter roll  52  is retained, while free to pivot vertically, by arms  54  which engage at one end with the end of the counter roll  52  and at their other end engage a bearing  56  of the frame  14 . The counter roll  52  is brought into contact with, or lifted away from, the wrapping material roll  34  by means of an actuation assembly  100 . While the actuation assembly  100  is configured as described below, it could also comprise a rope, chain, linkage, or similar mechanism, where an upward pivoting movement of the cover  44  lifts the counter roll  52  off the wrapping material roll  34 . However, some embodiments may omit the counter roll  52 , relying only on inertia, friction or another means to tension the wrapping material  26 . 
   The actuation assembly  100  includes a first retainer  102 , a pivoting part  104 , a second retainer  106 , a steering arm  108 , an actuation arrangement  110  and a retainer  112 . These components are usually provided on both the left and right sides of the wrapping arrangement  12 , but it is also possible to provide them on only a single side. The actuation assembly  100  is required to force the cover  44  into a closed position or, after overcoming a dead center position, to open the cover  44  and retain it there. It also forces the counter roll  52  into contact with the wrapping material roll  34  when the cover  44  is closed. 
   The first retainer  102  extends in an upright direction and is rigidly connected to the frame  14 . It supports a bearing  114  in an upper end region that is located approximately at half the height of the space underneath the cover  44 . The pivoting part  104  is generally configured as a triangular plate, each of whose corners are provided with a bearing  116 ,  118 ,  120 . The pivoting part  104  may have a different shape, so long as the three bearings  116 ,  118 ,  120  do not lie along a straight line. The pivoting part  104  is connected to the retainer  102 , free to pivot, by means of the bearing  118 . 
   The second retainer  106  is rigidly attached to the upper side of the arm  54 , near the pivoting part  104 , and a bearing  122  in a flat portion. The steering arm  108  is a bracket or a plate that extends between the bearing  116  on the pivoting part  104  and the bearing  122  in the second retainer  106 . The steering arm  108  is connected, free to pivot, to the pivoting part  104  as well as to the retainer  106 . The length of the steering arm  108  is selected such that, even when the wrapping material roll  34  occupies its largest diameter, the counter roll  52  rests upon the wrapping material roll  34  and can be accommodated within the space under the cover  44  when it is closed. 
   The actuation arrangement  110  is usually a gas spring, but may be another device, such as a mechanical spring, that is retained, free to pivot, at its one end in the bearing  120  and at its other end in the bearing  124  in the retainer  112 . It assumes its shortest length when the cover  44  is closed. The retainer  112  is located at the underside of the cover  44  generally opposite the hinge  46 . 
   The wrapping material supply arrangement  36  contains a driven roll  58  that can be driven hydraulically, electrically or mechanically. In the current embodiment, a baling element  26  mechanically drives the driven roll  58  only when the wrapping material  28  needs to be introduced into the baling chamber  24 . 
   Located opposite the roll  58  and parallel to it is a contact force arrangement  60  provided with a pivoting assembly  62 , a second roll  64 , an energy accumulator  66  and a connection  68 . The contact force assembly  60  is required to force the wrapping material  28  against the driven roll  58  by means of the second roll  64 , so that the wrapping material  28  can be safely pulled off the wrapping material roll  34 . The contact force assembly  62  is configured in such a way that the second roll  64  can be raised from contact with the driven roll  58  in order to form a slot between the two through which the wrapping material  28  can be initially introduced. The pivoting assembly  62  includes steering arms  70  that engage, at one end, a bearing  72  on the frame  14 , free to pivot vertically, and engage the second roll  64 , free to rotate, with the other end. The steering arms  70  are equipped with at least one deflector  74  at their end region facing the second roll  64 . These prevent wrapping material  28  from wrapping around the second roll  64 . In some embodiments, the deflector  74  may be omitted. The second roll  64  can be made of various materials, such as metal or plastic, and may be smooth or profiled. In place of a single roll, several wheels or disks, either in contact with each other or spaced away from each other, could be fastened to a shaft and rotate in unison. Further, if the deflector  74  is configured in the form of a rake, its individual tines could then penetrate into the free spaces of the body of revolution formed as described. In a preferred embodiment, the second roll  64  is not driven. 
   In addition the energy accumulator  66  is typically configured as a gas spring where the gas is under pressure and tends to expand. Other energy accumulators may also be used, for example those operating on the basis of stored mechanical energy (i.e. springs). The energy accumulator  66  engages the frame  14  with its upper end and engages the steering arm  70  with its other end, thereby forcing the second roll  64  against the driven roll  58 . 
   The connection  68  is configured as a steel cable, although other devices could be used, such as a chain, rope, or similar linkage. The connection  68  is connected at one end to the retainer  50  on the inner side of the cover  44 , and at its other end to the pivoting assembly  62 , for example, in the region of the deflector  74 . The length and the connecting joints of the connection  68  is selected so that the second roll  64  can be in contact with the driven roll  58  when the cover  44  is closed, and lifted away from it when the cover  44  is opened. Using friction, the driven roll  58  transmits the energy of its movement to the wrapping material  28  captured between the driven roll  58  and the second roll  64  and pulls it off the wrapping material roll  34 . The contact force assembly  60  can be applied independently of the wrapping material separating arrangement  38  and the wrapping material indicator arrangement  40 . 
   The wrapping material separating arrangement  38  (see  FIGS. 4 through 6 ) includes a separating element  76  attached to a pivoting lever  78  that can be pivoted about the axis of rotation of the driven roll  58  by means of an actuation arrangement (not shown) between a non-operating position and an operating or separating position. The separating element  76  interacts with a stop  80  that is rigidly attached to the frame  14 . When the separating element  76  is in contact with stop  80 , it clamps the wrapping material  28  along a line and the tension built up in the wrapping material  28  causes it to separate. 
   In order for the wrapping material separating arrangement  38  to recognize, on the one hand, whether any wrapping material  28  is actually present and being conveyed to the baling chamber  24 , and on the other hand, whether the wrapping material  28  has actually been separated, a sensor  82  is provided. The sensor  82  is equipped with a switching device  84  coupled to a switch  86 . The switching device  84  consists of a profiled flat strip attached to the separating element  76  such that the switching device  84  projects across a leading edge of the separating element  76  in a first end position and, in a second end position, remains behind this edge. The switching device  84  includes a two-armed lever with a large leg  88  that can contact the wrapping material  28 , and a small leg  90  that can press the switch  86 . A small spring  92  is inserted between the small leg  90  of the switching device  84  and the pivoting lever  78 . The spring ensures that, in the unloaded condition, the switching device  84  projects across the leading edge of the separating element  76  at all times, causing it to assume an end position. The switch  86  is a simple electric on-off switch that is turned off and turned on as a function of the position of the switching device  84 . The small leg  90  as well as the switch  86  are located on the pivoting lever  78 , on the side opposite the separating element  76 . In the drawing, the positions of the separating element  76  and the switching device  84  correspond to each other in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , since the switching device  84  projects across the leading edge of the separating element  76 . 
   As soon as the end region of the wrapping material  28 , shown in  FIG. 2 , reaches the baling chamber  24  and is grasped by the cylindrical bale  30 , the wrapping material  28  will stretch and force the switching device  84  behind the aforementioned edge into a second end position. This switching process generates a signal from the sensor  82  from which it can be recognized that wrapping material  28  is present. If the wrapping material  28  is forced against the stop  80  by the contact of the separating element  76 , the switching device  84  is again moved ahead of the aforementioned edge on the basis of the force of the spring  92 , whereby the switch  86  is turned off and generates another signal that can be displayed on the towing vehicle or that triggers a particular operating condition, such as further baling. Usually, a sensor  82  is provided only on one side of the separating element  76 , although several sensors could also be used. In addition, the switching device  84  is located close to the separating element  76  so that it is not affected by a misshapen course of the wrapping material. 
   Finally, a wrapping material indicator arrangement  40  is also disclosed by  FIGS. 1-3 , and  7  and is used to indicate that wrapping material  28  is being withdrawn from the wrapping material roll  34  during a wrapping process, and to show how much wrapping material remains on the wrapping material roll  34 . For this purpose the wrapping material indicator arrangement  40  includes a carrier  94 , a wheel  96  and a tensioning device  98 . The carrier  94  is configured as a bar that is rigidly connected to the arm  54  located on the right in the forward operating direction and extending at an angle of approximately 90° to the arm  54 . The wheel  96  is retained, free to rotate, on the carrier  94 , and is provided with colored markings and may also be connected by a flexible shaft to an indicator arrangement, or an electrical circuit including an electronic indicator. The wheel  96  and the carrier  94  are dimensioned in such a way that the wheel  96  projects through the recess  48  and is visible from the outside when the cover  44  is lowered. The tensioning device  98  connects the counter roll  52  with the wheel  96 , so that both stop together and rotate together. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the position of the arm  54  is a function of the diameter of the wrapping material roll since the counter roll  52  rests on the circumferential surface of the wrapping material roll and follows its radial dimension. The formula V=2π×n×r indicates that the circumferential velocity of the wrapping material roll  34  remains constant as the diameter decreases. This is because the required amount of wrapping material  28  remains constant, thereby increasing the rotational speed as the amount of material remaining decreases. Accordingly the wheel  96  will rotate at a constant speed. Thus, a change in speed of the wheel  96  indicates a malfunction, for example wrapping material  28  wrapping around a bailing element  26  and not being conducted into the baling chamber  24 . In addition, since the wheel  96  is located in a rear arched region of the cover  44  at the maximum diameter of the wrapping material roll  34 , it will pivot forward and extend into the recess  48  as the diameter of the wrapping material roll  34  decreases. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the position of the wrapping material indicator arrangement  40  is independent of the position of the cover  44 . However, in some embodiments a connection between the arms  54  and the cover  44  could be established, similar to the connection  68 , so that the counter roll  52  is raised from the wrapping material roll  34  at all times when the cover  44  is raised. 
   As a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the above description is meant as an illustration implementing the principles of this invention. This description is not intended to limit the scope or application of this invention in that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change, without departing from spirit of this invention, as defined in the following claims.