Patent Description:
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.

For example, <CIT> discloses an apparatus for removing of baling wires from wastepaper or pulp bales, where the device has a pair of vertically extending needles mounted in a support comprising a vertical column which carries an arm. In an operation the needles are swung into position adjacent the bale by rotating the column, whereafter needles are moved so that one of the needles pierces the wastepaper bale and passes under the baling wires and the other needle remains outside the bale and the baling wires. The lowering movement of the piston rod is continued until the needles engage in and are held by the lower bearing device and then the motor is actuated so as to use the severed bailing wires to wind around the needles. After starting the rotational drive, the rotation of the two needles causes the baling wires clamped between them to be wound and at the same time also ruptured, so that the winding operation can run its full course. Also a magnet <NUM> is disclosed to raise the wires after severing to facilitate disposing of one of the needles therebeneath.

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.

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 claim <NUM>.

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 comprises 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 comprises 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.

According to the invention, the winding device comprises 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.

The gripping mechanism is 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 exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features.

The features of the invention are set forth 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.

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> illustrate a principle of an exemplary device <NUM> in different operation modes for winding binding material <NUM> according to advantageous embodiments of the invention. In addition a side view of an exemplary device <NUM> according to advantageous embodiments of the invention is illustrated <FIG>.

The winding device <NUM> operates in connection with a gripping mechanism <NUM>, which is typically pushed into an object, such as to into a bale (not shown) so that it is able to grip the binding material <NUM>. When the gripping mechanism <NUM> is caught the binding material <NUM> from the bale (or other object), the gripping mechanism <NUM> is moved away <NUM> from the bale with said gripped binding material <NUM>, as is described in <FIG>. The binding material winding device <NUM> comprises said gripping mechanism <NUM>. In addition, according to an embodiment the binding material winding device <NUM> may be part of the bale opening device know from prior art.

The winding device <NUM> also comprises a guiding member <NUM> for guiding the binding material <NUM> towards a winding member <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. The guiding member <NUM> may e.g. catch the binding material <NUM> after the binding material <NUM> is moved away from the bale so after the gripping mechanism <NUM> is passed the guiding member <NUM> with the binding material <NUM> or otherwise introduced the binding material <NUM> to the guiding member <NUM>.

When the guiding member <NUM> is caught the binding material <NUM> and introduced it to the winding member <NUM>, the winding member <NUM> is actuated, typically rotated. During actuation the winding device winds and possibly also removes the binding material <NUM> so that the binding material <NUM> is winded advantageously to a small bundle <NUM>, such as into a form of a coil <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The winding member <NUM> also comprises a movable portion <NUM>, such as a sledge, which comprises a gripper <NUM> for gripping the binding material <NUM>. As an example the winding member <NUM> comprises at least two protrusion members, rods or hooks, as said gripper <NUM>, as can be seen e.g. in <FIG> and <FIG>. The protrusion members <NUM> comprises advantageously a common rotational axis <NUM> around which the winding member <NUM> or the movable portion is configured to rotate.

The binding material winding device <NUM> comprises also a counterpart portion <NUM> so that the guiding member <NUM> is able to introduce the binding material <NUM> between the counterpart portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. The counterpart portion <NUM> may also comprises a recess <NUM>, which is configured for receiving the end portion of the movable portion <NUM> of the winding member <NUM>, such as the sledge, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The counterpart portion <NUM> may also move <NUM> against the winding member <NUM>, thereby pressing the binding material <NUM> and guiding the binding material <NUM> during the winding process, as well as to move backwards <NUM> thereby controlling the thickness of the winded binding material <NUM>.

It is to be noted that the components of the device, such as especially the winding member <NUM>, end portion of the movable portion <NUM> and the counterpart portion <NUM>, may be replaceable parts.

The winding device comprises a guiding device <NUM>. The guiding device <NUM> is arranged around the winding member <NUM> during actuation so to guide and force the binding material <NUM> against the winding member <NUM> during winding. The guiding device <NUM> may be fixedly arranged (unmovable) or it can be configured to actively control the size of the winded binding material <NUM> during winding, and thus is can be arranged in movable way so that moving "outwards" <NUM> when the diameter of the coil is increased during winding, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The guiding device <NUM> may be arranged in connection with the counterpart portion <NUM> so that the guiding device <NUM> is configured to be protruding during winding, so e.g. when the movable portion <NUM> and/or the counterpart portion <NUM> is moved against each other, or the guiding device <NUM> may be arranged in connection with the movable portion <NUM>.

The winding device <NUM> may comprise also a releasing member <NUM> for releasing the coil, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The guiding member <NUM> and the winding member <NUM> (as well as possible also the gripping mechanism <NUM>) can be mutually arranged so to enable said gripping mechanism <NUM> returning back towards <NUM> the new bale or supporting structure for supporting the bale (or other object) essentially at the same time when the winding member <NUM> is winding the binding material <NUM>, as can be seen in (and process steps of) <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A binding material winding device (<NUM>) for winding binding material (<NUM>), like a strap, wire or string, from an object tied with said binding material, the device comprises:
- a gripping mechanism (<NUM>) and a guiding member (<NUM>), said gripping mechanism being configured to be introduced with the object, to grip said binding material, and to be moved away from the object with said gripped binding material, thereby introducing said binding material to said guiding member (<NUM>) , whereupon said guiding member (<NUM>) is configured to guide said binding material towards a winding member (<NUM>),
wherein
- said winding member (<NUM>) is configured to be introduced with said binding material (<NUM>) during actuation of said winding member and thereby wind and remove said binding material via said actuation
- wherein the winding member (<NUM>) comprises a movable portion (<NUM>), and a counterpart portion (<NUM>), wherein said guiding member (<NUM>) is configured to introduce said binding material (<NUM>) between said counterpart portion (<NUM>) and the movable portion (<NUM>) so that said winding member (<NUM>) is configured during actuation to move towards said counterpart portion (<NUM>) and catch said binding material (<NUM>) between the movable portion (<NUM>) and said counterpart portion (<NUM>), and to wind and remove said binding material (<NUM>) introduced, and
- the device comprises at least one guiding device (<NUM>), which is configured to elongate around the winding member (<NUM>) during actuation and guiding and forcing said binding material (<NUM>) against the winding member (<NUM>) during winding and thereby controlling the size of the winded binding material (<NUM>).