Patent Application
20250121975
The present invention pertains to the field of bale processing, and in particular to a portable device for removing bindings such as strings from a bale of biomass, such as straw.
Bales of biomass, such as straw, hay, or the like, are common in agriculture. The bales are typically formed of the biomass bound together with flexible bindings, such as lengths of wire, plastic, string or twine. These bindings assist in handling and storage, but are mostly removed before processing. However, the step of removing the bindings can be labor intensive, and the bindings are subject to being left on the ground, where they can be washed away into water systems and cause pump damage or other difficulties. Furthermore, manual binding removal can be hazardous, particularly for large bales. In some applications, such as mushroom composting, bales at a variety of locations may require their bindings removed, and thus portable systems are desirable.
Although several bale binding removal systems has been developed to automate the process, many of these systems are not readily portable. Furthermore, the number of moving parts of current systems, and the manner in which they handle bales, is subject to improvements for example in terms of cost and complexity. For example, it is desirable to have a system which efficiently removes bindings and separates them from the operating environment.
Therefore, there is a need for a portable bale binding removal system that obviates or mitigates one or more limitations of the prior art.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.
An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable bale binding removal apparatus and associated method. The apparatus is mountable to a utility vehicle such as a tractor or skid steer. The apparatus is configured to engage a bale, cut the bindings using a cutting arm, and grip the bindings using grippers. Once gripped, the bindings can be removed from the bale for example by disengaging the apparatus from the bale by backing the utility vehicle away from the bale. The layout of the components allows for a desired operation, simplicity and portability of the apparatus.
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing a plurality of flexible bindings from a bale of biomass. The apparatus includes a body adapted for operative attachment to a utility vehicle. The body has an outward facing working surface for engaging a first side of the bale. The apparatus includes a cutting arm, which may be movable, and which is configured to engage and cut the plurality of bindings on a second side of the bale. The apparatus includes a plurality of binding grippers each mounted to and extendable outward from the working surface toward the bale. Each of the binding grippers is operative to engage and hold a respective one of the plurality of bindings to facilitate removal of the bindings from the bale following said cutting of the plurality of bindings. The removal may involve moving the utility vehicle away from the bale with the binding grippers engaged.
In various embodiments, each of the plurality of binding grippers includes a pivotable body having an engaging edge configured to engage and hold said respective one of the plurality of bindings due to this pivoting. The pivotable body may be controllably actuated by a mechanical actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator (e.g. piston). The engaging edge may be concave, e.g. hook or claw shaped. The binding gripper can thus be moved in an arcuate motion to capture and hold a respective binding.
Some notable features and potential advantages of at least some embodiments are as follows. The apparatus, being portable and mobile and mounted to a utility vehicle, can be operated to cut and remove bindings while the utility vehicle is moving. This allows bales to be moved to desired positions at the same time that the bindings are cut, gripped for removal, and/or removed, thus saving time. Multiple binding grippers are used to grip different respective bindings, with a cutter used to cut the bindings at a location which is distant from the gripping location.
In various embodiments, by cutting the bindings at one location on one face, and gripping the bindings at another location on another face, the gripping and pulling action can be made more reliable. For example, failure modes in which one end of the binding is not adequately gripped and the binding slides through and is released by the gripper can be reduced. The binding, even after being cut, may be held at least temporarily in place due to frictional forces of the bale, since the binding can intrude into the bale surface, which can include a large number of strands of biomass which frictionally engage the bindings. This allows for an increased amount of stability of the bindings during gripping engagement and pulling. In some embodiments, to facilitate the above, the bindings are cut on an opposite side of the bale from where they are gripped. In some further embodiments, the bindings are cut approximately at the centre of a rear side of the bale and gripped approximately at a centre of a front side of the bale, opposite the rear side.
Furthermore, in various embodiments and in view of the above, the bindings are cut at a first location and gripped at an opposite location, such that the lengths of binding on either side of the gripping point are substantially equal to one another. Equal lengths of binding can facilitate pulling removal due to substantially equal frictional forces on either side of the gripping point. These frictional forces tend to cancel each other out, mitigating the potential for slippage at the gripping point. Furthermore, equal lengths of binding can result in a more organized removed binding and minimizes the distance that the apparatus has to be moved away from the bale to achieve full binding removal. The equal lengths result in two equal half-lengths of binding. This minimizes the value of max(l,r) where l and r are the left and right lengths of binding to be pulled away from the bale following cutting.
Embodiments have been described above in conjunctions with aspects of the present invention upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described, but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable bale binding removal apparatus. The bale bindings are elongated and flexible, and may be made of any appropriate material such as wire, string, twine, rope, or other suitable, organic, non-organic or synthetic (e.g. plastic) material. One or multiple bindings wrap around the bale to facilitate its integrity. However, when the bindings are no longer needed, they are subject to removal. The bale may be a bale of straw, hay or other biomass such as paper product.
Various Figures (e.g.
The apparatus defines a concave area for engaging the bale, defined in part by an outward facing working surface 115, which can be substantially or generally planar (flat), and corresponds to the vertical plane or region at which the bale contacts the apparatus 100. The sides of the concave area may be defined by bale clamps 160. In operation, the working surface is engaged (e.g. set or pressed) against the side of a rectangular or cylindrical bale. The bale, engaged in this way, will have its bindings oriented so that they run horizontally, or at least in a direction which is perpendicular to or crosses the binding grippers, as will be described in more detail below.
The apparatus includes a cutting arm 130 which is operative to engage and cut the bale's bindings, when the working surface is engaged against a side of the bale. The cutting arm is movable using actuating means, such as hydraulic cylinders, motors, or the like. For this purposes the cutting arm includes one, two or more rigid sections pivotably connected together and/or pivotably anchored to a main body portion of the apparatus. The cutting arm is thus an articulated, mechanically actuatable arm. The general location of two articulation points 132, 134 of the illustrated embodiment are shown. The articulation points can be driven by pistons, e.g. 133, 135. The two articulation points allow pivoting of arm sections about axes which are generally horizontal and parallel with the working surface 115, thus allowing for vertical motion of a distal end of the cutting arm.
At the distal end of the cutting arm there is provided a cutter 136, such as a rotating toothed or untoothed circular cutting wheel (circular blade), or a reciprocating blade, pair of blades, or other suitable cutting mechanism. The cutter can be hydraulically powered. The cutter can alternatively be pneumatically or electrically powered.
The cutting arm 130 is movable in a vertical direction so that the cutter 136 can engage bindings provided on the bale. As the cutting arm moves vertically downward or upward, for example, it can engage and cut different horizontally oriented bindings each in turn, using the cutter 136. The cutting arm extends overtop of the bale so that it cuts the bindings at a location corresponding to a second (rear) face or side of the bale which is opposite the first face or side being engaged with the working surface 115. The cutting arm is not necessarily movable or pivotable in a side-to-side direction, thus simplifying the design. The cutting arm may be movable so that the cutter can be moved toward and away from the working surface 115. As illustrated, the bindings are cut at a location (e.g. the center of a first face of the bale) which is opposite from the location where the bindings are gripped (e.g. the center of a second face of the bale which is opposite the first face).
The apparatus further includes a pair of bale clamps 160 on opposing sides of the working surface 115. The bale clamps extend forward from the working surface to define the concave area for engaging the bale. Each bale clamp includes a respective inner surface, and the pair of inner surfaces cooperate to compressingly grip sides of the bale when the bale clamps are engaged inward toward the bale. The bale clamps are movable inward and outward, for example by use of a piston or other mechanical linear actuator. The bale clamps 160 can alternatively be actuating using a rotary or pivoting type of mechanism. The bale clamps thus operate to compressingly grip (engage) sides of the bale and hold the bale against the working surface 115. This action is performed for holding the bale in place to facilitate moving of the bale and to hold the bale in place during cutting and/or gripping of the bindings. The bale clamps further operate in a reverse action to disengage the bale so that the bale can be released when it is at a desired location. Furthermore, when the bale is released and the bindings have been gripped (as described elsewhere below), the bale can remain stationary while the apparatus (and thus working surface) is moved away from the bale. This motion can be performed by moving (e.g. by backing up) of the utility vehicle away from the bale. Due to this action, the bindings, still being gripped by the apparatus, are pulled away from and thus removed from the bale. In some embodiments, both of the bale clamps are movable inwardly and outwardly, e.g. by use of each of a pair of pistons 162 or other mechanisms. Horizontal sliders 164, which are telescoping supports, can also be provided for mechanical support. In some embodiments, one of the bale clamps is fixed in place or else not readily movable by a mechanical actuator, while the other bale clamp is movable by mechanical actuator. Accordingly, at least one of the pair of bale clamp surfaces is movable for engaging and disengaging the bale.
A set of binding grippers 140 are shown as being mounted to and extending outward from the working surface 115, toward the bale when engaged. The binding grippers may be partially or fully retracted to a location behind the working surface (i.e. not extending outward from) when disengaged. The binding grippers are also referred to as gripper lobes. As shown, there are six binding grippers for engaging up to six corresponding bindings wrapped horizontally around a bale. In the illustrated embodiment, the binding grippers are arranged in two horizontally offset stacks, each comprising three vertically aligned binding grippers. Each binding gripper is movable between a retracted position and an engaged position, the movement being by way of a pivoting or rotating motion. Mechanical actuators such as controllable rotary motors, linear actuators, or other suitable mechanisms can be coupled to the binding grippers to facilitate such movement. In some embodiments, as illustrated each binding gripper is fitted with a controllable piston for this purpose.
In at least
In more detail, and assuming that the engaging edge moves downward toward the engaged position as shown, the tip of the binding gripper will intrude into the bale past and above the binding just prior to the engaging edge contacting the binding. As the binding gripper continues to rotate, the engaging edge will contact the binding and pull the binding downward and away from the bale. Concavity of the engaging edge can assist in maintaining the binding on the engaging edge, and may in fact cause the binding to slide along the engaging edge away from the tip of the binding gripper. The binding grippers may be operated in this manner following (or alternatively prior to or concurrently with) cutting of the bindings. In another embodiment, binding grippers can move upward to engage bindings from below.
The binding gripper is configured to hold on to the bindings in such a manner that, when the apparatus is subsequently pulled away from the bale, the binding gripper retains its grip on the binding, such that the binding is also pulled (e.g. completely) off of and away from the bale. The concave engaging edge of the binding gripper can assist in this task, as it causes the binding to move toward a location of the engaging edge such that, when the binding gripper is rotated a suitable amount, this location of the engaging edge is closer to the bale than are portions of the engaging edge above and below this location. Thus, the binding is entrapped by the binding gripper. Additionally or alternatively, surfaces, cushion pads, cavities, or the like, can be configured to cooperate with the binding gripper to entrap (grippingly engage and hold) the binding.
Generally speaking, in the illustrated embodiment, each binding gripper 140 has a curved claw-like shape, with a concave inner engaging edge 144 and a convex outer edge. In the illustrated embodiment, each binding gripper 140 is coupled to a linear actuator 150 such as a piston, at an actuation point 142. The actuation point is also fitted into a curved guide slot 154, and the linear actuator is pivotably anchored to the sub-assembly. Therefore, upon extension and retraction of the linear actuator, the actuation point is made to follow the curved path of the guide slot 154. This causes a pivoting of the binding gripper about an axis which is generally horizontal and parallel to the working surface 115. The binding grippers then extend from a retracted position, in which they do not extend or extend minimally from the working surface, toward an engaged position. In moving toward the engaged position, due to their curved shape and curved path of the actuation point, the binding grippers move outward from the working surface and also generally downward. In this manner, the binding grippers gradually move overtop of the bindings and downward to engage the bindings, and further move downward and back inward toward the working surface in order to hold onto the bindings with clamping force.
The convex outer edge of the binding gripper, opposite the inner engaging edge can allow the binding gripper, when moving (counter-pivoting) from the engaged position toward the disengaged position, to non-grippingly pass over any non-gripped bindings in the vicinity. This can assist in avoiding tangling due to resetting of the grippers in the event, for example, that the binding grippers are in the engaged position when the bale is contacted. Once reset, the grippers can be pivoted back from the disengaged position to the engaged position to grip the bindings.
In various embodiments, the concavity of the engaging edge improves the ability to retain the binding against the engaging edge, contrary to any remaining tensile or frictional forces experienced by the binding, for example due to the binding not yet being cut or being frictionally engaged with the bale. The concave shape can be a curved shape, or due to a set of appropriately arranged generally flat sections. The degree of concavity can be varied. In some embodiments, e.g. due to low frictional forces, the concavity may not be required. Additionally or alternatively, teeth (e.g. angled inward), roughened surface, or other engaging means can be provided on the engaging edge to facilitate reliable gripping of the binding.
A stationary pad or surface, or pair of surfaces can be provided which cooperates with the binding gripper to entrap a binding. For example, a gap can be provided in the working surface to allow the binding gripper to move past and into the working surface after engaging with a binding. The binding contacts the working surface at a location adjacent to the gap while also being pulled by the binding gripper past and into the working surface. This causes a bend in the binding where it is forced against this location of the working surface and also against the engaging edge of the binding gripper. These forces assist in securely holding the binding in place, which facilitates subsequent pulling removal of the binding from the bale. Afterward, the binding gripper can be moved back toward the disengaged position to release the binding. This may involve rotating the binding gripper in an opposite direction to release gripping of the binding. In view of the above, a stationary pad or surface can be provided and configured to cooperate with at least one of the binding grippers to grippingly engage at least one of the bindings.
If required, the apparatus can be moved (e.g. upward or downward), tilted, or the like, by the utility vehicle so that the working surface is adjusted with respect to position and orientation.
In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to binding grippers, rotary winders can be used to engage and wind up the bindings, thus removing them from the bale or winding them after removal from the bale.
In the illustrated example (see e.g.
The utility vehicle may be operative to move the apparatus around a working area as needed, and to engage the apparatus with selected bales 410 of material for binding 400 removal. Binding removal can occur while the utility vehicle is moving with the bale engaged and clamped. The utility vehicle can have one or multiple controllable power sources, such as controllable hydraulic lines, pneumatic lines, or electrical power lines. These lines can be coupled to power inputs of the apparatus 100 for controllably driving the cutting arm and cutter, binding grippers, bale clamps, and any other mechanisms present (e.g. to move or tilt the apparatus 100). The action (e.g. on/off action) of at least the cutter, bale clamps and binding grippers can thus be controlled from a corresponding operator interface of the utility vehicle.
Naturally, the bale's bindings will be spaced apart from one another, for example more or less evenly, in the first (e.g. vertical) direction. In various embodiments, each binding gripper is located to align adjacently with a different one of the bindings. Furthermore, in various embodiments, each binding gripper is located to align adjacently with a different subset of two or more of the bindings.
The illustrated one-to-one relationship between bindings and binding grippers can be implemented, or varied so that each binding gripper engages a different subset of the bindings.
In some embodiments, rather than a single cutter, the cutting arm can have multiple cutters, or an elongated cutter, or both. Using multiple cutters or an elongated cutter, multiple bindings may be cut concurrently. This may reduce the required range of motion of the cutting arm.
In some embodiments, rather than the cutting arm reaching overtop of the bale, the cutting arm can reach around the side of the bale. For example, the cutting arm can extend horizontally and curve around to the backside of the bale, while being anchored to one of the bale clamps. This configuration may be coupled with multiple cutters arranged vertically, or an elongated vertical cutter, to reduce the need for both vertical and horizontal motion of the cutting arm.
Referring to
In various embodiments, by providing a portable mechanized device, all operations can be performed within the cab of a utility vehicle. This can improve safety and efficiency when compared with manual operations. The vehicle can move the device to required locations at which bales need to be processed.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded simply as an illustration of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and are contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3216849 | Oct 2023 | CA | national |
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/633,218, filed on Apr. 12, 2024, and from Canadian Patent Application No. 3,216,846, filed on Oct. 17, 2023. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63633218 | Apr 2024 | US |
