PORTABLE BALE BINDING REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

A portable apparatus for removing bindings (e.g. string) from a bale of biomass (e.g. straw), the apparatus includes a body, attachable to a utility vehicle, having an outward facing (e.g. planar) working surface for engaging the bale. A movable cutting arm operates to cut the bindings. Multiple binding grippers each operate to engage a respective one of the bindings to allow removal the bindings from the bale by pulling on the bindings when the apparatus is moved away from the bale.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing a plurality of flexible bindings from a bale of biomass, the apparatus comprising: a body adapted for operative attachment to a utility vehicle, the body having an outward facing working surface for engaging a first side of the bale; a movable cutting arm configured to engage and cut the plurality of bindings on a second side of the bale; a plurality of binding grippers each mounted to and extendable outward from the working surface toward the bale, each of the binding grippers 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second side of the bale is opposite the first side of the bale, and wherein the cutting arm is mounted to the apparatus and extends overtop of the bale.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting arm is movable vertically to engage and cut each of the plurality of bindings in turn using a single cutting device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting arm includes a rotating cutting wheel operative to cut each of the plurality of bindings.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said removal of the bindings involves moving of the apparatus away from the bale.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said moving of the apparatus away from the bale is initiated by moving the utility vehicle away from the bale.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of binding grippers comprises a pivotable body having an engaging edge configured to engage and hold said respective one of the plurality of bindings due to said pivoting, the pivotable body being controllably actuated by a mechanical actuator.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the engaging edge is concave.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pivotable body includes a convex edge opposite the engaging edge, the convex edge configured to non-grippingly pass over said respective one of the bindings due to a counter-pivoting in an opposite direction of said pivoting.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a stationary pad or surface configured to cooperate with at least one of the binding grippers to grippingly engage said respective one of the plurality of bindings.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising bale clamps operative to engage and hold the bale when the bale is against the working surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bale clamps comprise a pair of surfaces cooperating to compressingly grip sides of the bale adjacent to the first side of the bale by movement of at least one of the pair of surfaces.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working surface is substantially planar.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bindings are spaced apart from one another, and each of the plurality of binding grippers is located for adjacency with, and configured for gripping, a different respective one or more of the plurality of bindings.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of binding grippers is actuated by a hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical mechanism powered by the utility vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bindings are wire, twine, rope or string.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of binding grippers rotates about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the working surface.

18. A method for removing a plurality of flexible bindings from a bale of biomass, the method comprising: engaging a side of the bale against the working surface of the apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus being operatively attached to the utility vehicle; operating the cutting arm to engage and cut the plurality of bindings; before, during or after said operating the cutting arm, operating the plurality of binding grippers to engage the plurality of bindings; and after said operating the cutting arm and said operating the plurality of binding grippers, moving the apparatus away from the bale, to pull the cut bindings away from the bale.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, after moving the apparatus away from the bale, operating the plurality of binding grippers to release the bindings.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein one or both of the operating the cutting arm and the operating the plurality of binding grippers is performed during motion of the utility vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] 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:

[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus mounted to a utility vehicle, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 1B illustrates a close-up view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of the apparatus mounted to a utility vehicle, with a bale of biomass engaged, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the apparatus mounted to a utility vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates details of a center portion of the apparatus mounted including binding grippers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate details of a sub-assembly which includes the binding grippers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate action of a binding gripper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates clamping action of a binding gripper in cooperation with stationary surfaces forming a gap into which the binding gripper can enter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a method for operating the apparatus as disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] Various Figures (e.g. FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 4) illustrate an apparatus 100 according to some illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 100 includes a body adapted for operative attachment to a utility vehicle 510, such as a skid steer or tractor. The body may be substantially flat and may also be rectangular, for example formed using a set of horizontal and vertical metal beams or tubes. The operative attachment can be via an attachment body, or suitable attachment points, which fit with a standard or non-standard mounting portion of the utility vehicle.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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).

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] In at least FIGS. 1A and 1B, the binding grippers 140 are shown in a partially engaged position. Each binding gripper includes an engaging edge 144 (see e.g. FIGS. 9A to 10) which may be flat or concave, and which extends generally inward from an outer tip of the binding gripper toward an actuation point at or near an opposite end of the gripper. The binding gripper includes a pivotable body which in operation is made to move arcuately about a central pivot or rotation axis of the binding gripper. The pivot or rotation axis can be horizontal and generally parallel to the working surface 115, and represents a central point about which the binding gripper pivots or rotates when actuated by its mechanical actuator. Upon rotating the binding gripper from the disengaged toward the engaged position, the engaging edge is configured to engage (contact) and subsequently clamp on to (engage and hold) one of the bindings.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate details of a sub-assembly which includes binding grippers 140. There may be two such sub-assemblies holding three binding grippers each. FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of one of the sub-assemblies, along with two sectional views. FIG. 7 illustrates another side view of one of the sub-assemblies, along with three other sectional views. FIG. 8 illustrates various perspective views of one of the sub-assemblies.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C illustrate the above action in more detail, according to an embodiment. In FIG. 9A, a binding gripper 140 is actuated at (moving) actuation point 142, so that it rotates about some pivot axis, causing the (concave) engaging edge 144 to move downward toward a binding 400. The binding 400 is shown in cross section. In FIG. 9B, the binding gripper 140 continues to rotate about the pivot axis, pushing the binding 400 in the same direction 405 as motion of the engaging edge 144. If there is any residual tension on the binding (e.g. due to frictional engagement with the bale after cutting), the binding may also tend to move inward in the direction 410 along the engaging edge. After a certain amount of pivoting of the binding gripper 140, as shown in FIG. 9C, the binding 400 is sufficiently entrapped within, and clamped by, the binding gripper 140. At this time, the binding gripper 140, and along with it the binding 400, can be pulled away from the bale in the direction 420.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of cooperation of stationary (e.g. pad) surfaces 157 with a binding gripper 140 to grippingly engage a binding 400. The binding gripper pivots inward into a gap between the two surfaces 157, tending to push a portion of the binding 400 into the gap. Eventually due to this pivoting motion, one edge of the binding will press against the stationary surfaces 157 and another edge will press against the engaging edge of the binding gripper, thus holding the binding in place with a clamping force.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] In the illustrated example (see e.g. FIG. 3), there are six bindings 400, and six binding grippers 140. However, these quantities can be varied. For example, the apparatus as shown may be able to handle additional bindings, e.g. 8 or 12 bindings with or without modification to add additional binding grippers. The appropriate configuration (e.g. number and placement of binding grippers) may depend on the effective region of each binding gripper, for example the vertical region in which a binding gripper travels and is capable of gripping a binding.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 11, embodiments provide for a method 1100 for removing flexible bindings from a bale of biomass. The method includes engaging 1110 a side of the bale against the working surface of the apparatus as described herein, where the apparatus is operatively attached to the utility vehicle. Engaging the bale may include or exclude engaging the bale clamps of the apparatus with the bale. This may involve driving the utility vehicle to and against the bale and moving one or both of the bale clamps toward the other. The method includes operating 1120 the cutting arm to engage and cut the plurality of bindings. This may involve operating a control in the utility vehicle which moves the cutting arm and cutter itself (e.g. cutting wheel). The method includes operating 1130 the binding grippers to engage the plurality of bindings. Binding engagement may involve operating a control in the utility vehicle which powers the motor or motors powering the binding grippers. Gripping of bindings may follow cutting, or gripping may be performed prior to or concurrently with cutting. The method may further include disengaging the bale clamps 1140 to release gripping of the bale. The method may further include moving 1150 the apparatus (and utility vehicle) away from the bale e.g. by moving in a backward gear, following the disengaging. This action also pulls and thus removes the bindings from the bale.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.