Feed device, baling press, and protection process

Abstract

A feed device is for use on a baling press (1) and is for a loose fiber material (2) to be compressed. The feed device (4) has a movable and driven and possibly guided feed element (14, 15). The feed device (4) is assigned a protection device (3), which protects the drive area and possibly the guiding area of the feed device (4), in particular the bearing (19) thereof, against airborne fibers by using an opposing airstream (27).

Claims

1. A feed device for a baling press and for a loose fiber material to be pressed, the feed device comprising: a housing having a housing opening at an orifice location; a movable and driven feed element mounted for reversible linear movement in the housing, the feed element being configured as a perforated plate with passage openings permeable to air in a plate surface of the feed element; a feed drive element connected to the feed element and configured to drive the feed element with the reversible linear movement in the housing including movement in a direction of feed to advance loose fiber material to the housing opening, wherein the perforated plate is configured to bring about an exchange of air and a pressure equalization in the areas located in front of the perforated plate and a drive area located behind the perforated plate, during the reversible linear movement; a protection device positioned in the drive area and associated with the feed element, the protection device configured to protect the drive area from airborne fibers by generating an opposing air stream directed along a longitudinal axis of the feed drive element and to the feed element, wherein the opposing air stream is directed in the direction of feed to advance loose fiber material to the housing opening, and wherein the opposing air stream generated by an overpressure generator having a port facing toward the feed element.

2. The feed device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the feed device is configured as a prepress, and/or as a filling pusher of a baling press.

3. The feed device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the feed drive element comprises a piston rod connected to the feed element.

4. The feed device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a guide element configured to guide the feed element.

5. The feed device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protection device comprises an overpressure chamber with a chamber wall pointing towards the feed element.

6. The feed device in accordance with claim 5, wherein: the overpressure chamber is arranged in the housing.

7. The feed device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the overpressure generator, comprising a blower, is associated with the overpressure chamber.

8. The feed device in accordance with claim 5, wherein: a passage opening is arranged in the chamber wall and the feed drive element passes through the passage opening; and the passage opening is oversized to provide a free space for passage of the opposing air stream from the overpressure chamber into the interior of the housing and to the feed element.

9. The feed device in accordance with claim 4, wherein: the protection device comprises an overpressure chamber with a chamber wall pointing towards the feed element; a passage opening is arranged in the chamber wall and the guide element of the feed element passes through the passage opening; and the passage opening is oversized to provide a free space, for the passage of the opposing air stream from the overpressure chamber into the interior of the housing and to the feed element.

10. The feed device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the guide element is configured as an extendable guide rod.

11. A baling press comprising: a housing having a housing opening at an orifice location; a feed device for loose fiber material to be pressed, wherein the feed device comprises: a movable and driven feed element mounted to reversibly and linearly move in the housing, the feed element being configured as a perforated plate with passage openings permeable to air in the plate surface of the feed element; a feed drive element connected to the feed element and configured to drive the feed element with reversible linear movement in the housing, the reversible linear movement including movement in a direction of feed to advance loose fiber material to the housing opening, wherein the perforated plate is configured to bring about an exchange of air and a pressure equalization in the areas located in front of the perforated plate and a drive area located behind the perforated plate during the reversible linear movement; and a protection device positioned in the drive area and associated with the feed element, the protection device configured to protect the drive area from airborne fibers by generating an opposing air stream directed along a longitudinal axis of the feed drive element and to the feed element, wherein the opposing air stream is directed in the direction of feed to advance loose fiber material to the housing opening, and wherein the opposing air stream generated by an overpressure generator having a port facing toward the feed element.

12. The baling press in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a fiber feed device and a filling device with a housing configured as a collection shaft and with a filling pusher, wherein the housing has an outlet opening with a controllable closure.

13. The baling press in accordance with claim 12, wherein the filling device comprises a precompaction device with a retaining device for collecting and precompacting fiber material batch by batch in the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side partially sectional view of baling press with a feed device for fiber material and with a protection device in a lateral view;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a feed device with a protection device at a filling device in a perspective view;

(4) FIG. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the device according to FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective longitudinal sectional view offset from the center through the device according to FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is a variant of the filling device according to FIGS. 2 through 4 with a precompaction device and with a retaining device; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a baling press with a pressing device and with a protection device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring to the drawings, the present invention pertains to a baling press (1) with a feed device (4) and with an associated protection device (3). The present invention further pertains to a bale-pressing process with a feed process and with a protection process. In addition, the present invention pertains to a feed device (4) and to a feed process per se with a protection device (3) and with a protection process for use on a baling press (1) and with a bale-pressing process.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a baling press (1) for producing highly compacted fiber bales from a fiber material (2) suggested in FIGS. 3 and 6. The fiber material (2) is preferably one consisting of short cut fibers, so-called staple fibers. The fiber material (2) preferably consists of synthetic fibers. As an alternative, the fibers may be natural fibers, mixed materials or the like. The fibers have a low weight and can be airborne or float in the air and can be carried by an air stream.

(10) The baling press (1) has a fiber feed device (28), a filling device (29) and a pressing device (5). The filling device (29) may be equipped with a precompaction device (30) and with a retaining device (31). FIGS. 1 and 5 show such a configuration. The other figures show a filling device (29) without retaining device (31) and optionally without precompaction within the filling device (29). Further, a weighing device (not shown) for fiber material (2) may be present, e.g., at the filling device (29) and/or at another location.

(11) The fiber material (2) is fed by a fiber processing unit into the fiber feed device (28). The fiber feed device (28) has, e.g., a condenser for separating the fibers from a transporting air stream and an adjacent feed shaft (34). The fiber material (2) enters the filling device (29) from the fiber feed device (28), especially the feed shaft (34). It is collected and optionally precompacted there and is subsequently transferred into the pressing device (5).

(12) The pressing device (5) has a frame with a press shaft (35) and with a press drive as well as with press punches, between which the fiber material (2) is compacted and pressed in one stage or press stroke or in a plurality of stages or press strokes. This may be a combined prepressing and finishing pressing with the formation of a pressed bale. The pressed bale (not shown) may, in addition, be provided with a packaging or envelope and/or fixing device, especially a tightening strap (not shown). As an alternative, only prepressing may be carried out in the pressing device (5), in which case the finishing pressing is carried out in another location and at a later time.

(13) The press shaft (35) and the press drive preferably have an upright, especially vertical orientation. The press shaft has, at a preferably lower end area, a mobile press box (36), in which the pressed bale is formed. The mobile press box (36) may be movable and able to be replaced together with the pressed fiber material. As an alternative, it may have a closable opening for the removal of the pressed material. The press box (36) can have retainers, which can be inserted into the shaft space, for the fiber material.

(14) The press drive is configured, e.g., as a hydraulic press cylinder. In the embodiment shown, the press drive is arranged on the top side of the press shaft (35) and is connected to the upper press punch (15). The upper starting or inoperative position of the press punch (15) is located approximately at the level of or above the filling device (29). The lower press punch forms a counterpunch. It may be arranged stationarily. It may be located, in particular, at the bottom of the box. The kinematics and the arrangement of the press drive may alternatively be reversed. Both press punches may be driven in another variant.

(15) The filling device (29) has a prone, especially horizontal or oblique orientation. It is attached laterally to the press shaft (35). An outlet opening (12) with a controllable closure (13) is arranged at the orifice location.

(16) The baling press (1) has a feed device (4) for the loose fiber material (2) to be pressed, which feed device (4) may be present as a single device or as a plurality of devices. The feed device (4) has a movable and driven as well as possibly additionally guided feed element (14, 15). A protection device (3), which protects the drive area and possibly the guide area of the feed device (4), especially the bearing (19) thereof, with an opposing air stream (27) from airborne fibers, is associated with the feed device (4). During the feed motions and possibly during returning or reversing motions of the feed element (14, 15), the protection device (3) generates said opposing air stream (27), which blows away fibers, which are possibly coming from the feed element (14, 15) and are flying especially against the direction of feed (18), and prevents them from entering the drive area and possibly the guide area of the feed device (4). The opposing air stream (27) is directed here, e.g., in the direction of feed (18).

(17) The baling press (1) may have one or more of these feed devices (4). A feed device (4) may be associated, e.g., with the filling device (29). The feed device (4) is formed by the filling pusher (6) in this case. FIGS. 1 through 5 show such a configuration.

(18) As an alternative or in addition, a feed device (4) may be formed by the pressing device (5), especially by the prepress. FIG. 6 shows such a configuration.

(19) The feed device (4) has a housing each (7) in the different embodiment variants, in which housing the driven feed element (14, 15) is moved at least in the direction of feed (18) and possibly also reversibly in the opposite direction. In the configuration embodied as a filling pusher (6) of the filling device (29), the housing (7) is configured as a collection shaft and has the prone, especially horizontal or oblique direction shown. The housing (7) has, e.g., a cuboid shape and has housing walls (8, 9, 10, 11). The housing (7) is at the same time the housing of the filling device (29) and is attached laterally to the press shaft (35). At the orifice location, the housing (7) has a housing opening (12) or outlet opening, through which the collected and optionally precompacted fiber material (2) can be pushed over into the press shaft with the filling pusher (6) for the subsequent pressing. The outlet opening (12) is provided with a controllable closure (13), which is configured, e.g., as a movable partition with an adjusting drive. The closure (13) or the partition may be oriented, e.g., along the press shaft (35). It may now form a part of the press shaft wall.

(20) The housing (7) otherwise has a preferably closed bottom (11) and bilateral tight or air-permeable, e.g., perforated, side walls (9) as well as a front wall located opposite the outlet opening (12) or rear wall (8). Further, a roof wall (10), through which the fiber material (2) can be fed from the feed shaft (34) adjoining here, is located on the top side. The roof wall (10) may have a corresponding inlet opening for this according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The roof wall (10) may alternatively be absent. The inlet opening on the top side of the housing can be closed as needed and in different manners. This may be brought about, e.g., by a controllable closure, e.g., a slide. As an alternative or in addition, the filling pusher (6) may have on the top side a corresponding, prone wall area, which closes the inlet opening in the front feed position. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 6.

(21) If the feed device (4) is configured as a pressing device (5), the housing (7) may have a tubular configuration according to FIG. 6 and form a part or an extension of the press shaft (35). In this case, the housing (7) has side walls (9) and a front wall or rear wall (8) and is downwardly open in the vertical orientation of the press shaft.

(22) The feed element (14, 15) is always arranged movably in the housing (7) in the different variants of the feed device (4). It preferably performs a reversing linear motion. The feed element (14, 15) preferably has a plate-like shape and is oriented essentially at right angles to the direction of feed (18) in the different embodiments. It tightly adjoins with its side edges the lateral as well as lower and possibly upper housing walls (9, 10, 11).

(23) The feed element (14, 15) may have a wall, which is closed in the direction of feed (18). As an alternative, it may be configured as a perforated plate and have air-permeable passage openings in the plate surface. These allow a pressure equalization between the feeding front side and the rear side of the feed element (14, 15).

(24) In the configuration as a filling pusher (6), the feed element (14) is configured as a slider wall and is moved linearly in the horizontal or oblique direction. In the other configuration as a pressing device (5), the feed element (15) is configured as an upper press punch and performs a vertical or essentially vertical feed motion. The return motions are always directed opposite the direction of feed (18).

(25) The drive of a feed element (14, 15) may have any desired and suitable configuration. In the exemplary embodiments shown, it is a cylinder, whose extendable drive element (16), especially piston rod, is connected to the feed element (14, 15), especially on the rear side of the feed element (14, 15).

(26) The feed element (14, 15) is provided with a separate guide, e.g., a rod guide, in the embodiments shown. It has one or more guide elements (17), which are likewise connected to the feed element (14, 15) on the rear side and which are configured, e.g., as extendable or telescopic guide rods.

(27) The drive elements (16) and the guide elements (17) may have a bearing (19) each, which makes supporting and guiding at the housing (7) possible during their feed motion and return motion. The bearing (19) may be configured, e.g., as a slide bearing. The drive elements (16) and possibly the guide elements (17) protrude into the housing (7) from the outside and preferably through the rear wall (8). Other drive and guide parts, especially the cylinder, may be arranged and supported outside the housing (7). One or more bearings (19) may be arranged in or at the rear wall (8). They may be accessible from the interior of the housing.

(28) The protection device (3) has an overpressure chamber (20) with a chamber wall (23) pointing towards the feed element (14, 15). The overpressure chamber (20) is arranged behind the feed element (14, 15) in the direction of feed (18) in the exemplary embodiments shown. The overpressure chamber (20) is arranged in the housing (7) in the embodiments shown. It is located here in front of the housing rear wall (8). The overpressure chamber (20) is used especially to shield the one or more bearings (19) against the entry of fibers.

(29) The chamber wall (23) is arranged in the housing (7) cross-wise and at a spaced location in front of the housing rear wall (8). A passage opening (24) for a drive element (16), which passage opening (26) is oversized relative to the drive element (16) and forms as a result a free space (26), e.g., an annular gap, on the circumference of the drive element (16), is arranged in the chamber wall (23). In case of a separate guide, one or more other passage openings (25) may be arranged in the chamber wall (23) for a guide element (17). These may likewise be oversized to provide a free space (26), especially an annular gap, on the circumference of the guide element (17). The drive element or the drive elements (16) and optionally the guide element or the guide elements (17) can move through their passage openings (24, 25) back and forth during the feed and return motion of the feed element (14, 15).

(30) The overpressure chamber (20) has an associated overpressure generator (21), which generates an atmospheric overpressure in the overpressure chamber relative to the rest of the interior of the housing. The overpressure is preferably present in all motion positions of the feed element (14, 15). The overpressure generates an opposing air stream (27) suggested in FIG. 3 through the free space or free spaces (26), especially annular spaces. The opposing air stream (27) is directed essentially in the direction of feed (18).

(31) It blows away fibers possibly present behind the feed element (14, 15) in the direction of feed (18). As a result, it prevents fibers from entering the overpressure chamber (20) or it makes such entry significantly difficult, on the one hand. On the other hand, the opposing air stream (27) blows off possibly adhering fibers on a returning drive element (16) and possibly on a guide element (17) during a reversing motion of the feed element (14, 15).

(32) The overpressure generator (21) may be arranged inside or outside the overpressure chamber (20). It may have any desired and suitable configuration, e.g., a configuration as a blower. Such a blower (21) is preferably configured as a fan, which delivers high volume flows at a slight increase in pressure. The pressure ratio between the overpressure chamber (20) and the rest of the interior of the housing may be, e.g., 1.1 to 2. The blower (21), especially the fan, may be arranged, e.g., on the outer side of the housing (7) and connected to the overpressure chamber (20) via a pipe branch-like port (22). The overpressure generator (21) may be able to be controlled or regulated. It may operate constantly or as a function of motions and positions of the feed element (14, 15).

(33) The overpressure chamber (20) may be defined by said chamber wall (23) on the front side and by the housing rear wall (8) on the rear side as well as by the housing walls (9, 10, 11) laterally. The overpressure chamber (20) may be closed or sealed air-tightly aside from the free space (26) or free spaces and a possible port (22). The chamber wall (23) is fastened correspondingly tightly in the housing (7).

(34) The protection device (3) may be used in one or more of the aforementioned feed devices (4) and may be used to protect it/them from contamination by fibers. The protection device (3) may be associated, according to FIG. 6, with a filling pusher (6) according to FIGS. 3 through 5 and/or with a pressing device (5), especially a prepress.

(35) In case of association with a pressing device (5), a transversely arranged chamber wall (23) and optionally a rear-side or upper housing wall (8) are inserted in the housing (7) or in the press shaft (35) to form the overpressure chamber (20). The housing area adjoining in the direction of feed (18) may be open laterally in the area of the outlet opening (12) and may optionally be able to be closed with the closure (13). FIG. 6 shows a variant, in which the protection device (3) is only associated with the pressing device (5) and is missing at the filling device (29) and the filling pusher (6) thereof. As an alternative, a protection device (3) according to FIGS. 2 through 5 may likewise be arranged here as well.

(36) FIGS. 1 and 5 show an embodiment variant of the filling device (29), which additionally has a precompaction device (30). The precompaction device (30) makes possible the collection and precompaction of a plurality of batches of fiber material in the housing (7) or in the collection shaft with the housing opening (12) closed and with the closure (13) locked. The filling pusher (6) and the closure (13) as well as optionally the fiber feed device (28) or a controllable closure at the inlet opening are controlled such that the filling pusher (6) feeds a plurality of batches of fiber material in the direction of the outlet opening (12) one after another in a plurality of feed and return motions and compacts them against the closed closure (13) in the precompaction area located there.

(37) This may take place during a press cycle of the pressing device (5), and the filling pusher (6) subsequently pushes the collected and compacted fiber material (2) over into the press shaft (35) after the opening of the closure. This precompaction in the filling device (29) shortens the process time for producing the pressed bale and relieves the load on the pressing device (5).

(38) The retaining device (31) secures the one or more precompacted batches of fiber material during the return stroke of the filling pusher (6) and prevents these batches from flowing back into a collection area of the housing (7) under the inlet opening.

(39) The retaining device (31) has one or more retainers (32) and a controllable drive (33). The retainers (32) are configured, e.g., as bent retaining arms, which can penetrate into the interior of the housing through inlet openings in the side walls (9) and move back during a rotary motion about a vertical axis. They pivot into the interior of the housing as soon as the filling pusher (6) and the pusher wall (14) thereof have moved back far enough after the prepressing. FIG. 5 shows this configuration. A modified configuration of the drive and of the guide device of the filling pusher (6) is shown here as well. In addition, the inlet opening in the roof wall (10) is seen. The closure of this opening by an upper transverse wall at the filling pusher (6) or by a separate closure or slide at the fiber feed device (28) are not shown.

(40) The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may be used with or without protection device (3). Further, the pusher wall (14) may have a non-air-permeable configuration or may be configured as a perforated plate. In an independent embodiment of the present invention, a baling press with the filling device (29) shown in FIG. 5 along with the precompaction device (30) and with the retaining device (31) in conjunction with a perforated plate is possible, and this baling press (1) may be configured with or without protection device (3).

(41) Various variants of the embodiments shown and described are possible. In particular, the features of the exemplary embodiments and of the variants mentioned may be combined and possibly also be replaced with one another as desired.

(42) In a variation of the embodiments described, a feed device (4) may have a rotating or pivotable feed element. A protection device (3) with an overpressure chamber (20) may be arranged here between the rotary or pivoting drive and the feed element. An additional guide device may be eliminated here. The chamber wall (23) may have a single passage opening (24) with said free space (26) for a rotating drive element (16) or an axis of rotation.

(43) A feed device (4) with a protection device (3) may also be arranged in another location of a baling press (1), e.g., in the area of the fiber feed device (28), especially at a condenser located there. A protection device (3) may be arranged at any desired number and type of feed devices (4).

(44) Further, various variants of the baling press (1) are possible. The pressing device (5) and the press shaft (35) may have a different, e.g., horizontal orientation. The filling device (29) may be arranged and configured differently. It may have, e.g., oblique filling shafts with pivoting closures, slides or the like. These may likewise form feed devices of the above-mentioned type, and the fibers are conveyed by gravity, compressed air or in another manner, and the feed element is of a passive nature and is formed by a controllable and optionally driven closing device, e.g., a turn-lock fastener, slide or the like. A protection device (3) of the above-described type may be used with a corresponding adaptation in such an embodiment as well.

(45) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.