Abstract: A method and a machine for wrapping loads of items grouped together in a bundle that may be palletized or otherwise, by means of a stretchable film put into place around the bundle and, where appropriate, a pallet, after the film has been pre-stretched and paid out from a spool or the like on which it is stored in the pre-stretched state with an elongation value of about 150% to 500% and a tension, after relaxation, lying in the range 2 to 7, and preferably in the range 2 to 3 daN/mm.sup.2 of film section per turn.

Abstract: A pallet stretch wrapping machine includes a turntable attached to a lower portion of a column for supporting an article to be wrapped thereon. A frame is vertically movably mounted in the column and includes an upper housing, a lower housing, and a vertical wall connecting between the upper and lower housings. A plurality of upright rollers are rotatably mounted between the upper and lower housings. An upright post is fixedly mounted on the lower housing for supporting a spool. A roll of resilient film is wrapped around the spool and extends through each of the rollers which can co-operate to deliver the roll of resilient film to envelop the article by turning the turntable. A velocity adjusting mechanism is mounted between the upper and lower housings for adjusting a rotational velocity of each of the rollers for delivering the roll of resilient film.

Abstract: A system for configuring a stack of layers of boxes to fill an enclosed compartment or cargo space in sequential stack positions according to measurements of the compartment as stored by a computer and the box layer height as determined by the computer. The computer calculates the maximum height of the stack and each predetermined stack location within the cargo space necessary to fill the enclosed cargo space and, through a programmable logic controller, directs a delayering clamp to index itself relative to a stack of boxes, and then removes as many boxes as necessary from the stack. The remaining layers of boxes in the stack are then fed to a stretch-wrap station where the remaining layers of the stack are rotated while the stretch wrap is being applied. The stretch-wrapped stack is then transferred to a station for holding for a forklift or other device to take it into the enclosed cargo area and stack it.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping material layers on rolls is disclosed. A roll is delivered at ground elevation to the wrapping machine. A low lift assembly having pivotable arms and a push roller engages the roll and moves it upwardly to a motor driven drive roller. A carriage assembly, adjacent the drive roller, supports at least one supply roll of wrap material. The carriage assembly is movable along a path parallel to the drive roller and the roll being covered. The wrapping machine includes a guide assembly having a pair of arms movable between an initial rest position and a second position adjacent the ends of the roll.

Abstract: A round bale press for refuse, in particular for domestic refuse, bio-waste, sewage slurry, having a plurality of spaced rolls (1), at least one of which is capable of being driven, at least one endless belt (2) supported by the rolls (1), and a cylindrical pressing chamber (3) with a feed opening (4) on the peripheral side. The pressing chamber is capable of being formed by movement of the rolls (1) along a predetermined path line and by end walls (11) arranged at the end faces of the rolls (1). Additionally, the round bale press is included in a refuse packaging apparatus having a wrapping apparatus (40) downstream from the press for wrapping the pressed refuse bale, wrapped on the peripheral side in a netting web, in one or more foil webs (41), and a delivery station (50) beyond the wrapping apparatus (40) for the refuse bales completely wrapped in the foil web (41).

Abstract: A method of wrapping an object with a substantially inelastic wrapper, such as paper, while keeping the object in rotation about its upright axis. The wrapping material is wider than the height of the object. Wrapping is initiated by locking a portion of the wrapper material against the top end of the object. As the object is rotated, the wrapping material is pressed around the vertical sides of the object. After the object sides are wrapped, the remaining portion of the web material which extends above the top end of the object is pressed downwardly against the top end of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping cardboard and paper rolls for protection during shipping and handling. The rolls are wrapped in a strip of wrapping material, that has a width which does not exceed the length of the roll. The roll is transferred to the wrapping station on a transporter and is stopped using a mechanical positive stop so that a edge of the cylindrical part of the roll is aligned with a first edge of the wrapper roll mounted in the wrapping station. When the roll is stopped, a first layer of the wrapper is wound on the roll. Then, if the length of the roll is greater than the width of the wrapper, the relative position of the roll and the wrapper is changed so that the second edge of the cylindrical part of the roll is aligned with the second edge of the wrapper roll, and a second layer of wrap is wound on the roll.

Abstract: A load is stretch wrapped with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material dispensed from a stretch wrap packaging material dispenser. A cornerboard is attached to the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material and transported to the load with the stretch wrap packaging material. Relative rotation is provided between the stretch wrap packaging material dispenser and the load to wrap the stretch wrap packaging material around the load. The cornerboard is placed on the corner of the load with the stretch wrap packaging material and bent from a flat configuration to a bent configuration around a corner of the load with the stretch wrap packaging material.

Abstract: A method of building and wrapping a load including infeeding load units to an infeed area of a layer building area at an infeed level below a desired height of the load, repeatedly building load layers in a layer building area from load units incoming from the infeed area at the infeed level, repeatedly transporting the load layers from the layer building area to a load building and wrapping area to sequentially build a load of layers to the desired height of the load in the load building and wrapping area from layers built in the layer building area, wrapping the load of layers in the load building and wrapping area while building at least one interim layer in the layer building area from load units, outputting the wrapped load from the load building area, and sequentially transporting the interim layer and at least one other layer built in the layer building area from the layer building area to the load building and wrapping area to sequentially form a load of layers in the load building and wrapping area.

Abstract: A bale wrapper apparatus (10) which comprises: a frame (13); a towbar (14) attached to and projecting forwardly of the frame (13) to enable the apparatus to be towed behind a propelling vehicle (11); a arch structure (15) forming part of said frame (13) and facing in the intended direction of travel, said structure being of sufficient size to allow a bale (12) lying on the ground to pass through the arch (15) when the apparatus (10) is moved forwardly; a bale lifting device (16) mounted on the frame (13) and operative to lift a bale (12) lying on the ground to a bale-wrapping position; means (19) for rotating the bale (12) about a substantially horizontal axis (24) extending generally parallel to the direction of travel when the bale (12) has been lifted to the bale-wrapping position; means (20) for holding a supply reel (29) of stretchable plastics film for wrapping the bale (12); means (21) for causing relative rotation between the supply reel (29) and the bale (12) about a substantially vertical axis (22),

Abstract: A specific number of printed products is arranged on a supporting belt in a compacted imbricated formation. The printed product arranged at the leading end of the imbricated formation, as seen in the conveying direction, rests with its bottom end against a stop element. The printed product arranged at the other end bears, with its lower flat side, on the supporting belt. By virtue of the upending element being pivoted from a horizontal to an upright position, the imbricated formation is formed into a horizontal stack which is transferred to the removal conveyor by means of the stack transporter.

Abstract: The round baler has an improved feed device for feeding wrapper material from a reel of the material to the baling chamber, wherein the device includes a pair of feed rollers receiving the wrapper therebetween and drivable in directions to pull the wrapper from the reel for presentation to the chamber. A drive is coupled with the feed rollers for driving the rollers at velocities which pull the wrapper from the reel at a speed relatively less than the speed at which the wrapper is pulled from the reel by the bale forming mechanism during wrapping of the bale. The device also includes an overrunning clutch intercoupling the drive and the feed rollers. The clutch drivingly connects the feed rollers to the drive when engaged and drivingly disconnects the rollers from the drive when disengaged. The feed rollers are freely rotatable when the clutch is disengaged for allowing the wrapper to be pulled off the reel by the bale forming mechanism.

Abstract: A wrapping table for receiving and rotating a round bale (10) to be wrapped in which a driveable endless belt (11) forms a support surface for supporting the round bale (10) and is provided with at least one support member (20, 21) arranged beneath the support surface. The support member is moveable so that the support surface is capable of being formed either with a trough-like shape or with a plane-like shape. A plurality of mutually spaced rolls are selectively moveable to shape the support surface. Additionally, a refuse packaging apparatus including such a wrapping table (8) is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for packaging bodies (1), primarily bales (1) of moist or wet animal-feed, by wrapping the body in a thin plastic film band (2), wherein a plastic web is wound onto the body in successive turns (3) while maintaining the web in tension. The web is taken from a magazine (4) while rotating the body about its longitudinal axis (5), which is preferably essentially horizontal, with the turns extending generally parallel with and transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein wrapping of the body is terminated by gripping the web at a web part located between the magazine and the body, therewith severing the web. The method is mainly characterized in that the plastic web (2) is caused to extend transversely to the longitudinal axis (5) and herewith run from the magazine (4) essentially tangentially to the body (1) and transversely to the longitudinal axis, before the web is gripped at the web part located adjacent the body. This invention also relates to a body wrapping arrangement.

Abstract: A large round baler has a wrapping material supply arrangement mounted to its discharge gate adjacent an upright run of belts used for forming a bale within the baling chamber of the baler. A pair of wrapping material feed rolls are arranged with one roll being located forwardly of and above the other. The wrapping material feed rolls are located below a chamber for holding a roll of wrapping material and disposed for having wrapping material engaged with the rolls in an S-shaped or serpentine path beginning at the rear periphery of the rear roll, then extending about a lower half of the rear roll and through a nip or gripping zone between the rolls and then about an upper half of the front roll, thus leaving the rolls at the forward side of the front roll.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for forming and wrapping cylindrical packages of crop material. The baler includes a sledge assembly moveable between a starting position and full bale position. A plurality of rollers on the sledge assembly cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. Wrapping is accomplished via a system that includes a dispensing mechanism carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing sheet material, such as net or the like, into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a formed cylindrical package of crop material as it is rotated in the chamber. The net wrapping system includes means for controlling the position of the dispensing mechanism relative to the sledge assembly by continuously sensing its position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are for wrapping a bale (30) in a web, such as plastic film material. In a first wrapping stage the bale is moved along a bed while the web material is wrapped around it by a dispenser moving about the path of the bale. The dispenser rotates about a first (horizontal) axis while the bale moves parallel to the first axis. In a second wrapping stage the web dispenser is rotated 90 degrees and held stationary while the bale is rotated about a second, vertical axis.

Abstract: A compressing and baling machine has a compression compartment formed from an endless slat conveyor in the form of an endless mat, which is driven by a pair of rotatable plates interacting with the mat. The endless mat and the frame which it travels upon is deformable into a circular shape, and then sealed by the rotatable plates during compression. The baled product is removed from the compression compartment by the same end plates and is further handled by an output part of the machine which is connected to the plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for tightly wrapping a package such as disposed on a pallet in a thin film such as for shipping or storage includes a rotating deck adapted to receive the pallet and package to be wrapped. The deck is directly coupled to and supported by a gear box driven by an electric motor. The apparatus further includes a film wrap supply in the form of a roll which lets out the film for wrapping around the package as the deck and package rotate. A manually adjustable tensioner allows for adjusting the stretch of the wrapping film on the package, while the film wrap supply may be adjusted vertically to permit wrapping the package over its entire vertical dimension regardless of the width of the roll of film wrap. A foot control allows an operator of the apparatus to rotate the deck and the package being wrapped while vertically moving the film wrap supply roll to fully enclose the package within the wrapping film.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame including opposing sidewalls, and an apron assembly comprising crop engaging elements disposed between said sidewalls for defining a bale forming chamber having a generally cylindrical shape with a transverse inlet. The crop engaging elements move along a path having an inner course contiguous with a major portion of the fixed periphery of the cylindrical chamber. The baler also includes a pickup assembly for feeding crop material to the chamber through the inlet whereby crop material accumulated in the chamber is engaged by the crop engaging elements and formed into a compacted cylindrical package. A supply of net material is selectively dispensed via a dispensing assembly into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the formed cylindrical package of crop material in the chamber. A supply of twine fed to a twine dispensing assembly is also selectively dispensed into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the cylindrical package of crop material.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame including opposing sidewalls, and an apron assembly comprising crop engaging elements disposed between said sidewalls for defining a bale forming chamber having a fixed generally cylindrical shape with a transverse inlet. The crop engaging elements move along a path having an inner course contiguous with a major portion of the fixed periphery of the cylindrical chamber, and a pickup assembly for feeding crop material to the chamber through the inlet whereby crop material accumulated in the chamber is engaged by the crop engaging elements and formed into a compacted cylindrical package under conditions where a sufficient amount of crop material has accumulated in the chamber. A supply of net material is dispensed via a dispensing assembly having grasping elements for feeding the net into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the cylindrical package of crop material in the chamber to form a round bale of crop material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and applying stretchable adhesive tape to unitize a multiple unit load. The apparatus includes a tape dispenser head on a movable carriage that pre-stretches a narrow band of adhesive tape around a load positioned on an adjacent turn table in a spiral wrapping configuration as the movable carriage ascends and descends vertically in relation to the load while a secondary movable carriage having a tape supply moves within the tape dispenser carriage. Textured pre-stretch rollers and adjacent guides elongate and guide the adhesive tape within the tape dispensing carriage.

Abstract: A load of stretch wrap with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material by feeding a sheet through a stretch wrap dispenser and stretching and dispensing from the dispenser, and providing relative rotation between the dispenser and the load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load. The portion of the sheet is weakened with a sheet weakening device, and sheet is tensioned to break the sheet at the weakened portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and applying stretchable adhesive tape to unitize a multiple unit load. The apparatus includes a tape dispenser head on a movable carriage that pre-stretches a narrow band of adhesive tape around a load positioned on an adjacent turn table in a spiral wrapping configuration as the movable carriage ascends and descends vertically in relation to the load while a secondary movable carriage having a tape supply moves within the tape dispenser carriage. Textured pre-stretch rollers and adjacent guides elongate and guide the adhesive tape within the tape dispensing carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping roll material around a round bale within a bale forming chamber of a round baler including a drive belt tensioner idler, a wrapping material brake and a wrapping material cut-off knife all disposed on a carriage that is articulated between a wrapping material feeding position and a cut-off/stop position. When baling is completed, a signal is provided for movement to the feeding position at which time the wrapping material is held taught to maintain bale compression. After sensor data are fed back to a controller to signal feeding has proceeded for the desired length of time and/or to deploy the desired length of wrapping material, the device articulates to the cut-off position to sever the wrapping material to allow completion of the bale wrapping procedure. A crop recycling mechanism can also be provided to re-feed stray crop material into the baling chamber.

Abstract: A load is stretch wrapped with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material by adhering a leading end portion of the sheet to a holding member, dispensing the sheet from a stretch wrap dispenser, and providing relative rotation between the dispenser and the load to wrap the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material on a load. The leading end portion of the sheet is released from the holding member, and a trailing end portion of the sheet is adhered to the holding member. The packaging material between the load and the holding member is severed while being held by the holding member. The sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is held in place against the holding member with a vacuum or by a tacky surface. The severing is accomplished by a hot wire on the holding member.

Abstract: A round baler is provided with a bale wrapping mechanism including a wrap material guide assembly comprising a guide pan having an operative position wherein a guide surface is disposed upwardly for guiding wrap material into the baling chamber by way of a gap existing between adjacent fixed rolls forming at least a portion of the baling chamber. The guide pan is mounted for pivoting vertically and shifting fore-and-aft for permitting it to move to a inoperative position wherein a majority of the guide surface is disposed near vertical with the remainder being steeply disposed so that crop material and dirt will not accumulate on the guide surface.

Abstract: A control system for a large round baler includes a microprocessor-based implement module mounted to the baler and an input device mounted within the cab of the tractor behind which the baler is towed. The implement module receives inputs from the input device for setting and/or adjusting parameters of baler operation. Sensors are interconnected with various components of the baler for sensing operation of such components, and provide signals to the implement module indicative of baler operations. The sensor signals are analyzed by the microprocessor of the implement module, and various operations of the baler are controlled responsive to the sensor inputs.

Abstract: A load having top and bottom caps is stretch wrapped at a wrapping station having turntable and a dispenser for dispensing stretch wrap packaging material, and a corner board placer for placing a corner board having tapered top and bottom edges on each corner of the load. With the load positioned on the turntable, the corner board placer is controlled by a controller to perform the steps of forming an acute angle between first and second portions of the corner board, and moving the corner board toward the corner until the first and second portions have been inserted between the top and bottom caps.

Abstract: Stretch wrapping packaging material on a load includes introducing such wrapped packaging material onto tips of projecting portions of the first grooved rollers so that the packaging material spans the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller. The web of the packaging material on the first grooved roller are transported in the direction generally parallel to the grooves by powering the first grooved roller. The web of the packaging material spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller is impinged by the tips of the projecting portions of an idling second grooved roller to stretch the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved rollers in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported. The web is preferably separated from second grooved surface either before or simultaneous with its separation from the first grooved roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing wound rolls from a web of material is disclosed having a feeding roller which feeds a web of material into contact with a core having a central axis. A plurality of tuckers tuck the web of material about the core, then the web is wound about the core having an enlarged diameter. A sealant is applied to the wound rolls, while the rolls are on the core, so as to maintain the rolls in a tightly wound manner. The core is attached to two support members, at least one support member being movable between a position attached to the core and a position dislocated from the core. After the sealant has been applied, at least one support member moves to the dislocated position such that wound rolls may be removed from the core by a movable extractor. The extractor forces the wound and sealed rolls off the core, which has a reduced diameter, and into a bin.

Abstract: A device (1) to turn an object (2), said device comprising an object-supporting bight (4), a continuous belt, line, chain or the like. After the bight (3) the two parts of the belt (4) extend into parts (5, 6) each one of which travels past a deflection means (8, 9), such as a roller. On the lower side of said parts they are united by means of a lower belt part (7). The belt (4) is provided with support members (10-25) support the object, and the length of the belt is sufficient to fully encircle the object (2), or at least partly encircle a symmetrical portion of it, in the intended direction of rotation. In a hypothetical encircling position of the belt, the support members (10-25) extend radially outwards, and these members are configured to essentially fill up the space between the belt itself and the object, and each support member abuts against the object (2) at least at one point.

Abstract: The pack-forming unit (12) brings printing products into a tube-like form and sheathes them with a retaining element. The packs (20) thus formed are ejected into a first stack compartment (22) which is emptied into a second stack compartment (24) as soon as a certain number of packs (20) are stacked in it. A strap (30) is then laid around the stacked packs (20), in order to keep the latter together to form a bundle (32) which can be easily handled.

Abstract: The printing product (16) is inserted from above into a compartment (52) and between two pairs of fingers (56), and is positioned such that it is arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation (54') of the fingers (56). Upon rotation of the fingers, the printing product is folded by interaction with flexible belts (114, 116) in an S-shaped form and is thus brought into a tube-like configuration. A film-like retaining element (34) is wound up along with the printing product (16), in order to sheath the printing product (16) and maintain it in the tube-like configuration.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus comprised of a stretchable adhesive tape which is detackified when stretched longitudinally. The tape is advanced through a stretching station to an array of articles to be unitized. Tension rollers are utilized on either side of the stretching station to ensure that the tape advances evenly and does not recoil. The dispenser apparatus also includes a first prime mover which advances the tape through the tension rollers and stretching station at a rate which ensures proper stretching (at predetermined intervals) and proper feeding of the tape to the array of boxed items. A controller simultaneously controls the z-axis motion (of the dispenser and rotation of the articles to be unitized. Therefore, both the number of wraps about the articles and the location of the wraps between the base of the articles and the top of the articles may be controlled.

Abstract: A roll product is wrapped with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material dispensed from a stretch wrap dispenser. A portion of the sheet is positioned between a clamp and the stretch wrap dispenser so that the portion of the sheet is across a load path between the load and a roller for rotating the load. The load is transported along the load path and placed in driving contact with the roller. The load is rotated by driving the load with a roller. The clamp is moved from a first location to a second location where the sheet is wrapped around the load and secured in place by another portion of the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping bales of hay includes a table with bale rollers disposed outboard of a centrally of a vertical axis extending through the table and about which the table rotates to receive a film of wrap to enclose the hay bale as the table rotates. Endless belts encircle the outboard bale rollers and cause the hay bale to rotate about its transverse axis as the table rotates about its vertical axis. The endless belts are replaceable by sliding laterally from the table without requiring disassembly of the table.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of crop material. The baler includes a sledge assembly moveable between core starting and full bale positions. A plurality of rollers on the sledge assembly cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. Wrapping is accomplished via a system that includes a dispensing mechanism carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing sheet material, such as net or the like, into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a formed cylindrical package of crop material as it is rotated in the chamber. A baffle is mounted on the dispensing mechanism between the sheet material and the bale forming chamber to shield the sheet material from stray crop material and other debris.

Abstract: A continuous wrapper web is wrapped about a roll that rotates about a rotational axis. The wrapper web is tensioned as it moves toward the roll by means of a brake mechanism disposed intermediate the roll and the source of the wrapper web so as to control tension and feed speed of the wrapper web. An end of the wrapper web is caused to contact the roll such that the wrapper web wraps about the roll in tension as the roll rotates. A portion of the wrapper web is caused to slacken and form a wave in a region intermediate the brake mechanism and the source of the wrapper web such that, in a direction parallel to the rotating roll's rotational axis, the wrapper web assumes tensional equilibrium when approaching and contacting the roll. This procedure reduces wrinkling of the wrapper web as it wraps about the roll due to misalignment between the end of the wrapper web and the rotational axis of the rotating roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping the top and sides of a load. A web dispenser dispenses and stretches web on the direction in which it is dispensed. The load is rotated relative to the web dispenser as web is wrapped onto the load. The web dispenser is positioned in an orientation generally parallel to the sides of the load for wrapping the sides of the load, and is changed to an orientation generally parallel to the top of the load for covering the top of the load. A web supply may change orientation along with the web dispenser or may be fixed relative to the web dispenser in an orientation generally parallel to the sides of the load. When the web supply is fixed, an accumulator is provided for accumulating web. The accumulator dispenses web when the web dispenser is changing orientation and when the web dispenser is in the orientation generally parallel to the top of the load.

Abstract: A machine for packing by wrapping a load (1) comprises a device for supplying a pre-drawn film (3) propelled with respect to a longitudinal axis (6) of the load (1) to be packed with a relative helicoidal movement, and a device for handling of the free end of the film (3) between two wrapping cycles in accordance with the invention comprises a plate (10) for holding of the film (3) against the load (1), the length of which is at least equal to the width of the film (3) used, and near one of the long edges of this plate (10), a pair of jaws (13, 14) mobile with respect to one another along this edge are provided to crumple and grip between them the portion of the film contained between the plate and the film-supply device.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping a load with a film of plastic material is provided having a means for supporting a load, a means for supporting a film strip reel, a first means for causing a relative pivoting movement of the film reel axis and the load support means, a second means for causing a relative pivoting movement of the film reel axis and the load support means about a second pivoting axis, and a drive means acting on the first and second means to bring about the two relative pivoting movements in order to coordinate their operation.

Abstract: The shaping machine for circular bales of crop material has straps (belts) (12) continuously passing around a plurality of rollers (2 to 11) in a movable housing (1, 1a) which can be tilted open, forming and defining a coiling chamber (13) and having a crop material inlet (14) for the retrieved and conveyed crop material (15) between two lower rollers (2, 3) disposed at a distance from each other. A rotor (17) is disposed in the crop material inlet (14), which conveys the crop material (15) into the coiling chamber (13) while compressing the crop material, and closes off the inlet (14) at the bottom.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of crop material having a sledge assembly moveable between bale starting and full bale positions. The sledge assembly includes a plurality of rollers which cooperate with an array of belts to define a bale forming chamber. A dispensing mechanism is provided for dispensing web material, such as net or the like, into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a cylindrical package of crop material in the bale forming chamber. Included along the path of the net prior to being fed into the chamber is a severing assembly for cutting the net after it has been wrapped around the cylindrical hay package formed in the chamber. The net severing assembly includes a unique severing element that provides improved net cutting.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a palletized load is provided with a film carriage having a spool of film. A means for unwinding the film from the spool from an upstream winding position to a downstream position in accordance with a selected path where it is applied to the load is also provided. Prestretching rollers for prestretching the film before it is applied to the load are contained on the film carriage. Cutting blades are used to pierce the film, downstream of the prestretching rollers, into longitudinally extending strips. The strips are then separated into longitudinally extending bands by a separating roller. The bands are applied to a load by the carriage which slidably moves up and down along a support column in combination with a turntable upon which the load rotates.

Abstract: A method for packaging bales (1) with strips of plastic packaging film (9), in which a bale is rotated about a generally horizontal axis (3) and, when appropriate, about a generally vertical axis (6), and wherein film is taken from a film magazine (7) spaced from the bale and wrapped around the bale in successive turns while maintaining the film under tension, and wherein the film in each turn of film around the bale extends generally parallel with and transversely to the horizontal axis. The method is mainly characterized in the bale (1) is then wrapped with a further wrapping of film (9), and in that successive turns (9") of this further wrapping cross-over those parts of the turns (9'") of the underlying film which extend generally parallel with the horizontal axis (3), in a manner to retain the underlying turns. This film material is held under tension while being applied. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method, and to a bale.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of crop material having a sledge assembly moveable between bale starting and full bale positions. The sledge assembly includes a plurality of rollers which cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. A dispensing mechanism is carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing web material into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a cylindrical package of crop material. A net supply assembly is associated with the dispensing mechanism to provide net for feeding into the bale chamber via the dispensing mechanism. Included along the feed path of the net is a net severing assembly for cutting the net after it has been wrapped around the cylindrical hay package. The net severing assembly includes a free falling knife for operatively engaging the net prior to entry into the chamber. A knife constraint system is employed to maintain the knife inoperative in a holding range while permitting it to fall in a release range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping roll material around a round bale within a bale forming chamber of a round baler including a drive belt tensioner idler, a wrapping material brake and a wrapping material cut-off knife all disposed on a carriage that is articulated between a wrapping material feeding position and a cut-off/stop position. When baling is completed, a signal is provided for movement to the feeding position at which time the wrapping material is held taught to maintain bale compression. After sensor data are fed back to a controller to signal feeding has proceeded for the desired length of time and/or to deploy the desired length of wrapping material, the device articulates to the cut-off position to sever the wrapping material to allow completion of the bale wrapping procedure. A crop recycling mechanism can also be provided to re-feed stray crop material into the baling chamber.

Abstract: The end of a length of stretch film enveloping a pallet is restrained, prior to being heat-sealed, by a gripping mechanism that can be traversed toward and away from the pallet, and is capable of contracting longitudinally in a direction parallel to the plane occupied by the tail end of the film, transversely to the wrapping direction, from a position of engagement in which the gripping surfaces are spaced apart and uniformly in contact with the film over its maximum width, to a position of restraint in which the selfsame surfaces are drawn together, pinching the film to produce a uniform succession of folds and thus narrowing the material to a width that can be accommodated fully by the heat-seal plate.

Abstract: A belt conveyor arrangement (16) is disposed upstream of the winding mandrel (12) of the rolling-up apparatus (10) and determines the conveying path (18) for the printed products (20) which are to be rolled up. A delivery device (30) leads from below into the conveying path (18) and delivers into the conveying path (18) a wrapping (28) which is to be rolled up together with a printed product (20) in each case. The wrapping (28) has in each case an edge portion projecting over the roller (114) and by means of the blast nozzle arrangement (130) is held across the conveying path (18). This edge portion is laid around the leading end region of the printed product (20) fed and is introduced together with the latter into the mandrel gap (14).