Apparatus for placing ties, for example, for tying vines

An apparatus for placing ties comprising:

• a feeding system for feeding an initial portion of a filiform band issuing from a supply source from an upstream position to a downstream position;
• a rotatable twisting device disposed at a front part of the apparatus, said twisting device comprising a first opening and a second opening for engaging two parts of the initial portion of the band;
• a cutting system disposed upstream from one of said first and second openings of the twisting device;
• a hinged guide equipped with a guide groove disposed at a front end of the apparatus,
• said hinged guide having an outlet, said outlet of said hinged guide being mounted for movement into an activated position opposite said second opening of said twisting device;
• and
• a driving system comprising a single electric motor capable of movement in two directions of rotation;
• a transmission system comprising a first clutch device operatively connecting said driving system to said feeding system, said cutting system and said hinged guide and a second clutch device operatively connecting said driving system to said twisting device, the first and second clutch devices capable of being alternately active or inactive such that;
• when said first clutch device is active, the first clutch device ensures communication of the movement of said single motor to said feeding system, to said hinged guide, and to said cutting system, while the second clutch device does not transmit any motor movement to said twisting device:
• for advancing the band by means of said feeding system, for allowing movement of said hinged guide into the activated position opposite the second opening of said twisting device, and for cutting the band by means of said cutting system to create a tie, while said twisting device is stopped;
• and
• when said second clutch device is active, the second clutch device transmits motor movements to said twisting device, while the first clutch does not transmit any motor movement to any one of said feeding system, said hinged guide, and said cuffing system;
• for driving said twisting device in rotation for twisting the tie, while said feeding system, said hinged guide, and said cutting system are de-activated.