Bale banding machine and method
OwnerPeter A. Rodriguezinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A banding machine and method for banding bundles of material using a thermal and moisture activated adhesive baleband. In one embodiment the banding machine includes a sealing station that guides and tightens the baleband around a bale such that a portion of the baleband is overlapped. The sealing station also connects or seals the overlapped end portions of the band after tightening the band about a bale and cuts the band as overlapped end portions are connected. The overlapped end portions are adhesively connected or sealed using a steam or hot water applicator mechanism and associated actuator controller for applying pressurized steam or hot water to the overlapped end portions of the baleband.
Claims22
A bale banding machine that bands bundles of material using a thermal and moisture activated adhesive baleband, said bale banding machine comprising:
- means for guiding the baleband around a bale;
- means for tightening the baleband around the bale such that portions of the baleband are overlapped;
- and
- means for sealing the overlapped portion of the baleband, wherein said means for sealing includes a steam applicator for applying steam to the overlapped portions of the baleband.
A method for banding bundles of material using a thermal and moisture activated adhesive baleband, said method comprising:
- guiding the baleband around a bale;
- tightening the baleband around the bale such that portions of the baleband are overlapped;
- and
- sealing the overlapped portions of the baleband, wherein said sealing includes applying steam to the overlapped portions of the baleband.
A bale banding machine that bands bundles of material using a thermal and moisture activated adhesive baleband, said bale banding machine comprising:
- means for guiding the baleband around a bale;
- means for tightening the baleband around the bale such that portions of the baleband are overlapped;
- means for sealing the overlapped portion of the baleband, wherein said means for sealing includes an applicator for applying water to the overlapped portions of the baleband, said water possessing sufficient thermal energy to effect adhesion of said overlapped portions;
- and
- means for pressing together the overlapped portions of the baleband to which the water is applied;
- wherein said water applicator comprises a water applicator nozzle for discharging a pressurized water jet between the overlapped portions of the baleband.
A method for banding bundles of material using a thermal and moisture activated adhesive baleband, said method comprising:
- guiding the baleband around a bale;
- tightening the baleband around the bale such that portions of the baleband are overlapped;
- and
- sealing the overlapped portions of the baleband, wherein said sealing includes applying water to and pressing together the overlapped portions of the baleband, said water possessing sufficient thermal energy to effect adhesion of said overlapped portions;
- and
- wherein said applying water to the overlapped portions of the baleband comprises discharging a pressurized water jet between the overlapped portions of the baleband.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.