BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As well known in the art, various materials, such as cotton, synthetics, and various waste materials, are transported in their raw state to cotton processing plants, in tightly packed, six sided, generally square or rectangular, bales. The substance of a bale is secured by a plurality of metal ties or bands, which are wrapped thereabout, normally about the top and bottom of the bale, and along two sides thereof. A plurality of parallel ties is used to secure each bale.

After the bales have been transported to the processing plant, they have to be opened so as to allow processing of the bale material. A first stage in opening a bale is the removal of the ties. The bands must be removed with great caution, due to the very great tensile forces under which the ties are secured about the bale. Due to these forces, the ties, if unrestrained, can whip back and injure personnel, and can also cause damage to mechanical equipment.

This problem is well known in the art, and various solutions have been proposed so as to enable careful, but efficient, mechanized removal of the ties.

US Patent No. 5,179,878, entitled Method and Apparatus for Severing Ties and Wrappers of Textile Fiber Bales, relates to apparatus for severing ties or a wrapper surrounding a fiber bale. The disclosed apparatus includes a severing device having a cutting element, and a drive for actuating the cutting element; a counter-element positioned adjacent to the cutting device; a supporting device for positioning the fiber bale; and a displacing device for moving the severing device and the cutting device as a unit relative to the supporting device for causing the counter-element to penetrate into the fiber bale underneath the tie to counter-support the tie during severing of the tie by the severing device.

US Patent No. 4,794,671, entitled Method of Opening Bales of Cotton and Other Fibers, teaches method and equipment for removing straps tied around a bale of cotton. The method includes the steps of (a) lifting and transporting the bale by a forklift to an impact cutter provided with a long horizontal cutter blade, (b) pushing the bale towards the cutter blade, whereby the impact cutter is operated by contact

of the bale with an electric switch, causing the straps to be cut in one place each by a rapid thrusting motion of the cutter blade, in a direction perpendicular to the face of the bale, (c) lifting the bale by means of the forklift until the free ends of the straps flap over the lower of two rollers of a strap-pulling device and lowering the upper of the two rollers into contact with the straps and the lower roller, (d) switching on the motor of the strap-pulling device, whereby the rotating rollers pull the straps off the bale, and (e) carrying the bale to its destination.

US Patent No. 4,929,141, entitled Bale-Opening Method and Apparatus, discloses a method for removing packaging from a cotton or similar bale. The method includes delivering the bale to a first station and fixing the bale in position thereat. A cutter mechanism is driven along the length of the bale to cut the bale strips. The bale is then released and passed to a second station where the strapping and a portion of the wrappings are removed. The bale is then passed to a third station where the bale is rotated 180 degrees about a transverse axis. The bale is passed to a fourth station where the remaining wrappings are removed. The bale is then transferred to a fifth station where the bale is made available for further processing of the cotton.

None of the known art provides for the releasing of bale ties in a generally universal manner, which may be suitable for use with bales of different types of materials, and with all types of cotton processing plant, regardless of the degree of automation thereof, and in a way which is quick, safe for operators, and which does not cause damage to machinery.

A further known problem in opening bales at processing plants, is that the flexible wrapping, which surrounds many types of bales, is cut open in a separate step, which-particularly when the wrapping is placed exteriorly of the ties-must precede the step of releasing the ties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a universal method of releasing ties secured about compressed bales, from which disadvantages of known art are absent, and which is easy and inexpensive to implement, regardless of the scale of the bale processing plant. Apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, apparatus for severing a plurality of ties on a bale, which includes: a tie severing head arranged for movement along a travel path;

a planar array of tie grabbing elements arranged generally along the travel path and spaced laterally thereabout, arranged so as to abut a generally planar side surface of a tied bale when the bale is brought into contact therewith; and drive apparatus for driving the severing head along the travel path with at least a minimum force predetermined to cause the severing head to successively engage and sever each of a plurality of bale ties arranged laterally across the path.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tie grabbing elements are spaced apart so that after engagement of each bale tie by the severing head, the tie is flexed in the direction of motion of the severing head along the travel path, until the tie is contacted at at least one contact point by at least one tie grabbing element, such that, at the at least one contact point, the tie is prevented from further flexural motion past the at least one tie grabbing element, so as to be bent thereabout, and wherein, the drive apparatus causes the severing head to bend the tie about the at least one tie grabbing element, and to further flex the tie past failure, until the tie is snapped.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, each tie is contacted at a pair of contact points by a pair of tie grabbing elements straddling the travel path.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tie severing head is arranged for travel along a linear track which defines the linear travel path.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the severing head is configured for insertion into the bale and behind each tie to be severed, and further, so as to flex the tie simultaneously in the direction of travel, and also outwardly from the bale towards the track.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the severing head includes: a base, arranged for motion along the track; and a blade portion facing inwardly towards the track, and defining a severing edge defined between a point of connection to the base and a tip, wherein the severing edge is angled away from the track so as to protrude outwardly with respect thereto, such that, when a planar side of a tied bale is brought into abutting engagement with the tie grabbing elements, the blade tip is pressed into the bale material, behind the ties, such that motion of the severing head along the track

causes each tie to be engaged by the blade portion and to be flexed towards the track.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of severing a plurality of ties on a bale, which includes: a) providing a tie severing head arranged for movement along a track defining a travel path; b) positioning a tied bale in generally abutting contact with a planar array of tie grabbing elements arranged generally along the travel path and spaced laterally thereabout, so as to arrange the bale ties across the travel path; and c) driving the severing head along the travel path with at least a minimum force predetermined to cause the severing head to successively engage and sever each of the bale ties arranged laterally across the path.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred method of the of the invention, in step c), the severing head is driven along the travel path in a predetermined direction, and each tie is engaged and flexed by the severing head until the tie is contacted preferably at a pair of contact points by a pair of tie grabbing elements straddling the travel path, such that, at the contact points, the tie is prevented from further flexural motion past the tie grabbing elements, so as to be bent thereabout, and wherein, the tie is bent about thereabout, and flexed past failure, until the tie is snapped.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, step b) also includes positioning the tied bale in abutting contact with a track which defines the travel path, and step c) is performed while the bale is retained in the abutting contact with the track, thereby to at least partially prevent recoil of the ties after they have snapped.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, step c) includes the sub-steps of inserting the severing head into the bale and behind each tie to be severed, and flex the tie simultaneously in the direction of travel, and also outwardly from the bale towards the travel path.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bale also has a flexible wrapping thereabout, and step c) includes driving the severing head along the travel path with at least a minimum force predetermined to cause the

severing head to cut through the wrapping and, simultaneously, to successively engage and sever each of the bale ties arranged laterally across the path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a front elevation of bale tie releasing apparatus seen in operation, and constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, and taken along line A-A in Fig. 1 B; Fig. 1B is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1A, taken along line B-B therein; Figs. 2A and 2B are respective side and plan view illustrations showing release of ties from a bale, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a side view, generally similar to that of Fig. 2A, but after all the ties have been severed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4A is an enlarged, detailed view showing the relative positions of the severing head and tie grabbing elements of the apparatus of the invention, immediately prior to engaging a bale tie to be severed; Fig. 4B is a part-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 4A; Fig. 5A is an enlarged, detailed view showing severing of the bale tie seen in Fig. 4A; Fig. 5B is a part-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 5A; Fig. 5C is a part-sectional view taken along lines C-C in Figs. 5A and 5B; Fig. 6A is an enlarged, detailed view showing the relative positions of the severing head and tie grabbing elements of the apparatus of the invention, immediately prior to engaging a bale tie to be severed, when used on a bale having a flexible protective covering, placed externally of the ties; Fig. 6B is a part-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 6A; Fig. 7A is an enlarged, detailed view showing the relative positions of the severing head and tie grabbing elements of the apparatus of the invention, immediately prior to engaging a bale tie to be severed, when used on a bale having a flexible protective covering, placed externally of the ties; and Fig. 7B is a part-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to Figs. 1A and 1B, there is shown apparatus 10 for severing a plurality of ties 12 on a generally rectangular bale 14. The bale 14 may be a compressed textile bale, such as of cotton or a synthetic material, transported to a processing plant, or of paper for recycling, or of any other material, such as rags for recycling, which is transported in this form. As known in the art, the ties are typically formed of metal and are bound about the sides and top of the bale so as to maintain the structural integrity of the bale, and thus to allow its transportation. The ties are fastened about the bale under very high tensile forces, which are released when the ties are severed.

In the example shown and described in conjunction with Figs. 1A-5B, the bale 14 does not have a protective covering of any sort. It is well known, however, for bales to be covered with a protective webbing or sheeting, which typically serves to protect the bale material. An additional purpose which such sheeting may serve, however, is to help maintain the shape of the bale in the event that the bale material is of a non-cohesive type, such as some types of synthetic textiles. As shown and described below in conjunction with Figs. 6A-7B, the apparatus 10 of the present invention is also useful with covered bales, and, unlike existing systems, is able to easily tear through protective sheeting simultaneously with the severing of the ties.

Referring once again to the present example, apparatus 10 of the invention is formed of a tie severing head 16, a planar array of tie grabbing elements 18, arranged in a generally vertical plane, and a drive system 20 for driving the head 16 along a travel path, parallel to the plane, and defined by a track 22.

Track 22 is formed by elongate, linear members 24, mounted onto rigid supports 26, which, typically, stand on a floor or other, preferably horizontal, support surface 28. As seen also in Figs. 4B and 5B, the tie severing head 16 includes a base 30 to which a blade 34 is rigidly connected. Base 30 may be configured as a carriage, or the like, and drive system 20 may be provided in the form of a belt drive, as shown, by way of example. In the present example, as seen particularly in Figs.

1 B, 4B and 5B, a rear portion 36 of base 30 is attached to an endless belt 38 which is arranged about a drive wheel 40 at a first end of track 22, and a tension wheel 42, located at a second end 44 of track 22. Drive wheel 40 may be powered as via a suitable motor 46 and transmission system 48. The transmission system 48 may be as shown schematically shown in the drawings, or any other suitable system for driving the belt drive wheel 40, and so is not described further herein, in detail.

Referring now generally to Figs. 2A and 2B, in order to release ties 12 from bale 14, the bale 14 is positioned by use of a forklift 50 or similar carrying equipment. The operator is careful to bring a side face 52 of the bale into abutment with a lateral positioning flange 54, which is connected rigidly to track 22, and oriented transversely thereto, and a selected front surface 56 of the bale against the tie grabbing elements 18, such that the ties 12 are arranged generally transversely across the travel path of the severing head 16.

The drive system 20 is then used to move the severing head 16 along the track 22, such that, as seen in detail in Figs. 4A-5C, each tie 12, in turn, is engaged, bent against typically a pair of tie grabber elements 18, and stressed beyond failure, so as to break, as the severing head 16 travels along the travel path.

As seen, the blade 32 of the severing head 16, on which is formed an inward facing slanted blade edge 60, protrudes outwardly from a hilt 62 whereat it is attached to the base 30, beyond the tie grabbing elements 18. The blade 32 defines a tip 64 which is the portion of the blade 32 which protrudes by the greatest extent, relative to the track 22.

Accordingly, when the front bale surface 56 is brought into abutting engagement with the tie grabber elements 18, blade tip 64 becomes embedded in the bale material, deeper than the extent to which the ties 12 are embedded in the material. This is seen in Fig. 4B.

As seen in Fig. 5B, as the drive system 20 moves the severing head 16 along its travel path, the blade tip 64 enters behind the first tie 12 it encounters, whereafter the sloped blade edge 60 engages the tie and is operative to pull it outwards of the bale, towards the track, as indicated by arrow 66 (Figs. 5B and 5C) while, at the same time, bending the tie it in a generally forward direction, as indicated by arrow 68 (Fig. 5A) parallel to the direction of motion of the severing head 16. Once the tie is engaged by the socket 70 (Fig. 4B) formed at hilt 62 of the severing head 16, the tie is no longer pulled towards the track 22, and is flexed in a direction parallel to the direction of motion of the severing head 16, only.

The initial pulling of the tie 12 towards the track 22 causes the tie to enter between tie grabbing elements 18 spaced along the track 22. Accordingly, as the severing head 16 continues to move along the track, the tie 12 is forced into engagement with preferably a pair of tie grabbing elements 18 straddling the track 22, such that the tie becomes caught on the grabbing elements 18, in the path of the severing head 16. This is seen most clearly in Figs. 1A and 5A. The severing

head 16 continues to move along the track 22, and thus flexes the tie 12 across the tie grabber elements 18, so as to stress the tie beyond failure. At this point, the tie snaps.

Due to the fact that the tie-bearing front face 56 of the bale 14 is retained in abutting engagement with the apparatus 10 throughout, as seen in Figs. 1 B and 5C, the recoil of the broken tie, caused by the release of the tension force in the tie prior to being broken, is largely absorbed by the tie grabber elements 18, the track 22, and the support structure thereof. This contrasts favorably with known systems in which the ties are allowed to recoil freely, sometimes causing damage either to relatively delicate machinery, or to the forklift, or causing injury to personnel required for operation of those systems.

It will thus be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the apparatus of the present invention is characterized by being generally safer than known systems, due to the fact that the recoil energy is largely absorbed by the apparatus, and also by not requiring the presence in the immediate vicinity of the bale, of any operating personnel.

After the first tie has been severed, as described, the severing head 16 then proceeds to the next tie, severing it in a similar manner. The same process is repeated for each tie, until, one after the other, all the ties are severed. At this point, as seen in Fig. 3, the forklift operator reverses the bale 14 away from the tie severing apparatus 10, thereafter transporting the bale to a tie removal station.

Removal of the severed ties 12'may be performed either manually, or by any suitable apparatus.

While the above severing process of the invention has been described in detail, in stage by stage fashion, it will be appreciated that the severing head is, in fact, impacted into each tie, at relatively high speed, and under a very great impact force, strong enough to break the ties, regardless of their length, cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional area, and the material from which they are made. Typically, the ties are made of steel, and are formed as bands or round profile members.

Referring now to Figs. 6A and 6B, it is seen that bale 14 is covered by a protective, flexible, sheeting or wrapping, referenced 80, wherein the wrapping is arranged so as to cover the exterior of bale 14 and ties 12. It is seen that blade 32 cuts through the flexible wrapping 80, and is substantially unimpeded thereby as it moves along its travel path towards each tie 12, which it severs as shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 4A-5C.

As seen in Figs. 7A and 7B, bale 14 may alternatively be covered by a wrapping 80 which is interior of ties 12. In this arrangement too, blade 32 is operative to cut through both the covering 80 and ties 12, substantially as shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 4A-5C.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the capability of the present invention to sever bale ties, as described above, regardless of the presence of a covering or wrapping, and regardless of whether the wrapping is placed exteriorly or interiorly of the ties, represents a significant advantage over known art, in which the wrapping must be cut in a separate processing step.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited solely to what has been shown and described hereinabove.

Rather, the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims, which follow.