Compressed bale packaging apparatus with bag applicator assist device and bag for same
View Patent ↗A bag applicator assist device for a baling system having a discharge mandrel, includes a frame movable longitudinally along the mandrel from a loading position to a bagging position and at least one gripper mounted to the frame. The gripper is movable between a closed position to secure the bag therein and an open position to release the bag from the gripper. A bag is positioned in the gripper at the loading position, the frame is moved longitudinally along the mandrel from the loading position to the bagging position and the bag is released from the gripper when the frame is in the bagging position. A bag configured for use with the applicator assist device includes a polymeric tubular member having a sealed end and an open end. The open end defines four corners. The bag has a gripper receiving region at about each corner.
1. A bag applicator assist device for a baling system having a discharge mandrel, the device configured to position a bag on the discharge mandrel, the device comprising:
a frame movable longitudinally along the mandrel between a loading position and a bagging position; and
a gripper mounted to the frame and movable between a closed position to secure a portion of the bag and an open position to release the bag, wherein the gripper includes a stationary finger and a movable finger, the movable finger being movable relative to the stationary finger between a closed position in which the gripper is in the closed position and an open position in which the gripper is in the open position, wherein the movable finger is biased toward the stationary finger and to the closed position.
2. The device of claim 1 , which includes four grippers mounted to the frame, each gripper being positioned at about a different corner of the frame.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the movable finger includes a component configured to cooperate with the stationary finger to secure the bag therebetween.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the stationary finger defines an opening sized to receive the component.
5. The device of claim 2 , further including a release member operably connected to the movable finger to move the movable forger from the closed position to the open position.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the release member is a lever that is part of the movable finger.
7. The device of claim 1 , further including a rail, wherein the frame is movably mounted to the rail such that the frame can move along the rail between the loading position and the bagging position.
8. A bag for containing a bale of compressible material, the bag comprising:
a polymeric tubular member having:
a sealed end;
an open end defining four corners; and
a gripper receiving region at about each corner, the gripper receiving regions being different from regions adjacent thereto and defining reinforced through-wall openings that extend through the polymeric tube member.
9. The bag of claim 8 wherein the polymeric tubular member defines a plurality of through-wall ventilation openings that extend through the polymeric tubular member.
10. The bag of claim 8 , wherein the polymeric tubular member is formed from woven strands of polymeric material.
11. The bag of claim 10 wherein the polymeric material is polyethylene terephthalate.
12. The device of claim 3 , wherein the component includes one of a hook and a detent.
13. The device of claim 4 , wherein the opening comprises a channel.
14. The bag of claim 8 , wherein the through-wall openings are circular holes.