Fiber packing process

H. THIELE

FIBER PACKING PROCESS

Jan. 11, 1966

Filed Nov. 13, 1961

3,228,166

Sheets-Sheet i

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3,228,166

H. THIELE

FIBER PACKING PROCESS

Jan. 11, 1966

Filed Nov. 13, 1961

2-Sheets-Sheet 2

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^Htorne^-S

United States Patent Office

3,228,166

Patented Jan. 11, 1966

3,228,166

FIBER PACKING PROCESS

Hans Thiele, Kassel-Auefeld, Germany, assignor to Spinnfaser Aktiengesellschaft, Kassel-Bettenhausen, Germany

Filed Nov. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 151,665

Claims priority, application Germany, Nov. 16, 1969, S 71 292

Claims. (Cl. 53—24)

The present invention is directed to an improved fiber packing process. More particularly, the subject invention relates to a process for packing fibrous materials such as cotton or staple fiber in bale form.

In packing textile fibers, certain standards and conditions must be met. First of all, the packing must protect the fibers from dirt and moisture. Secondly, the packing must be such that the fibers will maintain their original or given properties until they are ready for use. For example, the fibers are often given a certain moisture content during their conditioning. This moisture content must remain constant in the packed state even though the fibers are stored for long periods under extreme climatic conditions such as occur in overseas transportation. Furthermore, and even more important, in packing processes wherein the fiber is compressed under high pressure, the packing must not alter the elastic properties of the fibers. In view of the problems of storage and shipping, it is necessary moreover to compress the fibers to such an extent that the bales occupy a minimum amount of space.

In the usual bale packing process, cotton, staple fiber, or the like, is compressed in a press box under high pressure to form a bale. The bale is covered with a packing material such as jute, cardboard, and more recently, plastic sheets. The bale is secured with steel straps which are inserted through grooves of the two press plates, which grooves are placed in the plates for this purpose. After the pressure of the packing press has been released, the fibers, because of their high elasticity, expand in those areas which are free of the packing cords or straps. The unyielding straps, however, keep under constant tension those fibers beneath the straps. Ultimately, such fibers lose their elasticity and are said to have been “pressed to death.” It has also been found that the steel straps frequently cut into and damage the packing envelope. In order to avoid this difficulty, the steel strap cording often is placed beneath the bale envelope. This is especially true in the case of moisture-permeable foil packing. Under these conditions, however, undesirble, nonuniform pressure strain still is placed on the packed fibers which leads to difficulties in the processing of the fiber.

_ One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a process for packing bales of textile fiber which is effective in preserving the elasticity of the fiber as well as its moisture content and other properties.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for packing bales of staple fiber, cotton, and the like, under nigh pressure wherein it is not necessary to ues packing cords or straps.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention.

In general, the invention comprises the discovery of a process for packing fiber bales wherein the fiber bale is covered solely with a durable packing skin, which skin holds the bale together and absorbs the entire pressure exerted by the compressed fibers. The compressed, unwrapped fiber bale is enclosed in the packing skin either (1) within the bale press by two half sheets which are united into a tube, or (2) secured by a clamping device, the bale is placed outside of the press in a foil or fabric tube that is open on one or both ends. In the latter embodiment, the pressure exerted by the clamping means is released when the pressed unit is already in the pack5 ing tube or is released immediately prior to placing the bale in the packing tube. The tubular envelope is so selected that the bale fills its space tightly only after the bale has expanded. The envelope must cover the bale surfaces which are exposed to the expansion pressure. 7Q In any event, the still open ends of the tubular envelope are closed outside of the baling press or after release of the bale clamp by folding and sewing, or by welding or by the application of suitably prepared end pieces. The packing tubes can be formed from various types of 15 material. Fabric reinforced plastic sheets, such as polyvinyl chloride foils with reinforcing fabrics of strong staple fiber have proved to be especially satisfactory.

A tension free bale packing, without packing cords, can be produced in practice by various means. The par20 ticular steps that are taken depend largely on the type of baling press that is available, that is, whether the presses are designed for the new type of packing, or whether presses of traditional type are to be employed. The pressed fiber unit can be inserted into the packing tube 25 outside or inside of the baling press. If the bale is placed in the tube outside the press, the uncovered bale, initially under pressure, must first be taken out of the press by means of a suitable device such as a two or multipronged bale clamp. The clamp engages the bale in the area of 30 the grooves which are provided in the two press plates or in an easily loosenable binding in a press mold out of which the bale is ejected into the packing tube or bag. Packing within the press is possible when the packing material can be brought into tubular form after the open35 ing of the press box and thus, after release of the press, can immediately take up the expansion pressure of the fiber material.

The invention can best be understood by reference to the attached drawing in which

FIGURE 1 is a schematic drawing showing a fiber bale which has been removed from a press by means of a multipronged bale clamp and a stacking track;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic drawing of a multipronged bale clamp and stacking truck wherein the bale is about ⁴⁵ to be placed in a packing envelope;

FIGURE 3 is a view of a bale within a packing press;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a multipronged bale clamp;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of a two-pronged fork which is used to hold a bale in its compressed condition;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are schematic views of standard press plates and modified press plates which can be employed in the subject process; and

FIGURES 8 and 9 are schematic views showing fiber ³⁰ bales and standard press plates and their relationship to the tubular foil wherein the subject process is adapted for use in packaging the bales within the press.

In FIG. 1, compressed bale 1 of fiber 2 is held between prongs 3 of multipronged bale clamp 4. The bale was ^b0 removed from a standard press box (not shown) by means of clamp 4 and stacking truck 5. The clamp is pivotally mounted on stacking truck 5 by means of mounting brackets 6 and 7.

In FIG. 2, bale clamp 4 has been rotated 90° and is ^b5 positioned above packing device 8 and foil or envelope 9.

In the embodiment shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, the number of prongs of the bale clamp corresponds to the number of steel straps which previously were used to tie the bale. Very often, five straps were used for this purpose.

In FIG. 3, compressed bale 1 is shown between press plates 10 and 11. In removing the bale from the plate,

3,228,166 prongs 3 of bale clamp 4 are inserted in corresponding grooves 12 of press plates 10 and 11. After the bale has been rotated and has been placed over packing device 8 and foil envelope 9, the paired prongs of the bale clamp are released in succession from the bottom upward. Simultaneously, the tubular foil is drawn over that part of the bale which is exposed as the prongs are released. The foil preferably is reinforced by a crisscross fabric inlay. The bagging of the bale must be accomplished rapidly inasmuch as the expanding of the fiber material would otherwise make it impossible to draw on the tubular fabric. After the bale has been placed in the tubular foil, the envelope is cut to length beneath the bale and is sealed above and below the bale, for example, by heat sealing or the like.

In FIG. 4, the multipronged bale clamp 4 is shown in greater detail.

In an alternative embodiment of the subject process, a fully pressed bale initially is removed from the bale press by means of a multipronged bale clamp such as that shown in FIG. 4. Thereupon the bale is transferred to a two-pronged bale fork 13 such as is shown in FIG. 5. The two prong bale fork engages the bale lengthwise. The prongs 14 of fork 13 are movably mounted on shaft 15. A suitable pressure exerting instrument can be clamped to the fork at members 16 or, as an alternative, shaft 15 can be threaded so as to provide a means for moving prongs 14. Prongs 14 have openings on the side facing the bale at the points where they overlap prongs 3 of clamp 4. The prongs of fork 13 are pressed together in such a manner that transverse prongs 3 can be disengaged from the bale. After the multipronged clamp has been removed, the tubular foil which is reinforced by the crisscross fabric is drawn over the bale. After turning 90° the bale is placed on one of the two unclamped longitudinal sides and is freed from the clamping by withdrawal of the fork from the envelope. The bale is then closed as is described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4.

In FIG. 6, a modified embodiment of the process is shown in which additional press plates 17 and 18 are placed between fiber material 2 and standard press plates 10 and 11. Plates 17 and 18 are magnetically held by plates 10 and 11. Between these plates the fiber material is pressed into a bale. After the pressing process has been completed, plates 17 and 18 are joined by strapps 19 and 20 which are inserted through channels 21 and 22. After the pressure against press plates 10 and 11 has been released, the bale is removed and is transferred to a press mold. Thereupon the bale is packed into a packing tube, bag or sack which is closed as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4.

In FIG. 7 an embodiment is shown in which a standard baling press having grooves 12 is produced in the usual manner and is tied with straps 25 whose connecting members can be opened without difficulty by means of clamps 26. After the bale has been formed and the straps have been set in place, the bale is placed vertically over an open foil bag 37. The binding is then released starting from the bottom and simultaneously the bale is allowed to slide into a foil sack which is then closed as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4.

Certain high pressure baling presses are so constructed as to make it possible to remove a pressed unit laterally for packing purposes. In such cases, the two press plates of the baling press have over their entire length a rather wide and deep groove into which a two-armed fork is introduced. After removal of the pressure the bale is held together by means of a fork (such as is described in connection with FIG. 5) and is lifted out of the press for the purpose of packing. The bale is allowed to slide lengthwise after the clamp is opened into a foil bag. The bag is then either sealed or the method set forth above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4 is adopted.

With baling presses that are accessible from the side, it is also possible to operate in accordance with the process steps described above in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7. In such cases, the fiber pressing unit which is clasped 5 between two plates and bound together by straps or by an easily openable longitudinal band can be taken out of the press and packed. The longitudinal band in the latter case is removed only after the bale is placed in the envelope.

jq In front opening presses having smooth press plates, it is also possible after the partial release of the press to push the fiber material horizontally into the packing envelope by means of a laterally applied force and by means of a funnel which is adapted to the profile of the 15 bale.

FIGS. 8 and 9 embodiments are set forth wherein the bale is packed within the baling press or baling box. In these embodiments, a half sheet of suitable foil 27 is placed on the lower press plate before the press box is 20 filled so that its edges hang downwardly. Correspondingly, a second sheet with edges turned upward is attached to the upper press plate in such a manner that it does not hang over at the sides. After the fiber unit is in position, the foil edges are bent down from above or pulled 25 up from beneath and are welded or sewn at 28 to form a tube. They can also be connected by a zipper if this has been previously attached. After release of the press the foil takes over the entire pressure of the expanding fiber material. The prepared half sheets of suitable foil 27 30 of the bale envelope are cemented or welded in place as is best shown in FIG. 9.

As was indicated above, the subject process makes it possible to form packed fiber bales which do not suffer from nonuniform pressure distribution. The compressed 35 fiber material is free to expand uniformly in a direction perpendicular to the bale surfaces exposed to pressure in the bale-forming device. Additionally, by following the subject process the bale grows only slightly which is of extreme importance when the fiber is shipped overseas. Fiber material packed in accordance with the invention retains its elastic properties and can be worked without difficulty even after long storage periods. The process can be used in connection with cotton, staple fiber, etc.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.