Wrapping machine and inline wrapper comprising the same

Abstract

A wrapping machine includes a fixed inner hoop having a non-circular shape. The wrapping machine also includes a rotatable outer hoop rotatably connected to the outer surface of the inner hoop and having a shape that matches that of the inner hoop, thereby allowing the outer hoop to maintain a proximal relationship with the outer surface of the inner hoop during rotation. The wrapping machine further includes at least one cantilevered support mounted on the outer hoop, the cantilevered support having at least one spool holder for rotatably mounting a spool of wrapping material thereon, and a driving mechanism operatively connected to the outer hoop for rotating the outer hoop. The non-circular shape of the wrapping machine is advantageous in that it is better adapted to wrap square or rectangular loads.

1 . A wrapping machine for wrapping a load, the wrapping machine comprising:
 a fixed inner hoop having a non-circular shape, the inner hoop comprising inner and outer surfaces;   a rotatable outer hoop rotatably connected to the outer surface of the inner hoop, the shape of the outer hoop matching that of the inner hoop, thereby allowing the outer hoop to maintain a proximal relationship with the outer surface of the inner hoop during rotation;   at least one cantilevered support mounted on the outer hoop, the cantilevered support comprising at least one spool holder for rotatably mounting a spool of wrapping material thereon; and   a driving mechanism operatively connected to the outer hoop for rotating the outer hoop.   
     
     
         2 . The wrapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the inner hoop and outer hoop are each composed of top and bottom arcuate sections. 
     
     
         3 . The wrapping machine of  claim 2 , wherein the top and bottom arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are one of a half circle or a half rounded square. 
     
     
         4 . The wrapping machine of  claim 3 , wherein the top and bottom arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are interconnected by first and second elongated central sections. 
     
     
         5 . The wrapping machine of  claim 4 , wherein the top arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are half circles and the bottom arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are half rounded squares. 
     
     
         6 . The wrapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the outer hoop is formed of a plurality of interlocking sections. 
     
     
         7 . The wrapping machine of  claim 6 , wherein each interlocking section comprises:
 an elongated main body;   a male interlocking member located at a first extremity of the main body and pivotally connectable to a female interlocking member of a first adjacent interlocking section;   a female interlocking member located at a second extremity of the main body being opposite to the first extremity and pivotally connectable to a male interlocking member of a second adjacent interlocking section; and   at least one roller assembly operatively connected to one of the main body, the male interlocking member or the female interlocking member.   
     
     
         8 . The wrapping machine of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated main body of each interlocking section presents an outwardly curved configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The wrapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism is a friction wheel. 
     
     
         10 . The wrapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the load is a bale. 
     
     
         11 . An inline bale wrapper for wrapping a bale, the inline bale wrapper comprising a base frame having a bale receiving section for receiving a bale of unwrapped material and a bale unloading section for unloading the bale, following a wrapping of the bale by a wrapping machine located between the bale receiving section and the bale unloading section, wherein the wrapping machine comprises:
 a fixed inner hoop having a non-circular shape, the inner hoop comprising inner and outer surfaces;   a rotatable outer hoop rotatable connected to the outer surface of the inner hoop, the shape of the outer hoop matching that of the inner hoop, thereby allowing the outer hoop to maintain a proximal relationship with the outer surface of the inner hoop during rotation;   at least one cantilevered support mounted on the outer hoop, the cantilevered support comprising at least one spool holder for rotatable mounting a spool of wrapping material thereon; and   a driving mechanism mounted on the base frame of the inline bale wrapper and operatively connected to the outer hoop for rotating the outer hoop.   
     
     
         12 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 11 , wherein a bale transferring mechanism is further provided, the bale transferring mechanism transferring the bale from the bale receiving section to the bale unloading section, through the inner hoop of the wrapping machine. 
     
     
         13 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 12 , wherein the inner hoop and outer hoop are each composed of top and bottom arcuate sections. 
     
     
         14 . The wrapping machine of  claim 13 , wherein the top and bottom arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are one of a half circle or a half rounded square. 
     
     
         15 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 14 , wherein the top and bottom arcuate sections of the inner hoop and outer hoop are interconnected by first and second elongated central sections. 
     
     
         16 . The wrapping machine of  claim 15 , wherein the top arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are half circles and the bottom arcuate sections of the inner and outer hoops are half rounded squares. 
     
     
         17 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 11 , wherein the outer hoop is formed of a plurality of interlocking sections. 
     
     
         18 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 17 , wherein each interlocking section comprises:
 an elongated main body;   a male interlocking member located at a first extremity of the main body and pivotally connectable to a female interlocking member of a first adjacent interlocking section;   a female interlocking member located at a second extremity of the main body being opposite to the first extremity and pivotally connectable to a male interlocking member of a second adjacent interlocking section; and   at least one roller assembly operatively connected to one of the main body, the male interlocking member or the female interlocking member.   
     
     
         19 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 18 , wherein the elongated main body of each interlocking section presents an outwardly curved configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The inline bale wrapper of  claim 11 , wherein the driving mechanism is a friction wheel.