Net wrap and twine removal system and methods

Abstract

A method of removing a wrapping material from the outer surface of a bale of material including the steps of moving the bale of material to a cutting station, cutting wrapping material along a length of the bale, moving a plurality of rollers into contact with the wrapping material, rotating the rollers relative to the wrapping material until first and second ends of the wrapping material are free to move relative to an outer surface of the bale, placing a first spear of a material wind-up system between the outer surface of the bale and the wrapping material, rotating the material wind-up system to wind the wrapping material around first and second spears, positioning the first and second spears in a generally horizontal plane, and stripping the wrapping material from the first and second spears with a fin that extends downwardly from a carriage of a material removal system and between the first and second spears of the material wind-up station by sliding the carriage toward a distal end of the first and second spears.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of removing a wrapping material from the outer surface of a bale of material, comprising the steps of:
 moving the bale of material to a cutting station, wherein an outer surface of the bale of material is at least partially surrounded by the wrapping material;   cutting the wrapping material along a length of the bale in a longitudinal direction to form a first end and a second end of the wrapping material;   moving a plurality of rollers into contact with the wrapping material;   rotating the plurality of rollers relative to the wrapping material until the first and second ends of the wrapping material are free to move relative to an outer surface of the bale;   placing a first spear of a material wind-up system between the outer surface of the bale and the wrapping material, wherein the material wind-up system further comprises a second spear spaced from the first spear;   rotating the material wind-up system to wind the wrapping material around the first and second spears;   positioning the first and second spears in a generally horizontal plane; and   stripping the wrapping material from the first and second spears with a fin that extends downwardly from a carriage of a material removal system and between the first and second spears of the material wind-up station by sliding the carriage toward a distal end of the first and second spears.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stripping the wrapping material comprises a step of moving the fin from a retracted position to an extended position prior to sliding the carriage toward the distal ends of the spears. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fin is pivotable between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fin is vertically moveable between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bale of material is one of a cylindrical bale and a cubical bale. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stripping the wrapping material from a first bale of material is performed simultaneously with at least one of the steps of moving a second bale of material to the cutting station, cutting the wrapping material from the second bale of material, moving the plurality of rollers, and rotating the plurality of rollers relative to the wrapping material of the second bale of material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stripping wrapping material from a first bale of material is completed prior to a step of moving a second bale of material to the cutting station. 
     
     
         8 . A system for unwrapping and removing wrapping material from a bale of material, the system comprising:
 a cutting station comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting a length of wrapping material that is at least partially surrounding an outer surface of the bale of material;   a material pulling station for freeing cut edges of the wrapping material from the outer surface of the bale of material;   a material wind-up station comprising at least two spears extending from a base plate, wherein the spears are vertically positionable so that at least one of the spears is vertically located between the wrapping material and the outer surface of the bale of material, and wherein the at least two spears are rotatable to wind the wrapping material around an outer surface of the spears;   a material stripping station comprising a longitudinal slot extending along at least a portion of a length of an elongated member, a carriage that is slideable along at least a portion of the slot, and a fin that is moveable relative to the carriage;   a conveyor for conveying the bale of material from an entry end of the system to an exit end of the system.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the fin is retractable and extendable relative to a bottom surface of the elongated member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fin comprises an extended position in which a distal end of the fin is positioned below the at least two spears when the spears are positioned in a generally horizontal plane. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the fin comprises a retracted position in which the distal end of the fin is positioned above the at least two spears when the spears are positioned in a generally horizontal plane. 
     
     
         12 . A system for unwrapping and removing wrapping material from at least one of a cylindrical and a cubical bale of material, the system comprising:
 a cutting station comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting a length of wrapping material that is at least partially surrounding an outer surface of the bale of material, wherein the cutting station is adaptable for interchangeably accepting cylindrical and cubical bales of material;   a material pulling station for freeing cut edges of the wrapping material from the outer surface of the bale of material;   a material wind-up station comprising at least two spears extending from a base plate, wherein the spears are vertically positionable so that at least one of the spears is vertically located between the wrapping material and the outer surface of the bale of material;   a material stripping station comprising a longitudinal slot extending along at least a portion of a length of an elongated member, a carriage that is slideable along at least a portion of the slot, and a fin that is moveable relative to the carriage;   a conveyor for conveying the bale of material from an entry end of the system to an exit end of the system.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting station further comprises at least one sensor for determining the size and location of the bale of material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting station further comprises at least one positioning member.