Bale wrap removal device utilizing shape memory wire

{
  "publication_number": "US11096331B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Bale wrap removal device utilizing shape memory wire",
  "abstract": "A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A wrap removal assembly for removing wrap material disposed about a circumference of a bale of crop material, the wrap removal assembly comprising: an elongated support member extending between a first end and a second end along a central longitudinal axis, and including an exterior surface; a snagging wire at least partially disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member; wherein the snagging wire includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal, wherein the snagging wire presents at least one catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface relative to the central longitudinal axis when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member, and wherein the snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.",
    "2. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the snagging wire forms a first effective circumference when disposed in the first shape, and a second effective circumference when disposed in the second shape, with the first effective circumference larger than the second effective circumference.",
    "3. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy.",
    "4. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein the control signal includes an electric current.",
    "5. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein the shape memory alloy exhibits a two-way phase change whereby the snagging wire changes from the second shape into the first shape in response to the control signal, and automatically returns to the second shape upon the cessation of the control signal.",
    "6. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein the shape memory alloy exhibits a one-way phase change whereby the snagging wire changes from the second shape into the first shape in response to the control signal and maintains the first shape upon the cessation of the control signal.",
    "7. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 6, further comprising an actuator attached to the snagging wire and operable to apply a return force to the snagging wire to mechanically deform the snagging wire from the first shape into the second shape in the absence of the control signal.",
    "8. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the actuator includes one of a biasing actuator, a linear actuator, or a rotary actuator.",
    "9. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated support member is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis.",
    "10. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated support member includes a cylindrical shape defining a circular cross section substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.",
    "11. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated support member is tubular, and includes a wall having the exterior surface and an interior surface, and forms a hollow central section.",
    "12. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein the snagging wire extends longitudinally along the central longitudinal axis, with a first portion of the snagging wire disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the wall, and a second portion of the snagging wire disposed within the hollow central section adjacent the interior surface of the wall.",
    "13. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one catch includes a plurality of catches spaced longitudinal along the central longitudinal axis of the elongated support member.",
    "14. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the snagging wire is radially wrapped around the exterior surface of the elongated support member.",
    "15. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 14, wherein the snagging wire is wrapped around the exterior surface of the elongated support member to form a helix.",
    "16. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, further comprising a frame rotatably supporting the elongated support member for rotation about the central longitudinal axis.",
    "17. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the snagging wire presents at least one standoff extending toward the exterior surface relative to the central longitudinal axis when disposed in the first shape to space the snagging wire away from the elongated support member.",
    "18. The wrap removal assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated support member includes a tapered shape having a variable cross-sectional size with movement along the central longitudinal axis.",
    "19. A method of removing wrap material from a bale of crop material, the method comprising: providing a wrap removal assembly having an elongated support member supporting a snagging wire against an exterior surface of the elongated support member, wherein the snagging wire includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal, wherein the snagging wire presents at least one catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface relative to the central longitudinal axis when disposed in the first shape, and wherein the snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface when disposed in the second shape; positioning the bale of crop material in the wrap removal assembly such that the wrap material is disposed against the elongated support member; controlling the snagging wire into the first shape to form the at least one catch; and rotating the bale and the elongated support member relative to each other such that the at least one catch snags the wrap material and the rotation of the elongated support member winds the wrap material thereabout while simultaneously unwinding the wrap material from the bale.",
    "20. The method set forth in claim 19, further comprising controlling the snagging wire into the second shape after the wrap material is completely unwound from the bale."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The disclosure generally relates to a wrap removal assembly for removing wrap material from a bale, and a method of removing wrap material from a bale.\n\nRound bales are formed using a baler that rolls crop material into a cylindrical bale. The crop material may include, but is not limited to, hay, grass, silage, etc. The cylindrical bale is secured into a package by wrapping the cylindrical bale with a wrap material. The wrap material may include, but is not limited to, a solid plastic wrap, a netting wrap, etc. The wrap material works well for securing the crop material and maintaining the form of the round bale. However, it should be removed before feeding the crop material to an animal.\n\nThe wrap material may be removed manually, but this is a time consuming and laborious task. Different styles of wrap removal assemblies have been developed for removing the wrap material. One example style of wrap removal assembly includes a cylindrical member having fixed fingers extending radially outward from the cylindrical member. The fixed fingers have a fixed and constant shape that is designed to snag the wrap material as the bale and the cylindrical member are rotated relative to each other. Rotation of the cylindrical member winds the wrap material around the cylindrical member while simultaneously unwinding the wrap material from the bale. The wrap material must then be removed from the cylindrical member. However, the fixed fingers become intertwined with the wrap material and do not release the wrap material easily, making removal of the wrap material from the cylindrical member difficult.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01D 87/127",
    "A01D 2087/128",
    "A01F 15/00",
    "A01F 29/005",
    "A01K 5/002",
    "B65B 69/0025",
    "B65G 47/908"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01D 87/12",
    "A01F 29/00",
    "A01K 5/00",
    "B65G 47/90"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Deere and Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Stephen E. O'Brien"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-08-13",
  "publication_date": "2021-08-24",
  "grant_date": "2021-08-24",
  "priority_date": "2019-08-13",
  "application_number": "US-201916539033-A",
  "family_id": "71943977",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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  ]
}