[0001] The present invention regards a machine for removing binding strings or wires from
a bale, in particular, a bale of cellulose, to which the ensuing description will
explicitly refer, without this implying any loss of generality.
[0002] As is known, a bale of cellulose comprises a plurality of cellulose sheets stacked
on top of each other, an outer wrapping of paper material for wrapping the piled sheets,
and two or more pairs of binding strings or wires, normally wires, extending outside
the paper material. When the cellulose is to be used, the strings or wires are removed
by means of a removing machine comprising a string-cutting or wire-cutting unit, generally
of the type with translating blades, and an assembly for gripping and removing the
cut strings or wires. The gripping and removing assembly generally consists of a gripping
and moving head equipped with two pairs of scraper members, which are set on opposite
sides of the bale and are made to slide one towards the other in contact with the
upper surface of the bale itself. During their displacement, the scraper members hook
onto the strings or wires and grip them together, after which the head is displaced
in a direction parallel to a side surface of the bale and brought into an unloading
station, where the strings or wires that have been taken away are released.
[0003] Even though the known machines of the type described above are currently in use,
they are far from satisfactory in that they do not enable easy and reliable removal
of the strings or wires independently of the geometrical characteristics of the bale.
In fact, following upon transportation and/or storage or standing of the bales in
relatively damp environments, localized swellings tend to form in the bales, whereby
their lateral surfaces, which were originally flat, become undulated, and often the
strings or wires themselves sink into the bale. In addition, again during handling
of the bales, frequently the paper wrapping of the bales gets partially torn, with
the formation of cavities and loose flaps of paper material distributed in a random
manner. As a result, in such conditions the scraper members frequently fail to hook
onto the strings or wires, which thus remain embedded in the bale even after displacement
of the head towards the unloading station. Furthermore, in many cases, in the vicinity
of a swelling the scraper members penetrate into the bale, further tearing in an unforeseeable
way both the paper wrapping material and the sheets of cellulose, and generating a
dangerous state of stress on the structure of the machine. High stresses on the machine
structure are generated in any case also following on hooking up of the embedded strings
or wires, which, when they are being pulled out, tear the sheets of cellulose to the
extent, in certain cases, of shearing the edge portions of the bale completely. For
these reasons, the known machines have supporting structures and assemblies for guiding
and moving both the gripping elements and the head itself, which are particularly
cumbersome and costly.
[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for removal of binding
strings or wires from a bale, in particular a bale of cellulose, which enables solution
of the problems described above in a simple and economic way.
[0005] According to the present invention, a method is provided for the removal of binding
strings or wires from a bale, in particular a bale of cellulose, the method comprising
the steps of cutting each string or wire identified, coupling an intermediate portion
of each string or wire to a single drawing head, and pulling out the said strings
or wires by displacing the drawing head towards a station for depositing the strings
or wires, the method being characterized in that coupling of the said strings or wires
to the drawing head comprises the steps of displacing the bale and the said drawing
head with respect to one another in a vertical direction so as to bring a pair of
comb-like members of the said drawing head, each of the said members being provided
with a plurality of corresponding seats set alongside one another, into a position
at least partially facing the respective side surfaces of the bale, of displacing
the said intermediate portions of the said strings or wires, each string or wire being
engaged to a respective said seat, and of clamping each said string or wire inside
the corresponding seat itself.
[0006] The present invention moreover regards a machine for the removal of binding strings
or wires from a bale.
[0007] According to the present invention, a machine for removing binding strings or wires
from a bale, in particular a bale of cellulose, is moreover provided, the machine
comprising cutting means for cutting each binding string or wire, a single drawing
head for pulling the cut strings or wires which comprises retention means for withholding
an intermediate portion of each of the strings or wires, and guiding means for guiding
the drawing head towards a station for depositing the strings or wires, the machine
being characterized in that the said retention means comprise a pair of comb-like
members, each provided with a plurality of seats set alongside one another, first
means of relative displacement being provided for displacing the said bale and the
said drawing head with respect to one another in a vertical direction until the said
comb-like members are brought into positions at least partially facing respective
lateral surfaces of the bale, and second means of movement of the said strings or
wires being provided to bring each said intermediate portion to become engaged with
a respective said seat; the said drawing head moreover comprising, for each said string
or wire, a clamping element which is mobile with respect to the corresponding comb-like
member for clamping each string or wire inside the corresponding said seat.
[0008] The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings which
illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates, in side elevation, a preferred embodiment of a machine for the
removal of binding strings or wires from a bale of cellulose according to the present
invention;
Figure 2 illustrates the machine of Figure 1 in plan view and according to an enlarged
scale, with parts removed for reasons of clarity;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate three different items of Figure 1 partially in cross
section and according to an enlarged scale;
Figure 4a is similar to Figure 4 and illustrates a variant of an item of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view of Figure 5 taken according to the line VI-VI, with parts removed
for reasons of clarity; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a bale fed towards the machine 1.
[0009] In Figure 1, the reference number 1 indicates, as a whole, a machine for the removal
of binding strings or wires 2 from a bale 3 of cellulose (Figures 1-4 and 7) presenting
a basically parallelepipedal shape and comprising a stack of sheets of cellulose and
an external wrapper 4 made of paper material, around which two pairs of strings or
wires are wound in crosswise fashion (Figure 7).
[0010] The machine 1 comprises a portal-frame fixed structure 6 of its own, a station 7
for removal of the strings or wires 2, and a known feed conveyor 8 (Figure 1) for
feeding a plurality of bales 3 in succession into the station 7 in a basically horizontal
feeding direction 9. The station 7 houses a supporting and displacement assembly 10
which comprises a plurality of vertical struts 12 and a displacement device 13 of
the screw-nut-screw type for displacing the struts 12, and hence the bale 3, in a
vertical direction between one lowered position (Figure 1), in which the bale 3 is
set on the conveyor 8, and one raised position for removal of the strings or wires
2. Once set in the raised position, the bale 3 extends between two assemblies 15 for
detection, cutting and gripping of the strings or wires 2, the two assemblies being
set in positions facing respective mutually perpendicular and adjacent side faces
16 of the bale 3 (Figures 1 and 4) and in a position close to a drawing head 18 for
pulling the strings or wires 2 (Figures 1-3), which partially surrounds a top terminal
portion of the bale 3 itself and is designed to withhold an intermediate portion of
the strings or wires 2.
[0011] According to what is illustrated in Figure 1, and in particular in Figure 4, the
assemblies 15 are identical to each other and comprise respective motor-driven supporting
frames 19 which are coupled to the fixed structure 6 by means of respective guide
and slide assemblies 20, which are already known and are not described in detail herein
and which are free to move in opposite senses with respect to the structure 6 itself
in respective horizontal directions 21 (Figure 1), the said horizontal directions
21 being mutually orthogonal and each being substantially parallel to the corresponding
surface 16 of the bale 3 under the thrust exerted by the respective electric motors
(not illustrated). According to what is illustrated, in particular in Figure 4, each
frame 19 supports a slide 22 of its own, which is coupled to the corresponding frame
19 and can move, in a sliding manner, away from and towards the bale 3 in a direction
23 orthogonal to the corresponding direction 21 under the thrust exerted by a corresponding
pneumatic linear actuator, designated by 24. Alternatively, according to what is illustrated
in Figure 4a, the slide 22 is coupled to the frame 19 so that it can slide always
according to the same direction 23, which is perpendicular to the corresponding direction
21, and so that it can rotate, with respect to the frame 19 and the bale 3, about
an axis 22a of a hinge 22b, the axis being parallel to the corresponding direction
21 and to the corresponding side face of the bale itself, under the control of a linear
actuator 22c interposed between the frame 19 and the slide 22. The actuator 22c is
preferably of a pneumatic type and may be activated so as to rotate the slide 22 between
two operating angular positions, or, alternatively, may be defined by a simple member
that is elastically deformable, for example a compression spring, and is designed
to oppose elastically the counterclockwise rotation of the slide 22 in Figure 4a.
[0012] Each slide 22 in turn supports a magnetic detector 25, in itself known, which is
integrally connected to the end portions of a pair of supporting arms 26 (Figure 5),
the opposite ends of which are hinged to the corresponding slide 22 in order to be
able to rotate with respect to the slide 22 under the thrust exerted by a linear actuator
27 between an advanced operating position of detection, indicated by the dashed line
in Figure 4, in which the magnetic detector 25 sets itself in contact with the bale
3, and a retracted, resting position, indicated by a continuous line in Figure 4.
[0013] According to what is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, each slide 22 further supports
a cutting device 28, which comprises two cutting blades 29, each of which is carried
by a sleeve 30 of its own (Figure 5), the sleeve being coupled in a sliding way to
a corresponding guide rod 31 which is integrally connected to the corresponding slide
22. The sleeves 30 are free to move along the corresponding rods 31 in opposite senses
under the thrust exerted by an actuator assembly 32 of a screw-nut-screw type comprising
a single motor-driven screw 33 which extends parallel to the rods 31 and has two threaded
portions, one with a right-handed thread and the other with a left-handed thread,
and for each portion a corresponding internal thread 34 integrally connected to the
corresponding sleeve 30.
[0014] To each of the sleeves 30 is moreover integrally connected a corresponding law 36
which is flattened and shaped like a harpoon. The said jaw 36 forms part of a device
37 for gripping and moving the strings or wires 2, the said device 37 also being carried
by the corresponding slide 22. With reference to Figure 5, the jaws 36 extend above
the blades 29 and are mobile between an opened position, in which they enable entry
of the string or wire 2, and a closed position (Figure 6), in which they define a
resting surface 38 for the string or wire 2. The string or wire 2 is forced against
the resting surface 38 by a thrust-exerting head 39 which, as illustrated, in particular
in Figure 6, is coupled to the corresponding slide 22 in a sliding manner so that
it can move away from or move towards the resting surface 38 in a direction parallel
to the direction 23. The head 39 is pushed towards the resting surface 38 by a helical
spring 40 and may be moved away from the resting surface 38 by means of an element
41 with an inclined plane. The element 41 extends between a fixed shoulder carried
by the slide 22 and a mobile shoulder carried by the head 39 and may be displaced
orthogonally to the direction of displacement of the head 39 itself by means of a
known linear actuator 43 carried by the slide 22.
[0015] According to what is illustrated in Figure 2, and in particular in Figures 1 and
3, the drawing head 18 for pulling the strings or wires 2 comprises a metal frame
44 of its own, which is integrally connected to a motor-driven carriage 45 (Figure
2) coupled to an overhead slide guide 46 which extends horizontally above the station
7 and above a station 7a (Figure 2) for unloading the strings or wires 2 that have
been removed. The carriage 45, and hence the drawing head 18, are mobile, under the
thrust exerted by a motor-driven actuator assembly (known and not illustrated), along
the guide 46 itself in a direction 46a lying in a vertical plane, the trace of which
is indicated by P in Figure 2, the said direction 46a forming, with respect to the
direction of feed 9, an angle A other than 90° and preferably in the region of 45°,
and forming with respect to the portions 2a of the said strings or wires 2 lying on
an upper surface B of the said bale an angle other than zero and 90°. The frame 44
carries, integrally connected to it, two retention assemblies 48 for withholding the
strings or wires 2, the said assemblies being identical to each other and comprising
respective elongated comb-like members 49, which extend downwards from respective
adjacent perimetral sides of the frame 44, and each of which, parallel to a respective
direction 21 of displacement of the respective frame 19 so that each one sets itself
parallel to and in a position at a distance from the corresponding surface 16 of the
bale 3 when the bale 3 itself is set in its raised position.
[0016] With reference to Figure 3, each comb-like member 49 comprises an elongated horizontal
portion 50 and a plurality of teeth 51 extending downwards parallel to one another
and defining between them a plurality of elongated seats 52 that are set alongside
each other, and each of which is designed to accommodate an intermediate portion of
a corresponding string or wire 2. Each string or wire 2 is withheld inside any one
of the above-mentioned seats 52 by means of a corresponding fork-like clamping element
54, which comprises two curved arms 55 set on opposite sides of the corresponding
comb-like member 49 substantially in contact with the teeth 51 (Figure 4), and is
connected to a corresponding guiding and movement device which can be actuated and
controlled independently of the other guiding devices 57 to grip the string or wire
2 against a corresponding tooth 51. In particular, each device 57 comprises a corresponding
guide 58 (Figure 4) which is integrally connected to the frame 44 and extends parallel
to the corresponding comb-like member 49 and to the direction 21 of displacement of
the frame 19 of the corresponding assembly 15, and a carriage 59 coupled to the corresponding
guide 58 in a sliding manner. Each carriage 59 is free to move along the corresponding
guide 58 in opposite senses under the thrust exerted by a corresponding linear motor
60 which comprises a corresponding rod 61 that is integrally connected to the frame
44 parallel to the guides 58, and a tubular slide 62 which is free to slide along
the rod 61 itself and is integrally connected to the carriage 59.
[0017] The operation of the machine 1 will now be described considering, for reasons of
simplicity of exposition, a single comb-like member 49 and a single assembly 15 for
detection, cutting and gripping, and starting from the condition in which a bale 3
is set in the station 7 underneath the drawing head 18, the supporting and movement
assembly 10 extends beneath the conveyor 8, both of the fork-like clamping elements
54 are set in a waiting station 64 of their own (Figure 2), and the assemblies 15
for detecting, cutting and gripping are kept close to one end of the corresponding
comb-like member 49.
[0018] Starting from this condition, the assembly 10 is operated, which raises the bale
3 until it takes the comb-like member 49 into a position facing the corresponding
side surface 16, after which the detector 25 is brought into its advanced position,
and the corresponding frame 19 is advanced in the corresponding direction 21. During
this advance, the detector 25 comes into sliding contact with the bale 3 and, as soon
as it locates the first string or wire 2 of the corresponding pair of strings or wires,
the frame 19 is blocked and, after bringing both the blades 29 and the jaws 36 into
their open position, the slide 22 is advanced towards the bale 3 in the direction
23 until it sets both the blades 29 and the jaws 36 on either side of the string or
wire 2 that has been located. During this advance, the head 39 can be kept in one
of its set-back positions by displacement of the element 41 with inclined plane into
one of its forward positions. Now both the blades 29 and the jaws 36 close, causing
shearing of the string or wire 2 and insertion of the latter between the jaws 36,
after which the head 39 is released from the constraint with the element 41 and, under
the thrust exerted by the spring 40, clamps the string or wire 2 by friction against
the resting surface 38, and the slide 22 is brought back into its set-back position.
At the same time as the slide 22 moves back, a pusher member 65 carried by the frame
19 is advanced by means of a linear actuator 66 towards the bale 3 and forced against
the lateral surface 16 so as to keep the wrapping 4 in contact with the sheets of
cellulose. Again while the slide 22 is moving backwards, the intermediate portion
67 of the string or wire 2 (Figure 4), which is coupled by friction to the device
37, moves progressively away from the surface 16, running between the jaws 36, and
is lifted up until it engages a seat 52 of the comb-like member 49 (Figure 4). At
this point, one of the motors 60 is activated, and the corresponding fork-like element
54 is advanced along the member 49 itself towards the seat 52, which is engaged by
the portion 67 of the string or wire 2, until it grips the portion 67 against one
of the two teeth 51 that delimits the seat 52, and both the blades 29 and the jaws
36 are then brought back into their open position. Next, the detector 25 is once more
brought forward towards the surface 16, and the frame 19 is once more brought forward
in the direction 21 until it locates the second string or wire 2 of the pair of strings
or wires, the said string or wire then being connected to the head 18 according to
the steps described previously.
[0019] As soon as all the binding strings or wires 2 are firmly connected to the comb-like
members 49, the head 18 is displaced in the direction 46a towards the station 7a for
depositing the strings or wires 2, so causing the latter to be pulled out of the bale
3. Once the depositing station 7a has been reached, the fork-like elements 54 are
brought back into their open position, thus releasing the strings or wires 2 from
the constraint with the comb-like members 49, after which the bale 3, which has been
released from the strings or wires 2, is lowered onto the conveyor 8, which takes
it away from the station 7.
[0020] From what has been said above it emerges clearly that the presence of the comb-like
members 49 and the corresponding clamping elements 54 which may be displaced along
the corresponding comb-like members 49 independently of one another enable stable
connection of the strings or wires 2 to the head 18, whatever may be the position
of the strings or wires 2 in the bale 3, and above all whatever may be the positions
assumed by the portions 67 of the strings or wires 2 with respect to the corresponding
resting surfaces 16 and with respect to the corresponding edge of the bale 3 after
the gripping devices 37 have moved back. In fact, as soon as the portion 67 of the
string or wire 2 detaches from the corresponding surface 16, it engages the mouth
of the corresponding seat 52 and, already in this position, the corresponding clamping
element 54 is able to pick it up, take it inside the seat 52 itself, and clamp it
there. The use of magnetic linear motors enables a predetermined clamping force to
be exerted and above all a force that does not vary over time, the overall dimensions
of the equipment being at the same time kept to a minimum.
[0021] The particular constructional features of the assemblies 15 for detecting, cutting
and gripping further enable precise location, cutting and above all hooking-up of
each string or wire 2 irrespective of the depth at which the string or wire 2 is set
in the bale 3, without causing substantial damage either to the wrapping 4, which
moreover during the phase in which the jaws 36 are moving away is held in position
by the member 65, or to the sheets of cellulose themselves.
[0022] The fact that the strings or wires 2 are pulled out by displacing the head 18 in
an inclined direction both with respect to the direction 9 of advance of the bales
3 and with respect to the directions in which the strings or wires 2 extend on the
upper surface of the bale 3 enables convenient extraction of the strings or wires
2 even when the bale 3 is deformed and the strings or wires 2 are partially embedded
in the bale 3 itself. In particular, it has been possible to note that the displacement
of the head 18 in the aforesaid direction prevents, as compared to the known solutions,
the formation of loose flaps which render the subsequent manipulation of the wrapper
4 and sheets of cellulose difficult, but above all prevents shearing of corner portions
of the bale 3 by the embedded strings or wires, and hence the undesirable loss of
material.
[0023] In particular, the only forces necessary for removing the binding strings or wires
are those required for deformation of the binding strings or wires until the portion
of string or wire that is not in contact with the bale reaches a length equal to the
sum of the length/width of the bale in plan view and the height of the bale. The fact
that the device 28 and the jaws 36 can turn with respect to the frame 19 about the
hinge axis 22a and are forced, during use, against the bale by the actuator 22c makes
it possible to achieve excellent results as regards cutting and gripping even in the
case of bales having lateral surfaces or sides that are not perpendicular.
[0024] The fact that the drawing head 18 is coupled to the structure 6 in a vertically fixed
position and that the bale 3 is displaced away from and towards the drawing head 18
enables simplification and reduction in the weight of the structure 6 itself, given
that in this way it is no longer subjected to bending stresses resulting from the
vertical displacement of the drawing head 18, as well as enabling reduction of cycle
times.
[0025] From the foregoing description it clearly emerges that modifications and variations
may be made to the machine 1 described herein without thereby departing from the sphere
of protection of the present invention. In particular, a different mode of clamping
of the strings or wires 2 on the comb-like members 49 could be envisaged, and the
assemblies 15 for detecting, cutting and gripping described herein could be replaced
by different assemblies. In addition, the lifting assembly 10 could be provided solely
for disengaging the bale from the feed conveyor, and the drawing head 18 could be
connected to an actuator assembly designed to displace the drawing head 18 vertically
away from and towards the bale.
1. Method for the removal of binding strings or wires (2) from a bale (3), in particular
a bale of cellulose, the method comprising the steps of cutting each string or wire
(2) identified, of coupling an intermediate portion (67) of each string or wire (2)
to a single drawing head (18), and of pulling out the said strings or wires (2) by
displacing the drawing head (18) towards a station (7a) for depositing the strings
or wires (2), the method being characterized in that coupling of the said strings
or wires (2) to the drawing head (18) comprises the steps of displacing the bale (3)
and the said drawing head (18) with respect to one another in a vertical direction
so as to bring a pair of comb-like members (49) of the said drawing head (18), each
of which is provided with a plurality of seats (52) set alongside each other, into
a position at least partially facing respective lateral surfaces (16) of the bale
(3), of displacing the said intermediate portions (67) of the said strings or wires
(2) so that each portion (67) is inserted inside a corresponding seat (52), and of
clamping each said string or wire (2) inside the corresponding seat (52).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said intermediate portions
(67) of the said strings or wires (2) are brought in succession inside the respective
seats (52) and clamped, again in succession, inside the respective seats (52).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that clamping of the said
strings or wires (2) is achieved by gripping each intermediate portion (67) onto the
corresponding said comb-like member (49).
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that clamping of each string or wire
is achieved by displacing a corresponding clamping member (54) along the said comb-like
body (49) until it meets up with the corresponding said string or wire (2).
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the displacements of the said clamping
members (54) are carried out independently of one another.
6. Method according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the displacement
of each said string or wire (2) inside the respective said seat (52) comprises the
steps of moving the said intermediate portion (67) of the said string or wire to a
distance away from the corresponding lateral surface (16) of the said bale (3); the
said removal being carried out by coupling the said intermediate portion (67) to a
corresponding gripper (37) which is free to move only according to a direction (23)
orthogonal to the corresponding said lateral surface (16) and by allowing the string
or wire (2) to slide with respect to the gripper (37) during displacement of the gripper
(37) in the said orthogonal direction (23).
7. Method according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that coupling
of the said strings or wires (2) to the said drawing head (18) is achieved by keeping
the said comb-like members (49) fixed and displacing the bale (3) vertically towards
the comb-like members (49) themselves.
8. Method according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the displacement
of the said drawing head (18) towards the said depositing station (7a) is achieved
by displacing the drawing head (18) in a direction (46a) lying in a vertical plane
(P) forming an angle (A) other than 90° with respect to a substantially horizontal
direction (9) of feeding of the said bales (3).
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said plane (P) forms an angle
(A) other than zero and 90° with respect to the portions of the said strings or wires
(2) lying on a top surface of the said bale (3).
10. Method according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterized in that the said plane (P) forms
an angle of roughly 45° with respect to the said feed direction (9) of the said bales
(3).
11. Machine (1) for removing the binding strings or wires from a bale (3), in particular
a bale of cellulose, the machine (1) comprising cutting means (28) for cutting each
binding string or wire (2), a single drawing head (18) for pulling the strings or
wires (2) that have been cut, the drawing head (18) comprising retention means (48)
for withholding an intermediate portion (67) of each of the strings or wires (2),
and guiding means (46) for guiding the drawing head (18) towards a station (7a) for
depositing the strings or wires (2), the machine (1) being characterized in that the
said retention means (48) comprise a pair of comb-like members (49), each of which
is provided with a plurality of seats (52) set alongside each other, first relative
displacement means (10) being provided for displacing the said bale (3) and the said
drawing head (18) with respect to each other in a vertical direction until the said
comb-like members (49) are brought into positions at least partially facing corresponding
side surfaces (16) of the bale (3), and second displacement means for the said strings
or wires being provided for bringing each said intermediate portion (67) to engage
into a respective said seat (52); the said drawing head (18) moreover comprising,
for each said string or wire (2), a clamping element (54), which is mobile with respect
to the corresponding comb-like member (49) to clamp each string or wire (2) inside
the corresponding said seat (52).
12. Machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that each said comb-like member (49)
comprises a plurality of corresponding elongated teeth (51) delimiting the said seats
(52); each said clamping element (54) comprising at least one thrust-exerting portion
(55) designed to grip each said intermediate portion (67) against a corresponding
said tooth (51).
13. Machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that the said drawing head (18) further
comprises guiding means (58, 59) for guiding each said clamping element (54) along
the said comb-like member (49) and, for each said clamping element (54), comprises
a respective actuator assembly (57) that may be actuated independently of the other
actuator assemblies (57).
14. Machine according to Claim 13, characterized in that each said actuator assembly (57)
comprises a linear electric motor (60).
15. Machine according to any one of Claims 11-13, characterized in that it further comprises
hinge means (22b) designed to enable a rotation of the said second displacement means
(37) with respect to a supporting frame (19) of their own and about a hinge axis (22a)
facing and parallel to a corresponding said lateral surface (16) of the bale (3);
countering means (22c) being interposed between the said second displacement means
(37) and the said frame (19) to oppose rotation of the second displacement means (37)
about said hinge axis (22a).
16. Machine according to any one of Claims 11-15, characterized in that the said second
displacement means (37) comprise gripping means (36, 39) designed to couple to each
said string or wire (2), and actuator means (22, 24) for displacing the said gripping
means (36, 39) in a direction (23) which is substantially horizontal and orthogonal
to the corresponding said lateral surface (16); the said gripping means (36, 39) comprising
resting means (38) and compliant retention means (39, 40) designed to enable a displacement
of the said string or wire (2) with respect to the said resting means (38) during
displacement of the gripping means (36, 39) in the said substantially horizontal direction
(23).
17. Machine according to Claim 16, characterized in that the said retention means comprise
a thrust-exerting head (39) for forcing the said string or wire (2) against the said
resting means (38) and elastic means (40) for pushing the said thrust-exerting head
(39) towards the said resting means (38).
18. Machine according to Claim 17, characterized in that the said gripping means moreover
comprise control means (41, 43) with inclined plane to exert on the said thrust-exerting
head (39) an action countering the one exerted by the said elastic means (40).
19. Machine according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, characterized in that the said resting
means comprise, for each said string or wire (2), two harpoon-shaped jaws (36); actuator
means (33, 34) being provided for displacing the jaws (36) with respect to one another
away from and towards a close position in which they define a resting surface (38)
for the said string or wire (2).
20. Machine according to any one of Claims 11-19, characterized in that it comprises a
fixed structure (6) and in that the said comb-like members (49) are arranged in positions
vertically fixed with respect to the said fixed structure (6).
21. Machine according to any one of Claims 11-20, characterized in that the said two comb-like
members (49) extend in directions that are mutually orthogonal.
22. Machine according to any one of Claims 11-21, characterized in that it comprises a
conveyor (8) for displacing an ordered succession of bales (3) in a substantially
horizontal feed direction (9), and in that the said guiding means comprise a single
guide and slide assembly (45, 46) for guiding the said drawing head (18) in a rectilinear
direction (46a) lying in a vertical plane (P) forming an angle (A) other than 90°
with respect to the said direction (9) in which the bales (3) are fed.
23. Machine according to Claim 22, characterized in that the said vertical plane (P) forms
an angle of roughly 45° with respect to the said direction (9) in which the bales
(3) are fed.