FR2618046A1 - APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING FORAGE AND DEVICE FOR USE IN THE APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for conditioning fodder and a device for use in the apparatus. There are provided two rotary horizontal cylindrical bodies 10 and 11, with substantially axial development, construction elements for maintaining the axes of rotation of the cylindrical bodies parallel to each other and to the ground, a source of energy and organs for transmitting the movement of rotation, at least one 11 of the cylindrical bodies comprising tubular elements of elastomeric material. These include an inner part 15, fixed directly to the central hub 18 of the cylindrical body 11, an outer part 16 able to come into direct contact with the fodder 19 to be conditioned and connecting means 17 connecting the inner part to the outer part .

Description

Apparatus for conditioning fodder and device for use in

  The apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus for conditioning fodder. In particular, the invention relates to the field of machines for packaging the

  fodder which aims in particular to standardize and

  reduce the drying speed of the various constituents of the fodder. More particularly, the field of application of the present invention is that of forage conditioners which use two cylindrical bodies with a predetermined fixed center distance, at least one of the two cylindrical bodies being flexible to allow compression of the forage in the space included between the two rollers so that

  perform controlled compression. It is planned to

  construction elements which maintain the axes of rotation of the cylindrical bodies in a position substantially parallel to one another and with respect to the ground, these elements being formed for example by a supporting frame. He is in. additionally provided a source of mechanical energy, such as an internal combustion engine, and movement transmission members

  able to drive at least one of the two cylindrical bodies

  ques. The flexible cylindrical body comprises tubular elements of elastomeric material which enter directly into

  contact with fodder during conditioning.

  As much as the above indicates summarily the de-

  main main industrial application of the invention, field which does not however constitute a limitation of the scope of the invention, as much the equipment subject

  of the invention, in particular as described and re-

  sold below, can be advantageously used in

  any other equivalent domain where it is a condition-

  fodder to be carried out by means of a cylindrical body

flexible drique.

  a; 1 Devices of this type are known, described for example in Italian patent application no. 21404 A / 83 in

name of the same Applicant.

  However, such known devices pose certain problems because, because they use a pneumatic cylindrical body, they are subject to punctures in the case where

  forks, sheet metal parts, wire mesh etc. pe-

  accidentally enter between the rollers. This causes serious trouble since the repair cannot

  be carried out on site with simple means but

  requires the intervention of specialized personnel, and it therefore takes a rather long period of time to restore normal conditions of use. In addition, it is estimated that

  mowing and packaging operations

  ge are necessarily concentrated in short critical periods during which all operations must

  be completed with some urgency, so

  that a puncture in the cylindrical body of the conditioner

  in practice leads to the impossibility of fulfilling the condition

  foraging in the event that a replacement roller

ge would not be available.

  Another problem of the forage conditioner is

  Crit in Patent Application No. 21404 A / 83 arises from the tendency of the flexible cylindrical body to oscillate so

  that as the latter tends during operation-

  release from the flanges forming the support. In addition, such oscillations are not easily controllable from

  so that the same pressure to exert on the escaping fodder

eg practically in control.

  The object of the present invention is to remedy the

  disadvantages mentioned above by creating a device for the condi-

  operation of the fodder which is free from punctures and oscillations. Another object of the invention is to allow

  very simple assembly and maintenance.

  These aims, among others, are achieved according to the invention, for an apparatus comprising at least two rotary horizontal cylindrical bodies, developing

  substantially axial, cinematic construction elements

  ques to maintain the axes of rotation of said cy-

  lindrics in a position substantially parallel to each other and relative to the ground, a source of mechanical energy, organs for transmitting the rotational movement,

  at least one of said cylindrical bodies comprising elements

  tubular elastomeric material, by the fact that

  said tubular elements made of elastomeric material

  have an inner part, fixed directly to the central hub

  tral of said cylindrical body, an outer part capable of coming into direct contact with the fodder to be conditioned and connecting means connecting the inner part to the

external part.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  tion will appear more clearly on reading the

  description of a preferred but not ex-

  clusive of the apparatus, illustrated by way of non-limiting illustration of the appended drawing in which: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section on the line I-I in FIG. 2; Figure 2 is a cross section of a main body of the apparatus according to the invention; and FIG. 3 represents, partly in elevation and

  for another sectional section, the apparatus according to the invention

* tion during its operation.

  As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device

  according to the invention comprises two horizontal cylindrical bodies

  rotary rates 10 and ll 'with substantially axial development, kinematic construction elements for maintaining the axes of rotation of said cylindrical bodies in a position substantially parallel to one another and with respect to the ground, these

  elements being for example formed by a frame 12 which sup-

  carries the two cylindrical bodies 10 and 11. The distance between the two cylindrical bodies is fixed during operation and provision may be made for adjusting the distance between centers as a function of possible differences in diameter of the cylindrical bodies. A source of mechanical energy is provided, for example by an internal combustion engine. The organs for transmitting the rotational movement comprise, for example, the toothed crown 9. The cylindrical body 11 comprises tubular elements of elastomeric material which, in particular, comprise an inner part 15 fixed directly to the central hub 18 of the cylindrical body 11, an outer part 16 adapted to come into direct contact with the fodder 19 to be conditioned and connecting means 17 connecting the inner part 15 to the outer part 16. Preferably, the inner part 15, the

  outer part 16 and the connecting means 17 are made

  read in one piece of elastomeric material directly molded on the central tube 18. The connecting means 17 are formed of ribs extending parallel to the axis of the

  cylindrical body 11.? space 20 between the ribs

  res 17 is freely in communication with the atmosphere ex-

  inside so that inside the cylindrical body 11

  the pressure is always that of the atmosphere. Preferably

  ce, the ribs 17 describe in cross section a

  particularly curved and these cur-

  bes are all oriented in the same direction.

  The invention thus conceived is likely to name-

  major modifications and variations; thus, for example the ribs 17, instead of being curved, could have an angular profile, the connection between the internal part 15

  and the hub 18 could be different, the hub 18 for-

  rait be grooved to improve adhesion to the inner part 15. Similarly, the transmission organs 9 of the

  movement could be arranged with crowns

  tees, chains or gears of another type, with

  tion to be substantially equivalent to achieve the same goal.

  It has been found in practice that the invention allows

  was to achieve all goals set in advance and in part

  particular. to obtain an optimal conditioning of the fodder

  without requiring pressurization of the cylindrical body 11.

  In addition, the connecting means 17 stabilize the body cy-

  lindrique 11 and oppose transverse oscillations.

Claims (6)

  1 - Apparatus for conditioning fodder, comprising at least two rotary horizontal cylindrical bodies (10 and 11), with substantially axial development, kinematic construction elements for maintaining the axes of rotation of the cylindrical bodies (10 and 11) in   a position substantially parallel to each other and relative   bearing on the ground, a source of mechanical energy and organs for transmitting the rotational movement, at least one   said cylindrical bodies comprising tubular elements   res in elastomeric material, characterized in that the ele-   tubular elastomeric elements include a part   inner tie (15), fixed directly to the central hub (18) of the cylindrical body (11), an outer part (16) able to come into direct contact with the fodder (19) to be conditioned and connecting means (17) connecting the   inner part (15) to the outer part (16).   2 - Apparatus according to claim 1, character-   in that the inner part (15), the outer part   re (16) and the connecting means (17) are made in one   single piece of elastomeric material.   3 - Apparatus according to claim 1, character-   se in that the connecting means (17) are formed of   vures extending parallel to the axis of the cylindrical body (11), the space (20) between the ribs (17) being   freely in communication with the outside atmosphere.   4 - Apparatus according to claim 1, character-   se in that the ribs (17) have in cross section versale a curved shape.   5 - Apparatus according to claim 4, character-   se in that the ribs (17) describe orient curves   all in the same direction.   6 - Device suitable for use in an appliance   reil for conditioning fodder, formed from a body   cylindrical (11) comprising tubular elements made of   elastomeric material, characterized in that the tubular elements   elastomeric materials include an inner part   eure (15), fixed directly to the central hub of the device   roller, an outer part (16) suitable for direct entry   tely in contact with the fodder (19) to be packaged and connecting means (17) connecting the inner part (15) to the external part (16).