1. A holding device for use in a knotter of a baler to grip twines as they are being knotted and cut, the holding device comprising:
a rotatably mounted generally circular twine disc having notches symmetrically distributed about its periphery, the twine disc being mounted for rotation about a first axis;
a twine holder mounted for pivotal movement about a second axis generally parallel to the first axis and resiliently urged towards the latter, the twine holder having a curved edge that co-operates with the notches in the twine disc to clamp twines within the notches as the twine disc rotates, the length and geometry of the curved edge of the twine holder being such that the clamping pressure on the twines in one notch is only released after twines have been securely gripped within the next notch in succession and the clamping pressure on the twines in two successive notches, during the time prior to release of the clamping pressure from one notch, is sufficient to prevent movement of the twines, relative to the holding device, in both notches.
2. The holding device claim 1, wherein:
the curved edge of the holding device comprises a generally arcuate central portion centered on the first axis, a lead-in region at one end of the central portion and a lead-out region at the opposite end of the central portion, the circumferential distance between the lead-in and the lead-out portions being substantially equal to the circumferential distance between the notches in the twine disc.
3. The holding device of claim 2, wherein:
the lead-in region has a reduced radius of curvature and the lead-out region has an increased radius of curvature, as compared to the central portion of the curved edge such that the pressure on the twines in one notch is gradually reduced at the same time as pressure applied to the twines in the next notch is gradually increased.
4. The holding device of claim 3, wherein:
the twine disc comprises at least two axially spaced plates and the twine holder comprises at least one single plate sized and positioned to be received between the plates of the twine disc.
5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein:
the twine disc comprises at least two axially spaced plates and the twine holder comprises at least one single plate sized and positioned to be received between the plates of the twine disc.
6. The holding device of claim 2, wherein:
the twine disc comprises at least two axially spaced plates and the twine holder comprises at least one single plate sized and positioned to be received between the plates of the twine disc.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An active humidity controlled space in a refrigeration appliance comprising:
a crisper drawer having walls to separate an interior of said drawer from a refrigerated environment surrounding said drawer,
an opening in one of said walls to allow communication between said interior of said drawer with said environment,
a layer of shape memory polymer at said opening to isolate said interior of said enclosure from said environment,
heating elements embedded in said layer of shape memory polymer,
a humidity sensor located within said space, and
a control operatively connected to said humidity sensor and said heating elements to allow for a heating of said layer to a level as controlled by a user, wherein said control is operative to cause a heating of said shape memory polymer when said humidity sensor detects a humidity level within said enclosed space above a predetermined desired humidity level.
2. An active moisture control barrier comprising a layer of shape memory polymer and a heating arrangement associated with said layer of shape memory polymer.
3. An active moisture control barrier according to claim 2, wherein said heating arrangement comprises embedded heating elements in said layer of shape memory polymer.
4. An active moisture control barrier according to claim 2, further including a control for said heating arrangement to allow for a heating of said layer to a level as controlled by a user.
5. An active humidity controlled space comprising:
an enclosure having walls to separate an interior of said enclosure from an environment surrounding said enclosure,
an opening in one of said walls to allow communication between said interior of said enclosure with said environment,
a layer of shape memory polymer at said opening to isolate said interior of said enclosure from said environment,
a heating arrangement associated with said layer of shape memory polymer, and
a control for said heating arrangement to allow for a heating of said layer to a level as controlled by a user.
6. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 5, wherein said heating arrangement comprises embedded heating elements in said layer of shape memory polymer.
7. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 5, further including a humidity sensor located within said space and operatively connected to said control.
8. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 7, wherein said control is operative to cause a heating of said shape memory polymer when said humidity sensor detects a humidity level within said enclosed space above a predetermined desired humidity level.
9. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 5, wherein said enclosure comprises a crisper drawer in a refrigeration appliance.
10. An active humidity controlled space comprising:
an enclosure having walls to separate an interior of said enclosure from an environment surrounding said enclosure,
an opening in one of said walls to allow communication between said interior of said enclosure with said environment,
a layer of shape memory polymer at said opening to isolate said interior of said enclosure from said environment,
a heating arrangement associated with said layer of shape memory polymer, and
a control for said heating arrangement to allow for a heating of said layer to a level as controlled by a user,
an air passage conduit extending from said interior of said enclosure through a zone of relatively higher water vapor pressure, said air passage conduit being formed at least in part of shape memory polymer to allow water vapor to migrate from said zone of relatively higher water vapor pressure into said interior of said enclosure.
11. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 10, wherein an air moving device is arranged to increase an air flow through said air passage conduit.
12. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 10, wherein said zone of relatively higher water vapor pressure comprises an interior of a water line.
13. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 12, wherein a heating element is arranged at said water line to heat water in said water line at least in a zone through which said air passage conduit extends.
14. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 10, wherein said heating arrangement comprises embedded heating elements in said layer of shape memory polymer.
15. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 10, further including a humidity sensor located within said space and operatively connected to said control.
16. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 15, wherein said control is operative to cause a heating of said shape memory polymer when said humidity sensor detects a humidity level within said enclosed space above a predetermined desired humidity level.
17. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 10, wherein said enclosure comprises a crisper drawer in a refrigeration appliance.
18. An active humidity controlled space comprising:
an enclosure having walls to separate an interior of said enclosure from an environment surrounding said enclosure,
an air passage conduit extending from said interior of said enclosure through a zone of relatively higher water vapor pressure, said air passage conduit being formed at least in part of shape memory polymer to allow water vapor to migrate from said zone of relatively higher water vapor pressure into said interior of said enclosure.
19. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 18, wherein an air moving device is arranged to increase an air flow through said air passage conduit.
20. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 18, wherein said zone of relatively higher water vapor pressure comprises an interior of a water line.
21. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 20, wherein a heating element is arranged at said water line to heat water in said water line at least in a zone through which said air passage conduit extends.
22. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 18, further including a humidity sensor located within said space and operatively connected to said control.
23. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 22, wherein an air moving device is arranged to increase an air flow through said air passage conduit.
24. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 23, further including a control for said air moving device operative to cause operation of said air moving device when said humidity sensor detects a humidity level within said enclosed space below a predetermined desired humidity level.
25. An active humidity controlled space according to claim 18, wherein said enclosure comprises a crisper drawer in a refrigeration appliance.