Baling apparatus and method including a baling chamber having one or more splitting knives for dividing crop material picked up from a field to discharge divided bales simultaneously from the baling chamber to be received by an ejection chute structure which ejects the divided bales in spaced relation to each other as the baling apparatus is moved along the field. The spaced relation can be longitudinal by ejecting the divided bales at staggered times and/or can be laterally spaced by turning the bales in the ejection chute structure.

Improved balers may include a traveling chute that may reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve efficiency by reducing downtime. The traveling chute may include moving guides that include channels that engage tongues of stationary guide rails disposed on a baler. For example, the channels may be substantially rectangular channels that run the length of the moving guide. Similarly, the stationary guides may include substantially rectangular tongues and the moving guides may slide across the tongues and upper surfaces of the stationary guides as the traveling chute moves between various positions. The moving guides may include polyoxymethylene inserts in which the channels may be provided. The moving guides and stationary guides may be provided as a kit for attachment to various baling apparatuses. Additional features and components also are described.

A device for separating infusion capsules comprises a base unit and a plunger, the base unit having a face with an aperture for receiving a body part of the capsule, wherein a portion of the face surrounding the aperture has a surface that undulates in a longitudinal direction relative to a central axis through the aperture; the plunger comprising a projection sized to fit within the aperture. A capsule can be placed, rim side down, on the base unit over the aperture, and the plunger used to urge the capsule down into the aperture. The result is that the capsule inverts, rupturing the foil layer and emptying the coffee or other infusion into the base unit below the aperture. The coffee (etc) and the capsule can then be removed for separate recycling. The undulating surface ensures that the rim section of the capsule is distorted during this process, which assists in separating any layers that have been provided for example by way of sealant.

A bale compression device for receiving and compressing a bale of material. The device includes a press configured to compress the bale of material to a required compressed dimension, a binding applicator configured to apply a plurality of bindings around the bale of material prior to the bale being compressed, and a connector for connecting ends of each of the bindings to form a plurality of complete loops around the perimeter of the bale so that the plurality of loops act to hold the bale in a compressed state. The binding applicator acts to withdraw excess binding as the press compresses the bale, prior to the connector connecting the ends of each of the bindings, such that the complete loops are formed when the bale reaches its required compressed dimension.

Baling apparatus and method including a baling chamber having one or more splitting knives for dividing crop material picked up from a field to discharge divided bales simultaneously from the baling chamber to be received by an ejection chute structure which ejects the divided bales in spaced relation to each other as the baling apparatus is moved along the field. The spaced relation can be longitudinal by ejecting the divided bales at staggered time and/or can be laterally spaced by turning the bales in the ejection chute structure.

Baling apparatus and method including a baling chamber having one or more splitting knives for dividing crop material picked up from a field to discharge divided bales simultaneously from the baling chamber to be received by an ejection chute structure which ejects the divided bales in spaced relation to each other as the baling apparatus is moved along the field. The spaced relation can be longitudinal by ejecting the divided bales at staggered times and/or can be laterally spaced by turning the bales in the ejection chute structure.

Systems and methods for controlling a configuration of a bale chute of a baler and, particularly, a square baler are disclosed. In some implementations, methods include determining a condition of a baler to determine whether a bale chute of the baler is to be extended or retracted.

Systems and methods for recompressing a round bale into a square bale. The system includes a bottom platen to receive the round bale and an upper platen rotatably coupled to the bottom platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the bottom platen to recompress the round bale into the square bale.

A bailing apparatus may include a multi-component bolster assemblies that may ease installation and removal, reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve baling efficiency by reducing material waste, imperfections, and/or contamination. The bolster assemblies may include a plurality of coupling portions that engage a hydraulic rod and may enable the bolster assembly to self-center within a press chamber during normal baling operations. The bolster assemblies also may include an island portion that may be attached to the coupling portions and to a bolster cap, and the latter may be attached using retainer bolts having substantially planar heads that may define lips that run about frustums. The bolts may substantially planar head may reduce irregularities in the bale and the lips may prevent material seepage into the bolster assemblies.

A compaction material feeding device for a vertical baling press, the compaction material feeding device having a compaction material compailinent and a conveyor for feeding compaction material from the compaction material compailinent to a loading opening of the associated baling press. In the compaction material feeding device the compaction material compailinent is limited by a web-shaped carrier element having side wall segments and having a floor segment, as well as at least two fixed second side walls situated opposite one another. The carrier element can be lifted by a lifter device. In a maximally lifted end position of the carrier element, this element is drawn tight, and a compaction material transfer region of the compaction material feeding device is covered and closed by one of the side wall segments of the carrier element. In addition, a baling press is provided having a compaction material feeding device as described.