Abstract
It comprises a bundling chamber (2) and a bale conveying device (5), wherein the bundling chamber (2) includes; a first enclosure (2a) to form a first bundle (B1) of bales inside the bundling chamber (2), and a second enclosure (2b) to form a second bundle (B2) of bales inside the bundling chamber (2), wherein said bale conveying device (5) is arranged to convey a first incoming bale (3B1) to a first bale loading position (P1) and a second incoming bale (3B2) to a second bale loading position (P2). The system further includes at least one bale pushing device (8a, 8b) to displace said first and second incoming bales (3B1, 3B2) from the first and second bale loading positions (P1, P2) into the respective first and second enclosures (2a, 2b), and processing and control means configured to successively send a control signal to said at least one bale pushing device (8a, 8b) for said bale pushing device (8a, 8b) to successively displace a number of new incoming bales (3B1, 3B2) into the respective first and second enclosures (2a, 2b).
Claims
1. A bale bundling system for a bale bundling machine of a type to be towed by a tractor or similar vehicle, comprising a bundling chamber and a bale conveying device to convey bales to a bale entrance of the bundling chamber, wherein the bundling chamber includes a first enclosure inside the bundling chamber made and arranged to be able to form a first bundle of bales inside the bundling chamber, wherein said first bale bundle comprises a plurality of layers of bales, and a second enclosure inside the bundling chamber made and arranged to be able to form a second bundle of bales inside the bundling chamber, wherein said second bundle of bales comprises a plurality of layers of bales, wherein said bale conveying device is arranged to convey a first incoming bale to a first bale loading position and a second incoming bale to a second bale loading position, the system further comprising: at least one bale pushing device arranged to displace said first and second incoming bales from the first and second bale loading positions into the respective first and second enclosures, a processing and control unit configured to successively send a control signal to said at least one bale pushing device for said bale pushing device to successively displace a number of new incoming bales from the respective bale loading positions into the respective first and second enclosures to form one of said plurality of bale layers within the respective first and second enclosures, at least one bale pressing device arranged to displace said bale layer formed within the first and second enclosures to clear respective volume portions within the first and second enclosures for said volume portions to be able to receive a number of new incoming bales to form new respective bale layers within the respective first and second enclosures, wherein said processing and control unit is further configured to send a control signal to said at least bale pressing device for said bale pressing device to successively displace a number of new formed bale layers within the respective first and second enclosures to be able to form said first and second bale bundles within the bundling chamber.
2. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second bale loading positions are arranged in series at the bale entrance of the bundling chamber.
3. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein the bale conveying device comprises: one bale conveyor unit arranged to convey the first incoming bale to the first bale loading position and the second incoming bale to the second bale loading position; and a bale detection unit to detect presence of the second incoming bale at the second bale loading position, wherein the processing and control unit is configured to send a stop signal to the at least one bale conveyor unit to stop actuation of said bale conveyor unit upon receiving a signal coming from the said bale detection unit.
4. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein the bale conveying device comprises: a first conveyor unit and a second bale conveyor unit arranged to respectively convey the first incoming bale to the first bale loading position and the second incoming bale to the second bale loading position; a first bale detection unit to detect presence of the first incoming bale at the first bale loading position, wherein the processing and control unit is configured to send a stop signal to the first bale conveyor unit to stop actuation of the first bale conveyor unit upon receiving a signal coming from the said first bale detection unit; and a second bale detection unit to detect presence of the second incoming bale at the second bale loading position, wherein the processing and control unit is configured to send a stop signal to the second bale conveyor unit to stop actuation of the second bale conveyor unit upon receiving a signal coming from the said second bale detection unit.
5. The bale bundling system according to claim 4, wherein said second bale detection unit to detect presence of the second incoming bale comprises a retractable member mounted to oscillate from an initial resting position to a working position in between the said first and second bale loading positions, wherein said second incoming bale is able to contact a surface of said retractable member at the second bale loading position when said retractable member is in its working position.
6. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein: said first and second enclosures inside the bundling chamber are made and arranged to respectively form said first and second bales bundles disposed horizontally or tilted in a longitudinal direction of the bundles; and said at least one bale pressing device includes at least one horizontally displaceable bale platform mounted to displace bale layers from a front position to a rear position within the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber.
7. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein: said first and second enclosures inside the bundling chamber are made and arranged to respectively form said first and second bales bundles disposed vertically in a longitudinal direction of the bundles; and said at least one bale pressing device includes at least one vertically displaceable bale-lifting platform mounted to displace bale layers from a lower initial position to an upper position within the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber, wherein the system further comprises a bale retaining device for retaining in the upper position respective bale layers formed within the first and second enclosures when the bale-lifting platform recovers its initial lower position.
8. The bale bundling system according to claim 7, wherein the first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber comprise respective guide members arranged to guide displacement of the first and second incoming bales towards respective reference contact surfaces inside the first and second enclosures upon operation of said at least one pushing device, and wherein said guide members are arranged on said at least one vertically bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the incoming bales within the respective first and second enclosures until contacting with respective reference contact surfaces.
9. The bale bundling system according to claim 8, wherein the bale-lifting platform comprises a separating wall arranged between the first and second enclosures, and wherein at least a first group of said guide members is arranged on the bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of at least one of said incoming bales within the respective first and second enclosures until contacting with said separating wall, said separating wall acting as a reference contact surface for at least one of the incoming bales inside the first and/or second enclosures.
10. The bale bundling system according to claim 7, wherein said guide members are mounted pivotable about a substantially vertical axis on the bale-lifting platform for the user to be able to modify the transverse direction of movement of the incoming bales within the respective first and second enclosures.
11. The bale bundling system according to claim 8, wherein said guide members are arranged on the bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the incoming bales within the respective first and second enclosures until contacting with respective side walls of the bundling chamber, said side walls acting as said respective reference contact surfaces inside the first and second enclosures.
12. The bale bundling system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bundling chamber comprises at least a rear wall arranged to act as a bale bundle unloading door for the first and second enclosures, and wherein said at least rear wall of the bundling chamber comprises at least a rear wall portion arranged to act as a lower unloading door for the first and second enclosures, wherein said at least rear wall portion is mounted to pivot clockwise to unload respectively and simultaneously the first and second bale bundles from the first and second enclosures.
13. The bale bundling system according to claim 12, wherein the interior space of the first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber comprises a width in a transverse direction of the bale bundle that is equal to or less than the value resulting from the sum of a nominal width of the bales forming a bale layer inside the first and second enclosures.
14. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber comprise respective guide members arranged to guide displacement of the first and second incoming bales towards respective reference contact surfaces inside the first and second enclosures upon operation of said at least one pushing device.
15. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, the system comprising: a plurality of binding units distributed aligned in correspondence with the bale entrance of the bundling chamber, wherein a first group of said plurality of binding units is arranged in correspondence with the first enclosure and a second group of said plurality of binding units is arranged in correspondence with the second enclosure, and wherein each of the binding units of the respective first and second groups is able to provide a turn of yarn on the respective first and second bale bundles.
16. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein: said first and second enclosures inside the bundling chamber are made and arranged to respectively form said first and second bales bundles disposed vertically in a longitudinal direction of the bundles; said at least one bale pressing device includes at least one vertically displaceable bale-lifting platform mounted to displace bale layers from a lower initial position to an upper position within the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber; the system further comprises a bale retaining device for retaining in the upper position respective bale layers formed within the first and second enclosures when the bale-lifting platform recovers its initial lower position; and the at least one bale pushing device comprises at least one pushing member arranged to introduce the incoming bales from its respective bale loading positions into the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber, and wherein said at least one pushing member comprises a compressing surface adapted to provide an active compressing force on respective formed bale layers inside the first and second enclosures, said processing and control unit being configured to send a compaction signal to said bale pushing device for said compressing surface to apply the active compression force on the respective formed bale layers while the bale- lifting platform vertically displaces the respective bale layers inside the first and second enclosures.
17. The bale bundling system according to claim 1, wherein the bundling chamber comprises at least a rear wall arranged to act as a bale bundle unloading door for the first and second enclosures.
18. The bale bundling system according to claim 17, comprising an adjustment mechanism for modifying the width of the first and second enclosures based on the nominal width of the bales forming the bale layers of the first and second enclosures inside the bundling chamber.
19. The bundling system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises at least one rear wall of the bundling chamber displaceable mounted on at least one pair of guides to be able to adjust the width of the interior space of the first and second enclosures inside the bundling chamber as a function of the nominal width of the bales forming a bale layer inside the first and second enclosures.
20. The bundling system as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one ejector device for ejecting the first and second bale bundles from the bundling chamber, said at least one ejector device including at least one ejector member arranged in correspondence with the first enclosure and at least one ejector member arranged in correspondence with the second enclosure.
21. The bundling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bundling chamber comprises a rear wall and a first and a second pivotable unloading rear platforms associated to the rear wall, wherein said pivotable unloading rear platforms are made and arranged to allow said first and second bale bundles to be unloaded simultaneously or sequentially from the respective first and second enclosures.
22. A method for forming a first bale bundle and a second bale bundle within a bundling chamber of a bale bundling machine to be towed by a tractor or similar vehicle, wherein each of said first and second bale bundles comprises a plurality of bale layers, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) conveying a first incoming bale to a first bale loading position and a second incoming bale to a second bale loading position located at a bale entrance of the bundling chamber; (b) displacing said first and second incoming bales from the first and second bale loading positions into respective first and second enclosures arranged inside the bundling chamber; (c) forming one bale layer of said plurality of bale layers within the respective first and second enclosures by successively displacing a number of incoming bales from the respective bale loading positions into the respective first and second enclosures; (d) displacing a bale layer formed within the respective first and second enclosures to clear respective volume portions within the first and second enclosures; (e) receiving a number of new incoming bales within the cleared volume portions of the first and second enclosures to successively form new respective bale layers within the respective first and second enclosures; (f) forming the first and second bale bundles by successively displacing a number of said bale layers formed within said respective first and second enclosures; and (g) simultaneously or sequentially unloading said first and second bale bundles from the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said first and second enclosures inside the bundling chamber are configured and arranged to respectively form said first and second bales bundles disposed horizontally or tilted in a longitudinal direction of the bundles, wherein step (g) comprises simultaneously or sequentially unloading said first and second bale bundles from the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber by means of respective first and second pivotable unloading rear platforms.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein step (g) comprises pivoting each of said first and second bale bundles with respect its longitudinal axis during unloading by means of modified respective pivotable unloading rear platforms configured and arranged to allow each of said first and second bale bundles to be unloaded on flat from the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) For the better understanding of the description made herein, a set of drawings has been provided wherein, schematically, and solely by way of a non-limiting example, several practical cases of embodiments are represented.
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bundling machine for forming bale bundles of hay or similar material, incorporating the claimed bundling system. The figures shows an embodiment including a first and second enclosures configured and arranged to be able to respectively form first and second bale bundles disposed vertically in a longitudinal direction Y, a conveying device provided with two conveyor units including chain-drawn disks for displacing the bales from a pick up entry to a first and second bale loading positions arranged in series at a bale entrance of the bundling chamber, two bale pushing devices, each of them with a pushing member to displace first and second incoming bales into the first and second enclosures, and a bale pressing device including a bale-lifting platform mounted vertically displaceable inside the first and second enclosures to displace a bale layer from a lower initial position to an upper position.
(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 devoid of the bale pushing devices to show the entrance of the bundling chamber wherein the first and second conveyor units are arranged in series at the respective first and second bale loading positions. It also shows a retractable member responsible for detecting presence of the second incoming bale hidden in a lower position in between the first and second conveyor unit for allowing passage of the first incoming bale, and two groups of yarn binding units arranged in correspondence with the first and second enclosures of the bundling machine of FIG. 1.
(4) FIG. 3 shows the front view of FIG. 2 wherein the first incoming bale is positioned at the first bale loading position contacting a first bale detecting member responsible for detecting presence of the first incoming bale and for sending a stop signal to a processing and control unit to stop actuation of the first conveyor unit. This figure shows the second incoming bale on the second conveyor unit about to arrive to the second bale loading position, and the retractable member responsible for detecting presence of the second incoming bale and for sending a stop signal to the processing and control unit to stop actuation of the second conveyor unit.
(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 wherein first and second incoming bales are being displaced into respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber by respective pushing members of two bale pushing devices.
(6) FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 devoid of the rear wall of the bundling chamber showing interior volume portions of the first and second enclosures partially demarcated by a separating wall arranged on the vertically bale-lifting platform. This figure also shows a first group of ejector members for the first bale bundle arranged on the front wall of the bundling chamber in correspondence with the first enclosure and a second group of ejector members for the second bale bundle arranged on the front wall of the bundling chamber in correspondence with the second enclosure.
(7) FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the bale bundling chamber of FIG. 5 including guide members arranged on the vertically bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the incoming bales inside the first and second enclosures until contacting with respective reference contact surfaces. In this embodiment, a first group of guide members are arranged on the surface of the bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the first incoming bale within the first enclosure until contacting with a side wall acting as a reference contact surface for said first incoming bales, and a second group of guide members arranged on the surface of the bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the second incoming bale within the second enclosure until contacting with the separating wall arranged in between the first and second enclosures.
(8) FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the bale bundling machine devoid of the rear wall of the bundling chamber showing respective bale layers positioned on the bale-lifting platform according to the arrangement of guide members of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the bale layer of the first bale bundle has as a reference contact surface the side wall of the bundling chamber and the bale layer of the second bale bundle has as a reference surface the separating wall arranged in between the first and second enclosures.
(9) FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a bale bundling chamber devoid of the rear wall including guide members arranged on the vertically bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the incoming bales inside the first and second enclosures until contacting with respective reference contact surfaces. In this embodiment, a first group of guide members are arranged on the surface of the bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the first incoming bale within the first enclosure until contacting with a side wall acting as a reference contact surface for the first incoming bale, and a second group of guide members arranged on the surface of the bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of the second incoming bale within the second enclosure until contacting with an opposite side wall of the bundling chamber acting as a reference contact surface for the second incoming bale.
(10) FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the bale bundling machine devoid of the rear wall of the bundling chamber showing respective bale layers positioned on the bale-lifting platform according to the arrangement of guide members of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the bale layer of the first bale bundle has as a reference contact surface a side wall of the bundling chamber and the bale layer of the second bale bundle has the opposite side wall of the bundling chamber as a reference contact surface.
(11) FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the bale bundling machine devoid of the rear wall of the bundling chamber showing a single layer of bales positioned on the bale-lifting platform according to the alternative arrangement of guide members suitable to form a single bale bundle within the first and second enclosures. For this particular use, the bale bundling chamber includes guide members arranged on the vertically bale-lifting platform to guide transverse movement of incoming bales inside the first and second enclosures until contacting with a side wall acting as a single reference contact surface for the bales. Similarly, the bale conveyor device is configured and arranged to convey one incoming bale at the entrance of the bale bundling chamber occupying one or both of the bale loading positions.
(12) FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic sections views of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 showing a working sequence of the bale pushing devices on respective bale layers formed inside the first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber. Each pushing device includes a pushing member with a compressing surface adapted to apply an active compression force in the transverse X and against a rear wall of the first and second enclosures while the lifting platform vertically displaces both layers of bales inside the bundling chamber.
(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic section view of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 showing both bale layers of the first and second enclosures retained in an upper position while the bale-lifting platform recovers its initial lower position. At least one bale retaining device, which is articulately attached to the rear wall of the first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber, is in an active position, holding the bale layers in the upper position.
(14) FIG. 13 is a schematic section view of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 showing the bale-lifting platform at the end of the loading cycle and applying an active compression force on the bale layers in the longitudinal direction Y to compress vertically the bundles inside the first and second enclosures. This figures also shows one of the needles that bind the yarn turns in a raised position about to carry out the binding operation of the bundles.
(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pushing member of one of the pushing devices of the bale bundling machine of FIG. 1 responsible for inserting bales into one of the enclosures of the bundling chamber. The pushing member is configured by way of a plate that applies an active compression force on the bales in the transverse X direction and against the rear wall of the bundling chamber. This pushing plate is articulately attached to pivoting arms of a parallelogram mechanism hanging from a frame structure of the bundling machine.
(16) FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic rear perspective views of the bundling machine of FIG. 1, showing the ejection operation of the first and second bundle of bales accompanied by the respective ejection devices and by the rear wall portion on which the bundles rest. This rear wall portion acts as lower door for the first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber. As can be seen in the figures, each ejector device comprises three ejector members that are associated with the front wall and upper wall of the bundling chamber so as to pivot with respect to these walls to accompany the extraction of the bundles.
(17) FIG. 17 is a schematic rear perspective view of an embodiment of the bundling machine for forming two bale bundles of hay or similar material disposed horizontally or tilted in a longitudinal direction Y of the bundles. The figure shows the rear wall of the bundling chamber open and both pivoting unloading rear platforms arranged at the rear of the bundling chamber.
(18) FIG. 18 is a schematic rear perspective view of the embodiment of the bundling machine for forming two bale bundles disposed horizontally or tilted in a longitudinal direction Y of the bundles, wherein the pivoting unloading rear platforms are configured and arranged to allow each of said first and second bale bundles to be unloaded on flat from the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber.
(19) FIGS. 19 to 20 are schematic side views of the bundling machine of FIG. 17 showing the simultaneously unloading on edge of bale bundles by means of the pivoting unloading rear bale platforms.
(20) FIG. 21 is a schematic rear perspective view showing the simultaneously unloading on edge of the first and second bale bundles of FIGS. 19 and 20.
(21) FIG. 22 is a schematic rear perspective view of the bundling machine of FIG. 18 showing the simultaneously unloading on flat of the first and second bale bundles by using the pivoting unloading rear platforms configured and arranged to allow each of said first and second bale bundles to be unloaded on flat from the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber.
(22) FIG. 23 is a schematic rear perspective view of the bundling machine of FIG. 17 showing the sequentially unloading on edge of the first and second bale bundles of FIGS. 19 and 20.
(23) FIG. 24 a schematic rear perspective view of the bundling machine of FIG. 18 showing the sequentially unloading on flat of the first and second bale bundles by using the pivoting unloading rear platforms configured and arranged to allow each of said first and second bale bundles to be unloaded on flat from the respective first and second enclosures of the bundling chamber.
(24) FIG. 25 shows first and second bale bundles unloaded from the bale bundling machine of FIG. 21 and arranged on edge and in pairs on the ground.
(25) FIG. 26 shows first and second bale bundles unloaded from the bale bundling machine of FIG. 22 and arranged on flat and in pairs on the ground.
(26) FIG. 27 shows first and second bale bundles unloaded from the bale bundling machine of FIG. 23 and arranged on edge and in a staggered pattern on the ground.
(27) FIG. 28 shows first and second bale bundles unloaded from the bale bundling machine of FIG. 24 and arranged on flat and in a staggered pattern on the ground.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
(28) Different embodiments of the claimed bundling system and bale bundling machine incorporating the claimed system are described below, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 28.
(29) The present invention relates to a bundling machine 1 incorporating the claimed bundling system permitting a first bale bundle B1 and a second bale bundle B2 to be formed inside a bundling chamber 2, wherein each bale bundle B1 and B2 includes a plurality of layers 3 of bales 3B1 and 3B2. The bundling chamber 2 comprises a first enclosure 2a configured and arranged to form the first bale bundle B1 and a second enclosure 2b configured and arranged to form the second bale bundle B2.
(30) For the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 16, the bundling chamber 2 has the peculiarity that it is disposed vertically on the frame 4 of the machine 1 to form bale bundles B1 and B2 arranged vertically in the longitudinal direction Y inside the bundling chamber 2 by using the claimed bale system. However, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 24, the bundling chamber may be disposed horizontally or tilted on the frame of the machine 1 to form bale bundles B1 and B2 arranged horizontally or tilted in the longitudinal direction Y of the bale bundles.
(31) For the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the entrance of the bundling chamber 2 incorporates a conveying device 5 configured and arranged to convey a first incoming bale 3B1 to a first bale loading position P1 and a second incoming bale 3B2 to a second bale loading position P2.
(32) For the embodiment illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bale conveyor device 5 includes first and second conveyor units 5a and 5b arranged in series at the respective first and second bale loading positions P1 and P2. However, for another embodiment, both conveyor units may be differently arranged to convey the bales 3B1 and 3B2 to the bale loading positions P1 and P2. Alternatively, the bale conveyor device 5 may comprise one conveyor unit extending along the first and second bale loading positions P1 and P2 to convey first and second incoming bales 3B1 and 3B2 at the entrance of the bale bundling chamber 2. This one conveyor unit may be, for example, a belt conveyor unit (not shown) which would not damage the surface of a first incoming bale 3B1 in contact with the belt when said first incoming bale 3B1 is waiting at the first bale loading position P1 for the second incoming bale 3B2 to be conveyed to the second bale loading position P2.
(33) In the claimed bale bundling system, the bale conveyor device 5 includes bale detection means to detect presence of either one incoming bale 3B2 or both incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 for a processing and control unit of the system to send a stop signal to the one conveyor unit or both conveyor units 5a, 5b upon receiving a stop signal coming from the bale detection means.
(34) The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 shows a retractable member 6 arranged for detecting presence of the second incoming bale 3B2 and for sending to the processing and control unit a stop signal to stop actuation of the second conveyor unit 5b. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the retractable member 6 is susceptible to be hidden in a lower position in between the first and second conveyor units 5a, 5b for allowing passage of the first incoming bale 3B1 to the first loading position P1.
(35) FIG. 3 shows the first incoming bale 3B1 positioned at the first bale loading position P1 contacting a detection member 7 including a mechanical stop and a sensor to detect presence of the first incoming bale 3B1. Said detection member 7 is configured to send a stop signal to the processing and control unit to stop actuation of the first conveyor unit 5a upon detection of the first incoming bale 3B1. FIG. 3 also shows a second incoming bale 3B2 on the second conveyor unit 5b and about to arrive to the second bale loading position P2 to contact the retractable member 6 responsible for detecting presence of the second incoming bale 3B2 and for sending a stop signal to the processing and control unit to stop actuation of the second conveyor unit 5b.
(36) To introduce both bales 3B1 and 3B2 into the bundling chamber 2, at least one pushing device 8a is provided comprising a bale pushing member, for example a pushing plate 9a, including a compressing surface adapted and sized to apply an active compression force on bale layers 3 inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b.
(37) For the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the bale bundling machine 1 as shown in FIG. 1 includes two bale pushing devices 8a, 8b wherein each bale pushing device 8a, 8b comprises a bale pushing member including a pushing plate 9a, 9b acting as a compressing surface. Each bale pushing member is articulately attached to pivoting arms 11 of a respective parallelogram mechanism 10 so that the pivoting arms 11 and the respective pushing member hang above the bale entrance of respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of one of said pushing devices 8a including a pushing plate 9a articulately attached to the pivoting arms 11 of its parallelogram mechanism 10 hanging from a frame structure of the bundling machine 1.
(38) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bundling machine 1 of FIG. 1 wherein first and second incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 are being displaced into respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2 by respective pushing members of said two bale pushing devices 8a, 8b.
(39) Preferably, the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2 comprise respective guide members 12 arranged to guide transverse displacement of the first and second incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 towards respective reference contact surfaces inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b upon operation of the bale pushing devices 8a, 8b.
(40) For the illustrated embodiment of the bale bundling machine 1 of FIG. 1, a first group 12a and a second group 12b of guide members are arranged on a surface of a vertically displaceable bale-lifting platform 13 defining the base of the first 2a and second 2b enclosures. Advantageously, those of guide members 12 are mounted pivotable about a substantially vertical axis on the surface of the bale-lifting platform 13 for the user to be able to pivot each guide member 12 to a predetermined position according to a predetermined guide arrangement of said guide members so as to modify displacement of the incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 within the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. Alternatively, those guide members 12a, 12b are mounted in such a way that they can be removable coupled to the surface of the bale-lifting platform 13 to perform several different guide arrangements.
(41) According to the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the first group of guide members 12a is arranged on the bale-lifting platform 13 to guide transverse movement of the first incoming bale 3B1 until contacting with a side wall 14 acting as reference contact surface for the incoming bales 3B1 on the first enclosure 2a, and the second group of guide members 12b is arranged on the bale-lifting platform 13 to guide transverse movement of the second incoming bale 3B2 until contacting with a separating wall 15 acting as reference contact surface for incoming bales 3B2 on the second enclosure 2b. The separating wall 15 is arranged on the surface of the bale-lifting platform 13 in between the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b to demarcate respective volume portions inside the bundling chamber 2.
(42) For another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, there is no separating wall 15. In this case, the first group of guide members 12a is arranged on the bale-lifting platform 13 to guide transverse movement of the first incoming bale 3B1 until contacting with the side wall 14 acting as reference contact surface for the incoming bales 3B1 on the first enclosure 2a, and the second group of guide members 12b is arranged on the bale-lifting platform 13 to guide transverse movement of the second incoming bale 3B2 until contacting with an opposite side wall 16 acting as reference contact surface for incoming bales 3B2 on the second enclosure 2b. This embodiment would be particularly suitable for forming two bale bundles B1, B2 when the bale bundling machine 1 includes a bale pushing device with a single bale pushing member to introduce the incoming bales 3B1 and 3B2 inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b.
(43) FIG. 10 corresponds to an alternative arrangement of guide members 12 inside the bundling chamber 2 suitable for the bale bundling machine 1 to form a single bale bundle inside both the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. For this particular use of the machine, the arrangement of the first and second group of guide members 12a, 12b on the bale-lifting platform 13 is modified to guide transverse movement of one incoming bale until contacting with side wall 14 of the bundling chamber 2. Similarly, the retractable member 6 is kept inoperative, and also three binding units 25 of the second group 25b of binding units 25 and one binding unit 25 of the first group 25a of binding units 25a, 25b are left inoperative without yarn 22.
(44) FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic sections views of the embodiment of the bundling machine of FIG. 1 showing a working sequence of the bale pushing devices 8a, 8b on respective bale layers 3 formed inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2. As previously described, each bale pushing device 8a, 8b comprises a bale pushing plate 9a, 9b articulately attached to pivoting arms 11 of its respective parallelogram mechanism 10. The pushing plates 9a, 9b are actuated by a fluid-dynamic cylinder 21 that acts on the respective parallelogram mechanism 10, so that the respective pushing plates 9a, 9b can be displaced maintaining a substantially vertical position while oscillating from a retracted position to an advanced position without losing contact with the incoming bales 3B1, 3B2.
(45) For the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the value resulting from the sum of the nominal width A of three bales forming a bale layer 3 exceeds a reduced width a of the bundling chamber 2. FIG. 11 represents the pushing plates 9a, 9b of both bale pushing devices 8a, 8b applying on the respective bale layers 3 an active compression force in a transverse X direction against a rear wall 17 of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2 while the lifting platform 13 displaces the respective bale layers 3 vertically to an upper position.
(46) In the upper position shown in FIG. 12, a front wall 18 and the rear wall 17 of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2 exert a passive compression force on the bale layers 3, since the first and second enclosures 2a, 3b of the bundling chamber 2 have the mentioned reduced width a. In particular, this FIG. 12 represents the bale layers 3 retained in the upper position by two retaining devices 19, while the bale-lifting platform 13 recovers its lower position awaiting new bale layers to be formed. For the illustrated embodiment, the retaining devices 19 are articulately attached to the rear wall 17 of the bundling chamber 2 via a parallelogram mechanism 20.
(47) The image of FIG. 13 shows the bale-lifting platform 13 at the end of a loading cycle of two bale bundles B1, B2 applying on the respective bale layers 3 an active compression force in the longitudinal direction Y to compress vertically the respective bale bundles B1, B2 inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. This FIG. 15 also shows one of the complete turns of a yarn 22 that surrounds bale bundles B1, B2, and its corresponding needle 23 that holds the yarn 22. Also shown is an element 24 that acts as a pivot to guide the turns of yarn 22 from the outside of the bundling chamber 2, according to an upward trajectory inclined with respect to the surface of the bundles B1, B2. In this figure the needles 23 that hold the respective yarns 22 have been displaced to a higher position in order to form the binds that bind each bale bundle B1, B2. The inclined upward trajectory facilitates the tensioning of the yarn 22 so that it is tight to the bale bundles B1, B2, while reducing the length of yarn 22 necessary to carry out the binding operation on the bale bundles B1, B2.
(48) As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the bale bundling system comprises a plurality of binding units 25 distributed aligned in correspondence with the bale entrance of the bundling chamber 2, wherein a first group 25a of said plurality of binding units 25 is arranged in correspondence with the first enclosure 2a and a second group 25b of said plurality of binding units 25 is arranged in correspondence with the second enclosure 2b (see, FIGS. 1 to 4). Each of the binding units 25 of the respective first and second groups 25a, 25b can provide a turn of yarn 22 on the respective first and second bale bundles B1, B2.
(49) As previously disclosed, for the particular use of the machine wherein a single bale bundle is to be formed inside the bundling chamber 2, it may happen that at least one of the binding units 25 of the respective first 25a and second 25b groups, or all the binding units 25 of the second group 25b, are left inoperative without yarn 22.
(50) According to a preferred embodiment, the claimed system includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the width a of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b as a function of the nominal width A of the bales that form the bale bundles B1, B2. Thanks to this, the system is suitable for use with bales of different nominal A widths, for example, of nominal A width of 440 mm, 460 mm, 500 mm, or 560 mm. Thus, depending on the nominal width A of the bales, the user can adjust the width a of the bundling chamber 2 to cause the front wall 18 and the rear wall 17 of the bundling chamber 2 itself to apply a passive compression force on the layers 3 of bales in a transverse direction X of the bundles B1, B2.
(51) For example, for the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the width a of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b can be designed with a value of 1280 mm less than the value of 1380 mm resulting from the sum of the nominal width A of 460 mm of three bales that form a bale layer 3. In this way, the claimed system makes it possible to obtain two extremely compact bale bundles B1, B2, both in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the bundle, since the passive compression force applied by the front 18 and rear 17 walls of the bundling chamber limits the lateral expansion of the bale layers 3, when the lifting platform 13 longitudinally presses the bale layers at the end of the loading cycle. As a result, extremely compact first and second bale bundles B1, B2 can be formed simultaneously inside the bale bundle chamber 2 and both bale bundles B1, B2 can be unloaded on the ground also simultaneously.
(52) For the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the rear wall 17 of the bundling chamber 2 comprises a rear wall portion 17a that acts as a lower unloading door for the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, and a rear wall portion 17b that acts as an upper unloading door also for the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. To expand or reduce the width a of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2, the adjusting mechanism comprises both wall portions 17a, 17b pivotally mounted on respective skids 26, 27, which, in turn, are mounted displaceable on respective guides 28 and 29 on which both rear wall portions 17a, 17b are horizontally moved.
(53) In order to ensure the closing position of both unloading doors and prevent these doors from being opened when the pushing plates 9a, 9b apply the active compression force on the respective bale layers 3, the claimed system includes fixing means that act by blocking the opening of both wall portions 17a, 17b acting as unloading doors.
(54) In the embodiment described and shown in the FIGS. 1 to 16, the fixing means include at least one staple-like fastening member 30, a force multiplier mechanism (not shown) associated with said fastening member 30, and a fluid-dynamic element (not shown), e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, for actuating the multiplier mechanism. FIGS. 1 and 4 show the fixing means mounted on a side wall of the bundling chamber 2, wherein the fastening member 30 is in the closing and locking position, holding supports 31 integrally attached to the rear wall portions 17a, 17b acting as unloading doors for the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. The fluid-dynamic element of the force multiplier mechanism has the peculiarity that it is mounted displaceable on the side wall of the bundling chamber 2 by means of a threaded rod mechanism 32, which allows adapting the position of the fixing means to the width a of the bundling chamber 2.
(55) FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the bundling machine 1 of FIG. 1 showing the simultaneously ejection on edge of two formed bale bundles B1, B2 inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2. For the illustrated embodiment, the ejection operation is accompanied by two ejector devices 33, 34 each including three ejector members 33a, 34a. In this FIG. 17 the lower rear wall portion 17a acting as lower unloading door and the upper rear wall portion 17b acting as upper unloading door can be seen open, once the fastening member 30 of the doors has released the holding supports 31 to allow both rear wall portions 17a, 17b acting as unloading doors to pivot on the respective support skids 26, 27, actuated by respective fluid dynamic cylinders 35, 36. The ejector members 33a, 34a are associated with the front wall 18 and the upper wall of the bundling chamber 2 so that they pivot relative to these walls to accompany the simultaneously removal of the first and second bundles B1, B2 while the machine 1 is traveling through the field drawn by a tractor (see, FIG. 16).
(56) As can be seen in FIG. 16, with the claimed system first and second bale bundles B1, B2 can be unloaded from the same bundling chamber 2 and exit the machine smoothly as it moves forward so that both first and second bale bundles B1, B2 rest paired on the ground of the field one next to the other ready for collection.
(57) Next, the way of operation of the claimed bundling system is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. In particular, it is described a method for forming a first bale bundle B1 and a second bale bundle B2 within a first enclosure 2a and a second enclosure 2b of a bundling chamber 2, wherein each of said first and second bale bundles B1, B2 comprises a plurality of bale layers 3 and each bale layer a plurality of bales, for example, two, three or more bales.
(58) The method comprises the steps of; a) conveying a first incoming bale 3B1 to a first bale loading position P1 and a second incoming bale 3B2 to a second bale loading position P2 located at a bale entrance of the bundling chamber 2, b) displacing said first and second incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 from the first and second bale loading positions P1, P2 into the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b arranged inside the bundling chamber 2, c) forming one of said plurality of bale layers 3 within the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b by successively displacing a number of incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 from the respective bale loading positions P1, P2 into the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, d) displacing the bale layer 3 formed within the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b to clear respective volume portions within the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, e) receiving a number of new incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 within the cleared volume portions of the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b to successively form new bale layers 3 within the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, f) forming the first and second bale bundles B1, B2 by successively displacing a number of said bale layers 3 formed within said respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, and, g) simultaneously unloading said first and second bale bundles B1, B2 from the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2.
(59) For a one embodiment, for example the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 1, both bale bundles B1, B2 are formed inside a vertically arranged bundling chamber 2 configured and arranged to respectively form said bale bundles B1, B2 disposed vertically in a longitudinal direction Y. However, according to a different embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 24, both bale bundles B1, B2 may be formed inside a horizontally or tilted arranged first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of a bundling chamber 2.
(60) According to the mentioned embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 16, the incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 are successively introduced into the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b by means of two pushing devices 8a, 8b including two pushing plates 9a, 9b that contact the incoming bales 3B1, 3B2, and successively displace them, one by one, into the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b. Guide members 12 guide transverse displacement of the incoming bales 3B1, 3B2 into the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b until contacting with respective predetermined reference contact surfaces 14, 15, 16.
(61) Once the bale layers 3 are loaded inside the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, the compressing surface of the respective pushing plates 9a, 9b applies an active compression force on bale layers 3 in the transverse X direction and against the rear wall 17 of the bundling chamber 2, while the lifting platform 13 simultaneously move the bale layers 3 vertically to an upper position inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b.
(62) For the embodiment in which the width a of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b is less than the value resulting from the sum of the nominal width A of the bales forming each bale layer 3, the front wall 18 and the rear wall 17 of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b exert a passive compression force on the vegetal material, once the bale layers 3 have moved to the upper position. Two retaining devices 19 are then actuated to simultaneously retain bale layers 3 in the upper position and allow the lifting platform 13 to regain its initial position awaiting new bale layers 3 to be formed. This sequence is repeated successively to simultaneously load a certain number of bale layers 3 in the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, until reaching the end of the loading cycle. At this moment, the lifting platform 13 travels again vertically inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, to apply an active compression force on the bale layers 3 of each bundle B1, B2 in the longitudinal direction Y, so that the vegetal material is compressed vertically.
(63) The passive compression force exerted by the front wall 18 and the rear wall 17 of the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b limits the lateral expansion of the bale layers 3 when the lifting platform 13 vertically compresses both bundles B1, B2. As a result, extremely compact bale bundles B1, B2 are formed in a single bundling chamber 2. Both bale bundles B1, B2 are bound with yarn 22 by using respective binding units 25.
(64) In order to unload the bale bundles B1, B2, the fastening member 30 which fastens the holding supports 31 of the lower rear wall portion 17a and the upper real wall portion 17b of the bundling chamber 2 is released to allow said rear wall portions 17a, 17b to pivot to carry out simultaneously unloading of both bale bundles B1, B2.
(65) Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, these figures show schematic rear perspective views of an embodiment of the bundling machine 1 for forming two bale bundles B1, B2 of hay or similar material disposed horizontally or tilted in a longitudinal direction Y of the bundles.
(66) As can be seen also in FIGS. 19 to 24, for this embodiment; the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b inside the bundling chamber 2 are configured and arranged to respectively form the first and second bales bundles B1, B2 disposed horizontally or tilted in a longitudinal direction Y of the bundles, and the at least one bale pressing device includes at least one horizontally displaceable bale platform 13 mounted to displace bale layers 3 from a front position to a rear position within the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2, and preferably, the bundling chamber 2 comprises a separating wall 15 arranged in between the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b.
(67) Additionally, the machine shown in FIGS. 17, 19, 20, 21 and 23 includes pivoting unloading rear platforms U1, U2 arranged at the rear of the bundling chamber 2 to allow simultaneously or sequentially unloading on edge of the bale bundles B1, B2.
(68) In contrast, the machine shown in FIGS. 18, 22 and 24 includes modified pivoting unloading rear platforms Um1, Um2 configured and arranged to allow each of said first and second bale bundles B1, B2 to be unloaded on flat from the respective first and second enclosures 2a, 2b of the bundling chamber 2. Said modified pivoting unloading rear platforms Um1, Um2 are configured to pivot each of said first and second bale bundles B1, B2 with respect its longitudinal axis Y during unloading.
(69) FIGS. 25 and 26 show first and second bale bundles B1, B2 unloaded on edge and on flat from the bale bundling machine 1 of FIGS. 21 and 22 and arranged in pairs on the ground.
(70) FIGS. 27 and 28 show first and second bale bundles B1, B2 unloaded on edge and on flat from the bale bundling machine1 of FIGS. 23 and 24 and arranged in a staggered pattern on the ground.
(71) Summarizing, the claimed bundling system allows a plurality of bale bundles, in particular first and second bale bundles B1, B2 or B1, B2 to be formed inside a bundling chamber 2, 2 of a bale bundling machine 1, 1. Both first and second bale bundles B1, B2 or B1, B2 can be unloaded from the same bundling chamber 2, 2 and exit the machine 1, 1 smoothly as it moves forward so that both first and second bale bundles rest paired or staggered on the ground of the field one next to the other ready for collection.
(72) The claimed bundling machine 1, 1 is suitable to form first and second bale bundles B1, B1 and B2, B2 of bales of nominal length L comprised between 600 mm and 1000 mm, for example, bales of nominal length L comprised between 750 mm and 900 mm.
(73) For a particular use, the same bundling machine 1 can easily modified to form a single bale bundle inside the first and second enclosures 2a, 2b, for example, a single bale bundle of bales of nominal length L comprised between 600 mm and 1500 mm (see, FIG. 10).
(74) Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the system, machine, and method described are susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the accompanying claims.
