Abstract:
An annular baler for agricultural use including at least one annular baler belt made of rubber or rubber-like materials with an embedded core defining a reinforcement. The annular baler belt has ventilation bores which are distributed in a regular or irregular pattern around the periphery thereof and extend through the annular baler belt.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of international patent application PCT/EP2011/066170, filed Sep. 19, 2011, designating the United States and claiming priority from German application 10 2010 060 828.9, filed Nov. 26, 2010, and the entire content of both applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an endless annular baler belt made of rubber or rubber-like materials with an embedded core of a reinforcement. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is known to arrange multiple endless individual baler belts next to one another within an annular baler, for example in hay harvesting machines (U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,557; U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,246 B1). The gaps occurring between the individual belts cause losses of the baled material. It has therefore already been attempted to reduce the number of individual belts. The use of only a single baler belt over the entire working width has so far failed for the reason that, when there is only one baler belt in the annular baler, there are increased instances of bulging in the middle of the baler belt, attributable to insufficient degassing of the baled material. The baler belt surface of the single baler belt isolates the gas formation of the baled material. 
         [0004]    Endless baler belts are known for example from DE 102 43 727 C1 and United States patent application publication 2012/0015572. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is based on the object of providing an annular baler of the type described at the beginning that makes it possible to use annular baler belts of great width, without the gas formation of the baled material being able to have adverse effects. 
         [0006]    The object is achieved according to the invention by the endless annular baler belt having venting bores distributed over the periphery thereof and penetrating the annular baler belt. The venting bores provide sufficient degassing of the baled material during the baling operation. This advantageously results in a highly compacted bale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the venting bores are arranged in an ordered matrix. This makes it possible for the annular baler belt to be perforated by machine. 
         [0008]    The venting bores are preferably arranged one behind the other on a line running over the periphery. This linear alignment of the venting bores in a series of holes allows the aimed-for introduction of the venting bores in predefined regions of the annular baler belt. 
         [0009]    In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, parallel running peripheral series of holes are distributed over the width of the annular baler belt. The venting bores lie one behind the other on multiple parallel planes. 
         [0010]    The number of venting bores over the periphery is chosen according to the baled material to be processed. An advantageous division of holes of venting bores arranged in a matrix is obtained in the range from 10 to 50 mm in the running direction. 
         [0011]    In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the venting bores are irregularly distributed over the entire periphery of the belt. This irregular distribution is of advantage whenever the transverse stiffness of the annular baler belt is not to be weakened. 
         [0012]    In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the venting bores are provided with a bore diameter of 2 to 7 mm. The diameter range from 2 to 7 mm leads to good degassing conditions for the baled material to be processed, such as straw, hay or silage. 
         [0013]    The invention minimizes losses in annular balers, because the annular baler can be equipped with fewer baler belts or even just one baler belt over the entire working width. 
         [0014]    The use of fewer or even just one baler belt has the advantage of minimizing or eliminating the time-consuming selection of baler belts of the same length or individual setting of each baler belt in the annular baler to achieve precise running of the baler belt in the annular baler. 
         [0015]    If it is intended to feed the baled material to the annular baler in a moist state, at least a large proportion of the moisture can be removed thorough the venting bores during the baling operation. 
         [0016]    The individual baler belts for an annular baler with multiple endless individual baler belts are usually produced from a wide baler belt by making longitudinal cuts. If this starting baler belt comprises a woven fabric as a reinforcement, there is an unraveling of the fabric at the cut edges. This has the effect that the rubber edges of the individual baler belts are damaged. Using the baler belt according to the invention over the entire baling width obviates the need for a longitudinal cut to be made through a starting baler belt. A wear-resistant rubber edge of the baler belt, that is obtained during production is therefore retained. 
         [0017]    A further advantage is that of less contamination of the annular baler as a result of the reduced losses through gaps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0018]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a continuous annular baler belt with peripherally running series of venting bores; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a developed view of a detail of the annular baler belt according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a continuous annular baler belt with venting bores freely distributed over the periphery; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a developed view of a detail of the annular baler belt according to  FIG. 3 ; and, 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a side-view of an annular baler belt comprising outer rubber topsheet  500 , fabric reinforcement structure  510  and an inner rubber topsheet  520 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST AND VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    A preferred embodiment of a continuous annular baler belt  11  that is represented in  FIG. 1 . Four series of holes  12  lying parallel next to one another are arranged over the width of the annular baler belt  11 . These series of holes have venting bores  13  arranged one behind the other at regular intervals (shown as a detail in  FIG. 2 ). The venting bores  13  of one series of holes  12  are arranged offset in relation to the venting bores  13  of the adjacent series of holes  12 . The diameter of the venting bores  13  is 5 mm. 
         [0025]    The continuous annular baler belt  21  that is represented in  FIG. 3  likewise comprises an inner rubber topsheet and an outer rubber topsheet, between which a fabric reinforcement is arranged. The annular baler belt  21  is provided with venting bores  22  distributed irregularly over the periphery thereof. In  FIG. 4 , a schematic view of the distribution of the venting bores  22  is shown in a view of a detail, the diameter of the venting bores being 5 mm. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows an annular baler belt comprising an outer rubber topsheet  500  and an inner rubber topsheet  520 , between which a fabric reinforcement structure  510  is arranged. 
         [0027]    It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.