Patent Description:
Farmers use manure to promote better crop growth. A known method for manuring farmland or meadowland is applying manure or slurry onto or in the ground surface. Another known method for manuring farmland or meadowland is known as trailing shoe manuring, wherein a so-called trailing shoe is drawn through material present on the ground surface, such as grass, so that a strip of ground surface is cleared, and a strip of manure is arranged on the cleared ground surface. In an alternative method the strip of manure is not applied onto the ground, but introduced into the ground by first forming manure slits in the ground and introducing the manure into the formed manure slits. Such a method is known as slurry injecting, wherein a V-shaped manure slit is formed in the ground by means of coulter wheels positioned in a V-shape, into which slits manure is then introduced. Another form of such a method is known as slit coulter slurry injecting, wherein a manure slit is formed in the ground by means of a coulter, into which slit manure is then introduced.

For performing such manuring methods use is made of a mobile device for manuring which is moved over the farmland or meadowland to be manured and which applies manure onto or in the ground surface while being moved. Such a mobile device for manuring is usually arranged on a mobile frame which is advanced by means of a work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, or which is self-driving. Such a mobile device for manuring is generally fed with manure from a mobile manure tank which is moved over the land to be manured together with the mobile device for manuring. The mobile device for manuring and the mobile manure tank which feeds manure to the device for manuring are usually arranged on a shared mobile frame.

In order to reach the land to be manured it is usually necessary for the mobile device for manuring and the mobile manure tank to be moved on the public highway, whereby the permissible dimensions of the mobile device for manuring and the mobile manure tank, such as length, width and height, are limited. Particularly in the case of the manure tank this has the result that the quantity of manure which the manure tank can contain, and which is thus available to feed to the device for manuring during the forward movement over the land to be manured, is limited by the dimensions permissible on the public highway.

From <CIT> a device for containing and supplying particulate material and fluid material is known. The device comprises a hopper for particulate material and a container for fluid material and a displaceable dividing wall located between both containers.

From <CIT> a transportable storage tank for holding water is known. The storage tank has a lower tank that houses an upper tank for transport. The upper tank can be raised vertically at a job site by use of corner mounted pneumatic jacks. The upper and lower tanks are temporarily sealed together expanding the capacity of the lower tank without increasing the footbpring of the storage vessel. The storage tank can be transported along road ways when the upper tank is retracted into the lower tank.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to address the thus limited capacity of a mobile manure tank.

The present invention provides for this purpose a mobile manure tank device according to claim <NUM>. The expandable manure tank is particularly configured to hold manure therein, at least in an expanded state thereof. It is possible by means of the expandable manure tank to temporarily increase the quantity of manure which the manure tank device is able to contain, i.e. the manure storage capacity of the manure tank device, by the quantity of manure which the expandable manure tank is able to contain in the expanded state thereof. In addition, the expandable manure tank provides the option of reducing dimensions of the expandable manure tank by bringing the expandable manure tank from the expanded state thereof into the non-expanded state. This makes it possible to temporarily reduce the dimensions of the mobile manure tank device by bringing the expandable manure tank from the expanded state into a non-expanded state. It is thus possible by means of the expandable manure tank to temporarily increase the manure storage capacity of the manure tank device, particularly by bringing the expandable manure tank into the expanded state, and to temporarily reduce the dimensions of the manure tank device, particularly by bringing the expandable manure tank into the non-expanded state. The expandable manure tank is preferably at least one of extendable, outward slidable, unfoldable.

The mobile manure tank device according to the invention is advantageous for feeding of a mobile device for manuring as described above. The mobile manure tank device according to the invention can be transported on the public highway to the land to be manured with the manure tank in the non-expanded state thereof, wherein the dimensions of the manure tank device comply with the permissible dimensions for transport on the public highway. The mobile manure tank device according to the invention can be moved over the land to be manured with the manure tank in the expanded state thereof, wherein the dimensions of the manure tank device can be greater than the permissible dimensions for transport on the public highway. Because the dimensions of the manure tank device with the manure tank in the expanded state thereof can be greater than the permissible dimensions for transport on the public highway, during forward movement over the land to be manured the manure storage capacity of the mobile manure tank device according to the invention can be greater than the manure storage capacity of a prior art mobile manure tank, the dimensions of which are limited by the permissible dimensions for transport on the public highway. Owing to the additional manure storage capacity provided by the manure tank in the expanded state it is possible to manure a larger ground surface area without interim filling of the manure tank device with manure. This produces a considerable time-saving. This is because topping up of manure during manuring takes time, particularly when it is necessary to drive from a location on the land to be manured where the manure tank device becomes depleted back to the starting location so as to top up manure, and then drive back to the location where manuring was suspended.

In a favourable embodiment of the manure tank device according to the invention the manure tank device also comprises a fixed, i.e. non-expandable, manure tank, particularly with fixed outer dimensions.

In this embodiment the manure tank device can have a total manure storage capacity which comprises the manure storage capacity of the fixed manure tank and the manure storage capacity of the expandable manure tank, and which is thereby greater in the expanded state of the expandable manure tank than in the non-expanded state.

In this embodiment the total manure storage capacity of the manure tank device alternatively or additionally comprises the manure storage capacity of the fixed manure tank and the additional manure storage capacity of the expandable manure tank. The outer dimensions of the fixed manure tank are preferably such that the outer dimensions of the manure tank device with the expandable manure tank in the non-expanded state are smaller than or equal to the permissible outer dimensions for transport on the public highway, while the outer dimensions of the manure tank device with the expandable manure tank in the expanded state are greater than the permissible dimensions for transport on the public highway. This enables the manure storage capacity of the fixed manure tank for transport of manure to the land to be manured already to be used during transport of the manure tank device on the public highway. At the land to be manured the manure tank device need only be filled up with a quantity of manure corresponding to the additional capacity provided by the expandable manure tank in the expanded state thereof.

The expandable manure tank is alternatively or additionally configured to already contain manure in the non-expanded state thereof. The expandable manure tank can for this purpose have an expandable part and a fixed, i.e. non-expandable, part. The outer dimensions of the fixed part are preferably such that the outer dimensions of the manure tank device with the expandable part of the expandable manure tank in the non-expanded state are smaller than or equal to the permissible outer dimensions for transport on the public highway, while the outer dimensions of the manure tank device with the expandable part of the expandable manure tank in the expanded state are greater than the permissible outer dimensions for transport on the public highway.

In a favourable embodiment of the manure tank device according to the invention with a fixed manure tank and an expandable manure tank, the expandable manure tank is arranged on the fixed manure tank. In a favourable embodiment thereof a wall of the expandable manure tank is arranged against a wall of the fixed manure tank. Alternatively, the expandable manure tank and the fixed manure tank share a wall.

In a favourable embodiment of the manure tank device according to the invention with a fixed manure tank and an expandable manure tank, the expandable manure tank is arranged on top of the fixed manure tank.

In a favourable embodiment of the mobile manure tank device according to the invention the inner space of the fixed manure tank and the inner space of the expandable manure tank are connected to each other for allowing passage of liquid by means of optionally closable connecting means. Because the two manure tanks are connected to each other for allowing passage of liquid, the manure can flow for instance from the fixed tank to the expandable tank during filling of one of the tanks. It is therefore only necessary to fill one of the tanks directly, since the other tank can be filled indirectly via the connecting means. In a practical form, the connecting means are for instance optionally closable passages between the two tanks.

In a favourable embodiment of the mobile manure tank device according to the invention with fixed manure tank and expandable manure tank the inner space of the fixed manure tank is connected to the inner space of the expandable manure tank. In an embodiment wherein a wall of the expandable manure tank is arranged against a wall of the fixed manure tank or wherein the expandable manure tank and the fixed manure tank share a wall the connection between the respective inner spaces can be realized in simple manner by means of a passage opening in the walls which are arranged against each other or the shared wall.

In a favourable embodiment of the manure tank device, in which it comprises a fixed manure tank and an expandable manure tank, the expandable manure tank comprises a manure bag configured to hold manure therein. The manure bag preferably has a flexible wall enclosing an inner space of the manure bag. Alternatively, the manure bag has a flexible wall arranged sealingly against a surface of a construction element of the manure tank device, so that the relevant surface and the flexible wall together enclose the inner space of the manure bag.

In a favourable embodiment a floating body, preferably an inflatable floating body, is arranged in the manure bag on a portion of the wall of the manure bag.

In a favourable embodiment the manure bag is provided with a vent. In a favourable embodiment thereof a floating body, preferably an inflatable floating body, is provided in the manure bag close to the vent. Instead of an inflatable floating body it is possible to use for instance a solid floating body, such as a floating body containing polystyrene foam.

In a preferred embodiment of the mobile manure tank device according to the invention with a fixed manure tank and with an expandable manure tank comprising a manure bag, the manure bag is arranged on top of an upper wall of the fixed manure tank. In a favourable embodiment thereof the inner space of the fixed manure tank and the inner space of the manure bag are connected to each other via at least one passage opening in the upper wall of the fixed manure tank. In a further favourable embodiment thereof a float arm of a manure level measuring device is arranged in the fixed manure tank, which arm can enter the inner space of the manure bag via the at least one passage opening. In a further favourable embodiment the manure tank device is provided with a manure overflow discharge comprising a discharge tube which extends in the inner space of the fixed manure tank, through the at least one passage opening and into the inner space of the manure bag, wherein a first end of the discharge tube is coupled to the wall of the manure bag and a second end of the discharge tube debouches out at a lower part of the fixed manure tank. The first end of the discharge tube preferably co-acts with a vent with which the manure bag is provided. The discharge tube is preferably a flexible tube or hose. The discharge tube is additionally or alternatively telescopic. The manure overflow discharge is optional.

In a favourable embodiment of the manure tank device according to the invention, the manure bag comprises a flexible wall and the manure tank device also comprises a collapsible and extendable skeleton which is configured to support the flexible wall of the manure bag. The skeleton can be an internal skeleton arranged in the manure bag. The skeleton is preferably an external skeleton which at least partially surrounds the manure bag. The manure bag is preferably arranged on a construction element of the manure tank device and the collapsible and extendable skeleton preferably comprises a number of skeleton segments which at a pivoting end thereof are arranged pivotally on the relevant construction element along the periphery of the manure bag. Each skeleton segment is preferably coupled at a free end thereof lying opposite the pivoting end to at least one of the other skeleton segments, particularly coupled to the free end of the at least one other skeleton segment. Two mutually opposite skeleton segments are preferably coupled in each case. The coupling is preferably realized by means of coupling members, particularly coupling rods, wherein the coupling members are preferably mutually connected to form a coupling construction which connects the free ends of the skeleton segments to each other. In order to facilitate the collapsing and extending of the skeleton segments the coupling members are preferably coupled movably to at least one of the skeleton segments with which the relevant coupling member is in engagement. The movable coupling is preferably embodied as sliding coupling, such as a telescopic coupling or a rail with carriage.

In a favourable embodiment the skeleton can be collapsed and extended by means of one or more actuators. In a favourable embodiment thereof at least a portion of the wall of the manure bag is connected to the skeleton, particularly so that when the skeleton is extended, the portion of the wall of the manure bag connected to the skeleton is erected. Connecting a portion of the wall of the manure bag to the skeleton is optional.

In a preferred embodiment of the manure tank device according to the invention it also comprises a mobile frame on which the expandable manure tank and, if provided, the fixed manure tank are arranged. The mobile frame is preferably configured as self-driving mobile frame, so that the mobile manure tank device is a self-driving vehicle. Alternatively, the manure tank device is arranged on a mobile frame which is configured to be drawn by a work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor.

The present invention also relates to a mobile device for manuring, comprising a mobile manure tank device according to the invention as described above and a manuring device configured to be fed with manure from a manure tank of the mobile manure tank device. The mobile manure tank device preferably comprises a mobile frame, more preferably a self-driving mobile frame, on which the manuring device is arranged, so that the manure tank device and the manuring device can be moved together on the public highway and the land to be manured. Alternatively, the manure tank device is arranged together with the manuring device on a mobile frame which is configured to be drawn by a work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor.

In a preferred embodiment the manuring device comprises a collapsible and extendable manuring arm which can be moved between an extended state and a collapsed state, wherein in the extended state the manuring arm extends substantially transversely of the central longitudinal axis of the mobile device for manuring and in the collapsed state the manuring arm extends substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the mobile device for manuring, wherein the manuring arm preferably comprises a plurality of segments which are connected pivotally to each other, and which in the extended state of the manuring arm extend substantially mutually in line and which in collapsed state of the manuring arm extend substantially parallel to each other.

Mobile devices for manuring with a manuring device comprising such a collapsible and extendable manuring arm are known. Arranged along the manuring arm are manuring members which are fed with manure from a manure tank of the mobile device for manuring and which arrange the manure on or in the ground of the land to be manured. Because the manuring arm extends in the extended state substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of the mobile device for manuring, a strip of the ground to be manured which is wider than the width of the mobile device for manuring can be manured when the mobile device for manuring is advanced over the ground of the land to be manured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device for manuring, so that the overall distance to be travelled by the mobile device for manuring in order to manure the whole ground surface area of the land to be manured is smaller and the time associated therewith is shorter. In addition, it is the case that the wider the strip of land which can be manured in one pass, the fewer passes are necessary in order to manure the whole ground surface area to be manured. Fewer passes means fewer wheel tracks of the mobile device for manuring and, with this, less damage to the land to be manured as a result of the mobile device for manuring driving thereover.

In order to be able to move the mobile device for manuring from and to the land to be manured on the public highway in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis thereof the manuring arm is brought into the collapsed state, wherein the manuring arm extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mobile device for manuring so that the width of the mobile device for manuring becomes smaller than or equal to the permissible width for transport on the public highway.

In the case that the manuring arm is longer than the device for manuring, the manuring arm is divided into a plurality of segments which are connected pivotally to each other, and which in the extended state of the manuring arm extend substantially mutually in line and which in collapsed state of the manuring arm extend substantially parallel to each other.

In known mobile devices for manuring as described above the manuring device is generally arranged, as seen in longitudinal direction of the device for manuring, behind a single fixed manure tank which feeds the manuring device, and in the collapsed state the manuring arm extends along the manure tank.

The manuring device generally has two manuring arms, wherein each manuring arm extends in the collapsed state along a respective side of the manure tank. In the case of two manuring arms the width of the manure tank is thus limited to the maximum permissible width of the device for manuring minus twice the additional width as a result of a folded-in manuring arm.

It is an object to lengthen the manuring arm(s) of the known devices for manuring of the above stated type. The problem encountered herein is that in the case of longer manuring arms the number of manuring arm segments, and thereby the additional width of a manuring arm in the collapsed state, increases, and the available width for the manure tank thereby decreases. The manure tank must thus be made less wide in order to facilitate the lengthening of the manuring arm(s), whereby the manure storage capacity of the manure tank, i.e. the quantity of manure the manure tank is able to contain, decreases. The manure tank has to be topped up more frequently because of this decrease of the manure storage capacity.

The manure tank device according to the invention provides a solution to the above stated problem.

The expandable manure tank of the manure tank device according to the invention makes it possible to temporarily increase the manure storage capacity for manuring of the land to be manured by bringing the expandable manure tank into the expanded state, and to temporarily reduce the outer dimensions of the expandable manure tank for moving the device for manuring on the public highway by bringing the expandable manure tank into the non-expanded state. With a manure tank device according to the invention it is thus possible to apply longer manuring arms without a decrease, and possibly even an increase, in the manure storage capacity during manuring relative to application of a single fixed manure tank as in known devices for manuring of the above described type.

Particularly favourable for a device for manuring according to the invention is application of a manure tank device as described above with a fixed manure tank and an expandable manure tank, wherein the expandable manure tank is arranged on top of the fixed manure tank. This construction can be easily incorporated into the designs of known devices for manuring having a fixed manure tank with a free upper wall on which the expandable manure tank can be arranged. In the known designs the upper wall of the manure tank and the space thereabove is not used, so that the modifications to the known designs which are needed in order to incorporate the expandable manure tank into the design are minor.

The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing. These are non-limitative exemplary embodiments. The same or similar parts, components and elements are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. In the figures:.

<FIG> show a self-driving device for manuring <NUM> according to the prior art with a fixed manure tank <NUM> and a manuring device <NUM>. Self-driving device for manuring <NUM> has a self-driving frame <NUM> with a number of wheels <NUM>. On the front side of self-driving device for manuring <NUM> a driver's cab <NUM> is arranged on frame <NUM>. Fixed manure tank <NUM> is arranged on frame <NUM> behind driver's cab <NUM>, as seen along the central longitudinal axis <NUM>. Manuring device <NUM> is arranged on frame <NUM> behind fixed manure tank <NUM>, on the rear side of self-driving device for manuring <NUM>, as seen along the central longitudinal axis <NUM>. Manuring device <NUM> has two collapsible and extendable manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM>. Manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> are each shown with two manuring arm segments 15a, 15b; 17a, 17b which are connected pivotally to each other. <FIG> shows manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the extended state. In this extended state manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> extend substantially transversely of the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of device for manuring <NUM>. Manuring arm segments 15a, 15b; 17a, 17b extend mutually in line here. Arranged along manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> are manuring members <NUM> which are fed with manure from fixed manure tank <NUM> in order to manure the land to be manured <NUM> over which device for manuring <NUM> drives. As shown in <FIG>, owing to manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the extended state it is possible to manure a strip <NUM> of the land to be manured <NUM> which is considerably wider than the width b of device for manuring <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> show manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the collapsed state. In the collapsed state manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> extend substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of device for manuring <NUM>, each along one of the two sides of fixed manure tank <NUM>. When manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> are brought from the extended state as shown in <FIG> into the collapsed state, the manuring arm segments 15a, 15b; 17a, 17b which are connected pivotally to each other move from a state in which they extend mutually in line to a state in which they extend substantially parallel to each other. The width b1 of device for manuring <NUM> at the position of the folded-in manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> is equal to the width b3 of fixed manure tank <NUM> and twice the additional width b15, b17 of the folded-in manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM>. To enable driving on the public highway this width b1 of the device for manuring at the position of the folded-in manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> may be no greater than the permissible width allowed on the public highway.

<FIG> shows that, after manure tank <NUM> has become depleted during the manuring as shown in <FIG>, device for manuring <NUM> drives back over the land to be manured <NUM> to the starting location, with manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the collapsed state, in order to fill fixed manure tank <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, at the starting location a second mobile manure tank <NUM> is waiting to top up fixed manure tank <NUM> so that, having driven back to the location on the land to be manured <NUM> where fixed manure tank <NUM> became depleted, device for manuring <NUM> can continue the manuring.

<FIG> show an exemplary embodiment of a mobile manure tank device <NUM> according to the invention. The mobile manure tank device <NUM> is configured to be arranged on frame <NUM> of the self-driving device for manuring <NUM> of <FIG>, instead of the fixed manure tank <NUM>.

Manure tank device <NUM> has a fixed manure tank <NUM> with arranged on top thereof an expandable manure tank in the form of a manure bag <NUM>.

Fixed manure tank <NUM> has a width b103 which is equal to the width b3 of the manure tank <NUM> of <FIG>. The width b <NUM> can also be smaller than the width b3 of the manure tank <NUM> of <FIG>. In that case it is possible for the overall width b1 of device for manuring <NUM> at the position of manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the collapsed state thereof to remain the same if longer manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> with more manuring arm segments are used. The smaller width b103 of fixed manure tank <NUM> can then compensate for the greater additional width b <NUM>, b17 of manuring arms with more manuring arm segments, so that the overall width b <NUM> of device for manuring <NUM> at the position of manuring arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the collapsed state thereof does not increase.

Manure bag <NUM> is particularly arranged on top of an upper wall <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM>. Manure tank device <NUM> is also provided with a collapsible and extendable skeleton <NUM> which partially surrounds manure bag <NUM>. The collapsible and extendable skeleton <NUM> has a number of skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which at a pivoting end 111a, 113a, 115a, 117a thereof are arranged pivotally on upper wall <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> along the periphery of manure bag <NUM>. Skeleton <NUM> is shown in the collapsed state in <FIG>. In the collapsed state the skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> lie on the non-expanded manure bag <NUM>. Skeleton <NUM> can be brought from the collapsed state into the extended state by means of a number of actuators embodied as working cylinder <NUM>. Skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are here pivoted relative to upper wall <NUM> in the direction of arrows A, away from manure bag <NUM>. <FIG> show skeleton <NUM> in the extended state.

As shown in <FIG>, each skeleton segment is connected at a free end 111b, 113b, 115b, 117b thereof lying opposite pivoting end 111a, 113a, 115a, 117a to a coupling construction <NUM> which connects the free ends of skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to each other. Coupling construction <NUM> comprises a plurality of coupling rods which are mutually connected and which mutually couple skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which are positioned opposite each other. Free ends 111b, 113b, 115b, 117b of skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled movably to coupling construction <NUM>. In the shown exemplary embodiment coupling rods of the coupling construction form a rail <NUM> over which a carriage <NUM> formed on the free ends 111b and 115b of skeleton segments <NUM> and <NUM> can slide. In the shown exemplary embodiment rails <NUM>, over which a carriage <NUM> formed on coupling construction <NUM> can slide, are arranged on skeleton segments <NUM> and <NUM>. Skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and coupling construction <NUM> are such that skeleton segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extend simultaneously.

As shown in <FIG>, a portion 127a of the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> is connected to skeleton <NUM> so that portion 127a of wall <NUM> is extended and erected when skeleton <NUM> is brought into the extended state.

<FIG> and <FIG> show that the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> encloses an inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM>. A portion 127b of flexible wall <NUM> lies against the outer surface of upper wall <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the walls of fixed manure tank <NUM>, including upper wall <NUM>, enclose an inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM>. The inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> and the inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> are connected to each other for allowing passage of liquid via connecting means, in this case passage openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in upper wall <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> and in portion 127b of the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM>. In this example passage openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are not closable, although they could be closable in an alternative embodiment. Arranged in inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> is a float arm <NUM> of a manure level measuring device. In <FIG> the fixed manure tank <NUM> is empty so that the float at the free end of float arm <NUM> lies on the bottom of fixed manure tank <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a discharge tube <NUM> extending from inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM>, through passage opening <NUM> and into inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> is arranged in the inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM>. A first end 139a of discharge tube <NUM> is coupled to an upper portion 127c of the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> and a second end 139b of discharge tube <NUM> debouches out on an underside of fixed manure tank <NUM>. At first end 139a of discharge tube <NUM> this tube co-acts with a vent <NUM>. This vent <NUM> is arranged on an opening <NUM> in the upper portion 127c of flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM>. Discharge tube <NUM> is embodied as flexible hose. The shown vent is arranged directly on the flexible wall of the manure bag. A (collapsible) standpipe, which serves as vent, is alternatively arranged on the flexible wall of the manure bag.

During filling of manure tank device <NUM> manure is carried into the inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> so that the manure level in inner space <NUM> rises. As soon as the whole inner space <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> has been filled with manure, the manure enters inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> via passages <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the upper wall <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM> and in the portion 127c lying thereagainst of the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM>. The manure entering inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> here forces the expansion of manure bag <NUM>, so that manure bag <NUM> is brought into an expanded state. <FIG> show manure bag <NUM> in an expanded state in which manure bag <NUM> contains the maximum quantity of manure. The flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> here lies against skeleton <NUM>. If the inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> does contain manure, but less manure than shown in <FIG>, manure bag <NUM> will take on an expanded state wherein flexible wall <NUM> is partially slumped. As shown in <FIG>, a floating body <NUM>, preferably an inflatable floating body, is arranged in manure bag <NUM> close to vent <NUM>, against the upper portion 127c of the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM>. Floating body <NUM> is in particular arranged as a ring around vent <NUM> and first end 139a of manure discharge tube <NUM>. Floating body <NUM> ensures that the venting opening of vent <NUM> and the discharge opening of discharge tube <NUM> at the first end 139a thereof remain above the level of the manure. When inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> is completely filled with manure, the manure level will be forced upward along floating body <NUM> when additional manure is supplied, and excess manure will flow into the discharge opening close to the first end 139a of discharge tube <NUM>. Because discharge tube <NUM> is embodied as flexible hose, upper portion 127c of the flexible wall <NUM> of manure bag <NUM> will be positioned at different levels, subject to the level of the manure, while discharge tube <NUM> is connected to this portion of flexible wall <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show that when the manure level lies above upper wall <NUM> of fixed manure tank <NUM>, float arm <NUM> extends through passage opening <NUM> so that the float at the free end of float arm <NUM> is situated in the inner space <NUM> of manure bag <NUM>.

<FIG> show an alternative embodiment of the manure tank device <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> show a manure tank device <NUM> which corresponds to the manure tank device <NUM> of <FIG>, with the difference that no collapsible and extendable skeleton is provided which partially surrounds the manure bag <NUM> on fixed manure tank <NUM>. A second difference is that the flexible hose of discharge tube <NUM> is embodied as concertina hose. As further alternative the discharge tube can be telescopic (not shown). <FIG> show manure bag <NUM> in an expanded state. <FIG> shows manure bag <NUM> in a non-expanded state.

<FIG> show schematically a further alternative embodiment of the manure tank devices <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shows that manure tank device <NUM> comprises an expandable manure tank <NUM>. Expandable manure tank <NUM> has a lower part which is embodied as a container <NUM> which is open toward the top and an upper part which is embodied as a container <NUM> which is open to the bottom. As shown in <FIG>, when manure tank <NUM> is in the non-expanded state, the container <NUM> which is open to the top nests in the container <NUM> which is open to the bottom. In the non-expanded state the container <NUM> which is open to the top can contain manure in the inner space <NUM>. From the non-expanded state the container <NUM> which is open to the bottom can be moved upward in the direction of arrow B, so that the volume of inner space <NUM> of expandable manure tank <NUM> increases. In <FIG> expandable manure tank <NUM> is shown in an expanded state. A flexible inner wall <NUM> ensures that the manure does not enter between the container <NUM> which is open to the top and the container <NUM> which is open to the bottom. In this embodiment the expandable manure tank thus has a fixed part and an expandable part.

In the embodiments shown in <FIG> the manure bag has a flexible wall which encloses an inner space of the manure bag. Alternatively, the manure bag has a flexible wall which is arranged sealingly against the outer surface of the upper wall of the fixed manure tank, so that the relevant surface and the flexible wall together enclose the inner space of the manure bag. The upper wall of the fixed manure tank is in that case also a wall of the manure bag.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the manure tank device is shown with an external skeleton. Alternatively, a collapsible and extendable skeleton can be arranged in the manure bag. Such a skeleton can be referred to as internal skeleton. Instead of a skeleton as shown in <FIG>, it is also possible to support the flexible manure bag using other means, for instance ropes, tensioning straps and so on. It is also possible to support the flexible manure bag with guy ropes.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> a manure tank device is shown which is configured to be arranged on a mobile frame, particularly a mobile frame of a self-driving device for manuring. The manure tank device itself can also comprise a mobile frame on which the expandable manure tank and the optional fixed tank are arranged. This frame can be embodied as self-driving frame or as non-self-driving frame. In the latter case this can be a non-self-driving frame which is configured to be drawn by a self-driving work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor.

The present invention relates not only to the manure tank device defined by any of claims <NUM>-<NUM> but also a mobile device for manuring as defined by any of claims <NUM>- <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Mobile manure tank device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising an expandable manure tank (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the manure storage capacity of the manure tank device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can be increased by bringing the expandable manure tank (<NUM>, <NUM>) into an expanded state, and the dimensions of the manure tank device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can be reduced, by bringing the expandable manure tank (<NUM>, <NUM>) into the non-expanded state,
characterized in that the expandable manure tank (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a manure bag (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to hold manure therein.