Patent Description:
Round balers are well known in the art. Such balers pick up a harvested crop and feed the crop into a baling chamber where it is compressed into a cylindrical bale. Before ejecting the formed bale from the baling chamber it is necessary to wrap or bind the formed bale with a binding material, for example film or netwrap. The binding material is typically supplied as a roll of binding material. It will be appreciated that the binding material is a major consumable in the operation of such a baler.

When binding material is drawn from a roll of binding material it is desirable that the binding material always have a constant pre-stretching regardless of the diameter of the roll of binding material. However, it also desirable that pre-stretching should be avoided before the binding material is introduced to the baling chamber. It is also desirable to carry out the pre-stretching differently for different phases of the binding process.

<CIT> (CNH) discloses a binding material storage apparatus for a baling apparatus for producing round bales having the features of the precharacterising portion of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> (Lely Maschinenfabrik) discloses a baling press comprising a apparatus for applying different binding materials to a formed bale, eg film or netwrap. However, this apparatus cannot be considered as a rotary magazine.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a binding material storage apparatus for a baling apparatus producing round bales comprises a rotary magazine for storage of a plurality of rolls of binding material and first and second side elements between which the rotary magazine is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis between a plurality of discrete positions including a dispense position, each discrete position being suitable for storage of a roll of a binding material, the rotary magazine including first and second end plates between which a plurality of support elements extend, one support element for each of the plurality of discrete positions, each of the support elements being mounted for free rotation within the magazine, the binding material storage apparatus further comprising a spindle at each of the plurality of discrete positions, each spindle being mounted for free rotation within the second end plate of the rotary magazine and connected at a first end to a second end of an associated support element, characterised in that the binding material storage apparatus further comprises a first gear element at each of the plurality of discrete positions and an electrically controlled braking gear supported on the second side element, each spindle is connected at second end to the first gear element, and in that the electrically controlled braking gear engages the first gear element in the dispense position.

This has as an advantage that the electrically controlled braking gear controls the speed of rotation of support element in the dispense position and so speed of rotation of the roll of a binding material supported thereon to control the pre-stretching of the binding material.

Preferably the binding material storage apparatus further comprises an electronic control unit in electrical communication with the electrically controlled braking gear. This has as an advantage that the electronic control unit can control the speed of rotation of the electrically controlled braking gear further to control the pre-stretching of the binding material.

Preferably the binding material storage apparatus further comprises a sensor to detect the size of the roll of binding material, the sensor being in electronic communication with the electronic control unit. This has as an advantage that the electronic control unit can further control the control the pre-stretching of the binding material depending on the size of the roll of binding material.

Preferably the electronic control unit is in electronic communication with apparatus to determine the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material. This has as an advantage that the electronic control unit can further control the control the pre-stretching of the binding material depending on the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material.

More preferably the apparatus to determine the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material is a user input device. Preferably the user input device is provided on a baler or in an operator's cab of an agricultural vehicle.

Alternatively, apparatus to determine the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material comprises a sensor to detect the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material.

Reference to terms such as longitudinal, transverse and vertical are made with respect to a longitudinal vehicle axis which is parallel to a normal forward direction of travel.

As is known in the art, binding refers to the binding of a bale within the baling chamber of a round baler and is distinguished from the binding of a bale outside of the baling chamber for example on a wrapping table of a wrapping apparatus.

With reference to the Figures, a binding material storage apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the present invention is shown. The binding material storage apparatus <NUM> is provided with a support structure which in turn allows the binding material storage apparatus to be connected to a frame <NUM> of a baler (<FIG>). The support structure comprises side elements <NUM>,<NUM> connected by a cross beam <NUM>. Lower portions of each of the side elements <NUM>,<NUM> allow mounting of the support structure to the frame <NUM> of the baler in any suitable manner. Upper portions of each of the side elements <NUM>,<NUM> support the ends of the binding material storage apparatus as described below.

In the apparatus of the illustrated embodiment, up to three rolls of binding material <NUM> may be stored.

The binding material storage apparatus comprises a magazine located between the side elements <NUM>,<NUM>. The magazine includes first and second end plates <NUM>,<NUM>. A plurality of support elements <NUM> extend between the end plates <NUM>,<NUM>. Each support element <NUM> is pivotally connected at a first end to first end plate <NUM> at a first side of the binding material storage apparatus and releasably connected at a second end to the second end plate <NUM> at the second side of the binding material storage apparatus.

Each support element <NUM> comprises a bar mounted for free rotation at a second end within an end housing <NUM>. The end housing <NUM> is adapted to be received within a latching device <NUM> provided on the inner side of the first end plate <NUM>.

A biased retaining pin <NUM> is mounted to the first side plate <NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus. A free end of the retaining pin <NUM> secures the latching device <NUM> in position on an inner side of the first side plate <NUM>. The latching device <NUM> secures the first end of the support element <NUM> in a working position. By withdrawing the retaining pin <NUM> against the action of the biasing means, the latching device <NUM> is released allowing the first end of the supporting element <NUM> to be moved away from the first side plate <NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus. In practice, this allows the first end of the support element <NUM> to be angled down towards a suitable binding material roll support <NUM> located beneath the binding material storage apparatus.

Towards each end, each support member <NUM> is provided with a number of through bores <NUM>. Where the bar of the support element <NUM> is formed as a tubular member, the though bore conveniently comprises a pair of diametrically aligned through bores (as shown in <FIG>).

An adjustable locating element <NUM> is provided at each end of each support element <NUM>. The adjustable locating element <NUM> comprises a main body portion <NUM> with a keyhole opening or channel allowing the adjustable locating element <NUM> to be passed over and be seated on the support element <NUM>. Conveniently the inner end of the channel is semi-circular to allow proper seating of the adjustable locating element <NUM> on the support element <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> is provided with parallel lateral elements <NUM>, each provided with a number of through bores <NUM>. These through bores <NUM> are sized and located to be aligned with the bores <NUM> in the support element <NUM>. The adjustable locating element <NUM> further comprises a plurality of circumferentially located fins <NUM>. Each of the fins <NUM> incudes a curved edge arranged to be angled down towards the centre of the binding material storage apparatus when the adjustable locating element <NUM> is in position on the support element <NUM>.

A first end of a clip <NUM> is pivotally attached to a second end of a peg <NUM> and is moveable between a first position in which the clip encircles a portion of a locating element mounted on the support element <NUM> and a second position in which it does not. In use, the peg <NUM> extends through both the adjustable locating element <NUM> and the support element <NUM> to locate the adjustable locating element <NUM> axially with respect to the support element <NUM>.

The second end of the support element is supported at the second side of the binding material storage apparatus by a pivoting joint (<FIG>). A further adjustable locating element <NUM> is fixed in a suitable manner towards the second end of each support element <NUM>. The further adjustable locating element is of similar construction to the first adjustable locating element <NUM> and like reference numerals are used.

The second end plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening is provided with an inwardly extending boss <NUM>. For each opening, a central spindle <NUM> is mounted in a suitable bearing. A gear <NUM> is mounted to each central spindle on an outer side of the second end plate <NUM>. An inner end of each spindle <NUM> is provided with a clevis <NUM> for connecting with the second end of the support element by use of a clevis pin. In an alternative embodiment a universal joint may be used to connect the support member <NUM> with the central spindle <NUM>.

The side element <NUM> at the second end of the magazine is provided with an electrically controlled braking gear <NUM>.

The cross beam <NUM> is conveniently provided with a biased lever <NUM>. The biased lever comprises first and second side arms <NUM>. First ends of the side arms are connected by a connecting rod about which a biasing spring <NUM> is mounted. Second ends of the side arms are connected by a plurality of connecting pins on which are mounted rollers <NUM>. The connecting pins are provided in an arcuate arrangement at the second end of the biased lever <NUM>. Conveniently, the position of the lever may be detected by a sensor <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> is in electronic communication with an electronic control unit <NUM>. The electronic control unit has access to a memory unit <NUM>. The memory unit <NUM> may take any suitable form and is in electronic communication with the electronic control unit <NUM>. The memory unit <NUM> is adapted to store, in any suitable manner such as a database or look up table, reference values as described below. The electronic control unit <NUM> is also in connection with the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM>.

Conveniently the signals between the electronic components are provided by way of a suitable data communication network <NUM> such as one compliant with the ISOBUS standard (a network in conformance to ISO <NUM>).

The electronic control unit <NUM> may conveniently comprise a single processor located on the baler or its functions may be split between a first processor located on the baler and one or more additional processors located on an agricultural vehicle towing the baler, the additional processor(s) being in electronic communication with the first processor.

Apparatus <NUM> to determine the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material may also be provided in electronic communication with the electronic control unit <NUM>. Such apparatus <NUM> may comprise a user operated input device by which the operator can indicate the kind of wrapping material present on the roll of wrapping material in the dispense position. The user operated input device may be provided on the baler or in an operator's cab of an agricultural vehicle used to tow the baler. Alternatively, such apparatus may comprise a sensor mounted on the baler to determine the kind of wrapping material present on the roll of wrapping material in the dispense position.

A central axle <NUM> extends through the first end plate <NUM> across the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> and through the second end plate <NUM>. Each end of the central axle <NUM> is mounted in a suitable bearing provided in a mounting <NUM> provided at an upper end of each side support <NUM>,<NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus.

A first end of the magazine is provided with a drive mechanism to enable rotation of the magazine. A first end of the central axle <NUM> is provided with a larger gear <NUM> mounted outside of the first side support <NUM>. The first side support <NUM> is further provided with a suitably located mounting aperture.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, a manual drive mechanism is provided. A releasable handle or crank <NUM> is provided with a smaller drive gear <NUM> mounted at one end about a guide pin or spigot. Conveniently smaller drive gear <NUM> is mounted by way of a clutch or ratchet mechanism to allow one-way movement of the smaller drive gear <NUM> with respect to the rest of the handle <NUM>. In order to rotate the magazine, an operator engages the guide pin within the mounting aperture in the first side support <NUM>. When the guide pin is correctly located in the mounting aperture, a periphery of the smaller gear <NUM> engages with a periphery of the first larger gear <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> is used by an operator to rotate the second smaller drive gear <NUM>, in turn causing rotation of the first larger gear <NUM> and so rotation of the magazine of the binding material storage apparatus <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the second smaller drive gear may be mounted directly to the first side support <NUM> and is provided with a powered drive means to be actuated by an operator by way of the electronic control means <NUM>.

The drive means allows an operator to rotate the magazine of the binding material storage apparatus around an axis of rotation to enable selection of preferred roll of binding material <NUM> - for example either to select a different binding material or to replenish an expired roll without the need to retrieve a roll of binding material for loading. Rotation of the magazine also causes the gears <NUM> on the second end to be rotated such that an initial gear <NUM> is disengaged from the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> and the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> then becomes engaged with a subsequent gear <NUM>.

Guide elements <NUM> are arranged between the support elements <NUM>. Each guide element <NUM> extends across the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> between the first and second end plates <NUM>,<NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment there are three support elements <NUM> arranged substantially equidistantly from one another, and three guide elements <NUM>, each guide element <NUM> being located between adjacent pairs of support elements <NUM>. In this embodiment the end plates <NUM>,<NUM> are substantially triangular with the support elements <NUM> arranged between the apexes of the end plates <NUM>,<NUM>.

In practice, in order to load a roll of binding material, the first adjustable locating element <NUM> is removed from the support element <NUM> and the biased retaining pin <NUM> used to release the latching device <NUM> to allow the second end of the support element <NUM> to be released from the second side plate <NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus and allowed to incline at an angle.

Any empty rolls of binding material may then be removed from the support element <NUM>.

Rolls <NUM> of binding material typically comprise a central tube around which has been wound a length of binding material. When the support element <NUM> is released in this way, the second end of the support element <NUM> is angled such that loading of the roll of binding material onto the binding material support <NUM> centres the second end of the support element <NUM> within a tube of a roll of binding material to be loaded. A fresh roll of binding material is then pushed into position along the support element <NUM> such that a first end of the tube of the roll of binding material engages with the fins <NUM> of the second adjustable locating element <NUM> thereby centring the first end of the roll of binding material on the support element <NUM>.

The first adjustable locating element <NUM> is then returned to the second end of the support element <NUM> and pushed into the second end of the roll of binding material. A cross piece <NUM> is added to the open end of the channel (cf <FIG>). The cross piece <NUM> passes over locating pins <NUM> provided on the main body portion <NUM> of the locating element <NUM> and secured in place using a clip <NUM> at each end of the cross piece <NUM>, the clips <NUM> passing through a through opening in each respective locating pin <NUM>. Conveniently the clips <NUM> are tethered to the adjustable locating element <NUM>, in any suitable manner, so that the clips <NUM> do not become lost and are readily to hand for use by an operator.

The second end of the support element <NUM> (together with the roll of binding material) is then raised so that the second end of the support element <NUM> (more specifically the end housing <NUM>) engages in the latch mechanism <NUM> and the second end of the support element <NUM> is once again supported at the second side of the binding material storage apparatus <NUM>.

The central axle <NUM> is provided toward the second end with a radially enlarged region <NUM>. This region is provided with a plurality of blind bores <NUM> arranged axially along the enlarged region <NUM>.

A lever (not shown) is engaged at one end in one of the plurality of blind bores <NUM>. The other end of the lever is rotated to engage an abutment surface <NUM> forming part of a protrusion <NUM> provided on the main body portion <NUM> of the adjustable locating element <NUM>. Further rotation of the lever is used to drive the adjustable locating element <NUM> into the central tube of the roll of binding material and to bring the bores <NUM> in line with the bores <NUM> of the support element <NUM>. The pin <NUM> can then be inserted to hold the adjustable locating element <NUM> in place. The clasp <NUM> attached to the end of the pin <NUM> is then pivoted about the adjustable locating element <NUM> to hold the pin <NUM> in position.

The larger gear <NUM> is provided with a spring biased locking handle <NUM>. The locking handle serves to prevent undesired rotation of the rotary magazine.

In order to load a subsequent roll of binding material, for example a roll of a different binding material, the operator needs to move the biased locking handle from a first position in which movement of the larger gear <NUM> and so the magazine is prevented to second position in which the larger gear may be driven.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, an operator then engages the removeable crank <NUM> is located in position with the first side element <NUM> so that the second smaller gear <NUM> engages the larger gear <NUM>. The spring biased handle <NUM> can then be pivoted to the second position to release the larger gear <NUM>. Rotation of the smaller gear <NUM> then causes the rotation of the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> about the axle <NUM>. Once a further support element <NUM> is adjacent the binding material support <NUM>, the spring biased handle <NUM> is returned to its initial position so that further movement of the larger gear <NUM> is prevented. The handle <NUM> is then removed from the second side element <NUM> and returned to a storage location. The process for loading a roll of binding material to a support element <NUM> may now be repeated.

Once the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> has been loaded with the desired binding material(s), the operator rotates the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> until a desired roll of binding material is in position adjacent a binding material feed apparatus. The operator next removes a free end of the appropriate binding material and loops this over an adjacent guide element <NUM> and then directs the free end of the appropriate binding material into the adjacent binding material feed apparatus.

The second adjustable locating element <NUM> provided at the first end of the support element <NUM> may also be axially adjustable to allow for differing widths of rolls of binding material, for example rolls of binding film are typically of greater width than rolls of netwrap. In such a case the pin <NUM> is removed and the adjustable locating element <NUM> moved along the support element <NUM> to the desired position and the pin <NUM> returned. Conveniently the holes <NUM> in the support element <NUM> are arranged to allow for central positioning on each support element <NUM> of the most common widths of rolls of binding material.

Once the desired roll(s) of binding material has been added to the binding material storage apparatus, a free end of the binding material is introduced into a suitable binding material feed apparatus. Following formation of a bale in a baling chamber of the baler, the binding material feed apparatus is operated to introduce the free end of the binding material into the baling chamber. The free end of the binding material then becomes caught between the rotating bale and the baling chamber and rotated with the bale within the baling chamber to wrap the formed bale in the baling chamber.

It is desirable that the binding material should, once being drawn into the baling chamber by the action of the rotating bale, be subject to pre-stretching to improve binding. The electronic control unit <NUM> can be used to control the speed of the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> such that the binding material is subject to pre-stretching.

It is further desirable that the binding material should, once being drawn into the baling chamber by the action of the rotating bale, be subject to a constant pre-stretching regardless of the roll diameter. It is also desirable that the pre-stretching of the binding material be different for different phases of the binding process.

In practice if there is no change in the position of the lever <NUM>, no binding material is being consumed. As binding material is removed from a roll <NUM> of binding material the diameter of the roll <NUM> of binding material decreases. As the diameter of the roll of binding material decreases singles sent from the sensor <NUM> to the electronic control unit <NUM> change. The electronic control unit <NUM> is able to determine by reference to signals from the sensor <NUM> the diameter of the roll <NUM> of binding material the speed at which the binding material is being unwound from the roll and the tension of the binding material. By reference to the memory unit <NUM>, the electronic control unit <NUM> actuates the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> to control the speed of rotation of the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM>. Due to engagement of the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> with the gear <NUM> in the dispense position, control of the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> controls the speed of rotation of the support element <NUM> and the roll <NUM> of wrapping material secured to the support element <NUM> by the first and second adjustable elements <NUM>,<NUM> and in this way controls the pre-stretching of the binding material.

It will be understood that the arrangement of the rollers <NUM> is selected to ensure that at least one of the rollers <NUM> is in contact with the outer diameter of a roll <NUM> of wrapping material mounted on the adjacent support element <NUM>.

It is an advantage of the present invention that control of the pre-stretching of the binding material is possible at any time and at any diameter of the roll of binding material being used.

It is desirable that control of the pre-stretching of the binding material also takes into account the kind of binding material on the roll of binding material. As the electronic control unit <NUM> is in electrical communication with apparatus <NUM> to determine the kind of binding material, the electronic control unit <NUM> by reference to the memory unit <NUM> is able to control the speed of operation of the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> to take account of the nature of the binding material being dispensed.

Claim 1:
A binding material storage apparatus (<NUM>) for a baling apparatus for producing round bales comprises a rotary magazine for storage of a plurality of rolls of binding material and first and second side elements (<NUM>,<NUM>) between which the rotary magazine is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis between a plurality of discrete positions including a dispense position, each discrete position being suitable for storage of a roll of a binding material, the rotary magazine including first and second end plates (<NUM>,<NUM>) between which a plurality of support elements (<NUM>) extend, one support element (<NUM>) for each of the plurality of discrete positions, each of the support elements (<NUM>) being mounted for free rotation within the magazine, the binding material storage apparatus (<NUM>) further comprising a spindle (<NUM>)at each of the plurality of discrete positions , each spindle (<NUM>) being mounted for free rotation within the second end plate (<NUM>) of the rotary magazine and connected at a first end to a second end of an associated support element (<NUM>), characterised in that the binding material storage apparatus (<NUM>) further comprises a first gear element (<NUM>) at each of the plurality of discrete positions and an electrically controlled braking gear (<NUM>) supported on the second side element (<NUM>), each spindle (<NUM>) is connected at a second end to the first gear element (<NUM>), and in that the electrically controlled braking gear (<NUM>) engages the first gear element (<NUM>) in the dispense position.