Patent ID: 12240198

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of the equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.

The present invention relates to a pressing device for in particular long-stemmed plant material for providing a bale made from the plant material, comprising a pressing chamber having a pressing space to which plant material can be supplied by means of a supply apparatus via a supply opening, a pressing element, which is movable from an initial position into an end position having a drive apparatus for compressing the plant material, and a binding apparatus, wherein the pressing space is laterally delimited by a pressing box, and an abutment delimits the pressing space against which the plant material is compressible during the movement of the pressing element to form a first partial bale, wherein a first partial bale provided in this way is transportable through a transport opening of the pressing space into a following space, wherein at least one further partial bale is providable by means of the pressing element by compressing further plant material introduced into the pressing space against at least one abutment arranged on the pressing chamber, wherein the partial bales are output via an output opening of the pressing chamber, and wherein the two or more partial bales are connectable to form a final bale by means of the binding apparatus.

In the present invention, consideration is given to the fact that the bales which are output by the pressing device—in the present case referred to as “final bales”—should have as uniform a size as possible with regard to economic utilization for energy production, wherein at the same time the highest possible compression is desirable for the use of size and/or weight capacities for transport. The present invention accordingly proposes to provide final bales by connecting individual partial bales, each of which is formed by compressing plant material. A first quantity of plant material is compressed in the pressing space to form a first partial bale and the latter is transported through the transport opening into a following space of the pressing chamber. Subsequently, at least one further partial bale is compressed, and the partial bales can be output from the pressing chamber via the output opening. The partial bales are connected to one another by the binding apparatus, wherein the binding apparatus is preferably arranged on the pressing chamber itself, as a result of which the bound final bale can be output from the pressing chamber.

With regard to the size of the partial bales being as uniform as possible, it is advantageous for the pressing chamber to comprise a pressing box which laterally surrounds the plant material, wherein preferably a rectangular shape is provided. By moving the pressing element from the initial position into the end position against the abutment, it is possible to achieve small tolerances with respect to the extension of the partial bale in the compression direction, so that a respective partial bale can be provided with relatively high compaction with simultaneously predefined dimensions with a small tolerance. Although the possibility could exist of achieving a comparable degree of compression with a relatively large pressing device in the case of large bales. However, the pressing device in accordance with the invention can be kept structurally compact so that it is preferably suitable for mounting on a vehicle with which an agricultural area can be directly driven over.

By connecting several partial bales into one final bale, a larger final bale is provided in relation to the partial bale. This offers the advantage that fewer (final) bales have to be handled overall during further processing, in comparison with a high number of smaller partial bales. Furthermore, by connecting two or more partial bales, binding material, in particular strapping material, is saved, since individual partial bales would also have to be bound in order to prevent the plant material from falling apart. The costs of individual bales can be reduced by saving binding material. Weight and space, which is obtained by saving binding material, can be converted to increase the final bales in order to utilize transport capacities as optimally as possible.

The pressing device advantageously comprises a transport apparatus, by means of which the partial bales are transportable from the pressing space into at least one following space and, for example, if present, into the further following spaces, up to the output opening of the pressing chamber. The transport apparatus can comprise, for example, a belt conveyor or a chain conveyor.

It is expedient for the partial bale and at least one further partial bale to be transportable from the pressing space to the output opening in a working direction of the pressing device. The working direction is preferably straight and defined by the pressing box.

It is advantageous if the abutment for providing the first partial bale and at least one further abutment for providing the at least one further partial bale are abutments which are different from one another, wherein at least one further abutment and the pressing box delimit the following space and the further plant material is compressible against the first partial bale supported on the at least one further abutment to form at least one further partial bale. After the transfer into the following space, the first partial bale can rest against the further abutment and be supported by it. The next partial bale is compressed by compressing the plant material against the first partial bale. This offers the advantage, for example, that the first partial bale is again subjected to a compression force in order to increase its dimensional stability.

It is expedient for the pressing device to comprise two or more following spaces arranged one behind the other in a working direction of the pressing device, and two or more abutments, wherein a respective abutment thereof delimits the respective following space against on which respective abutment the first partial bale can be supported during the formation of the further partial bales, and wherein the further plant material is compressible in the pressing space against the respective last-formed partial bale. After the formation of the second partial bale, wherein the first partial bale is supported against the abutment of the first following space, the first partial bale can be transported into a further following space and the second partial bale from the pressing space into the following space. The subsequent (third) partial bale can be compressed by compressing the plant material against the preceding partial bales. A respective following space has an abutment against which the first partial bale can rest in order to be supported by it. The respective last-formed partial bale forms, to a certain extent, the “abutment” for the compression of the subsequent plant material.

The partial bales can in particular rest against one another.

The pressing chamber preferably comprises the pressing space as a pressing chamber section and a respective one of the above-mentioned following spaces as further pressing chamber sections following the pressing space in the working direction, wherein the output opening of the pressing chamber for the partial bales is arranged on the last pressing chamber section in the working direction. In this way, a compact design of the pressing device can be achieved. In particular, the output opening for the final bale, which is already bound from the individual partial bales, is provided.

In a preferred implementation of the pressing device in practice, it can prove advantageous if a total of five following spaces are provided and the final bale comprises six interconnected partial bales.

It is advantageously provided that the abutment on the pressing space is an intermediate wall between the pressing space and the following space and is transferable by means of a drive apparatus from a closed position, in which the plant material is compressible against the intermediate wall, into an open position, in which the partial bale is transferable into the following space, and vice versa. The intermediate wall can assume a closed position, so that material can be compressed to the first partial bale against the intermediate wall. After the transfer into the open position, the partial bale can be transported into the following space.

It may be favorable if the abutment between adjacent following spaces is in each case an intermediate wall between the following spaces and is transferable by means of a drive apparatus from a closed position, in which the first partial bale is supportable against the intermediate wall, into an open position, in which the first partial bale is transportable into the next following space, and vice versa. In the closed position, the respective intermediate wall can form the abutment for the first partial bale. In the open position, the partial bale can be transported into the next following space.

It can be advantageous if the abutment at the last following space in the working direction is a closing apparatus of a rear wall of the pressing chamber and is transferable by means of a drive apparatus from a closed position closing the output opening of the pressing chamber, in which the first partial bale can be supported against the closing apparatus, into an open position releasing the output opening, in which the partial bales are transportable out of the pressing chamber. The last abutment in the working direction is formed by the closing apparatus on the last following space when the closing apparatus assumes the closed position. In the open position, the partial bales can be output from the pressing chamber via the output opening released in this way. Advantageously, the partial bales are previously joined to form the final bale in the pressing chamber.

The intermediate wall and the closing apparatus can, to some extent, be regarded as “bulkheads” between the pressing space, between the following spaces and the exit of the pressing chamber, after which a respective bale transport is made possible.

Advantageously, the intermediate wall or the closing apparatus is movable out of the pressing box as a whole or in individual, respectively movable segments transversely to the working direction for transfer from the closed position into the open position and vice versa. For example, the intermediate wall or the closing apparatus comprise two segments which can be pushed into the pressing box, and which can be displaced away from one another for releasing the pressing box.

It is advantageous if the abutment on the pressing space and at least one further abutment of at least one following space are stationary on the pressing device with respect to a movement in the working direction of the pressing device. As a result, a simple structural configuration of the pressing device can be achieved, in which, in particular, only the pressing element is to be moved in the working direction of the pressing device for the compression of plant material.

Preferred embodiments of the pressing device in accordance with the invention have been presented above in which the first partial bale is supported in each case on a different abutment.

In a different preferred embodiment of the invention, the abutment for providing the first partial bale on the pressing space and the at least one abutment for providing at least one further partial bale are identical, wherein each partial bale is formed by compression of the plant material in the pressing space against this abutment and is subsequently transported into the following space. Each partial bale can be compressed in the pressing space and then transferred through the transport opening into the following space. As a result, for example, a relatively simple design of the pressing device can be achieved.

It can be provided that a predetermined number of partial bales is collected in the following space and subsequently output through the output opening. For example, the partial bales are output as bound final bales through the output opening.

It may be favorable if the pressing device comprises two or more following spaces arranged one behind the other in a working direction of the pressing device, which are separated from one another by intermediate walls, wherein the next intermediate wall is released after a respective partial bale has been formed and the partial bales are transportable into the next following space. In this embodiment, the plant material can be compressed in each case against the abutment in the pressing space. The partial bales are transported further into a following space, which can be opened step by step by releasing the respective intermediate wall.

It is advantageous for the pressing box to have an identical or substantially identical cross-sectional area at the pressing space and at the following space, in particular on the two or more following spaces. As a result, the final bale has relatively small dimensional tolerances transverse to the longitudinal extension defined by the direction of the pressing box.

It is advantageous if the following space, in particular the two or more following spaces, is designed shorter than the pressing space in the working direction of the pressing device. The plant material that is already compressed into the partial bale does not have to be compressed any further. As a result, a compact design of the pressing device can be achieved by shortening the at least one following space in relation to the pressing space.

The partial bales in the pressing space are preferably formed with a predetermined or predeterminable path of the pressing element from the initial position into the end position and consequently preferably have a uniform length along the compression direction.

In particular, the partial bales are formed with a constant volume. For this purpose, as explained above, a constant or substantially constant cross-sectional area is preferably provided at the pressing box.

It proves advantageous if a length of at least one following space following the pressing space in the working direction, in particular a length of a respective following space, is equal to the length of the partial bales, defined by the range of movement of the pressing element from the initial position into the end position. This proves to be advantageous, for example, in the embodiment described above, in which the first partial bale is supported on the abutment of the following space in each case and is compressed against the last-formed partial bale. A substantially identical range of movement of the pressing element from the initial position into the end position for forming each partial bale can be used, wherein the partial bales simultaneously have a substantially identical length.

Advantageously, two or more following spaces are provided which are of equal length along the working direction of the pressing device, wherein preferably all the following spaces are of equal length.

It is advantageous if the final bales formed by the pressing device have dimensions which are adapted to standardized cargo devices. It is advantageous if the final bales are formed in such a way that the capacities for example of a standardized container or a cargo device with dimensions of such a container can be utilized as completely as possible.

Accordingly, it is advantageous, for example, if the pressing space in the end position of the pressing element has a length which corresponds to an integer fraction or approximately or substantially an integer fraction of an internal dimension of a container of the ISO standard 668 for container (i.e., internal dimension divided by an integer).

In a corresponding manner, it is advantageous if the pressing box has a width and/or a height which corresponds to an integer fraction or approximately or substantially an integer fraction of an internal dimension of a container of the ISO standard 668 for containers.

The container of the two last-mentioned embodiments can in particular be a 20-foot container or a 40-foot container of the standard ISO 668.

Ideally, the final bales are formed in the length, width and/or height such that an interior of a container in accordance with the standard ISO 668 can be filled with the plurality of final bales in a positive-locking manner. For this purpose, the pressing device is designed such that a respective integer fraction of the internal dimension in length, width and/or height corresponds to the dimensions or approximately or substantially the dimensions of the partial bales and/or the final bale.

It proves advantageous if the final bale has a length, a width and/or a height which corresponds to an integer fraction or approximately or substantially an integer fraction of an internal dimension of a container of the ISO standard 668 for containers, wherein the container is in particular a 20-foot container or a 40-foot container of the standard ISO 668.

In a preferred embodiment of the pressing device in accordance with the invention, a final bale of approximately 196 cm in length can be provided, for example, formed from six partial bales each being approximately 33 cm in length (or alternatively, for example, three partial bales each being approximately 65 cm in length). The width of the partial bales and of the final bale can, for example, be approximately 116 cm, the height for example approximately 79 cm. This provides the possibility, for example, to load a 20-foot ISO 668 standard container with three end bales in length, two end bales in width, and three end bales in height, for a total of 18 bales.

A pressing accuracy of 1% or less in length, with regard to optimal utilization of the transport capacities, proves advantageous.

The drive apparatus for the pressing element can be configured in different ways, for example mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or by a combination of two or more of the aforementioned properties.

It proves advantageous if the drive apparatus comprises at least one spindle drive, wherein spindles coupled to the pressing element are arranged laterally next to the supply opening. The spindles, which are electrically driven in particular, make it possible to achieve significantly higher compression compared to conventional connecting rod presses. While a density of the plant material of, for example, approximately 200 kg/m3can be achieved in conventional presses, a density of up to approximately 400 kg/m3can preferably be achieved by using spindle drives. In this way, for example, the capacities in terms of weight of commercially available transport apparatuses can be better utilized.

For example, four spindles can be provided which are coupled to the pressing element next to corner regions of the supply opening. By providing more than one spindle, in particular four spindles, tilting of the movement of the pressing element can be avoided. The spindles can have their own respective drive or be driven together.

It is advantageous if the pressing chamber comprises a front wall in which the supply opening is formed and which comprises or forms the pressing element, wherein a closing apparatus is provided, which can be transferred by means of a drive apparatus into an open position, for supplying the plant material into the pressing space, and which closes the supply opening in a closed position, and if the front wall is movable by means of the drive apparatus for compressing the plant material. When the closing apparatus is open, the plant material to be compressed can be introduced into the pressing space. If the closing apparatus assumes the closed position, the front wall is moved, and the plant material is compressed in the pressing space. In this way, a structurally simple configuration of the pressing device can be achieved.

The closing apparatus can be movable completely or in individual, respectively movable segments transversely to the working direction for transfer from the closed position into the open position and vice versa. For example, two segments are provided which are movable toward one another for closing the supply opening and which can be moved in directions pointing away from one another for releasing the supply openings.

In a preferred embodiment, the binding apparatus can be a strapping apparatus. In particular, all partial bales can be provided together with a strapping which encircles them.

It is advantageous if the binding apparatus is arranged at the pressing chamber and if the final bale can be provided in the pressing chamber by binding the partial bales. This makes it possible to connect the partial bales to one another already in the pressing chamber and to output only bound final bales from the pressing device, which can be handled more easily than the partial bales.

The binding apparatus advantageously comprises a first binding unit and a second binding unit which can be inserted into the pressing box from opposite sides. In this case, at least one strand or strap can preferably be provided by each binding unit, and the strands or straps of different binding units are connected to one another encircling the final bales. For example, the strands or straps are inserted transversely to the working direction into the pressing box and placed against one another before they are connected to one another in a force-locking and/or positive-locking manner.

The straps are, for example, metal straps which can be connected to one another in a force-locking and/or positive-locking manner. Possible joining techniques include clinching (“tox clinching”). The use of metal straps makes it possible to bind the final bales with a higher strength than, for example, with conventional baling twine. A length of the final bales by expansion of the plant material is avoided, as a result of which the final bales have a high dimensional stability.

It is evident that the pressing device advantageously comprises a control apparatus with which the active components of the pressing device can be controlled. These include in particular the drive apparatus for the pressing element, possible drive apparatuses for the intermediate wall, the intermediate walls or the closing apparatus, for the closing apparatus at the supply opening, the transport apparatus or the supply apparatus. Advantageously, the active components of the pressing systems mentioned below are also controllable by means of the control apparatus.

As already mentioned, the invention also relates to a pressing system. A pressing system in accordance with the invention, which achieves the object mentioned at the outset, comprises a pressing device of the above-mentioned type and a portioning apparatus upstream of the pressing device in the working direction, by means of which the pressing device can be provided with a pre-portioned amount of plant material for forming a respective partial bale.

The portioning apparatus makes it possible, in particular, to provide an interface between a continuously performable harvest of the plant material and a discontinuously operating pressing device. The plant material is collected and provided in pre-portioned amounts and can be supplied to the pressing space via the supply apparatus to form a respective partial bale.

It is advantageous if the pre-portioned amount of plant material is specifiable with respect to its volume and/or weight. For example, it can be provided that the pre-portioned amount is dimensioned such that it substantially fills out the pressing space. Alternatively or in addition, provision can be made for an amount of plant material to be determined with respect to its weight to be introduced into the pressing space, for example to form partial bales with identical weight.

It is advantageous for the portioning apparatus to comprise a compression unit for precompression of the pre-portioned amount of plant material, in particular in the form of a pre-bale. The loose plant material can be pre-compressed into a pre-bale. The pre-bale may for example be sized to fill the pressing space completely or substantially completely prior to compression.

It is advantageous for the pressing system to comprise at least one sensor apparatus by means of which a mass of the pre-portioned amount of plant material can be determined prior to introduction into the pressing space and in particular before a precompression. For example, a pre-defined mass of plant material is supplied to the compression unit, preferably in order to provide a pre-bale of predefined weight.

The pressing system can comprise at least one sensor apparatus with which a mass of a formed partial bale in the pressing chamber can be determined. In this way, the mass of a respective partial bale can be checked with regard to a process control.

The portioning apparatus is advantageously controllable depending on the determined mass of the partial bale for providing the pre-portioned amount of plant material. This provides, for example, the possibility of achieving a predetermined or predeterminable average density in the final bale. It could thus be that a partial bale has, for example, an excessively high or too low mass. When providing further plant material, the pre-portioned amount can be reduced or increased with respect to its mass, so that the deviation of the mass of the partial bale from the target mass can be compensated and overall an average density of all the final bales can be achieved.

A different type of pressing system in accordance with the invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, comprises a pressing device of the above-mentioned type and a vehicle for moving on an agricultural land, wherein the vehicle comprises a support apparatus on which the pressing device is arranged. The features described in connection with the pressing system explained above can also be implemented in this pressing system and vice versa.

The pressing device can be used in a mobile manner on the agricultural land via the vehicle and thus the processing of the plant material can be facilitated.

The vehicle advantageously has a traction drive.

In particular, the vehicle can be configured to be self-propelled and self-steering. The vehicle can autonomously drive on the agricultural land. The plant material contained thereon, loose or pre-portioned, in particular pre-compressed, can be taken up and output to pressed final bales.

The pressing systems in accordance with the invention have those advantages which have already been mentioned in connection with the explanation of the pressing device in accordance with the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the pressing systems result from advantageous embodiments of the pressing device in accordance with the invention.

As mentioned at the outset, the present invention also relates to a method.

A method in accordance with the invention that achieves the object mentioned at the outset for providing a final bale with a pressing device, in particular a pressing device of the aforementioned type, is characterized by the following steps:compressing plant material to form a first partial bale;compressing plant material to form at least one further partial bale;joining the partial bales with one another to form a final bale.

The advantages mentioned in connection with the explanation of the pressing device in accordance with the invention can be achieved by implementing the method. In particular, advantageous embodiments of the method result from advantageous embodiments of the pressing device in accordance with the invention and/or the pressing systems in accordance with the invention.

FIG.1shows an advantageous embodiment of a pressing system in accordance with the invention, which is denoted overall by the reference numeral10. The pressing system10comprises in particular an advantageous embodiment of the pressing device in accordance with the invention, which is denoted by the reference numeral12.

The pressing device12is used to compress plant material and to provide advantageously prepared bales for subsequent transport, hereinafter referred to as final bales14.

The plant material is, in particular, plants which can be used as biomass and which have a high energy content, for exampleMiscanthusxgiganteus(“Miscanthus”) or corn. These plants are known as long-stemmed and have relatively long and thick stems. For this reason, there are high demands on the pressing device12in order to provide final bales14with the highest possible density with simultaneously as uniform dimensions as possible with low tolerances for the best possible utilization of transport and storage capacities.

The pressing system10comprises a vehicle16with a traction drive18for driving wheels20. The vehicle16is designed such that it can be driven on agricultural land22. The agricultural land22can in particular be the field itself on which the plants processed to form final bales14are cultured.

The vehicle16can be guided by an operator. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the vehicle16is configured to be self-propelled and self-steering and can be driven autonomously over the agricultural land22.

The pressing device12can also be configured to be autonomous. In particular, all processes of the pressing system10and thus also the pressing device12can be controlled by means of a control apparatus24.

The plant material harvested from the agricultural land22is pre-portioned by means of a portioning apparatus26of the pressing system10before being supplied into the pressing device12. The portioning apparatus26provides a pre-portioned amount28of plant material. For this purpose, the portioning apparatus26comprises a compression unit30. With the compression unit30, the plant material is pre-compressed and provided in the form of a pre-bale32.

The portioning apparatus26is in particular designed such that preferably a pre-bale32of predefined dimensions and/or a pre-bale32with a predetermined mass is provided. To control the mass, the portioning apparatus26can comprise a sensor apparatus34which makes it possible to determine the mass of the drawn-in plant material which is processed to form a pre-bale32.

It can be provided that the portioning apparatus26is a component of a vehicle, not shown in the drawing, which travels ahead of the vehicle16in a working direction.

The pre-bales32deposited on the agricultural land22can be taken up from the agricultural land22by means of a supply apparatus36of the pressing system10. In this case, the pre-bales32are lifted and transported via a transport path38in the direction of a supply opening40of the pressing device12. The transport path38comprises, for example, a belt conveyor.

The pressing device12itself is positioned on a support apparatus42of the vehicle16.

As can be seen in particular fromFIG.2, the pressing device12comprises a pressing chamber44, which can be surrounded, for example, by a housing46shown inFIG.2. A transport apparatus48is arranged in the pressing chamber44in order to enable the transport of the pre-bales32, the partial bales and the final bale14along a working direction50of the pressing device12. The working direction50extends straight from the supply opening40to an output opening52of the pressing chamber44. For example, the transport apparatus48comprises a transport path54, for example with a belt conveyor.

The pressing chamber44has a front wall56, in which the supply opening40is formed, and a rear wall58in which the output opening52is formed.

The pressing chamber44comprises a plurality of successive pressing chamber sections60arranged one behind the other in the working direction50. In the supply direction of the pre-bales32, a first pressing chamber section60is formed by a pressing space62. Following spaces64, each forming a pressing chamber section60, adjoin the pressing space62. In the present case, five following spaces64and thus six pressing chamber sections60are present.

The pressing chamber44has a pressing box66which extends from the front wall56to the rear wall58. The pressing box66is delimited on a bottom side by the transport apparatus48. Laterally, transverse to the working direction50and upward, the pressing box66is delimited by a boundary68. The boundary68can be a wall. However, it is conceivable in particular that the boundary68is formed by profiles or the like that have a distance from one another, which allow compression of the pre-bales32without plant material escaping from the pressing box66.

In the pressing box66, intermediate walls70are arranged, which separate the pressing space62and the following spaces64from one another. A first intermediate wall70separates the pressing space62from the first following space64. A further intermediate wall70is arranged in each case between adjacent following spaces64.

A respective transport opening72between the pressing space62and the first following space64or between adjacent following spaces64can be selectively opened and closed with a respective intermediate wall70.

In the present example, each intermediate wall70comprises two segments74which can be pushed in towards each other into the pressing box66transversely to the working direction50. Resting against each other, the segments74close the pressing box66in the region of the respective transport opening72.

Conversely, the segments74can be displaced out of the pressing box66in directions pointing away from one another transversely to the working direction50, so that the respective transport opening72is released and transport of partial bales from the pressing space62into the first following space64or between the following spaces64is possible.

Drive apparatuses76are provided for moving the respective segments74.

In a respective closed position, the respective intermediate wall70can serve as an abutment78during the compression of plant material, which will be discussed below.

In a similar manner, a closing apparatus80is provided in the output opening52of the rear wall58, with which the output opening52is closed in a closed position and is released in an open position. The closing apparatus80comprises two segments74which can be displaced toward one another by means of a drive apparatus76for closing the pressing chamber44. Conversely, the segments74can be displaced away from one another in order to release the output opening52from the pressing box66. The closing apparatus80forms an abutment78which delimits the last following space64.

A closing apparatus82is provided on the supply opening40. With the closing apparatus82, the supply opening40can be closed in a closed position. In an open position, the supply opening40is released. The closing apparatus82also comprises segments74which can be displaced toward one another transversely to the working direction50in order to assume the closed position. Conversely, the segments74can be displaced in directions pointing away from one another in order to release the supply opening40and thereby open the pressing chamber44and in particular the pressing space62.

The pressing device12comprises a pressing element84. In the present case, the pressing element84is formed by the front wall56including the closing apparatus82comprised thereby. The pressing element84can be moved in the working direction50and in the opposite direction by means of drive apparatuses86. To compress pre-bales32, the pressing element84is moved from an initial position88to an end position90. This reduces the pressing space62. Pre-bales32contained in the pressing space62are compressed to form a partial bale.

In the present case, four drive apparatuses86are provided. The drive apparatuses86each comprise a drive element92and spindle drives94. A respective spindle drive94is arranged on a corner region96of the supply opening40(FIG.12). The drive elements92are synchronized with one another in such a way that they can be activated and deactivated together. When the pressing element84is displaced, a tilt-free movement with regard to an optimal compression of the pre-bale32can be achieved in this way. It is understood that the pressing device12for the pressing element84can comprise a guide apparatus which is not shown in the drawing.

With the pressing device12, the use of spindle drives94offers the possibility of achieving a degree of compression for the plant material which considerably exceeds the degree of compression that can be achieved using conventional presses, in particular piston presses. For example, densities of the final bales14of up to approximately 400 kg/m3are conceivable.

In addition, the pressing device12has the advantage that, by means of the configuration of the pressing element84and the use of the spindle drives94and with pressing of the pre-bales32, partial bales98with a pre-defined length can be pressed, which partial bales32have only a small tolerance. In comparison with conventional piston presses, a significantly higher precision can be achieved when pressing bales.

Accordingly, it is advantageous if the initial position88and the end position90are predetermined at the pressing device12, so that partial bales98can be pressed with substantially identical length. Accordingly, final bales14can differ depending on the nature—for example moisture—of the supplied plant material, for example with regard to its weight and its average density.

In order to ensure that the final bale14comprises the smallest possible dimensional tolerances, the pressing box66has a substantially identical cross section over the entire length. In particular, the cross-sectional area of the pressing space62corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the following spaces64.

The following spaces64are of identical length along the working direction50. The length of the pressing space62, when the end position90is assumed by the pressing element84, corresponds in this case to a length of the following spaces64.

The length of the pressing space62, when the initial position88is assumed by the pressing element84, preferably corresponds to a length of the pre-bales32along the working direction50.

The length of the respective following space64and of the pressing space62, in the end position90of the pressing element84, preferably corresponds to an even fraction of an internal dimension of a container in accordance with the standard ISO 668, in particular a 20-foot container. For example, a partial bale98formed in this way has a length of approximately 33 cm. A final bale14comprising six partial bales98has a length of approximately 196 cm, corresponding to approximately one third of the internal dimension of the 20-foot container.

A width and/or a height of the pressing box66, in relation to its interior dimension, preferably likewise corresponds to an even fraction of a container in accordance with the standard ISO 668, especially the 20-foot container.

For example, the width of the pressing box66is approximately 116 cm, so that this width also corresponds to that of the final bale14. This corresponds approximately to half the width of an internal dimension of the container.

For example, the height of the pressing box66is approximately 79 cm. This corresponds to the height of the final bale14. The height of the final bale14thus corresponds to approximately one third of the interior dimension of the container in height.

As a result, a final bale14can advantageously be provided with the pressing device12, which final bale is dimensioned in three spatial directions such that a plurality of final bales14can be arranged in a positive locking manner in a standardized ISO 668-compliant container and existing and standardized transport capacities are utilized as optimally as possible.

A preferred mode of operation of the pressing device12is described below with reference toFIGS.2to11, also with regard to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention.FIGS.2to11show successive work steps which are carried out with the pressing device12. The dashed line100betweenFIGS.9and10symbolizes that, in particular between these two figures, some of the working steps are carried out, but are not shown.

First, the supply opening40is released when the closing apparatus82is open, in order to supply a first pre-bale32. The intermediate walls70and the closing apparatus80are preferably closed (FIG.2).

After the first pre-bale32has been inserted, the closing apparatus82is closed for closing the pressing space62. The pressing element84assumes the initial position88(FIGS.3and4).

Subsequently, the drive apparatus86is activated to displace the pressing element84from the initial position88into the end position90. In this case, the pressing space62is reduced. The pre-bale32is compressed against the first abutment78to form a partial bale98. In this case, the abutment78is the first intermediate wall70.

In doing so, the plant material is highly compacted. The partial bale98can have a mean density of up to approximately 400 kg/m3. The length is preferably approximately 33 cm. The width is preferably approximately 116 cm. The height is preferably approximately 79 cm.

Subsequently, the first intermediate wall70is opened from the pressing space62into the first following space64and the first partial bale98is transported through the transport opening72into the first following space64. At the same time, the next pre-bale32can preferably be supplied (FIG.6).

In the subsequent pressing process for forming the second partial bale98, the intermediate wall70between the first and second following space64is used as an abutment78. The second pre-bale32is compressed against the first partial bale98(FIGS.7and8).

This has the advantage, for example, that if the first partial bale98has expanded, it is recompressed. In addition, a connection of the partial bales98can already take place, for example, by interlacing the plant material.

FIG.9shows the compression of the third partial bale98and corresponds to the depiction ofFIG.8after a further compression operation.

In a corresponding manner,FIG.10shows the compression of the sixth partial bale98.

It can be seen in each case that a different one of the intermediate walls70is used as an abutment78. After a compression operation, this intermediate wall70is opened. The partial bales98are transported into the respective next following space64, wherein the last compressed partial bale98is transported from the pressing space62into the first following space64.

Deviating from the aforementioned information, the closing apparatus80in the rear wall58serves as an abutment78(FIG.10) for the compression of the last partial bale98. However, also in this case, the first partial bale98is in contact with the abutment78. The partial bales98provided in each case abut against one another, and the respective pre-bale32is compressed against the last-formed partial bale98.

The partial bales98adhere to one another even without additional bonding, for example by the plant material interlacing with each other. However, it is advantageous that the pressing device12comprises a binding apparatus102. The binding apparatus102comprises a first binding unit104and a second binding unit106. The binding units104,106are shown schematically inFIGS.2and11.

The binding apparatus102is in particular a strapping apparatus in order to strap the six partial bales98. It is advantageous that the binding apparatus102is arranged at the pressing chamber44. This makes it possible to join the partial bales98to the final bale14already in the pressing chamber44, even before the final bale14is output from the pressing chamber44via the output opening52.

The binding units104,106are arranged, for example, on opposite sides of the pressing box66. After pressing the last partial bale98, the binding units104,106can be inserted, for example, transversely to the working direction50into the pressing box66.

In particular, straps made of metal, for example steel straps, are used as binding material. The straps of both binding units104,106are advantageously supplied in such a way that they encircle the partial bales98. The straps can be connected to one another by means of force and/or positive engagement, for example by means of clinching.

After binding, the bound final bale14is output from the pressing chamber44via the output opening52(FIG.11).

In the following, advantageous embodiments of the pressing device in accordance with the invention are shown schematically inFIGS.13and14, on the one hand, andFIGS.15and16, on the other hand, and are denoted by the reference numerals110and130, respectively. The pressing devices110,130can be used in the pressing system10instead of the pressing device12.

The advantages achievable with the pressing device12can also be achieved with the pressing devices110,130, so that reference is made in this regard to the above descriptions. Only the essential differences are described.

The pressing device110in accordance withFIGS.13and14provides that the first intermediate wall70between the pressing space62and the first following space64acts as an abutment78for compressing a pre-bale32. This becomes clear in particular from the comparison ofFIGS.8and13. Accordingly, after the compression, the first partial bale98is transported into the first following space64and the intermediate wall70in front of it is closed (FIG.13). After the compression, the first intermediate wall70is opened again, and the second partial bale98is displaced against the first partial bale98(FIG.14).

Subsequently, a further one of the second and following intermediate walls70is opened successively. The first intermediate wall70is closed again to form the abutment78when the partial bales98have been removed from the pressing space62to compress the next pre-bale32.

A simplified embodiment of the pressing device130inFIGS.15and16also provides that the respective pre-bale32is compressed against the first intermediate wall70at the pressing space62, which serves as an abutment78, to form the first and each subsequent partial bale98.

In contrast to the pressing device110, only one following space64is provided, which, in its extension along the working direction50, corresponds, for example, to the extension of the following spaces64of the pressing device110.

When the intermediate wall70is open, the partial bale98last-formed in each case is transported into the following space64through the transport opening72. The intermediate wall70is closed for the following compression.

In the case of the pressing devices110and130, the partial bales98are also joined with one another by means of the binding apparatus102in the pressing chamber44before the bound final bale14is output via the output opening52.

The pressing device130is characterized by a structurally simple configuration. With the pressing device110, a widening of the partial bale98is prevented by the respectively closed intermediate walls70, especially since the length of the respective following space64corresponds to the length of the partial bale98. With the pressing device12, in which a different abutment78for the compression is used in each case, the partial bales98are pressed against one another for connecting.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10Pressing system12,110,130Pressing device14Final bale16Vehicle18Traction drive20Wheel22Agricultural land24Control apparatus26Portioning apparatus28Pre-portioned amount30Compression unit32Pre-bale34Sensor apparatus36Supply apparatus38Transport path40Supply opening42Support apparatus44Pressing chamber46Housing48Transport apparatus50Working direction52Output opening54Transport path56Front wall58Rear wall60Pressing chamber section62Pressing space64Following space66Pressure box68Boundary70Intermediate wall72Transport opening74Segment76Drive apparatus78Abutment80,82Closing apparatus84Pressing element86Drive apparatus88Initial position90End position92Drive element94Spindle drive96Corner region98Partial bale100Dashed line102Binding apparatus104,106Binding unit