EP3082401A1

EP3082401A1 - Device for processing round bales wrapped in wrapping material

Info

Publication number: EP3082401A1
Application number: EP14812491.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maarten Koorn; Karel Van Den Berg; Çosku BAS; Mert ILKER; Mustafa SIRIN
Original assignee: Triodor Arge
Current assignee: Triodor Arge
Priority date: 2013-12-19
Filing date: 2014-12-15
Publication date: 2016-10-26
Also published as: WO2015091377A1; NL2011984C2

Abstract

A device (1, 100) for processing a round bale (2) wrapped in wrapping material (3) comprises a frame (10, 101), a first and a second support (20, 106-1, 106-2, 105) for supporting the bale in a first position, a moveable cutter (31, 32, 112) to cut through the wrapping material, and wrapping material removing means (27, 107) on at least the first support to remove the cut wrapping material from the bale, wherein at least the first support is moveable relative to the frame and to the second support, between the first position at a first distance to the second support and a second position at a second, larger distance to the second support. By having wrapping material removing means provided on at least the first support element, it is not necessary to provide a separate wrapping material remover. The device has thus fewer parts.

Description

Device for processing round bales wrapped in wrapping material

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for processing round bales wrapped in wrapping material, in particular the device the device comprising a frame, at least a first and a second support attached to the frame and arranged for supporting the bale in a first position,

a cutter moveably attached to the frame and arranged to cut through the wrapping material of a bale resting on the supports, along a cutting line, and wrapping material removing means arranged to remove the cut wrapping material from the bale.

PRIOR ART

The term round bales in this text is used to refer to bales which have a substantially cylindrical shape, with two substantially circular end faces and one cylindrical body between the two end faces.

In order to preserve the crop material during storage of the bale, the bales may be wrapped in a plastic film, to keep the crop material clean and dry and to preserve the feed airtight. In order to use wrapped cylindrical bales for feeding purposes, the bales need to be processed, i.e. the netting or wires (if any) and/or the film needs to be removed, the bales need to be cut at least once or even need to be shredded for the crop material to be accessible to the animals. Possibly, the crop material also needs to be mixed with other feeds, such as potatoes, maize or feed concentrates, to prepare a feed ration for the animals. When removing the net, wires and/or film it is important to make sure that these materials are completely separated from the crop material and that no parts remain in the crop material, as this could harm animals.

Several cutting and/or unwrapping devices are known from the prior art. For instance, EP1 175829A2 (published 30 January 2002) describes a device in which wrapping is cut by at least one cutter and is removed by another element. Several embodiments are described where either the bale is moved relative to the cutter or the cutter is moved relative to the bale. In one embodiment the wrapping material is removed by a rotatable element about which the material is wound after it has been cut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

It is an object to provide an alternative device for processing bales wrapped in wrapping material.

The object is achieved by providing a device for processing bales with the features of claim 1 , in particular a device for processing a round bale wrapped in wrapping material,

the device comprising a frame, at least a first and a second support attached to the frame and arranged for supporting the bale in a first position, a cutter moveably attached to the frame and arranged to cut through the wrapping material of a bale resting on the supports, along a cutting line, and wrapping material removing means at least provided on the first support and arranged to remove the cut wrapping material from the bale, wherein at least the first support is moveable relative to the frame and to the second support, between the first position at a first distance to the second support and a second position at a second, larger distance to the second support.

By having wrapping material removing means provided on at least the first support element, it is no longer necessary, as in the prior art, to provide a separate wrapping material remover. Advantageously, the device has thus fewer parts, and can thus function more reliably and at lower costs. Since the bale rests on at least the first support, contact between the wrapping material removing means and the bale on the support is guaranteed.

The bale will also rest on the second support. Thus carried, the bale can be transported to any desired place, such as a feeding kitchen, or a space in a yard or the like for further processing the bale. By moving the first support from the first position to the second position, the bale can be lowered and, provided that the second distance is at least as large as the diameter of the bale, the bale can be dropped, thereby preferably falling apart for further use. Of course, the wrapping material removing means are intended to remove the wrapping material in the process. In the above, it will be clear that the supports are preferably positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bale, since that will be by far the most stable position.

Advantageously, the first and/or second support may be made liftable, by means of one or more lift actuators. Then, the device can be used to pick up a bale by bringing the two supports around a bale when in the second position and by subsequently bringing the two supports in the first position, e.g. by moving the first support towards the second support. The bale is thus supported for further transport or other processing. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, as well as in the description below.

In particular, wrapping material removing means are provided on the second support. Thus, the wrapping material removing means are provided on both the first and second supports. In this way, wrapping material is engageable by both supports and thus removed in a more reliable manner, since the wrapping material is engaged at two locations thus reducing the risk of a loose end of the material ending up in the crop material of the unwrapped bale.

In embodiments, the first and second supports are movable relative to each other between the first position and the second position. Now both supports are moveable, with respect to each other and with respect to the frame. This provides more flexibility when removing the wrapping material and loosening the bale, and it requires a smaller travel of each of the supports. It may be sufficient to provide one support actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, as well as a mechanical coupling between the two supports. Alternatively, each support may have its own actuator.

It is generally noted that there may be provided more than two supports, such as three or four supports, although two supports suffice in practice, providing a stable position for the bale. Note that two supports being aligned along a common axis may be counted as only one support comprising a plurality of support parts. One could say that the number of different support axes counts, any number of physical elements that extend along that individual axis counting as one, possibly articulate or segmented, support.

In embodiments, the wrapping material removing means comprise engaging means to engage the wrapping material, in particular a plurality of projections, such as pins or hooks. Advantageously, such engaging means project from 1 - 10 cm above a surface of the support on which the engaging means are provided. These engaging means engage the film and/or netting/wires or the like, and when the supports move with respect to each other, in particular away from each other, the bale will be lowered, and thus also move with respect to the engaging means. This movement will ensure the separating of the film/netting et cetera from the bale. The opening in the wrapping material thus created allows baled crop material to emerge from the bale. More in particular the engaging means may be retractable into a non-engaging position, in particular into the support. This is useful for easy removal from the engaging means of wrapping material that has been removed from the bale. Such retractable means could for example be actuated pins that are retractable into a hollow bar of the support.

In advantageous embodiments, at least the first support comprises at least one elongated part parallel to a longitudinal axis of the round bale. The first support could thus be e.g. a bar, a roller or the like, that provides good support for the bale while allowing movement of the bale over the support.

In particular embodiments, the first support comprises two elongated parts positioned at a distance to each other. Having two separate partial supports allows an even more reliable support contact, with use of less material. Furthermore, if the baled crop material has been removed, the wrapping material that remains on the first support is now easily removed by moving some element, such as a moveable arm, between the two partial supports. The two elongated parts could for example be two short bars, pins or rollers, e.g. each having a length that is less than a total height of the bale along its longitudinal axis, and with a distance between the two elongated elements that is suitable for supporting the bale, i.e. less than the total height of the bale along its longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the two elongated parts are cones having respective longitudinal axes substantially extending in one plane, and in particular extending upwardly towards their respective apex, i.e. the tip of the cone points (slightly) upward. In particular, an uppermost generatrix of each cone extends substantially horizontally. This set-up allows a very good grip of the engaging means on the wrapping material, while still ensuring very good support for the bale. However, other forms, such as simple cylinders are also possible.

Advantageously, the first support is rotatable. More in particular, each support that has wrapping material removing means is rotatable. Thus, at least the first support, and for example also the second support if provided with engaging means, is/are rotatable to allow the support and the bale to move with respect to each other. In particular, the support(s) could be a roller. In attractive embodiments, the first support, or each support, is rotatably driven. This allows an even better control over movement of the bale with respect to the supports. Furthermore, importantly, this also allows the first, or each, support to collect the wrapping material by rotating. Then, the material that has been engaged will be wound onto the support(s).

In particular, the engaging means on the first and/or second support are provided on one respective side thereof only. This means that there is at least one other side of the support(s) that is substantially free from engaging means. This allows to support and position the bale without yet engaging the wrapping material. If the bale is positioned correctly, then the wrapping material can be engaged and removed by rotating the support(s). Such embodiment avoids the use of retractable engaging means, although that would still be a useful option here.

Preferably, the device is provided with bale pick-up means arranged to pick-up a bale from a surface, such as the ground, a platform, or even other bales, and to position the picked-up bale onto the supports in the first position. In embodiments, the bale pick-up means comprises the first and second supports and support mover means for moving at least the first support, and optionally also the second support, from the second position to the first position. Alternatively, the pickup means are separate means, so that they can be dedicated means, and also able to perform their function separately from the supports. In embodiments, the bale pickup means comprise first and second pick-up arms connected to the frame and each having a free end provided with a bale engaging member. These separate pick-up arms may contact and grip the bale on the flat side faces thereof, by positioning them at both sides of the bale and moving them towards each other. The bale engaging member could be a pin, a flat plate or the like.

In principle it could suffice to let the engaging means engage the wrapping material, and subsequently move the support(s) from the first position to the second position, thereby tearing up the wrapping material. However, advantageously, the device also comprises a cutter arranged to cut the bale. This will provide better control over where the wrapping material will tear, and thereby facilitate further operations in the feeding chain, such as controlling where the baled crop material will be deposited. The bale may be cut superficially, i.e. substantially the wrapping material only. The cutter may also provide cutting of the bale itself. E.g. the bale may be cut in two or more pieces. Cutting may also be done by making one or more cuts into the bale, without actually cutting the bale in two more separate parts.

For example between the supports there is room for the cutter to cut the wrapping material and possibly part of the crop material. Preferably the cutting line runs along the entire height of the bale, preferably parallel to the supports, such as from one end face to the other end face. Of course, the cutting line may also continue through at least part of the end faces and through at least part of the crop material.

In embodiments, the cutter is arranged to also cut through the crop material up to a desired height, which desired height is at least up to the centre of the bale. Thus the device can also be used to split bales. In order to split bales it is not always necessary to cut completely through the bale. The cutter can stop a few centimeters below the top of the bale, or the cutter can cut halfway trough the bale or even a bit less, it all depends on the compactness of the bale.

In embodiments, the cutter comprises a subframe that is moveably connected to the frame, as well as a knife, or cutting member, on the subframe. The knife may be itself sharp enough to cut through the wrapping material and/or bale crop material. However, in particular, the knife is reciprocatable along a length of the knife, which provides a stronger cutting action.

The cut, or cuts, may be made in ways that are not particularly limited.

However, preferably, the subframe is moveable such that the cutter is displaceable from a first knife position below the bale, in particular between the first and second support, to a second knife position that is more towards a centre of the bale than the first knife position. In this way, the cut is positioned low. This causes the crop material, by its weight, to add to the cutting of the wrapping material.

According to an embodiment the cutter comprise a first cutting member connected to the frame to perform a cutting motion through the bale, to thereby move between the supports and create at least part of the cutting line in between the supports. The first cutting member may for instance be a substantially vertical cutting member positioned in between the supports, and which is arranged to move in a linear way from a first position at a first face of the bale, to a second position on the other side (face) of the bale.

Of course, more than one cutting member may be used as well. It is also possible to embody the one or more cutting members differently, such as a rotating disk or knife, that moves along a circumferential path around the bale, or the like.

In particular embodiments, the device comprises a limiter member which is moveable between a free position, allowing loading of a bale onto the supports, and a limiting position, wherein the limiter member rest on top of the bale, preferably opposite the cutter or cutting member, in order to limit movement of the bale relative to the supports. After all, especially when cutting the bale, the cutting member(s) may exert such a force that the bale could be lifted off the supports, which is undesirable. The same holds for forces exerted by the support(s) with the engaging means when tearing up wrapping material. In each case, the limiter member may comprise a roller or suchlike to allow a rotational degree of freedom, without allowing (too much) vertical movement.

Advantageously, the frame comprises wheels or caterpiller tracks. This allows easy displacement of the device, such as by pushing, or towing behind a vehicle. The device is eminently suitable for use on an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor. Thereto, the device may comprise a three-point hitch connector or other connection device.

Alternatively, the device comprises propulsion means for moving the device, as well as a control for controlling at least the propulsion means. Such embodiments are more easily displaceable by an operator, as much or all of the displacement force is generated by the device itself. Control, such as navigation, may still be operator-based. In particular, the vehicle is arranged as an autonomous vehicle. Thereto, additional control means or functionalities may be provided, such as a navigation system. These embodiments allow the use of the device without an operator attending, in e.g. unsafe or disagreeable environments. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

- Figure 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a device according to first embodiment,

- Figures 2a - 2c schematically show a perspective view of the operation of the device according to different embodiments,

- Figures 3a - 3b schematically show a cross-sectional view of the operation of the device,

- Figures 4a - 4d show a detailed view of part of the device according to different embodiments, and

- Figure 5 diagrammatically shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will be described with reference to the Figures. A device for unwrapping bales 1 is shown in Fig. 1. The device 1 has a frame 10, a first support element 20 and a second support element 20 moveably attached to the frame, a cutter (30, 31 ) moveably attached to the frame and arranged to cut through at least the wrapping of a bale, on the first and second support elements wrapping material removing means are provided as projections (27) best visible in figure 2. The device is arranged to pick upround cylindrical bales 2 cut the wrapping material 3 and possibly (part of) the crop material and then remove and collect the wrapping material from the crop material thereby releasing the crop material.

The wrapping material 3 may comprise twine, plastic foil and/or a net wrapped around the bale 2.

The device 1 may be a manually operated device 1 , but may also be an autonomous device 1 which moves independently through a predetermined area to pick up bales at one position and remove the crop material from the bale, release crop material at a second position and possibly release the wrapping material 3 at a third position. The device 1 may comprise a control unit 40 or the like to operate the device 1.

The device 1 comprises a frame 10 to which a bale support is attached provided by the first and second support elements, which can be seen in Figure 1 as two parallel carrying rods 20 which connected to the frame 10. The carrying rods 20 are arranged to move in a transversal direction with respect to each other, each along a trajectory (T, T'), away from or toward the other support element, respectively increasing a distance between the support elements from a first distance to a second distance or decreasing from the second to the first distance. As can best seen in figure 3A, at the first distance the first and second support elements, or carrying rods 20, are arranged with respect to each other in a bale supporting position, supporting bale 3. As can be best seen in figure 3B, at the second distance carrying rods are arranged with respect to each other in a second or unsupporting position in which position bale 3 is not supported by the bale support, the second distance being larger then the first distance.

I.e. the supporting rods 20 move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the carrying rods 20, along a curved trajectory. . The second, non carrying position may be higher than the first position. As shown in Fig. 1 , the carrying rods 20 are connected to the frame to respective rotary members 23, the rotary members 23 being rotatably connected to the frame 10 via respective rotary axes 24. The rotary members 23 are thus arranged to perform a rotary or swinging motion to move the carrying rods 20 along there trajectory T, from the second (further apart and higher position) to the second position, whereby the carrying rods are moved towards each other and at the same time are moved upward and vice versa. Driving means (not shown) may be provided to move the carrying rods 20. The movement may be controlled by control unit 40.

The carrying rods 20 may be moveably attached to the frame 10 such that the carrying rods 20, besides following trajectory T, can be moved or lifted in a vertical direction with respect to the frame 10. The carrying rods 20 may be moved from a lower position in which the carrying rods can pick-up a bale 2 from the ground to a higher position. The carrying rods 20 including the rotary members 23 and rotary axes 24 may be attached to the frame 10 by means of sliding members 25 which are slideably mounted to frame 10. The frame 10 comprises sliding slots 26 to allow the sliding members 25 to slide.

By carefully positioning the rotary axes 24, the rotary movement from the first position to the second position may be such that the second position is higher than the first position. In such a case the sliding members 25 and sliding slots 26 may be omitted.

The carrying rods 20 may be rotatable about their longitudinal body axis to facilitate the movement from the first to the second position by preventing or minimizing friction between the carrying rods and the bale 2. As will be described in more detail below, the carrying rods 20 may be non-rotatable to ensure that engaging means 27 provided to catch the wrapping material are orientated in the correct direction. Alternatively, the carrying rods 20 may be rotatable in a controllable manner, to control the direction of the engaging means 27.

The carrying rods 20, including the vertical sliding movement along the frame 10, may be controlled by the control device 40.

Fig. 1 further shows that the device 1 comprises wheels 50 to move the device 1 around. The wheels 50 may be steered wheels. Motion and direction of the movement may be controlled by the control device 40 and/or by a remote control device (not shown).

Cutting means

The device 1 further comprises cutting means 30 moveably attached to the frame 10. The cutting means 30 may comprise one or more cutting members 31 , 32. The cutting members 31 , 32 are arranged to cut the wrapping material, along a cutting line c which runs at least in between the carrying rods 20.

The cutting members 31 , 32 may be formed by a knife. The cutting members 31 , 32 may also comprise two parallel adjacent serrated knifes which can perform a back and forth relative movement with respect to each other. Such a cutting member 31 , 32 may be electrically or hydraulically driven. The cutting member 31 , 32 may also be formed by a wire which is pulled through the bale. The cutting members 31 , 32 may be heated to facilitate the cutting. A first cutting member 31 may be provided arranged to cut the wrapping material 3 along a cutting line c which runs at least in between the carrying rods 20. This is more clearly shown in Fig. 2a, showing a cutting line c which runs parallel to the axial direction of the rods 20 in between the carrying rods 20 along the entire axial length of the bale 2 and continues through part of the circular end faces.

Fig. 2a shows the first cutting member 31 in a substantial vertical starting position with a frame end 31 1 rotatably connected to the frame 10 and a free end 312 opposite the frame end 31 1 directed downwardly. The cutting member 31 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R31 which is horizontal and perpendicular to the carrying rods 20. The axis of rotation R31 is positioned above or near the upper part of the bale 2. Driving means 315 (only shown in Fig. 1 ) are provided to actuate the cutting member 31 to perform an upward rotational movement about the axis of rotation R31. The driving means 315 may be a hydraulic actuator.

Fig. 2a further shows the cutting member 31 in an end position (dashed), rotated away from the starting position and the cutting line c created by this movement. The cutting member 31 passes in between the carrying rods 20 when moving from the starting position to the end position thereby creating a cutting line c in between the carrying rods 20. Cutting member 31 may be substantially horizontal when in the end position. In the end position, the cutting member 31 is preferably still in the bale 2, such that complete cutting of the wrapping material in two pieces is prevented. This minimizes the risk of wrapping material not being separated from the unwrapped crop material.

Fig. 2a also shows a further cutting member 32, being a transversal cutting member 32 arranged to cut the bale 2 along a cutting plane which is substantially perpendicular to the carrying rods 20, creating a second cutting line c2. This action is shown in more detail in Fig. 2b.

Fig. 2b shows the transversal cutting member 32 in a substantial vertical starting position with a frame end 321 rotatably connected to the frame 10 and a free end 322 opposite the frame end 321 directed in an upward direction. The transversal member 32 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R32 which is horizontal and parallel to the carrying rods 20. The axis of rotation R32 is positioned near the lower part of the bale 2, preferably just above the height of the carrying rods 20 when in the second position. Driving means 325 (only shown in Fig. 1 ) are provided to actuate the transversal cutting member 32 to perform a rotational movement about the axis of rotation R32. The driving means 325 may be a hydraulic actuator.

Fig. 2b further shows the transversal cutting member 33 in an end position (dashed), rotated away from the starting position and the cutting line c2 created by this movement. The transversal cutting member 32 is orientated perpendicular to the carrying rods 20. The end position is preferably just above the carrying rods, for instance in the range 5 - 25 cm above the carrying rods 20 to prevent the transversal cutting member 32 from contacting the carrying rods 20. Also, this ensures that the wrapping material is not cut in two separate pieces, thereby minimizing the risk of wrapping material 3 not being separated from the unwrapped crop material.

Fig. 2c shows an alternative embodiment in which the axis of rotation R31 is at a lower side of the bale 2. Fig. 2c shows the first cutting member 31 in a substantial vertical starting position with a frame end 31 1 rotatably connected to the frame 10 and a free end 312 opposite the frame end 31 1 directed upwardly. The cutting member 31 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R31 which is horizontal and perpendicular to the carrying rods 20. The axis of rotation R31 is positioned below or near the lower part of the bale 2. Driving means are provided to actuate the cutting member 31 to perform a downward rotational movement about the axis of rotation R31. The driving means 315 may be a hydraulic actuator.

Engaging means

The device 1 comprises engaging means to grab the wrapping material. The engaging means may be attached to the frame 10 near an upperside of the bale 2. Any suitable engaging means may be provided, such as a projection, a grapping element.

According to the embodiments shown in the figures, the carrying rods 20 comprise engaging means 27 to catch the wrapping material 3 and strip it from the bale 2 when moving the carrying rods 20 away from each other. The engaging means 27 are not shown in Fig. 1 as their view is obstructed by the bale 2. Fig. 3a schematically shows a cross sectional view of the bale 2 and the carrying rods 20 in the second nearby position with the engaging means 27 provided as projections 27 penetrating the wrapping material 3.

The engaging means 27 are preferably arranged to have a predetermined engaging direction to ensure that the wrapping material 3 is caught due to a relative motion of the bale 2 with respect to the carrying rods 20 in the predetermined engaging direction. Alternative embodiments are explained with reference to Fig.'s 4a - 4d. Fig. 4a - c show a top view of the carrying rods 20 and the projections 27.

Fig. 4a shows that the projections 27 are directed away from the free end 21 of the carrying rods 20, i.e. towards the frame 10. This has the advantage that as a result of the cutting motion of the first cutting member 31 , which is in a direction away from the frame 10 towards the free end 21 of the carrying rods, the bale 2 is pushed into the projections 27. A further advantage is that the projections 27 prevent the bale 2 from falling from the carrying rods 20 as a result of the cutting. This embodiment is also advantageous when a pushing element is applied.

Fig. 4b shows an alternative in which the projections 27 are directed away from the other carrying rod 20. This ensures that the projections do not catch the wrapping material 3 when moving the carrying rods 20 from the first remote position to the second nearby position, but do catch the wrapping material 3 when moving the carrying rods 20 from the second nearby position to the first remote position.

Fig. 4c shows a combination of the embodiments shown in Fig.'s 4a and 4b, in which the projections 27 are directed diagonally away from the free ends 21 of the carrying rods 20 and diagonally away from the other carrying rod 20, at an angle in the range of 0° < a < 90° with respect to the axial directions AD of the carrying rods 20. An example of this is explained further below with reference to Fig. 4c. This ensures that the projections 27 will catch the wrapping material 3 as a result of the cutting motion pushing the bale 2 towards the free ends 21 and as a result of the motion from the second nearby position to the first remote position.

The projections 27 may have projection points which are at a distance d from the outer surface of the carrying rods 20, wherein d is in the range of 1 - 10 cm. This is schematically shown in Fig. 4d, showing a side view of a carrying rod 20 according to Fig. 4a.

In the second nearby position, the carrying rods 20 are preferably relatively close to each other, for instance in the range of 30 - 60 cm, such as 50cm. The closer the carrying rods 20 are positioned to each other, the smaller the risk of losing a loose end of wrapping material. This is a great improvement with respect to device having engaging means at only one circumferential location, as these may lose wrapping material having a length of up to half the circumference of the bale.

The carrying rods 20 are preferably positioned close to each other when in the second position, to minimize the risk of a loose end of wrapping material not being caught by the engaging means 27. In order to minimize the risk of a bale falling of the carrying rods 20 additional positioning members 28 (shown in Fig. 1 ). The additional positioning members 28 may be rods positioned parallel to and at a level above the carrying rods 20 and may be arranged to be moved from a remote position to a nearby position and vice versa. In Fig. 1 , the positioning members 28 are positioned in the nearby position, close to the bale, thereby limiting lateral movement of the bale.

In the remote position the positioning members 28 are relatively remote from each other and the bale, allowing the carrying rods 20 to strip the wrapping material from the bale. In the nearby position the positioning members 28 are relatively closer to each other and can thus be positioned close to the bale, preventing the bale from falling of the carrying rods 20.

The additional positioning members 28 may be connected to the frame via rotary members 29 being rotatably connected to the frame via respective rotary axes, which may coincide with the rotary axes 24 described above. This way it is ensured that the positioning members 28 follow the up and down movement of the bale. The rotary members 29 of the positioning members 28 are shorter than the rotary members 23 of the carrying rods 20.

The positioning members 28 and rotary members 29 may be connected to the sliding member 25. The device 1 may comprise sensors to measure the size of the bale or to measure the distance between the positioning members 28 and the bale to position the positioning members 28 in the nearby position close to the bale.

Alternatively or additionally the positioning members 28 may be formed by a cage being mounted to the frame to surround part of the bale 2 and prevent it from falling of the carrying rods 20. The cage may be attached to the frame 10, possibly in a moveable manner such that the cage can follow the vertical movements of the bale. The cage may for instance be connected to the frame 10 via the sliding members 25.

Functioning of the device

The functioning of the device 1 will now be discussed in more detail. All actions may be controlled by the control device 40. The control device 40 may function autonomously and/or may be controlled by an operator or by a remote computer.

The device 1 may receive an indication that a bale is to be picked up. The device 1 may move towards pick-up position to pick-up a round bale 2 and, in case of a cylindrical bale, may approach the bale in an axial direction of the bale 2. The device 1 may comprise sensors to determine the position and orientation of a bale that is to be picked up.

The carrying rods 20 may be in the first, remote position.

In case retractable engaging means, such as retractable projections are provided, these may first be positioned in the retracted position if not already the case.

In case the carrying rods are rotatable carrying rods, the carrying rods may first be rotated to the first position, in which the engaging means, such as the projections, are pointing away from the bale to facilitate picking up the bale.

The carrying rods 20 are also in the lower position with respect to the frame 10, i.e. close to the ground. The device 1 is manoeuvred such that the bale 2 is in between the carrying rods 20 with its axial direction aligned with respect to the carrying rods 20. Next, the carrying rods 20 may be controlled to move to the second nearby position, thereby lifting the bale 2 from the ground. Lifting may also be done using sliding members 25.

In case retractable engaging means, such as retractable projections are provided, these may first be moved from the retracted to the extended position before moving the carrying rods 20 to the second nearby position.

In case the carrying rods are rotatable carrying rods, the carrying rods may first be rotated to the second position, in which the engaging means, such as the projections, penetrate the bale.

The positioning members 28 are positioned to the nearby position, i.e. close to the bale.

The device 1 is now operated to move to a release position, where the cutting members 31 , 32 are operated to cut the wrapping material 1 at least along the cutting line c running in between the carrying rods 20. The first cutting member 31 may be moved at least through the gap between the two carrying rods 20 and cut the bale. The first cutting member 31 may stop just before the end of the bale 2 to prevent cutting the wrapping material in two separate pieces.

The second cutting member 32 can be operated to slice the bale in halve (in a perpendicular direction with respect to carrying rods 20). Again, the second cutting member 32 may stop just before leaving the bale 2 to prevent cutting the wrapping material in two separate pieces. All the wrapping material is held by the projections 27 on the carrying rods 20.

The cutting means 31 , 32 may also be operated at the pick-up position, at an intermediate position or while moving from the pick-up position to the release position. As described, the cutting may cause the wrapping material to be caught by the engaging means. The cutting means 31 , 32 may be operated in any desired order.

The carrying rods 20 may be lifted from the lower position to a higher position by means of the sliding members 25 and sliding slots 26 in case this is needed to position the bale above the feed kitchen. The positioning members 28 follow this upward movement. This upward movement may also be done before the cutting. The carrying rods 20 are operated to move away from each other to the first remote position or even to a third position being even more remote than the first position. This is schematically shown in Fig. 3b. Also shown in Fig. 3b is that the carrying means strip the wrapping material 3 from the bale 2 thereby releasing the crop material and removing the wrapping material 3 from the crop material. In order to allow this spreading movement of the carrying rods 20, the positioning members 28 are moved to the remote position.

Finally, the device 1 may move to a wrapping material disposal position to dispose of the wrapping material. This may be done in an autonomous way, for instance by pulling the wrapping material in the direction of the projections. At the disposal position, a stationary unit may be provided which is arranged to pull the wrapping material from the carrying rods and drop it in a disposal container or the like. To facilitate disposing the wrapping material, in case retractable engaging means, such as retractable projections are used, these may be moved to the retracted position.

The control device 40 may be arranged to run navigation software to navigate the device 1 through a predetermined and shielded area, comprising the pick-up position, the release position and the disposal position.

Alternatives

The first cutting member may be for instance be a substantially vertical cutting member positioned in between the carrying means, which is arranged to move in a linear way from a first position, behind the bale, i.e. at the side where the ends of the carrying rods are attached to the frame to a second position in front of the bale, i.e. at the side of the free ends of the carrying rods. Guiding means may be provided to guide the carrying rods from the first to the second position. The guiding means are preferably provided above the bale.

The device 1 may comprise additional cutting means to perform additional cutting motions through the bale different from the cutting motion of the first cutting member. The additional cutting motion may coincide with the first cutting motion of the first cutting member at the part of the cutting line c in between the carrying rods. Such an embodiment makes it possible to create more cuts in the bale, making it easier to remove the crop material from the wrapping material. Of course, more than two cutting members may be used as well.

In case the motions of the first and second cutting member coincide at the cutting line, it is ensured that the wrapping material is only cut once in between the carrying means, thereby preventing creation of a separate piece of wrapping material that is not stripped from the bale by the carrying rods and could therefore end up in the unwrapped crop material. Figure 5 diagrammatically shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention. As device 1 , also device 100 may operate autonomously, without an operator. In this embodiment the device is arranged as an autonomously movable vehicle, equipped with navigation means and bale recognition means. The device also includes a control unit (in housing 1 16) for controlling the movement of the device when it drives towards a bale, to position itself relative to the bale, pick-up the bale and position it onto the support, optionally drive the bale to a new location, cut the wrapping and at least part of the crop material, remove the wrapping material, lower the bale to the ground, and drive to the next bale. The control unit may communicate with a remote central control system (computer) and communication between the control unit and the central control system may take place wirelessly. Thus a central control system may control which tasks the device should perform and send instructions to it. This device is generally denoted with reference numeral 100. The device 100 comprises a frame 101 with wheels 102, and connected to the frame: bale engaging means 103, movable by means of first arms 104 together forming bale pick-up means ,

a second support 105,

a first support comprising two support parts 106-1 and 106-2, each provided with pins 107, and rotatable by means of a rotator 108 and a coupling arm 109. The first support and the coupling arm are carried by second arms 1 10, which are movable along the direction of arrow A by means of actuators 1 1 1 ,

a cutter 1 12 which is reciprocatable by means of cutter actuator 1 13, and which is movable by means of third arms 1 14, in an upper direction, a limiter member 1 15.

Feature 1 16 shows a housing for a control unit (not shown) for controlling one or more of the movable parts mentioned above. In use of the device 100, a bale 2 is picked up, positioned, cut and unwrapped as follows. First of all, the first supports 106-1 and 106-2 are moved upward by means of the actuators 1 1 1 , such that they are above, or in a higher position than, a bale 2 to be grabbed. The device 100 is then moved such that its two wheels 102 extend beside the flat faces of the bale 2 and in a position for grabbing the bale 2 by means of the engaging means 103. Thereto, the engaging means 103 are lowered by means of the first arms 104. Then, the engaging means 103 are moved towards each other and actually engage the bale 2. Then the bale 2 is pick-up and lifted by means of the first arms 104, and then moved and lowered such that it comes to rest on the second support 105.

Next, the first supports 106-1 and 106-2 are lowered by means of the actuator 1 1 1 into a position below the bale 2, the arms of 104 of the bale pick-up means are lowered a bit further such that the bale comes to rest on the first supports 106-1 and 106-2. Herein, the first supports 106-1 and 106-2 are moved from the second position, or open into the first position according to the invention, in the first position the bale is supported by first supports 106-1 and 106-2.

Next, the cutter 1 12 is moved, while cutting the wrapping material and the crop material of the bale 2 by being reciprocated by the cutter actuator 1 13, in an upper direction by means of the second arms 1 14. Thus, the cutter 1 12 cuts into the bale 2 up to a desired height. This may be up to a few centimeters below the top of the bale or even completely through the bale, but could also be e.g. about halfway, all in dependence on the compactness of the crop material in the bale and so on. While cutting, an upward force is exerted on the bale 2. To prevent the bale from falling off the supports 105, 106, the limiter element 1 15 is moved in the direction of the arrow B, to be on top of the bale. Now, the position of the bale on the frame is stable.

The pins 107 on the first supports 106-1 and 106-2 are rotated to engage the bale 2, by means of the rotator 108. The wrapping material of the bale 2 is now gripped by the first support 106-1 , 106-2. It is noted that the supports could have been rotated before, such as when positioning the bale on the supports. When the pins engage the bale already at positioning, the latter is more secure and stable.

Next, the supports 106 are moved upward by means of the arm 1 10 and the actuator 1 1 1 , optionally winding the wrapping material further by rotating the conical first supports 106 while moving upwards. The trajectory of the first supports will roughly be along a circumference of the bale. In any case, the wrapping material is gradually removed from the bale, providing an opening for the crop material to fall down out of the bale 2.

The removal of the wrapping material from the bale 2 is further supported by rotating the bale over in particular the support 105. Thereto, the second support 105 may be embodied as a rotatably driven roller in any case, the wrapping material will finally be completely wound on the first support 106-1 and 106-2. Thereafter, the wound-up wrapping material may be removed from the conical supports 106-1 , 106-2, either manually or by means of a (not shown) removal arm, that moves between the two cones. In order not to hinder removal of the wound-up wrapping material from the first supports, the pins 107 may be made retractable and be retracted, or the pins point slightly toward each other, such that the wrapping material will easily slide of the pins. After this action the device 100 is ready to cut and unwrap another bale.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. Device (1 ) for processing a round bale (2) comprising crop material and wrapped in wrapping material (3),

the device (1 ) comprising

a frame (10),

at least a first and a second support (20, 106-1 , 106-2, 105) attached to the frame (10) and arranged for supporting the bale in a first position,

a cutter (30,1 12) moveably attached to the frame (10) and arranged to cut through the wrapping material of a bale resting on the supports, along a cutting line,

and wrapping material removing means at least provided on the first support and arranged to remove the cut wrapping material from the bale,

wherein at least the first support is moveable relative to the frame and to the second support, between a first position at a first distance to the second support and a second position at a second, larger distance to the second support.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein wrapping material removing means are provided on the second support.

3. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second supports are movable relative to each other between the first position and the second position.

4. The device of preceding claim, wherein the wrapping material removing means comprise engaging means (21 ) to engage the wrapping material (3), in particular a plurality of projections (27), more in particular wherein the engaging means are retractable into a non-engaging position, in particular into the support.

5. The device of any preceding claim, wherein at least the first support comprises at least one elongated part parallel to a longitudinal axis of the round bale.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first support comprises two elongated parts positioned at a distance to each other.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the two elongated parts are cones having respective longitudinal axes extending substantially in one plane, and in particular extending upwardly towards their respective apex.

8. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first support is rotatable, in particular rotatably driven, more in particular wherein each support that has wrapping material removing means is rotatable.

9. The device of any preceding claim, provided with bale pick-up means arranged to pick-up a bale from a surface and to position the picked-up bale onto the supports in the first position.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the bale pick-up means comprises the first and second supports and a support mover means for moving at least the first support from the second position to the first position.

1 1. The device of claim 9 or 10, wherein the bale pick-up means comprise first and second pick-up arms connected to the frame and each having a free end provided with a bale engaging member.

12. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the cutter is arranged to also cut through the crop material up to a desired height, which desired height is at least at the centre of the bale.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the cutter comprises a subframe that is moveably connected to the frame, as well as a knife on the subframe, in particular which knife is reciprocatable along a length thereof.

14. The device of claim 132, wherein the subframe is moveable such that the cutter is displaceable from a first knife position below the bale, in particular between the first and second support, to a second knife position that is more towards a centre of the bale than the first knife position.

14. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises wheels or caterpiller tracks.

15. The device according to claim 14, comprising propulsion means for moving the device, as well as a control for controlling at least the propulsion means, preferably as an autonomous vehicle.