ES1290184U - GROUPING MACHINE FOR HAY BALES OR SIMILAR MATERIAL - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine (1) for grouping bales (4) of hay or similar material, comprising; - a frame (2) that can be attached and pulled by a tractor, - a loading mouth (8) to collect the bales (4) from the ground, - a bale grouping chamber (3) arranged on the frame (2 ) to form a package of bales (4) arranged vertically along a longitudinal direction of the package, where said grouping chamber (3) comprises an inlet (5) for bales, - a device (9) for transporting bales (4) for moving the bales (4) from the loading mouth (8) to the bale (4) inlet (5) of the grouping chamber (3), - a pushing device (6) arranged to introduce the bales (4) into the grouping chamber (3) through the bale (4) inlet (5) of the grouping chamber (3), - a vertically movable mounted bale (4) lifting platform (7) to move the bales (4) from a lower position to a higher position inside the grouping chamber (3), retaining means (14) for retaining the bales in the po upper position when the lifting platform recovers the lower initial position, characterized by the fact that the device (9) for transporting incoming bales (4) comprises; at least one first conveyor belt (10a) arranged to move bales (4) coming from the loading mouth (8) according to a first transport direction (A), - at least one second conveyor belt (10b) arranged to receive bales ( 4) coming from the first conveyor belt (10a) and displacing said bales (4) according to a second direction (B) of transport, and - pivoting means (11, 12) arranged to pivot a change of direction of the bales (4 ) between the first conveyor belt (10a) and the second conveyor belt (10b).

Description

DESCRIPTION

BUNDLING MACHINE FOR HAY BALES OR SIMILAR MATERIAL

The present invention refers to a machine for grouping bales of hay or similar material, of the type that are pulled by a tractor to collect bales from the ground. In particular, it refers to a grouping machine for bales or bales of size between 75 cm and 120 cm, which is capable of forming a vertical package of bales on the frame of the machine.

Background of the invention

Hay or similar material bale grouping machines are known, of the type that group the bales forming a vertical package inside a bale grouping chamber that is arranged vertically on the frame of the machine. These machines have the main advantage that they are very short in length, unlike other types of machines that group the bales into a package that extends horizontally over the frame.

The machines that form vertical packages of bales, such as, for example, the one described in patent EP1222850A1, comprise a loading mouth to collect the bales from the ground, a transport device to move the bales from the loading mouth to a grouping chamber inlet and a thrust device for successively introducing incoming bales into the grouping chamber. A lifting platform moves the incoming bales vertically to a higher position where retaining means retain these bales so that the lifting platform can return to its lower position while waiting to receive new incoming bales. When the bundle formation cycle is complete, the retaining means retains the stacked bundle of bales inside the chamber to allow the bundle to be tied. A rear door to the collating chamber then opens and an ejector element acts to release the bundle and deposit it on the field while the tractor is running.

Currently, the bales are transported from the loading mouth to the entrance of the grouping chamber by means of transport devices that include chains with mechanical traction elements, such as, for example, rigid spikes, to pull the the bullets. However, these transport devices have numerous drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks lies in the fact that the mechanical traction elements carried by chains penetrate the bales and often cause the threads that bind the bales to break. Another drawback lies in the fact that, in order for the pushing device to introduce the bales inside the grouping chamber, it is necessary to first release the bales from the mechanical traction elements, which It extraordinarily complicates a simple "a priori" operation such as introducing the bales into the grouping chamber.

Description of the invention

The objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a hay bale grouping machine or the like that has the advantages that will be described below.

In accordance with this objective, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a machine comprising;

- a frame capable of being attached and pulled by a tractor,

- a loading mouth to collect the bullets from the ground,

- a bale grouping chamber arranged on the frame to form a pack of bales arranged vertically along a longitudinal direction of the pack, said grouping chamber comprising a bale inlet, - a transport device for moving the bales from the mouth of loading up to the bale inlet of the grouping chamber,

- a pushing device arranged to feed the bales into the collating chamber through the collating chamber bale inlet, - a vertically movable mounted lifting platform for moving the bales from a lower position to an upper position in inside the grouping chamber, and

- retaining means for retaining the bales in the upper position when the lifting platform returns to the lower position.

The machine is characterized by the fact that the bale transport device comprises;

- at least one first conveyor belt arranged to move bales coming from the loading mouth according to a first direction of transport, - at least one second conveyor belt arranged to receive bales coming from the first conveyor belt and move said bales according to a second direction of transport transportation, and

- pivoting means arranged to pivot the change of direction of the bales between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt.

According to a preferred embodiment, the machine further comprises at least one third conveyor belt to move the bales coming from the second conveyor belt to the entrance of the bale grouping chamber.

In the claimed machine, the transport of the bales from the loading mouth to the The entrance of the grouping chamber is carried out by means of a plurality of conveyor belts, dispensing with mechanical traction elements dragged by chains. Thanks to this, the bales move quickly and without the risk of thread breakage to the entrance of the grouping chamber, since no mechanical traction element penetrates the bale during transport. Furthermore, the pivoting means are arranged to pivot a sharp change in direction of the bales between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt.

It has been observed that the conveyor belts allow the bales to change direction according to a path that has a very small turning radius, and without the risk of thread breakage. In fact, advantageously, the present invention allows the bales to make a change of direction of approximately 90 degrees, positioning the conveyor belts so that the first direction (A) of transport of the first belt is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. (B) Transport of the second band.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one first conveyor belt is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane to move the bales from the loading mouth to the second conveyor belt along an ascending path.

Advantageously, the upper end of the first conveyor belt delivers the bales at a height greater than the height of the transport surface of the second conveyor belt. It has been observed that this detail ensures the delivery of the bullets in an optimal position to facilitate the change of direction.

Preferably, the pivoting means comprise at least one element that acts as a pivot and that is arranged on the inner side of the path of change of direction of the bullets.

Again preferably, the pivoting means further comprise a guide-like element arranged on the outer side of the trajectory for changing the direction of the bullets. Advantageously, this guide-like element is curved to guide the incoming bales towards the second transport direction.

Advantageously, the transport speed of the second conveyor belt is greater than the transport speed of the first conveyor belt and, again advantageously, the second conveyor belt comprises a traction transport surface greater than that of the transport surface of the first conveyor belt

It has been observed that these details make it easier for the bullets to change direction with a very small radius of gyration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the third conveyor belt, which moves the bales to the entrance of the grouping chamber, comprises a transport surface lower traction than that of the transport surface of the first and second conveyor belts. For example, advantageously, the transport surface of the third conveyor belt comprises a release material.

It has been observed that the non-stick material facilitates the movement of the bales inside the grouping chamber when the pushing device acts on them, avoiding any type of breakage or incidents with the bale thread.

Advantageously, the transport surface of the first, second and third conveyor belts includes a material treated to reduce the accumulation and/or generation of static electricity caused by the friction of the bale material on the surface of the conveyor belts. .

This prevents the formation of an electrical arc that could ignite the bullet material.

According to one embodiment, the loading mouth of the machine comprises at least one pair of traction rollers associated with the lower end of the first conveyor belt, said pair of traction rollers being arranged so that each of them is capable of contacting, in a active position, an opposite side of one of the bales deposited on the ground to lift said bale from the ground and up onto the first conveyor belt.

Advantageously, said traction rollers are mounted on a structure of the loading mouth in such a way that they are capable of accumulating elastic potential energy in their active position, when they contact the bale, and of recovering a retracted rest position, once the bale has risen to the conveyor belt.

For example, these tractor rollers may be mounted to the loading spout structure such that they accumulate elastic potential energy from a spring in the active position, when they contact opposite sides of the bale to lift the bale off the ground. Once the bale goes up to the first conveyor belt to be moved, the traction rollers recover the collected rest position.

According to one embodiment, the conveyor belts described in the present invention comprise a transport surface made up of a plurality of layers of fabrics made of synthetic material, such as, for example, polyester, preferably fabrics with a rigid weft and covered with PVC material with treatment for reduce the generation and/or accumulation of static electricity. Alternatively, the conveying surface of the conveyor belts may be made up of a plurality of belts or modular parts.

In the present invention, a conveyor belt will be understood as a continuous transport system formed by a belt or belt that moves continuously between two drums. Preferably, one of the drums is associated with a drive shaft and the other drum rotates freely without any type of drive, and its function is to serve as a return to the band. Advantageously, the band or ribbon defines a flat conveying surface that may be configured from a plurality of layers of fabric, a plurality of belts, or a plurality of modular pieces.

Brief description of the figures

In order to facilitate the description of what has been stated above, some drawings are attached in which, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment of the grouping machine of the present invention is represented.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the collating machine for forming vertical packages of bales. This figure shows a bale located in the loading mouth of the machine, ready to be lifted from the ground.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 showing the bale moving from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt, guided by a curved outer guide.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 showing the bale moving during change of direction about the inner pivot.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 showing the bale moving on the second conveyor belt.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 showing the bale located in front of the grouping chamber entrance, about to be introduced inside the grouping chamber.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 showing the bale as it is being fed through the collating chamber inlet by the pusher arm.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of the machine of figure 1 in which the loading mouth can be seen that includes the tractor rollers to collect the bales from the ground, and the transport device to move the bales to the entrance of the grouping chamber. This device is made up of a set of three bale conveyor belts.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear of the machine of Figure 1.

Description of a preferred embodiment

Next, an embodiment of the bundling machine of the present invention is described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

The grouping machine 1 of the present invention is of the type that comprises a frame 2 that can be attached and pulled by a tractor (not shown), on which a grouping chamber 3 is mounted inside which the bales 4 are grouped to form a vertical bale pack, that is, a bale pack 4 arranged vertically along a longitudinal direction of the pack. The grouping chamber 3 comprises an inlet 5 for bales 4 which is located opposite a pusher arm 6 of a pushing device designed to introduce the bales 4, one by one, inside the grouping chamber 3. A lifting platform 7 is vertically movable mounted inside the grouping chamber 3 to successively move the incoming bales 4 from a lower position to an upper position where they are retained by retaining means 14 mounted on the bale 4. rear wall of pooling chamber 3.

The bales 4 are fed from a loading mouth 8 that picks up the bales 4 from the ground and raises them to a transport device 9 in charge of moving the bales 4 from the loading mouth 8 to the entrance 5 of the grouping chamber 3 .

In the present invention, the transport device 9 includes a plurality of conveyor belts 10a, 10b, 10c on which the bales 4 move, without the risk of thread breakage. In particular, the transport device 9 includes;

- at least one first conveyor belt 10a arranged to move the bales 4 coming from the loading mouth 8 according to a first transport direction (A), - at least one second conveyor belt 10b arranged to receive bales 4 coming from the first belt 10a conveyor and move said bales 4 according to a second direction (B) of transport,

- pivoting means arranged to pivot the change of direction of the bales 4 between the first conveyor belt 10a and the second conveyor belt 10b, and

- at least one third conveyor belt 10c to move the bales 4 coming from the second conveyor belt 10b to the entrance 5 of the chamber 3 for grouping bales 4.

In the embodiment described, the first conveyor belt 10a is arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to define an ascending path for the bales 4. The pivoting means comprise a pivoting element 11 which is arranged on the side interior of the bullet direction change path 4, and an element 12 that acts as a curved guide and is arranged on the outer side of the bullet direction change path 4.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the first conveyor belt 10a and the second conveyor belt 10b are positioned such that a plan view of the transport device 9 represents the first transport direction (A) substantially perpendicular to the second transport direction (A). B) transportation. This provision allows the bales 4 to make a change of direction of approximately 90 degrees on the frame 2 of the machine 1.

To facilitate the change of direction of the bales 4, the transport speed of the second conveyor belt 10b has been provided to be higher than that of the first conveyor belt 10a. Likewise, the transport surface of the second conveyor belt 10b is provided with a higher traction than that of the first conveyor belt 10a.

As can be seen in the figures, the third belt 10c is arranged aligned with respect to the second conveyor belt 10b, and extends longitudinally to be able to move the bales 4 to the entrance 5 of the grouping chamber 3. The transport surface of this third band 10c has been provided with a lower traction than that of the second conveyor band 10b and, in addition, with a non-stick material intended to facilitate the transverse movement of the bale 4, when the pusher arm 6 introduces it. into the grouping chamber 3.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of the transport device 9, showing the arrangement of the three conveyor belts 10a, 10b, 10c, the pivoting means and the loading mouth 8 that collects the bales 4 from the ground. The same figure shows the detail of the pusher arm 6 that introduces the bales 4 inside the grouping chamber 3.

In the embodiment described and shown in figure 7, the loading mouth 8 of the grouping machine 1 comprises a pair of traction rollers 13 associated with the lower end of the first conveyor belt 10a. In particular, the traction rollers 13 are mounted on a structure of the loading mouth 8 so that each of them is capable of contacting, in an active position, an opposite side of one of the bales 4 deposited on the ground, to lift the bale and raise it to the first conveyor belt 10a (see figure 1). In fact, the traction rollers 13 are mounted on the aforementioned structure in such a way that, in their active position, they are capable of contacting the bale 4, accumulating elastic potential energy from the compression force applied to a spring 15. Once the first band The conveyor 10 pulls the bale 4, the traction rollers 13 stop contacting the bale 4 and return to their extended rest position.

The conveyor belts 10a, 10b, 10c described have a transport surface made up of a plurality of layers of synthetic fabric with a rigid weave, such as, for example, polyester, and covered with a thin layer of PVC, or similar material, treated to reduce the accumulation or generation of static electricity caused by the friction of the hay on the transport surface of the conveyor belts 10a, 10b, 10c. In this way, the formation of an electric arc that could ignite the material of the bullets 4 is avoided.

Alternatively, the conveyor belts may include a conveying surface configured from a plurality of belts, or a plurality of modular pieces.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the rear part of the grouping machine 1 in which the dimensions of the grouping chamber 3 and the retention means 14 can be seen, configured as articulated supports, located on a rear wall of the same grouping chamber 3 to retain the bales 4 in the upper position, when the lifting platform 7 recovers the rest position.

Next, the operation of the grouping machine 1 is described, and in particular the operation of the device 9 for transporting bales 4.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the grouping machine 1 in which the traction rollers 13 of the loading mouth 8 contact the bale 4 wedged between the guides of the loading mouth 8. The traction rollers 13 pick up the bale 4 from the ground and lift it until it makes contact with the transport surface of the first conveyor belt 10a. At this moment, the movement of the first conveyor belt 10a pulls the bale 4 according to the first direction (A) of transport, and moves it to the second conveyor belt 10b where the bale 4 abuts against the curved element 12 that acts as guide. The second conveyor belt 10b is arranged so that it moves the bale 4 according to a second transport direction (B), causing a change of direction pivoted by the element 11 that acts as a pivot (see figures 2, 3 and 4). As mentioned, the speed of the second conveyor belt 10b is greater than that of the first belt 10a to facilitate the change of direction of the bale 4. Optionally, the traction of the second belt 10b can be greater than that of the first band 10a to forcefully drag the bale 4 and facilitate the 90 degree change of direction.

Figure 4 shows the transition of the bale 4 from the second conveyor belt 10b to the third conveyor belt 10c, which is arranged adjacent to and aligned with the second belt 10b according to the same transport direction (B). Figure 5 shows the bale 4 positioned in front of the entrance 5 of the grouping chamber 3, ready to be activated by the pusher arm 6 that introduces it inside the grouping chamber 3 (see also figure 6). .

The collection and transport operation is repeated until at least two bales 4 have been introduced inside the grouping chamber 3 . At this time, the lifting platform 7 moves vertically to raise the two bales 4 to a higher position where the retaining means 14 retain the bales 4 so that the lifting platform 7 can return to its initial position, waiting to receive new bales. 4 that were part of the package. When the cycle of formation of the package is finished, the retaining means 14 are they actuate again to hold the package upright and make it easier to tie. Next, a rear door of the collating chamber 3 is opened and an ejector element acts to release the package and deposit it on the field, while the tractor pulls the collating machine 1 across the field.

Thanks to the claimed characteristics, the present invention provides a grouping machine 1 in which the transport of the bales 4 to the entrance of the grouping chamber 3 is carried out in a simple, fast and efficient way, with the possibility of pronounced changes of direction, avoiding at all times the risk of breaking the threads of the bales 4. The resulting machine 1 is extremely small in size and very simple to handle in the field. In addition, it adapts to different types of bales or small bales with dimensions between 75 cm and 120 cm.

Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described grouping machine is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones. , without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. Bale (4) bundler machine (1) of hay or similar material, comprising; or a frame (2) that can be attached and pulled by a tractor, or a loading mouth (8) to collect the bales (4) from the ground, or a bale grouping chamber (3) arranged in the frame (2) to form a package of bales (4) arranged vertically along a longitudinal direction of the package, where said grouping chamber (3) comprises an inlet (5) for bullets, or a device (9) for transporting bales (4) to move the bales (4) from the loading mouth (8) to the inlet (5) of bales (4) of the grouping chamber (3), or a pushing device (6) arranged to introduce the bales (4) into the grouping chamber (3) through the entry (5) of bales (4) of the grouping chamber (3), or a vertically movable mounted bale lifter platform (7) to move the bales (4) from a lower position to a higher position inside the grouping chamber (3), or retaining means (14) for retaining the bales in the upper position when the lifting platform returns to the lower initial position, characterized in that the incoming bale (4) transport device (9) comprises; or at least one first conveyor belt (10a) arranged to move bales (4) coming from the loading mouth (8) according to a first transport direction (A), or at least one second conveyor belt (10b) arranged to receive bales (4) from the first conveyor belt (10a) and move said bales (4) according to a second direction (B) of transport, and or pivoting means (11,12) arranged to pivot a change of direction of the bales (4) between the first conveyor belt (10a) and the second conveyor belt (10b). 2. Grouping machine (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one third conveyor belt (10c) arranged adjacent to the second conveyor belt (10b), to move the bales (4) coming from the second belt ( 10b) conveyor to the entrance (5) of the grouping chamber (3) (4). Bale grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 2, in which the at least one first conveyor belt (10a) is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane to move the bales (4) to the second belt (10a). 10b) conveyor according to an ascending path. 4. Grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the upper end of the first conveyor belt (10a) delivers the bales (4) at a height greater than the height of the transport surface of the second conveyor belt (10b). 5. Grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the pivoting means comprise at least one element (11) that acts as a pivot and that is arranged on the inside of the direction change path of the bullets (4). 6. Grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the pivoting means comprise a guide-like element (12) arranged on the outer side of the path of change of direction of the bales (4 ). 7. Bale grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 or 6, in which the transport speed of the second conveyor belt (10b) is higher than the transport speed of the first conveyor belt (10a) to facilitate the change of direction of the bullets (4). Bundling machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which the second conveyor belt (10b) comprises a traction conveying surface greater than that of the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt (10a). 9. Grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, depending on claim 2, wherein the at least third conveyor belt (10c) comprises a lower traction transport surface than the transport surface of the first and second conveyor belts (10a, 10b). Grouping machine (1) according to claim 9, in which the transport surface of the third conveyor belt (10c) comprises a non-stick material. 11. Grouping machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, in which the transport surface of the first, second and third conveyor belts (10a, 10b, 10c) includes a material adapted to prevent the accumulation or generation of static electricity. 12. Bundling machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which a plan view of the transport device represents the first transport direction (A) of the first conveyor belt (10a) arranged substantially perpendicular to the second direction ( B) transport of the second conveyor belt (10b). 13. Grouping machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the loading mouth (8) comprises at least one pair of traction rollers (13) associated with the lower end of the first conveyor belt (10a), being arranged said pair of tractor rollers (13) such that each of them is capable of contacting, in an active position, an opposite side of one of the bales (4) deposited on the ground to lift said bale (4) from the ground and upload it to the first conveyor belt (10a) 14. Grouping machine according to claim 13, in which said traction rollers (13) are mounted on a structure of the loading mouth (8) such that they are capable of accumulating elastic potential energy, in the active position, when they contact the bale (4), and recovering an extended rest position, once the bale (4) has risen onto the first conveyor belt (10a). 15. Grouping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belts (10a, 10b, 10c) each comprise a transport surface defined by one or more layers of fabric, by a plurality of belts, or by a plurality of modular parts.