GB2148790A

GB2148790A - Compression of haulm material into blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2148790A
Application number: GB08328765A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Frederick Scott Chard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-27
Filing date: 1983-10-27
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB2148790B; GB8328765D0

Abstract

Apparatus for providing coherent block(s) of compressed haulm material(s), comprising: (a) at least one chamber (1) (1'), openable to receive a charge of haulm material(s) (M) for compression in chamber (1) when closed so that said charge becomes a block and openable for enabling discharging of said block therefrom, (b) a first piston (30), reciprocable in chamber (1) and having a face shaped to define a first portion of said block, and (c) a second piston (40), reciprocable in chamber (1), the axis of action of piston (40) being angularly separated from the axis of action of piston (30), piston (40) having a face shaped to define a second portion of said block. There may be two chambers (1) (1') alternately charged with material cut from a column of material fed along a duct (100) from a boiler. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Compression of haulm material into blocks Haulm materials of plants comprise stem portions with or without: branch(es) and/or stalk(s) and/or leaf(s). Vast amounts of haulm materials have to be disposed of, e.g. when harvesting is complete.

Some examples of haulm materials are: haulm materials obtained from fibrous forage (e.g.

grasses, for instance alfalfa grass, bermuda grass, or meadow grass; hays; lucerne); haulm materials obtained from straw of cereal plants (for instance barley, maize, oats, rye, or wheat); haulm materials obtained from straw of oilseed plants (for instance rape); haulm materials obtained from vines (for instance bean vines, or pea vines); and bracken.

Haulm material (s) can be made into packages convenient for handling, storage, and transport. One known kind of package is a bale held together by a tie. Another kind of known package is a compressed modular block comprising haulm materials cohering without a tie for holding the block together.

An object of the present invention is to provide a block comprising haulm material(s), wherein at least a poriton of said haulm material(s) coheres together, i.e. a coherent block. It is possible for such a block to comprise additives, e.g. cohesion additive(s) for aiding or enabling cohesion of the block, but such cohesion can be provided without the presence of cohesion additive(s) when the haulm material(s) are suitable.

A first aspect of the present invention provides apparatus for providing block(s) of compressed haulm material(s), wherein in a said block at least a portion of said haulm material(s) thereof coheres together, said apparatus comprising: (a) at least one chamber, said chamber being openable for charging to receive a charge of haulm material(s) for compression in said chamber when closed so that said charge becomes a said block, said chamber being openable for discharging to enable said block to be discharged therefrom, said chamber comprising at least one removal aperture openable or closeable to enable said charging and/ or said discharging; (b) a first piston, reciprocable in said chamber, said first piston having an end face defining a first pressure surface shaped to define a first shape portion of said block when that shape portion is formed in said chamber; and (c) a second piston, reciprocable in said chamber, the axis of action of said second piston being angularly separated from the axis of action of said first piston, said second piston having an end face defining a second pressure surface shaped to define a second shape portion of said block when that shape portion is formed in said chamber, pressure from said second piston's end face being applicable after, before, or during at least a portion of the time pressure is applied from said first piston's end face to haulm material(s) in said chamber.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing block(s) of compressed haulm material(s), said method comprising providing said block(s) by means of apparatus of said first aspect of the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a block of compressed haulm material(s), said block having been provided by apparatus of said first aspect of the present invention, or said block having been provided by a method of said second aspect of the present invention.

A block of compressed haulm material(s) provided in accordance with the present invention can have any suitable properties. The haulm material(s) can be any said haulm material(s), e.g. straw. Said block can be a modular block having any suitable shape, e.g. briquettes, pellets, tablets, wafers.

Some said blocks are cubic, cylindrical, prismatic, pyramidal, rectangular, square, or spherical. Preferred shapes for said blocks are cylindrical, oval, or prismatic. During or prior to compression to make a said block, cohesion of haulm material(s) can be aided by optional pretreatment(s) of said haulm material(s). Said pretreatment can comprise mechanical treatment(s) and/or addition of additive(s). Some examples of mechanical treatments are: chopping, cutting, drying, interlocking, lacerating, lacing, macerating, milling, mixing, or orienting. An example of a said additive is a binder, which optionally can have at least one additional function. Said additive(s) can comprise at least one food supplement (e.g. minerals, or vitamins). Said additive(s) can comprise at least medicine (or other curative or preventative substance), when said modular block is to be eaten.Said additive(s) can comprise at least one additive that is a combustion aid, when a said block is to be burnt as a fuel. In general, said pre-treatment(s) will be chosen according to any intended use for a said block.

There can be a plurality of said chambers. For example, there can be at least one set of two said chambers, those two chambers being at opposite sides of a supply direction of haulm material(s), such that a said portion of haulm material(s) can be delivered from said supply direction to either of those chambers. Said two chambers can be at opposite ends of a direction (i.e. shift direction - see below) substantially 90 to said supply direction. At least one said openable chamber can be movably or statically located. A movably located said chamber could be mounted to a movable chassis, e.g. a chassis having at least one wheel and/or at least one caterpillar track. In general, at least one portion of said apparatus could be movably or statically located, depending on the circumstances of use of the apparatus.Haulm material(s) can be charged from a column thereof. Said block can be discharged in any suitable manner from said open chamber, e.g. said block can be discharged so that it falls from said chamber. One embodiment of said openable chamber comprises first and second chamber portions movable relative to each other to open or close said chamber, at least one of said chamber portions being movable in a direction angularly separated from the junction between those chamber portions when said chamber is closed.

Another embodiment of said openable chamber comprises at least one gate means (e.g. a door) optionally slideable to open or close at least one corresponding said removal aperture. Said openable chamber may comprise an openable removal aperture (e.g. port) from which said block may be discharged by action of an optional ejector piston, i.e. a third piston (see below). That removal aperture may be in an upper or lower wall portion of said chamber, or in the chamber's wall portion opposite the second piston, or in the chamber's wall portion opposite the first piston. A removal aperture (e.g. port) in the chamber wall portion opposite the first piston may be used to receive said charge of haulm material(s) and may therefore be a dual purpose port used for charge and discharge.

Said apparatus can comprise at least one first actuation mechanism, operated by at least one first actuation means for moving at least one of said chamber portions so as to open or close said chamber. One or both of said chamber portions can be so movable. Preferably, said at least one first actuation mechanism is adapted such that when said chamber is closed, force reacted onto internal surface of chamber by haulm material(s) will be resisted by said at least one first actuation mechanism so that no significant force is transmitted from said charged haulm material(s) to said at least one first actuation means.Said at least one first actuation mechanism preferably comprises at least two links: the first end of the first link being pivotally connected to the movable chamber portion; the second end of the first link being pivotally connected to the first end of the second link; and the second end of the first link being pivotally connected to fixed structure of the apparatus. Said at least one first actuation means can be pivotally connected to an optional third end of the second link.In cases where the opening of the chamber is effected by opening removal apertures (e.g. ports) in its walls, the closure of these apertures is preferably effected by sliding or pivoted doors operated by actuation link mechanism(s) as described above, except that, in the case of sliding doors, provision for opposing the reactive pressures of the haulm material(s) may be provided by the structure of the corresponding slideways.

Preferably, the axis of action of said first piston is such that said charge of haulm material(s) will have its haulms substantially parallel to that axis.

Preferably, said first piston's end face is at least partly concave, e.g. at least partly cylindrically-, spherically-, prismatically-, elliptically-, or ovally-, concave. Preferably, the application of pressure by said first piston's end face is in a direction opposite to the direction in which said charge is admitted into said chamber. Preferably, the axis of action of said second piston is separated from the axis of action of said first piston by substantially 90 . Preferably, said second piston's end face is at least partly concave, e.g. at least partly cylindrically-, spherically-, elliptically-, prismatically-, or ovally- concave. Preferably, compression is applied by said second piston's end face after compression has been applied by said first piston's end face.

Preferably, said concavity of said first and/or second piston is such that at least a portion of haulm material(s) being compressed in said chamber has some freedom to expand in an angular direction (preferably perpendicular) to the axis of action of said first piston andlor of said second piston, such that said portion is subjected to shearing while it is being so compressed. Pressure applied by said second piston's end face can be equal to, greater than, or less than pressure applied by said first piston's end face.

Said apparatus can comprise at least one second actuation mechanism, for said first piston, that mechanism being operated by at least one second actuation means. Preferably, said at least one second actuation mechanism is adapted such that said first piston will provide a progressively decreasing velocity characteristic, with a progressively increasing maximum force, and a substantially constant rate of working when said second actuation means has constant force and velocity characteristics and a constant rate of working. Preferably, said at least one second actuation mechanism comprises pivoted linkage mechanism whose geometry is such that force available from said at least one second actuation mechanism will exceed by a substantially constant ratio, force that is reacted onto said first piston's end face by haulm material(s) under compression in said chamber.Said at least one second actuation means can comprise at least one hydraulic ram means adapted to be powered by pump means with a constant volume rate of output, said pump means being adapted to provide hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic circuit protected by a fixed pressure relief valve.

Said apparatus can comprise at least one third actuation mechanism for said second piston, that mechanism being operated by at least one third actuation means. Preferably, said at least one third actuation mechanism is adapted such that said second piston will provide a progressively decreasing velocity characteristic, with a progressively increasing maximum force, and a substantially constant rate of working when said third actuation means has constant force and velocity characteristics and a constant rate of working. Preferably, said at least one third actuation mechanism comprises pivoted linkage mechanism whose geometry is such that force available from said at least one third actuation mechanism will exceed by a substantially constant ratio, force that is reacted onto said second piston's end face by haulm material(s) under compression in said chamber. Said at least one third actuation means can comprise at least one hydraulic ram means adapted to be powered by pump means with a constant volume rate of output, said pump means being adapted to provide hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic circuit protected by a fixed pressure relief valve.

Said third piston (i.e. said ejector piston) is reciprocable in said chamber so as to eject from said open chamber said block. Preferably, the axis of action of said third piston is angularly separated from the axis of action of said first piston, preferably substantially 90 . Preferably, said third piston and said second piston are respectively comprised by said first and second chamber portions, and preferably those axes are aligned.

Said third piston can be operated by any suitable means and in any suitable manner. Such operation can be simple, e.g. by a ram or by a connection to a fixed frame portion. One preferred means for operating said third piston comprises hydraulic ram means.

Said apparatus can comprise various optional components, e.g. at least one first delivery means, for delivering said charge(s) of haulm material(s) to said chamber(s). Said first delivery means can comprise at least one first guide means for guiding haulm material(s), e.g. at least one duct. Preferably, at least one said first guide means is adapted to provide some compression of haulm material(s).

Said at least one first delivery means can comprise at least one separator means for separating said column into successive modular portions each corresponding to a respective said charge. At least one said separator means can comprise at least one knife. Said at least one first delivery means can comprise at least one first conveyor means, for conveying haulm material(s). Said at least one first delivery means can comprise at least one collector means, for collecting haulm material(s) from the ground or from other surface. For example, a said collector means can be a conventional agricultural baler with stringing and tying mechanisms disabled.

Said apparatus can comprise at least one second delivery means, for delivering to at least one collection location said blocks, which location could be comprised by said apparatus or separate therefrom. At least one said second delivery means can be adapted to receive blocks which have fallen from said open chamber after discharge therefrom, that falling being a preferred manner by which ejected blocks leave from said chamber. Said at least one second delivery means can comprise at least one second guide means, for guiding said blocks after their discharge from said chamber. At least one said second guide means can comprise at least one duct. Said at least one second delivery means can comprise at least one second conveyor, for conveying said discharged blocks.At least one said second conveyor could comprise a hydraulically cockable spring gun for firing blocks successively along a duct (e.g. tubing).

Said apparatus can comprise at least one container for containing said discharged blocks, but said container could be separate from said apparatus. At least one said container can be movably or statically located, and/or movably or statically disposable (e.g. be elevatable or tippable).

Preferably, the haulm material(s) in a column thereof for providing said charge(s) of haulm material(s) are substantially aligned in said column (e.g.

by utilising said at least one first guide means), and are preferably aligned substantially at 90 to the longitudinal direction of said column.

In the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example of the present invention: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of mobile apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, but omits some detail of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross section of a compression chamber in apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view of apparatus of Fig. 1 when in a field.

Two compression chambers 1, 1' are respectively at opposite sides of a supply direction P for haulm material(s) M (Fig. 2), e.g. straw from wheat.

A separated modular charge (see later below) of haulm material(s) M is delivered to a shift location Q in direction P to either of said chambers, which are at opposite ends of a shift direction R that is substantially 90ton to supply direction P. Chambers 1, 1' are identically constituted. Chamber 1 or 1' comprises a movable first chamber portion 2 and a static chamber portion 3, such that relative motion between those chamber portions opens or closes said chamber, by moving those portions laterally and transversely apart or together. Said chamber when open for charging with haulm material(s) is able to receive via an inlet end 4 thereof said material(s) appropriately from shift direction R.Said chamber when open for discharging a resultant block of compressed haulm material(s) - see later below - is able to discharge that block such that it falls from the space between chamber portions 2, 3 without passing via inlet end 4. That block could have e.g. a log shape substantially 35 cm long, and of elliptical cross section whose major and minor axes are respectively substantially 7.6 cm and substantially 3.8 cm.

For each of chambers 1, 1', two identical pivoted linkage mechanisms 10 are connected to each of chamber portions 2, 3 at their upper and lower surfaces, only the upper mechanisms 10 being shown in Fig. 1.

Mechanism 10 comprises two independent links 11, 14. Opposite ends of link 11 are respectively connected by pivots 12, 13 to chamber portions 2, 3. Opposite ends of link 14 are respectively connected by pivots 15, 16 to chamber portions 2, 3.

Mechanism 10 is actuated by a respective train of links 17, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d via motion of chamber portion 2 (which effectively is part of that train). A first end of each link 17 is pivotally connected by a pivot 19 to chamber portion 2. Second ends of links 17 are pivotally connected by a pivot 20 to first ends of links 18a to 18d. Second ends of links 18a to 18d are pivotally connected by a pivot 21 to a portion 22 of framework of the apparatus.

Third ends of links 18b, 18c are pivotally connected by a pivot 23 to a hydraulic ram 24 actuated by a hydraulic pump (not shown) in a hydraulic circuit (not shown) protected by fixed pressure relief valve(s) (not shown). Pivots 19, 20, 21 are substantially in line when the chamber is closed. There is no particular significance in the positions of pivots 12, 13, 15 and 16 except that because link 14 is longer than link 11 the chamber opens wider at its inlet end 4 than the other end thereof. The alignment of pivots 19, 20, 21 is, however, important.

Respective piston rods (operatively connected to corresponding piston portions) 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d (Figs. 1, 3) constitute a first composite piston 30 reciprocable in chamber 1 or 1'. Said constitution of piston 30 simplifies manufacture and alignment of linkages, and enables the possibility of dividing said log into four portions corresponding to piston portions 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. Piston 30 has its axis of action substantially aligned with the direction in which said charge enters said chamber. Piston 30 has an oval concave face portion (Fig. 3), for applying compression to said charge so as to give that charge an oval shape portion. Piston 30 is mounted in the chamber end opposite to the inlet end 4 thereof, but other configurations of mounting are possible.

Respective piston rods (operatively connected to corresponding piston portions) 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d (Figs. 1, 3) constitute a second composite piston 40 reciprocable in chamber 1 or 1'. Those piston portions together define width of said log of haulm material(s). Said constitution of piston 40 simplifies manufacture and alignment of linkages, and enables the possibility of dividing that log into four portions corresponding to piston portions 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d. Piston 40 has its axis of action substantially 90 to the axis of action of piston 30. Piston 40 has an oval concave face portion (Fig. 3), for applying compression to said charge (after compression has been applied thereto by first piston 30) so as to give that charge a further oval shape portion and to effect further compression.Piston 40 is mounted to a side of first chamber portion 2, but other configurations of mounting are possible.

Owing to the varying alignment of piston rods 30a to 30d, they will be connected to their actual pistons by pivots, e.g. gudgeon pins 30e (Fig. 2). In the case of piston rods 40a to 40d, their change of alignment is much smaller and therefore rigid connections between those rods and their actual pistons are provided, which essentially means that piston rods 40a to 40d can be regarded as part of the piston 40.

The operating mechanism for pistons 30, 40 are preferably such that their compression strokes have a non linear velocity characteristic and can apply a maximum force that exceeds by a substantially constant ratio the force that is reacted by the haulm materials within the chamber. The product of force and velocity may preferably be constant so that the rate of working is substantially constant. In this manner the nature of the linkage mechanisms enables the output of their associated pump(s) (not shown) to be used to maximum effect, particularly if said pump(s) is/are constant volume rate hydraulic pump(s).

Respective pivoted linkage mechanisms 50 (see Figs. 1, 2) each having progressive actions are connected to each corresponding first piston 30 for driving those pistons. Each linkage mechanism 50 comprises pivotably interconnected in train a respective succession of links 51, 52, 53. Link 51 consists of upper and lower plates 51a, 51b. First ends of plates 51a, 51b are pivotably connected by a pivot 56 to the head of a ram 57, with the head thereof between plates 51a, 51b. Second ends of plates 51a, 51b are pivotably connected by a pivot 58 to a respective portion 59 of framework of said apparatus.Third ends of plates 51a, 51b are pivotably connected by pivot 60 to first ends of respective upper and lower arm links 52, which ends are received in respective housing portions Sic on the exterior of plate 51a or of 51b. A second end of each arm link 52 is pivotably connected by a pivot 61 to a first end of a respective link 53, that link consisting of upper and lower plates 53a, 53b between which is received that end of link 52. A second end of each link 53 is pivotably connected by a respective pivot 62 to a portion 63 of framework of said apparatus. A third end of each link 53 is part of a rigid yoke 54 pivotably connected by a pivot 64 to first piston rods 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. Linkage mechanism 50 is a Z shaped configuration as shown in Fig. 2, that configuration consisting of links 51, 52, 53.Extension of ram 57 rotates links 51 about pivot 58 thereby causing links 52 to rotate links 53 about pivot 62 and cause said first piston rods to be driven into their compression chamber.

As those piston rods advance into their compression chamber, the line of action of ram 57 moves away from pivot 58 thereby providing an increase in turning movement on links 51, caused by unit pressure in the hydraulic circuit (not shown) of ram 57; and the line of action of links 52 moves away from pivot 62 thereby providing an increase in the turning moment on links 53, caused by unit force in link 52; and the line of action of link 52 moves towards pivot 58 thereby providing an increase in the force exerted in link 52 by unit turning moment on link 51. The progression of these effects ensures that the force that can be exerted on piston 30 by linkage mechanism 50 increases as piston 30 is displaced into its compression chamber, and that the rate of increase of this force relative to piston 30's compression stroke also increases.The change in configuration of linkage mechanism 50 which causes that compression stroke continues until the compression stroke is completed. The movement of the line of action of ram 57 away from pivot 58 reduces to zero and commences to move towards pivot 58 again, and the movement of the line of action of link 52 away from pivot 62 reduces to very small values, as piston 30 approaches the end of its compression stroke.

Respective pivoted linkage mechanisms 70 (Figs.

1, 2) having progressive actions are connected to each corresponding second piston 40 for driving those pistons. Linkage 70 comprises pivotably interconnected in train a succession of links 71, 72, 73, 74. Links 71 and 72 are rigidly connected. There is a link 71 consisting of upper and lower plates 71a, 71b in each mechanism 70. First ends of plates 71a, 71b are pivotably connected by a pivot 75 to the head of a ram 76 with the head thereof between plates 71a, 71b. Second ends of link plates 71a, and first ends of plates 72a to 72d have a pivot 77 and are between arms of a portion 78 of framework of said apparatus. Second ends of plates 71a, 71b are between respective pairs of first ends of plates 72a to 72d which constitute link 72.

Second ends of plates 72a to 72d are pivotably connected by a pivot 79 and between resepctive pairs of first ends of plates 73a to 73h which constitute link 73. Second ends of plates 73a to 73h are pivotally connected by a pivot 80 to second piston rods 40a to 40d. Pivot 80 also connects plates 73a to 73h and piston rods 40a to 40d between first ends of plates 74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e, constituting link 74. Plate 74a is shown and labelled. Plates 74b, c, d, e are only just visible in Fig. 1 and would be impractical to label. Plate 74a is over plate 73a; plate 74b is between plates 73b, 73c; plate 74c is between plates 73d, 73e; plate 74d is between plates 73f, 73g; and plate 74e is under plate 73h. Second ends of plates 74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e are pivotally connected by a pivot 81 so as to embrace a portion 82 of framework of said apparatus.Linkage mechanism 70 is a W shaped configuration as shown in Fig. 2, that configuration consisting of links 71, 72, 73, 74. Extension of ram 76 causes links 71 and 72 to rotate about pivot 77 thereby causing link 73 to rotate link 74 about pivot 81 and thereby causing piston portions 40a to 40d to advance into their compression chamber.

Compression from piston 40 is applied after compression from piston 30 is completed.

Pistons 30, 40 are preferably such that their compression strokes each provide progressively decreasing velocity and increasing maximum force.

The nature of linkage mechanisms 50, 70 enables the output of the associated at least one hydraulic pump (not shown) to be used to maximum effect.

Those pumps could be constant volume rate hydraulic pumps. The effects of hydraulic rams 57, 76 can be sized to match the reaction of said charge to pistons 30, 40.

Respective third ejector pistons 90 are respectively reciprocable in chamber 1 or 1", those pistons being mounted to the corresponding movable portions 2 of those chambers, opposite second piston 40. The actuation means for actuating those pistons is not shown, but one example of that actuation is for each of pistons 90 to be hydraulically actuated. Piston 90 will eject a compressed block of haulm material(s) when its compression chamber is suitably opened so that said ejected block can fall therefrom.

The compression chambers 1, 1' are operated on an alternate eject and loadzcompress basis, so that there is continuity of activity preferably split equally between compression (main power) and (eject t load) (auxiliary power). In this way, the main hydraulic power source is loaded continuously.

In the supply direction P is a duct 100 of rectangular cross section through which haulm material(s) pass to become a column 101 of substantially rectangular cross section, advanced by a conveyor (not shown, but e.g. the ram of a baler that forms said column) so that the leading portion of that column arrives at shift location Q, where a guillotine knife 102 can separate a portion from that column so as to provide a said modular charge. The separated charge is shifted from shift location Q to the inlet end 4 of a respective chamber 1 or 1' via shift direction R by means of a planar abutment 103 slideably mounted on a guide rail 104 about duct 100. An actuation arm 105 is connected to abutment 103 so as to drive that abutment.At the end of a drive stroke of arm 105 for enabling abutment 103 to shift said sheared charge, a hinge point 106 of that arm is released by a catch 107, thereby allowing arm 105 to move into a new location, under the action of a hydraulic ram 108 and the reaction of a stop 109. This enables arm 105 to be retracted to a position remote from the inlet end 4 of a chamber 1 or 1' and become close to column 101 to be separated, abutment 103 then being ready for shifting that separated modular portion to the inlet end of the other compression chamber. When abutment 103 has shifted a said separated charge, knife 102 is actuated into its up mode so as to enable further column material to pass under it. The inlet of duct 100 is preferably flexible when steering is required andlor passage is required over rough ground for the apparatus.A baler 110 (having its stringing and tying actions disabled) pulled by a tractor (not shown) is able to pick up from ground the haulm material(s), for delivery into the inlet of duct 100.

The compression chambers are mounted to a chassis 111 having wheels for contacting ground, thereby enabling mobile use of said apparatus. For one example of static use of that apparatus, the baler 110 could be replaced by apparatus to remove strings from bales of partly compressed haulm material(s) so as to provide a column of partly compressed haulm material(s). This column can then enter duct 100 or an alternative guide means therefor. The inlet end of duct 100 need not be flexible when said apparatus is static apparatus.

Alternatively, the baler 110 could be retained and a large round bale, of a type formed by so called big round balers could be placed on a pair of rollers in front of and preferably above the baler pick up reel. By suitably powering the rollers on which the round big bale is placed, the bale which is of a rolled construction, could be unrolled and fed into the baler 110.

Optional conveyors 111 can carry to an optional container 112 blocks of haulm material(s) which have been ejected from the compression chambers 1, 1'. When container 112 is full, the complete mobile apparatus can be drawn alongside a suitable bulk transporter (not shown), and the container 112 can be hydraulically elevated and tipped so that its contents are discharged into the bulk transporter.

In general, the present invention can be embodied in any suitable manner. Thus. the present invention also includes equivalents of the above disclosures and'or of the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. Apparatus suitable for providing block(s) of compressed haulm material(s), said apparatus comprising: (a) at least one chamber, said chamber being openable for charging to receive a charge of haulm material(s) for compression in said chamber when closed so that said charge becomes a block wherein at least a portion of said haulm material(s) coheres together, said chamber being openable for enabling discharging of said block therefrom, said chamber comprising at least one aperture openable or closeable to enable said charging and/or said discharging; (b) a first piston, reciprocable in said chamber, said first piston having an end face defining a first pressure surface, shaped to define a first shape portion of said block when that shape portion is formed in said chamber; and (c) a second piston, reciprocable in said chamber, the axis of action of said second piston being angularly separated from the axis of action of said first piston, said second piston having an end face defining a second pressure surface, shaped to define a second shape portion of said block when that shape portion is formed in said chamber, pressure from said second piston's end face being applicable after, before, or during at least a portion of the time pressure is applied from said first piston's end face to haulm material(s) in said chamber.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of said chambers.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is at least one set of two said chambers, those chambers being at opposite sides of a supply direction of haulm material(s), such that from said supply direction a portion of haulm material(s) can be delivered to either of those chambers.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said two chambers are at opposite ends of a shift direction substantially 90" to said supply direction.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one said chamber is movably located.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one said chamber is statically located.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one said chamber is adapted such that said discharged block falls from that chamber.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one said chamber comprises first and second chamber portions movable relative to each other to open or close said chamber, at least one of said chamber portions being movable in a direction angularly separated from the junction between those chamber portions when said chamber is closed.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one said chamber comprises at least one gate means optionally slideable to open or close at least one corresponding aperture.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, - comrpsing at least one first actuation mechanism, operable by at least one first actuation means for moving at least one of said first and second chamber portions so as to open or close said chamber.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one first actuation mechanism is adapted such that when said chamber is closed, force reacted onto internai surface of chamber by haulm material(s) will be resisted by said at least one first actuation mechanism so that no signigicant force is transmitted from said charged haulm material(s) to said at least one first actuation means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein said at least one first actuation mechanism comprises at least two links: the first end of a first link being pivotally connected to a movable chamber portion, the second end of the first link being pivotally connected to the first end of the second link; and the second end of the first link being pivotally connected to fixed structure of said apparatus.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one first actuation means is pivotally connected to an optional third end of the second link.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the axis of action of said first piston is such that said charge of haulm material(s) will have its haulms substantially parallel to that axis.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said first piston's end face is at least partly concave.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the concavity of said first piston's end face at least partly enables at least a portion of haulm material(s) being compressed in said chamber to have some freedom to expand in an angular direction (optionally perpendicular) to the axis of action of said first piston and/or of said second piston, such that said portion is subjected to shearing while it is being so compressed.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the application of pressure by said first piston's end face will be in a direction opposite to the direction in which said charge is admitted into said chamber.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the axis of action of said second piston is separated from the axis of action of said first piston by substantially 90".

19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said second piston's end face is at least partly concave.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the concavity of said second piston's end face at least partly enables at least a portion of haulm material(s) being compressed in said chamber to have some freedom to expand in an angular direction (optionally perpendicular) to the axis of action of said first piston and/or of said second piston, such that said portion is subjected to shearing while it is being so compressed.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said second piston is adapted such that compression is applied to said haulm material(s) by said second piston's end face after compression has been applied to said haulm material(s) by said first piston's end face.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising at least one second actuation mechanism, for said first piston, that mechanism being operable by at least one second actuation means.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said at least one second actuation mechanism is adapted such that said first piston will provide a progressively decreasing velocity characteristic, with a progressively increasing maximum force, and a substantially constant rate of working when said second actuation means has constant force and velocity characteristics and a constant rate of working.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein said at least one second actuation mechanism comprises pivoted linkage mechanism whose geometry is such that force available from said at least one second actuation mechanism will exceed by a substantially constant ratio, force that is reacted onto said first piston's end face by haulm material(s) under compression in said chamber.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said at least one second actuation means comprises at least one hydraulic ram means adapted to be powered by pump means with a constant volume rate of output, said pump means being adapted to provide hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic circuit protected by a fixed pressure relief valve.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25, comprising at least one third actuation mechanism, for said second piston, that mechanism being operable by at least one third actuation means.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said at least one third actuation mechanism is adapted such that said second piston will provide a progressively decreasing velocity characteristic, with a progressively increasing maximum force, and a substantially constant rate of working when said third actuation means has constant force and velocity characteristics and a constant rate of working.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein said at least one third actuation mechanism comprises pivoted linkage mechanism whose geometry is such that force available from said at least one third actuation mechanism will exceed by a substantially constant ratio, force that is reacted onto said second piston's end face by haulm material(s) under compression in said chamber.

29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein said at least one third actuation means comprises at least one hydraulic ram means adapted to be powered by pump means with a constant volume rate of output, said pump means being adapted to provide hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic circuit protected by a fixed pressure relief valve.

30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, comprising a third piston, that piston being an ejector piston for discharging a said block from a said removal aperture.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the axis of action of said third piston is angularly separated from the axis of action of said first piston, that separation optionally being substantially 90 .

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein said third piston and said second piston are respectively comprised by said first and second chamber portions, the axes of those pistons optionally being aligned.

33. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32, comprising hydraulic ram means for operating said third piston.

34. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, comprising at least one first delivery means, for delivering said charge(s) of haulm material(s) to said chamber(s).

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein said first delivery means comprises at least one first guide means for guiding haulm material(s), said at least one first guide means optionally being able to enable alignment in a column said haulm material(s), that alignment optionally being substantially 90 to the longitudinal direction of said column, said at least one first guide means optionally being adapted to provide some compression of haulm material(s).

36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said at least one first delivery means comprises at least one separator means (optionally at least one knife) for separating a said column into successive modular portions each corresponding to a respective said charge.

37. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein said at least one first delivery means comprises at least one first conveyor for conveying haulm material(s).

38. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein said at least one first delivery means comprises at least one collector means, for collecting haulm material(s) from the ground or from other surface.

39. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 38, comprising at least one second delivery means, for delivering to at least one collection location said discharged block(s).

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein said at least one second delivery means comprises at least one second guide means, for guiding said discharged block(s).

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 or 40, wherein said at least one second delivery means comprises at least one second conveyor, for conveying said discharged block(s).

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41, wherein at least one said conveyor comprises a hydraulically cockable spring gun for firing blocks successively along a duct.

43. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42, comprising at least one container for containing said discharged block(s).

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, or Figs. 1 to 5, of the accompanying drawings.

45. A method of providing block(s) of compressed haulm material(s), said method comprising providing said block(s) by means of apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 44.

46. A method as claimed in claim 45, substan tially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, or Figs. 1 to 5, of the accompanying drawings.

47. A block of compressed haulm material(s) provided according to apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 43, or according to a method as claimed in claim 44 or 46.

48. A block as claimed in claim 47, wherein said compressed haulm material(s) comprise at least one haulm material as hereinbefore described.