Agricultural baling system

Abstract

An agricultural baling system comprising: a wrapping roller configured to move around a bale of crop material and to discharge wrapping material to cover an entire periphery of the bale with the wrapping material such that a first portion of the wrapping material overlaps a second portion of the wrapping material; a fastening system configured to secure the first portion of the wrapping material to the bale and the second portion; and a seaming system configured to seam the first portion and the second portion to one another.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on July 16, 2020, with application number 202080058360.0 (international application number PCT / US2020 / 042327) and titled "Sewing System for Packaging Materials for Fixing Agricultural Baling Systems". Background Technology

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to agricultural baling systems configured to package crop materials in a single bundle.

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to the various aspects that may be involved in this disclosure and are described below. This discussion is intended to help provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements will be interpreted in this context and not as an admission of prior art.

[0004] Agricultural baling systems (e.g., round baling systems, square baling systems) are used to combine and package crop material. In some cases, agricultural baling systems cut crop material from crops in a field. Agricultural baling systems may have mechanisms for collecting the cut crop material and guiding it into a bale-forming chamber. Inside the baling chamber, the agricultural baling system packs and compacts the bales into a desired shape. The agricultural baling system can then store the bales in the field for later collection. For example, some embodiments of agricultural baling systems may include a rear door that can be opened automatically or manually to allow the formed bales to move down a slope to the ground. In some cases, the shape of the stored bales may change after being stored in the field. That is, the stored bales may expand or, conversely, deform after being formed in the bale-forming chamber. Therefore, it may be difficult to collect the crop material inside the bales during subsequent collection operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In some embodiments, the packaging system of the agricultural baling system includes a packaging guiding system configured to guide packaging material to cover the entire periphery of a bale of crop material, such that a first portion of the packaging material overlaps with a second portion of the packaging material. The packaging system further includes: a fastening system configured to secure the first portion of the packaging material to the second portion of the packaging material; and a sewing system configured to sew the first and second portions together. Attached Figure Description

[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 This is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural material harvester having an agricultural baling system according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 It is possible under one aspect of this disclosure Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of an agricultural baling system used in an agricultural material harvester and configured to form multiple bundles of crop material into a generally rectangular shape;

[0009] Figure 3 It is possible under one aspect of this disclosure Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of an agricultural baling system that uses packaging materials to package bundles;

[0010] Figure 4 According to one aspect of this disclosure, it includes a suture system. Figure 3 A partial side view of the packaging system;

[0011] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a packaging system having a single-sided sewing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 6 is a partial side view of the packaging system of Figure 5 according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a packaging system configured to package bundles with packaging materials, according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0014] Figure 8 According to one aspect of this disclosure, after the packaging rollers have been covered with packaging material, the bundle... Figure 7 A partial schematic side view of the packaging system; and

[0015] Figure 9 This is a side sectional view of another embodiment of an agricultural baling system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the agricultural baling system having a packaging system configured to package circular bales of crop material, wherein the packaging system has a sewing system. Detailed Implementation

[0016] One or more specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation may be described in the specification. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any engineering or design project), numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific objectives (such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints), which may vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development work can be complex and time-consuming, but remains a routine design, production, and manufacturing task for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0017] When describing elements of various embodiments of this disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to indicate the presence of one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and indicate that there may be other elements besides those listed. Any examples of operating parameters and / or environmental conditions do not exclude other parameters / conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

[0018] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to agricultural baling systems. The agricultural baling system is configured to collect crop material (e.g., cotton) from a farmland, compact the crop material into bales, and store the bales in the farmland. By forming the crop material into bales, the agricultural baling system makes the crop material easier to collect, for example, at different times during subsequent collection operations.

[0019] In some embodiments, agricultural baling systems can compact and package crop material into bales of a specific size and / or shape. For example, agricultural baling systems can form rectangular, round, or square bales. However, the shape of the bales may change after they are placed in the field and before they are collected. For example, the weight of the crop material, the impact of the bale with the ground, and / or other forces applied to the bale may cause it to deform. In some cases, such forces may also cause the bale to lose some crop material, thus reducing the amount of crop material collected when the bales are collected.

[0020] Therefore, it is currently believed that holding the bales together can maintain the shape of the bales and / or the amount of crop material within them. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the baling system may include a packaging system configured to enclose the bales with packaging material, thereby holding the bales together. The packaging system may use a flexible packaging material to package the bales such that the flexible packaging material conforms to the shape of the bales formed in the bale-forming chamber. The baling system may also include a sewing system that secures the flexible material together after the packaging system has wrapped the flexible packaging material around the bales. For example, the packaging system may wrap the flexible packaging material around the bales and form overlapping portions (e.g., folds) of the flexible packaging material. The sewing system may then sew the overlapping portions of the flexible material together, thereby securing the flexible material to the bales to reduce distortion of the bales' shape and maintain the shape and amount of crop material within the bales.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural material harvester 10 with an agricultural baling system 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural material harvester 10 includes wheels 16 that enable the harvester 10 to move across farmland and drive the movement of the agricultural baling system 12. The harvester 10 has a cab 18 in which an operator can be located. The operator can drive the harvester across farmland via controls within the cab 18. Additionally or alternatively, the harvester can be automatically (e.g., autonomously) controlled and operated. The harvester 10 includes a crop collector 20 (e.g., a header) mounted on its front end 22. As the harvester travels in a first direction 24, the crop collector 20 can cut crops and collect crop material, such as cotton, from the cut crops. For example, the crop collector 20 may have multiple rotating drums configured to cut crops on farmland and collect residues from the crop material. In some embodiments, the agricultural material harvester 10 includes a conveying system 27 (e.g., an air-assisted conveying system) that guides crop material (e.g., harvested cotton) from the crop collector 20 to an agricultural baling system 12 (e.g., into a baling chamber). In additional or alternative embodiments, the agricultural material harvester may include another suitable system to transport crop material from the crop collector 20 to the agricultural baling system 12. Using the agricultural baling system 12, the crop material is compacted and formed into bales 28.

[0022] In some embodiments, the agricultural baling system 12 includes a rear door 30 configured to release bales 28 from the agricultural baling system 12. The rear door 30 is configured to move between a closed position and an open position (e.g., via a hydraulic system, pulley system, or electromechanical system). In the closed position, the rear door 30 can close the agricultural baling system 12 to prevent the bales 28 from moving from the agricultural baling system 12. In the open position, the rear door 30 can expose the bales to the surrounding environment, thereby allowing the bales 28 to be ejected from the agricultural baling system 12. Additionally, the agricultural baling system 12 can also tilt, thereby causing the bales 28 to translate toward the open rear door 30. The rear door 30 can also function as a ramp when in the open position to guide the bales 28 toward the surface of the farmland as they are ejected. In other words, the rear door 30 can contact the surface of the farmland so that the bales 28 can translate (e.g., slide) along the rear door 30 and be stored on the farmland.

[0023] Although the illustrated agricultural harvester 10 is self-propelled, in additional or alternative embodiments, the harvester can be towed by a work vehicle, such as a tractor. For example, a tractor can tow an agricultural baling system and guide the baler across the field to collect crop material. For this purpose, the baler and tractor can be detachably connected to each other, for example, via a suspension assembly. Furthermore, the agricultural baling system can alternatively collect crop material from the field rather than harvesting it from the crop. In other words, the crop material may have been pre-cut and left in the field. In subsequent operations, the agricultural baling system can be operated to collect the crop material.

[0024] Figure 2This is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agricultural baling system 12 that can be employed by an agricultural baler 10 and configured to form multiple bales of crop material into a generally rectangular shape. Therefore, the agricultural baling system 12 shown can be considered a rectangular baler. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural baling system 12 includes a frame 60 defining a baling chamber 62. The baling chamber 62 has a front end 64 (e.g., a first end) and a rear end 66 (e.g., a second end) generally relative to the direction of travel 24 of the agricultural baler 10. For example, the front end 64 may be close to a crop collector, while the rear end 66 may be away from the crop collector. In the agricultural baling system 12, the crop material is compressed within the baling chamber 62 by a plunger 68. The plunger 68 is configured to reciprocate axially within the baling chamber 62 along a longitudinal axis 70. By way of example, the plunger 68 is coupled to an actuator for driving the plunger 68 to move along the longitudinal axis 70, said actuator may include a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electromechanical actuator, or any combination thereof. Crop material can flow through front end 64 into baling chamber 62, and plunger 68 can move along longitudinal axis 70 from front end 64 toward rear end 66 to compress the crop material within baling chamber 62, thereby compressing the crop material toward or against rear end 66. Thus, plunger 68 compresses the crop material into a generally rectangular shape enclosed by baling chamber 62. In some embodiments, rear end 66 may also include a fixed wall, although in other embodiments the rear end may include a rear plunger configured to also move along longitudinal axis to provide a means for controlling bale size and / or density. Although the illustrated agricultural baling system 12 compresses the crop material slightly along longitudinal axis 70, alternative embodiments of the baler may compress the crop material along different axes, such as transverse and / or vertical axes.

[0025] As mentioned above, it may be desirable to keep the bundles together after they have been formed (e.g., in a bundling room). Figure 3 It is possible Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging system 100 (e.g., a packaging management system) within an agricultural baling system, which uses packaging material 102 to package bales 28. The packaging material 102 may be formed from natural and / or biodegradable materials (e.g., cotton) to reduce the amount of waste generated during the baling operation. Although the illustrated packaging system 100 packages rectangular bales 28, in additional or alternative embodiments, the packaging system 100 may package cylindrical, square, or any other suitable shape of bales 28. Figure 3As shown, packaging material 102 is stored within a roll 104 of packaging material 102. Furthermore, the packaging guiding system 105 of the packaging system 100 can be configured to guide the packaging material 102 to cover the entire perimeter of the bundle 28. For example, the bundle 28 may be supported at a lateral side 106, and the packaging guiding system 105 guides the packaging material around the remaining sides of the bundle 28. Additionally or alternatively, the bundle 28 may be supported by a support structure, the packaging guiding system 105 may guide the packaging material to cover both the support structure and the bundle, and the support structure may then be removed, resulting in the packaging material covering only the bundle and not the support structure.

[0026] The packaging guiding system 105 may include a first guide roller 107 configured to guide packaging material 102 from a reel 104 to a clamp having a pair of clamping devices 108A, 108B, which may be supported by the housing of the packaging system 100. For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the guide rollers 107 is driven to rotate, thereby moving the packaging material 102 toward the pair of clamping devices 108A, 108B. Rotation of the reel 104 (e.g., along a first rotation direction 110) may supply packaging material 102 to package bundles 28. The packaging material 102 may be moved from the first guide roller 107 of the packaging guiding system 105 via the clamping devices 108 of the clamp to a second guide roller 114 of the packaging guiding system 105. The second guide roller 114 may guide the packaging material 102 toward a first deflector 118 of the packaging guiding system 105 to cover a first side 116 of the bundle 28. Then, the first deflector 118 can guide the packaging material 102 toward the second side 122 of the bundle 28 along the first direction 120. At the second side 122, the third guide roller 124 of the packaging guiding system 105 can guide the packaging material 102 toward the second deflector 126 of the packaging guiding system 105 to cover the second side 122 of the bundle 28. Then, the second deflector 126 can guide the packaging material 102 toward the third side 130 of the bundle 28 along the second direction 128. At the third side 130, the fourth guide roller 132 of the packaging guiding system 105 can guide the packaging material 102 toward the third deflector 134 of the packaging guiding system 105 to cover the third side 130 of the bundle 28. Then, the third deflector 134 can guide the packaging material 102 toward the fourth side 138 of the bundle 28 along the third direction 136. The fifth guide roller 140 of the packaging guide system 105 can then guide the packaging material 102 to cover the fourth side 138 of the bundle 28. The packaging material 102 can then be guided through the clamping device 108 (e.g., via one or more additional guide rollers).

[0027] Therefore, two overlapping portions of the packaging material 102 (e.g., a first overlapping portion or first fold 112 and a second overlapping portion or second fold 142) can extend between the clamping devices 108. In this way, the packaging system 100 wraps the packaging material 102 around the bundle 28, and the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 of the packaging material 102 overlap between the clamping devices 108. In additional or alternative embodiments, the packaging guiding system may include other features for guiding the packaging material to cover the entire periphery of the bundle, such as tracks, actuators, translation rollers, etc.

[0028] Although the packaging system 100 guides the packaging material 102 around the bundle 28 to wrap the bundle 28 with the packaging material 102, in additional or alternative embodiments, the packaging system may wrap the bundle in another manner. For example, the packaging material may be pre-positioned in the packaging system to include a cavity (e.g., a hollow rectangular shape) and an opening leading to the cavity. Crop material can then be fed into the cavity through the opening to fill the cavity. After the cavity is filled with crop material, the folds of the wrapping paper (e.g., at the opening) can then be clamped together via a clamping device to wrap the entire periphery of the bundle in the packaging material.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging system 100 includes a sewing system 144 configured to sew together a first overlapping portion 112 and a second overlapping portion 142 of packaging material 102 to form a package surrounding a bale 28. This package substantially maintains the bale 28 in a desired shape and significantly reduces loss of harvested agricultural material from the bale 28. The sewing system 144 may include a sewing device 145 (e.g., a sewing machine) with a pair of arms 146 straddling a clamping device 108, such that the sewing device has a generally U-shaped shape. Because the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 are positioned between the arms 146 of the sewing device 145, the sewing system 144 can be considered a double-sided sewing system 144 (e.g., compared to a single-sided sewing system described below). The arms 146 are configured to apply a force that presses the clamping devices 108A, 108B toward each other, thereby clamping the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 within the clamping device 108. For example, each arm 146 may include a roller that abuts against one of the clamping devices 108 to push the clamping devices 108 toward each other. Thus, the clamping devices 108A, 108B may be part of a fastening system that holds and substantially maintains the position of the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 between the clamping devices 108A, 108B when the sewing device 145 sews the packaging material 102 together, thereby enabling the sewing device 145 to sew the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 together.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the sewing device 145 travels along the clamping device 108 to sew the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142. For this purpose, the sewing device 145 includes a cutter 148 mounted on the sewing device 145 and configured to cut the packaging material 102 extending from the first guide roller 107 to the clamping device 108, in order to remove packaging material 102 that otherwise would impede the movement of the sewing device 145 along the clamping device 108.

[0031] For example, the sewing system 144 may include a guide 150, along which the sewing system 145 may translate (e.g., slide). In some embodiments, after the packaging system 100 has packaged the bundle 28 with packaging material 102, the sewing device 145 may move along the guide 150 in a first sewing direction 152, and the sewing device 145 may sew the first overlap 112 to the second overlap 142 while traveling in the first sewing direction 152. For this purpose, a cutter 148 may be positioned at a first end 154 (e.g., the front end) of the sewing device 145 such that the cutter 148 cuts the packaging material 102 as the sewing device 145 travels in the first sewing direction 152. Thus, the bundle 28 is packaged from a single continuous sheet of packaging material 102 covering the entire periphery of the bundle 28. After the sewing device 145 has sewn the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142, the sewing device 145 can then travel along the guide 150 in a second sewing direction 156 opposite to the first sewing direction 152 to reset the position of the sewing device 145 before the bundle 28 is ejected from the bundle chamber and the additional packaging material 102 is guided through the clamping device 108 (e.g., to package another bundle). In other words, after the packaging system 100 has packaged the bundle 28 with the packaging material 102, the sewing device 145 travels from the starting position along the first sewing direction 152 to cut the packaging material 102 and sew the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142. After the sewing device 145 has sewn the packaging material 102, the sewing device 145 can then travel along the second sewing direction 156 to return to the starting position. The sewing device 145 can remain in the starting position until the packaging system 100 packages another bundle 28 with the additional packaging material 102. The sewing device 145 can then travel again in the first sewing direction 152 to cut the additional packaging material 102 and sew it together. In an alternative embodiment, the sewing system may not include a guide, and the sewing device may travel linearly along the clamping device via rollers, tracks (e.g., grooves) set or formed on the clamping device, and / or any other suitable features for guiding the sewing device along the clamping device.

[0032] In additional or alternative embodiments, the sewing system may also be configured to sew the first overlapping portion to the second overlapping portion while traveling in the second sewing direction. For this purpose, the sewing system may include an additional cutter located at a second end 158 of the sewing system for cutting the packaging material extending from the first guide roller to the clamping device, in order to remove packaging material that obstructs the sewing system's travel in the second sewing direction. Thus, the sewing system may not be reset to the starting position before sewing the packaging material of subsequent bundles. Therefore, the sewing device can move in alternating directions to sew the packaging material surrounding the continuously formed bundles.

[0033] In another embodiment, the sewing system can be configured to sew the packaging material together after the packaging guiding system has guided the packaging material around the bundle multiple times. For example, the packaging guiding system can guide the packaging material around the bundle a first time to create a first and second overlap within the clamping device, and then the packaging guiding system can guide the packaging material around the bundle a second time to create a third and fourth overlap within the clamping device, and so on to create any suitable number of overlaps. The sewing system can then sew the overlaps together.

[0034] In some embodiments, the stitching system 144 is communicatively coupled to a controller 160. The controller 160 has a memory 162 and a processor 164 configured to execute software code or instructions stored on the memory 162. As an example, the memory 162 may store processor-executable software code or instructions (e.g., firmware or software) tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium. This indication may relate to how the stitching device 145 stitches the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142. Additionally or alternatively, the memory may store data. As an example, the memory 162 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the processor 164 may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more application-specific microprocessors, and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor 58 may include one or more Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) or Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processors.

[0035] For example, controller 160 may be configured to output a control signal to actuator 166, which is configured to drive sewing device 145 in a first sewing direction 152 and a second sewing direction 156. In some embodiments, controller 160 is communicatively coupled to sensor 168, which may be configured to output a sensor signal indicating that a second overlap 142 is present between clamping devices 108A, 108B. In response to receiving this sensor signal, controller 160 may determine that the bundle 28 has been wrapped by packaging material 102, such that packaging material 102 is in a state where sewing device 145 has sewn the first overlap 112 to the second overlap 142. In additional or alternative embodiments, controller may be configured to output control signals at specific time intervals (e.g., associated with the time it has been time since the packaging system has wrapped the bundle with packaging material). In another embodiment, controller may be configured to control the packaging system. For example, controller may actuate a roll to move packaging material through the packaging system when the packaging system receives a newly formed bundle, and pause actuation of the roll to limit movement of packaging material when the second overlap is between clamping devices.

[0036] Figure 4 It includes the suture system 144. Figure 3A partial side view of the packaging system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the sewing device 145 includes wheels 180 coupled to an arm 146. Each wheel 180 is configured to engage a corresponding clamping device 108 of a clamp, thereby applying a force to press against the clamping device 108 and retain the first overlap 112 and the second overlap 142 within the clamping device 108. Furthermore, each wheel 180 is configured to rotate about a corresponding axis of rotation 182. Rotation of the wheels 180 along the clamping device 108 enables the sewing device 145 to move along the guide 150 and the clamping device 108 in a first sewing direction and a second sewing direction. Both the first overlap 112 and the second overlap 142 extend through the clamping device 108 into a sewing space 184. Within the sewing space 184, the needle 186 of the sewing device 145 guides the thread through the first overlap 112 and the second overlap 142. As the suture device 145 travels along a first suture direction, and in some embodiments along a second suture direction, the cutter 148 can cut the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142, and the needle 186 can repeatedly extend through the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 to suture the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142. In some embodiments, at least one of the wheels 180 can be driven to rotate the suture device 145 along the guide 150 and the clamping device 108. In an alternative embodiment, the guide can drive the suture device along the clamping device. In another embodiment, the suture device 145 may further include features for holding the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion to suture the overlapping portions 112, 142 together. For example, the suture device 145 may include a grip adjacent to the cutter 148 to hold the overlapping portions 112, 142 in place, a surface adjacent to one of the arms 146 for supporting the overlapping portions 112, 142 as the needle 186 extends through them.

[0037] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a packaging system 208 having a single-sided sewing system 210, which also includes a sewing device 211. In the illustrated embodiment, the sewing device 211 does not have arms that straddle and abut against the two clamping devices 108. Instead, the sewing device 211 is positioned close to (e.g., in contact with) one of the clamping devices 108 to sew the packaging material 102. Furthermore, both clamping devices 108A and 108B include an opening 212 that provides the sewing device 211 with passageway to the overlapping portions 112 and 142 of the packaging material between the clamping devices 108. The sewing device 211 may have two needles extending through the opening 212 to sew the overlapping portions 112 and 142 together. Additionally, the packaging system 208 may include a clamp actuator 214 configured to drive the clamping devices 108A and 108B toward each other, thereby clamping the packaging material 102 within the clamping devices 108. By way of example, controller 160 may output a signal to activate actuator 214, thereby securing packaging material 102 within clamping device 108 so that sewing device 211 can sew packaging material 102 together. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, guide 150 is positioned adjacent to one of the clamping devices 108. Guide 150 allows sewing device 211 to travel along clamping device 108 to sew overlapping portions 112, 142 of packaging material 102 together. In an exemplary embodiment, sewing device 211 may be configured to sew overlapping portions 112, 142 of packaging material 102 together while traveling along a first sewing direction 152. Additionally or alternatively, sewing device may sew overlapping portions of packaging material together while traveling along a second sewing direction 156. In some embodiments, sewing device 211 may include a cutter to cut packaging material 102 such that a single sheet of packaging material 102 covers bundle 28. In additional or alternative embodiments, the stitching system may include a separate cutter configured to cut the packaging material.

[0038] Figure 6 is a partial side view of the packaging system 208 of Figure 5. The sewing device 211 includes needles 226 and 228 configured to repeatedly extend through each of the openings 212 of the clamping devices 108A and 108B and through a first overlap 112 and a second overlap 142 of the packaging material, thereby sewing the first overlap 112 to the second overlap 142 as the sewing device 211 travels along the guide 150. The needles 226 and 228 may be at an angle 230 relative to each other, and the sewing device 211 may coordinate the movement of each needle 226 and 228 to sew the overlaps 112 and 142 together. For example, each needle 226 may include thread, and the sewing device 211 may move the needles 226 and 228 to wind the corresponding thread together, thereby sewing the first overlap to the second overlap. In the illustrated embodiment, the sewing device 211 further includes a cutter 232 configured to cut a first overlapping portion 112 and a second overlapping portion 142 of the packaging material as the sewing device 211 travels along the clamping device 108.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic side view of another embodiment of packaging system 238, configured to package a bundle 28, illustrated as a square bundle, with packaging material 102. In the illustrated embodiment, a tube 240 (e.g., a pipe) is embedded within the bundle 28 to maintain the shape of the bundle 28. As an example, the tube 240 may be disposed within a baling chamber (e.g., a frame attached to the baling chamber), and when the crop material is compressed within the baling chamber, the crop material at least partially engulfs the tube 240 and causes the tube 240 to disengage from the frame, such that the tube 240 remains inserted within the bundle 28. Packaging system 238 includes a packaging roller 242, which may be a packaging guide system configured to move around the bundle 28 to package the bundle 28. For example, packaging roller 242 may include a quantity of packaging material 102 (e.g., wound around a spool or coil), and packaging system 238 may include a track or guide along which packaging roller 242 may travel around the bundle 28. In one embodiment, as the packaging roller 242 travels around the remaining side of the bundle 28 to cover it with packaging material 102, the bundle 28 is supported at the lateral side 106. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the bundle is supported by a support structure, and the packaging roller travels around the support structure and the bundle to cover both the bundle and the support structure with packaging material. After the packaging roller has covered both the bundle and the support structure with packaging material, the support structure can be removed from the bundle, or the bundle can be removed from the support structure, such that the packaging material covers only the bundle.

[0040] The packaging roller actuator 243 is communicatively coupled to the controller 160 and configured to move the packaging roller 242 around the bundle 28 in response to one or more control signals from the controller 160. As the packaging roller 242 moves around the bundle 28, it discharges packaging material 102 from within itself onto the bundle 28, thereby packaging the bundle 28 with the packaging material 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging roller 242 initially begins at a starting or initial position 244 at a first side 116 of the bundle 28. The packaging roller 242 then moves along the first side 116 of the bundle 28 to a second side 122, to a third side 130, to a fourth side 138, and then returns to the first side 116 to surround the bundle 28, thereby covering each side 116, 122, 130, 138 of the bundle 28 with the packaging material 102.

[0041] Packaging material 102 can be secured or perforated to bundle 28 via one or more pins 246 (e.g., one or more nails, one or more bolts, etc.) of a fastening system that secures a first end of packaging material 102 to bundle 28 as packaging roller 242 travels around bundle 28. For example, a sewing system can push the pin 246 through packaging material 102. Additionally or alternatively, a separate component can push the pin through packaging material. In some embodiments, a perforated tube 248 is embedded within bundle 28, allowing one or more pins 246 to be securely inserted through bundle 28. For example, perforated tube 248 may include multiple openings configured to receive a corresponding pin 246 piercing packaging material 102, thereby securing packaging material 102 to bundle 28 near starting position 244. In some embodiments, packaging system 238 may include additional means (e.g., a nailing machine) configured to output pins 246 into perforated tube 248. For example, packaging roller 242 may discharge some packaging material 102 at starting position 244, and an auxiliary device may output pin 246 through packaging material 102 and perforated tube 248 to attach packaging material 102 to bundle 28 and perforated tube 248. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the auxiliary device may output pin 246 through packaging material 102 to bundle 28, thereby directly attaching packaging material 102 to bundle 28.

[0042] Figure 8 After the packaging roller 242 has covered the bundle 28 with packaging material 102 Figure 7A partial schematic side view of the packaging system 238. In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging roller 242 has returned to the starting position 244, such that the first overlapping portion 112 of the packaging material 102 overlaps with the second overlapping portion 142 of the packaging material 102. Furthermore, in addition to one or more pins 246A, an additional pin 246B can be inserted (e.g., via an additional device) through the second overlapping portion 142 into the perforated tube 248 to attach the second overlapping portion 142 to the bundle 28, thereby at least temporarily securing the second overlapping portion 142 of the packaging material 102 to the first overlapping portion 112. After the second overlapping portion 142 is pinned to the first overlapping portion 112, the controller 160 can output a control signal to the single-sided sewing device 211 to cause the sewing device 211 to sew the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142. The sewing device 211 can then travel along the perforated tube 248 (e.g., along the guide 150) to sew the first overlapping portion 112 to the second overlapping portion 142, for example by repeatedly inserting needles 226, 228 through the perforated tube 248 to join the first overlapping portion 112 and the second overlapping portion 142 together. The needles of the sewing device 211 can be inserted between pins 246A, 246B to avoid contact with pin 246, which could affect the operation of sewing the overlapping portions 112, 142 together. After the overlapping portions 112, 142 are sewn together, pin 246 can be removed from the perforated tube 248 and the packaging material 102. By way of example, the packaging system 238 may include another device (e.g., a pin puller) configured to automatically remove pin 246 after the sewing device 211 has sewn the overlapping portions 112, 142 together. In an additional or alternative embodiment, after the sewing device 211 has sewn the overlapping portions 112, 142 together, the pin may remain inserted through the packaging material and the perforated tube. In another embodiment, an actuator within the perforated tube may eject the pin and / or the sewn overlapping portion to disengage the pin and packaging material from the bundle.

[0043] In some embodiments, the sewing device 211 may further include a cutter configured to cut the packaging material 102, thereby separating the packaging material 102 from the packaging roller 242 and forming a bundle 28 of the package. In an alternative embodiment, the sewing system may include a cutter separate from the sewing device and configured to cut the packaging material. Thus, a single sheet of packaging material 102 covers the bundle 28, allowing the covered bundle 28 to be removed from the packaging system 238 (e.g., for storage in farmland).

[0044] Although the reference is to describe a rectangular or square bundle that is stationary (e.g., non-rotating) and covered with packaging material around its entire perimeter. Figures 3-8However, any of the embodiments described above can be applied to cover the entire perimeter of a circular bundle with packaging material. As an example, any suitably shaped, stationary (e.g., non-rotating) bundle can be covered with packaging material to form an overlapping portion, and a sewing system can sew the overlapping portion together to secure the packaging material to the bundle.

[0045] Figure 9 This is a side sectional view of another embodiment of an agricultural baling system 264, which has a packaging system 266 configured to package circular bales 268 of crop material, wherein the packaging system has a sewing system 270. During operation of the agricultural baling system, crop material may accumulate in a stacking area 272. A feed roller 274 of the packaging system 266 can rotate to guide and drive the crop material from the stacking area 272 in direction 276 into a baling chamber 62. Multiple rollers 278 are arranged within the baling chamber 62, and a strip 280 extends around the rollers 278. For example, some rollers 278 can be driven to rotate so that the strip 280 moves in a strip rotation direction 282. As the crop material is guided into the baling chamber 62, the crop material may contact sections 284 of the strip 282, causing the crop material to rotate within the baling chamber 62 in the rotation direction 286 (e.g., approximately counterclockwise). The continuous feeding of crop material into the baling chamber 62 and the movement of the crop material in the rotation direction 286 can form the crop material into a cylindrical bale 268.

[0046] Packaging system 266 may include a roll 104 configured to supply packaging material 102 for covering bale 268. For example, the roll 104 of packaging material 102 may be rotated to supply packaging material 102 to a first guide roller 288, which guides the packaging material 102 to a second guide roller 290 near a first position 292 of bale 268. Furthermore, rotation of the crop material in the rotation direction 286 may further guide the packaging material 102 circumferentially around the bale 268, such that the packaging material 102 returns to the first position 292 after surrounding the bale 268. For example, agricultural baling system 264 may stop the rotation of bale 268 in the rotation direction 286 (e.g., via a braking system, via an electric motor, etc.) so that the sewing system 270 of packaging system 266 can sew overlapping portions together. After the bundle 268 has come to a substantial stop, the packaging system 266 (e.g., belt 280) can drive the bundle 268 to extend the packaging material 102 around the bundle 268 by an additional rotation, so that the portions of the packaging material 102 can overlap each other at the first position 292, for example, collected in a clamping device adjacent to the first position 292.

[0047] Then, the sewing device 294 of the packaging system 266 can sew the overlapping portions together. For example, the sewing device 294 can be a double-sided sewing system configured to translate along the clamping device and sew the overlapping portions of the packaging material 102 while traveling along the clamping device. Additionally or alternatively, the clamping device may include an opening, and the sewing device 294 can be a single-sided sewing system with two needles configured to sew the overlapping portions of the packaging material 102 through the opening.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, the sewing system can be configured to sew overlapping portions together while the bundle is still rotating in the bundling chamber. For example, the packaging material can be cut while the bundle is still rotating, and the clamps and sewing device can be configured to be detachably attached to the rotating bundle. While the bundle is rotating, the clamping mechanism of the clamps can hold the overlapping portions of the packaging material, and the sewing device can sew the overlapping portions together. After the overlapping portions have been sewn, the clamps and sewing device can be disengaged from the bundle.

[0049] Although the sewing device 294 is positioned adjacent to the first location 292 in the illustrated embodiment, the sewing device 294 may be positioned in another suitable location, such as adjacent to the feed roller 274, adjacent to one of the rollers 278, at the bottom portion 279 of the packaging system 264, adjacent to a section 284 of the belt 280, etc. In some embodiments, the packaging system 266 may include a cutter 296, separate from the sewing device 294, to cut the packaging material 102 and separate the packaging material 102 covering the bundle 268 from the package 104, thereby forming a single sheet of packaging material 102 covering the entire periphery of the bundle 268. In additional or alternative embodiments, the sewing device 294 may include a cutter configured to cut the packaging material 102 (e.g., adjacent to the first location 292). After the sewing device 294 has sewn the packaging material 102 together and the cutter 296 has cut the packaging material 102, the bundle 268 may be ejected from the bundling chamber 62. In this embodiment, the packaging system 266 may also include components for cleaning debris from within the agricultural baling system 264 after the bale 268 has been ejected from the baling chamber 62.

[0050] While the embodiments disclosed above utilize a sewing system to secure packaging material around a bundle, in some embodiments, another suitable type of bonding system (e.g., instead of or attached to a sewing system) can be used to secure a first portion of the packaging material to a second portion of the packaging material, thereby securing the packaging material around the bundle. For example, in some embodiments, the packaging system may include an adhesive application system configured to apply adhesive to a first portion of the packaging material. When the packaging material is wrapped around a bundle, the first portion of the packaging material may overlap with the second portion of the packaging material, such that the adhesive on the first portion contacts the second portion. Thus, an adhesive bond is established between these portions, thereby securing the packaging material around the bundle. Furthermore, in some embodiments, adhesive material may be embedded within and / or on the first portion of the packaging material. The embedded adhesive material can be activated (e.g., by removing a coating, by applying an activator, by applying heat, etc.), and when the packaging material is wrapped around a bundle, the adhesive material within / on the first portion of the packaging material may contact the second portion of the packaging material. Thus, an adhesive bond is established between these portions, thereby securing the packaging material around the bundle.

[0051] While only certain features of this disclosure are illustrated and described herein, many modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations as falling within the true spirit of this disclosure.

[0052] The techniques proposed and claimed herein are referenced and applied to practical material objects and specific examples that significantly improve the art and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended to this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] [function]..." or "steps for [performing] [function]...", those elements are intended to be interpreted according to 35U.SC112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other way, those elements are not intended to be interpreted according to 35U.SC112(f).

Claims

1. An agricultural baling system, comprising: A packaging roller that moves around a bale of crop material and discharges packaging material to cover the entire periphery of the bale with the packaging material, such that a first portion of the packaging material overlaps with a second portion of the packaging material; A fastening system that secures the first portion of the packaging material to the bundle and the second portion; A suturing system that sutures the first portion and the second portion together; as well as A bundling chamber with multiple tubes; The baling chamber receives crop material and compresses the crop material within the baling chamber to form bales; and The plurality of tubes are embedded within the bundle.

2. The agricultural baling system according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural baling system comprises a circular baler, and the sewing system sews the first portion and the second portion together adjacent to the packaging roller.

3. An agricultural baling system, comprising: A packaging roller that moves around a stationary bale of crop material and discharges packaging material to cover the entire periphery of the stationary bale with the packaging material, such that a first portion of the packaging material overlaps with a second portion of the packaging material, wherein the packaging material is formed of cotton; A connection system that connects the first part and the second part to each other; as well as A bundling chamber with multiple tubes; The baling chamber receives crop material and compresses the crop material within the baling chamber to form bales; and The plurality of tubes are embedded within the bundle.

4. The agricultural baling system of claim 3, wherein the connecting system includes a sewing system that sews the first portion and the second portion together.

5. An agricultural baling system, comprising: A baling chamber having multiple tubes, wherein the baling chamber receives cotton and compresses the cotton in the baling chamber to form a bale, and wherein the multiple tubes are embedded within the bale; A packaging roller that moves around the bundle and discharges packaging material to cover the entire periphery of the bundle with the packaging material, such that a first portion of the packaging material overlaps with a second portion of the packaging material; A fastening system that secures the first portion of the packaging material to the bundle and the second portion of the packaging material; and A suturing system that stitches the first part and the second part together.

6. The agricultural baling system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of tubes comprises perforated tubes; and in, The fastening system includes a pin that extends through the first portion, the second portion, and the perforated tube to secure the first portion to the second portion and the bundle.

7. The agricultural baling system of claim 6, wherein the stitching system uses a needle extending into the perforated tube to stitch the first portion and the second portion together across the perforated tube.

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