KNOTTING HOOK FOR A TWINE KNOTTER OF A BALER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a knotting hook for a twine knotter for producing a loop knot, comprising at least one stationary clamping wing and a pivotably mounted clamping wing, which have an extension component in a same first spatial direction, wherein the pivotable clamping wing has a raised formation towards the stationary clamping wing and is reversibly pivotable from an unopened to an open state, such that a free end of the pivotable clamping wing is further spaced from the stationary clamping wing in the open state than in the unopened state. The present invention further relates to a knotting hook with two stationary clamping wings. The present invention further relates to a twine knotter comprising the knotting hook and to a baler comprising the twine knotter.

[0002] EP 2 837 281 A1 discloses a twine knotter for a baler, which is designed to knot two binding material strands used to bind a crop bale to prevent it from falling apart. The knotter hook is designed to create a knot in which the ends of the binding material strands are pulled completely through a binding material loop. It has a stationary knotter block, which interacts with a pivoting knotting tongue to hold the free ends of the binding material strands in a gap between the knotter block and the knotting tongue during knotting of the binding material strands. At the free end of the pivoting knotting tongue is a barb, which engages in a recess in the knotter block.

[0003] To knot the binding strands, they are first looped around the knotter block while the knotting hook is rotated, forming a binding loop around the knotter block. The end of the binding strands is then inserted between the knotter block and the knotting tongue and clamped there. When the loop is subsequently stripped off, the barb holds the binding strands in place so that they are pulled through the binding loop. Once the binding loop has slid off the knotter block, the knotting tongue is free so that it can pivot upwards when the knot is pulled, releasing the binding strands. This releases the binding strands and the completed knot is pulled off the knotting hook at the end roughly in the same direction as the knotter block and the knotting tongue.

[0004] In the case of a loop knot in which the ends of the binding strands are not completely pulled through the binding loop, the knotting tongue must be pivoted very far upwards to ensure that the loop knot is safely stripped off the knotting hook despite the barb on the knotting tongue.

[0005] US Pat. No. 3,301,583 A discloses a knotter with a knotting beak mounted on a knotting shaft, the knotting tongue of which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis arranged transversely to the knotting shaft. The pivot axis is arranged in a slotted guide. This allows the knotting tongue to be displaced in the slotted hole depending on the thickness of the yarns.

[0006] The document DE 919 023 C discloses a knotter's beak for straw balers and reaper-binders, in which a lower lip is provided on a side facing the thread holder with a bead which is raised and protruding towards a front end of the lower lip compared to a bevelled bead on a needle side of the lower lip.

[0007] The document WO 2015 / 014616 A1 discloses a knotting system comprising a knotting hook for forming a knot, with a first drive means configured to rotate the knotting hook at least a first and a second full revolution, and with a pivoting arm which is moved at least twice from a rear to a front position and back during a full actuation cycle to form a first and a subsequent second knot.

[0008] Another knotter hook is known from US306232A.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a knotting hook for a twine knotter which reliably ensures that a knot, in particular a loop knot, is stripped from the knotting hook, as well as a twine knotter with such a knotting hook and a baler with such a twine knotter.

[0010] The object is achieved with a knotting hook having the features of independent patent claim 1, with a twine knotter having the features of independent patent claim 12 and with a baler having the features of independent patent claim 13. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0011] For this purpose, a knotting hook for a twine knotter is provided. The knotting hook is designed for creating a loop knot. It has at least one fixed clamping wing. Furthermore, another clamping wing is pivotally mounted on the knotting hook. The clamping wings have an extension component in a same first spatial direction. The pivoting clamping wing can be arranged at least partially and at least slightly offset in height from the fixed clamping wing in a second spatial direction, which extends transversely to the first spatial direction.

[0012] A molded portion is also provided on the pivoting clamping wing. The molded portion is raised toward the fixed clamping wing. It therefore extends toward the second spatial direction. Furthermore, it preferably has a roughly hook-shaped contour.

[0013] The pivoting clamping wing can be reversibly pivoted from an unopened state, in particular about a pivoting wing bearing in a wing pivoting direction, into an open state, so that a free end of the pivoting clamping wing is further spaced from the fixed clamping wing in the open state than in the unopened state. In the open state, binding material strands can be inserted between the pivoting clamping wing and the fixed clamping wings. In the unopened state, binding material strands to be knotted together can be securely clamped between the at least one fixed and the pivoting clamping wing.

[0014] A free space is formed below the pivoting clamping wing, which, in the unopened state, extends beyond the molding against the first spatial direction.

[0015] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the knotting hook has, in addition to the at least one fixed clamping wing, another fixed clamping wing, wherein a gap is formed between the fixed clamping wings. The pivotable clamping wing extends, in particular in the second spatial direction, in the unopened state in and / or above the gap between the fixed clamping wings. In the unopened state, the gap extends beyond the molded portion relative to the first spatial direction. The fixed clamping wings extend from a body of the knotting hook to a free end.

[0016] The knotting hook is characterized by the fact that the two fixed clamping wings are spaced apart from each other at least at the ends, so that the gap is formed between them.

[0017] To pivot the pivoting clamping wing, a control roller is provided at the end opposite its free end.

[0018] In this embodiment, a design of the knotting hook is also provided which allows the finished knot to be easily stripped downwards through the gap.

[0019] It is preferred that the gap extends beyond the formed portion, relative to the first spatial direction, at least along approximately one-quarter of the length of the at least one fixed clamping wing or more, particularly preferably approximately one-third of the length of the at least one fixed clamping wing or more. As a result, the portion of the gap extending behind the formed portion, relative to the first spatial direction, is sufficiently large to reliably ensure the downward stripping of the loop of the knot with the binding material thicknesses commonly used.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the pivotable clamping wing is arranged, in a viewing direction opposite to the second spatial direction, i.e., in a plan view, at least at its end, particularly centrally between the two fixed clamping wings, or the fixed clamping wings are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a fictitious line extending centrally through the pivotable clamping wing. This results in uniform clamping forces when the movable clamping wing interacts with the fixed clamping wings of the knotting hook. On the one hand, this increases process reliability. On the other hand, this arrangement is advantageous when pulling the binding agent strands through the binding agent loop.

[0021] To further simplify the pulling through of the binding material strands, it is further preferred that the fixed clamping wings be of equal length. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the pivoting clamping wing to be shorter than the at least one or more fixed clamping wings. This allows the binding material strands to be pulled far enough through the binding material loop when the binding material loop is pulled off the knotting hook to form a securely held loop knot without pulling the ends of the binding material strands completely through the binding material loop.

[0022] However, an embodiment is also preferred in which either one fixed clamping wing is slightly shorter than the other clamping wing, or at least one of the two clamping wings has a rounded or beveled end. This allows the loop knot to tighten at least slightly toward the end of the knot-forming process.

[0023] For this purpose, the projection is preferably arranged at the free end of the pivotable wing. The hook-shaped configuration, in particular a triangular configuration, enables reliable pulling on the ends of the binding agent strands. For this purpose, the projection preferably extends at a substantially right angle to a pivoting wing of the pivotable wing on which it is arranged. This allows the binding agent strands to slide easily off the projection. In principle, a knotting hook is also preferred in which the projection extends at an acute angle to the pivoting wing, so that it is inclined towards a shaft-side end of the pivoting wing.

[0024] It is further preferred that the pivoting clamping wing be narrower than the gap, at least in some areas. This creates a free space on the side of the pivoting clamping wing between the latter and each of the fixed clamping wings. This further facilitates the release of the knot from the knotting hook.

[0025] It is also preferred that the knotting hook has a shaft for mounting in the twine knotter. To form a binding agent loop, the knotting hook must rotate around its own axis. Such a rotational movement can be initiated, for example, by at least one toothed segment located on a rotating knotting disk. Mounting the knotting hook via an elongated shaft represents an effective solution for managing today's increasingly high tension forces. The shaft and the fixed clamping wings are preferably arranged at an angle to one another. They are preferably arranged in an approximately L-shape. For this purpose, the body of the knotting hook has a rounded bend so that the body has no edges at the bend that the binding agent strands can rub against.This design means that the space required for rotating the knotter hook is small.

[0026] Furthermore, a configuration of the gap between the two fixed clamping wings is preferred, in which the gap is essentially U-shaped or V-shaped. In a U-shaped configuration, the gap is essentially the same width along its length. In a V-shaped configuration, however, it tapers towards the shaft-side end. Since the gap extends beyond the formed portion toward the shaft-side end, counter to the first spatial direction, such a gap enables the stripping of the finished knot.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the gap also has a widening on the shaft side. This gives it a roughly keyhole-shaped design, for example. It is enlarged at least in the area of ​​its shaft-side end. It is preferred that the formed portion dips into the widening when unopened, so that space remains around the formed portion for the binding agent strands. A completed knot can therefore fall through the gap more easily after being stripped off the knotting hook. In this context, it should be noted that when stripping off the completed knot, it is necessary for the knot to move in a direction opposite to the second spatial direction, namely in the direction that leads to the finished crop bale.

[0028] A length of the gap or a length of the at least one fixed clamping wing is related to a length of the body in a holding area of ​​the knotting hook, which is provided for clamping binding agent strands between the at least one fixed clamping wing and the pivoting clamping wing, preferably in a ratio of 1:1 or greater, particularly preferably 2:1 or greater. The body extending below the pivoting clamping wing is therefore only short in relation to the gap or the at least one fixed clamping wing. It is essentially provided to stabilize the knotting hook. The larger the gap, the easier it is for the knot to fall off at the end of the knot-forming process.For this purpose, it is further preferred that an end wall of the gap extends substantially in the second spatial direction, so that a completed node does not get caught on the end wall or an edge of the end wall, or rubs against it.

[0029] As an alternative to the design described above as being in accordance with the invention, the knotting hook is characterized in that it has only one fixed clamping wing and the pivotable clamping wing, and in that the pivotable clamping wing is laterally offset from the fixed clamping wing at least in some areas, in particular at the end, and further in particular in a third spatial direction extending transversely to the first and second spatial directions. As a result, the pivotable clamping wing is arranged at least in some areas next to the fixed clamping wing.

[0030] Although the binding material strands are wrapped around the hook-shaped projection when removed from the knotter hook, the gap and the space below the pivoting clamping wing extending beyond the projection allow the knot to be pulled downwards, allowing it to be safely released from the knotter hook. The downward pull on the knot required for this is caused by the crop bale, around which the binding material strand serving as the bobbin thread is wound. Since the knot slides downwards, it is also not necessary for the pivoting clamping wing to be released beforehand in order to pivot upwards into the open position.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the knotting hook has, in particular as described in detail above, a further fixed clamping wing.

[0032] The additional fixed clamping wing is spaced apart from the at least one fixed clamping wing, particularly in the third spatial direction. The free space thus forms a gap between the fixed clamping wings. The design of the knotting hook with two fixed clamping wings enables simplified handling of the binding loop wrapped around the knotting hook during knot formation, particularly when stripping it off at the end of the knot-forming process.

[0033] The problem is further solved by a twine knotter with such a knotting hook. In a particularly advantageous manner, the provision of a gap between the two fixed clamping wings, which extends beyond the molded portion on the shaft side, ensures that the completed knot is provided with sufficient free space below the pivoting clamping wing when it is stripped off the knotting hook to release itself from the knotting hook and move away in a direction pointing towards the crop bale. On the other hand, the two fixed clamping wings offer sufficient guidance to ensure that the loop is formed reliably and the knot is then pulled in by the free ends of the binding material strands. In the embodiment in which only one fixed clamping wing is used, the effort has been minimized again.

[0034] This objective is further achieved by a baler with such a twine knotter. The baler utilizes functional assemblies known from the prior art, such as a receiving device for receiving the crop to be baled, a conveying and cutting device for transporting the crop into a preferably cuboid-shaped baling channel in which a reciprocating press piston compacts the crop, enabling the reliable production of crop bales surrounded by binding agent strands. Advantageously, this bale-forming process eliminates any twine residue that could contaminate the forage or harm the environment. The baler is equipped with a plurality of twine knotters for this purpose.

[0035] The invention is described below with reference to figures. The figures are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. They show Fig. 1 (b) shows the knotter arrangement 34 for the baler 25 from Fig. 1 (a) The knotter assembly 34 is arranged on the top side 38 of the baler 25 and includes a plurality of twine knotters 1. The twine knotters 1 are arranged spaced apart from one another along a knotter shaft 37. Fig. 2 shows in (a) - (k) one of the twine knotters 1 or an enlarged partial view of the twine knotter 1 of the knotter arrangement 34 of the Fig. 1 (b) The enlarged views show the Fig. 2 (f) and 2 (j) .

[0036] The twine knotter 1 has a knotting disc 8, which is non-rotatably mounted on the knotting shaft 37. The knotting disc 8 therefore rotates with the knotting shaft 37 when driven. Furthermore, the twine knotter 1 has a knotting frame 6, which is rotatably mounted on the knotting shaft 37 relative to the latter, so that it does not rotate with the knotting shaft 37 when driven and is fixedly mounted in the baler 25.

[0037] The Fig. 2 (a) - (e) , (g) - (i) and (k) show the twine knotter 1 in the same perspective view in different drive states, which it passes through when driving the knotter shaft 37, wherein the drive states differ from each other by a rotation angle (not designated) by which the knotter disc 8 has rotated with it relative to a zero position. Fig. 2 (f) shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 2 (e) and Fig. 2 (j) shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 2 (i) , where Fig. 2 (f) and 2 (j) each show another perspective view. The Fig. 3 (a) shows an enlarged section of the yarn knotter 1 of the Fig. 2 without the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 at a rotation angle of approximately 320°.

[0038] The twine knotter 1 is designed to form two consecutive knots 3, which are intended to connect the upper thread 4.1 and the lower thread 4.2 of the binding means surrounding the crop bale 2. It is thus a double knotter. The terms twine knotter 1 and double knotter are therefore used synonymously within the scope of this invention.

[0039] For this purpose, the twine knotter 1 has a knotting hook 5 for knotting the ends 4.3 of the binding means 4.1, 4.2, which is mounted in the knotting frame 6 so as to be rotatable about a knotting hook axis 44 in a knotting hook rotation direction 43.

[0040] The knotter hook 5 is in the Fig. 3 (c) und (d) shown separately. It has two fixed clamping wings 18 spaced apart from one another in a third spatial direction 22, which have an extension component (not shown) in a first spatial direction 20. The third spatial direction 22 is arranged transversely to the first spatial direction 20. An approximately keyhole-shaped gap 17 is provided between the fixed clamping wings 18. In a second spatial direction 21, a pivotable clamping wing 19 is also arranged at a height offset from the fixed clamping wings 18. The second spatial direction 21 extends transversely to the first spatial direction 20 and transversely to the third spatial direction 22. The pivotable clamping wing 19 has a hook-shaped projection 23, which extends against the second spatial direction 21, so that it points in the direction of the gap 17. In an unopened state (not labeled), which the Fig. 3 (c) shows, the formation 23 dips at least slightly into the gap 17. The pivotable clamping wing 19 is pivotally mounted in a pivoting wing bearing 59, which is arranged in the third spatial direction 22 above the fixed clamping wings 18.

[0041] In order to pivot the pivotable clamping wing 19 from the unopened to an open state (not shown), the knotting hook 5 has a control roller 46 which, when the knotting hook 5 rotates about the knotting hook axis 44, moves along a control link 63 (see Fig. 3 (a) ) unrolls. The control roller 46 is arranged on a side of the knotting hook 5 facing away from the fixed clamping wings 18 (not labeled). It is attached to the pivoting clamping wing 19 and shaped such that the latter pivots in and against a wing pivoting direction 61 according to the contour of the control link when the control roller 46 unrolls along the control link. When the pivoting clamping wing 19 pivots in the wing pivoting direction 61, it opens relative to the fixed clamping wings 18. In this open state, binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 can be inserted into the space (not labeled) between the fixed clamping wings 18 and the pivoting clamping wing 19. When pivoting back from the open state to the unopened state, the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 are clamped between the fixed clamping wings 18 and the pivoting clamping wing 19.

[0042] The twine knotter 1 also has a holding arrangement (not designated) provided for holding the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2. The holding arrangement has a twine holding disc 7, which is mounted on the knotter frame 6 for rotation about a twine holding disc axis 42 in a twine holding disc rotation direction 41. The twine holding disc 7 is provided for temporarily conveying the two binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 of the binding agent.

[0043] On its outer contour 62 (see Fig. 3 (c) ) it has at least a first pairing 16.1 of two recesses 15.1, 15.2. Each of the two recesses 15.1, 15.2 is provided for receiving the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 when producing one of the two knots 3. With respect to a rotational movement of the yarn holding disk 7 in the direction of rotation 41 of the yarn holding disk about the yarn holding disk axis 42, the recesses 15.1, 15.2 are arranged counterclockwise relative to one another by an offset angle α that is greater than 90°. The recess 15.1 which is earlier with respect to the rotational movement in the direction of rotation of the yarn holding disc 41 is intended to receive the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 for the first of the two knots 3, and the recess 15.2 which is later with respect to the rotational movement in the direction of rotation of the yarn holding disc 41 is intended to receive the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 for the second of the two knots 3.The offset angle α exceeding 90° enables a safe reinsertion of the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 into the yarn holding disc 7 for the production of the second knot 3.

[0044] The yarn holding disc 7 used here also has a second pairing 16.2 of recesses 15.1, 15.2, which is intended for producing a subsequent pair of knots 3. For this purpose, the two pairings 16.1, 16.2 of recesses 15.1, 15.2 are arranged on the yarn holding disc 7 rotated by 180° relative to each other.

[0045] The yarn holding disc 7 comprises two parallel discs 7.1, 7.2 (see Fig. 3 (a) ) of the same size, which are spaced apart from one another and between which a stop (not shown) extends concentrically around the yarn holding disc axis 42. Both discs 7.1, 7.2 of the yarn holding disc 7 therefore have both pairs 16.1, 16.2 recesses 15.1, 15.2. In addition, the recesses 15.1, 15.2 are at the same angle of rotation (see Fig. 3 (b) ) are arranged.

[0046] The holding arrangement further comprises a yarn clamping lever 14 (see Fig. 3 (a) , 2 (f) ), wherein the yarn clamping lever 14 cooperates with the yarn holding disk 7 to hold the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 in one of the recesses 15.1, 15.2. The yarn clamping lever 14 has at least one clamping strut 14.1 for this purpose, which is arranged between the disks 7.1, 7.2 of the yarn clamping disk 7. In the present exemplary embodiment, it also has a further clamping strut 14.2, which is arranged essentially parallel to the at least one clamping strut 14.1. The second clamping strut 14.2 improves the holding of the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 compared to just one clamping strut 14.1.

[0047] The at least one clamping strut 14.1 is arranged between the two discs 7.1, 7.2 of the yarn clamping disc 7. It rests against the stop of the yarn holding disc 7 when no binding agent strand 4.1, 4.2 is inserted into the yarn holding disc 7.

[0048] The yarn clamping lever 14 is pressed against the stop by the force of a spring (not shown) about a clamping axis 51 in a clamping direction 52. When the yarn holding disk 7 is rotated, the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 inserted into the recess 15.1, 15.2 are clamped between the yarn holding disk 7 and the yarn clamping lever 14. Since the yarn clamping lever 14 is pressed against the stop solely by the force of the spring, it can deflect at least slightly against the clamping direction 52, particularly with thicker binding materials. However, the force of the spring is provided to be sufficiently large to ensure secure holding of the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 when making the knot 3.

[0049] Furthermore, the twine knotter 1 has the rotatingly driven knotting disc 8. The knotting disc 8 extends concentrically around a knotting disc axis 40, which extends in the direction of the knotting shaft 37. First drive means 9.1, 9.2 for driving the knotting hook 5 are arranged on the knotting disc 8 for each of the two knots 3. To drive the knotting hook 5, a shaft 24 (see Fig. 3 (c) ) of the knotter hook 5, a drive wheel 54 is rotatably attached. The first drive means 9.1, 9.2 are designed as toothed segments which, as the knotter disc 8 rotates, engage with teeth (not designated) of the drive wheel 54, so that the drive wheel 54 is driven in a direction of rotation 30 as the knotter disc 8 rotates. As a result, the knotter hook 5 is rotated about the knotter hook axis 44 in the knotter hook rotation direction 43.

[0050] In addition, at least one second drive means 10.1 for driving the twine holding disc 7 is arranged on the knotter disc 8. The second drive means 10.1 is also designed as a toothed segment. To drive the twine holding disc 7, a pinion 55 is attached to the knotter frame 6 (see Fig. 4(a) ), the teeth of which (not labeled) engage with the second drive means 10.1 as the knotter disk 8 rotates. This drives the pinion 55. The pinion 55 is arranged at the end of a pinion shaft (not shown), at the opposite end (not labeled) of which a worm gear 56 is provided. The worm gear 56 meshes with a disk gear 57, so that when the worm gear 56 is driven, the latter rotates about the twine holding disk axis 42 in the twine holding disk rotation direction 41. The disk gear 57 is also arranged at the end of a disk shaft (not shown), at the opposite end (not labeled) of which the twine holding disk 7 is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner. The twine holding disk 7 therefore rotates with the disk gear 57 when the disk gear 57 is driven.

[0051] The second drive means 10.1, designed as a toothed segment, the pinion 55, the worm gear 56 and the disk gear 57 are coordinated with one another in such a way that a slower gear ratio of 1:4 is achieved. However, depending on a diameter (not designated) of the knotter disk 8, a diameter (not designated) of the twine holding disk 7 and the number of teeth (not designated) on these components, a different gear reduction can also be provided.

[0052] The twine knotter 1 further comprises a stripping lever 11 for stripping the knots 3 from the knotter hook 5. The stripping lever 11 is pivotable in and against a pivoting direction 49 about a pivot bearing 64 through which a pivot axis 48 extends.

[0053] The stripping lever 11 is approximately L-shaped. It has an arm 76 (see Fig. 2 (a) ) which extends from the pivot bearing 64 to a cross plate 65 extending approximately transversely to it.

[0054] A stripping link 45 is arranged on the knotter disc 8, on which a roller 60 (see Fig. 4 (a) ), which is arranged on the stripping lever 11. The stripping lever 11 is pivoted around the pivot axis 48 in the pivot direction 49 and back depending on the course of the stripping link 45. Pin-shaped pullers 53 are arranged on the stripping lever 11 and are spaced apart from one another. The distance (not designated) between the pullers 53 is slightly greater than a width B (see Fig. 3 (d) ) of the knotter hook 5. The pullers 53 are provided for pulling a knot 3 from the knotter hook 5. For this purpose, the stripping lever 11 is pivoted in the pivoting direction 49. After pulling, the stripping lever 11 is pivoted back again.

[0055] Furthermore, the stripping lever 11 has an extractor 13. The extractor 13 extends approximately parallel to the arm 76 and is spaced apart from it. It is attached to the cross plate 65. With the extractor 13, the ends 4.3 of the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 can be pulled out of the holding arrangement to complete the second knot 3.

[0056] To sever the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2, a knife blade 12 is also mounted in the twine knotter 1. The knife blade 12 is positioned such that the twine holding disk 7 is guided along the knife blade 12 when rotating in the twine holding direction of rotation 41. As a result, the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 inserted into the holding arrangement are severed as they pass the knife blade 12. For this purpose, the knife blade 12 can be essentially fixed in the twine knotter 1, in particular on the knotter frame. In the embodiment shown here, it is attached to the twine clamping lever 14. In this embodiment, it can move slightly with the twine clamping lever 14 when it deflects, depending on the thickness of the binding agent used. Therefore, in this embodiment, the knife blade 12 is not fixed in the twine knotter 1, but moves with the twine clamping lever 14 when it deflects.The wording "essentially" takes this fact into account in the context of this invention.

[0057] In order to produce the two consecutive knots 3 without generating a binder residue for each binder strand 4.1, 4.2, the present invention provides that the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 are severed only once between the first and second knot 3. Furthermore, the present invention provides that the yarn holding disk 7 is stopped during the completion of the second knot 3, before the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 pass the knife blade 12. Since the yarn holding disk 7 stops before the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 pass the knife blade 12 again, the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 are not severed at all during the production of the second knot 3. As a result, no binder residue is produced per binder strand 4.1, 4.2 during the production of this knot 3.

[0058] The production of the two knots 3 with the yarn knotter 1 is described below using the Fig. 2 (a) - (k) explained step by step.

[0059] Fig. 2 (a) shows the twine knotter 1 in the zero position. In the zero position, a knot 3 can be released from the knotter hook 5 when a tensile force 73 acts on it, which is caused in particular by the crop bale 2 and which has an extension component against a second spatial direction 21, in which a shaft 24 (see Fig. 3 (c) - (e) ) of the knotting hook 5. In the zero position, neither the drive wheel 54 for driving the knotting hook 5 nor the pinion 55 for driving the twine holding disk 7 are in engagement with one of their drive means 9.1, 9.2, 10.1 on the knotting disk 8. The knotting hook 5 and the twine holding disk 7 are therefore not driven in the zero position. In the zero position, the stripping lever 11 is in a position that is still slightly pivoted out about the pivot axis 48 in the pivot direction 49. A top thread 4.1 is guided through the top yarn needle 47. As a result, a recess (not designated) provided in the stripping lever 11, in particular an approximately U-shaped recess, is arranged below the knotting hook 5.

[0060] Fig. 2 (b) shows the yarn knotter 1 in a position rotated by a rotation angle of 150°. Even in this position, neither the knotter hook 5 nor the yarn holding disk 7 have rotated. The stripper lever 11 has pivoted back against the pivoting direction 49. In addition, the bobbin thread needle 36 has pivoted into the yarn knotter 1 in a feed direction 50. The bobbin thread needle 36 is therefore in an upward direction. It carries the bobbin thread 4.2 with it. Furthermore, when pivoting into the yarn knotter 1, it takes the upper thread 4.1 with it. When the bobbin thread needle 36 is pivoted in, the upper thread 4.1 and the lower thread 4.2 are inserted into the first recess 15.1 of the two recesses 15.1, 15.2 of the first pair 16.1 of the yarn holding disk 7. Fig. 2 (b) shows the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 inserted into the first recess 15.1. Therefore, insertion takes place in the upward motion of the lower needle 36.

[0061] Fig. 2 (c) shows the twine knotter 1 rotated by a rotation angle of 185°. In this position, the twine holding disc 7 is rotated so far that the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 are clamped in the holding arrangement between the twine holding disc 7 and the twine clamping lever 14. The twine clamping lever 14 clamps the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 using the force of the spring.

[0062] In addition, in this position, the drive wheel 54 is engaged with the first of the two first drive means 9.1, 9.2 on the knotter disc 8, so that the knotter hook 5 is driven by the knotter disc 8 and rotates about the knotter hook axis 44 in the knotter hook rotation direction 43. Visible here is the control roller 46, which is arranged at the rear of the knotter hook 5 and is intended to drive the pivoting clamping wing 19.

[0063] During rotation, the binding strands 4.1, 4.2 are wrapped around the knotting hook 5. This creates a loop (not marked) around the knotting hook 5.

[0064] Fig. 2 (d) shows the twine knotter 1 rotated through a rotation angle of 205°. In this position, the knotter hook 5 has rotated completely around its knotter hook axis 44. The control roller 46 of the knotter hook 5 has been guided completely along the control link 63 for opening and closing the pivoting clamping wing 19. The binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 have been inserted between the fixed clamping wings 18 and the pivoting clamping wing 19 and are located in front of the molded portion 20 of the pivoting clamping wing 19.

[0065] The yarn holding disc 7 has also rotated so far that the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 clamped in the holding arrangement are now arranged in front of a cutting edge of the knife blade 12.

[0066] Furthermore, the bobbin thread needle 36 has already pivoted back slightly against the feed direction 50. It is therefore in downward motion.

[0067] Fig. 2 (e) shows the twine knotter 1 rotated by a rotation angle of 220°. In this position, the twine holding disc 7 has rotated so far that the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 have passed the knife blade 12 and have been severed by it. The binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 now divide into the first, harvest bale-side binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 and the second, lower-needle-side binding material strands 4.1, 4.2.

[0068] The lower needle-side binder strands 4.1, 4.2 were also inserted into the second recess 15.2 of the first pair 16.1 of recesses 15.1, 15.2 as the yarn holding disc 7 continued to rotate. When forming the second knot 3, the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 are therefore inserted into the yarn holding disc 7 during the downward movement of the lower needle 36.

[0069] Fig. 2 (f) shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 2 (e) . The binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 on the crop bale side, which are wrapped around the knotting hook 5, are visible immediately before the first knot 3 is pulled off the knotting hook 5. When the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 are pulled off the knotting hook 5, the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 inserted between the fixed clamping wings 18 and the pivoting clamping wing 19 are pulled through the loop of the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 wrapped around the knotting hook 5 with the aid of the formed portion 20 on the pivoting clamping wing 19. The first knot 3 is formed in the process.

[0070] The binding material strands 4.1, 4.2, or the first knot 3, are pushed off the knotter hook 5 by means of the stripping lever 11. For this purpose, the roller 60 of the stripping lever 11 is guided along the stripping guide 45. The stripping guide 45 has two cams (not designated), so that the stripping lever 11 is pivoted forward twice during one revolution of the knotter disk 8, in order to push one knot 3 off the knotter hook 5 at a time. The spaced-apart pin-shaped pullers 53 of the stripping lever 11 are used to push the knot 3 off the knotter hook 5.

[0071] To allow knot 3 to fall onto the crop bale, a gap 17 is provided in the knotter hook. The finished knot 3 falls through the gap 17 onto the crop bale.

[0072] Fig. 2 (g) shows the yarn knotter 1 rotated through a rotation angle of 240°. In this position, the stripping lever 11 is pivoted in the pivoting direction 49 and has pushed the knot 3 off the knotter hook 5. The lower needle 36 is pivoted back even further against the feed direction 50.

[0073] Fig. 2 (h) shows the twine knotter 1 rotated through a rotation angle of 280°. In this position, the twine holding disc 7 is in its final position. It is no longer driven during the current rotation of the knotter disc 8. The binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 clamped in the holding arrangement are arranged directly in front of the knife blade 12.

[0074] The stripping lever 11 is in Fig. 2 (h) pivoted back against the pivoting direction 48. In addition, the bobbin thread needle 36 is pivoted back against the feed direction 50 at this angle of rotation.

[0075] The second of the first drive means 9.2 on the knotter disc 8 has reached the drive wheel 54 of the knotter hook 5. As a result, the drive wheel 54 engages with this first drive means 9.2. The twine knotter 1 is thus immediately before forming the second knot 3.

[0076] Fig. 2 (i) shows the twine knotter 1 rotated through a rotation angle of 330°. The knotter hook 5 has completed its second complete rotation around the knotter hook axis 44. Therefore, a loop has been formed around the knotter hook 5, and the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 have also been inserted under the pivoting clamping wing 19. The illustration therefore shows the second knot 3 immediately before being pushed off by the stripping lever 11.

[0077] Fig. 2 (j) shows this in an enlarged section. It is visible that the stripping lever 11 is pivoting in the pivoting direction 49. Since the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 are still clamped in the holding arrangement, the extractor 13 attached to the stripping lever 11 comes into contact with the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 and pulls the ends 4.3 of the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 out of the holding arrangement during the pivoting movement of the stripping lever 11. In addition, the second knot 3 is pushed off the knotting hook 5 by means of the pin-shaped extractors 53, analogous to the first knot 3.

[0078] Fig. 2 (k) shows the twine knotter 1 rotated through a 360° angle. It is in the zero position (see Fig. 2 (a) ). The extractor 13 has pulled the ends 4.3 of the binding strands 4.1, 4.2, and the pullers 53 have pushed the second knot 3 off the knotter hook 5. The second knot 3 also falls against the second direction 21 through the gap 17 in the knotter hook 5 to the crop bale. The stripping lever 11 is pivoting against the pivoting direction 49.

[0079] In Fig. 2 (k) the tensile force 73 directed towards the crop bale, with which the knot 3 is pulled by the knotting hook so that it falls off, is shown schematically.

[0080] Fig. 3 shows in (a) an enlarged partial view of the twine knotter 1 of the Fig. 2 (b) , in (b) a twine holding disc 7 for the twine knotter 1 from (a), in (c) a knotter hook 5 for the twine knotter 1 from (a) in a side view, in (d) a plan view of the knotter hook 5 from (c), and in (e) a perspective view of the knotter hook from (c).

[0081] Fig. 3 (b) shows one of many possible embodiments of the yarn holding disc 7 in a side view. The yarn holding disc 7 shown here is designed for the production of two pairs of knots 3. One of the discs 7.1 is visible, the yarn holding disc 7 with the two pairs 16.1, 16.2 of recesses 15.1, 15.2. The yarn holding disc 7 can also be designed for just one pair of knots 3, or for three or more pairs of knots 3. In principle, it is also possible to design the yarn holding disc 7 for an odd number of knots 3, so that a recess 15.1, 15.2 of the yarn holding disc 7 is used alternately for the production of the first of the two knots 3 and then for the production of the second of the two knots 3.

[0082] In the illustrated twine holding disc 7, an offset angle α of 100° is provided between the recesses of each knot pair 3. With the selected reduction ratio between the knotter disc 8 and the twine holding disc 7, an offset angle α of greater than 90° is required to insert the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 into the second of the two recesses 15.2. However, the offset angle α can also be significantly greater than 90°, and in particular up to approximately 150°.

[0083] A supplementary angle β of 80° is provided between the two pairs 16.1, 16.2 of recesses 15.1, 15.2. This results in a rotationally symmetrical arrangement of the pairs 16.1, 16.2 of recesses 15.1, 15.2. Fig. 3 (c) shows the knotting hook 5 for the twine knotter 1 in a side view, Fig. 3 (d) in a top view, and Fig. 3 (e) in a perspective view. The knotting hook here has two fixed clamping wings 18. It also has a pivotable clamping wing 19. The clamping wings 18, 19 have an extension component in a same first spatial direction 20. An embodiment of a knotting hook 5 not according to the invention can also be used, which has only one fixed clamping wing 18 and the pivotable clamping wing 19.

[0084] The fixed clamping wings 18 extend from a body 66 of the knotting hook 5 to a free end (not labeled). The pivoting clamping wing 19, however, is pivotably mounted in a pivoting wing bearing 59 provided in the body 66 of the knotting hook 5 about a wing pivot axis 69 in and against a wing pivot direction 61. The pivoting clamping wing 19 also has a free end 74.

[0085] The pivotable clamping wing 19 has a projection 23 that is raised toward the fixed clamping wing 18. The projection therefore extends toward the second spatial direction 21. It is arranged here at the free end 74 of the pivotable clamping wing 19. In principle, however, the pivotable clamping wing 19 can also extend beyond the projection 23 to its free end 74. For this purpose, the projection 19 also extends at a substantially right angle δ to a pivoting wing 77 of the pivotable wing 19 on which it is arranged. It is hook-shaped, here triangular.

[0086] The pivotable clamping wing 19 is arranged laterally offset from both fixed clamping wings 18, at least towards the free end of the clamping wings 18, 19, in a third spatial direction 22, which extends transversely to the first spatial direction 20 and transversely to the second spatial direction 21. The fixed clamping wings 18 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a fictitious line (not shown) extending centrally through the pivotable clamping wing 19. The fixed clamping wings 18 have the same length LF. In addition, the pivotable clamping wing 19 is shorter than the fixed clamping wings 19.

[0087] Furthermore, the two fixed clamping wings 18 are spaced apart from one another at least at their ends, so that a gap 17 is formed between them. In addition, the pivotable clamping wing 19 is arranged, in a plan view, at least at its ends between the two fixed clamping wings 18. As a result, the projection 23 is positioned laterally between the two fixed clamping wings 18. The gap 17 extends between the fixed clamping wings 18 and below the pivotable clamping wing 19, against the first spatial direction 20, even beyond the projection 23. As a result, a free space is provided not only below but also behind the projection 23, viewed against the first spatial direction 20, through which free space a knot 3 completed with the knotting hook 5 can fall in this direction 21, particularly when a tensile force 73 acts on it against the second spatial direction 21.

[0088] The pivotable clamping wing 19 is therefore only partially offset in height from the fixed clamping wings 18 in a second spatial direction 21, which extends transversely to the first spatial direction 20. As a result, the molded portion 23 engages slightly in the gap 17 between the fixed clamping wings 18.

[0089] In principle, the gap 17 can be U- or V-shaped. However, a keyhole-like widening 75 of the gap 17 has proven advantageous, whereby the gap 17 is widened at an end facing the pivoting wing bearing 59. This provides more space for the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2, and the knot 3 can be released from the knotter hook 5 more easily and quickly.

[0090] The pivoting clamping wing 19 can be pivoted from an unopened state to an open state by pivoting in the wing pivoting direction 61. In the open state, the free end 74 of the pivoting clamping wing 19 is further spaced from the fixed clamping wings 18 than in the unopened state. In the open state, the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 can be inserted between the fixed and pivoting clamping wings 18, 19. The formed portion 23 is intended to pull the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 inserted between the fixed and pivoting clamping wings 18, 19 through a binding material loop formed from the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2, which is looped around the body 66 of the knotting hook 5. For this purpose, the pivoting clamping wing 19 is closed and the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 are clamped between the fixed and the pivoting clamping wing 18, 19.

[0091] To accomplish the pivoting of the pivotable clamping wing 19, a control roller 46 is provided at an end opposite the free end 74 of the pivotable clamping wing 19. The control roller 46 is arranged on a side of the pivoting wing bearing 59 facing away from the free end (not labeled). Therefore, when the control roller 46 is adjusted, the pivotable clamping wing 19 is pivoted from the unopened to the opened state or back.

[0092] In the twine knotter 1, the control roller 46 is moved along a control link 63 (see Fig. 3 (a) ), which is fixedly arranged on the knotter frame 6. The control link 46 enables a one-time opening from the unopened to the open state and closing from the open to the unopened state of the pivoting clamping wing 19 for each of the knots 3.

[0093] The stability of the knotting hook 5 is increased by the body 66 extending below the pivoting clamping wing 19. A length LS of the gap 17 or a length LK of the fixed clamping wings 18 is related to a length LR of the body 66 in a holding area 68 of the knotting hook 5, which is provided for clamping binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 between the fixed clamping wings 18 and the pivoting clamping wing 19, preferably at least in a ratio of 1:1 or greater, preferably 2:1 or 3:1 or even greater. The body 66 extending below the pivoting clamping wing 19 is therefore very short in relation to the gap 17 or the clamping wings 18, 19. Preferably, the body 66 serves only to stabilize the knotting hook 5 there.The shorter the body 66 extends below the pivoting clamping wing 19, the larger the gap 17 and the easier it is for knots 3, in particular made of relatively thick binding material, to be pulled from the knotting hook 5 at the end of the knotting process.

[0094] The body 66, which extends in the holding area 68 below the pivoting clamping wing 19, also has a recess 70 that provides space for the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 clamped between the pivoting clamping wing 19 and the fixed clamping wings 18. To prevent the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 from being worn down, the recess 70 can be rounded.

[0095] In order to further facilitate the pulling of the knot 3 from the knotting hook 5, it is further preferred that an end wall 71 of the gap 17 extends substantially in the second spatial direction 21, so that a completed knot 3 does not get caught on the end wall 71 or an edge (not designated) of the end wall 71, or rubs against it.

[0096] The pivoting clamping wing 19 is overall narrower than the gap 17. This embodiment is advantageous when pulling the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 through the binding material loop and when stripping the knot 3 from the knotting hook 5.

[0097] In order to rotatably mount the knotter hook 5 in the twine knotter 1, the knotter has a shaft 24 for mounting in the twine knotter 1. The shaft 24 is arranged at an angle γ relative to the fixed clamping wings 18. Since the binding loop for the knot 3 requires a full rotation of the knotter hook 5 around the knotter hook axis 44, a free space (not designated) is required in the twine knotter 1 for the knotter hook 5 that corresponds to a length (not designated) of the fixed clamping wings 18. The angular arrangement of the clamping wings 18 to the shaft 24 therefore saves space.

[0098] The required bend 72 in the hull 66 is rounded so that the hull 66 has no edges in the bend 72 and the binder strands 4.1, 4.2 cannot rub against the bend 72.

[0099] The formation of the binding loop around the body 66 of the knotting hook 5 is facilitated by a ramp-shaped widening 67 of the body 66 below the shaft 24, through which the binding loop wraps around the body 66 below the control roller 46 when the knotting hook 5 rotates.

[0100] Fig. 4 shows in (a) another perspective view of the twine knotter 1 of the Fig. 2 , and in (b) a perspective view of another embodiment of a twine knotter 1' for the knotter arrangement 34 of Fig. 1 (b) .

[0101] The binding process of the twine knotter 1 of the Fig. 4 (a) To create the two nodes 3 includes the following steps: a. Inserting the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 into the first recess 15.1 of the first pair 16.1 of recesses 15.1, 15.2 on the yarn holding disc 7 during upward movement of the lower needle 36; b. Rotating the yarn holding disc 7 and thereby clamping the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2; c. During the rotation of the yarn holding disc 7, rotating the knotting hook 5, whereby the pivotable clamping wing 19 is pivoted once from the unopened to the open state and back again in order to place the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 between the fixed and the pivotable clamping wing 18, 19; d. During rotation of the yarn holding disc 7, insertion of the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 into the second recess 15.2 of the two recesses 15.1, 15.2 of the pair 16.1 as the lower needle 36 moves downwards; e. During further rotation of the yarn holding disc 7, passing of the knife blade 12, whereby the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 are severed by the knife blade 12; f.Pivoting the stripping lever 11 to strip the first knot 3 from the knotter hook 5; g. Stopping the twine holding disc 7 when the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 have arrived in front of the cutting edge of the knife blade 12; h. Rotating the knotter hook 5 analogously to (c); i. Pivoting the stripping lever 11 to pull the ends 4.3 of the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 with the extractor 13 of the stripping lever 11 out of the holding arrangement and to strip the second knot 3 from the knotter hook 5; j. Pulling the knot 3 out of the twine knotter 1 while pulling on the knot 3 against the second direction 21, in particular caused by advancing the crop bale 2.

[0102] The method for forming the two successive knots 3 therefore comprises the essential features that the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 are severed between the first and the second knot 3 and that the yarn holding disc 7 is stopped before the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 pass the knife blade 12 during the production of the second knot 3.

[0103] The design of the twine knotter 1' of the Fig. 4 (b) has not only a single second drive means 10.1 for driving the yarn holding disc 7, but two second drive means 10.1, 10.2. The second of the two second drive means 10.1, 10.2 is also designed as a toothed segment.

[0104] With the twine holding disc 7 provided here, the twine knotter 1' rotates analogously to the design of the Fig. 4 (a) per knot pair 3 by 180°. However, in this embodiment of the twine knotter 1', the first of the two second drive means 10.1 causes the twine holding disk 7 to rotate through a 135° angle of rotation during the formation of the first knot 3. The twine holding disk 7 guides the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 along the knife blade 12 so that they are severed. During the production of the second knot 3, the twine holding disk 7 rotates through the remaining 45° angle of rotation. The second of the two second drive means 10.2 is provided for this purpose. The binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 are then held by the holding arrangement above a cutting edge of the knife blade 12 and are not cut.

[0105] Therefore, the method for forming the two successive knots 3 also includes, in this embodiment of the twine knotter 1', the essential features that the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 are severed between the first and the second knot 3, and that the twine holding disc 7 is stopped before the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 pass the knife blade 12 during the production of the second knot 3.

[0106] In the design of the Fig. 4 (b) The length of the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2, which is held between the production of the first knot 3 and the production of the second knot 3 by the holding arrangement on the back of the twine holding disc 7, corresponds to the angle of rotation that the twine holding disc 7 undergoes when driven by the first of the two second drive means 10.1 before the binding agent strands 4.1, 4.2 are cut. This angle of rotation is 135° here. In contrast, the twine holding disc 7 in the embodiment of the twine knotter 1 of the Fig. 4 (a) only a rotation angle of 100° before the binding strands 4.1, 4.2 are cut. The ends 4.3 of the binding strands 4.1, 4.2 held in the holding arrangement for forming the second knot 3 are in the embodiment of the twine knotter 1' of the Fig. 4 (b) therefore longer than the design of the twine knotter 1 of the Fig. 4 (a) In order to save binding material, the design of the Fig. 4 (a) compared to the Fig. 4 (b) therefore proved to be beneficial.

[0107] Compared to the above-described binding process of the twine knotter 1 of the Fig. 4 (a) includes making the two knots 3 at the yarn knotter 1' of the Fig. 4 (b) hence the steps: a. Inserting the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 into the first recess 15.1 of the first pair 16.1 of recesses 15.1, 15.2 on the yarn holding disk 7 during upward movement of the lower needle 36; b. Rotating the yarn holding disk 7 and clamping the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2; c. During the rotation of the yarn holding disk 7, rotating the knotting hook 5, whereby the pivotable clamping wing 19 is pivoted once from the unopened to the open state and back again in order to place the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 between the fixed and the pivotable clamping wings 18, 19; d. Further rotating the yarn holding disk 7, whereby the binding material strands 4.1, 4.2 pass the knife blade 12 and are severed in the process; e. Pivoting the stripping lever 11 to strip the first knot 3 from the knotting hook 5; f. Stopping the twine holding disc 7; g. Inserting the binding strands 4.1, 4.2 into the second recess 15.2 of the two recesses 15.1, 15.2 of the pair 16.1 during the downward movement of the lower needle 36; h. Further rotation of the twine holding disc 7; i. Rotation of the knotter hook 5 analogously to (c); j. Extraction of the ends of the binding material strands 4.3 with the extractor 13 of the stripping lever 11 from the holding arrangement and stripping of the second knot 3 from the knotter hook 5; k. Extraction of the knot 3 from the twine knotter 1' by pulling on the knot 3 against the second direction 21, in particular caused by the advancement of the crop bale 2.

Claims

1. Knotting hook (5) for a twine knotter for producing a loop knot, having at least one fixed clamping wing (18) and a pivotably mounted clamping wing (19), which have an extension component in the same first spatial direction (20), the pivotable clamping wing (19) having a molding (23) that is raised toward the fixed clamping wing (18), the pivotable clamping wing (19) being reversibly pivotable from an unopened to an opened state, so that a free end (74) of the pivotable clamping wing (19) is further spaced from the fixed clamping wing (18) in the opened state than in the unopened state, a control roller (46) being provided at an end opposite the free end (74) of the pivotable clamping wing (19) for pivoting the pivotable clamping wing (19), the knotting hook having a further fixed clamping wing (18), a gap (17) being formed between the fixed clamping wings (18), and the pivotable clamping wing (19) extending in and / or above the gap (17) between the fixed clamping wings (18), and the gap (17) in the unopened state extending beyond the molding (23) in the first spatial direction (20), the fixed clamping wings (18) extending from a body (66) of the knotting hook (5) to a free end, characterized in that the two fixed clamping wings (18) are spaced apart from each other at least at the ends, so that the gap (17) is formed between them, so that a simple removal of the finished knot through the gap (17) downward is possible.

2. Knotting hook (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gap (17) extends at least along approximately a quarter of a length (LF) of the at least one fixed clamping wing (18) or even further, in particular approximately along a third of the length (LF) of the at least one fixed clamping wing (18) or even further, counter to the first spatial direction (20) behind the molding (23).

3. Knotting hook (5) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivotable clamping wing (19) is arranged in a plan view at least at its end (74) between the two fixed clamping wings (18), or in that the fixed clamping wings (18) are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a fictitious line extending centrally through the pivotable clamping wing (19).

4. Knotting hook (5) according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the fixed clamping wings (18) are of equal length, and / or in that the pivotable clamping wing (19) is shorter than the two fixed clamping wings (18).

5. Knotting hook (5) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the molding (23) is arranged at the free end (74) of the pivotable clamping wing (19).

6. Knotting hook (5) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the molding (23) extends at a right angle (δ) to the pivotable wing (19).

7. Knotting hook (5) according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the pivotable clamping wing (19) is narrower at least in portions than the gap (17).

8. Knotting hook (5) according to any of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the knotting hook (5) has a shaft (24) for mounting in the twine knotter (1), the shaft (24) and the fixed clamping wings (18) being arranged at an angle (γ) to one another, in particular approximately L-shaped to one another.

9. Knotting hook (5) according to any of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the gap (23) is U-shaped or V-shaped, or in that it has a widening (75) on the shaft side, in particular so that it is approximately keyhole-shaped.

10. Knotting hook (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that the molding (23) dips into the widening (75) in the unopened state.

11. Knotting hook (5) according to any of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that a length (LS) of the gap (17) or a length (LF) of the at least one fixed clamping wing (18) is in a ratio of 1:1 or greater, in particular 2:1 or even greater, to a length (LR) of the body (66) in a holding area (68) which is provided for clamping binding agent strands (4.1, 4.2) between the at least one fixed clamping wing (18) and the pivotable clamping wing (19).

12. Twine knotter (1) having a knotting hook (5) according to any of the preceding claims.

13. Baling press (25) having a twine knotter (1) according to claim 12.