Method and device for wrapping and tagging of round bales
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-11
AI Technical Summary
The existing methods for tagging round bales of organic material are inefficient and prone to human errors, especially when conducted outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and there is a need for a fully automatic and reliable process to track the composition and quality of the forage accurately.
A method and device for fully automatic tagging of round bales using a linear tagging arm with pneumatic operation, which transfers and positions RFID or QR code tags on the bale end surfaces without interrupting the wrapping process, ensuring efficient and clean handling, and protection from moisture.
The solution enables quick, robust, and low-maintenance tagging that ensures accurate and reliable tracking of bale content, reducing labor and errors, with the tags being easily readable and protected from environmental factors.
Smart Images
Figure NO2024050093_31102024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Method and device for wrapping and tagging of round bales
[0002] The present invention relates to wrapping and tagging of round bales of organic material such as animal forage in agriculture.
[0003] More precisely the present invention relates to a method as defined by the preamble of claim 1 and a device as defined by the preamble of claim 9.
[0004] Background
[0005] In land based farming, bales of nutrient containing material have become widely used in recent years, primarily as a means to store forage for the animals on the farms. The forage is largely based on grass, but can incorporate also other forms of nutrient material valuable for growth of the animals and their ability to produce milk etc. Such other nutrient material comprises maize, forage mixes (TMR), crimped grain etc.
[0006] Round bales are commonly used for this type of product storage, i.e. bales with a generally cylindrical shape, having circular end surfaces.
[0007] Bales of this kind can be used also in sea farming and for related use like raw material for forage, e.g. based on pulp from various fruit, and chicken feathers but also use, such as for manure from cattle, chicken etc. to be used as fertilizer.
[0008] It has become quite common to pack different materials in one and the same bale in order to have ready for use a diversified, highly useful forage from one and the same bale. This is often referred to as total mixed rations (TMR).
[0009] While the size of the bales is a factor that can be visually controlled quite easily, the content of each bale may vary significantly in dependence upon the materials used, the composition of the materials and when different materials are packed into one and the same bale. There may also be legal requirements for tracking and documenting the origin of agricultural crop materials.
[0010] Generally, there is a desire to know as much as possible about the quality and the composition of the forage in order to feed the animals the appropriate amount, not too much and not too little. While the farmer or other user typically knows by experience what forage to use and in what amounts, as long as the composition is the same, this knowledge is less available when the composition of the forage becomes more complex. In addition to that, the nutrient value of the forage may vary with regard to where the forage has been harvested, the weather during the growth season, the water content in the material etc. Systems have been proposed and introduced in order to assist the farmer in this respect and to maintain a general overview of the situation. Preferably, the information should be specific down to the content of each single bale and readily and immediately available to the user.
[0011] General information related to constituent determination of crops in round baler is provided in Landteknik 3, 2011, p 180-182, by Walther velt et al. The publication focuses a.o. on the need for accurate determination of the constituents. Moisture measurements using NIR technology was used to assess moisture content and contents of other ingredients.
[0012] In DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) 2015 "BALES" project review (https: / / energy.gov / sites / prod / files / 2015 / 04 / f21 / terrestrial_feedstocks_comer_123106.pdf) additional information related to general and specific aspects of forage baling are discussed, hereunder use of NIR scanning of material.
[0013] Tagging bales using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to keep track of the material harvested is well known as such, cf. e.g., "https: / / www.agcopartsandservice.com / content / dam / public / agcopartsandservice / en-us / catalogs-and- guides / Hay%20and%20Harvest / Baler / hay_boss_brochure%20massey%20ferguson.pdf / _jcr_content / rendit ions / original", data stored locally, on the tag. Other systems use only ID on the tag while the related information is stored centrally. The information typically stored along with the ID number, is weight, date and time, field name, average moisture, high moisture and amount of hay preservative.
[0014] While tagging of the bales is required to allow keep track of the product content with regard to type of material, quantity and quality, the tagging itself is a challenge with respect to efficiency, in particular because the tagging needs to take place at the site of the packing (wrapping) of the bales, which is typically outdoors, in wind, sometimes in rain, and with particles of sand, dust and other contaminants present.
[0015] Ideally, the tagging should be conducted in a fully automatic process to save time and labour and to reduce the risk for human errors in the process.
[0016] WO 2019 093905 Al describes a method and device for tagging of round bales during wrapping in which the bale is oriented on a wrapping table with the circular end surfaces mainly vertically oriented. Each tag is transferred to the bale from a tag magazine using a pivotal tagging arm arranged with a movement synchronized with the movement of the wrapping arms, thereby avoiding conflict between the wrapping arms and the tagging arm, without interrupting the wrapping. While this method and device have proved the concept of non-interruptive tagging, there is still a need to make the process more efficient and reliable.
[0017] Objectives
[0018] It is thus an objective with the present invention to provide a simple and labour-effective method and device for tagging round-bales during packaging.
[0019] It is a further objective to provide a simple and effective method and device for tagging round bales during packaging in a manner which is quick, robust, simple and require a minimum of maintenance.
[0020] The present invention.
[0021] The above-mentioned objectives are achieved by the method as defined by claim 1, constituting a first aspect of the present invention.
[0022] According to another aspect, the present invention concerns a device effective for performing the method according to the first aspect of the invention. The device is disclosed by the claim 9.
[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.
[0024] As evident from the detailed description below, the present invention fulfils the criteria mentioned as the objectives of the present invention. It is conducted in a fully automatic manner, it ensures a clean and efficient handling of the tags and a desired positioning of each tag on one of the end surfaces of each round bale, making it easy to locate and read the identity of the tag at a later point in time. Finally, when the tag has been put on a bale, it may be covered and protected from moisture and the like by a transparent layer or material.
[0025] Moreover, the method for transferring the tag from the tag magazine to the bale is easier and conducted with equipment that is less vulnerable compared to the methods of the prior art, in particular due to the fact that the movement of the tagging arm is strictly linear and does not involve a pivotal arm.
[0026] In the following, the invention is explained in further detail in the form of non-limiting exemplifying embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, where
[0027] Figure 1 is a simplified sectional side view of a tag magazine assembly constituting a key element of the invention, in a first state of operation. Figure 2 is a simplified side sectional view of the tag magazine assembly from Figure 1 in a second state of operation.
[0028] Figure 3 is a perspectival view of a bale wrapper arranged in accordance with the present invention.
[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic simplified side sectional view of a tag magazine assembly 10 according to the present invention. By "schematic" is understood that proportions and / or scale of the components may be different from a real life embodiment. By "simplified" is understood that only the elements of principle significance are shown while other elements typically present are omitted.
[0030] The tag magazine assembly 10 includes a tag roll 11 which essentially is a roll of a substrate strip 11a with tags 15 releasably adhered thereto. The substrate may e.g. be waxed cellulosic paper or entirely synthetic in nature. The free end of the tag roll is gradually pulled off the tag roll 11 by a pair of drive rollers 12, and guided by guide rollers 13 to a tag transfer unit 14 at which the tags 15 are released from the substrate one at the time and held by a tagging arm 16 in the form of a piston member constituting part of the tag transfer unit 14. To release the tags 15 from the substrate strip 11a, a plate-like tag release member 18 or the like is arranged adjacent to the free end of the tagging arm 16, around which the substrate is bent at an angle too acute for the tag to be able to still hold on to the substrate. The substrate strip with tags removed is referenced as lib.
[0031] The drive rollers 12 may be of any kind suitable for turning the tag roll 11 and thereby advancing the substrate strip 11a / lib. The mechanism of extending and retracting of the tagging arm 16 may be based on any suitable principle, such as effected by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic force, among which pneumatic operation is preferred.
[0032] The tagging arm 16 is hollow and connected to an air supply 19 being arranged to provide a pressure variation thereon, typically varying from a slight underpressure to a slight overpressure. The air supply 19, illustrated as an air pump, may have different configurations and may preferably have the dual function of operating the movement of the tagging arm 16 and also to control the pressure within the tagging arm as explained below. For this purpose, the air supply may comprise a pump, a compressor, a pressure reservoir, valves, etc. and be connected to a CPU that controls its operation.
[0033] When an ID tag is released from the substrate roll at the tag release member 18, there is a slight underpressure in the tagging arm 16, providing a suction force sufficient to hold the tag 15 at the end of the tagging arm, the sticky side of the tag facing away from the piston. From this position the tag is ready for being transferred to a bale. It should be understood that the axis of the tagging arm 16 is substantially perpendicular to the circular surface of the bale to be tagged.
[0034] The tag magazine assembly 10 typically also includes a cover 20 provided with a recess or an opening 21 adjacent to the free end of the tagging arm 16. The substrate strip lib ends up in a receptacle 22 from which it is periodically discarded. To the cover 20 a tag-reader 17, such as a QR camera for reading the code of an ID tag applied to a bale is shown. The reading or scanning (hereinafter scanning) is typically conducted immediately after the tagging. Scanning after tagging furthermore lets the QR camera confirm that the tag actually reached the bale and did not fall off before or during transfer from the tagger to the bale. The orientation of the QR camera may be fixed or pivotal, inside or outside the cover. A function of the scanner is to establish a connection between the identity of the tag applied and the relevant information to be associated with that tag, some of it product specific, some of it related to more general information, like date / time and location. A secondary function of the scanning is to confirm that the tagging process was successfully completed.
[0035] Figure 2 is an illustration identical to figure 1 with the exception that the tagging arm 16 has moved partially out from the outer casing of the transfer unit 14 in the direction of a bale (not shown) to be tagged. To explain further the steps involved, it should be understood that the sequence of events is controlled by a CPU or other computer unit. When a bale is wholly or partially wrapped in plastic foil, the drive rollers 12 or similar device pulls out a length of the substrate strip 11a sufficient to release an ID tag 15 at the tag release member 18. At the same time, the air supply 19 establishes an underpressure in the tagging arm 16 so that the released tag 15 sticks to the free end of the tagging arm 16. Then, the tagging arm 16 is rapidly extended until contact with the circular surface of the bale is obtained. At the same moment the suction force within the piston is rapidly reduced or preferably replaced by a certain overpressure, making it easy for the sticky surface of the tag to adhere to the surface of the bale. Then, the tagging arm 16 is rapidly retracted. Maintaining a certain overpressure within the tagging arm when no ID tag is present thereon is preferred to thereby maintain the hollow tagging arm free from contaminants. Alternatively, one may apply a more abrupt overpressure at some points in time in order to blow out any contaminants.
[0036] Figure 3 shows a perspectival view of some main members of a bale wrapper 30 with wrapping arms 31, a roll of plastic foil 32, a round bale 33 resting on a wrapping table 34 comprising a bale driving roll 35 arranged to rotate the round bale 33 during wrapping. The tag magazine assembly 10 is also shown, in a position arranged to allow tagging of the bale when it is still on the wrapping table 34. The round bale 33 is shown as wrapped. The tag magazine assembly 10 may be arranged at a position enabling the tag may be positions to any point of the circular surface facing the tag magazine assembly. In a preferred embodiment, it is arranged at a comparatively low position to thereby avoid any possible conflict between the wrapping arm(s) 31 and the tagging arm 16, even if both are operated simultaneously.
[0037] It should be emphasized that the illustration of the foil layers on the round bale 33 is simplified and not visually representative for an actual wrapping. When the tag carries a QR-code to be scanned, it is preferred that the tag is highly visible and therefore not subsequently covered by an additional foil layer.
[0038] If the tagging takes place while wrapping still continuous, the tagging arm 16 may be arranged in a position in which its movement does not intersect the movement of the wrapping arm(s) (31), typically below the area of movement of the tagging arm, or the movement of the tagging arm 16 may be synchronized with the movement of the wrapping arm(s) 31. The tagging may, however, advantageously take place after the wrapping has been completed and the round bale 33 and the wrapping arm(s) 31 have / has come to rest. The tagging may take place on the wrapping table 34 (during or after wrapping) or after the bale has been transferred to a bale tray (not shown) in which case there is no possible conflict between the wrapping arm(s) and the tagging arm 16.
[0039] It should be emphasized that any computer control of movements and pressure regulation herein described are performed using well known methods in the art and does not constitute or require development of new or unique technology. If or when a control unit is included to synchronize movements, it may be a stand-alone system or it may part of a computer system that also handles and stores qualitative and quantitative information of the baling process. Any synchronizing of movements of the tagging arm may be time-controlled or sensor-triggered.
[0040] While ID tags with QR codes are most preferred, the ID tags may also as an alternative be based on RFID technology. List of reference numbers
[0041] 10 tag magazine assembly
[0042] 11 tag roll
[0043] 11a substrate strip with tags lib substrate strip without tags
[0044] 12 drive rollers
[0045] 13 guide rollers
[0046] 14 tag transfer unit
[0047] 15 tags
[0048] 16 tagging arm
[0049] 17 tag reader / QR camera
[0050] 18 tag release member
[0051] 19 air supply
[0052] 20 cover
[0053] 21 opening in cover
[0054] 22 receptacle for substrate strip lib
[0055] 30 bale wrapper
[0056] 31 wrapping arm
[0057] 32 plastic foil
[0058] 33 round bale
[0059] 34 wrapping table
[0060] 35 bale drive roll
Claims
Claims1. Method for wrapping and tagging a round bale (33), the round bale having a generally cylindrical shape with generally circular end surfaces,- using a bale wrapper (30) selected among an independent bale wrapper, a stationary balerwrapper combination, a compactor and a mobile baler-wrapper combination,- arranging the round bale (33) with the circular end surfaces mainly vertically oriented on a wrapping table (34),- wrapping layers of plastic foil (32) around the round bale by at least one moveable foil wrapping arm (31)- tagging the round bale (33) at one of its circular surfaces with an ID tag (15) having an adhesive back-side surface, using a tag transfer unit (14), characterized in using a tag transfer unit (14) that includes a tagging arm (16) with a free end, arranged to perform linear back and forth movement between a retracted position in which the free end is adjacent to a tag release member (18) and an extended position in which the free end reaches a circular surface of a bale, thereby tagging said bale.
2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tagging arm (16) is located at a position in which its movement does not intersect the movement of the wrapping arm(s) (31).
3. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the tagging arm (16) is synchronized with the movement of the wrapping arm(s) (31) or the tagging is conducted after the wrapping is completed.
4. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tagging arm (16) is pneumatically operated.
5. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tagging arm (16) is hollow and fluidly connected to an air supply (19) arranged to provide an underpressure in the tagging arm (16) when a tag (15) is released from the substrate strip (11a).
6. Method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the air supply (19) is operated to create an overpressure in the tagging arm (16) when no ID tag is present thereon, thereby maintaining the hollow tagging arm free from contaminants.
7. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, using an ID tag (15) selected from the group comprising an ID tag with a QR code and an ID tag provided with an RFID antenna.
8. Method as claimed in any one of claims 5-7, wherein the air supply (19) shifts direction from pumping air away from the tagging arm (16) to pumping air towards the tagging arm (16) at the point in time when the ID-tag (15) obtains adhesive contact with the outer plastic layer covering the round bale.
9. Device for tagging round bales (33) during wrapping in plastic foil, the round bales having a generally cylindrical shape with generally circular end surface,- the device being part of, or adapted for connection to, a bale wrapper (30) selected among a mobile bale wrapper, a stationary bale wrapper, a stationary baler-wrapper combination, a compactor and a mobile baler-wrapper combination,- the bale wrapper (30) being arranged to position each round bale (33) with its circular end surfaces mainly vertically oriented on its wrapping table (34), to enable wrapping layers of plastic foil (32) around the round bale (33) by at least one pivotal foil wrapping arm (31) with the round bale in this position,- the device further comprising an ID tag roll (11) characterized in that- the device further comprises a tag transfer unit (14) with a tagging arm (16) arranged to receive, at a free end thereof, one tag (15) at the time from the tag roll (11) and to transfer the tag (15) to a circular surface of a round bale (33) to be tagged in a linear movement from a retracted piston position to an extended piston position in which the free, tag-holding end contacts the circular surface of the round bale (33).
10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tagging arm (16) is hollow and fluidly connected to an air supply (19) arranged to release air alternatingly to and from the tagging arm (16).
11. Device as claimed in claim 10, the air supply (19) being arranged to provide an underpressure in the tagging arm (16) when an ID tag (15) is released from the substrate strip (11a).
12. Device as claimed in any one of claims 9-11, the tag magazine assembly (10) with tagging arm (16) being arranged at a position outside the reach of the at least one pivotal wrapping arm (31).
13. Device as claimed in any one of claims 9-12, wherein the tag magazine assembly (10) holds tags on a tag roll (11) on which tags are releasably attached to a substrate strip (11a) arranged to be unwound in a stepwise manner past a tag release member (18) arranged adjacent to the free end of the tagging arm (16) in its retracted position.
14. Device as claimed in any one of claims 9-13, further comprising a tag reader (17) in connection with the tag magazine assembly (10) arranged to read the identity of the ID tags (15) to be subsequently attached to the round bales (33), said tag reader being arranged to communicate with a computer processing unit arranged to collect qualitative and quantitative information of the round bales, thereby allowing the identity of each round bale (33) to be connected to said qualitative and quantitative information.
15. Device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the computer processing unit arranged to collect qualitative and quantitative information and the control unit synchronizing the movement of the tagging arm (16) with the foil wrapping arm(s) (31), are both part of a common processing system.