Table for preparing an agricultural bale

Abstract

Table for preparing an agricultural bale The invention relates to a table (1) for preparing an agricultural bale, for example a bale of straw, flax or hemp.The preparation table comprises: - an inlet for receiving an agricultural bale to be prepared, and an outlet for supplying the prepared agricultural bale, - a support (4) comprising a surface (6) intended to receive the agricultural bale during its preparation, the axis of the spiral being oriented substantially horizontally, - means for rotating the agricultural bale positioned on the support, around a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the spiral, comprising: means for moving (5) the surface (6) of the support in a determined direction (D) substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the axis of the spiral, and retaining means (16, 18) mounted for rotation around a substantially horizontal axis (17, 19) positioned above the axis of the spiral, and - pivoting means (10) of the support (4) around a substantially vertical axis.The preparation table (1) also comprises means (12) for moving the support (4) configured to move the support between the inlet and the outlet of the preparation table (1). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Table for preparing an agricultural bale Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of processing plant stems, such as flax or hemp. The invention relates more specifically to the field of preparing an agricultural bale which is obtained, in the field, by spirally winding a continuous sheet of plant stems, and which is intended to be unrolled to allow the processing of the sheet of plant stems, in particular its scutching. Prior art

[0002] It is known to use, store and transport plant stems in the form of agricultural bales. Such bales allow easy handling of plant stems, in particular a continuous sheet of plant stems, while allowing them to be unrolled once at the destination site.

[0003] When the plant stems are in the form of a continuous sheet, the agricultural bale is then formed by rolling the continuous sheet around itself, in the form of a spiral.

[0004] Furthermore, when the continuous sheet is wound on itself, one or more strings may be inserted between the different superimposed layers of the spiral thus formed, in order to facilitate in particular the unwinding of the bale. Thus, during the unwinding of the agricultural bale, carried out for example by a dedicated unwinder, the agricultural bale is rotated in the opposite direction to the winding direction, and the free end of the continuous sheet forming the distal end of the spiral, is driven so as to be moved away from the agricultural bale. The strings inserted between the different layers of the spiral may then be used to facilitate the separation of said different layers from each other, during unwinding. At the end of the unwinding of the agricultural bale, the plant stems are therefore found in the form of a continuous sheet ready to be treated, and in particular ready to be scutched.

[0005] However, in order to allow the agricultural bale to be unrolled correctly, it is necessary to prepare it before unrolling it. Such preliminary preparation consists, for example, of positioning the agricultural bale in the correct direction, undoing any ropes surrounding the finished agricultural bale, initiating the separation of the free end of the continuous sheet and isolating the strings inserted between the different layers of the spiral.

[0006] It is thus known to use a preparation table arranged upstream of an unroller, in order to allow an operator to prepare the agricultural bale. Such a table is notably described in document FR 3 125 544.

[0007] In document FR 3 125 544, the preparation table conventionally comprises a means for moving the agricultural bale on itself, for example a moving belt, associated with a stop element, for example a roller. The moving belt and the roller together allow the agricultural bale to be rotated for its preparation. When the preparation of the bale is finished, the roller forming the stop is then retracted to a height substantially equal to that of the moving belt, in order to provide continuity between the moving belt and the unroller mounted downstream of the preparation table.

[0008] In the document FR 3 125 544 mentioned above, the movement means is also mounted to rotate around a vertical axis, so as to allow positioning of the circular peripheral surface of the agricultural bale facing the operator.

[0009] However, agricultural bales often contain a lot of soil and dust which is partly released during the preparation of the bale. Thus, it is common for the soil and dust released during preparation to fall into the mechanism of the preparation table, or below the preparation table, which can damage the operation of the preparation table, or complicate the cleaning operations necessary to maintain air quality in the area of ​​the preparation table.

[0010] Furthermore, the operator working on the agricultural bale to be prepared is also exposed to dust released by the agricultural bale, in particular due to the relative height of the agricultural bale compared to the operator. Statement of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to propose a preparation table making it possible to limit exposure to dust, for people working in the field of processing plant stems, in particular in the form of a continuous sheet, packaged in the form of agricultural bales. More specifically, the present invention aims to propose a preparation table making it possible to facilitate the recovery of dust and foreign bodies likely to be released during the preparation of the agricultural bale, while facilitating the work of the operator working on said agricultural bale to be prepared.

[0012] Thus, according to one aspect, there is provided a table for preparing an agricultural bale, for example a bale of straw, flax or hemp, obtained by spirally winding a continuous sheet of plant stems previously taken from the ground. The preparation table comprises: - an entrance to receive an agricultural bale to be prepared, and an exit to supply the prepared agricultural bale, - a chassis, preferably static, - a support, for example a carrier belt, comprising a surface intended to receive the agricultural bale during its preparation, the axis of the spiral being oriented substantially horizontally, - means for rotating the agricultural bale positioned on the support, around a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the spiral, the rotation means comprising means for moving the surface of the support in a determined substantially horizontal direction, for example perpendicular to the axis of the spiral, and retaining means, for example at least one roller and preferably two rollers, mounted to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis and preferably transverse to said determined direction, and - means for pivoting the support relative to the chassis, around a substantially vertical axis.

[0013] The preparation table also comprises means for moving the support configured to move the support, and possibly the agricultural bale positioned, and in particular prepared, on the surface of the support, between the entry and the exit of the preparation table, and in which the axis of the retaining means is positioned above the axis of the spiral.

[0014] Thus, the preparation table according to the invention comprises rotating retaining means which are mounted above the axis of the spiral: the retaining means, for example one or more rollers, are therefore positioned at the level of the upper part of the agricultural bale, and not lower as in the table described in document FR 3 125 544. Such positioning of the retaining means thus makes it possible to limit the number of elements present under the agricultural bale and likely to be damaged or to retain the dust released by said agricultural bale. It therefore becomes easier to clean and recover the dust in the lower part of the preparation table according to the invention.

[0015] Furthermore, the preparation table also has a smaller footprint around the agricultural bale positioned on the support, which allows greater freedom of movement for the operator having to prepare it, and / or greater freedom of movement of the support, in order to limit the operator's exposure to the dust released during preparation.

[0016] In particular, the preparation table is configured to move the support between the inlet and the outlet, so as to compensate for the absence of transition rollers in the lower part of the preparation table, or other transfer means between the support and the rest of the plant stem processing installation. The preparation table according to the present invention therefore makes it possible to free up space around the support, in order to facilitate cleaning and facilitate the movement of the agricultural bale, particularly in relation to the operator who has to prepare it.

[0017] The determined direction may in particular be the direction extending between the entry and the exit of the preparation table.

[0018] Preferably, the retaining means are mounted on the frame, or the support.

[0019] The retaining means may be mounted on the frame of the preparation table, if the latter extends above the agricultural bale, and be controlled independently of the support. Alternatively, the retaining means may be mounted on the support, above and at a distance from it, so as to move and pivot integrally with it.

[0020] Preferably, the retaining means are retractable, and comprise: a deployed configuration in which the axis of the retaining means is positioned between the axis of the spiral and an upper end of the agricultural bale, and a retracted configuration in which the axis of the retaining means is positioned above an upper end of the agricultural bale so as to allow the agricultural bale to move below said retaining means.

[0021] In order to allow the positioning, or removal, of the agricultural bale on the support, the retaining means may have a retracted position in which they are raised in order to allow the passage of the agricultural bale onto the support or the exit of the agricultural bale from the support. Conversely, in the deployed position, the retaining means fulfill their function as a stop for the agricultural bale, so as to keep it on the support when it is rotated.

[0022] Preferably, the retaining means comprise, in the direction of movement of the agricultural bale from the entry to the exit of the preparation table, a roller positioned in front of the agricultural bale when the latter is positioned on the support, and a roller positioned behind the agricultural bale when the latter is positioned on the support.

[0023] The retaining means may comprise two rollers: one positioned in front of the agricultural bale to be prepared, and one positioned behind. It is then possible to rotate the agricultural bale on itself, in both directions of rotation, according to the operator's needs. Furthermore, in the case of retaining means integral with the support, the rotation, or not, of 180° of the support around a vertical axis, will always result in a configuration having a retaining means in front of and a retaining means behind the agricultural bale, in order to be able to rotate the agricultural bale on itself, in any of the directions of rotation desired by the operator.

[0024] Preferably, the means for moving the support are also configured to move the support in a vertical direction.

[0025] In addition to the horizontal movement of the support between the entry and exit of the table of preparation, the moving means can also be configured to move the support vertically. It then becomes possible to position the support appropriately in relation to the operator, in particular in order to reduce the latter's exposure to dust. Thus, the support can be lowered vertically in relation to the operator, so that the latter's head is at the height of the upper portion of the agricultural bale during its preparation, and is less exposed to dust falling from the agricultural bale. The absence of retaining means at the same level as the support also makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the device at the support, and therefore to allow a more pronounced vertical lowering in relation to the operator during preparation.

[0026] In particular, movement means configured to vertically move the support make it possible to overcome, at the level of the preparation table, the height constraints imposed by the rest of the installation. More precisely, the agricultural bale, via the support, can be positioned, during preparation, freely at a desired height, independently of the height of the devices mounted upstream and downstream of the preparation table.

[0027] Alternatively, it is also possible to envisage retaining means mounted fixedly on the chassis, i.e. without a deployed position and a retracted position: in this case, it is the vertical movement of the support, with the agricultural bale positioned on it, which makes it possible to position the agricultural bale at the level of the retaining means for preparation, and to disengage the prepared agricultural bale from the retaining means at the time of transfer to the unroller. In this case, the respective heights and / or geometries of the reserve table, the preparation table and the unroller can be adapted accordingly to allow the agricultural bale to be moved between them.

[0028] Preferably, the preparation table also comprises suspension means configured to suspend the support on the frame.

[0029] The support can be mounted suspended on the frame of the preparation table. In particular, the retaining means being mounted in the upper part of the preparation table, and the support being able to be mounted vertically movable, it is advantageous to suspend it on the frame, that is to say on the upper part of the preparation table where the retaining means are already mounted, in order to allow horizontal and possibly vertical movement relative to the frame. Furthermore, a support suspended on the frame also makes it possible to reduce the elements present in the lower part of the preparation table, and therefore to facilitate cleaning or to reduce the distance between the ground and the surface of the support.

[0030] Preferably, the suspension means are mounted on the chassis by the pivoting means, and possibly the displacement means, preferably located above an upper end of the agricultural bale, and the pivoting means, and possibly the moving means, are configured to rotate around a substantially vertical axis, and possibly translate along said substantially vertical axis, the support and the suspension means relative to the chassis.

[0031] In order to allow rotation, and possibly vertical movement, of the support relative to the chassis, the suspension means may be mounted on the chassis via pivoting means. The pivot connection between the support and the chassis is then positioned between the suspension means and the chassis, and may possibly incorporate a vertically sliding connection. Such a configuration makes it possible in particular to keep the suspension means on either side of the agricultural bale, regardless of the angle of rotation of the support relative to the chassis, which gives the operator permanent access to the front and rear faces of the agricultural bale to prepare it.

[0032] Preferably, the pivoting means are configured to pivot the support by at least 90° in one direction or the other, or even 180°, relative to the vertical direction.

[0033] The 90° pivoting of the agricultural bale allows the front or rear face of the bale to be oriented on one side of the preparation table, so as to facilitate access to it by the operator positioned next to the installation. Furthermore, the 180° pivoting of the agricultural bale allows it to be reoriented in the correct unrolling direction, before its transfer from the preparation table to the unroller, when the latter is not correctly oriented.

[0034] Preferably, the rotation means are configured to rotate, during the preparation of the agricultural bale, the agricultural bale in the direction of unwinding of the spiral, preferably by moving the surface of the support in the direction from the entry to the exit of the preparation table after a possible 180° rotation of the agricultural bale by the pivoting means.

[0035] The rotation of the agricultural bale, in the direction of unwinding of the spiral, facilitates the identification and separation of the start of the continuous sheet from the rest of the spiral. In particular, with retaining means positioned in the lower part of the agricultural bale, as described in application FR 3 125 544, such a direction of rotation could lead to a detachment of the continuous sheet between the support and the front roller, that is to say before the start of the continuous sheet passes in front of the operator. Conversely, with a preparation table according to the present invention, the operator has the possibility of finding and detaching the start of the continuous sheet, between the support and the front retaining means located in the upper part. In addition, in the event of detachment of the continuous sheet at the front retaining means, it will then fall back towards the operator who will therefore have the start of the continuous sheet in hand.

[0036] Preferably, the preparation table also comprises drive means configured to wind, during the rotation of the agricultural bale, strings for tying the agricultural bale and / or detection means, for example visual, configured to detect, during the rotation of the agricultural bale, the opening of the spiral.

[0037] The drive means are configured to recover and wind the strings surrounding the agricultural bale, during its preparation. It then becomes easier to prepare the agricultural bale, or even possible to carry out certain steps automatically, in order to further limit the operator's exposure to dust. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically represents a preparation table according to the invention, seen from the side;

[0039] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically represents the preparation table of the [Fig.l], in a first configuration for receiving an agricultural bale to be prepared;

[0040] [Fig.3] [Fig.4] Figures 3 and 4 represent, in a schematic manner, the table of preparation of [Fig.l], in a second and third configuration with an agricultural bale to be prepared;

[0041] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically represents the preparation table of the [Fig.l], in a fourth configuration in which the agricultural bale is positioned to allow its preparation;

[0042] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically represents the preparation table of the [Fig.l], in a fifth configuration in which the agricultural bale has been prepared; and

[0043] [Fig.7][Fig.8] Figures 7 and 8 represent, in a schematic manner, the table of preparation of [Fig.l], in a sixth and seventh configuration with the prepared agricultural bale. Description of the embodiments

[0044] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an example of a preparation table 1 according to the invention, seen from the side. The purpose of the preparation table 1 is to allow an operator to prepare an agricultural bale for unrolling it into a continuous sheet of plant stems. Thus, such a preparation table is conventionally mounted in a scutching installation, between a reserve table at which the agricultural bales to be unrolled are stored, and an unroller at which the agricultural bales are unrolled into a continuous sheet for scutching.

[0045] In particular, the preparation table 1 according to the present invention is configured to prepare an agricultural bale 100 (see [Fig.7]) obtained by winding a continuous sheet 120 of plant stems, for example from a windrow. The sheet continuous 120 is wound on itself around an axis 130, so as to obtain a spiral 140 which is then closed when it has a determined or desired size. In order to facilitate the unwinding of the agricultural bale 100, one or more strings can be added to the continuous sheet beforehand or during its winding. The string(s) are thus positioned on one face of the wound continuous sheet, and delimit the different layers of the spiral 140 formed by the wound continuous sheet 120. Once the agricultural bale 100 is formed, one or more peripheral strings can be wound around it, in order to prevent it from unwinding on its own.

[0046] The purpose of the preparation table 1 is to rotate, pivot and / or move the agricultural bale 100, in order to allow an operator to prepare it prior to unrolling it. The preparation consists in particular of removing the peripheral strings surrounding the agricultural bale 100, and initiating the separation of the continuous sheet 120, from the rest of the spiral 140. Such preparation is conventionally carried out by an operator, at the start of the scutching installation.

[0047] The preparation table 1 thus comprises an inlet, located on the left in Figures 1 to 8, through which the agricultural bale to be prepared is supplied by the reserve table, and an outlet, located on the right in Figures 1 to 8, through which the prepared agricultural bale is transferred to the unroller.

[0048] The preparation table 1 comprises a frame 2, generally secured to the ground or the rest of the scutching installation, and a support 4 with a receiving surface 6 on which the agricultural bale 100 is intended to rest during its preparation. The agricultural bale 100 is in particular placed on the receiving surface 6 so that the axis 130 is oriented horizontally, in a direction perpendicular to the direction D extending between the entry and the exit of the preparation table. In particular, in order to pivot and / or move the agricultural bale 100, the support 4 is mounted to pivot and slide relative to the frame 2, as will be described below. Furthermore, in order to rotate the agricultural bale 100 on itself, the receiving surface 6 of the support is configured to move, in particular to rotate on itself.Thus, the support 4 can comprise a carrier belt, mounted between two rotating end rollers 5, and configured to rotate on itself.

[0049] According to the particular embodiment of the invention described in the present detailed description, the support 4 also comprises suspension means 8 making it possible to suspend the reception surface 6 from the chassis 2, so that the connection between the support 4 and the chassis is located above the axis 130 of the agricultural bale 100, and more generally above the agricultural bale 100.

[0050] Thus, the suspension means 8 are connected to the chassis 2 by pivoting means 10 and displacement means 12.

[0051] The pivoting means 10 are configured to pivot the support 4 by relative to the chassis 2, around a substantially vertical axis. In particular, such pivoting means 10 make it possible to rotate the axis 130 of the agricultural bale 100 which is positioned horizontally.

[0052] The movement means 12 are configured to, on the one hand, move, in particular horizontally, the support 4 between the entry and the exit of the preparation table 1, that is to say from the reserve table positioned upstream of the preparation table to the unroller positioned downstream of the preparation table, and, on the other hand, move the support 4 vertically relative to the chassis 2. The movement means 12 can therefore comprise on the one hand translation means, for example along a rail or a guide secured to the chassis 2 and oriented between the entry and the exit of the table 1, to be able to move between the entry and the exit of the table 1, and on the other hand lifting means to raise or lower the support 4 relative to the ground and to the chassis 2. The movement means 12 are therefore configured to translate the agricultural bale 100, and its axis 130, in a vertical plane extending between the inlet and outlet of preparation table 1..

[0053] In order to maintain the agricultural bale 100 on the receiving surface 6 during preparation, lateral stops 14 are provided on either side of the support 4. The stops 14 in particular prevent lateral movement of the agricultural bale 100 on the receiving surface 6 along the axis 130 of the agricultural bale 100.

[0054] As indicated previously, the preparation table 1 is configured to rotate the agricultural bale 100 around its axis 130, that is to say to rotate the agricultural bale 100 around its axis 130. For this purpose, the support 4 comprises means for driving the receiving surface 6 so as to rotate it on itself, and retaining means for holding the agricultural bale on the receiving surface 6.

[0055] The drive means may be, for example, the motorized end rotating rollers 5, in order to rotate the carrier belt and therefore the receiving surface 6. The rollers being mounted to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction D extending between the entry and the exit of the preparation table 1, a movement of the receiving surface is then obtained in said direction D extending between the entry and the exit of the preparation table 1.

[0056] The retaining means may comprise one or more of the rotating rollers: for example a first roller 16, or upstream roller, arranged on the side of the inlet of the preparation table 1, and a second roller 18, or downstream roller, arranged on the side of the outlet of the preparation table 1. The rollers 16, 18 are mounted to rotate about an axis substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction D extending between the inlet and the outlet of the preparation table 1. In use, the rollers 16, 18 of the retaining means will be mounted to rotate about a respective axis 17, 19, parallel to the axis 130 of the agricultural bale 100. Furthermore, and in order to act on the agricultural bale 100, the rollers 16, 18 are positioned in the preparation table 1 so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the agricultural bale 100 positioned on the receiving surface 6, that is to say are positioned so that their axis 17, 19 of rotation is positioned at a height between those of the lower end and the upper end of the agricultural bale 100. Thus, during the rotation of the carrier belt of the support 4, the agricultural bale 100 will come into abutment against one of the rollers 16, 18 and then start to rotate on itself around its axis 130.

[0057] According to the invention, the retaining means, in particular the rollers 16, 18, are mounted in the upper part of the chassis 2, so that the agricultural bale 100 comes into contact with the retaining means by its upper half. Thus, in the present case, the rollers 16, 18 are mounted on the chassis 2 so that their axis 17, 19 of rotation is positioned above the axis 130 of the agricultural bale 100 placed on the receiving surface 6.

[0058] In order to allow an entry of the agricultural bale 100 to be prepared onto the receiving surface 6 and an exit of the prepared agricultural bale 100 from the receiving surface 6, the retaining means can be retractable, or can be moved vertically relative to the support 4, so as to increase or reduce the distance between the axis of rotation of the retaining means and the receiving surface 6.

[0059] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the roller(s) 16, 18 are retractably mounted on the support 4, and in particular at the upper end of the suspension means 8, so as to have a deployed configuration in which the rotation axis 17, 19 is brought closer to the receiving surface 6 so as to be at a height between that of the axis 130 and that of the upper end of the agricultural bale 100, and a retracted configuration in which the rotation axis 17, 19 is moved away from the receiving surface 6 so as to be above the upper end of the agricultural bale 100. Thus, the roller(s) 16, 18 can be mounted on the support 4 by their rotation axis 17, 19, via movable arms 20 configured to move said rotation axis 17, 19 in a vertical plane comprising the direction D extending between the inlet and outlet of preparation table 1.

[0060] The different configurations of the preparation table 1 during the preparation of an agricultural bale 100 will now be described.

[0061] Thus, in a first configuration illustrated in [Fig.2], the preparation table 1 is waiting to receive the agricultural bale 100. The receiving surface 6 of the support 4 is positioned on the side of the entrance of the preparation table 1, and the upstream roller 16 is positioned in its retracted configuration so as to be able to allow the agricultural bale 100 to be prepared to pass below it.

[0062] In the next step illustrated in [Fig.3], the agricultural bale 100 is positioned on the receiving surface 6, in particular so that the axis 130 of the spiral 140 is positioned horizontally and perpendicular to the direction D. Furthermore, the upstream roller 16 is positioned in its deployed configuration in which its axis 17 of rotation is positioned at a height situated between that of the axis 130 of the spiral and that of the upper end of the agricultural bale 100.

[0063] However, it is also possible to provide rollers 16, 18 mounted to slide vertically relative to the receiving surface 6, so as to lift when the agricultural bale 100 comes onto the receiving surface 6, and so as to descend onto the upper surface of the agricultural bale 100 when the latter is placed on the receiving surface 6.

[0064] In [Fig. 4], the agricultural bale 100 is positioned in the middle of the chassis 2 by horizontal displacement of the support 4 in the direction D. Such a displacement of the support 4 is obtained thanks to the displacement means 12 configured to translate the support 4 relative to the chassis 2. Once the support 4 is positioned at a distance from the entry and exit of the preparation table 1, the support 4, with the agricultural bale 100 on it, can be pivoted around a vertical axis, relative to the chassis 2.

[0065] [Fig. 5] illustrates the configuration of the preparation table 1 after a rotation of the support 4 by 90° around a vertical axis and a vertical movement of the support 4 downwards. Such a configuration is particularly comfortable for an operator having to prepare the agricultural bale 100 since the face of the agricultural bale to be prepared is now exposed laterally and therefore faces the operator located next to the scutching installation. Furthermore, since the agricultural bale 100 has been lowered, the operator is then higher up, and is thus less exposed to falling dust released by the agricultural bale during its preparation.

[0066] The agricultural bale 100 can then be rotated on itself, to prepare it: the receiving surface 6 of the support 4 can be rotated (by the motorized rollers 5 in particular), while the rollers 16, 18 allow the agricultural bale 100 to be held in place. The agricultural bale 100 is therefore rotated, which allows the operator to take and remove the strings surrounding the bale.

[0067] Furthermore, to prepare the agricultural bale 100, the operator can rotate it indifferently in one direction or the other, that is to say with the exposed face descending or rising. In particular, rotating the agricultural bale so that its face exposed to the operator rises (unwinding direction) does not pose any difficulty with the retaining roller 18 since the latter is located at a height: the operator therefore has the entire distance between the receiving surface 6 and the roller 18 to find the start of the continuous sheet and separate it from the rest of the spiral. It may be sufficient, for example, for the operator to take the ends of the strings and wait, during the rotation of the agricultural bale in the unrolling direction, to reach the beginning of the continuous sheet, which is not possible when the bale is rotated in the opposite direction.

[0068] The prepared agricultural bale 100 is shown in [Fig.6], with the start of the continuous sheet 120 separated from the rest of the spiral 140 and falling back onto the receiving surface 6. The prepared agricultural bale 100 can then be pivoted by -90° relative to the vertical, so as to return to its initial orientation, and be raised relative to the ground, by vertical displacement, to obtain the configuration illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0069] In a final configuration illustrated in [Fig.8], the support 4 is moved horizontally towards the exit of the preparation table 1 and the downstream roller 18 is positioned in the retracted configuration, with a view to transferring the prepared agricultural bale to an unroller.

[0070] In particular, it is noted that the spiral of the prepared agricultural bale is oriented in the correct direction in order to allow, during rotation in the counterclockwise direction, unwinding of the spiral into a continuous sheet 120.

[0071] However, it should be noted that, when the agricultural bale 100 is incorrectly oriented upon entering the preparation table 1, it is then possible, during preparation, to first rotate it by -90° to expose the rear face of the agricultural bale. In this case, the retaining roller visible in Figures 5 and 6 is the upstream roller 16. Then, when the agricultural bale is prepared, it must again be rotated by -90° (i.e. a total rotation of -180°), to obtain at the exit of the preparation table 1, the agricultural bale prepared and correctly oriented to allow it to be unrolled by rotation in the counterclockwise direction.

[0072] It should be noted that the preparation table 1 could also comprise drive means (not shown) configured to wind, at least partially, the different string(s) of the agricultural bale during its preparation and with a view to its unwinding, as well as means (not shown) for detecting the opening of the spiral, for example visual, in order to make such preparation of the agricultural bale automatic.

[0073] Furthermore, and even if they are not shown, the preparation table 1 may also include, in a conventional manner, means for suction, in particular continuously, of the dust present and released by the agricultural bale.

[0074] It is noted in particular that, in the preparation table 1 according to the present invention, the displacement 12, pivoting 10 and retaining 16, 18 means are all mounted in the high position, that is to say above the axis 130 of the spiral 140, or even above the upper end of the agricultural bale 100. Only the carrier belt, with the motorized rollers 5, and possibly the chassis 2, are under the agricultural bale 100. Such an arrangement greatly simplifies the lower part of the preparation table. preparation 1, and facilitates cleaning thereof, in particular with regard to dust released by the agricultural bale, without limiting the preparation work carried out by the operator or the possibilities of repositioning the agricultural bale. In particular, with a preparation table having a suspended support 4, it is then possible to no longer have any system below said support 4.

[0075] Thus, thanks to the preparation table according to the present invention, it becomes easier to clean and remove the dust released by the prepared agricultural bales, while facilitating the work of the operator who can move, pivot and freely rotate on itself, in one direction or the other, the agricultural bale to be prepared.

Claims

Claims

1. Preparation table (1) for an agricultural bale (100), for example a bale of straw, flax or hemp, obtained by spiral winding (140) of a continuous sheet (120) of plant stems previously taken from the ground, the preparation table (1) comprising: - an inlet for receiving an agricultural bale (100) to be prepared, and an outlet for supplying the prepared agricultural bale (100), - a frame (2), preferably static, - a support (4), for example a carrier belt, comprising a surface (6) intended to receive the agricultural bale (100) during its preparation, the axis (130) of the spiral (140) being oriented substantially horizontally, - means for rotating the agricultural bale (100) positioned on the support, around a direction substantially parallel to the axis (130) of the spiral (140),the rotation means comprising means for moving (5) the surface (6) of the support (4) in a determined direction (D) which is substantially horizontal, and retaining means (16, 18), for example at least one roller and preferably two rollers, mounted for rotation about an axis (17, 19) which is substantially horizontal and preferably transverse to said determined direction (D), and - pivoting means (10) of the support (4) relative to the chassis (2), about a substantially vertical axis, characterized in that the preparation table (1) also comprises means for moving (12) the support (4) configured to move the support (4), and possibly the agricultural bale (100) positioned on the surface (6) of the support, between the entry and the exit of the preparation table, and in that the axis (17, 19) of the retaining means (16, 18) is positioned above the axis (130) of the spiral (140).,

2. Preparation table (1) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means (16, 18) are mounted on the frame (2), or the support (4).

3. Preparation table (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the retaining means (16, 18) are retractable, and comprise: a deployed configuration in which the axis (17, 19) of the retaining means is positioned between the axis (130) of the spiral and an upper end of the agricultural bale (100), and a retracted configuration in wherein the axis (17, 19) of the retaining means is positioned above an upper end of the agricultural bale (100) so as to allow movement of the agricultural bale (100) below said retaining means (16, 18).

4. Preparation table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the retaining means (16, 18) comprise, in the direction of movement (D) of the agricultural bale from the entry to the exit of the preparation table, a roller (18) positioned in front of the agricultural bale (100) when the latter is positioned on the support (4), and a roller (16) positioned behind the agricultural bale (100) when the latter is positioned on the support (4).

5. Preparation table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means (12) for moving the support are also configured to move the support (4) in a vertical direction.

6. Preparation table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising suspension means (8) configured to suspend the support (4) on the frame (2).

7. Preparation table (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the suspension means (8) are mounted on the frame (2) by the pivoting means (10), and possibly the displacement means (12), preferably located above an upper end of the agricultural bale (100), and in which the pivoting means (10), and possibly the displacement means (12), are configured to rotate around a substantially vertical axis, and possibly translate along said substantially vertical axis, the support (4) and the suspension means (8) relative to the frame (2).

8. Preparation table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting means (10) are configured to pivot the support (4) by at least 90° in one direction or the other, or even by 180°, relative to the vertical direction.

9. Preparation table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rotation means are configured to rotate, during the preparation of the agricultural bale (100), the agricultural bale (100) in the direction of unwinding of the spiral (140), preferably by moving the surface (6) of the support in the direction (D) going from the entry to the exit of the preparation table after a possible 180° rotation of the agricultural bale (100) by the pivoting means (10).

10. Preparation table (1) according to the preceding claim, also comprising drive means configured to wind, during the rotation of the agricultural bale, strings for tying the agricultural bale (100) and / or detection means, for example visual, configured to detect, during the rotation of the agricultural bale, the opening of the spiral.

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