Baling machine for plant stems

Abstract

Baling Machine for Plant Stems. The invention relates to a machine (1) for round baling plant stems, preferably in the form of a continuous sheet laid on the ground. The machine (1) is configured to form said round bale by spirally winding said continuous sheet. The machine (1) includes a means (200) for supplying a radio frequency receiver (100), preferably a radio tag such as an RFID receiver, and the supply means (200) is configured to insert the radio frequency receiver (100) into the last coil(s) of the round bale formed by the machine. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Machine for baling plant stems technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of processing plant stems, such as flax, hemp, or any other plant material. More specifically, the invention relates to the baling of a continuous layer of plant stems, for example, laid on the ground. Previous technique

[0002] Flax is a fiber plant. To facilitate fiber extraction for use, particularly in the textile industry, flax stems undergo a retting process. This process requires that, during the flax harvest, after the stems have been pulled up, they be laid on the ground in the form of windrows, consisting of a continuous sheet of parallel stems aligned perpendicular to the direction of the pulling machine. The windrow is left in the field for a sufficient time to allow microorganisms present in the soil to biologically degrade the pectic cements that bind the fibers together. When this degradation is sufficient, the flax is collected for scutching, that is, for processing at an industrial site to extract and clean the fibers for use in the textile industry.

[0003] It is known to store and transport plant stems in the form of agricultural bales. Such bales allow for easier handling of plant stems, particularly a continuous sheet of plant stems, while also allowing them to be unrolled once at the destination site.

[0004] The production of an agricultural bale is achieved using a self-propelled or towed baler in the field, powered by a motorized vehicle. The baler is thus configured to collect the layer of vegetation, roll it into a round bale, then wrap or tie it, and finally expel it.

[0005] Various round baling machines for a layer of vegetation are known and described, for example, in documents EP1836890, EP1264532 or EP0064117.

[0006] Once the bale is formed, it is ejected from the winder onto the field before being collected, subsequently, to be transported, along with other similar bales, to a storage or processing facility. Therefore, once the bale has been transported with other similar bales, there is no possibility of obtaining information relating to the plant stems forming a specific bale, such as the type of stems, their position in the field, the field owner, etc.; or information relating to the baling process itself, such as the weather conditions during baling, the date and time of baling, physical data such as humidity level, etc. Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a baling device that provides information about the bale simultaneously with the bale itself. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a baling device that reliably provides the recipient of the formed bale with information relating to its contents, origin, and / or the conditions under which it was obtained.

[0008] Thus, according to one aspect, a machine is proposed for round baling plant stems, for example, arranged on the ground and preferably in a continuous sheet. The machine is configured to form said round bale by spirally winding the plant stems, preferably from said continuous sheet. The machine includes a means for supplying a radio frequency receiver, preferably a radio tag such as an RFID receiver, and the supply means is configured to insert the radio frequency receiver into the last coil(s) of the round bale formed by the machine.

[0009] The baling machine may be referred to interchangeably as a winder for plant stems, particularly those laid on the ground in a continuous sheet, or as a device for winding plant stems, particularly those laid on the ground in a continuous sheet, into bales. The baling machine may be used to bale: stems laid on the ground, or scutched stems, or fibers, obtained after a scutching process.

[0010] Thus, the machine according to the present invention allows the addition of an electronic data recording element, typically an RFID receiver, to enable a person receiving a ball containing such a receiver to obtain information about the ball's contents. In particular, the choice of a radio frequency receiver allows for remote, contactless data retrieval. It is therefore possible to position the receiver inside the ball, rather than on its surface, to limit the risk of loss or damage during transport. Furthermore, since data retrieval is performed using a remote reading device, the radio frequency receiver does not need to be large to be located and read within the ball; on the contrary, it can be small while remaining detectable by the reader, thus limiting its impact on the ball's composition.

[0011] The data contained in the radio frequency receiver may relate to the origin of the baled stalks (geographic location, supplier, etc.) or the quality of the baled stalks (windrow positioned in the middle of the field or, conversely, at the edge of the field), or the date the stalks were baled, physical data such as the moisture content, etc. Alternatively, the radio frequency receiver may include a unique or generic link allowing access to such information available on a remote server.

[0012] In particular, it is then possible to indicate to the person receiving the ball the origin of the stems of said ball. For example, it is possible to indicate the owner of the field from which the stems originated, and the type of stems in question. It is also possible to mention geolocation data indicating the position of the stems in the field: for example, in the center of the field or, conversely, along an edge of the field where the quality of the stems may be lower or the amount of dust greater.

[0013] It is also possible to specify the conditions for collecting and baling the stalks. Thus, the radio frequency receiver can include timestamp data to indicate the date, and possibly the time, at which the stalks were baled. It is also possible to specify the weather conditions at the time of collection, to allow for a better assessment of the quality of the stalks in the bale.

[0014] Preferably, the radio frequency receiver comprises an electronic chip and a radio frequency antenna connected to said electronic chip.

[0015] The electronic chip allows the various data to be transmitted with the ball to be stored in binary form. The use of an electronic chip makes it possible to store a significant amount of data, compared to a physical tag with information printed on it, and to retrieve it reliably and robustly. In particular, the use of a small chip inserted into the ball reduces the risk of damage or data loss compared to a physical tag.

[0016] The radio frequency antenna enables remote communication with the electronic chip. In particular, the radio frequency antenna facilitates the reading of information from the radio frequency receiver by allowing remote communication between said radio frequency receiver and a radio frequency reader. Above all, the radio frequency antenna allows communication with the electronic chip without requiring the radio frequency receiver to be located in the ball beforehand.

[0017] Preferably, the machine includes collection means configured to pick up plant stems from the ground, preferably in the form of a continuous sheet, and means for shaping the round bale from plant stems, preferably from said continuous layer, mounted downstream of the collection means.

[0018] The baling machine is configured to form the bale from the windrow placed on the ground. To this end, the baling machine includes, on the one hand, means for retrieving the windrow present on the ground (collection means) and, on the other hand, means for winding said windrow into a spiral (shaping means).

[0019] The pickup means may include a pick-up, for example with retractable fingers, configured to pick up the swath from the ground and convey it to the rest of the baling machine. The winding means for said swath are configured to spirally wind the swath supplied by the pickup means. The winding means may also be configured to compact, or press, the spiral during its formation, and to tie the bale once formed.

[0020] Preferably, the supply means is mounted downstream of the collection means, and preferably upstream of the round bale shaping means.

[0021] The radio frequency receiver is thus positioned in the plant stems after they have been picked up by the baling machine, but before they are spirally wound by the shaping means. Positioning the radio frequency receiver after pickup reduces the risk of loss or dislodging of said radio frequency receiver when the windrow is collected from the ground. Furthermore, positioning the radio frequency receiver in the plant stems before they are spirally wound allows for easy insertion of said receiver into the spiral. In particular, the insertion of the radio frequency receiver into the bale can then take place without having to directly manipulate the formed bale, which could damage the stems or complicate the insertion of the receiver.

[0022] Preferably, the machine also includes a radio frequency reader configured to read the radio frequency receiver after its insertion into the round bale being formed, or into the round bale formed by the machine.

[0023] The presence of the radio frequency reader in the baling machine ensures that the radio frequency reader of the bale being formed or already formed is indeed present in the bale and is correctly detected and read by a reader. This is a verification of the receiver inserted in the bale that can be carried out simply and automatically within the baling machine itself.

[0024] Preferably, the radio frequency reader is configured to read the radio frequency receiver after its insertion into the round bale being formed, and the supply means is configured to insert a second radio frequency receiver into the last coil(s) of the round bale formed by the machine, when the first radio frequency receiver cannot be read by the radio frequency reader.

[0025] Thanks to the radio frequency reader, it is possible to ensure that the radio frequency receiver has been correctly positioned in the bale during its formation. The radio frequency reader also allows, if the receiver is not detected or is not read correctly, for the supply system to be notified so that it can insert another radio frequency receiver into the bale before it is finished. It is then possible not only to verify the proper functioning of the radio frequency receiver, but also to insert a new one in case of a malfunction.

[0026] Preferably, the radio frequency reader is mounted near the round bale shaping means or at the machine output.

[0027] The radio frequency reader is positioned in the baling machine, and preferably as close as possible to the bale being formed, to allow for the rapid insertion of another radio frequency receiver into the bale if the first one is not correctly detected and / or read by the reader. Thus, the reader can be positioned next to the baling means. Alternatively, or cumulatively, it can be positioned near the baling machine's outlet to verify the proper functioning of the radio frequency receiver before the bale is released by the baling machine.

[0028] Preferably, the machine also includes a writing means configured to record information on the radio frequency receiver, preferably before or after its insertion into the round ball formed by the machine.

[0029] The writing means is intended to record the desired information in the radio frequency receiver. The writing means can be integrated into the supply means so as to record the information in the radio frequency receiver before the latter is inserted into the ball being formed. Alternatively, or cumulatively, the writing means can be integrated into the radio frequency reader: thus, when verifying the correct detection and reading of the radio frequency receiver by the reader, it is possible to record the data relating to the ball being formed. This prevents lost or defective radio frequency receivers from containing information that is no longer relevant. Conversely, with a writing means integrated into the radio frequency reader, the correct functioning and positioning of the radio frequency receiver in the ball can be ensured before recording the desired information.Alternatively, the radio frequency receiver may include a unique or generic link allowing access to such information available on a remote server.

[0030] Preferably, the supply means is configured to deposit the radio frequency receiver on the plant stems, preferably on the continuous sheet.

[0031] The supply means is preferably positioned between the pickup means and the shaping means. Thus, the supply means can be configured to Leave the radio frequency receiver on the collected plant stems so that it is wound with them into the spiral that forms the ball. Inserting the radio frequency receiver therefore does not involve any action or modification of the plant stems: they are neither deformed nor displaced by the radio frequency receiver. On the contrary, the radio frequency receiver is simply placed on them before they are wound, to be carried with them towards the shaping equipment.

[0032] Preferably, the supply means is configured to position the radio frequency receiver in a portion of the ball that is not intended to be under the binding wires of the finished ball, for example, to position the radio frequency receiver between two binding wires of the finished ball. In other words, the ball includes binding wires, and the radio frequency receiver is positioned between the binding wires.

[0033] It is thus possible to limit the risks of damage to the radio frequency receiver due to the stresses applied by the binding wires on the plant stems, in the finished bale.

[0034] Preferably, the radio frequency receiver is made of recyclable and / or compostable material.

[0035] The main advantage of the radio frequency receiver is that it allows for remote identification and reading, without requiring it to be located beforehand within the bale of plant stems. Thus, the radio frequency receiver can remain with the plant stems even after the bale has been unwound, or even after they have been scutched. To limit the impact of such a receiver on the stems, it can be made primarily of recyclable and / or compostable materials, or even be composed mainly of recyclable and / or compostable materials. For example, the radio frequency receiver can include a support made of recyclable and / or compostable materials.

[0036] Preferably, the radio frequency receiver is intended to emit a response signal when it is interrogated by a corresponding remote reader, in particular RFID.

[0037] The response of the radio frequency receiver allows it to be identified as such, or even to evaluate the quality of the communication with it, before possibly recording or reading data from it.

[0038] According to another aspect, a motorized machine is also proposed, for example an agricultural machine such as a tractor, comprising a round baling machine as described above.

[0039] Preferably, the machine is mounted, by means of attachment, at the rear of the motorized vehicle. Brief description of the drawings

[0040] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a schematic, highly simplified, side-view representation of the machine;

[0041] [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic, highly simplified, partial top view of the interior of the machine in Fig. 1 along axis II-II and ; and

[0042] [Fig.3], [Fig.4], [Fig.5], [Fig.6], [Fig.7], [Fig.8], [Fig.9], [Fig.10], [Fig.11] and [Fig.12] Figures 3 to 12 illustrate, in ten representations, the formation of the ball, its transfer to the rear chamber and its evacuation. Description of the implementation methods

[0043] The machine for round baling a swath of vegetation will be referred to more simply as winder 1 in the remainder of this text. In the example described below, winder 1 is towed or self-propelled (or self-propelled). However, the invention can also be applied to a stationary winder, for example, a winder positioned in a scutching line, particularly at the end of the scutching line, for winding treated stems, or scutched fibers, into bales.

[0044] The present winder 1 is designed to collect plant material in the form of a sheet 3 that is laid on the ground 2 after harvesting. This may include fibrous plant material, such as flax, hemp or kenaf stalks, but also any type of plant material known to be able to be rolled into round bales, for example straw or alfalfa.

[0045] The winder 1 has, at its front part, pickup means 4, generally called a pick-up, which in the illustrated example consists of a cylinder 5 equipped with retractable fingers 6, capable of picking up the layer 3 from the soil 2 and transporting it to the bale forming chamber 7. The forming chamber 7 is delimited by bale shaping means, in this case: a grooved cylinder 8, a return roller 9, a portion of belts 10 which is hereinafter referred to as the forming zone 10a and which extends between an upstream roller 11 and a downstream roller 12. The grooved cylinder 8 and the fixed roller 9 both rotate, around their axis, in the direction of arrow Fl, while the belts 10 move, in the opposite direction, according to arrow F2. The bale shaping means (8, 9, 10a) are therefore configured to form the bale in the forming chamber 7, from the web of rods 3 feeding the winder 1.

[0046] The winder 1 comprises a frame 13 consisting of two vertical steel plates connected by spacers, forming the structure of the winder. All the rollers, which are movable around their axis of rotation, transverse to the two plates, are fixed between these two plates and support and drive the belts 10. Some of These rollers have a fixed positioning relative to the chassis, while others are movable.

[0047] The belts 10 are in this case made up of a set of four to six parallel belts, equally spaced along the length of the rollers, or a single belt, depending on the material to be wound. A tensioning device 14, whose trajectory is linear as in the example of [Fig. 1], but which can also be an arc of a circle, ensures a defined, constant, and adjustable tension on the belts 10.

[0048] In the present text, the terms upstream and downstream are taken into consideration with regard to the direction of movement of the ball inside the winder 1.

[0049] In the forming chamber 7, the return roller 9 is located upstream of the grooved cylinder 8, as is the upstream roller 11 upstream of the downstream roller 12. The upstream roller 11 is fixed, while the downstream roller 12 is movable, being pivotally mounted at the end of two lateral arms 15, the other end of the two said lateral arms pivoting about a theoretical axis of rotation 16. In addition, according to the invention, a second downstream replacement roller 17 is provided, which is also pivotally mounted on two lateral arms 18, having the same theoretical axis of rotation 16 as the two lateral arms 15 supporting the first downstream roller 12. In practice, the two sets 15, 18 of lateral arms are mounted on two coaxial shafts, respectively 19 for the lateral arms 15 and 20 for the lateral arms 18 ([Fig.2]).The two coaxial shafts 19, 20 are equipped with independent means of movement, for example a drive by pulley 21, 22 and by chain 23, 24. Each of the first 12 and second 17 downstream rollers can therefore be moved independently of the other, clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0050] The forming chamber 7 is laterally delimited by two retaining plates 25, 26, partially visible in [Fig. 2]. These two plates are positioned between the closest lateral arms 18, so that said arms do not interfere with the bale formation, as will be seen below. All the mechanical parts of the winder 1 are located in the space extending on either side of the retaining plates 25, 26 to the frame plates 13. As is clear from [Fig. 2], the ends of the two downstream rollers 12, 17 must necessarily pass through the two retaining plates 25, 26 during their circular movement. To this end, the retaining plates 25, 26 are pierced with two annular openings 27, the width of which is determined to allow the rollers 12, 17 to pass snugly through.The circular part 25a, 26a of the two plates 25, 26 which extends over the inside of the annular opening 27 is held in position by means of a spacer 29 passing through the coaxial shafts 19, 20, said spacer 29 being . fixed on the frame 13. The circular portions 25a, 26a are therefore supported in cantilever relative to said frame 13.

[0051] To prevent plant matter from passing through the annular opening 27, said opening is at least partially closed by sealing pieces not shown, extending between the two downstream rollers 12, 17 and adapted to slide under the pressure of said rollers 12, 17 when they move in the opening 27. These are sealing pieces made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, in particular a rigid plastic, a bronze piece or possibly a metal piece with lubrication means.

[0052] The winder 1 also includes, downstream of the forming chamber 7, a transfer chamber 30 which is delimited by a portion 10b of the belts 10, referred to as the transfer zone, and a drive device 31, which consists of a conveyor belt or a series of rollers. This drive device 31, which extends under the transfer zone 10b, is mounted to oscillate about an axis of rotation 32, between a transfer position, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], in which it has a certain downward inclination from upstream to downstream, and a locking position in which it is substantially horizontal.

[0053] The winder 1 also includes, downstream of the transfer chamber 30, a rear chamber 33 which is delimited by a portion 10c of the belt 10 extending beyond the transfer chamber 30. This rear chamber 33 is used, in particular, for wrapping or tying the finished bale. It is from this rear chamber 33 that the wrapped bale is discharged to the outside of the winder 1.

[0054] For this evacuation, a hatch 34 is provided, opening onto the rear chamber 33 and mounted to pivot, for example by means of two lateral arms 35, around an axis 36, transverse to the vertical sheets constituting the chassis 13. This hatch 34 can adopt, when pivoting around the axis 36, a closed position, as illustrated in [Fig.1], in which it supports the finished bale and an open position in which it allows the evacuation of the latter from the winder 1, the bale then falling onto the ground 2.

[0055] The winder 1 finally includes a push device 37 which is movable so as to apply itself to the inner face of the belts 10, at the level of the forming zone 10a, and to push back said belts to assist the movement of the finished bale from the forming chamber 7 to the transfer chamber 30 and possibly to the rear chamber 33. This push device 37, in the illustrated example, includes a roller 38, which is mounted between two lateral arms 39 adapted to pivot around an axis 40 mounted transversely to the vertical plates of the frame 13.

[0056] The operation of the winder 1 will be described in relation to the figures, [Fig.3] illustrating the arrangement of the different elements before the introduction of the sheet 3.

[0057] The plant material 3, which is picked up by the pick-up 4, enters the forming chamber 7 ([Fig. 1]). It first encounters the grooved cylinder 8, which carries it towards the forming zone 10a of the belts 10. These belts 10, rotating in the opposite direction to the grooved cylinder 8, push the plant material 3 back along the arrow F2. This plant material 3, moving from downstream to upstream through the forming zone 10a, encounters the return roller 9, which pushes it back again, thus initiating the first coil of the first bale. The plant material 3 is therefore made to rotate, in the example illustrated in the figures, clockwise to form the coils. The other coils form spontaneously around the first coil in the forming chamber 7 ([Fig. 4]). During the accumulation of the coils and therefore the enlargement of the first ball 41 ([Fig.5]), the length of the formation zone 10a increases, thanks to the movement of the tension device 14.During the formation of the first ball 41, the second downstream roller 17, which was retracted, is made to move clockwise until it comes to the rear of the formation area 10a, opposite the grooved cylinder 8 ([Fig.6]).

[0058] When the diameter of the first ball 41 approaches a predetermined value corresponding to the desired final diameter of the formed ball, and only a few turns remain before the ball reaches the desired size, a radio frequency receiver, such as a radio tag 100, is inserted into the ball being formed. Such a radio tag 100 is intended to provide information about the ball being formed, which can be easily and quickly read by a reader positioned near the radio tag, but without requiring contact with said radio tag. The radio tag 100 can be formed by an electronic chip, in which the information to be transmitted is stored, and by a radio frequency antenna connected to the electronic chip and configured to allow communication between the electronic chip and a read and / or write means.The chip and antenna can notably be placed on a support allowing the handling of the radio tag 100, preferably a support comprising or made of recyclable and / or compostable materials.

[0059] The radio tag 100 can thus include different types of information, such as the origin of the stalks wound into bales (geographic location, supplier, etc.) or the quality of the wound stalks (windrow positioned in the middle of the field or, on the contrary, at the edge of the field), or the date the stalks were wound. Such information can be important for assessing the quality of the stalks forming the bale, or the amount of dust likely to be dispersed into the air during the The bale's unrolling process, and other factors difficult to assess before opening the bale, are crucial. The 100 radio tag therefore allows for the reliable transmission of such information, while maintaining a small size that minimizes the impact on the quality of the bale's stems.

[0060] In particular, the RFID tag 100 can be configured to consist mainly of, or even be made of, recyclable and / or compostable material. In this way, even if the RFID tag 100 is not recovered or removed from the bale or stalks at the end of the stalk processing, its degradation will have only a minor impact on the quality of the stalks, or will be disposed of, depending on the process, as minor by-products or even waste.

[0061] To this end, the winder 1 may include a supply means 200 configured to deliver such a radio tag 100 into the forming bale. The supply means 200 is thus positioned between the pickup means 4 and the bale-shaping means (8, 9, 10a). In other words, the supply means 200 acts on the stalk mat 3 after it has been picked up but before it has been spirally wound. When the winder 1 is forming the last spiral(s) of the round bale, the supply means 200 is configured to position, preferably, a radio tag 100 into the bale, preferably depositing it onto the stalk mat 3 circulating between the pickup means 4 and the bale-shaping means.

[0062] For example, the supply means 200 can receive a signal from the tensioning device 14 and deposit a radio tag 100 onto the ribbon 3 when the tensioning device 14 indicates that the forming bale has reached a desired diameter. Thus, the activation of the supply means 200 is linked to the operation of the winder 1, and in particular to the progress of bale formation. Alternatively, or cumulatively, the supply means 200 can receive signals from other means, for example, from position sensors of the first downstream roller 12 and / or second downstream roller 17, or from any other sensor configured to detect or estimate the size of the forming bale.

[0063] Once the radio tag 100 is positioned in the spiral of the forming bale, the winder 1 may also include an radio frequency reader 300 configured to detect and read said radio tag 100. The purpose of the radio frequency reader 300 is to verify that said radio tag 100 is indeed present in the forming bale and can be correctly read. Thus, the radio frequency reader 300 is advantageously mounted in the winder 1 near the shaping means (8, 9, 10a). The radio frequency reader 300 can therefore be positioned near the push roller 38 so as to be able to detect and read the radio tag 100 as soon as it is integrated into the spiral of the forming bale.

[0064] The radio frequency reader 300 may advantageously include a writing means configured to write the data to be transmitted with the ball into the radio tag 100, and more particularly into the electronic chip. The presence of the writing means in the radio frequency reader 300 ensures that the data relating to the ball being formed is only inserted into the radio tag 100 when the latter is integrated into and detected within the ball being formed. This ensures that the information indicated in the radio tag 100 corresponds to the ball being formed.

[0065] Alternatively, the writing means can also be provided in the supply means 200. In this case, the data is written to the radio tag 100 before it is placed in the bale in question: the preparation and writing of the radio tag 100 are carried out prior to its insertion into the bale being formed. The radio frequency reader 300 can then be used to verify that the data on the radio tag is correct and readable.

[0066] If the information contained in the radio tag 100 was not readable by the radio frequency reader 300, or if the radio tag 100 was not detected by the radio frequency reader 300, then the supply means 200 is configured to supply a new radio tag 100 for the bale being formed. Once the first radio tag 100 has been placed in the bale being formed and then read by the radio frequency reader, it is then possible to insert a second radio frequency tag 100 into the bale if the first one does not allow the information to be transmitted with the bale to be retrieved.

[0067] Such a possibility therefore makes it possible to make data transmission more reliable, and to limit the risks of manufacturing bales without an operational radio tag.

[0068] When the diameter of the first ball 41 reaches the predetermined desired value for the final diameter of the formed ball, the first finished ball 41' is evacuated from the forming chamber 7 to the transfer chamber 30. For this purpose, the two downstream rollers 12, 17 move simultaneously. The first downstream roller 12 retracts by moving clockwise ([Fig. 7]), until it clears a sufficient passage for the first finished ball 41' to tip over the drive device 31, passing into the transfer chamber 30 ([Fig. 8]).Simultaneously, the second downstream roller 17 continues its movement in the same direction until it reaches the same position as the first downstream roller 12 during the formation of the first ball 41, and the push roller 38 moves until it rests against the inner face of the belts 10 in the transfer zone and pushes the first completed ball 41' to assist its tilting towards the drive device ([Fig. 8]). The drive device 31, by its rotation, propels the first completed ball towards the rear chamber 33. (arrow F3) and its inclination, aided by the push roller 38 which continues its movement ([Fig. 9]), until the first finished ball 41' is resting on the hatch 34 ([Fig. 10]) which is in the closed position. The push roller 38 then returns to its initial position while the first downstream roller 12 moves, from its retracted position ([Fig. 8]), in the opposite direction to take the place of the push roller 38 ([Fig. 11]), pushing the first finished ball 41' away to prevent it from returning to the transfer chamber. In this position ([Fig. 11]), the first finished bale 41' is held in place by the first downstream roller 12 and by the downstream end 31a of the drive device 31, which pivoted upwards as soon as the first finished bale 41' arrived at the gate 34 ([Fig. 10]). It is in this position that the wrapping or tying operation of the first finished bale 41' can take place.Of course, as soon as the second downstream roller 17 took the place of the first downstream roller 12 in the forming zone, the second bale 42 began to form ([Fig. 8]) and grow ([Fig. 11]). Before the second bale 42 reached the required diameter, the wrapping or tying operation being completed, the first finished wrapped or tied bale 41" is ejected from the rear chamber 33, thanks to the opening of the hatch 34, which pivots around its axis 36 ([Fig. 12]). And the cycle can resume ([Fig. 6]) for the transfer of the second finished bale 42 to the transfer chamber and the rear chamber and for the formation of the next bale, all the elements returning to their initial position ([Fig. 3]).

[0069] It is understood that the forming, transfer, and rear chambers do not occupy a defined space, but a variable space depending on the presence or absence of the ball, and depending on its degree of enlargement. The variation of this space is achieved by varying the length of the belts in the area delimiting this space.

[0070] The entire sequence of the operating cycle described above is carried out by means of an automated system, programmed accordingly, to control the movements of the different elements of the winder 1.

[0071] Thanks to the very rapid substitution of the first downstream roller 12 by the second downstream roller 17, during the evacuation of the first finished bale 41', there is no need to stop the winder 1 in its progression, the forming zone 10a being inactive for only a very short time ([Fig.7]).

[0072] Advantageously, the supply means 200 is configured to position the radio tag in a portion of the bale that is not directly under the binding wires arranged around the bale after its formation and / or during its manufacture. In order to prevent the pressure exerted by the binding wires from damaging the radio tag 100, the supply means can be configured to position the radio tag 100 in a portion of the bale located between two binding wires.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described by way of non-exhaustive example. In particular, there could be a larger number of downstream replacement rollers, but this could make manufacturing more complex. Furthermore, the upstream roller of the forming zone could be movable and also serve as a downstream replacement roller.

[0074] Thus, thanks to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and reliably provide information relating to wound plant stems, along with the bale of plant stems. The RFID tag allows, in particular, for quick and easy remote data reading, without requiring the RFID tag to be retrieved from the bale, and without requiring any special protection. It also becomes possible to automatically count the number of bales on a trailer by passing through a frame of RFID readers. In particular, such a device for inserting an RFID tag into a bale of plant stems can be adapted to any type of baler, thus allowing for improvements without having to replace them.

Claims

Demands

1. Machine (1) for round baling plant stems, for example arranged on the ground and preferably in the form of a continuous sheet, said machine (1) being configured to form said round bale by spiral winding of the plant stems, preferably of said continuous sheet, in which the machine (1) includes a means for supplying (200) a radio frequency receiver (100), preferably a radio tag, and in that the supply means (200) is configured to insert the radio frequency receiver (100) into the last coil(s) of the round bale formed by the machine (1).

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency receiver (100) comprises an electronic chip and a radio frequency antenna connected to said electronic chip.

3. Machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising pickup means (4) configured to collect plant stems from the ground, preferably in the form of a continuous sheet, and means for shaping (8, 9, 10a) the round bale from the plant stems, preferably from said continuous sheet, mounted downstream of the pickup means (4).

4. Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the supply means (200) is mounted downstream of the pickup means (4), and preferably upstream of the round bale shaping means (8, 9, 10a).

5. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a radio frequency reader (300) configured to read the radio frequency receiver after its insertion into the round bale being formed, or into the round bale formed by the machine.

6. Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the radio frequency reader (300) is configured to read the radio frequency receiver (100) after its insertion into the round bale being formed, and wherein the supply means (200) is configured to insert a second radio frequency receiver (100) into the last coil(s) of the round bale formed by the machine, when the first radio frequency receiver (100) cannot be read by the radio frequency reader (300).

7. Machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein the radio frequency reader (300) is mounted near the round bale shaping means (8, 9, 10a) or at the output of the machine (1).

8. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a writing means configured to record information on the radio frequency receiver (100).

9. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply means (200) is configured to deposit the radio frequency receiver (100) onto the plant stems, preferably onto the continuous sheet.

10. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio frequency receiver (100) is made of recyclable and / or compostable material.

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