Apparatus and method for providing bales, and system and method for utilising bales

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for providing bales (124) of loose long-stem plant material (108) having a three-dimensional structure (112), comprising: a transport device (130) for supplying plant material (108) in a transport direction (142); a compression device (134), to which stems (110) of loose plant material (108) having a three-dimensional structure (112) can be supplied and by means of which the stems (110) can be pressed into a flat state (120); and a shaping device (138), which is mounted downstream of the compression device (134) in the transport direction (142) for shaping the pressed-flat stems (110) of the plant material (108) to form a bale (124) of a predetermined shape and / or size. The invention also relates to a method for providing bales (124), and to a system (202) and a method for utilising bales (124).

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BALES AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECYCLING BALES

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for providing bales of loose long-stemmed plant material.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system and a method for utilizing bales of plant material and to a bale of plant material.

[0004] With regard to the utilization of plant material as biomass, it is advantageous to form the harvested plant material into compressed bales for transport and storage purposes. For this purpose, pressing devices are known with which loose or pre-compacted plant material is introduced into a pressing chamber and compressed into a bale by means of a pressing device. The bales thus formed can be transported to a utilization site. In particular, combustion or gasification of the plant material with the release of its energy content is considered. Various plants can be suitable for this type of utilization. Of particular note are reed grass (giant Chinese silver grass; Miscanthus x giganteus) and corn. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of the device and the practice of the method with these plants.

[0005] Certain plant varieties, such as the reed grass mentioned above, have the characteristic that their stems are not only long but also have a relatively hard three-dimensional structure. This makes it difficult to compress the stems into bales and maintain their shape in this compressed state. The pressing devices used for this purpose must exert relatively high forces to achieve sufficient compression. However, this limits mobility; it is desirable to use the pressing device on a vehicle to press the freshly harvested plants into bales on the field and transport them from there in baled form.

[0006] In the above example, a mathematical analysis helps to understand the limitations of conventional piston pressing devices. For a typical channel cross-section of a pressing channel of, for example, 1.2 m wide and 0.7 m high, the pressing force amounts to approximately 5,000 kN to achieve a desired density of a reed bale of approximately 500 kg / m 3 Such a compactor has a stationary empty weight of approximately 20 to 30 litres. For mobile use, a chassis, a plant material pick-up device, a coupling device, and a drive system would be required. This results in a weight of approximately 35 to 40 litres without the towing vehicle. Mobile use on a cultivated area is therefore only possible to a very limited extent. Damage to the cultivated area caused by the heavy weight has not yet been taken into account.

[0007] DE 102020 104 515 A1 proposes a multi-stage pressing process in which long-stemmed plants, such as miscanthus plants, are pressed in a pressing device in several stages into partial bales, which are then joined together to form a final bale. DE 102020 104 524 A1 describes a receiving device, for example, for such (final) bales, which can be transported at a constant density and in a predefined size in a suitably configured frame from the pressing site at the cultivation area to the place of utilization. The frame preferably has standardized dimensions in ISO container format.

[0008] WO 2014 / 067512 A1 already proposes dividing the harvested crop into transport and energy units that are as similar as possible. It describes a pressing device for compressing crops into bales of essentially constant volume and density. This makes it possible to provide tradable "energy units" in the form of biomass.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a device and a method for preparing bales, with which the bales are advantageously prepared for utilization purposes and which is particularly suitable for processing long-stemmed plants. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to propose a system and a method for recycling bales.

[0010] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a device according to the invention for providing bales of loose, long-stemmed plant material with a three-dimensional structure, comprising a transport device for feeding plant material in a transport direction, a compression device to which stems of loose plant material with a three-dimensional structure can be fed and with which the stems can be pressed into a flat state, and a forming device, which is arranged downstream of the compression device in the transport direction, for forming the flattened stems of the plant material into a bale of a predetermined shape and / or size. In contrast to conventional devices for providing bales, in which high forces are applied with large-sized pressing devices or a multi-stage pressing of the plant material takes place, the present invention pursues a different approach.In the device according to the invention, the stems with the three-dimensional structure are first compressed by the compression device before being formed into bales. The compression device does not serve to create bales, but rather presses the stems into a flat state. To a certain extent, the three-dimensional structure can be broken up, and the stems are converted into a flat state while reducing their cross-section, in that the stems preferably have a quasi-two-dimensional structure. The thus flattened stems are subsequently formed into bales of a predefined size and / or shape by means of the forming device. For example, round bales and / or cuboid bales are conceivable. In practice, it has been shown that the flattened stems essentially retain their structure, so that high-density bales can be produced during subsequent forming, particularly during wrapping.In the flattened state, the plant material can be formed into bales with far less construction effort and under significantly lower forces than is the case with plant material with a three-dimensional structure in conventional pressing devices.

[0011] It is understood that the forming device, in order to bring the flattened plant material into the desired shape, can exert compression forces and for this purpose comprises or forms a pressing device. For example, as will be discussed below, the forming device is or comprises a round baler or a pressing device with a pressing chamber and a pressing element moving therein.

[0012] The stems of the plant material are advantageously still strand-shaped when flat, which means they can be wound up advantageously in a round baler, for example.

[0013] One advantage of the present invention over conventional pressing devices is that it provides a certain functional separation. The compression of the plant material is preferably carried out largely by the compression device, with which the stems are converted into the flattened state. Portioning takes place, for example, via a feed in order to prepare the bales in the desired size and / or shape by means of the forming device, wherein a relatively low compression force must be applied for this purpose. It can be seen that the design effort for implementing the device can be kept relatively low despite the functional separation. In particular, a relatively compact device can be built which is suitable for use on a vehicle or as a component of a vehicle, whereby the bales can be prepared at the cultivation area.

[0014] It is advantageous if the transport device comprises at least one belt for transporting the plant material with a three-dimensional structure and for transporting the flattened stems. The stems are preferably transported lying flat and advantageously oriented in the transport direction. To fan out and / or align the flow of stems, a sorting device, for example, can be provided, which will be discussed further below.

[0015] The compression device advantageously comprises at least one roller element configured to rotate about a rotational axis oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction, at least one abutment element against which the stems can be pressed, and at least one drive device for applying a compression force directed in the direction of the abutment element to the at least one roller element. The supplied stems run, for example, over the abutment element and are subjected to the compression force by means of the roller element from the side opposite the abutment element. The stems are preferably arranged fanned out laterally next to one another, advantageously at least over the entire extent of the roller element. It can be provided that several layers of stems are fed one above the other and are subjected to the compression force by means of the roller element.

[0016] Preferably, the drive device acts on the roller element via a lever arm.

[0017] The at least one abutment element is or comprises, for example, a roller element. Both roller elements can rotate, in particular, in opposite directions and compress the stems between them. It can be provided that at least one of the roller elements is rotationally driven by a drive unit or, alternatively, is not driven.

[0018] In practice, it can prove particularly advantageous if the at least one drive device is designed hydraulically. For example, at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder unit is used, which allows high compression forces to be applied in a structurally simple manner.

[0019] It can prove advantageous if the compression device comprises two or more roller elements arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. Instead of compressing with just one large roller element, multiple roller elements are used. This allows the drive devices to be less massive than when using only one drive device. Two or more abutment elements, which are or comprise roller elements, can also be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction.

[0020] The roller elements arranged one behind the other are positioned directly behind the other, particularly without any lateral offset. This allows the plant material to be pressed into a flattened state in several stages.

[0021] Alternatively, the roller elements arranged one behind the other can be positioned with a lateral offset relative to one another, transversely and particularly perpendicular to the transport direction. Such an arrangement can be used, for example, with roller elements arranged in a staggered or "spaced" configuration.

[0022] In the transverse direction, the roller elements positioned one behind the other with an offset to each other can have an overlap.

[0023] The compression device can, for example, comprise two or more roller elements arranged side by side in a transverse direction, transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the transport direction. Relative to the width of the transport direction, the force used to compress the plant material is thus distributed among several roller elements. The force applied to each roller element can thus be kept comparatively low.

[0024] The roller elements arranged side by side can be positioned directly next to each other, with a gap between them being avoided if possible, to prevent gaps of uncompressed plant material. Alternatively, it is conceivable that a gap is provided between the roller elements when arranged side by side. Such an arrangement can be used, for example, with staggered or "spaced" roller elements.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if roller elements arranged one behind the other with respect to the transport direction are positioned with a lateral offset, and the gap is arranged between roller elements positioned side by side. In this way, the roller elements can be staggered or arranged "with a gap" to one another. For example, an arrangement in two or more rows of roller elements, relative to the transport direction, is conceivable. An overlap of the areas covered by adjacent roller elements, relative to the transverse direction, during compression can prove advantageous to ensure that no plant material remains uncompressed.

[0026] A respective roller element is preferably assigned an abutment element. The arrangement of the abutment elements can therefore correspond to the arrangement of the roller elements. The abutment elements can be arranged one behind the other, one behind the other with a lateral offset, side by side with or without a gap, and in particular, staggered one behind the other.

[0027] A drive device can be assigned to a respective roller element, wherein the drive devices can preferably be actuated independently of one another.

[0028] The compression device preferably has a drive unit for rotation about the rotation axis associated with a respective roller element and / or a respective abutment element, wherein the drive units can preferably be operated independently of one another. For example, two abutment elements and / or two drive devices are provided, wherein the latter can be operated independently of one another.

[0029] The roller elements, abutment elements, drive devices and / or drive units are preferably identical or functionally identical.

[0030] More than two roller elements, abutment elements, and drive devices can be provided. It can be advantageous if the at least one roller element includes a surface profile. This is also conceivable if the at least one abutment element is designed as a roller element. The surface profile concentrates the pressing force of the drive device on a smaller surface area, resulting in a high surface pressure with a view to reliably pressing the plant material into a flat state. The surface profile can, for example, be arranged on the entire surface of the roller element.

[0031] In practical implementation, it proves advantageous if the surface profiling includes or forms grooves and elevations arranged between them. The grooves and elevations run parallel to the rotational axis, for example. Alternatively or additionally, they can extend, for example, along the entire length of the roller element.

[0032] The grooves can, for example, be V-shaped in cross-section and / or the elevations can be trapezoidal in cross-section.

[0033] The stems of the pressed plant material are preferably flat and / or oriented in the transport direction. This simplifies further processing, particularly in a forming device designed as a winding device. The orientation of the stems "in the transport direction" can be considered such an orientation, for example, if the stems form an angle with the transport direction below a predetermined or predeterminable threshold angle, for example, less than approximately 30° or less than 20°.

[0034] The device can preferably comprise at least one sorting device positioned upstream of the compression device in the transport direction. The sorting device can be arranged directly upstream of the compression device or indirectly, with, for example, a sensor device being arranged between the sorting device and the compression device.

[0035] With the at least one sorting device, an inflow of long-stemmed plant material with a three-dimensional structure can preferably be fanned out from a feed width of a conveyor unit to a working width that is greater than the feed width transversely to the transport direction. The working width can correspond to a width or a height of the finished wrapped or compressed bale. For example, the harvested plant material is fed via the conveyor unit and then fanned out from the feed width defined by the conveyor unit to the working width. The purpose of this is to distribute the stems across the width and reduce the height of the flow of plant material so that the stems can be more effectively flattened by the compression device.

[0036] It may be particularly advantageous if the inflow of plant material as a result of the sorting device has a substantially constant thickness or height across the working width in order to achieve a substantially uniform compression result, which in turn is advantageous for the production of bales of uniform shape and / or size.

[0037] The at least one sorting device is preferably designed to align the long-stemmed plant material of three-dimensional structure with an orientation of the stems in the transport direction or substantially in the transport direction.

[0038] The sorting device may, for example, comprise a comb, a rake, or the like for aligning the plant material. Two or more combs or rakes can preferably be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction.

[0039] The at least one sorting device preferably comprises at least one screw element oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction. The screw element can be used, for example, to fan out the inflow of plant material and distribute it across a working width. The screw element is preferably also suitable for aligning the plant material as described above. The screw element preferably extends transversely across the entire working width.

[0040] The screw element can be cylindrical, with turns of a helical projection element, such as in a conveyor screw, arranged on a central support element. The turns can, for example, extend outwards in the transverse direction in two sections (corresponding to two projection elements) from the center of the support element or from an area spaced from the respective end sides of the support element and have different orientations. This allows the stems to be moved in both directions from the feed width to widen the inflow and to be fanned out to a working width. The at least one screw element, the comb, or the rake can be spring-loaded to reliably fan out and / or align the plant material.

[0041] The sorting device advantageously comprises at least one drive unit for rotatingly driving the at least one screw element, whereby the inflow of plant material can be actively fanned out via the screw element.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the sorting device advantageously comprises at least one adjustment unit for applying a force toward the plant material to the at least one auger element and / or for adjusting the height of the at least one auger element. To ensure the most even expansion of the inflow of plant material, it is therefore advantageous if the sorting element can be adjusted in a variety of ways. The adjustment unit can be hydraulically designed.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the sorting device can comprise two or more screw elements arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. For example, three, four, five, six, seven, or even more screw elements are conceivable. The plurality of screw elements preferably gradually moves the stems to the side as they move in the transport direction, in order to distribute them as evenly as possible across the entire working width, starting from the feed width.

[0044] With two or more screw elements, the respective drive unit and / or adjustment unit can preferably be controlled or actuated independently of the drive unit and / or adjustment unit of another screw element. This allows for the most versatile adaptation of the sorting device's functionality, with the goal of achieving the best possible fanning out and, preferably, even distribution of the stems.

[0045] In practical implementation, it can prove advantageous if the respective rotation speeds of the screw elements achievable with the drive unit are different. For example, a screw element positioned at the front in relation to the transport direction rotates faster than a screw element positioned later in relation to the transport direction. With more than two screw elements, the rotation speed can be higher the further back in the transport direction the screw element is positioned.

[0046] In practice, it can prove advantageous if the turns of the projection element of screw elements arranged one behind the other in the transport direction are designed differently. For example, the projection elements can have different positions, different extensions along the support element, and / or different pitches of the turns. The projection elements of the two or more screw elements can be adapted accordingly to broaden and fan out the inflow of stems as effectively as possible.

[0047] For example, it can be provided that at least one screw element has a region that is free of turns of projection elements, with turns of projection elements being arranged laterally next to this region on both sides with respect to the transverse direction. In the present case, this can be understood, for example, to mean that projection elements do not extend over the entire extent of the screw element in the transverse direction. Rather, for example, there can be two projection elements separated from each other by the aforementioned region, whereas no projection element with turns is arranged in the region. Such a design takes into account the consideration that in the region without turns, stems should not be moved sideways, but should remain essentially in the same "correct" position in the transverse direction when moved in the transport direction.Once essentially positioned at the correct end position in the transverse direction, the stems are no longer moved sideways. This allows, for example, the stems to be moved sideways in a targeted manner, depending on the positioning and / or size of the coil-free area, relative to the transverse direction.

[0048] It can be provided that at least one screw element has a disc-shaped separating projection on the outer circumference in a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis of the screw element. Such a separating projection is arranged, for example, in the aforementioned region free of turns of a projection element.

[0049] Two or more auger elements are advantageously provided, each having a region free of coils of projection elements, wherein the respective region is wider in the transverse direction the further downstream in the transport direction the auger element is arranged. The region in which no coiled projection element is arranged becomes wider in the transport direction in the transverse direction. Stems transported into this region therefore essentially remain in this position and are not moved further to the side. In contrast, stems that are located at the level of the coiled projection element in the transverse direction are moved further outwards to the side in order to further fan out the inflow of plant material.

[0050] In a top view of the screw elements, for example, the areas without a projection element essentially define a V-shaped contour.

[0051] It can be provided that at least one screw element does not comprise such a region (for example one or two screw elements) whereas subsequent screw elements have such a region.

[0052] The device may comprise a control device. The device can preferably be used to control and / or regulate the operation of the device.

[0053] It may be advantageous if the device comprises a sensor device for providing a sensor signal, on the basis of which a quantity of plant material supplied to the shaping device can be determined, wherein the device can advantageously be controlled and / or regulated depending on the signal.

[0054] For example, the transport device, the sorting device, the compression device, and / or the forming device can be controlled and / or regulated. This makes it possible to portion and compress the plant material in a suitable manner so that bales of a specified shape and / or size can be conveniently provided.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, for the purpose of portioning, a feed speed of the transport device used to transport the plant material can be used for control and / or regulation. Alternatively or additionally, the feed speed can be controlled and / or regulated to transport the desired amount of plant material. The sensor device can be arranged, for example, between the compression device and the forming device with respect to the transport direction. Alternatively, positioning between the sorting device and the compression device is conceivable.

[0056] The sensor device comprises, for example, a sensing element, which preferably comprises or forms a roller element, which is designed to assume a distance from the transport device, depending on the height of the stream of flattened stems of the plant material, which distance is indicative of the quantity of plant material. For example, the plant material is transported on the transport device in a flattened state, and the sensing element is positioned on the side facing away from the transport device. For example, the sensing element is spring-loaded. Depending on the thickness of the stream of plant material, the sensing element can assume different distances from the transport device. The quantity of plant material supplied can be determined depending on this.

[0057] In practical implementation, the sensor device can, for example, be optically designed and comprise a laser scanner and / or a camera, based on whose signals or images a height of the plant material and / or a distribution in a transverse direction transversely and in particular perpendicular to the transport direction can be determined. For example, such a sensor device is arranged downstream of the sorting device but upstream of the compression device. For example, a laser scanner is provided with which the flow of plant material can be scanned linearly in the transverse direction. A height, a layer thickness and / or a distribution in width is preferably determined. Depending on this, for example, the sorting device in particular is controlled in order to achieve the best possible width distribution. The optical sensor device is arranged, for example, on a housing in order to avoid the entry of dirt particles as far as possible.For example, the height or contact pressure of screw elements, their rotation speed and / or a feed speed are controlled.

[0058] By using the sensor device, weather-related influences on the condition of the plant material can be taken into account during bale production. For example, with moist plant material, which is heavier than dry plant material and may swell, a smaller amount can be used to form the bale to produce bales of a constant mass and / or size. This means that the forming device can preferably produce bales of a specified size and / or specified mass, and in particular, a specified density.

[0059] In this case, “given” includes “specifiable”.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the forming device is a wrapping device with which the flattened stems of the plant material can be wrapped into round bales. Accordingly, the forming device can be designed, in particular, as a round baler.

[0061] The use of the winding device is advantageous. It allows a continuous stream of stems to be fed, compressed, and then formed into a bale without having to interrupt the process prior to forming, as is the case with a ram or piston press.

[0062] The wrapping device preferably comprises a first wrapping unit with a first wrapping chamber and a second wrapping unit with a second wrapping chamber arranged downstream of the first wrapping unit in the transport direction, wherein a partial bale can be wrapped by means of the first wrapping unit and the partial bale can be transferred to the second wrapping unit for wrapping the bale, preferably after reaching a predeterminable size and / or mass. By using two wrapping units, higher cycle rates can preferably be achieved when producing the bales with the device than with just one wrapping unit. For example, after the final wrapping of the bale in the second wrapping chamber and before the bale is discharged, the next partial bale can already be wrapped in the first wrapping chamber.

[0063] With a view to homogenising the formed bales, it is advantageous, for example, if the first winding chamber is designed as a buffer chamber, via which the supply of the flattened stems of the plant material into the second winding chamber can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0064] In another embodiment of the invention, the forming device can be a pressing device that comprises or forms a pressing chamber and a pressing member, wherein the flattened stems of the plant material can be introduced into the pressing chamber and pressed into a bale by means of the pressing member. Such a pressing device, in particular, produces a cuboid bale. The pressing member is, for example, a pressing piston movable within the pressing chamber. Alternatively, a movable wall can be used, for example, as described in the aforementioned DE 102020 104 515 A1.

[0065] The device preferably comprises a binding device for binding the bale. The binding device is preferably arranged on or encompassed by the forming device, for binding the bale in the forming device before the bale is discharged from the forming device.

[0066] Advantageously, the bale is tied in the second wrapping chamber, and meanwhile, flattened stems of the plant material can be fed to the first wrapping chamber for wrapping a subsequent partial bale by means of the first wrapping unit, wherein advantageously the wrapping of the subsequent partial bale has already begun.

[0067] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a method according to the invention for providing bales of loose, long-stemmed plant material with a three-dimensional structure, comprising:

[0068] Providing loose, long-stemmed plant material with a three-dimensional structure;

[0069] Pressing stems of the plant material to a flat state; and

[0070] Forming the flattened stems into a bale of a specified shape and / or size.

[0071] The advantages already mentioned in connection with the explanation of the device according to the invention can also be achieved by implementing the method. Advantageous embodiments of the method result from advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention. Reference is made to the above explanations in each case.

[0072] A bale according to the invention is provided by the above-mentioned method according to the invention. The bale is made from pressed and shaped plant material.

[0073] The bale according to the invention can, in particular for fitting into containers of ISO (668) container format (in particular with a length of 40 feet (ft.) or 20 feet (ft.)), for example, have a diameter of approximately 2 m to 2.5 m, preferably approximately 2.25 m, and a width in the axial direction of approximately 1.3 m to 1.6 m, preferably approximately 1.45 m.

[0074] The bale according to the invention is, in particular when processing Miscanthus x giganteus, for example, with a density of approximately 450 kg / m 3 up to 600 kg / m 3 wound or pressed, preferably approximately 500 kg / m 3 up to 550 kg / m 3

[0075] The bale according to the invention has, in particular when processing Miscanthus x giganteus, a mass of approximately 3,000 kg to 3,200 kg, preferably of approximately 3,100 kg to 3,125 kg, more preferably about 3,125 kg.

[0076] A system according to the invention for recycling bales comprises a device of the type described above, at least one receiving device for receiving two or more bales and a recycling plant to which the at least one receiving device can be transported for the purpose of recycling.

[0077] A method according to the invention for recycling bales comprises the steps of the method described above, the step of receiving the bales in a receiving device and transporting the bales to a recycling plant, and the energetic utilization of the long-stemmed plant material pressed into bales in the recycling plant.

[0078] With such a system or such a method, the advantageous effects already mentioned above can be achieved. Advantageous embodiments of the system and advantageous embodiments of the method result from advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention. Reference is made to the above explanations.

[0079] The device is preferably arranged on a vehicle or comprised by a vehicle in order to press and form the plant material into bales at the cultivation site. The bales are advantageously transported using a receiving device of standardized form. For example, a receiving device as described in the aforementioned DE 10 2020 104 524 A1 is used. The receiving devices can be modular in design. The receiving devices can be stackable. In the absence of bales, the receiving devices can be stored and / or transported flat. The receiving devices preferably have standardized dimensions in ISO (668) container format, in particular a length of 40 feet (ft.) or 20 feet (ft.).

[0080] The bales can be transported by means of the receiving devices by land using trucks and / or rail vehicles, by sea and / or by air.

[0081] Any vehicles used to transport the bales and / or vehicles that contain or accommodate the device can be user-guided and / or autonomous. The recycling facility could be, for example, a coal-fired power plant, where the bales are shredded, for example, by splicing, to a particle size suitable for combustion.

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, the recycling facility can be a gasification plant. For example, the recycling facility is a combined heat and power plant in which the crop is gasified.

[0083] The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings, serves to explain the invention in more detail. They show:

[0084] Figure 1: a schematic representation of a vehicle with the device according to the invention for providing bales in a preferred embodiment;

[0085] Figure 2: a schematic representation of long-stemmed plant material;

[0086] Figure 3: a stem of long-stemmed plant material with a three-dimensional structure after harvesting;

[0087] Figure 4: the stem from Figure 3, pressed in a flat state after passing through a compression device of the device according to the invention;

[0088] Figure 5: the system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment, comprising the device according to the invention; Figure 6: a schematic representation of exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention;

[0089] Figure 7: a schematic representation of a molding device, designed as a pressing device;

[0090] Figure 8: a schematic representation of detail A in Figure 1 in a plan view in a variant of the device according to the invention;

[0091] Figure 9: a perspective view of a roller element of a compression device of the device according to the invention;

[0092] Figure 10: a front view of the roller element in Figure 9;

[0093] Figure 11: a representation, partly schematic, of a vehicle with a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for providing in a side view;

[0094] Figure 12: a perspective view of components of the device in Figure 11, showing, among other things, a sorting device and a sensor device; and

[0095] Figure 13: an enlarged and simplified representation of detail B in Figure 11.

[0096] Figure 1 of the drawing shows, with reference numeral 100, a device according to the invention for preparing bales of loose, long-stemmed plant material in a preferred embodiment. In the present embodiment, the device 100 is mounted on a vehicle 102, which is an agricultural utility vehicle. The vehicle 102 can be user-guided and / or autonomously movable.

[0097] For moving along a ground surface 104, the vehicle 102 has a chassis 106. The ground surface 104 is preferably a cultivation area for the plant material 108. In this case, the plant material 108 is stems 110. Stems 110 of reed grass, in particular giant Chinese reed, are suitable for use as biomass, for example. These stems 110 have the property of not only being quite long but also relatively stiff. With conventional pressing devices, the stems 110 can only be adequately compressed into bales if high pressing forces are applied. However, this requires the use of correspondingly large pressing devices, which is disadvantageous in practice, particularly from the point of view of mobility.

[0098] This is where the present invention comes in, by separating functions during bale production. The compression of the plant material 108 is separated from the portioning and forming into bales, so that only relatively low compression forces need to be applied when forming the bales, and the device 100 can be constructed compactly overall.

[0099] As can be seen particularly from Figure 3, the stems 110 of the harvested plant material 108 have a three-dimensional structure 112. The stem 110 is a stalk 114 with a wall 116 enclosing a lumen 118. The stems 110 are so stiff that bending or breaking them to convert them into a smaller, dimensionally stable state is only possible with relatively great force.

[0100] In contrast, it is possible to convert the stems 110 into a flat state 120 by compression, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 4, with significantly less force. Upon compression into the flat state 120, the lumen 118 collapses, and opposing sections of the wall 116 abut one another. In particular, fractures can form on opposite flanks 122 extending in the longitudinal direction of the stem 110.

[0101] In the flat state 120, the cross-section of the stems 110 is significantly smaller than in the three-dimensional structure 112. In a sense, the stems 110 can be considered to be "quasi-two-dimensional" in the flat state 120. In the flat state 120, the plant material 108 can be easily formed into bales 124 by wrapping, as explained below.

[0102] As can be seen in particular from Figure 1, the device 100 comprises, in the order of the process sequence, a receiving unit 126, a downstream conveyor unit 128, and a transport device 130. A sorting device 132, a compression device 134, a sensor device 136, and a shaping device 138 are arranged on the transport device 130. The plant material 108 can be picked up via the receiving unit 126 while the vehicle 102 is moving. For this purpose, the receiving unit 126 can, for example, be formed in a funnel shape in sections.

[0103] It can be provided that previously harvested plant material 108, which has been cut by means of another device, is picked up via the receiving unit 126. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the plants are also cut directly by means of the receiving unit 126. For this purpose, cutting tools 139 can be arranged at the front of the receiving unit 126, as can be seen in the embodiment of Figure 11. To feed the plant material 108 to the conveyor unit, a roller element 141 or another type of conveyor element can be arranged on the receiving unit 126 (Figure 11).

[0104] The plant material 108 is transported via the conveyor unit 128 onto the vehicle 102 in the direction of the transport device 130. For this purpose, the conveyor unit 128 can advantageously have at least one belt 140, preferably two counter-rotating belts 140. With the conveyor unit 128, the plant material 108 is transported transversely to the transport direction with a conveying width defined by the width of the conveyor unit 128.

[0105] A width of the receiving unit 126 is preferably greater than a width of the conveying unit 128 and may be several meters, for example more than 2 m, more than 3 m or up to 5 m or even more.

[0106] The transport device 130 is connected to the conveyor unit 128. The transport device 130 defines a transport direction 142. For transporting the plant material 108, the transport device 130 preferably comprises a plurality of belts 144, each of which forms a section of the transport path for the plant material 108. Alternatively, a continuous belt 144 can be provided, for example.

[0107] The supplied plant material 108 is first fanned out by means of the sorting device 132. In doing so, the plant material 108 is brought from the feed width of the conveyor unit 128 to a working width that is wider than the conveying width of the conveyor unit 128. The working width is measured in a transverse direction 146, which is oriented transversely and, in this case, perpendicular to the transport direction 142. For example, the working width is at least 1.5 times the feed width of the conveyor unit 128 or even greater, for example, at least twice as large. The flow of plant material 108 is advantageously fanned out to both sides, i.e., in the transverse direction 146, to the left and to the right (to the rear and to the front in Figure 1).

[0108] During fanning, the thickness of the inflow of plant material 108 is preferably uniformed. In particular, the thickness of the flow of plant material 108 is essentially identical across the working width. The thickness of the flow will typically be less than at the conveyor unit because the plant material 108 is partially moved to the side.

[0109] Advantageously, the sorting device 132 is further configured to align the stems 110 such that they are oriented substantially in the transport direction 142.

[0110] For fanning out by distributing across the working width and aligning the stems 110, the sorting device 132 has at least one screw element 148. The screw element 148 is rotatable about an axis 150 running in the transverse direction 146 and extends in the transverse direction 146. The screw element 148 is spring-loaded via a spring element 152 in the direction of the transport device 130 and preferably extends across the entire working width.

[0111] In this case, two screw elements 148 are provided, arranged one behind the other in the transport direction 142. This allows the stems 110 to be fanned out and aligned in two stages. The screw elements 148 and the spring elements 152 are identically designed in this case.

[0112] At least one of the screw elements 148 is preferably driven in rotation, preferably both screw elements 148.

[0113] Downstream of the sorting device 132 in the transport direction 142, the device 100 comprises the compression device 134. The compression device 134 is designed and configured to transfer the supplied stems 110 from the three-dimensional structure 112 into the flat state 120 by compression.

[0114] For this purpose, the compression device 134 comprises at least one roller element 154 and an associated abutment element 156, which in the present embodiment is also designed as a roller element 158. To apply force to the roller element 154 in the direction of the stems 110, the compression device 134 comprises a drive device 160. In the present example, the drive device 160 is hydraulically designed and comprises a piston-cylinder unit 162. The piston-cylinder unit 162 preferably engages the roller element 154 via a lever arm.

[0115] In the device 100, the roller elements 154 and 158 each extend over the entire working width in the transverse direction 100.

[0116] The compression device 134 comprises the aforementioned components in duplicate and positioned one behind the other in the transport direction 142. Accordingly, two roller elements 154 and 158 and two drive devices 160 are provided. The respective components are preferably designed identically. The roller elements 154 and 158 can also be designed identically.

[0117] The roller elements 154, 158 are rotatable about respective axes of rotation 164 which extend in the transverse direction 146.

[0118] At least one of the roller elements 154, 158 is preferably driven for rotation about the rotation axis 164, preferably both roller elements 154, 158. Reference numeral 165 schematically indicates a drive unit for one of the roller elements 154, 158. Each roller element 154, 158 can be assigned a separate drive unit 165. The drive units 165 can be controlled independently of one another in this case.

[0119] The supplied stems 110 initially pass between the first roller elements 154, 158. The roller element 154 is subjected to a compression force directed onto the roller element 158 ​​via the piston-cylinder unit 162. This compresses the stems 110. In the next compression stage, a further pressing process is performed by the second pair of roller elements 154, 158, so that the stems 110 assume the flat state 120 after passing through the compression device 134.

[0120] The sensor device 136 is arranged downstream of the compression device 134 in the transport direction 142. The sensor device 136 comprises a sensing element 166, here configured as a roller element 168, which is rotatable about an axis 170 oriented in the transverse direction 146. A spring element 172 applies a force directed onto the sensing element 166, which is directed onto the transport device 130.

[0121] The flow of plant material 108 on the transport device 130 is scanned from above by the sensing element 166. Depending on the flow rate of stems 110, the distance of the sensing element 166 from the transport device changes. Based on a sensor signal from the sensor device 136, which is fed to a control device 174 of the device 100, the amount of plant material 108 fed to the forming device can be determined.

[0122] In addition, the control device 174 can take into account a speed of the transport device 130.

[0123] The control device 174 serves to control and / or regulate the operation of the device 100. In particular, the compression device 134, the forming device 138, and / or the transport device 130 can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0124] The control and / or regulation serves to provide bales 124 of a predetermined size and / or shape using the device 100. It is conceivable that bales 124 of a predetermined mass and, in particular, a predetermined density are provided.

[0125] The forming device 138 is arranged downstream of the sensor device 136 in the transport direction 142. In the present embodiment, the forming device 138 is designed as a winding device 176, with which the plant material 108 can be wound into round bales 124. The bales 124 have a substantially cylindrical shape with an axis 178 oriented in the transverse direction 146.

[0126] The use of the winding device 176 is advantageous because a continuous stream of stems can be fed, pressed and then formed into a bale without the process having to be interrupted before forming, as is the case with a stamp or piston press.

[0127] When wrapping the bales 124, the plant material 108 is compressed. Accordingly, the wrapping device 176 is a round baler 180. As already mentioned, however, in the device 100 according to the invention, unlike in the prior art, it is not absolutely necessary for the forming device 138 alone to apply forces for compressing the plant material 108 to produce high densities of the bales 124, since the compression is already largely performed by the compression device 134.

[0128] The winding device 176 is designed in two stages and comprises a first winding unit 182 with a first winding chamber 184 and a downstream second winding unit 186 with a second winding chamber 188.

[0129] The supplied plant material 108 is first wrapped into a partial bale 190 in the first wrapping chamber 184 by means of the first wrapping unit 182. When the partial bale 190 reaches a predetermined shape and / or size, the partial bale 190 is transferred to the second wrapping unit 186.

[0130] The transfer from the first winding chamber 184 to the second winding chamber 188 can, for example, be triggered by a timer and / or by checking the shape and / or size of the partial bale 190.

[0131] Finally, in the second wrapping chamber 188, the finished bale 124 is wrapped with further supply of plant material 108 through the first wrapping unit 182. Advantageously, the first wrapping chamber 184 can serve as a buffer chamber during this process, via which the inflow of plant material 108 is controlled and / or regulated.

[0132] The device 100 comprises a binding device 192. The binding device 192 serves to bind the bale 124 so that it retains its shape.

[0133] The binding device 192 is arranged in the present case on the wrapping device 176, in particular the second wrapping unit 186. This makes it possible to bind the bale 124 while it is still in the second wrapping chamber 188.

[0134] During the binding process, the first wrapping unit 182 can already begin wrapping the subsequent partial bale 190. In this way, the device 100 can achieve a short cycle time for preparing the bales 124. The completely wrapped and tied bale 124 can be released from the device 100 by expanding the second wrapping chamber 188 and deposited on the floor surface 104.

[0135] Below, exemplary size specifications for the bales 124 and the technical data of the device 100 for practical implementation are given.

[0136] The finished bales 124 have, for example, a diameter of approximately 2 m to 2.5 m, preferably approximately 2.25 m, and an axial width of approximately 1.3 m to 1.6 m, preferably approximately 1.45 m, for fitting into ISO-sized containers.

[0137] It is particularly advantageous if the width of the bale in the axial direction is the working width of the device 100, so that the entire working width can be utilized.

[0138] When processing Miscanthus x giganteus, the bales are advantageously produced with a density of approximately 540 kg / m 3wound, wherein the first winding unit 182 and the second winding unit 186 preferably achieve the same density or substantially the same density. The partial bale 190 can, for example, have a mass of approximately 800 kg to 1000 kg, preferably approximately 900 kg, and the finished bale 124 can have a mass of approximately

[0139] 3,100 kg to 3,150 kg, preferably from approximately 3,125 kg.

[0140] The winding speed, relative to the amount of plant material 108 processed, is advantageously identical or substantially identical in both winding chambers 184, 188.

[0141] By means of the roller elements 154, for example, a surface pressure of the stems 110 of approximately 6 N / mm 2 (6,000 kN / m 2 ) and more. A diameter of the roller elements 154, 158 can, for example, be approximately 30 cm.

[0142] The feed rate for the plant material 108 can, for example, be approximately 30 kg / s to 35 kg / s in practical implementation. For Miscanthus x giganteus, with a working width of the transport device of approximately 1.45 m and a height of the material on stems 110 of approximately 8 cm to 12 cm, this corresponds to a speed of approximately

[0143] 1.6 m / s. When the device 100 is implemented in practice, the cycle time for producing a bale 124 can be approximately 80 s to 100 s, for example approximately 85 s to 95 s, assuming that approximately 120 t of Miscanthus x giganteus are to be pressed per hour. Based on the above-mentioned masses of the partial bale 190 and the bale 124, slightly more than 25% is wrapped in the first wrapping chamber 184, in a time of approximately 20 s to 25 s, and the remainder of the bale 124 in the second wrapping chamber 188 in a time of approximately 65 s to 75 s. While the partial bale 190 is wrapped in the first wrapping chamber 184, the preceding bale 124 is finished wrapping in the second wrapping chamber 188, tied with the binding device 192 and placed on the ground surface 104.

[0144] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a different embodiment of a forming device 138. This is a pressing device 194 with a pressing chamber 196 and a pressing member 198. The pressing device 194 can be used alternatively or in addition to the winding device 176. Flat-rolled plant material 108 is introduced into the pressing chamber 196 and can thereby be pressed into a cuboid bale 124 by means of the presently stamp-shaped pressing member 198. Reference numeral 200 denotes a drive device for the pressing member 198.

[0145] A system according to the invention is shown schematically in Figure 5 and is designated therein by the reference numeral 202.

[0146] The system 202 includes a harvesting device 204, with which the plant material 108 is harvested and deposited on the ground surface 104. The device 100 prepares the bales 124 from the plant material 108.

[0147] The system 202 further includes at least one receiving device 206 for receiving two or more bales 124. The receiving device(s) can then be transported to a processing facility 208 of the system for the purpose of energy recovery.

[0148] Figure 6 schematically shows a method for providing bales 124 in a preferred embodiment. The method comprises a step 210 in which loose, long-stemmed plant material 108 with a three-dimensional structure 112 is provided. In the subsequent method step 212, stems 110 of the plant material 108 are pressed into a flat state 120. In a subsequent method step 214, a bale 124 of a predetermined shape and / or size is formed from the flattened stems 110. The bale is a bale 124 according to the invention provided according to the method according to the invention.

[0149] The method explained above is part of a method according to the invention for recycling bales, which comprises a further subsequent step 216. Step 216 provides for picking up the bales 124 by means of a picking device 206 and transporting them to a recycling facility 208.

[0150] In a subsequent process step 218, the long-stemmed plant material 108 pressed into bales 124 is energetically utilized in the utilization plant 208.

[0151] Figure 8 shows a partial detailed view according to area A in Figure 1 in a variant of the device 100. Shown is a schematic plan view of the transport device 130 and the roller elements 154. The transport direction 142 runs from top to bottom.

[0152] Figure 8 shows an advantageous arrangement of a plurality of roller elements 154. A roller-shaped abutment element 156 is assigned to each roller element 154, as already explained in connection with Figure 1. The arrangement of the corresponding roller elements 158 corresponds to the arrangement of the roller elements 154.

[0153] While the roller elements 154 extend across the entire working width in the embodiment according to Figure 1, several roller elements 154 are arranged laterally adjacent to one another in the transverse direction 146, relative to a position along the transport direction 142. The roller elements 154 are positioned coaxially with one another with a common axis of rotation 164. A gap 167 is provided between each adjacent roller element 164.

[0154] In the arrangement according to Figure 7, several roller elements 154 are arranged one behind the other, relative to the transport direction 142. There are two rows of roller elements 154, although their number could also be different. Roller elements 154 arranged one behind the other are positioned with a lateral offset relative to one another in the transverse direction. In particular, it is provided that the offset is such that the roller elements 154 of the second row are arranged in the region of the intermediate space 167 of the first row. In this way, the roller elements 154 are staggered or arranged "with a gap" with respect to one another.

[0155] The stems 110 are thus rolled flat in a single step, either with roller elements 158 of the first row or the second row. However, an overlap 169 of the areas covered by adjacent roller elements 158 during compression proves advantageous, so that no plant material 108 remains uncompressed.

[0156] In the present example, the first row comprises four roller elements 158 and the second row comprises three roller elements 158. Their respective number could also be different.

[0157] The compression device 134 comprises a drive unit 165 for rotation about the rotation axis 164 on each roller element 154. The drive units 165 can preferably be operated independently of one another. The same applies to the roller elements 158.

[0158] In addition, a drive device 160 is arranged on each roller element 154, which preferably engages the roller element 154 via the lever arm (not shown in Figure 8). The drive devices 160 can thus be smaller in size compared to the variant according to Figure 1. The drive devices 160 can preferably be actuated independently of one another.

[0159] Furthermore, each roller element 154 is assigned a roller element 158 ​​as an abutment, wherein the roller elements 158 are arranged one behind the other and with a gap corresponding to the roller elements 154.

[0160] Figures 9 and 10 show, in a perspective view and an end view, respectively, the roller element 154 in a preferred embodiment. This embodiment can be used, for example, in the variant according to Figure 1 with a continuous roller in the transverse direction 146 or in the variant according to Figure 8 with several roller elements 154 spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction 146. The abutment element 156 can also be designed in this way (as a roller element 158). The roller element 154 has a surface profiling 220. In this case, the surface profiling 220 comprises grooves 222 and elevations 224 arranged therebetween, each of which runs parallel to the axis of rotation 164 and extends along the entire axial extent of the roller element 154.

[0161] It is understood that the grooves 222 and the elevations 224 merge into one another. As can be seen from Figure 10, the grooves 222 are V-shaped in cross-section, and the elevations 224 are trapezoidal. Tests have shown that a high surface pressure can be achieved as a result of the surface profiling 220, whereby the shape of the grooves 222 and elevations 224 is advantageous for breaking up the stems 110 and converting them into a flat state.

[0162] By means of the roller elements 154 with surface profiling 220, for example, a surface pressure of approximately 100 N / mm 2 up to 110 N / mm 2 (100,000 kN / m 2 up to 110,000 kN / m 2 ) can be achieved.

[0163] In the following, a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, which is shown (partially schematically) in Figure 11 and is designated by the reference numeral 226, will be discussed.

[0164] Identical reference numerals are used for identical and equivalent features and advantages of devices 100 and 226. The advantages already achievable in connection with the explanation of device 110 according to the invention can also be achieved with device 226. Device 226 can be a component of system 202 according to the invention, alternatively or in addition to device 100. Device 226 is suitable for implementing the methods according to the invention. Reference is made to the above explanations. Only the essential modifications will be discussed.

[0165] In particular, Figures 12 and 13 show detailed views of the sorting device 132 and the sensor device 136.

[0166] In the device 226, the compression device 134 has roller elements 154, 158 that extend continuously in the transverse direction 146. However, these could alternatively be replaced, as shown in the variant of Figure 8, by a plurality of roller elements 154, 158 that are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction 146. In the device 226, particular attention should be drawn to the advantageous design of the sorting device 132. The plant material 108 is fed to this after being picked up by the pick-up unit 126 and transported by the conveyor unit 128. The feed width of the conveyor unit 128 is significantly smaller than the working width of the winding device 176. By means of the sorting device 132, the stems 110 are fanned out from the feed width to the working width. In addition, the stream of stems 110 is provided with a uniform height or layer thickness in the transverse direction 146.

[0167] Compared to the height or layer thickness on the output side of the conveyor unit 128, this height or layer thickness is lower because the stems 110 are each moved sideways. Furthermore, the stems 110 are aligned along the transport direction 142.

[0168] On the input side, the sorting device 132 comprises a conveyor roller 228, with which the supplied stems 110 are actively fed to the further components. Additionally, the drive is provided by the belt 144. Reference numerals 230 and 232 (Figure 12) denote drive units of the conveyor roller 228 and the belt 144.

[0169] Downstream of the conveyor roller 228, the sorting device 132 comprises roller elements 234 (three in this case). The roller elements 234 serve as hold-down devices to smooth the inflow. In this case, they are not driven, but are each biased toward the belt 144 by spring elements 236.

[0170] Downstream in the transport direction 142, the sorting device 132 has the screw elements 148. In this case, there are seven of them, arranged one behind the other in the transport direction 142. The number could vary, but the design proposed here has proven to be advantageous. The design of the screw elements 148 will be discussed further below.

[0171] The sensor device 136 is arranged downstream. Following this, upstream of the compression device 134, another driven conveyor roller 238 is arranged. The fanned-out and homogenized stream of stems 110 is actively pushed between the roller elements 154, 158 via the conveyor roller 238.

[0172] A sensor device 136 between the compression device 134 and the winding device 176 is omitted. The sorting device 132 comprises a frame 240 for mounting the conveyor roller 228 and the hold-down roller elements 234, on which the screw elements 148 are also held.

[0173] Each screw element 148 is rotatable about the respective axis 150 by means of a drive unit 242 assigned to it. A force can be applied to the screw element 148 in the direction of the plant material 108 via a respective adjustment unit 224. Furthermore, the height of the respective screw element 148 relative to the belt 144 can be adjusted.

[0174] The adjustment units 244 are designed, for example, to be hydraulic. The conveyor rollers 228, 238 can also preferably be assigned hydraulic and controllable adjustment units 244.

[0175] The drive units 242 and the adjustment units 244 can be individually controlled by the control device 174, with a view to the best possible fanning out of the plant material 108 and the equalization of a layer thickness before introduction into the compression device 134.

[0176] The respective screw element 148 is cylindrical in basic shape and comprises a central support element 246. Radially outward on the support element 246, the screw element 148 comprises turns 248 of helical projection elements 250. Each screw element 148 comprises two projection elements 250, the turns 248 of which extend outwards from the center of the support element 246 or from an area at a distance from the respective end sides of the support element 246 in the transverse direction 146 and have different orientations.

[0177] For example, the projection elements 250 with turns 248 in the first two screw elements in the transport direction 142 extend to their center, in the transverse direction 146. This can be seen in particular in the second screw element 148 in Figure 12.

[0178] The further screw elements 148 each comprise a region 252 on the outer circumference that is free of turns 248 of the projection elements 250. This is the case here with the third to seventh screw elements (Figure 12). With respect to the transverse direction 146, projection elements 250 with turns 248 are arranged laterally on both sides next to this region 252. Furthermore, it can be seen from Figure 12 that the further downstream in the transport direction 142 the screw element 148 is arranged, the wider the region 252 in the transverse direction 146. Accordingly, the region 252 widens from the third to the fourth, from the fourth to the fifth, from the fifth to the sixth, and from the sixth to the seventh screw element 148.

[0179] In particular, those screw elements 148 which have the region 252 free of turns 248 between the projection elements 250 have at least one disc-shaped separating projection 254 on the outer circumference. This is aligned in a plane perpendicular to the axis 150.

[0180] Starting from the roller elements 234, the stems 110 reach the screw elements 148. Due to the projection elements 250 with windings 248 of opposite orientations, the flow of stems 110 is fanned out to both sides, to the left and to the right. In contrast, the height of the flow of plant material 108 in the center decreases.

[0181] Starting with the third sorting device 132, the respective area 252 is present, which widens further in the transport direction 152 with the subsequent screw elements 148. In this area 252, the stems 110 are no longer deflected laterally but remain in their position. The separating projections 254 ensure that the stems 110 are not caught by the projection elements 250. With each additional screw element 148, the area of ​​stems 110 that lie flat, are aligned along the transport direction 130, and are no longer transported laterally widens in the transverse direction 146.

[0182] In a plan view, the regions 252 define a substantially V-shaped contour extending from the third to the seventh screw element 148 with a vertex at the second screw element 148. This contour is shown schematically in Figure 12 with a dashed line 256.

[0183] In the drawing, the fifth screw element 148 is shown in a raised position compared to the other screw elements. This merely serves to illustrate the possibility of setting different heights and thus contact pressures using the adjustment unit 244.

[0184] At the output side of the sorting device 132, a distribution in the transverse direction 146 and a height or layer thickness of the plant material 108 are checked by means of the sensor device 136. In the device 226, the sensor device 136 is optically designed. In the present example, it comprises a laser scanner 258. The laser scanner is arranged on a housing 260 that extends in the transverse direction 146 above the belt 144. The housing 260 serves to largely prevent the entry of dirt particles in order not to affect the quality of the sensor device 136.

[0185] Depending on signals from the sensor device 136, the control device 174 can preferably control and / or regulate the entire device 226 or 100. In this case, it is preferably possible to influence all actuators, drives, drive devices, adjustment units, or the like in order to achieve the best possible working result.

[0186] List of reference symbols

[0187] Device vehicle ground surface chassis plant material stem three-dimensional structure stalk wall lumen flat state flank bale

[0188] Receiving unit Conveyor unit T ransport device Sorting device Compression device Sensor device Forming device Cutting tool Roller element , 144 Band

[0189] Transport direction Transverse direction Screw element , 164, 170, 178 Axle , 172 Spring element , 158, 168 Roller element

[0190] Abutment element, 200 drive device

[0191] Piston-cylinder unit Drive unit Probe element Intermediate space Overlap Control device Wrapping device Round baler, 186 Wrapping unit, 188 Wrapping chamber Partial bale Binding device Pressing device Pressing chamber Pressing element System Harvesting device Pick-up device Recycling plant-218 Process steps Surface profiling Grooves

[0192] Elevations Device Conveyor roller Drive unit Drive unit Roller element Spring element Conveyor roller Frame Drive unit Adjustment unit Support element Windings Projection element Area Separation projection Dashed line Laser scanner Housing

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Device (100) for providing bales (124) from a loose, long-stemmed plant material (108) with a three-dimensional structure (112), comprising a transport device (130) for feeding plant material (108) in a transport direction (142), a compression device (134) to which stems (110) of loose plant material (108) with a three-dimensional structure (112) can be fed and with which the stems (110) can be pressed into a flat state (120), and a forming device (138), which is arranged downstream of the compression device (134) in the transport direction (142), for forming the flattened stems (110) of the plant material (108) into a bale (124) of a predetermined shape and / or size.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device (130) comprises at least one belt (144) for transporting the plant material (108) with a three-dimensional structure (112) and for transporting the flattened stems (110).

3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compression device (134) comprises at least one roller element (154) which is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (164) which is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction (142), at least one abutment element (156) against which the stems (110) can be pressed, and at least one drive device (160) for applying a compression force directed in the direction of the abutment element (156) to the at least one roller element (154).

4. Device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one abutment element (156) is or comprises a roller element (158).

5. Device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one drive device (156) is designed hydraulically.

6. Device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the compression device (134) comprises two or more roller elements (154, 158) which are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction (142).

7. Device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the roller elements (154, 158) arranged one behind the other are positioned directly one behind the other or that the roller elements (154, 158) arranged one behind the other are positioned with a lateral offset relative to one another, in a transverse direction (146) transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction (142).

8. Device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the roller elements (154, 158) positioned one behind the other with an offset to one another have an overlap (169).

9. Device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the compression device (134) comprises two or more roller elements (154, 158) which are arranged laterally next to one another in a transverse direction (146) transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction (142).

10. Device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the roller elements (154, 158) arranged laterally next to one another are positioned directly laterally next to one another or that an intermediate space (167) is arranged between the roller elements (154, 158).

11. Device (100) according to claim 10, when dependent on claim 7 or 8, characterized in that roller elements (154, 158) arranged one behind the other with respect to the transport direction are positioned with a lateral offset and the intermediate space (167) is arranged between roller elements (154, 158) positioned laterally next to one another, so that the roller elements (154, 158) are arranged staggered relative to one another.

12. Device (100) according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that a respective roller element (154, 158) is assigned an abutment element (156).

13. Device (100) according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that a drive device (160) is assigned to a respective roller element (154, 158), wherein the drive devices (160) are preferably operable independently of one another.

14. Device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the compression device (134) has a drive unit for rotation about the axis of rotation (164) associated with a respective roller element (154, 158) and / or a respective abutment element (156).

15. Device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the at least one roller element (154, 158) comprises a surface profiling (220).

16. Device (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that the surface profiling (220) comprises or forms grooves (222) and elevations (224) arranged therebetween, which preferably run parallel to the axis of rotation (164) and / or extend along the entire extent of the roller element (154, 158).

17. Device (100) claim 16, characterized in that the grooves (222) are V-shaped in cross section and / or that the elevations (224) are trapezoidal in cross section.

18. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stems (110) of the pressed plant material (108) are lying flat and / or oriented in the transport direction (142).

19. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one sorting device (132) which is positioned upstream of the compression device (134) in the transport direction (142), wherein at least one of the following can be carried out with the sorting device (132): Fanning out an inflow of the long-stemmed plant material (108) of three-dimensional structure (112) from a feed width of a conveyor unit (128) to a working width which is greater than the feed width transversely to the transport direction (142); Aligning the long-stemmed plant material (108) of three-dimensional structure (112) with an orientation of the stems (110) in the transport direction (142) or substantially in the transport direction (142).

20. Device (100) according to claim 19, characterized in that the at least one sorting device (132) comprises at least one screw element (148) which is oriented in a transverse direction (146) transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction (142).

21. Device (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that the at least one screw element (148) is cylindrical, wherein turns (248) of a helical projection element (250) are arranged on a central support element (246).

22. Device (100) according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the sorting device (132) comprises at least one drive unit (242) for rotatingly driving the at least one screw element (148) and / or at least one adjusting unit (244) for applying a force to the at least one screw element (148) in the direction of the plant material (108) and / or for adjusting a height of the at least one screw element (148).

23. Device (100) according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the sorting device (132) comprises two or more screw elements (148) which are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction (142).

24. Device (100) according to claim 23 in conjunction with claim 21, characterized in that with two or more screw elements (148) the respective drive unit (242) and / or the respective adjustment unit (244) can be controlled or actuated independently of the drive unit (242) and / or the adjustment unit (244) of a further screw element (148).

25. Device (100) according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the turns (248) of the projection element (250) of screw elements (148) arranged one behind the other in the transport direction (142) are designed differently, wherein in particular at least one of the following applies: at least one screw element (142) has a region (252) which is free of turns (248) of projection elements (250), wherein, with respect to the transverse direction (146), turns (248) of projection elements (250) are arranged on both sides laterally next to this region (252); at least one screw element (148) has a disk-shaped separating projection (254) in a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis (150) of the screw element (148).

26. Device (100) according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that two or more screw elements (148) are provided, each having a region (252) which is free of turns (248) of projection elements (250), wherein the respective region (252) is wider with respect to the transverse direction (146), the further downstream in the transport direction (142) the screw element (148) is arranged.

27. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (100) comprises a sensor device (136) for providing a sensor signal, on the basis of which a quantity of the plant material (108) supplied to the shaping device (138) can be determined, wherein the device (100) is controllable and / or regulatable depending on the signal, wherein preferably at least one of the transport device (130), the sorting device (132), the compression device (134) and the shaping device (138) is controllable and / or regulatable.

28. Device (100) according to claim 27, characterized in that the sensor device (136) is arranged, with respect to the transport direction (142), between the compression device (134) and the forming device (138), or between the sorting device (132) and the compression device (134).

29. Device (100) according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the sensor device (136) comprises a sensing element (166), which preferably comprises or forms a roller element (168) which is designed to assume a distance from the transport device (130) depending on a height of the flow of flattened stems (110) of the plant material (108), which distance is indicative of the quantity of the plant material (108).

30. Device (100) according to one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the sensor device (136) is optically designed and comprises a laser scanner (258) and / or a camera, based on the signals or recordings of which a height of the plant material (108) and / or a distribution in a Transverse direction (146) can be determined transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction (142).

31. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forming device (138) is a winding device (176) with which the flattened stems (110) of the plant material (108) can be wound into round bales (124).

32. Device (100) according to claim 31, characterized in that the wrapping device comprises a first wrapping unit (182) with a first wrapping chamber (184) and a second wrapping unit (186) arranged downstream of the first wrapping unit (182) in the transport direction (142) and having a second wrapping chamber (188), wherein a partial bale (190) can be wrapped by means of the first wrapping unit (182) and the partial bale (190), preferably after reaching a predeterminable size and / or mass, can be transferred to the second wrapping unit (186) for wrapping the bale (124).

33. Device (100) according to claim 32, characterized in that the first winding chamber (184) is designed as a buffer chamber, via which the supply of the flattened stems (110) of the plant material (108) into the second winding chamber (188) can be controlled and / or regulated.

34. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the forming device (138) is a pressing device (194) which comprises or forms a pressing chamber (196) and a pressing member, wherein the flattened stalks (110) of the plant material (108) can be introduced into the pressing chamber (196) and pressed into a bale (124) by means of the pressing member.

35. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (100) comprises a binding device (192) for binding the bale (124), which is preferably arranged on the forming device (138) or is included for tying the bale (124) in the forming device (138) before the bale (124) is discharged from the forming device (138).

36. Device (100) according to claim 35 in conjunction with claim 32 or 33, characterized in that the bale (124) is bound in the second winding chamber (188) and meanwhile flattened stems (110) of the plant material (108) can be fed to the first winding chamber (184) for wrapping a subsequent partial bale (190) by means of the first wrapping unit (182).

37. A method for providing bales (124) from a loose long-stemmed plant material (108) of three-dimensional structure (112), comprising Providing loose long-stemmed plant material (108) of three-dimensional structure (112); Pressing stems (110) of the plant material (108) to a flat state (120); and Forming the flattened stems (110) into a bale (124) of a predetermined shape and / or size.

38. System (202) for recycling bales (124), comprising a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 36; at least one receiving device (206) for receiving two or more bales (124); a recycling plant (208) to which the at least one Receiving device (206) is transportable for the purpose of recycling.

39. A method for recycling bales (124), comprising: the steps (210-218) of the method according to 37; Receiving the bales (124) in a receiving device (206) and transporting the bales (124) to a recycling plant (208); energetic utilization of the long-stemmed plant material (108) pressed into bales (124) in the recycling plant (208).

40. A bale (124) made from pressed and shaped plant material (108) provided by the method of claim 37.

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