Baler and method for continuously baling plant stems in parallel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a baler, comprising a baling chamber for rolling up plant stems into a bale, a pickup unit for picking up the plant stems and feeding the plant stems to the baling chamber, a first group of at least one twine guide and a second group of at least one twine guide for feeding binding twine to the baling chamber and co-rolling it with the plant stems in the baling chamber, a tying station, wherein the tying station includes rotation means for rotating the bale for tying off the bale with the binding twine, and displacement means for moving binding twine from a first path to a second path, wherein in an operative condition the binding twine is guided in the first path into the baling chamber and in the second path outside the baling chamber to the tying station. The invention also relates to a method and a use.

Description

[0001] BALER AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY BALING PLANT STEMS IN PARALLEL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a baler for substantially parallel rolling of plant stems. In a second aspect, the invention also relates to a method for the substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems. In a third aspect, the invention also relates to a use for rolling bast fiber plants into cylindrical bales.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Balers for the substantial parallel rolling of plant stems have been known for many years. These balers are mainly used for bast fiber plants. These plants, such as flax and hemp, but also jute, manila hemp, sisal, ramie, nettle, raffia or ficus, are used, for example, in textile or insulation applications. To free the fibers, the mown plant stems are retted and / or dried in a field. Especially for textile applications, it is important that long fibers are obtained and that these fibers are substantially oriented in the same direction. That's why the mown plant stems lie in swaths on the field, wherein the plant stems are oriented substantially transverse to the swath direction and thus substantially parallel to each other.

[0006] After retting and / or drying, a baler is driven over the swaths in the swath direction. With a pickup unit of the baler, the plant stems are picked up, wherein the parallel orientation is maintained, and rolled into a cylindrical bale in a baling chamber. To be able to unroll the bale again for processing, without disturbing the mutual substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems, one or more binding twines are rolled up together with the plant stems. After the bale is complete, this binding twine is wrapped around the cylindrical bale a few more times to prevent the bale from falling apart. This is called the tying off the bale.

[0007] This is also the main disadvantage of known balers. While tying off the bale it is not possible to pick up and roll further plant stems. The machine comes to a standstill until the bale is tied off, after which the bale is ejected. Only after this can picking up and rolling of plant stems be restarted. Although only a few wraps of the bale are necessary, this can account for 10% to 30% of the total time for forming one cylindrical bale, during which the machine is stationary and work cannot continue. So there is a lot of time savings possible.

[0008] EP1464216, US20080264031, US20010013214, US4510861, US4580398 and US4625502 all describe balers for rolling cylindrical bales, but fail to begin a second bale already during the tying off of a first bale, wherein twines are already co-rolled from the beginning of the bale's formation. Furthermore, the described balers are not capable of carrying along the same binding twine and running it from the baling chamber to the tying station. This results in a lot of wasted time, which affects efficiency.

[0009] The present invention aims to at least find a solution to some of the above-mentioned problems or disadvantages.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a baler according to claim 1.

[0012] This baler is advantageous because during the tying off of a complete cylindrical bale, the substantially parallel rolling of plant stems into a new cylindrical bale can already be started. There is only a very short period during the movement of the complete cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to the tying station when it is not possible to roll up plant stems. Nevertheless, a very large time saving in rolling up plant stems is already possible.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the baler are shown in claims 2 to 9.

[0014] A specific preferred embodiment concerns a baler according to claim 2.

[0015] This preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous because the baler now makes it possible to already roll up plant stems substantially parallel while moving the complete cylindrical bale from the main baling chamber to the tying station. The plant stems can already be rolled into a core of the new cylindrical bale in the pre- baling chamber. It is no longer necessary to stop the baler during or just before tying off the complete cylindrical bale. The baler can be driven continuously.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention concerns a method according to claim 10. This method has the advantage, among other things, that the substantially parallel rolling of plant stems can proceed with much less time loss. Rolling needs to be interrupted at most during the transfer of a complete cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to the tying station.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the method are described in dependent claims 11-14.

[0018] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a use according to claim 15.

[0019] This use results in an accelerated substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems of bast fiber plants into a cylindrical bale, as it is only necessary to stop the rolling up of plant stems at most during the transfer of a complete cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to the tying station. A particular advantage is that, by co-rolling a binding twine, the cylindrical bale can later be unrolled without disturbing the substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems. This is very advantageous for bast fiber plants such as flax, hemp, jute, manila hemp, sisal, ramie, nettle, raffia, or ficus, especially when used for textile applications.

[0020] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1A and Figure IB show a cross-sectional view and a top view, respectively, of a baler according to the prior art.

[0022] Figure 1C shows a cross-sectional view of a baler, wherein the binding twine is rolled up together from the initial start of the bale, according to the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a baler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figures 3A-3E show different steps of a method for the substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained explicitly.

[0027] In this document, "a" and "the" refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context presupposes otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more segments.

[0028] The terms "comprise," "comprising," "consist of," "consisting of," "provided with," "include," "including," "contain," "containing," are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, as known from or disclosed in the prior art.

[0029] Quoting numeric intervals by the endpoints includes all integers, fractions, and / or real numbers between the endpoints, including those endpoints.

[0030] In the context of this document, a bast fiber plant refers to a plant species whose fibers in the bast or bark are used for various industrial applications. These plants have fiber-rich outer layers in their stems that, after processing, can be used for the production of materials such as textiles, paper, rope, and composite materials. Examples of bast fiber plants are flax, hemp, jute, manila hemp, sisal, ramie, nettle, raffia, kenaf, or ficus.

[0031] In the context of this document, the term "substantially parallel" refers to a situation in which plant stems display a considerable degree of similar orientation with one another, where they extend in a similar direction.

[0032] In the context of this document, a swath is a row of mown plant stems that are laid down in a layer on a field. In this context, the mown plant stems in a swath are substantially parallel.

[0033] In a first aspect, the invention concerns a baler for the substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems.

[0034] The baler is a trailed baler or a self-propelled baler. The baler is movable according to a driving direction. The baler comprises a baling chamber for rolling the plant stems into a cylindrical bale using rollers, belts, bands, or a combination thereof. The belts or bands form one or more loops around several guide rollers. The guide rollers comprise a shaft. The shaft is perpendicular to the direction of travel. The guide rollers are rotatable around the shaft. Preferably at least one guide roller is a drive roller. The drive roller is drivable by a motor. The motor is an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor, a combustion engine, or another suitable motor. The drive roller is suitable for moving the belts or bands in a loop around the multiple guide rollers. Preferably, each loop includes a belt tensioner for keeping the loop under tension. The rollers, belts, bands, or the combination thereof at least partially form the baling chamber. This means that the rollers, belts, bands, or the combination thereof, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the baling chamber and parallel to the direction of travel, form at least part of a circumference of the baling chamber. Preferably, the rollers, belts, bands or the combination thereof form at least 50% of the circumference of the baling chamber, more preferably at least 60%, still more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80%, and most preferably at least 90%. The mentioned rollers can be guide rollers, but they can also be standalone rollers that form part of the circumference of the baling chamber. The baling chamber may optionally include stationary plates or other stationary guide elements that also form part of the circumference of the baling chamber. The baling chamber includes an infeed opening through which plant stems are fed into the baling chamber. The plant stems originate from a swath in a field. The rollers, belts, bands, or the combination thereof are suited for conveying the plant stems from the infeed opening along the circumference of the baling chamber, thereby placing previously collected plant stems onto newly fed plant stems and spirally rolling the plant stems into a cylindrical bale. The substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems in the swath is hardly or not disturbed by the rolling up.

[0035] The baler comprises a pickup unit for picking up the plant stems from a field and feeding the plant stems to the baling chamber. The plant stems lie substantially parallel in a swath on the field. The pickup unit preferably includes a belt with tines placed in a loop around two rollers. The belt is preferably drivable by at least one of the rollers. The band extends in the direction of travel. The belt extends to near the infeed opening of the baling chamber. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the pickup unit can comprise multiple consecutive belts. The pickup unit preferably comprises one or more wheels at an end of the belt near the feed opening. The one or more wheels are preferably mounted on the same shaft as the roller near the infeed opening. The one or more wheels have a diameter greater than a diameter of the roller, increased by twice a height of the tines. The height of the tines is measured in a direction perpendicular to the belt. The one or more wheels are suitable for removing the plant stems from the belt, after which the plant stems enter the baling chamber through the infeed opening. The belt with tines is advantageous because it will not or hardly disturb a substantial parallel orientation of the plant stems in a swath when picking up. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that a belt or chain can be used as an alternative to a band. In that case, it is preferable to place several belts or chains side by side. Preferably, the belt or chain also includes tines.

[0036] The baler comprises a first group of at least one twine guide for supplying binding twine to the baling chamber and for co-rolling it with the plant stems in the baling chamber. Preferably, the first group comprises two twine guides.

[0037] The at least one twine guide includes, for example, one or more eyes. In operation, the binding twine is positioned from a ball of binding twine through one or more eyes to a point near the end of the pickup unit near the infeed opening of the baling chamber.

[0038] The at least one twine guide comprises, for example, a twine tube. The twine tube is a hollow tube with a first end and a second end. In operation, binding twine is fed from a ball of binding twine via the first end. The second end of the at least one twine tube is positioned near the end of the pickup unit near the infeed opening of the baling chamber. In operation, the binding twine is carried along by the plant stems into the baling chamber and pulled by the plant stems at the second end from the at least one twine tube.

[0039] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that besides eyes and twine tubes other means are suitable as twine guide and that these may or may not be combined.

[0040] As the binding twine is carried along by the plant stems in the baling chamber, the binding twine will also be rolled up spirally into the cylindrical bale. This allows the cylindrical bale to subsequently be unwound into a long layer of substantially parallel plant stems, which is particularly advantageous for processing the plant stems for, for example, textile applications.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the baler comprises a tying station. The tying station is preferably located behind the baling chamber as seen from the pickup unit to the baling chamber. The tying station is separated from the baling chamber. Preferably, the baling chamber includes a door for separating the tying station and the baling chamber. By opening the door, the bale can be moved from the baling chamber to the tying station. The door also closes off the baling chamber. The door is hinged, sliding, or openable and closable in another suitable manner. The door is preferably formed by rollers, belts, bands or a combination thereof of the baling chamber. The tying station comprises rotation means for rotating the bale for tying off the bale with the binding twine. The rotation means are, for example, rotatable rollers, rotatable wheels, or at least one belt or band placed in a loop around rollers or wheels. A combination of the foregoing rotation means is also possible. At least one of the rotation means is drivable by a motor. The motor is an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor, a combustion engine, or another suitable motor. By rotating the bale at the tying station, since the binding twine is rolled up with the bale, because the tying station is separated from the baling chamber, preventing new plant stems from being fed to the bale at the tying station, and because the binding twine has not yet been cut, in an operational state, the binding twine will still be pulled from at least one twine guide and wrapped around the bale, thereby tying off the bale.

[0042] The baler includes a second group of at least one twine guide. The second group preferably includes two twine guides. The second group of at least one twine guide is operable independently of the first group of at least one twine guide. The second group of at least one twine guide is similar to the first group of at least one twine guide and has the same function. The properties of the first group of at least one twine guide apply mutatis mutandis to the second group.

[0043] The baler includes displacement means for moving binding twine from a first path to a second path and back. 'Path' refers to a route followed by the binding twine. In an operational state, the binding twine is guided along the first path into the baling chamber. In an operational state, the binding twine is guided in the second path outside the baling chamber to the tying station. This applies to both the first group and the second group of at least one twine guide.

[0044] The displacement means are, for example, a movable wheel, a movable roller, a movable finger, or another suitable means by which the binding twine is pushed or pulled along an upper side or along a lower side out of the baling chamber. This guides or directs the binding twine around the baling chamber. An embodiment is advantageous wherein at least part of the baling chamber is formed by belts or bands or a combination thereof. Seen in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel, there are usually multiple belts or bands placed parallel to each other. There is a space between these belts or bands. The gap extends in the direction of travel. The gap is suitable for pushing or pulling the binding twine through, so that the binding twine can be moved outside the baling chamber. This is particularly advantageous because the binding twine, which is still being pulled from a twine guide near the infeed opening of the baling chamber, does not yet have to be cut when moving the bale to the tying position to clear the baling chamber for forming the next bale, but can simply continue to be used to tie off the bale at the tying position. The binding twine will at that moment be guided above or below the baling chamber.

[0045] The second group of at least one twine guide is advantageous because, while the binding twine from the at least one twine guide of the first group is used to tie off the bale at the tying station, the binding twine from the second group can be fed to the baling chamber with the plant stems to be rolled up with the plant stems in the baling chamber. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that alternately the binding twine from the at least one twine guide of the first group and the binding twine from the at least one twine guide of the second group will be co-rolled with each new bale in the baling chamber. The same applies to tying off.

[0046] This baler is advantageous because during the tying off of a complete cylindrical bale, the substantially parallel rolling of plant stems into a new cylindrical bale can already be started. There is only a very short time during the movement of the complete cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to the tying station when it is not possible to roll up plant stems. Nevertheless, a very large time saving in rolling up plant stems is already possible.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the baler comprises a first and a second group, each with at least one twine guide (in other words, a first group with at least one twine guide, and a second group with at least one twine guide, in which the twine guides of the first and second groups are different from each other). Each group includes at least one twine guide for feeding a binding twine, available in the relevant group. Preferably, each group includes two twine guides. Each group of at least one twine guide preferably comprises a separate binding twine. Each of the groups contains its own supply of binding twine, independent of and operable separately from other groups. The first and second groups of at least one twine guide function in a similar way, but independently, to feed a binding twine to the baling chamber and tying station and for co-rolling it with the plant stems in the baling chamber, respectively. The separate binding twines, available in each group, function, just like the at least one twine guide of each group, in a similar manner, but independently of each other.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the binding twine is not cut off after completing the bale in the baling chamber. During the transfer of the complete bale from the baling chamber to the tying station, the route of the continuous binding twine changes from a first path to a second path. 'Path' refers to a route followed by the binding twine. By altering the route of the continuous binding twine, the same binding twine is guided from the baling chamber to the tying station, while bypassing the baling station. As a result, the route of the first path leads into the baling chamber. The route of the second path leads into the tying station. Each of the groups of at least one twine guide comprises a first path and a second path. By changing the route of the same binding twine while moving the bale to the tying station, the same binding twine can be used for rolling up and tying off a bale.

[0049] The combination of using a continuous binding twine for both rolling and tying off a single bale, and the presence of two independent twine guide groups each with their own binding twine and route selection, delivers a significant efficiency improvement. The crucial advantage is the drastic reduction of the cycle time. As soon as a bale leaves the baling chamber and is transported to the tying station, a new bale can immediately begin to be formed in the baling chamber. Tying off the completed bale and rolling up the new bale can thereby take place fully in parallel and simultaneously. The only non-productive time in the baling chamber is then limited to the relatively short duration of the physical movement of the bale. This is in stark contrast to conventional systems where the baling chamber only becomes available again after the previous bale is fully tied off and ejected, resulting in a substantial increase in the overall productivity of the baler.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the baling chamber is divided into a pre-baling chamber and a main baling chamber. The pre-baling chamber is located in front of the main baling chamber when viewed from the pickup unit towards the baling chamber. The pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber include rollers, belts, bands, or a combination thereof for rolling the plant stems. The rollers, belts, bands, or the combination thereof are as described earlier. The rollers, belts, bands or the combination thereof of the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber can be completely separate, partially shared or completely shared. Preferably, the belts and / or bands for rolling up the plant stems for the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber are shared. This is advantageous because it allows for a simpler construction of the baler. For example, a belt tensioner and guide rollers can be shared between the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber.

[0051] There is a movable partition between the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber. The movable partition is, for example, a plate, a grid, a surface formed by belts or bands, or another suitable design. The baler includes an actuator for moving the movable partition. The actuator is, for example, a linear motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a cam or rod linkage, etc. The movable partition is suitable for closing a passage from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber. With a closed passage, plant stems cannot move from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber. In an operational state of the pre-baling chamber, when the passage is closed, the plant stems in the pre-baling chamber are retained and rolled into a core of a subsequent cylindrical bale.

[0052] The baler includes a displacement means for moving the core of a next bale from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber. The displacement means is, for example, a hinged arm. By rotating around a hinge point, the hinged arm presses against the core, which is thereby moved to the main baling chamber. The hinged arm may or may not include a roller at an end of the hinged arm that presses against the core. It is clear that other displacement means are also suitable for relocating the core. If necessary, the core is moved from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber under the influence of gravity.

[0053] This preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous because the baler now makes it possible to already roll up plant stems substantially parallel while moving the complete cylindrical bale from the main baling chamber to the tying station. The plant stems can already be rolled into a core of the new cylindrical bale in the pre- baling chamber. It is no longer necessary to stop the baler during or just before tying off the complete cylindrical bale. The baler can be driven continuously. This results in time savings of up to as much as 30%.

[0054] According to a further embodiment, rollers, belts, bands, or combinations thereof of the pre-baling chamber and / or the main baling chamber form the movable partition. This is advantageous because then a larger portion of the circumference of the pre- baling chamber and / or the main baling chamber is formed by rollers, belts, bands, or a combination thereof, which is advantageous for rolling the plant stems. This is additionally advantageous for a simplified construction of the baler. Already present elements are used twice to form the movable partition.

[0055] According to a further embodiment, the movable partition comprises a separation roller. Belts or bands that form the movable partition turn around the separation roller. The separation roller is thus one of the previously discussed guide rollers around which the belts or bands form a loop. The separation roller is movable. The separation roller is preferably linearly or arcuately movable. The baler includes an actuator for moving the separation roller. The actuator is, for example, a linear motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a cam or rod linkage, etc.

[0056] This embodiment is advantageous because by only moving the separation roller, it is possible to move the movable partition, while it is not necessary to provide space in the extension of the movable partition where the movable partition can be moved to. By moving the separation roller, the movable partition will have a different length. The difference in length can be compensated by the belt tensioner at any suitable place in the baler.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the movable partition is movable between three stable positions. 'Stable position' means that the movable partition can remain in this position. In a first position, the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber are separated from each other. In a second position, there is a completely free passage from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber. In an intermediate third position, the passage from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber is partially open. When the passage is partially opened, the supply of plant stems through the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber is possible, allowing the plant stems to be rolled into a complete bale in the main baling chamber, while the partial opening does not allow the bale being rolled in the main baling chamber to return to the pre-baling chamber. This is advantageous because this allows the displacement means to return to an original position after moving the core to the main baling chamber. As a result, the displacement means do not hinder the most complete possible closure with rollers, belts, bands, or a combination thereof, of the circumference of the main baling chamber, resulting in better rolling of plant stems into a bale. According to a preferred embodiment, the tying station comprises a support platform for carrying and rotating the bale. The support platform includes rollers. Preferably, belts or bands are placed in a loop around the rollers. The rollers extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the baler. The support platform is advantageous for good support of the bale. Belts or bands are additionally advantageous because they can fit nicely to the bottom of the bale and have a good contact surface with the bale. This is advantageous for being able to rotate the bale. This is certainly advantageous compared to a tying station that only includes rollers as a rotation means, where the rollers must also carry the bale at the same time. There is then only a limited contact surface between the bale and the rollers, which may possibly cause slippage during rotation. An additional advantage of the support platform over, for example, support by rollers alone is that the weight of the bale is carried by the entire support platform, instead of just at a few points. This reduces the chance that the bale will be damaged when moving the bale from the baling chamber to the tying station due to excessive local pressure on the bale.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the baling chamber comprises a combined bottom and rear wall that can be folded open upwards. The upward-opening bottom and rear wall forms the previously discussed door of the baling chamber. Under the combined bottom and rear wall is a guide surface for directing a bale to the tying station. The guide surface can be a solid surface, formed by plates for example. The guide surface may be a partially open surface, formed by, for example, plates, grids, rails, other suitable elements, or a combination of the foregoing. The guide surface is preferably positioned at a downward angle in a direction towards the tying station. This embodiment is advantageous for moving a complete bale under the influence of gravity from the baling chamber to the tying station. By opening the combined bottom and rear wall, the entire bale falls down and can roll backward to the tying station via the guide surface. Optionally, the guide surface includes drive elements for transporting the complete bale to the tying station. Non-limiting examples include powered conveyor belts or conveyor rollers.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the baler comprises a holding frame for enclosing an upper part of a bale on the tying station. The holding frame includes one or more parallel rollers. The one or more rollers are pressed by the holding frame against the upper part of the bale and keep the bale at the tying station. Preferably, the holding frame comprises at least two rollers, wherein the at least two rollers are positioned on either side of a highest point of the bale. More preferably, the holding frame includes at least three rollers. Preferably, holding belts or holding bands are placed in a loop around at least two rollers. It is clear that if the holding frame comprises at least three rollers, the holding belts or holding bands are placed in a loop around the at least three rollers. The holding belts or holding bands preferably form a circular arc. In other words, with a baler in operation, the holding belts or holding bands close against a complete bale being tied off at the tying station. This is advantageous to avoid an outer layer of the complete bale during the tying off from coming loose or sliding off the complete bale. It is clear that the holding frame can enclose not only an upper part of the bale at the tying station, but for example also a front part and / or a rear part. It will also be apparent that the baler can include multiple holding frames, where each holding frame is suitable for enclosing a part of the bale at the tying station.

[0060] This embodiment is advantageous to prevent the bale from rolling off the tying station during the tying off. At that moment, the baler is namely driving across the field, which could cause the baler to bounce and the bale to fall from the tying station. An additional advantage is that by checking the bale at the tying station over a larger contact surface, a higher quality and a better appearance of the bale are obtained.

[0061] According to an embodiment, rollers of a holding frame, holding belts, holding bands, or a combination thereof form a tying chamber. It is clear that the tying chamber is the tying station. The rollers of the holding frame, the holding belts, the holding bands or the combination thereof at least partially form the tying chamber. This means that the rollers of the holding frame, holding belts, holding bands, or the combination thereof, seen in a plane perpendicular to the tying chamber and parallel to the direction of travel, form at least part of a circumference of the tying chamber. Preferably, the rollers of the holding frame, holding belts, holding bands, or the combination thereof form at least 50% of the circumference of the tying chamber, more preferably at least 60%, even more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80% and most preferably at least 90%. The mentioned rollers can be guide rollers, but they can also be standalone rollers that form part of the circumference of the tying chamber. The tying chamber may optionally include stationary plates or other stationary guide elements that also form part of the circumference of the tying chamber. A tying chamber is advantageous for maximally avoiding that an outer layer of the complete bale during the tying off comes loose or slides off the complete bale. It is clear that, as previously described, the baler can comprise multiple holding frames, which together form the tying chamber. According to a further embodiment, the baler comprises a second movable partition. The second movable partition is placed between the baling chamber and the tying chamber. The second movable partition is, for example, a plate, a grid, a surface formed by belts or bands, or another suitable design. The second movable partition is preferably a previously described door of the baling chamber, more preferably a sliding door of the baling chamber. The baler includes an actuator for moving the second movable partition. The actuator is, for example, a linear motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a cam or rod linkage, etc. The second movable partition is suitable for closing a passage from the baling chamber to the tying chamber. With a closed passage, a bale that is being formed cannot move from the baling chamber to the tying chamber. With an open passage, a complete bale can be moved from the baling chamber to the tying chamber.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the holding frame is movable to and from the tying station. For example, either the holding frame is adjustable in height or the holding frame is foldable. By moving up or folding up the holding frame there is a free passage for a bale from the baling chamber to the tying station. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a previously described baling chamber with a foldable door. By moving up or folding up the holding frame, there is also room for folding up the door of the baling chamber. It is clear that this embodiment is also suitable for a sliding door of the baling chamber.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the holding frame comprises at least three rollers. Seen in a direction parallel to the three rollers, the three rollers form the vertices of a triangle. This is thus seen in a direction parallel to the axes of the three rollers. The triangle is not necessarily a real triangle. Optionally, the holding frame includes an additional roller within the mentioned triangle. This roller is located near a side of the triangle which, in an operational state, is closest to the bale at the tying station. The roller within the triangle is positioned such that the holding belts or holding bands on this side of the triangle can connect to the bale. In other words, the holding belts or holding bands here form a circular arc.

[0064] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for substantially rolling up plant stems.

[0065] The method comprises the steps of: picking up substantially parallel plant stems with a pickup unit of a baler, conveying the plant stems to a baling chamber of the baler, parallel rolling of the plant stems into a cylindrical bale in the baling chamber,

[0066] - tying off the cylindrical bale with binding twine from a first group of at least one twine guide.

[0067] The baler is driven across a field. Alternatively, the baler is a self-propelled baler. The baler is driven over a swath of plant stems in a direction of travel. The plant stems lie substantially parallel in the swath. The plant stems lie substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The substantial parallel orientation of the plant stems is not or as little as possible disturbed during picking up.

[0068] The plant stems are fed to an infeed opening of the baling chamber. During feeding, binding twine from a first group of at least one twine guide is carried along by the plant stems into the baling chamber. The substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems is maintained during feeding.

[0069] During the rolling up of the plant stems, the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide is rolled up along with them. The binding twine is therefore spirally rolled up in the cylindrical bale. This is advantageous for afterwards unrolling the cylindrical bale again into a continuous layer of substantially parallel plant stems.

[0070] Tying off the cylindrical bale is advantageous to prevent the cylindrical bale from unrolling after being unloaded from the baler and to allow the cylindrical bale to be transported.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the additional steps of:

[0072] - transferring the cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to a tying station of the baler for tying off using the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide, during the tying off of the cylindrical bale at the tying station, feeding the plant stems to the baling chamber, and the parallel rolling of the plant stems into a cylindrical bale in the baling chamber.

[0073] When moving the cylindrical bale to the tying station, the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide is led outside the baling chamber into the tying station. This frees up the baling chamber for rolling plant stems into a new cylindrical bale, while at the same time the complete cylindrical bale can be tied off with the twine from the first group of at least one twine guide by wrapping the binding twine around the bale. The bale is rotated around its axis at the tying station for this purpose.

[0074] During the tying off of the cylindrical bale at the tying station, binding twine is carried along by the plant stems into the baling chamber from a second group of at least one twine guide. The substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems is once again maintained during feeding. The binding twine from the second group of at least one twine guide is wound up along with it. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that alternately the binding twine from the at least one twine guide of the first group and the binding twine from the at least one twine guide of the second group will be co- rolled with each new bale in the baling chamber. The same applies to tying off of the bale.

[0075] This method has the advantage, among other things, that the substantially parallel rolling of plant stems can proceed with much less time loss. Rolling needs to be interrupted at most during the transfer of a complete cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to the tying station.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, the baling chamber is divided into a pre-baling chamber and a main baling chamber. Before moving the cylindrical bale to the tying station, the supply of the plant stems to the main baling chamber is interrupted. The plant stems are fed together with the binding twine from the second group of at least one twine guide further into the pre-baling chamber and are rolled up together with the binding twine from the second group of at least one twine guide into a core of a next cylindrical bale.

[0077] This embodiment is advantageous because it is now possible to substantially roll up plant stems in parallel even while moving the complete cylindrical bale from the main baling chamber to the tying station. The plant stems can already be rolled into a core of the new cylindrical bale in the pre-baling chamber. It is no longer necessary to stop the baler during or just before tying off the complete cylindrical bale. The baler can be driven continuously. This results in time savings of up to as much as 30%. According to a further embodiment, the supply of the plant stems to the main baling chamber is interrupted by placing a partition between the main baling chamber and the pre-baling chamber. This can happen, for example, with a movable partition between the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber. This embodiment is advantageous to avoid that plant stems can still be fed into the main baling chamber while moving the complete bale from the main baling chamber to the tying station. This would be detrimental to forming a core of a new bale in the pre-baling chamber, but would also be detrimental because loose plant stems would end up in the main baling chamber, which would not be rolled up and would simply be thrown back loose onto the field. This would result in loss of plant stems.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment, after moving the cylindrical bale to the tying station, the core of the next cylindrical bale is moved to the main baling chamber. The core can grow into a complete bale in the main baling chamber. This step is advantageous for clearing the pre-baling chamber to form yet another core when the complete bale is once again moved from the main baling chamber to the tying station.

[0079] According to a further embodiment, after moving the core of the next cylindrical bale to the main baling chamber, a passage between the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber is partially closed. The passage is therefore only partially open. The plant stems picked up by the pickup unit are fed through the pre-baling chamber and through the partially opened passage to the main baling chamber. This embodiment is advantageous for allowing the core to further grow into a complete bale, while simultaneously preventing the bale in the main baling chamber from rolling back into the pre-baling chamber.

[0080] One skilled in the art will appreciate that a method according to the second aspect is preferably carried out with a baler according to the first aspect and that a baler according to the first aspect is preferably configured for implementing a method according to the second aspect. Each feature described in this document, both above and below, can therefore relate to any of the three aspects of the present invention.

[0081] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a use of a baler according to the first aspect and / or a method according to the second aspect for substantially parallel rolling of bast fiber plants into cylindrical bales.

[0082] This use results in an accelerated substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems of bast fiber plants into a cylindrical bale, as it is only necessary to stop the rolling up of plant stems at most during the transfer of a complete cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to the tying station. A particular advantage is that, by co-rolling a binding twine, the cylindrical bale can later be unrolled without disturbing the substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems. This is very advantageous for bast fiber plants such as flax, hemp, jute, manila hemp, sisal, ramie, nettle, raffia, or ficus, especially when used for textile applications.

[0083] In what follows, the invention is described by way of non-limiting figures illustrating the invention, and which are not intended to and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0084] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0085] Figure 1A and Figure IB show a cross-sectional view and a top view, respectively, of a baler according to the prior art.

[0086] Figure 1C shows a cross-sectional view of a baler, wherein the binding twine is rolled up together from the initial start of the bale, according to the prior art.

[0087] The baler comprises a pickup unit for picking up and feeding plant stems to a baling chamber (2). The pickup unit comprises a feed belt (5) with tines that runs in a loop around two feed rollers (4). In Figure 1A and Figure 1C, only the feed roller (4) closest to the baling chamber (2) is shown. The feed belt (5) conveys a layer of substantially parallel plant stems (6) to the baling chamber (2). On the same shaft as the feed roller (4) closest to the baling chamber (2), a wheel with a larger diameter than the feed roller (4), increased by twice the height of the tines of the feed belt (5), is placed. This wheel is advantageous for loosening and removing the plant stems (6) from the feed belt (5). The baler includes belts (17). The belts (17) form a circumference of the baling chamber (2). The belts form a loop around rollers. In the baling chamber (2), a bale (13a) is being formed. The supplied plant stems (6) are wrapped around the bale (13a) being formed by the belts (17) and form an outer layer (14) of the bale (13a) being formed. Twine (24) is carried along through a twine tube and through an infeed opening in the baling chamber (2) between the supplied plant stems (6) and the bale (13) being formed. The binding twine (24) is thus positioned between the outer layer (14) of the bale (13a) being formed. After the bale (13a) is complete, it is necessary to wrap the binding twine (24) around the complete bale (13b) a few more times to tie off the complete bale (13b). During tying off, it is not possible to supply any more plant stems (6). The top view shows how the binding twine (24) is wrapped around the bale (13a) being formed during the rolling up of the plant stems (6) near the middle. During tying off, the twine tubes move the binding twine (24) outward, so the complete bale (13b) is tied off at edges of the complete bale (13b). Figure 1C is a clarification of Figure 1A and specifically depicts the twine when the binding twine is wrapped along from the initial start of the bale.

[0088] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a baler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The baler once again includes a pickup unit. The pickup unit is similar to the baler from Figure 1. The baler includes a main baling chamber (2) and a pre-baling chamber (1). A circumference of the main baling chamber (2) is largely formed by belts (17). The belts (17) again run in a loop around rollers. One of the rollers is a drive roller (15). The drive roller (15) is drivable by a motor and in an operational state makes the belts (17) move in a loop. Two of the aforementioned rollers are mounted on a press arm (11). The press arm (11) functions to press the belts (17) against the bale (13a) being formed, so that the supplied plant stems (6) and the bale (13a) being formed are rotated in the main baling chamber (2). The press arm (11) is rotatable around a hinge point (23) for this purpose. This allows the continually changing dimension of the bale (13a) being formed to be compensated. The baler further comprises a belt tensioner (10). The belt tensioner (10) in this embodiment is also an arm that is rotatable around the same pivot point (23). At least one of the aforementioned rollers is mounted on the belt tensioner (10). In this embodiment, two of the said rollers are mounted on the belt tensioner (10). The belt tensioner (10) functions to keep the belts (17) under tension and to compensate for differences in length of the circumference of the main baling chamber (2). A section of the belts (17) forms a door (21) through which the complete bale (13b) can exit the main baling chamber (2). The door (21) in this embodiment is a combined bottom and rear wall of the main baling chamber (2) that is hinged about a pivot point (22) to open upward. A circumference of the pre-baling chamber (1) is formed in this embodiment partially by the belts (7) and partially by belts (18). In this embodiment, the belts (18) run around an upper return roller (9), a lower return roller (7) and a third return roller (19). Within the belts (18) lies a push-out roller (16). The push- out roller (16) is movable in the direction of the main baling chamber (2). By moving the push-out roller (16) to the main baling chamber (2) the circumference of the pre- baling chamber (1) changes and the core for a next bale (13a) being formed is pushed from the pre-baling chamber (1) to the main baling chamber (2). The push-out roller (16) is thus a displacement means for moving the core of the next bale (13a) being formed to the main baling chamber (2). There is a movable partition (2) between the pre-baling chamber (3) and the main baling chamber. In this embodiment, the belts (17) also form the movable partition. The movable partition is linearly movable because a separation roller (8) is linearly movable. The precise operation of the separation roller is more clearly visible in Figures 3A-3E. By linearly moving the separation roller (8), the movable partition changes in length. This difference in length is compensated by the belt tensioner (10). The baler further comprises a tying station (3). At the tying station (3), there is a complete bale (13b). This is for illustration purposes only. In normal operation, there cannot simultaneously be a core for a bale (13a) being formed in the pre-baling chamber (1), a bale (13a) being formed in the main baling chamber (2), and a complete bale (13b) at the tying station (3). This becomes clearer in Figures 3A-3E. The tying station (3) comprises a support platform (25) for carrying and rotating a complete bale (13b). The support platform

[0090] (25) comprises support belts (27) that are placed in a loop around two support rollers

[0091] (26). The baler further comprises a holding frame (28) for enclosing an upper part of the complete bale (13b) at the tying station (3). The holding frame (28) comprises four holding rollers (30). Three holding rollers (30) form vertices of a triangle in a direction parallel to the holding rollers (30). A holding belt (29) is placed in a loop around these three holding rollers (30). A fourth holding roller (30) is placed within the triangle. The fourth holding roller (30) is positioned such that the holding belt (29) forms an arc that connects at the top of the complete bale (13b). In this embodiment, the holding frame (28) is attached to a pivotable arm, so the holding frame (28) is foldable. Below the main baling chamber (2) is a guide surface (20) for guiding a complete bale (13b) from the main baling chamber (2) to the tying station (3). Binding twines (24) are predominantly omitted in Figure 2. Only the binding twine (24) that has been moved by a displacement means outside the main baling chamber (2), in this embodiment beneath the main baling chamber (2), to be guided to the tying station (2) and to tie off the complete bale (13b) there, is shown in Figure 2. At the binding twine (24), there is also a twine spreader (31) to move the binding twine (24) during the tying off in the transverse direction, thus transverse to the direction of travel, to an outer side of the complete bale (13b), as discussed in Figure 1. In addition, the baler includes a cutting system (32) to cut the binding twine (24) after tying off the complete bale (13b) at the tying station.

[0092] Figures 3A-3E show different steps of a method for the substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems according to an embodiment of the present invention. The baler shown in Figures 3A-3E is very similar to the baler in Figure 2. An important difference is that in this embodiment the belts (17) for the pre-baling chamber (1) and the main baling chamber (2) are shared. This now makes it necessary to add a recovery turn roller (12) around which the belts (17) turn to form the pre-baling chamber (1). The recovery turn roller (12) forms a highest point of the separation between the pre-baling chamber (1) and the main baling chamber (2). Another important difference is that there is no push-out roller (16). The function of the push- out roller (16) has been taken over by the lower return roller (7). The lower return roller (7) is now mounted on a hinged arm (7a), allowing the lower return roller (7) to be moved to the main baling chamber (2) to transfer the core of the bale (13a) being formed from the pre-baling chamber (1) to the main baling chamber (2). One last important difference is that the baler does not currently include a holding frame (28).

[0093] The method will now be further explained with the aid of Figures 3A-3E.

[0094] Figure 3A shows how the plant stems (6) are fed by the pickup unit into the main baling chamber (2). The plant stems (6) are rolled up in the main baling chamber (2) with the help of the belts (17) to form a bale (13a). At the same time, a binding twine (24) is rolled up with it. The binding twine (24) is not shown in Figures 3A-3E. The binding twine (24) is supplied from a first group of at least one twine tube. The separation roller (8) of the movable partition is in an intermediate third position. In this third position, the passage from the pre-baling chamber (1) to the main baling chamber (2) is partially obstructed so that the plant stems (6) can still be fed to the main baling chamber (2), but the bale (13a) being formed cannot roll back to the pre-baling chamber (1). The lower return roller (7) of the pre-baling chamber (1) is still in the position where a core of a bale (13a) being formed was being transferred from the pre-baling chamber (1) to the main baling chamber (2). This becomes clearer in Figure 3D. This makes the pre-baling chamber (1) in Figure 3A not clearly visible.

[0095] In Figure 3B, the bale (13a) being formed in the main baling chamber (2) is complete. The separation roller (8) is moved to a first position so that the passage between the pre-baling chamber (1) and the main baling chamber (2) is completely blocked. The hinged arm (7a) rotates so that the lower return roller (7) moves away from the main baling chamber (2). The pre-baling chamber (1) is formed by the belts (17). The plant stems (6) can no longer be fed into the main baling chamber (2) and are already rolling up in the pre-baling chamber (1) into a core of a bale (13a) being formed. During the rolling up of the plant stems (6) in the pre-baling chamber (1), binding twine (24) is supplied from a second group of at least one twine tube and rolled up with it. The belt tensioner (10) is rotated counterclockwise from the position in Figure 3A to compensate for the difference in length of the movable partition and the formation of the pre-baling chamber (1) so that the belts (17) remain under tension. The binding twine (24) from the first group of at least one twine tube is still being co-rolled in the main baling chamber (2).

[0096] Figure 3C shows the situation in which the complete bale (13b) is moved to the tying station (3). To this end, the door (21) is opened and the complete bale (13b) is rolled via the guide surface (20) to the tying station (3). The binding twine (24) from the first group of at least one twine tube, not shown, has been moved outside and below the main baling chamber (2). It is clear that in an alternative embodiment the binding twine (24) can also be moved outside and above the main baling chamber (2). The belt tensioner (10) is now turned clockwise again to keep the belts (17) under tension since the door (21) being open means that the belts (17) no longer form a main baling chamber (2). The press arm (11) is rotated counterclockwise to enable the opening of the door (21) and the ejection of the complete bale (13b). Meanwhile, a nice core for a next bale (13a) in formation has already been rolled up in the pre- baling chamber (1).

[0097] In Figure 3D, the separation roller (8) has been moved to a second position, where there is a completely free passage between the pre-baling chamber (1) and the main baling chamber (2). The hinged arm (7a) is rotated clockwise so that the lower return roller (7) moves towards the main baling chamber (2) and the core of the next bale (13a) being formed is pressed into the main baling chamber. The core carries the binding twine (24) from the second group of at least one twine tube along with it to the main baling chamber (2). The press arm (11) is rotated further clockwise to press the belts (17) against the core moved towards the main baling chamber (2). The belt tensioner (10) has also rotated further because the belts (17) at this moment only form a main baling chamber (2) with a small circumference. The belt tensioner compensates for the difference in the circumference of the main baling chamber (2) during the forming of the bale (13a) and thus keeps the belts (17) under tension. At the same time, the complete bale (13b) is tied off with binding twine (24) from the first group of at least one twine tube at the tying station (3). This is done by wrapping the binding twine (24) several times around the complete bale (13b). During the wrapping of the binding twine (24) around an outer layer (14) of the complete bale (13b), the binding twine (24) is brought to an outer edge of the complete bale (13b) by a twine spreader (31).

[0098] In Figure 3E, the separation roller (8) moves to the intermediate third position so that the bale (13a) being formed can continue to grow by rolling up the plant stems (6) in the main baling chamber (2). In this process, the binding twine (24) from the second group of at least one twine tube is rolled up with it. After the complete bale (13b) is tied off, the binding twine (24) from the first group of at least one twine tube will be cut by the cutting system (32). The complete bale (13b) will then be left in the tying position (3) in the field. This is again the situation as in Figure 3A, with the difference that now binding twine (24) from the second group of at least one twine tube is rolled up together in the main baling chamber instead of binding twine (24) from the first group of at least one twine tube.

[0099] The numbered references in the figures are:

[0100] 1. Pre-baling chamber

[0101] 2. (Main) baling chamber

[0102] 3. Tying station

[0103] 4. Feed roller

[0104] 5. Feed belt

[0105] 6. Layer of substantially parallel plant stems

[0106] 7. Lower return roller pre-baling chamber a Hinge arm lower return roller

[0107] 8. Separation roller

[0108] 9. Upper return roller pre-baling chamber

[0109] 10. Belt tensioner

[0110] 11. Press arm

[0111] 12. Recovery turn roller

[0112] 13. a Bale being formed b Complete bale

[0113] 14. Outer layer of bale being formed

[0114] 15. Drive roller

[0115] 16. Push-out roller

[0116] 17. Belts (main) baling chamber

[0117] 18. Belts pre-baling chamber

[0118] 19. Third return roller pre-baling chamber 20. Guide surface

[0119] 21. Door

[0120] 22. Hinge point door

[0121] 23. Hinge point belt tensioner and press arm 24. Binding twine

[0122] 25. Support platform

[0123] 26. Support roller

[0124] 27. Support belt

[0125] 28. Holding frame 29. Holding belt

[0126] 30. Holding roller

[0127] 31. Twine spreader

[0128] 32. Cutting system

Claims

CLAIMS1. Baler for the substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems, comprising a baling chamber for rolling up the plant stems into a cylindrical bale with the aid of rollers, belts, bands, or a combination thereof, wherein the rollers, belts, bands, or their combination at least partially form the baling chamber, a pickup unit for picking up the plant stems from a field and feeding the plant stems to the baling chamber, and a first group of at least one twine guide for feeding a first binding twine to the baling chamber and co-rolling it with the plant stems in the baling chamber, characterized in that the baler includes a tying station, wherein the tying station includes rotation means for rotating the bale for tying off the bale with the binding twine, wherein the baler comprises a second group of at least one twine guide for feeding a second binding twine independently of the first group's twine guide to the baling chamber and co-rolling it with the plant stems in the baling chamber, wherein the baler comprises displacement means for moving binding twine from a first path to a second path, wherein the second group of at least one twine guide is operable independently of the first group of at least one twine guide, wherein in an operative condition the binding twine is guided in the first path into the baling chamber and in the second path outside the baling chamber to the tying station.

2. The baler according to claim 1, characterized in that the baling chamber is divided into a pre-baling chamber and a main baling chamber, wherein the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber comprise rollers, belts, bands or a combination thereof for rolling up the plant stems and wherein between the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber there is a movable partition.

3. The baler according to claim 2, characterized in that rollers, belts, bands, or a combination thereof of the pre-baling chamber and / or the main baling chamber form the movable partition.

4. The baler according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable partition comprises a separation roller, wherein belts or bands that form the movable partition turn around the separation roller, wherein the separation roller is movable.

5. The baler according to any of the preceding claims 2-4, characterized in that the movable partition is movable between three stable positions, wherein in a first position the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber are separated from each other, wherein in a second position a completely free passage from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber is provided, and wherein in an intermediate third position the passage from the pre-baling chamber to the main baling chamber is partially open.

6. The baler according to any of the preceding claims 2-5, characterized in that belts or bands for rolling up the plant stems for the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber are shared.

7. The baler according to any of the preceding claims 1-6, characterized in that the tying station comprises a support platform for carrying and rotating the bale, wherein the support platform comprises rollers, wherein the rollers extend in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the baler.

8. The baler according to any of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that the baling chamber comprises a combined bottom and rear wall that can be folded open upwards, wherein a guide surface is provided below the combined bottom and rear wall for guiding a bale to the tying station.

9. The baler according to any of the preceding claims 1-8, characterized in that the baler comprises a holding frame, wherein the holding frame includes one or more parallel rollers for enclosing an upper part of a bale at the tying station.

10. Method for the substantially parallel rolling up of plant stems, comprising the steps of: picking up substantially parallel plant stems with a pickup unit of a baler, conveying the plant stems to a baling chamber of the baler, wherein binding twine from a first group of at least one twine guide is carried along by the plant stems into the baling chamber and wherein the substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems is maintained during the feeding;parallel rolling of the plant stems into a cylindrical bale in the baling chamber, wherein the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide is rolled up with it;- tying off the cylindrical bale with the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide; characterized in that the method comprises the additional steps of:- transferring the cylindrical bale from the baling chamber to a tying station of the baler for tying off using the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide, wherein the binding twine from the first group of at least one twine guide is guided outside the baling chamber to the tying station;- feeding the plant stems to the baling chamber during the tying off of the cylindrical bale at the tying station, wherein binding twine from a second group of at least one twine guide is carried along by the plant stems in the baling chamber and the substantially parallel orientation of the plant stems during feeding is maintained, and the parallel rolling of the plant stems into a cylindrical bale in the baling chamber, wherein the binding twine from the second group of at least one twine guide is rolled up with it.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the baling chamber is divided into a pre-baling chamber and a main baling chamber, wherein, before the cylindrical bale is moved to the tying station, the feeding of plant stems to the main baling chamber is interrupted, wherein the plant stems are fed together with the binding twine from the second group of at least one twine guide further into the pre-baling chamber and are wound together with the binding twine from the second group of at least one twine guide into a core of a next cylindrical bale.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the supply of the plant stems to the main baling chamber is interrupted by placing a separation between the main baling chamber and the pre-baling chamber.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that after moving the cylindrical bale to the tying station, the core of the next cylindrical bale is moved to the main baling chamber.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that after moving the core of the next cylindrical bale to the main baling chamber a passage between the pre-baling chamber and the main baling chamber is partially closed, and wherein the plant stems picked up by the pickup unit are conveyed through the pre-baling chamber and through the partially open passage to the main baling chamber.

15. Use of a device according to any of claims 1-9 and / or a method according to any of claims 10-14 for rolling up bast fiber plants into cylindrical bales.

Images