NL2013155B1

NL2013155B1 - Pressing arrangement and method for creating a polygonal bale.

Info

Publication number: NL2013155B1
Application number: NL2013155A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jacobus Reijersen Van Buuren Willem; Christianus Franciscus Havermans Cornelis
Original assignee: Forage Innovations Bv
Priority date: 2014-07-09
Filing date: 2014-07-09
Publication date: 2016-09-09

Abstract

A bale forming arrangement forms a bale (B) from loose material. The formed baleis neither a cylindrical nor a cuboid bale but has n edges (23.1, 23.2, ... ) where n is at least 5. The loose material is fed through an inlet into a pressing chamber. A bale creating means creates the bale in the pressing chamber. The pressing chamber is at least partially surrounded by a pressing chamber casing. This pressing chamber casing comprises a polygonal casing area with n edges where n is at least 5. A cross-sectional face of the polygonal casing area has the shape of a polygon with n corners and n edges between these n corners.

Description

Pressing arrangement and method for creating a polygonal bale Field of the Invention

The invention refers to an arrangement and a method for creating a bale by pressing loose material in a pressing chamber. The loose material can in particular be agricultural material which is picked up from the ground or recycling material which is filled from above or from a side into the pressing chamber. The arrangement may be implemented as a self-propelled or pulled vehicle or as a stationary plant. Arrangements for pressing agricultural or a recycling material are known as round balers, square balers or recycling presses, resp.

Background of the Invention

Different arrangements for creating bales from material and for wrapping bales are known.

Creating cuboid bale by applying vertical pressing:

In DE 3619251 A1 a method and a device for creating cuboid bales of silage are described. The device comprises a pick-up means 4, a feeding channel (“Einlasskanal 3”), a pre-pressing chamber (“Vorverdichterkammer 2”), and a pressing channel (“Presskanal 1”), cf. Fig. 1. A feeding means 16 with several tines conveys agricultural material along the feeding channel 3. A rake (“Vorverdichterrechen 5”) conveys the material along the pre-pressing chamber 2 in a horizontal direction. A distributing plate (“Verteilerplatte 23”) distributes the material such that uniform layers of material are formed on the bottom 61 of the pressing chamber. A pressing means, e.g. a plunger (“Pressplatte 32”), operates vertically downwards and presses the layers of material on the bottom 61. Cuboid bales of uniform density are created.

In US 6,161,368 a baler for creating cuboid bales in a baling chamber is described. A pressure piston 13 reciprocates in the baling channel 1. Material is picked-up by a pick-up loader 18 and is conveyed into a delivery channel 19. Two rake conveyers 22, 23 convey the material through the delivery channel 19 towards the baling channel opening 21. The first rake conveyer 22 has a rake with controlled tines 24. Instead of these tines 24 a rotor and corresponding knives may be used. A second rake conveyer 23 comprises rotatable segment members 28.

Creating a string of pressed material by utilizing an auger:

In EP 1118455 A2 a device for pressing recycling material by means of a pressing auger (“Schneckenverdichter 1”) is described. This auger is arranged at the bottom of a pot (“Mulde 2”) and conveys material towards an outlet 4 of the pot 2. The material is conveyed through the outlet 4 into a pressing channel 7 with the outlet 4 as its inlet and with a channel outlet 9. The pressing channel 7 tapers towards the channel outlet 9 such that the channel outlet 9 is smaller than the pot outlet 2.

The devise described in US 5,553,446 presses the material in a horizontal direction into a bale forming means 12 having the form of a pressing channel. The material is pressed by a material auger feeding means 10. This auger 10 comprises spiral auger flights 36, 37 and rotates around a horizontal rotation shaft 34 in a cylindrical auger housing 100. Pressing rollers 40, 41 in the cylindrical auger housing 100 press material towards the shaft 34.

Creating cuboid bale with oscillating the pressing chamber:

In EP 1135017 B1 a baler for creating a cuboid bale is described. The pressing chamber (“Presskammer 15”) has an inlet (“Beschickungsöffnung 16”) at its bottom, several side walls (“Querseitenwande 19, 20”), an upper conveyor 13 and a lower conveyor 14. These two conveyors 13, 14 convey the pressing chamber 15 parallel to the travel direction forwards and backwards such that the pressing chamber oscillates. Material is fed from below through the stationary inlet 16 into the oscillating pressing chamber 15. A meandering bale is created in the oscillating pressing chamber 15.

Creating round bale:

In WO 99/04613 A1 an arrangement with a compactor 10 having a cylindrical compaction chamber 7 is described. This chamber 7 is opened at the upper and the lower side. A rotating compacting head 15 presses together the material in the chamber 7. At least one roller of the compactor 10 rolls over the material in the chamber 7. The chamber 7 is moved upwards such that a part of the bale extends out of the chamber 7. A first wrapping station 2 wraps one strip around the bale in the chamber 7. A transfer unit 50 transfers the bale being partially wrapped from the first wrapping station 2 to a second wrapping station 3 where the bale is entirely wrapped.

In DE 4317206 C1 a string of pressed material (“PreBstrang 1”) is created. The string 1 rotates around its longitudinal axis 6 and is pushed out of a pressing channel (“PreBraum 2”). Several pressing rollers rotate around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and make the string 1 rotating.

In WO 2011/053125A1 a round baler with a pick-up unit which continuously creates round bales is described. The material is conveyed through a pre-pressing arrangement towards the pressing chamber. In the pressing chamber the material is conveyed around a middle axis perpendicular to the travelling direction. If the growing bale has reached the desired size, the bale is wrapped and ejected. During the process of wrapping and ejecting the bale further material must not be conveyed into the pressing chamber. Therefore the pre-pressing arrangement can be operated into modes. In a conveying mode it conveys material from the pick-up unit to the pressing chamber. In a pressing mode it buffers material and pre-pressing it while buffering the material. The pre-pressing arrangement is set into the pre-pressing mode if the bale has to be wrapped and is set into the conveying mode if the wrapped bale has been ejected. The prepressing arrangement comprises a lower and an upper conveying belt.

Wrapping bale:

In DE 3305487 A1 a helical auger (“Archimedesschraube 20”) presses material through a cylindrical channel such that a string of pressed material is formed. The material is pressed through a tapered outlet (“Ausgangsdüse 60” -nozzle) into a wrap having the form of a hose (“schlauchförmige Umhüllung 40”). This wrap is carried by the tapered outlet 60. The string with material in the wrap is conveyed into an outlet channel (“Auss^kanal 61”) which oscillates forward and backward in a longitudinal direction. A cutting device (“Schneidvorrichtung 68”) cuts off material from the wrapped string.

In WO 01/24610 A1 a baler - wrapper combination is described. A bale 20 is formed in a compacting chamber 7 of a compacting station 1, cf. Fig. 1. In an alternative embodiment an auger conveys the material, cf. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In one embodiment the compacting chamber 7 is rotated around a horizontal axis. A first wrapping station 2 partially wraps the bale 20 into a strip. A second wrapping station 3 entirely wraps the bale 20. A transfer means 50 transfers the bale 20 from the first wrapping station 2 to the second wrapping station 3.

Vacuum sealing of a wrapped bale:

In US 1,703,783 a method and device for preserving greed food is described. A cover b made of wood is inserted from above into a cylindrical container (silo a) such that the cover b covers the material in the container a. A felt ring c helps to seal the material in the container a covered by the cover b. A hose h is guided through a hole in the cover b into the container a. A suction pump i can suck air through the hose h. The low pressure presses the cover b onto the material in the container a.

In DE 3543004 A1 it is suggested to insert recycling material (“Abfall”) into a bag, seal the bag and create a vacuum in the bag. Crating a low pressure (“Vakuum”) reduces the volume of the filled bag.

In DE 102004029127 A1 agricultural material (“Biomasse aus Einjahrespflanzen”) is processed as follows: The material is cut and milled. The milled material is dried. The dry material is wrapped into a wrap which is impermeable for air (“luftdichtes Verpacken”). The air is evacuated out of the wrap by sucking out the air. The dry material (“Biomasse”) in the wrap is rendered inert by blowing nitrogen (“Stickstoff) into the wrap. The material is kept and can be transported.

In US 2008/0193609 A1 a bag filling machine for filling agricultural material into a bag is described. An auger 1E or a piston 1H loads chopped green forage mass into the bag, cf. Fig. 2A and Fig. 3. The bag is loaded and is pressed such that air is excluded out of the bag. This is achieved by means of pressing conveyor belts 3 and a vacuum pump 4, cf. Fig. 1. The vacuum bags are sealed and stored.

Creating a hexagonal arrangement of bales:

In DE 3423670 A1 an arrangement for pressing crop material (“Erntegut”) at a collecting point (“Sammelstelle 3”) is described. Several cylindrical bales created from crop material have been transported to this collecting arrangement 3. The collecting arrangement 3 comprises a sequence of wall parts (“Reihe von Wandungen 1”) which can be pivoted and which together form a band or clamping device (“Band Oder Klemmittel 2”) which nearly surrounds the collecting arrangement 3. Every bale 7 stands on one front side and the vertically arranged bales are shifted together, cf. the top view of Fig. 1. Every wall part 1 comprises in one embodiment five horizontal metal strips (“Blechstreifen”) which are arranged one above the other, i.e. along the vertical middle axis of the bale, of. Fig. 7. A vertical articulation (“Scharnier 10”) connects two adjacent wall parts 1. The band or clamping device surrounds the ensemble of vertical bales 7 with the exception of a gap between the two ends 4, 5 with the gap length (“Abstand 6”), of. the top view of Fig. 1 and the side view of Fig. 2. The two end pieces 13, 14 at the ends 4, 5 each comprise a vertical beam (“Flohlbalken 15”). For pressing together the bales 7, the distance between these vertical beams 15 at the two ends 4,5 is reduced by means of a rope guided around two rollers, cf. Fig. 3. Two chains 46 keep the band in the pressing mode after the distance has been reduced, cf. Fig. 7. After having pressed the bales 7 these bales 7 together have the shape of an object with six parallel vertical edges, cf. Fig. 8.

Using an octagonal connecting piece to a pressing chamber DE 9107404 U1 discloses a compacting device for pressing recycling material by means of an auger (“Ballen-Schneckenverdichter”). The material is tipped into a hutch (“Mulde”) which has an upper aperture for filling in material (“schachtförmige Einfüllöffnung 4”), cf. Fig. 1. A compacting auger rotates around a horizontal axis and presses material in a horizontal direction into an octagonal connecting piece (“achteckiger Austrittsstutzen 5”) operating as an outlet of the hutch. At least two guiding elements guiding the material taper in a pressing direction away from the outlet 5. The auger and the tapered shape of the pressing channel press together the material to form a bale. The front part of the helical vane of the auger comprises a half disc (“halbkreisförmige Scheibe 7”) without flank lead (“Steigung”). The octagonal connecting piece 5 has apertures (“Durchbrüche”) through which a needle 11 is shifted, cf. Fig. 2. This needle 11 grasps the yarn string 13.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide an arrangement and a method for forming a bale where the formed bale can easily be wrapped with less overlapping layers or even only one layer of wrapping material and where several bales created according to the invention can stably being stapled.

The problem is solved by an arrangement according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 23 for creating a bale. Preferred embodiments are sketched in the depending claims.

According to the invention a material feeding means feeds loose material through an inlet into a pressing chamber of the bale forming arrangement. A bale creating means creates a bale in the pressing chamber. The bale creating means creates the bale by pressing together the loose material which is fed through the inlet into this pressing chamber.

The pressing chamber is at least partially surrounded by a pressing chamber wall. This pressing chamber wall comprises a polygonal casing area. This polygonal casing area extends along a middle axis. According to the invention this polygonal casing area has n edges wherein the number n of the edges is greater than 4, i.e. is at least 5. Therefore a cross-sectional face of this polygonal casing area has the shape of a polygon with n corners and n edges between these n corners. Per definition the cross-sectional face is the intersection of the polygonal casing area with a plane which plane stands perpendicular on the middle axis of the pressing chamber.

Thanks to this polygonal casing area the bale creating arrangement creates a bale with a polygonal cross-sectional face, i.e. a bale which has n edges where n is at least 5. These n edges are all parallel to the middle axis of the bale. Therefore the created bale has neither a cylindrical nor a cuboid shape.

Advantages

The arrangement and the method according to the invention are able to create a bale which extends along a bale’s middle axis and has a form similar to a cylinder or to a cuboid but has n edges parallel to the middle axis where n is at least 5. While this bale is in the pressing chamber, the bale’s middle axis forms a part of the middle axis of the polygonal casing area. A cross-sectional face of this bale perpendicular to the middle axis has the shape of a polygon with n corners where n is at least 5. In particular the two front sides of the bale have the shape of a polygon with n corners and n edges.

This bale with n edges parallel to the middle axis has the following advantages over a cylindrical bale:

The risk is reduced that the bale roll away if placed with the middle axis parallel to the ground in a downhill field. Thanks to the invention it is not necessary to tilt that bale in a vertical position where the middle axis is perpendicular to the ground and the bale stands on one front side.

It is possible to stack several of such bales in a stable fashion and without a special staple supporting means. Two such bales can be stacked one above the other.

The bale requires less space than a cylindrical bale with the same amount of material, i.e. the bale either has a smaller length or a smaller maximal diameter than a cylindrical bale with the same amount.

The polygonal bale with n edges parallel to its middle axis where n >= 4 has the following advantages over a cuboid bale, i.e. a bale with n parallel edges where n = 4:

The bale has n edges with n >= 5 such that in every edge two plane surfaces of the bale meet. The inner angle between these two plane surfaces can be made greater than 90 degrees. The edges are therefore less pointed (less arcuate) than an edge with an angle of 90 degrees. The bale is more stable. The risk that loose material is torn off the bale is reduced. When wrapping or transporting the bale, less material is pulled of the bale and forms debris.

To wrap the polygonal bale into a wrapping film requires less overlaps between two film layers and less tensioning force during the wrapping procedure.

Thanks to the invention such a bale is automatically created in the pressing chamber with the polygonal casing area. It is not necessary to change the shape of a bale after having created it in the pressing chamber. In particular it is not necessary to bind together several smaller bales.

The polygonal casing area with the n wall edges molds the shape of the bale with the n bale edges. It is possible to adapt the number n and the geometry of the polygonal casing area to given requirements and constrains.

Embodiments

In one embodiment a pressing channel is used as the pressing chamber. This pressing channel extends along the operating direction (conveying direction) of the baler. This operating direction is parallel to the middle axis of the polygonal casing area. In the case of a baler in the form of a vehicle the pressing channel extends along the travelling direction of this vehicle. The pressing channel has a channel wall comprising the polygonal casing area with the n edges. The material is pressed through the pressing channel into the operating direction (travelling direction) towards the outlet. The shape of the pressing channel wall molds the shape of the bale created in the channel. The invention is therefore used to amend a well-known square or round baler producing cuboid or cylindrical bales, resp.

In one embodiment a string of material is pressed where the string has n parallel edges. These n edges are also parallel to the operating direction. Subsequently several bales are formed from this endless string.

In one embodiment the polygonal casing area tapers towards the outlet such that the n edges of the polygonal casing area are not parallel to each other. The area of a cross-sectional face decreases towards the outlet of the pressing channel. This embodiment further presses the material together while the material is pressed towards the outlet of the channel.

In one embodiment the entire pressing channel including the outlet has a cross-sectional face having the shape of a polygon with n corners and n edges between these n corners. The inlet is arranged in the polygonal casing area. In a further embodiment the pressing channel has an inlet area and an outlet area. The inlet area has a cylindrical or cuboid wall. Preferably the inlet is arranged in this inlet area. The outlet area has a wall with a cross-sectional shape having the format of a polygon with n corners and n edges. The outlet area is arranged downwards from the inlet area and comprises the outlet. Material is first pressed through the inlet area and afterwards through the outlet area. The outlet area molds the shape of the bale with n parallel edges. Preferably the cross-sectional face of the outlet area is smaller than that of the inlet area. The inlet area serves at a pre-pressing section.

In one embodiment the bale is formed by a piston which oscillates in the pressing channel. This piston urges the loose material away from the inlet and towards the outlet as known from square balers. It is possible that the piston oscillates in a rectangular or cylindrical inlet area. This allows using a piston with a rectangular or circular piston head. In this embodiment the piston does not reach the polygonal casing area. It is also possible that the piston also has n edges - like the polygonal casing area - and is adapted to the geometry of the polygonal casing area. In this embodiment the piston oscillates at least partially in the polygonal casing area.

In one embodiment the pressing channel wall comprises different wall parts where at least one wall part of the polygonal casing area is pivotally mounted. This wall part can be pivoted around a pivoting axis which is perpendicular to the middle axis of the pressing channel. A positioning means, e. g. a cylinder, pivots at least one pivotal wall part and changes the cross-sectional face of the polygonal casing area.

This embodiment allows to automatically change the area of the cross sectional face during operation. Changing this cross-sectional face area allows amending the pressure which the polygonal casing area urges onto the material in the pressing channel. In particular it is possible to enlarge the cross-sectional face area and thereby to reduce the pressure onto the loose material and to avoid an overload situation.

In one embodiment the pivotal wall part extends in one plane. In an alternative embodiment one edge of the polygonal casing area runs through the pivotal wall part. The pivotal wall part comprises two wall elements which are angularly connected with each other. The edge between these wall parts belongs to the edge running through the pivotal wall part. This embodiment allows amending the pressure around an edge of the formed bale.

In an alternative embodiment the bale is created by conveying the loose material along the polygonal pressing chamber wall and rotating it around the middle axis of the pressing chamber. A bale increases in the pressing chamber. In the case of a baler having the form of a vehicle this middle axis is perpendicular to the travelling direction. Again the polygonal shape of the pressing chamber wall molds the shape of the bale created in the chamber. In order to form the bale with n edges some conveying or pressing units have a larger distance from the middle axis than other conveying or pressing units. The invention is therefore used to amend a well-known round baler with pressing rollers. It is also possible to amend a round baler with at least one pressing belt wherein the pressing belt or every pressing belt is guided along several guiding rollers. At least one guiding roller which presses the pressing belt against the loose material in the pressing chamber has a smaller distance from the chamber middle axis than a further guiding roller pressing the belt.

Preferably the form of the polygonal bale is fixed in the pressing chamber and before the bale is ejected out of the pressing chamber such that the polygonal shape of the bale with the n edges parallel to the middle axis is kept after the bale has been ejected out of the pressing chamber. A form fixing means applies a form fixing unit to the bale. This form fixing unit keeps and fixes the shape of the bale outside of the pressing chamber. This form fixing unit allows creating a bale with n parallel edges from loose material, e.g. hay or straw, such that the bale keeps its form after having been ejected out of the pressing chamber.

The form fixing unit can comprise a wrap which is applied by a wrapping device. To fix the bale shape, the bale is wrapped into a wrap while the bale is in the pressing chamber. This wrap is sealed such that the material in the sealed wrap forms a wrapped bale. The wrap fixes the form of the bale. The wrap can comprise a net or a sheet.

It is also possible that several strands of twine are guided around the bale with n edges. A knotting apparatus knots together several pairs of twine strands wherein every pair comprises two twine strands.

One further way of implementing this form fixing means is to provide and hold a bag in the pressing chamber. Preferably the pressing chamber has the form of a channel and the bag is provided and kept inside of the channel. This bag forms the wrap or is part of the wrap. The material in the pressing chamber is pressed into this bag and compressed in the bag, e.g. by an oscillating piston or an auger arrangement. The bag is kept in the polygonal casing area. The material presses the bag against the inner side of the rigid pressing chamber wall with the polygonal casing area. This pressure urges the filled bag to take the desired form with n edges.

An alternative way of implementing this form fixing means is as follows: First the material is pressed into the pressing chamber. Afterwards a wrap, e.g. a wrapping film or a wrapping sheet, is injected into the filled pressing chamber. This wrap is wrapped around the material pressed into the pressing chamber. This embodiment is preferably used in combination with conveying units which convey the material along the pressing chamber wall. The conveying direction is perpendicular to the middle axis of the pressing channel and therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the created bale. The wrap is injected into the pressing chamber and in particular into a space between the pressing chamber wall and the rotating bale. By this the wrap is also conveyed along the pressing chamber wall.

This embodiment amends a round baler which creates a round bale and wraps a bale in the pressing chamber into a wrap. This embodiment can also be used in a bale forming arrangement with a pressing channel in which a piston presses the loose material through the pressing channel.

The fixation of the bale form is improved if a low pressure is created in the wrap filled with material. Or a low pressure is generated in the pressing chamber. This low pressure removes gaps inside of the material and/or between the wrap and the bale and/or between the bale and the pressing chamber wall and further contributes to forming a bale with n parallel edges.

In one embodiment the arrangement is adapted as a vehicle with wheels. This vehicle can be moved over ground, e. g. over an agricultural field. The vehicle can be self-propelled or be pulled by a tractor or a further propelled vehicle. In a further embodiment the arrangement is arranged as a stationary device for processing recyclable material or garbage, e.g.

These and other aspects of the invention and of the preferred embodiment will be even more apparent from the detailed embodiment as described below and will be elucidated in detail there.

Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a polygonal bale in a perspective view;

Fig. 2 shows a channel baling press;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the pressing channel of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a further channel baling press with a pivotal top wall of the pressing channel;

Fig. 5 shows a channel baling press holding a bag in the pressing channel.

Detailed Description of Embodiment

In the embodiment the invention is used in a bale forming arrangement (baler) for agricultural purposes. The baler produces a bale from loose agricultural material, e.g. from hay, straw or silage. The baler is mechanically connected with a tractor via a towing unit and is pulled by the tractor in a traveling direction. A power take-off (PTO) shaft of the tractor drives a drive shaft and via a gearbox several parts of the baler, in particular the bale creating means of the baler.

The baler comprises a frame and a pressing chamber formed by one chamber wall part or several wall parts. For creating a bale the baler is operated in a bale creating mode. In this mode the chamber wall part or the several chamber wall parts together form a wall which surrounds and thereby defines the pressing chamber. The bale is created under pressure in this pressing chamber.

The baler further comprises a pick-up means for picking up loose crop material from the ground, a feeding unit for feeding material from the pick-up unit towards the and into the pressing chamber through a feeding channel wherein the feeding unit comprises a conveying rotor with several rigid tines, optionally a cutting unit with several parallel knives wherein the conveying rotor presses material through gaps between the knives, and optionally a pre-pressing unit for pre-pressing the material in the feeding channel, e.g. by means of rotating stuffing tines.

Different embodiments of the baler are possible. These embodiments distinguish in the operational mode of the pressing chamber and the pressing means or in the way how a bale is wrapped in the pressing chamber. In all embodiments of a baler according to the invention, a bale forming means creates in the pressing chamber a bale with two parallel front faces and a polygonal cross-sectional face. This bale extends along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the front faces. As long as the bale is in the pressing chamber, this bale’s longitudinal axis is parallel to the middle axis of the pressing chamber. The two parallel front faces of the created bale are perpendicular to the bale’s longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional face is the intersection between the bale and a plane perpendicular to the bale’s longitudinal axis. The front faces and all cross-sectional faces have the shape of a polygon with n corners where n is greater or equal 5. Therefore the bale has n edges. These n edges are parallel to the bale’s longitudinal axis.

Fig. 1 shows a polygonal bale B which is created by a channel baling press according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows this bale B in a perspective view.

The created bale B has two front faces 28 (in the foreground) and 26 (in the background). Every front face 26, 28 has the form of a polygon with six corners and six edges between this corners. Fig. 1 shows the six edges 25.1, 25.2, ... of the front face 28 (in the foreground) and the six edges 29.1, 29.2, ... of the other front face 26 (in the background). A circumferential surface of the bale extends between these two front faces 26, 28. This circumferential surface has six parallel edges 23.1,23.2, ...

The shape of the bale B is urged and molded by the shape of the pressing chamber. Preferably the pressing chamber wall is adapted such that the created bale has smooth transition areas around the n parallel edges. This eases the process of wrapping the bale and further reduces the risk that the bale loses its shape after being ejected out of the pressing chamber. To achieve a smooth transition area, the cross-sectional face of the wall and therefore that of the created bale is a polygon with n inner angles where all inner angles are greater than 90 degrees. The sum of the inner angle sizes of this polygon equals (n-2) x 180 degrees.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a part of a channel baling press 1 in a side view. The channel baling press 1 presses string of crop material in a pressing channel 32. This crop material is conveyed into the pressing channel 32 through a feeding channel 4. Stuffing tines 41 pre-press the crop material in the feeding channel 4 and load the pre-pressed crop material into the pressing channel 32. A pressing piston 5 oscillates in the pressing channel 32. The pressing piston 5 has a pressing surface 51 facing to the crop material. The pressing piston 5 is guided by a piston rod 20 and presses the crop material in the pressing direction PR towards the outlet 34.

The pressing channel 32 is surrounded by a polygonal casing 3. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the polygonal casing 3 extends over the entire length of the pressing channel 32. The polygonal casing 3 of the pressing channel 32 has six edges, among them the edge 27.6. A knotting arrangement 6 is mounted on the top wall 7 of the pressing channel 32. A knotter shaft 8 drives a knotter device 9. A crank rod 11, a first lever arm 12, and a second lever arm 13 connect the knotter shaft 8 with a knotter needle 10 arranged below the feeding channel 32. Two reels 17 with twine are stored in a reservoir 16. A brake 19 decelerates a strand 15 of twine pulled from a roll 17. The strand 15 of twine is guided by a twine guiding device 14. A spring 21 tensions the strand 15 of twine together with the brake 19. The element 24 keeps the front segment 18 of the strand 15 of twine.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through the pressing channel 32 of Fig. 2. The drawing plane of Fig. 3 is in the plane II - II of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the casing 3 of the pressing channel 32 having the form of a polygon with six corners and six edges between these six corners. Fig. 3 shows the six corners 27.1,27.2, ... of the cross-sectional shape of the casing 3 having the form of a polygon. The head of the pressing piston 5 also has a polygonal shape with six corners. Fig. 3 shows the six edges 22.1, 22.2, ... of the piston 5 being parallel to the six edges 27.1, 27.2, ... of the casing 3 and perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 3. The shape of the piston head 5 is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the casing 3. In Fig. 3 the distance between the pressing piston 5 and the casing 3 is shown in an exaggerated manner.

In one embodiment all inner angles have the same size, i.e. every inner angle has a size of (n-2)/n * 180 degrees. The edges of this polygon have not necessarily all the same lengths but some edges can be longer than other edges. The ejected bale lies on the ground even with its longitudinal axis parallel to the ground and achieves a stable position and cannot roll away, in particular if the bale has in one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a larger dimension than in another direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably at least two edges of the polygon with n corners are parallel to each other. The effect: The circumferential outer surface of the bale has at least two parallel rectangular planes which are parallel to each other. This embodiment helps to create several bales which can better be stapled. Afterwards it is possible to build up a staple with several bales where every bale is created according to the invention.

In the example of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the top wall 7 is parallel to the bottom wall 33 of the casing 3 of the pressing channel 32.

In one embodiment the pressing chamber is arranged as a pressing channel 32 with a channel casing 3, a crop material inlet and a bale outlet 34, cf. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The channel walls of the casing 3 extend along a middle axis. In general this middle axis is parallel to the travelling direction of the baler and forms the longitudinal axis of the pressing channel. In the example of Fig. 2 this middle axis is behind the edge 27.6. Every channel wall can be integrally formed or can be formed by several rigid wall parts wherein at least one wall part can be pivoted with respect to a further wall part.

The pressing channel casing 3 - or at least one part of the pressing chamber casing - can taper seen in a direction parallel to the middle axis from the inlet to the outlet 34. The cross-sectional shape of the casing 3 and thereby the pressing channel 32 can in one embodiment be reduced and enlarged by a positioning means, e. g. by a hydraulic cylinder pressing laterally against a pivotal wall part and pivoting this wall part. In one embodiment a control unit controls the force or pressure which the positioning means urges onto the pivotal wall part.

The feeding means - a conveying rotor and/or a pressing means like several stuffing tines 41 cooperating with an oscillating piston 5 - presses the material through the inlet into the pressing channel. The pressing means presses the material through the channel along the middle axis towards the outlet 34. From one side the pressing means 5 urges a compacting force onto the material.

In one embodiment this material is pressed against further material in the pressing channel. If the segment area adjacent to the outlet 34 tapers, material in the channel is further pressed together. The baler creates an endless string of pressed material. This created string has n parallel edges being parallel to the middle axis where n > 5. Several polygonal bales are separated from this endless string.

In an alternative embodiment the outlet 34 of the pressing channel 32 is provided with a door having one pivotal wing or two pivotal wings. This door can be pivoted between a closed and an opened position. When being in the closed position the door and the channel wall together form a pot into which material in pressed. After opening the doors the bale is shifted and by this is ejected out of the pressing channel.

In both embodiments the pressing channel extends along a middle axis and in a pressing direction. This middle axis is parallel to the traveling direction into which the baler is pulled by the tractor. The material is pressed parallel to this middle axis into the pressing direction.

In one embodiment the pressing channel wall has at least one polygonal casing area and at least one cuboid or cylindrical area. The cuboid or cylindrical area is adjacent to the inlet and therefore forms an inlet area. The polygonal casing area is adjacent to the outlet 34 and therefore forms an outlet area. A cross-sectional face of the polygonal casing area has the shape of a polygon with n corners where n is equal to 5 or is greater than 5, e. g. equals 6 or 8. This cross-sectional face is the intersection of the polygonal casing area with a plane perpendicular to the middle axis. Therefore the polygonal casing area has n edges. The outlet 34 also has the shape of a polygon with n corners. Crop material is first pressed into the and through the inlet area and afterwards through the outlet area.

In one embodiment the polygonal casing area can taper seen in a direction towards the outlet such that the area of the cross-sectional face decreases seen in this direction towards the outlet. At least one wall part of the polygonal casing area or of the cuboid or cylindrical area is pivotally mounted such that this wall part can rotated around an axis perpendicular to the pressing direction and perpendicular to the middle axis. A positioning means, e.g. at least one hydraulic cylinder, is connected with the frame and with the wall part and is adapted for pivoting the wall part. Therefore the amount of tapering can be adapted and changed during operation. The area of a cross-sectional face can automatically be amended during operation. If the polygonal casing area does not taper, the n edges are parallel to the middle axis.

Fig. 4 shows schematically an example in which the casing of the pressing channel 32 are divided into a front casing area 3.1 and a rear casing area 3.2. The pressing piston 5 oscillates in the interior of the front casing area 3.1. The rear top wall 7 of the pressing channel 3 is divided into a front segment 7.1 and a rear segment 7.2. The rear segment 7.2 belongs to the rear casing area 3.2 and is pivotally connected with the stationary front segment 7.1 in a pivoting axle 37. An actuator 36 can pivot the top wall segment 7.2 up and down. A control unit 35 triggers the movements of the actuator 36. In this embodiment only the rear casing area 3.2 has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Fig. 4 shows an edge 27.6 of the rear area 3.2. Fig. 4 further shows the loose material between the pressing surface 51 of the piston 5 and the outlet 34.

The oscillating pressing piston 5 presses crop material in the pressing direction PR. Fig. 4 further shows the piston rod 20 and the feeding channel 4 with a stuffing tine.

In the embodiment with the pressing channel the baler continuously creates polygonal bales. It is not necessary to stop the baler during operation. A continuous string of pressed material is created in the pressing channel. The pressing means or a specific ejecting means conveys the string with the pressed material towards the outlet 34.

The specific ejecting means may comprise several so-called dogs mounted on a slide or another carriage which reciprocates in the pressing channel and parallel to the middle axis. The dogs on the carriage can be pivoted into an engaging position where the dogs engage from below the bale and can be pivoted into a non-engaging position. The slide with the engaged dogs shifts the bale out of the pressing channel. Preferably the slide can be moved in both directions - like a shuttle. The specific ejecting means can comprise a rotating star with tines or other protrusions rotating around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the conveying direction, i.e. perpendicular to the middle axis. A knotting arrangement wraps a part of the string into several strands of twine or yarn and thereby creates bales from the string. The generated bale extends along the middle axis of the material string and has two front faces perpendicular to the middle axis and n edges parallel to this middle axis.

In an alternative embodiment the baler comprises several pressing and conveying units similar to a known round baler. The material is conveyed through an inlet into the pressing chamber. The pressing and conveying units convey the material along the circumferential wall of the pressing chamber such that the material rotates around a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the traveling direction. This rotation axis is denoted as the middle axis of the pressing chamber. The material forms an increasing bale in the pressing chamber.

The maximal diameter of the pressing chamber perpendicular to the middle axis may be greater than the dimension of the pressing chamber along the middle axis. Therefore this middle axis is not necessarily along the longitudinal, i.e. longest axis along the pressing chamber.

At least some of the pressing and conveying units comprise rollers where each roller has a conveying surface which is in contact with the material and conveys material. In one embodiment all conveying units comprise pressing rollers such that a pressing chamber with fixed size is formed. The outer surfaces of these pressing rollers form the conveying surfaces being in direct contact with the material.

In an alternative embodiment some pressing and conveying units comprise endless pressing and conveying belts which convey and pull the material. Driven rollers and idler rollers effect a high tension of these belts and press the belts against the material in the pressing chamber. The growing bale formed in the chamber presses against the conveying belts such that an increasing pressing chamber, i.e. a chamber with variable size, is formed. Therefore a baler with a variable size chamber has two kinds of rollers: pressing rollers and rollers which press at least one endless belt against the material and guide this belt. These two kinds of rollers are denoted as “bale forming rollers”. A baler with a fixed size chamber also may have at least one endless pressing bales pressing material in the pressing chamber.

In both embodiments all rotational axes of these rollers are parallel to the chamber’s middle axis and therefore perpendicular to the traveling direction. In both embodiments the pressing and conveying units are arranged such that the pressing chamber with the rollers has a cross-sectional face having the shape of a polygon with n corners where n >= 5. This cross-sectional face lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the middle axis and therefore perpendicular to the rotational axes of the rollers. The n corners of this polygon are defined by n rollers of the pressing and conveying units.

In the embodiment with the fixed size chamber some pressing rollers have a greater distance from the middle axis than other pressing rollers. In a baler with variable size chamber some bale forming rollers have a greater distance to the middle axis than other bale forming rollers. Amongst other features this feature distinguished a baler with pressing and conveying units according to the invention from a well-known round baler.

As mentioned above the invention can be applied to amend a well-known round baler with pressing and conveying units in the pressing chamber. In this embodiment the pressing chamber wall is divided into a fixed wall part and a pivotally mounted wall part. The fixed wall part belongs to the front housing and the pivotally mounted wall part belongs to a tailgate. The tailgate can be rotated around a horizontal pivoting axis perpendicular to the traveling direction. When the baler is operated in a bale forming mode, the front housing and the tailgate are locked and therefore rigidly connected with each other to form a pressing chamber. After having finished the bale creation process the locking is released, the tailgate is rotated around the horizontal pivoting axis, and the bale is ejected out of the opened pressing chamber.

In order to keep the form of a bale created in the pressing chamber, the bale is wrapped. The wrapping material may be a net made of a suitable material, e.g. of twine or plastic, or a twine or a sheet, e.g. a plastic foil. In the embodiment the bale is wrapped while being in the pressing chamber, i.e. before being ejected. This wrap fixes the polygonal cross-sectional face of the bale after the bale has been ejected.

In one embodiment wrapping material is ejected into a space between the circumferential surface of the bale and the pressing chamber wall. Two rollers or other suitable means grasp the wrapping material and pull the wrapping material from a reel. The wrapping material is injected through a nip into this space. The bale is rotated and grasps the wrapping material and further pulls it from the reel.

In one embodiment the step of injecting wrapping material into the space comprises the step that the bale is rotated by several rollers. The rotational axes of these rollers are all parallel and parallel to the middle axis of the rotating bale such that the bale rotates around its middle axis. In the case of a pressing channel this middle axis and therefore the rotating axes are parallel to the traveling direction. In the case of a baler similar to a round baler these axes are perpendicular to the traveling direction. The same rollers which make the material rotating around the middle axis also make the baler rotating and inject wrapping material into the pressing chamber. In both embodiments the rollers for injecting the wrapping material are mounted into the pressing chamber wall. The rollers may be mounted into the polygonal casing area.

In one embodiment the process of wrapping a bale into a sheet is augmented by means of a low pressure generating means comprising a sucking unit. This sucking unit sucks air out of the pressing chamber and through holes in the pressing chamber wall. Air is sucked out of the pressing chamber when a sheet, e.g. a plastic foil, is in the interior of the pressing chamber. This procedure causes the sheet to be pressed against the pressing chamber wall and against the rotating rollers which make the bale rotating around its middle axis. This low pressure contributes to urging the sheet seamlessly against the pressure chamber wall such that the sheet takes the shape of the pressing chamber wall.

In one embodiment further agricultural material is pressed through the inlet into the pressing chamber while the sheet in the pressing chamber is pulled by the rotating bale such that gaps and holes in the partially wrapped bale are filled. This implementation is in particular performed if the rotating axes of the rollers are parallel to the traveling direction, i.e. parallel to the direction into which the agricultural material is fed into the pressing chamber having the form of a pressing channel.

In a further embodiment the loose crop material is pressed into a bag while being in the pressing chamber. Before material to be pressed is urged into the pressing chamber, an empty bag is inserted into the pressing chamber and is kept by a suitable holding means, e.g. by a clamp arrangement. It is possible that a blower blows air into this bag such that the bag is widened and is pressed from interior against the pressing chamber wall. It is further possible that a sucking unit sucks air out of the pressing chamber through holes in the pressing chamber wall. Both possible embodiments press the bag in the pressing chamber against the pressing chamber wall such that no holes and gaps remain between the wall and the bag. The bag takes the form of the interior side of the pressing chamber wall. Now loose agricultural material is pressed into the bag. Preferably the traveling direction of the baler is parallel to the middle axis of the pressing chamber in which the bag is held.

Fig. 5 shows a channel baling press with such a bag. A drive shaft 19 drives the knotting arrangement on top of the pressing channel 3. Fig. 5 further shows a star wheel 42 which measures the length of a bale in the pressing channel. Two clamping elements 30.1, 30.2 hold a bag 31 in the interior of the pressing channel 3. The pressing piston 5 oscillates in the pressing channel 3 and presses loose crop material into the bag 31.

Reference signs used in the claims will do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. The term “comprises” does not exclude other elements or steps. The articles “a”, “an”, and “one” do not exclude a plurality of elements. Features specified in several depending claims may be combined in an advantageous manner.

Reference signs

Claims

An assembly (1) for forming a bale of loose material (LM), the assembly comprising - a pressing chamber (32) with a pressing chamber wall (3), - an inlet for the pressing chamber (3), - a material supply means ( 41), and - a bale forming means (5), wherein the material supply means (41) is adapted to feed material (LM) via the inlet to the pressing chamber (32), the bale forming means (5) is adapted to form a bale in the pressing chamber (32) by compressing material (LM) fed into the pressing chamber (32), and the pressing chamber wall (3) comprises a polygonal wall section (3, 3.2), which polygonal wall section (3.2) - extends along a center axis and has n sides (27.1,27.2, ..) such that a cross-sectional plane of the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) has the shape of a polygon with n corners and n sides between these n corners, where n is equal to or greater is then such that the bale forming assembly is adapted to form a bale (B) in the press comb er (32) extending along the center axis and having n sides (23.1, 23.2, ..) parallel to the center axis, the cross-sectional plane being the intersection - of the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) with - a plane perpendicular on the center axis.

An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bale forming means comprises a material compression means (5) comprising the pressing chamber - a pressing channel (32) with a pressing channel wall (3) and - an outlet (34), wherein the pressing channel wall (32) comprises the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) with n sides (27.1, 27.2, ..), the drain (34) is enclosed by the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) such that the outlet (34) has n sides and n corners between these n sides, and the material compression means (5) is adapted to press material (LM) through the pressing channel (32) away from the inlet and to the outlet (34) in the direction (PR) of the center axis.

An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) tapers with n sides in the direction of the outlet (34).

An assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) comprises at least one pivotally mounted wall surface portion (7.2), which pivotable wall surface portion (7.2) is arranged such that it is arranged around a pivot axis (37 ) can be pivoted from the wall face part, wherein the pivot axis (37) of the wall face part is perpendicular to the center axis (PR) of the polygonal wall part (3, 3.2), the bale forming assembly comprises a positioning means (36), the positioning means ( 36) is adapted to pivot the pivotable wall plane portion (7.2) about the pivot axis (37) of the wall plane portion such that the cross-sectional area of the polygonal wall portion (3.2) is changed by pivoting the wall plane portion (7.2).

An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the pivotally arranged wall surface portion (7.2) comprises two wall elements, wherein the wall elements are rigidly connected to each other at an angle of the wall surface portion (27.6), the angle of the wall face portion (27.6) belongs to one side of the n sides (27.1,27.2, ..) of the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2).

An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the material compression means (5) comprises a screw, the screw being adapted for pressing material (LM) through the pressing channel (32) in the direction of the outlet (34).

An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the screw has a conical shape and tapers in a direction along the center axis towards the outlet (34).

An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the material compression means (5) comprises a piston (5) and a drive for the piston (5), the piston (5) comprising a pressing surface (51) arranged perpendicular to the center axis, the pressing surface (51) having the shape of a polygon with n corners and n sides between these corners, and wherein the drive is adapted to cause the piston (5) to oscillate in the pressing channel ( 32).

An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the press channel (32) comprises - an inlet portion adjacent to the inlet and - an outlet portion adjacent to the outlet (34), the inlet portion being enclosed by an inlet wall portion (3.1) which has a cubic or cylindrical shape, the outlet section is enclosed by an outlet wall section (3.2) which comprises the polygonal wall section (3.2) with n sides (27.1,27.2, ..) with n> = 5, and the pressing means ( 5) adapted for the first time through the inlet portion and then pressing material (LM) through the outlet portion toward the outlet (34).

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the bale forming means (5) comprises at least one pressing and conveying unit and - the at least one pressing and conveying unit is adapted for conveying material (LM) along the surrounding bale chamber wall (3) and around the center axis - such that the material (LM) rotates about the center axis in the bale chamber (32).

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing chamber (32) is arranged such that the cross-sectional area of the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) has the shape of a polygon with n corners and n sides between these corners wherein at least two sides of this polygon are parallel to each other.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing chamber wall (3) is arranged such that the cross-sectional area of the polygonal wall portion is in the form of a polygon with n corners and n sides, where - n inner corners between adjacent sides of the polygon and - all inner angles are greater than 90 degrees.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly; furthermore comprises - a bale ejecting means (5) and - a form-fixing means (9, 10, 30.1, 30.2, 31), wherein the bale ejection means (5) is adapted to eject the bale from the pressing chamber (32), and the form-fixing means (9, 10, 30.1, 30.2, 31) is adapted to provide the bale (B) in the pressing chamber (32) with a form-fixing unit (31) such that the bale (B) has its sides (23.1,23.2, ..). ) after being ejected from the press chamber (32).

An assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the shape-fixing means (9, 10, 30.1, 30.2, 31) comprises - a reservoir (16) with a plurality of strands (17) of woven material, - a guide means (24) for a plurality of strands (17) of woven material, and - a knot assembly (9, 10), wherein the guide means (24) is provided for guiding a plurality of strands (17) from the reservoir (16) about a bale (B) in the bale chamber (32), the button assembly (9, 10) is adapted to tie multiple pairs together with two strands (17) of woven material.

An assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the shape-fixing means (9, 10, 30.1, 30.2, 31) comprises a means (30.1, 30.2, 31) for providing a wrap, the means (30.1, 30.2, 31) for providing a wrapping (31) adapted for wrapping loose material (LM) in the pressing chamber (32), the bale forming means (5) adapted for forming a wrapped bale in the pressing chamber (32) such that - the bale wrap (31) is part of the bale shape fixation unit (B) and - the shaped bale is placed in a wrap (31) provided by the means (30.1, 30.2, 31) for providing a wrap before being ejected from the press chamber (32).

An assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the assembly further comprises a means for generating a low pressure, the means for generating a low pressure being adapted for generating a low pressure in a wrap (31) ) with compressed material (LM) and located in the pressing chamber (32) where the low pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure on the ground.

17. Assembly as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the assembly further comprises a means for closing the wrapping, wherein the means for closing the wrapping is adapted for closing the wrapping after a low pressure has been in the wrapping generated such that the filled and sealed wrap forms a wrapped bale with the loose material (LM) in the wrapped and ejected bale retaining its shape with the n sides (23.1,23.2, ..) parallel to its center axis.

An assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that - the bale forming means comprises a pressure means, - the means for providing a wrapping comprises means (31.1, 30.2) for introducing a bag, means for introducing a bag is adapted to introduce a bag (31) into the space surrounded by the pressing chamber wall (3), and - the pressure means is adapted to be placed in a bag (31) provided in the space has been introduced, pressing material (LM) and thus forming a wrapped bale - such that the bag (31) forms a wrap or is part of the wrap for the material and the bale holds its shape with n sides (23.1, 23.2) parallel to the center axis.

An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the form-fixing means comprises a means for applying a net, the means for applying a net being adapted to - a number of rigid straight elements around the bale and - connecting these rigid straight elements - such that the bale is wrapped in a net provided with rigid straight elements.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly comprises a number of chamber wall portions (7.1, 7.2, 33), wherein at least one chamber wall portion (7.2) can be pivoted relative to a further chamber wall portion (7.1), and the assembly is adapted to be operated in bale forming mode wherein the chamber wall portions (7.1, 7.2, 33) together form a wall that encloses the pressing chamber (32) and functions as the pressing chamber wall (3).

An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the assembly is a movable vehicle and - a pick-up means, wherein the pick-up means is adapted to pick up material (LM) from the ground while the assembly is being moved over the ground.

Use of an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims for forming a bale (B) of agricultural material (LM).

A method of forming a bale (B) of loose material (LM) in which a pressing chamber (32) with - an inlet and - a pressing chamber wall (3) enclosing the pressing chamber (3; vert. 32) is used, wherein - the pressing chamber (32) extends along a center axis, - the pressing chamber wall (3) comprises a polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2), - wherein the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) has n sides (27.1, 27.2) such that cross-sectional area of the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) is in the form of a polygon with n corners and n sides between these n corners where n is equal to or greater than 5 - wherein the cross-sectional area is the intersection of the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) with a plane perpendicular to the center axis, the method for forming a bale comprises the steps that - the loose material (LM) is fed through the inlet to the perch chamber (32) and - a bale (B) in the pressing chamber (32) is formed by compressing the loose material (LM) fed into the pressing chamber (32) erd - such that a bale (B) extending along the center axis and having n sides (27.1, 27.2) parallel to the center axis is formed in the press chamber (32).

A method according to claim 23, characterized in that the method comprises the further steps that - a shape-fixing unit (31) is provided around the bale (B) while the bale is in the pressing chamber (32) and - the bale (B ) is ejected into the shape-fixing unit (31) through the outlet (34) from the pressing chamber (32), wherein the shape-fixing unit (31) is provided and provided such that the bale (B) is n sides (23.1, 23.2, ..) which are parallel to the center axis after being ejected from the press chamber (32).

A method according to claim 24, characterized in that the form-fixing unit (31) comprises a wrap (31) for the pressed loose material (LM), the method comprising the further steps of - the wrap (31) being provided in the bale chamber (32), the bale (B) in the wrapping (31) is formed from the loose material (LM) in the bale chamber (32) while the loose material (LM) is pressed such that a wound bale is formed in the bale chamber (32), and - the wound bale is ejected from the bale chamber (32).

A method according to claim 25, characterized in that - the wrapping (31) containing the material (LM) is sealed in the pressing chamber (32) such that the filled and sealed wrapping encloses a wrapped and sealed bale, - the wrapped and sealed bale (B) is ejected from the bale chamber (32) through an outlet (34) of the bale chamber (32).

A method according to claim 26, characterized in that a low pressure is formed in the wrap filled with pressed loose material (LM) while the filled wrap is in the press chamber (32) and the step of closing the wrap is performed after the low pressure has been formed.

Method according to one of claims 23 to 27, characterized in that the pressing chamber (32) is provided with - a pressing channel (32) with a pressing channel wall (3) and - an outlet (34), wherein the pressing channel wall (3) ) wherein the press channel wall comprises the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) with the n sides (27.1, 27.2, ..), the outlet (34) is enclosed by the polygonal wall portion (3, 3.2) such that the outlet (34) n has sides and n corners between these n sides, and the step of forming the bale (B) in the press chamber (32) includes the step that the loose material (LM) is pressed through the press channel (32) away from the inlet and to the outlet (34) in the direction of the center axis.

A method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of providing a bag (31) in the pressing channel (32), the step of pressing the material ( LM) to the outlet (34) includes the step that loose material (LM) is pressed into the bag (31) toward the center axis such that the loose material (LM) in the bag (31) forms a wrapped bale, and the method comprises the further step of disposing the loose material (LM) into the bag (31) through the outlet (34) out of the press channel (32).