CN114945270A

CN114945270A - Continuous bundling machine

Info

Publication number: CN114945270A
Application number: CN202080093302.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佩林奇里·纳拉亚南库蒂·普拉莫德
Original assignee: Athleen Red Land Motor Manufacturing Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Athleen Red Land Motor Manufacturing Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-20
Filing date: 2020-01-20
Publication date: 2022-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-20
Also published as: CN114945270B; WO2021148841A1; AU2020425500A1; CA3162753A1; KR20220129049A; JP7512396B2; EP4093181A1; BR112022012303A2; EP4093181A4; JP2023518646A

Abstract

A continuous baler has a mobile section having an open mode and a closed mode. In the closed mode, the moving section is connected to the baling half-chamber and the strapping half-chamber to form the baling chamber and the strapping chamber, respectively. In the open mode, the moving section moves away from the baling half-chamber and the binding half-chamber to allow a bale formed in the baling chamber to pass from the baling half-chamber and into the binding half-chamber.

Description

Continuous bundling machine

Technical Field

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to agricultural machines, and more particularly to machines designed for collecting crops to produce cylindrical bales.

Background

A baler is an agricultural machine configured to collect crops and produce cylindrical bales. Many balers are driven by tractors or self-propelled. Conventional round baler picks up the crop and compresses the crop into compact bales in a bale forming chamber. The operation of a round baler generally has three main steps: forming a bundle, bundling and discharging.

The crop pickup unit picks up material located on the ground and feeds it to a bale forming chamber of a baler to form a bale. Once the desired density of bundles is fully formed, the carrier may be stopped and the bundling cycle may begin. With the forward motion of the baler stopped, the mesh, strands or film is wrapped around the bale using an automated mechanism associated with the baling chamber. Once the bundle or package is complete, ejection can begin, wherein the baling chamber is opened, typically by lifting a tailgate, and the wrapped bale drops or is pushed out of the baling chamber. After discharge, the forming of the bale is resumed for a new bale, and the operator feeds the crop to the baler and moves the baler through the field.

A continuous baler is a baler capable of producing and discharging bales while picking up crops for the next bale. In this way, the continuous baler does not need to be stopped. The construction of current continuous round baler machines is complex, comprising many moving parts, and is therefore a major cause of reliability problems. Such systems may have two baling chambers, one above the other, which feature may pose challenges for baling dry crops and straw. This is because the adherence of the dried crop to the unit that collects and guides the crop is minimal. As a result, the collected dried crop tends to accumulate and clog at the inlet of the baling chamber.

Another form of continuous baler uses an endless belt inside the baling chamber, which is complex in construction. In such endless belts, initially crop is fed to the belt, the slack of which gradually increases to form cylindrical cavities to produce round bales. After a predetermined amount of crop has been fed to the baler, the strap is rolled over the bale and is ready for the next bale. This process requires many adjustments to the belt tension and therefore requires complex sensors and linear actuators or hydraulic cylinders.

European patent EP 3058806 discloses a round baler for forming bales from crop products. The round baler comprises a first bale forming chamber provided with a first bale forming mechanism, a second bale forming chamber provided with a second bale forming mechanism, a work unit comprising a rotor rotatable about a rotor axis of a feeding mechanism, a transfer unit, and a density control mechanism configured to detect a density of a preformed bale in the first bale forming chamber, wherein one or more sections of the first bale forming chamber provide one or more control elements for the density control mechanism.

Us patent 9,253,948 discloses a continuous round baler system having a baler and an accumulation system. The accumulation system includes a conveyor configured to convey crop material extending from the pickup mechanism to a bale forming chamber in the baler. The flattening device is positioned near an end of the conveyor and is configured to be movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the first conveyor by a lifting mechanism. In the raised position, a gap is formed between the flattening device and the first conveyor such that crop material passes into the bale forming chamber. In the lowered position, the gap is closed, thereby preventing crop material from passing to the baler, holding the crop material on the conveyor.

Us patent 6,467,237 discloses a large round baler designed as a non-stop baler comprising a mobile chassis supporting a lower and an upper baling chamber section defined by a floor conveyor arrangement. The upper baling chamber section is mounted with the opposing side walls for fore and aft movement relative to the lower baling chamber section between a rear position in which the upper baling chamber section cooperates with the floor conveyor means to define a rear baling chamber, and a front position in which the upper baling chamber section cooperates with the floor conveyor means to define a front baling chamber. The upper section includes a front wall portion and a rear wall portion mounted for elevation once a bale is formed in the rear baling chamber so that the upper section can be moved to its forward position. There is provided a wrapping device operable, once the upper chamber section is moved to its forward position, for wrapping a bale with overlapping wraps of sheet material made of plastics or the like to provide an airtight enclosure for the crop material for the manufacture of silage.

Disclosure of Invention

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a continuous baler for forming crop bales. The baler comprises a collecting unit, a baling half-chamber, a moving section, a strapping half-chamber and a binding unit. The collection unit is located at a front end of the baler and is configured to collect the crop from the ground on which the continuous baler travels. The baling half-chamber is located behind the collection unit and is configured to receive the crop from the collection unit, and the baling half-chamber includes two first walls and a plurality of first horizontal rollers parallel to each other, and the first horizontal rollers are disposed between the two first walls along a first arcuate path of a vertical plane. The moving section is located aft of the baling half-chamber and includes a forward half-chamber on a front side of the moving section and a rearward half-chamber on a rear side of the moving section. The front half-chamber comprises two second walls and a plurality of second horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the first horizontal roller, and the second horizontal rollers are arranged between the two second walls along a second arcuate path of the vertical plane. The rear half-chamber includes two third walls and a plurality of third horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed between the two third walls along a third arcuate path of the vertical plane. The strapping half-chamber is located behind the moving section and comprises two fourth walls and a gate. The two fourth walls are opposite side walls of the bundling chamber. The gate is located behind and substantially perpendicular to the fourth wall. The gate includes a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the third horizontal roller, and the fourth horizontal rollers are disposed along a fourth arcuate vertical path. The gate is hinged to the rear section of the bottom plate of the bundling half-chamber. The binding unit is located in the rear half-chamber or in the strapping half-chamber. The moving section is movable between its open and closed modes. In a closed mode of the moving section, the baling half-chamber and the front half-chamber of the moving section are connected to form a substantially cylindrical baling chamber, wherein the first arcuate path of the first roller and the second arcuate path of the second roller together form a first circular path. The baling chamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collection unit inside the cylindrical baling chamber so as to form a cylindrical bale. In the open mode of the moving section, the front half-chamber is moved away from the baling half-chamber, thereby opening the baling chamber and enabling the bale to pass into the strapping half-chamber. In a closed mode of the moving section, the bundling half-chamber and the rear half-chamber of the moving section are connected to form a bundling chamber, wherein the third arcuate path of the third roller and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller are opposite sides of the second circular path when the gate is closed. The binding chamber is configured to rotate the bundle about the cylindrical axis of the bundle while activating the binding unit to bind the bundle. After the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open by rotating about its first hinge to release the bale from the baler.

In a variant, the second roll is parallel to the third roll.

In another variation, the collection unit is connected to the baling half-chamber via a second hinge and is configured to rotate about the second hinge for selectively lowering to and raising from the ground.

In yet another variation, the first walls are parallel to each other.

In a further variant, the second walls are parallel to each other.

In yet a further variant, the third walls are parallel to each other.

In a variant, the fourth walls are parallel to each other.

In another variation, the moving section is connected to the top of the baling half-chamber via a third hinge and is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the third hinge.

In yet another variation, the moving section is connected to the top of the strapping half-chamber via a fourth hinge and is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the fourth hinge.

In a further variation, the continuous baler further comprises a lifter, wherein the moving section is connected to the lifter such that the lifter is configured to raise the moving section to the open mode and lower the moving section to the closed mode.

In yet a further variation, the continuous baler includes a conveyor between the baling half-chamber and the binding half-chamber configured to transport the bale from the baling half-chamber to the binding half-chamber.

Optionally, the rear section of the conveyor is the bottom plate of the strapping half-chamber.

In a variation, the continuous baler comprises a pressure sensor associated with at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers and a first actuator configured to move the moving section. When the moving section is in the closed mode, the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted by the bale on at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, cause the first actuator to move the moving section to the open mode.

In another variation, the first circular path is larger than the second circular path such that when the bale is in the baling chamber, the closing of the moving section on the bale is configured to compress the bale in the baling chamber.

In yet another variation, the continuous baler further comprises a second actuator and a sensing unit associated with the binding mechanism, wherein the sensing unit is configured to detect the end of the binding of the bale inside the baling chamber and to open the gate in order to discharge the bale out of the baler.

In a further variation, the continuous baler further comprises a second actuator and a proximity sensor associated with the baling chamber, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to sense the presence of the bale in the baling chamber and on the gate while the gate is open, and to cause the second actuator to close the gate if the presence of the bale is not sensed in either the baling chamber or the gate.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a method for forming a crop bale, the method comprising: providing a bundling machine; forming a baling chamber in the baler by connecting a front half-chamber of the moving section to a fixed baling half-chamber; continuously collecting the crop from the front side and directing the crop to the baling half-chamber; rolling the crop to form a bale in the baling chamber; opening the baling chamber by moving the moving section away from the baling half-chamber once the bale reaches the desired size and density; directing the bale to a fixed-strapping half-chamber; forming a strapping chamber by closing the moving section so as to connect the rear half-chamber of the moving section to the fixed strapping half-chamber; bundling the bundle in a bundling chamber; once the bale is bound, opening a gate at the rear side of the baler; guiding the bale out of the baler via a gate; once the bale exits the baler, the gate is closed.

In a variation, the forming of the baling chamber includes simultaneously forming the baling chamber. The binding of the bale in the baling chamber includes simultaneously forming a second bale in the baling chamber. The method includes opening the baling chamber and directing the second bale to the strapping half-chamber after closing the gate.

In another variation, the forming of the baling chamber includes compressing the bale in the baling chamber.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a continuous baler for forming crop bales. The baler comprises a collecting unit, a baling half-chamber, a moving section, a strapping half-chamber and a strapping unit. The collection unit is located at a front end of the baler and is configured to collect the crop from the ground on which the continuous baler travels. The baling half-chamber is located behind the collection unit and is configured to receive the crop from the collection unit. The baling half-chamber includes two first walls and a plurality of first horizontal rollers parallel to each other, and the first horizontal rollers are disposed between the two first walls along a first arcuate path of a vertical plane. The moving section is located aft of the baling half-chamber and includes a forward half-chamber on a forward side of the moving section and a rearward half-chamber on a rearward side of the moving section. The front half-chamber comprises two second walls and a plurality of second horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the first horizontal roller, and the second horizontal rollers are arranged between the two second walls along a second arcuate path of the vertical plane. The rear half-chamber includes two third walls and a plurality of third horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed between the two third walls along a third arcuate path of the vertical plane. The strapping half-chamber is located behind the moving section and comprises two fourth walls and a gate. The two fourth walls are opposite side walls of the bundling chamber. The gate is located behind the fourth wall, and the gate comprises two fifth walls and a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the third horizontal roller. A fourth horizontal roller is disposed between the fifth walls along a fourth arcuate vertical path. The gate is hinged to the top of each of the fourth walls via a first hinge. The binding unit is located in the rear half-chamber or in the strapping half-chamber. The moving section is movable between its open and closed modes. In a closed mode of the moving section, the baling half-chamber and the front half-chamber of the moving section are connected to form a substantially cylindrical baling chamber, wherein the first arcuate path of the first roller and the second arcuate path of the second roller together form a first circular path. The baling chamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collection unit inside the cylindrical baling chamber to form a bale. In the open mode of the moving section, the front half-chamber is moved away from the baling half-chamber, thereby opening the baling chamber and enabling the bale to pass into the strapping half-chamber. In a closed mode of the moving section, the bundling half-chamber and the rear half-chamber of the moving section are connected to form a bundling chamber, wherein the third arcuate path of the third roller and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller form a second circular path when the gate is closed. The binding chamber is configured to rotate the bundle about the cylindrical axis of the bundle while activating the binding unit to bind the bundle. After the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open by swinging about its first hinge to release the bale from the baler.

In a variant, the second roller is parallel to the third roller.

In yet another variation, the first walls are parallel to each other.

In a further variant, the second walls are parallel to each other.

In a still further variant, the third walls are parallel to each other.

In a variant, the fourth walls are parallel to each other.

In yet a further variation, the continuous baler further comprises a conveyor between the baling half-chamber and the binding half-chamber, the conveyor configured to transport the bale from the baling half-chamber to the binding half-chamber.

In a variation, the continuous baler comprises a pressure sensor associated with at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers and a first actuator configured for moving the moving section. When the moving section is in the closed mode, the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted by the bale on at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, cause the first actuator to move the moving section to the open mode.

In yet another variation, the continuous baler includes a second actuator and a sensing unit associated with the strapping mechanism. The sensing unit is configured to detect the end of the binding of the bale inside the binding chamber and to open the gate in order to discharge the bale out of the baler.

In a further variation, the continuous baler further comprises a second actuator and a proximity sensor associated with the baling chamber. The proximity sensor is configured for sensing the presence of the bale in the baling chamber and on the gate while the gate is open, and for causing the second actuator to close the gate if the presence of the bale is not sensed in either the baling chamber or the gate.

In yet a further variation, the continuous baler further comprises a second actuator; or a series of sequentially arranged cliche rollers; or a series of floor rollers and conveyor belts arranged in sequence; wherein the conveyor belt surrounds a series of floor rollers.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a method for forming crop bales. The method comprises the following steps: providing a bundling machine; forming a baling chamber in the baler by connecting a front half-chamber of the moving section to a fixed baling half-chamber; continuously collecting the crop from the front side and directing the crop to the baling half-chamber; rolling the crop to form a bale in the baling chamber; opening the baling chamber by moving the moving section away from the baling half-chamber once the bale reaches the desired size and density; directing the bale to a fixed-strapping half-chamber; forming a strapping chamber by closing the moving section so as to connect the rear half-chamber of the moving section to the fixed strapping half-chamber; bundling the bundle in a bundling chamber; once the bale is bound, opening a gate at the rear side of the baler; guiding the bale out of the baler via a gate; once the bale exits the baler, the gate is closed.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a continuous baler for forming crop bales. The baler comprises a collecting unit, a baling half-chamber, a moving section, a strapping half-chamber and a binding unit. The collection unit is located at a front end of the baler and is configured to collect the crop from the ground on which the continuous baler travels. The baling half-chamber is located behind the collection unit and is configured to receive the crop from the collection unit. The moving section is located aft of the baling half-chambers, is movable between its open and closed modes, and includes a forward half-chamber on a forward side of the moving section and a rearward half-chamber on a rearward side of the moving section. The strapping half-chamber is located behind the moving section and includes a gate at its rear. The binding unit is located in the rear half-chamber or in the binding half-chamber. In the closed mode of the moving section, the baling half-chambers and the front half-chambers are connected to form a baling chamber, and the strapping half-chambers and the rear half-chambers are connected to form a strapping chamber. The baling chamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collection unit inside the baling chamber to form a bale. In the open mode of the moving section, the front half-chamber is located away from the baling half-chamber, forming an opening in the baling chamber and enabling passage of the bale into the strapping half-chamber. The binding chamber is configured to rotate the bale while activating the binding unit to bind the bale. After the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open to release the bale from the baler.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims.

Drawings

The invention in accordance with one or more various embodiments is described in detail with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a baler according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collection unit of the baler of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 3 and 4 illustrate a baling half-chamber of the baler of fig. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 5-7 illustrate a moving section of the baler of fig. 1 according to some embodiments of the invention;

figure 8 shows an example of a baler of the invention in which the mobile section is hinged to the baling half-chambers;

figure 9 shows an example of a baler of the invention in which the mobile section is hinged to the strapping half-chamber;

figure 10 shows an example of a baler of the invention in which the mobile section is connected to a lifter;

11a and 11b illustrate examples of baling half-chambers of the baler of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

figures 12 and 13 illustrate an example of a gate of the baler of figure 1 according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 14 is a side view of the interior of the baler of fig. 1 during formation of a bale in a baling chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 15 is a side view of the baler of fig. 1 during transfer of a bale through an open mobile section to a strapping half-chamber according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 16 is a side view of the baler of fig. 1 during bundling of the bale in the bundling chamber according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 17 is a side view of the interior of the baler of fig. 1 during bundling in a bundling chamber and simultaneous forming of a bale in the bundling chamber according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 18 is a side view of the interior of the baler of fig. 1 during discharge of a bale and simultaneous formation of the bale in a baling chamber according to some embodiments of the invention;

19a and 19b are side views of the interior of the baler of FIG. 1 having a conveyor comprising a plurality of sole plate rollers arranged in sequence, according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 20 is a schematic view of a baler of the present invention having sensors and actuators that control operation of the baler according to some embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 21 is a perspective view of a baler having an upwardly swinging gate according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 22 is a perspective view of a baler with an upward swinging gate according to some embodiments of the invention, with the movable portion in the open mode;

figures 23 and 24 are perspective views of a baler having an upwardly swinging gate when the gate is open according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 25 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21 during production of a bale in a baling chamber, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 26 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21 with a bale being transferred from the baling half-chamber to the binding half-chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the baler of FIG. 21 with the bale being strapped in the strapping chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 28 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21, with the bale being discharged by opening the gate, according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 29 is an example of the baler of fig. 21 in which the movable portion is hingedly connected to the strapping half-chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 30 is an example of the baler of fig. 21 with the movable portion connected to the lifter, according to some embodiments of the invention; and

fig. 31 is a flow chart illustrating a method for bundling according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that the invention may be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Detailed Description

At times, the disclosure is described herein in terms of an example environment. The description of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the present invention to be depicted in the context of exemplary applications. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications mentioned are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the applications, published applications and other publications that are incorporated herein by reference, the definition set forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a baler 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The baler 100 of the present invention has a front side and a rear side. The baler 100 comprises a gathering unit 101 at the front side of the baler, followed by a fixed baling half-chamber 102, a moving section 103 and a fixed baling half-chamber 105.

The baler 100 is capable of continuous operation, that is, without interruption of operation during bale discharge. The baler 100 may be used to form bales from any crop (e.g., grass, hay, straw, etc.) in dry or wet conditions. The baler 100 may be tractor driven (carried by a tractor) or may be self-propelled.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a collection unit 101 of the baler 100 of fig. 1 according to some embodiments of the invention.

The collecting unit 101 is located at the front of the baler 100 and is configured to collect the crop from the floor and feed it to the other units of the baler 100. Any crop collection mechanism may be used in the collection unit 101. In the non-limiting example of fig. 2, the collection unit 101 comprises a plurality of teeth 200 rotating in a vertical plane, which lift the crop from the ground and convey it upwards. At the rear/outlet end of the collecting unit 101, the collecting unit 101 extends to the baling half-chamber 102. In some embodiments of the invention, the collection unit 101 comprises a blade (not shown) attached to sever the collected crop.

Optionally, the collection unit is connected to the baling half-chamber 102 via a hinge 202. In this way, the collection unit 101 can be lowered to the ground when the baler 100 collects a crop, and raised as the baler 100 travels without collecting a crop. The latter configuration with elevated collection units is shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of a baling half-chamber 102 of the baler 100 of fig. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a side view of the baling half-chamber 102. Fig. 4 is a perspective rear view of the bundling half-chamber 102.

The stationary half-chamber 102 is connected to the rear end of the collection unit 101. The stationary half-chamber 102 includes a plurality of first horizontal rollers 204. The first rollers are parallel to each other, aligned with each other, and disposed between the two first

vertical walls

206 and 208 along a first arcuate path of the vertical plane. The two first

vertical walls

206 and 208 are optionally parallel to each other.

Fig. 5-7 illustrate examples of the moving section 103 of the baler 100 of fig. 1 according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 5 is a side view of the moving section 103. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the moving section 103. Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the moving section 103.

Moving section 103 includes a front half-chamber 208 at the front of moving section 103 and a rear half-chamber 210 at the rear of moving section 103. The movement section 103 has an on mode/configuration and an off mode/configuration. In the closed mode/configuration, the front half-chamber 208 is connected to the baling half-chamber 102 to form a baling chamber, wherein the bale is formed from the collected work, and the rear half-chamber 210 is connected to the strapping half-chamber 105 to form a strapping chamber, wherein the bale is strapped or wrapped. In the open mode/configuration, the bale is transferred from the baling half-chamber 102 to the binding half-chamber 105.

The front half-chamber 208 has a plurality of second rollers 212 that are parallel to each other and to the first rollers 204 of the baling half-chamber 102, are aligned with each other, and are disposed along a second vertical arcuate path between two second

vertical walls

214 and 216. The two second

vertical walls

214 and 216 are optionally parallel to each other.

The rear half-chamber 210 is located behind the front half-chamber. The rear half-chamber 210 includes third rollers 218, the third rollers 218 being parallel to each other, aligned with each other, and disposed along a third vertical arcuate path between two third

vertical walls

220 and 222. The third roller 210 is a roller parallel to and aligned with the gate (as will be explained further below). The two third

vertical walls

220 and 222 are optionally parallel to each other. In some embodiments of the present invention, the third roller 210 is also parallel to the second roller 212.

In some embodiments of the invention, the rear half-chamber 210 comprises a binding apparatus 104 configured to bind the bundle when the bundle is inside the bundling chamber (which is formed by the rear half-chamber 210 and the bundling half-chamber 105 when the moving section 103 is in its closed mode). The binding device 104 may bind the bale, for example, by binding the bale with a stranded wire or wrapping the bale with a mesh or plastic film.

In embodiments using a twisted wire, the binding apparatus 104 includes a trigger mechanism, a first arm, a worm gearbox pulley, and a clamp arm. The trigger mechanism extends the arm to the top of the bale. When the bale reaches a predetermined size, the arm is lowered. The strands are transferred to the arms by rollers, connected to worm gearbox pulleys, and connected to a second arm which acts as a crank. The strands extend a little foot from the arm to grab the holding bale. When the strands grip the bale, the arm is moved longitudinally along the bale, thus binding the strands at a determined pitch on the bale. An automatic cutting mechanism is provided that cuts the strands at a desired point to allow the strands to be used for the next bundle.

In embodiments where a mesh or plastic film is used as the binding material, the binding material is fed through the nip rollers either electrically or by other means when the desired bale size is reached. After wrapping, the pinch rollers are braked to stop feeding the binding material and the cutting mechanism is actuated to cut the web/film (not shown).

The movement section 103 is movable relative to the bundling half-chamber 102 and the bundling half-chamber 105. In some embodiments of the invention, the moving section 103 is hinged to the top of the baling half-chamber 102 and is configured to rotate about the hinge in order to achieve the open and closed modes. Optionally, the moving section 103 has a hinge mechanism 224 connected to the top roller of the first roller 204 such that rotation of the moving section 103 occurs about the top first roller 204.

Such an embodiment is shown in detail in fig. 8, fig. 8 showing an example of the baler 100 of the invention, wherein the mobile section 103 is hinged to the top of the baling half-chamber 102. In some embodiments of the invention, the baler 100 comprises a conveyor 108 located between the baling half-chambers 102 and the strapping half-chambers 105 below the moving section 103. The conveyor 108 is configured to transport the bale from the baling half-chamber 102 to the strapping half-chamber 105. The conveyor 108 may include horizontal rollers, conveyor belts, or chains and plate mechanisms. The conveyor 108 may be in the form of a conveyor belt, for example as seen in fig. 14 and 17, or may be in the form of a plurality of cliche rollers 108a, the cliche rollers 108a being arranged in sequence to form the cliche of the baler 100, as seen in fig. 19a, or may comprise cliche rollers 108a and a conveyor belt 108b surrounding the cliche rollers 108a, as seen in fig. 19 b.

In a variant, the mobile section 103 is hinged to the bundling half-chamber 105, as shown in the example in fig. 9. In some embodiments of the invention, strapping half-chamber 105 includes an extension 226 and a hinge mechanism 228 near the top of extension 226. The hinge mechanism is connected to the rear half-cavity of the moving section 103 and allows the moving section 103 to rotate about the hinge 228.

In a variant, the movement section 103 is movable via a lifter. This is shown in detail in the example of fig. 10. The baler 100 comprises a lifter 230 and the moving section 103 is connected to the lifter such that the lifter is configured for raising and lowering the moving section 103. When the moving section 103 is in the raised configuration, it is in the open mode, allowing the bale to pass from the baling half-chamber 102 to the baling half-chamber 105. When the moving section 103 is in the lowered configuration, it is in the closed mode such that the baling half-chambers 102 and the front half-chambers of the moving section 103 are connected to form a baling chamber configured to form a bale from the collected crop, while the baling half-chambers 105 and the rear half-chambers of the moving section 103 are connected to form a baling chamber configured to bundle and/or wrap the bale located therein.

Fig. 11a and 11b illustrate an example of a strapping half-chamber 105 of the baler 100 of fig. 1 according to some embodiments of the invention. Figure 11a is a side view of the strapping half-chamber 105. Fig. 11b is a perspective side of the strapping half-cavity 105 connected to the rear half-cavity 210.

The lashing half-chamber 105 comprises two fourth

vertical walls

232 and 231 and a shutter 107. Fourth

vertical walls

232 and 231 are opposite side walls of the strapping half-chamber 105 and are optionally parallel to each other and to the

walls

220 and 222 of the rear half-chamber 210 of the moving section 103. The shutter 107 is substantially perpendicular to the

fourth walls

232 and 231 and is the rear wall of the bundling half-chamber 105.

The shutter 107 is hinged to the rear floor of the bundling half-chamber 105 and is configured to rotate about a hinge 234 to open and close. When the gate is closed, the bundle remains inside the bundling half-chamber 105. When the gate 107 is opened, the bale is released from the rear of the baler 100. In some embodiments of the invention, the gate 107 is actuated to open and close by an automatic sensor. The binding mechanism 104 is associated with a sensing unit configured to detect the end of the binding of a bundle and to open the gate 104 to release the bound bundle. In some embodiments of the invention, the binding comprises wrapping with a plastic film/mesh and the sensing unit comprises a proximity sensor. In some embodiments of the invention, the bundling comprises bundling with a stranded wire and the sensing unit may comprise a limit switch. The shutter 107 may be operated by means of an electric or hydraulic actuator 236. Optionally, the floor of the strapping half-chamber 105 comprises a rear section of the conveyor 108.

In some embodiments of the invention, strapping half-chamber 105 includes a strapping mechanism similar to strapping mechanism 104 shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 12 and 13 illustrate an example of the gate 107 of the baler 100 of fig. 1 according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 12 is a side view of the shutter 107, while fig. 13 is a perspective view of the shutter 107.

The gate 104 comprises a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers 238 arranged parallel to the third horizontal rollers 218 of the rear half-chamber 210 and along a fourth vertical arcuate path. Optionally, a fourth horizontal roller 238 is held between two fifth

vertical walls

240 and 242 defining sides of the gate 104.

As mentioned above, the gate is configured to open and close by rotating about the hinge 234. The hinge 234 may be one of the fourth rollers of the gate. In some embodiments of the invention, hinge 234 is the lowest roller of the gate and is connected to the bottom plate of the bundling half-chamber.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the interior of the baler 100 of fig. 1 during bale formation in the baling chamber according to some embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a side view of the baler 100 of fig. 1 during transfer of a bale through an opening movement section to a binding half-chamber according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 16 is a side view of the baler 100 of fig. 1 during bundling of bales in a bundling chamber according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 17 is a side view of the interior of the baler 100 of fig. 1 during bundling in a bundling chamber and simultaneous forming of a bale in the bundling chamber according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 18 is a side view of the interior of the baler of fig. 1 during discharge of a bale and simultaneous formation of the bale in a baling chamber according to some embodiments of the invention.

Initially (fig. 14), the mobile section 103 is in its off mode. Thus, the baling half-chamber 102 and the forward half-chamber 208 of the moving section 103 are connected together to form a baling chamber. The first arcuate path of the first roller and the second arcuate path of the second roller form a first circular path. The interior of the baling chamber is thus substantially cylindrical.

As the baler 100 moves forward, the collection unit 101 collects the crop and feeds the crop into the baling chamber. In the baling chamber, the first and second rollers rotate to roll the crop inside the baling chamber. As more crop is fed into the baling chamber, a cylindrical bale 109 is formed. As the bale 109 increases in size and density, the bale pushes the rollers with increasing force.

In fig. 15, the bundle 109 is completely formed by achieving the desired size and density, and thus the roller is pushed with a certain pressure. One or more pressure sensors associated with at least one of the first and/or second rollers detect pressure and cause an actuator of the moving section 103 to open the moving section by moving the front half-chamber away from the baling half-chamber, thereby opening the baling chamber. The bundle 109 is released from the bundling half-chamber 102 and allowed to pass through to the bundling half-chamber 105. The conveyor 108 directs the bale 109, if present, from the baling chamber 102 to the strapping half-chamber 105.

In fig. 16, the bundle 109 reaches the bundling half-chamber 105 and the moving section 103 is closed. In this manner, the rear half-chamber 210 of the moving section 103 connects the bundling half-chambers 105 to form bundling chambers. The third arcuate path of the third roller and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller are opposite sides of the second circular path. The third and fourth rollers rotate causing the bundle 109 to rotate about its cylindrical axis. When the bundle 109 is rotated, the binding unit located in the rear half-chamber or in the bundling half-chamber binds the bundle 109 as described above. Optionally, the second circular path of the baling chamber is smaller in size than the first circular path of the baling chamber. Thus, when the moving section 103 is closed, the bundle 109 is compressed inside the bundling chamber. In some embodiments of the invention, no crop is introduced into the bundling chamber from the outside as the bundle 109 is rotated within the bundling chamber.

It should be noted that the fixed vertical walls of the baling half-chamber 105 ensure that loose portions of the dried crop are not lost from the bale during baling.

As mentioned above, the baler 100 of the present invention is configured to operate continuously. The collection unit 101 is configured to continuously collect crops. As seen in fig. 17, even when the bale 109 is bundled, a new crop is collected and a new bale 200 is formed in the baling chamber. Thus, operation of the baler is not stopped at any time.

In fig. 18, the first bale 109 has been strapped and released from the baler 100 by opening the gate 107 and guiding the bale 109 via the fourth roller of the gate 107. At the same time, the second bundle 200 is still formed while the moving section 103 is still closed. Once the first bale comes out, the gate 107 is closed and the process started in fig. 14 is repeated for the second bale 200. In some embodiments of the invention, the baler comprises a proximity sensor associated with the baling chamber to detect the presence of the bale inside the baling chamber or on the gate once the gate has opened. The proximity sensor causes the actuator 106 to close the gate if the proximity sensor detects that the bale is no longer in the baling chamber. In a variant, the proximity sensor comprises a weight sensor associated with the floor and/or the gate of the strapping half-chamber. Any other proximity sensor known in the art may be used to determine the presence or absence of a bundle.

In the present invention, a single baling chamber is formed having a fixed section (baling half-chamber). The collecting unit continuously collects the crop and feeds the crop to the baling half-chambers. In this way, no complex control of the collecting unit is required, or no feeding of the crop to the different baling chambers is required. Furthermore, in the present invention, the first roller and/or the second roller are associated with pressure sensors, so that once the bale reaches the desired size and density, the associated pressure is detected and the moving section is opened. In this way, no complex bale density measurement system is required.

It should be noted that the expression "half-chamber" does not mean exactly half of the chamber. Rather, the expression refers to a portion of the chamber which, when connected to a "half-chamber", forms a closed chamber.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view of a baler of the invention having sensors and actuators that control operation of the baler.

The baler 100 includes at least one pressure sensor 250, a first actuator 252, a sensing unit 254, and a proximity sensor 256.

The pressure sensor 250 is associated with at least one of the first rollers of the baling half-chamber 102 and/or at least one of the second rollers of the moving section 103. The pressure sensor 250 is configured to measure the pressure exerted by the bale on at least one of the first roller and/or the second roller. Once the bale reaches the desired size and density, the pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, and the pressure sensor 250 sends a signal to the first actuator 252 to move the moving section 103 to its open mode to allow the bale to be directed to the bale half-chamber 105. The first actuator 252 is associated with the movement section 103 and is configured to move the movement section 103 between its open and closed modes, as described above in fig. 8-10.

The sensing unit 254 is associated with the bundling unit 104 and is configured to sense the end of bundling of a bundle, as described above. Upon sensing the end of the binding, the sensing unit 254 sends an activation signal to the actuator 106 to open the gate 107 so as to discharge the bound bale.

After the gate has opened, the proximity sensor 256 is configured to sense the presence of the bale in the baling chamber and on the gate 107, as explained above. Once the proximity sensor 256 senses that the bale is neither in the baling chamber nor on the gate 107, the bale has been discharged from the baler, and the proximity sensor 256 sends a signal to the actuator 106 to close the gate in preparation for binding the next bale.

Fig. 21-30 relate to some embodiments of the invention in which a continuous baler 400 has an upwardly swinging gate 107 at the rear of the baler.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a baler having an upwardly swinging gate according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a baler with an upward swinging gate according to some embodiments of the invention, with the movable portion in the open mode. Fig. 23 and 24 are perspective views of a baler having an upwardly swinging gate when the gate is open according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 25 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21 during production of a bale in a baling chamber, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 26 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21 with a bale being transferred from the baling half-chamber to the binding half-chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 27 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21, with the bale being strapped in the strapping chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 28 is a schematic view of the baler of fig. 21 according to some embodiments of the invention, with the bale being discharged by opening the gate.

The continuous baler 400 is similar to the baler 100 of fig. 1-20. In the baler 400, a collection unit 101 at the front side of the baler as described above is included, followed by a stationary baling half-chamber 102 as described above, a moving section 103 as described above, and a strapping half-chamber different from the strapping half-chamber described above.

The bundling half-chamber comprises two

fourth walls

231 and 232, which are opposite side walls of the bundling chamber, and a shutter 107. The shutter 107 is located behind the

fourth walls

231 and 232 and comprises two

fifth walls

404 and 406 and a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers 402 parallel to each other and to the third horizontal rollers of the movement section 103. The fifth walls may be horizontal walls parallel to each other. A fourth horizontal roller 402 is disposed along a fourth arcuate vertical path between two

fifth walls

404 and 406. The shutter 107 is hinged to the top of each of the

fourth walls

404 and 406 via a first hinge 408. The binding chamber includes a binding unit located in the rear half-chamber or in the strapping half-chamber. The binding unit is configured to bind (bundle) the bale, as explained above, while the bale rotates inside the binding chamber.

In the closed mode of the moving section, the bundling half-chamber and the rear half-chamber of the moving section 103 are connected to form a bundling chamber, wherein the third arcuate path of the third roller 218 and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller 402 form a second circular path when the gate 107 is closed. After the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open by rotating about its first hinge 408 to release the bale from the baler 400.

When the moving section 103 is closed and the shutter 107 is closed, the

third walls

220 and 222 of the moving section contact the

fourth walls

231 and 232, respectively, while the

fourth walls

231 and 232 contact the

fifth walls

404 and 406, respectively. In this way, the strapping chamber is closed and the bale is rotated therein and strapped, as explained above. When the bundling is completed, the shutter 107 is opened by being rotated (swung) upward.

In some embodiments of the invention, the second circular path of the baling chamber has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the first circular path of the baling chamber. In this way, the bundle is compressed inside the bundling chamber.

Initially (fig. 25), the mobile section 103 is in its off mode. Thus, the baling half-chamber 102 and the forward half-chamber of the moving section 103 are connected together to form a baling chamber. The first arcuate path of the first roller and the second arcuate path of the second roller form a first circular path. Thereby, the interior of the baling chamber is substantially cylindrical.

As the baler 400 moves forward, the collection unit 101 collects the crop and feeds the crop into the baling chamber. In the baling chamber, the first and second rollers rotate to roll the crop inside the baling chamber. As more crop is fed into the baling chamber, a cylindrical bale 109 is formed. As the bale 109 increases in size and density, the bale pushes the rollers with increasing force.

In fig. 26, the bundle 109 is completely formed by reaching a desired size and density, and thus the roller is pushed with a certain pressure. One or more pressure sensors associated with at least one of the first and/or second rollers detect pressure and cause an actuator of the moving section 103 to open the moving section by moving the front half-chamber away from the baling half-chamber, thereby opening the baling chamber. In the example of fig. 26, the movement section 103 has a hinge mechanism 224 connected to the top roller of the first roller 204, such that rotation of the movement section 103 occurs about the top first roller 204 to open the movement section 103. As explained later in fig. 29 and 30, the movement of the movement section can take place in different ways. When the moving section 103 is in the open mode, the bale 109 is released from the baling half-chamber 102 and allowed to pass through to the baling half-chamber 105. The conveyor 108 directs the bale 109, if present, from the baling chamber 102 to the strapping half-chamber. The conveyor 108 may comprise a conveyor belt, or a series of cliche rollers surrounded by a conveyor belt, as explained above with reference to fig. 14, 17, 19a and 19 b.

In fig. 27, the bundle 109 reaches the bundling half-chamber and the moving section 103 is closed. In this manner, the rear half-chambers 210 of the moving section 103 connect the strapping half-chambers to form a strapping chamber. The third arcuate path of the third roller and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller are opposite sides of the second circular path. The third and fourth rollers rotate to rotate the bale 109 about its cylindrical axis. When the bundle 109 is rotated, the binding unit located in the rear half-chamber or the bundling half-chamber binds the bundle 109 as described above. Optionally, the second circular path of the baling chamber is smaller in size than the first circular path of the baling chamber. Thus, when the moving section 103 is closed, the bundle 109 is compressed inside the bundling chamber. In some embodiments of the invention, no crop (other than the bale itself) is introduced into the baling chamber from the outside as the bale 109 rotates within the baling chamber.

It should be noted that the fourth and fifth walls of the bundling half-chamber ensure that loose parts of the dried crop are not lost from the bundle during bundling.

As mentioned above, the baler 400 of the present invention is configured to operate continuously. The collection unit 101 is configured to continuously collect crops. As seen in fig. 27 and 28, even when the bale 109 is bundled, a new crop is collected and a new bale 200 is formed in the baling chamber. Thus, operation of the baler does not stop at any time.

In fig. 28, the first bale 109 has been strapped and the bale 109 is released from the baler 100 by opening the gate 107 and guiding it via the third roller of the moving section 103 and/or via the conveyor 108 at the floor of the baler 400. At the same time, the second bundle 200 is still formed while the moving section 103 is still closed. Once the first bale comes out, the gate 107 is closed and the process started in fig. 25 is repeated for the second bale 200. In some embodiments of the invention, the baler 400 includes a proximity sensor associated with the baling chamber that detects the presence of a bale on the gate or inside the baling chamber once the gate has opened. The proximity sensor causes the gate 107 to close if it detects that the bale is no longer in the strapping chamber. In a variant, the proximity sensor comprises a weight sensor associated with the floor and/or the gate of the strapping half-chamber. Any other proximity sensor known in the art may be used to determine the presence or absence of a bundle.

In the present invention, a single baling chamber is formed having a fixed section (baling half-chamber). The collecting unit continuously collects the crop and feeds the crop to the baling half-chamber. In this way, no complex control of the collecting unit is required, or no feeding of the crop to the different baling chambers is required. Furthermore, in the present invention, the first and/or second roller is associated with a pressure sensor, so that once the bale reaches the desired size and density, the associated pressure is detected and the moving section is opened. In this way, no complex bale density measurement system is required.

It should be noted that the expression "half-chamber" does not mean exactly half of the chamber. Conversely, the expression refers to a portion of a chamber which, when connected to another "half-chamber", forms a closed chamber.

Fig. 29 is an example of the baler 400 of fig. 21, in which the movable portion is hingedly connected to the strapping half-chamber, according to some embodiments of the invention.

In a variant, the moving section 103 is hinged to the top of the fourth wall of the bundling half-chamber 105 via a hinge mechanism 228. The hinge mechanism allows the mobile section 103 to rotate about the hinge mechanism 228.

Fig. 29 is an example of the baler of fig. 21 with the moving section connected to a lifter, according to some embodiments of the invention.

In a variant, the movement section 103 is movable via a lifter. The baler 100 comprises a lifter 230 and the mobile section 103 is connected to the lifter 230 such that the lifter is configured to raise and lower the mobile section 103. When the moving section 103 is in the raised configuration, it is in the open mode, allowing the bale to pass from the baling half-chamber 102 to the baling half-chamber 105. When the moving section 103 is in the lowered configuration, it is in the closed mode such that the baling half-chambers 102 and the front half-chambers of the moving section 103 are connected to form a baling chamber configured to form a bale from the collected crop, while the baling half-chambers and the rear half-chambers of the moving section 103 are connected to form a baling chamber configured to bundle and/or wrap the bale located therein.

The flow chart 300 of fig. 30 illustrates a method of baling using the

baler

100 or 400, as described above, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

At 302, crops are continuously collected from the front side of the baler. At 304, the collected crop is directed individually to a baling chamber or baling half-chamber. It should be noted that the collection of the crop and the guiding of the crop to the baling chamber or baling half-chamber occurs even during the following steps of the method.

At 306, the crop is rolled into a cylindrical bale in the baling chamber by rotation of the rollers of the baling chamber. At 308, when the bale has been fully formed by reaching the desired size and density, the moving section is opened, thereby opening the baling chamber. At 310, the bundle is directed to a bundling half-chamber.

At 312, the moving section is closed and the strapping chamber is closed. At 314, the bale is rotated in the baling chamber and strapped, as described above. It should be noted that during the rotation of the bale in the baling chamber, no crop other than the bale is introduced into the baling chamber. The bale is already fully formed in the baling chamber before being introduced into the baling chamber. In some embodiments of the invention, the bundling chamber is smaller than the bundling chamber. Thus, the bale is compressed while rotating in the baling chamber. At 318, when the tying of the bale is complete, the gate at the rear end of the baling chamber is opened. At 320, the bale is directed out of the gate and out of the baler. At 322, the gate is closed.

Although the present invention has been described above with respect to various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment described, but instead can be applied, alone or in different combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A continuous baler for forming crop bales, the baler comprising:

(i) a collection unit at a front end of the baler, the collection unit configured to collect crop from the ground on which the continuous baler travels;

(ii) a baling half-chamber located behind the collection unit, the baling half-chamber configured to receive the crop from the collection unit and including two first walls and a plurality of first horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed between the two first walls along a first arcuate path of a vertical plane;

(iii) a moving section located aft of the baling half-chamber, the moving section including a forward half-chamber on a front side of the moving section and a rear half-chamber on a rear side of the moving section;

the front half-chamber comprises two second walls and a plurality of second horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the first horizontal roller, and the second horizontal rollers are disposed between the two second walls along a second arcuate path of the vertical plane;

the rear half-chamber comprises two third walls and a plurality of third horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed between the two third walls along a third arcuate path of a vertical plane;

(iv) a strapping half-chamber located behind the moving section and comprising:

two fourth walls which are opposite side walls of the bundling chamber; and

a gate located behind the fourth walls, the gate comprising two fifth walls and a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to a third horizontal roller and disposed between the two fifth walls along a fourth arcuate vertical path, the gate being hinged to a top section of each of the fourth walls via a first hinge;

(v) a binding unit located in the rear half-chamber or the strapping half-chamber;

wherein:

the moving section is movable between an open mode and a closed mode;

in the closed mode of the moving section, the baling half-chambers and the front half-chamber of the moving section are connected to form a substantially cylindrical baling chamber, wherein the first arcuate path of the first roller and the second arcuate path of the second roller together form a first circular path;

the baling chamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collection unit inside the cylindrical baling chamber so as to form a cylindrical bale;

in the open mode of the moving section, the front half-chamber moves away from the baling half-chamber, thereby opening the baling chamber and allowing the bale to pass through and into the strapping half-chamber;

in the closed mode of the moving section, the bundling half-chambers and the rear half-chambers of the moving section are connected to form bundling chambers, wherein the third arcuate path of the third roller and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller form a second circular path when the gate is closed;

the binding chamber is configured to rotate the bale about an axis of the cylindrical shape of the bale while activating the binding unit to bind the bale;

after the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open by swinging about a first hinge of the gate to release the bale from the baler.

2. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the second roller is parallel to the third roller.

3. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the gathering unit is connected to the baling half-chamber via a second hinge, and the gathering unit is configured to rotate about the second hinge for selective lowering to and raising from the ground.

4. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the first walls are parallel to each other.

5. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the second walls are parallel to each other.

6. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the third walls are parallel to each other.

7. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the fourth walls are parallel to each other.

8. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the moving section is connected to a top of the baling half-chamber via a third hinge and is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the third hinge.

9. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the moving section is connected to a top of the bale half-chamber via a fourth hinge, and the moving section is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the fourth hinge.

10. The continuous baler of claim 1, further comprising a lifter, wherein the moving section is connected to the lifter such that the lifter is configured to raise the moving section to the open mode and lower the moving section to the closed mode.

11. The continuous baler of claim 1, comprising a conveyor between the baling half-chamber and the binding half-chamber, the conveyor configured to transport the bale from the baling half-chamber to the binding half-chamber.

12. The continuous baler of claim 11, wherein the rear section of the conveyor is a floor of the strapping half-chamber.

13. The continuous baler of claim 1, comprising a pressure sensor associated with at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers and a first actuator configured to move the moving section, wherein:

when the moving section is in the closed mode, the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted by the bale on at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure sensor causes the first actuator to move the moving section to the open mode.

14. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the first circular path is larger than the second circular path such that closure of the moving section on the bale when the bale is in the baling chamber is configured to compress the bale in the baling chamber.

15. The continuous baler of claim 1, further comprising a second actuator and a sensing unit associated with the binding mechanism, wherein the sensing unit is configured to detect an end of binding of the bale inside the baling chamber and to cause the gate to open in order to discharge the bale out of the baler.

16. The continuous baler of claim 1, further comprising a second actuator and a proximity sensor associated with the baling chamber, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to sense the presence of the bale in the baling chamber and on the gate while the gate is open and cause the second actuator to close the gate if the presence of the bale is not sensed in or on the baling chamber.

17. A method for forming crop bales, the method comprising:

providing a bundling machine;

forming a baling chamber in the baler by connecting a front half-chamber of a moving section to a stationary baling half-chamber;

continuously collecting a crop from the front side and directing the crop to a baling half-chamber;

rolling the crop to form a bale in the baling chamber;

opening the baling chamber by moving the moving section away from the baling half-chamber once the bale reaches a desired size and density;

directing the bale to a fixed-strapping half-chamber;

forming a strapping chamber by closing the moving section so as to connect the rear half-chamber of the moving section to the fixed strapping half-chamber;

binding the bale in the baling chamber;

opening a gate at a rear side of the baler once the bale is bound;

guiding the bale out of the baler via the gate;

closing the gate once the bale exits the baler.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the forming of the baling chamber includes simultaneously forming the baling chamber;

the bundling of the bale in the bundling chamber comprises simultaneously forming a second bale in the bundling chamber;

the method comprises the following steps: after closing the gate, opening the baling chamber and directing the second bale to the bale half-chamber.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the forming of the baling chamber includes compressing the bale in the baling chamber.

20. A continuous baler for forming a crop bale, the continuous baler comprising:

(ii) a baling half-chamber located behind the collection unit, the baling half-chamber configured to receive the crop from the collection unit;

(iii) a moving section located at a tail of the baling half-chamber, the moving section being movable between an open mode and a closed mode, and the moving section comprising a front half-chamber on a front side of the moving section and a rear half-chamber on a rear side of the moving section;

(iv) a strapping half-chamber located behind the moving section, the strapping half-chamber including a gate at a tail thereof; and

wherein:

in the closed mode of the moving section, the baling half-chambers and the front half-chambers are connected to form a baling chamber, and the strapping half-chambers and the rear half-chambers are connected to form a strapping chamber;

the baling chamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collection unit inside the baling chamber so as to form a bale;

in the open mode of the moving section, the front half-chamber is disposed away from the baling half-chamber, forming an opening in the baling chamber and enabling the bale to pass through and into the baling half-chamber;

the binding chamber is configured to rotate the bale while activating the binding unit to bind the bale;

after the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open to release the bale from the baler.

21. A continuous baler for forming a crop bale, the continuous baler comprising:

(i) a gathering unit at a front end of the baler configured to gather the crop from the ground on which the continuous baler travels;

(ii) a baling half-chamber located behind the collection unit, the baling half-chamber configured to receive the crop from the collection unit, and the baling half-chamber including two first walls and a plurality of first horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed between the two first walls along a first arcuate path of a vertical plane;

the front half-chamber comprises two second walls and a plurality of second horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the first horizontal roller, and the second horizontal rollers are arranged between the two second walls along a second arcuate path of the vertical plane;

(iv) a strapping half-chamber located behind the moving section, and comprising:

two fourth walls which are opposite side walls of the bundling chamber; and

a gate located behind and substantially perpendicular to said fourth wall, said gate comprising a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers parallel to each other and to said third horizontal roller and arranged along a fourth arcuate vertical path, said gate being hinged to a rear section of the bottom plate of the strapping half-chamber;

wherein:

the moving section is movable between an open mode and a closed mode;

in the closed mode of the moving section, the bundling half-chambers and the rear half-chambers of the moving section are connected to form bundling chambers, wherein the third arcuate path of the third roller and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth roller are opposite sides of a second circular path when the gate is closed;

after the bale is bound, the gate is configured to open by rotating about a first hinge of the gate to release the bale from the baler.

22. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the second roller is parallel to the third roller.

23. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the gathering unit is connected to the baling half-chamber via a second hinge, and is configured to rotate about the second hinge for selective lowering to and raising from the ground.

24. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the first walls are parallel to one another.

25. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the second walls are parallel to one another.

26. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the third walls are parallel to one another.

27. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the fourth walls are parallel to one another.

28. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the moving section is connected to a top of the baling half-chamber via a third hinge, and the moving section is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the third hinge.

29. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the moving section is connected to a top of the strapping half-chamber via a fourth hinge, and the moving section is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the fourth hinge.

30. The continuous baler of claim 21, further comprising a lifter, wherein the moving section is connected to the lifter such that the lifter is configured to raise the moving section to the open mode and lower the moving section to the closed mode.

31. The continuous baler of claim 21, comprising a conveyor between the baling half-chamber and the binding half-chamber, the conveyor configured to transport the bale from the baling half-chamber to the binding half-chamber.

32. The continuous baler of claim 31, wherein the rear section of the conveyor is a floor of the strapping half-chamber.

33. The continuous baler of claim 21, comprising a pressure sensor associated with at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers and a first actuator configured to move the moving section, wherein:

when the moving section is in the closed mode, the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted by the bundle on at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, cause the first actuator to move the moving section to the open mode.

34. The continuous baler of claim 21, wherein the first circular path is larger than the second circular path such that closure of the moving section on the bale when the bale is in the baling chamber is configured to compress the bale in the baling chamber.

35. The continuous baler of claim 21, further comprising a second actuator and a sensing unit associated with the binding mechanism, wherein the sensing unit is configured to detect the end of binding of the bale inside the baling chamber and to cause the gate to open in order to discharge the bale out of the baler.

36. The continuous baler of claim 21, further comprising a second actuator and a proximity sensor associated with the baling chamber, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to sense the presence of the bale in the baling chamber and on the gate while the gate is open and cause the second actuator to close the gate if the presence of the bale is not sensed in or on the baling chamber.