Adjustable Choke Patents (Class 100/191)
  • Patent number: 11974521
    Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a main bale chamber extending in a bale forming direction from an inlet end to an outlet end. The main bale chamber includes a plurality of stationary walls and a plurality of movable density doors positioned downstream from the stationary walls, relative to the bale forming direction. The stationary walls include a ceiling, a first side wall and a second side wall. A plunger compresses and moves the crop material from the inlet end towards the outlet end of the bale chamber. The baler is characterized in that the first side wall, the second side wall and/or the ceiling comprises a constriction surface, which constricts the main bale chamber in a direction transverse to the bale forming direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Sven Monbaliu, Frederik Demon
  • Patent number: 11412663
    Abstract: A rectangular baler having a wall positioning system. The baler having a bale chamber which includes a plurality of walls including a movable wall section. The wall positioning system includes a positioner for moving the movable wall section from a first position to a second position. The positioner is configured for applying pressure to a first pressure point and to a second pressure point on the movable wall section such that the second position of the movable wall section is substantially parallel to the first position of the movable wall section. The first pressure point and the second pressure point are spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Sven Monbaliu
  • Patent number: 11197426
    Abstract: A baler including a frame having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The baler also having a compression chamber, where the compression chamber defines a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a plunger assembly at least partially positioned and movable within the compression chamber, and a panel removably coupled to the frame, and where the panel at least partially defines the compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikhil Kulkarni, Darin L. Roth, Timothy J. Kraus, Jeremy M. Erdmann
  • Patent number: 11116140
    Abstract: A baling press for baling cotton gin trash and other particulate biomass feedstock. The baling press generally includes an infeed chute assembly, a compression ram assembly, an extrusion chamber assembly, a strapping storage and dispensing assembly, and a strapping insertion assembly. The present invention also relates to methods of producing a bale with the baling press and a bale generated by the baling press and described methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: C & M Baling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Clyde Adams, Wesley Allen Morgan
  • Patent number: 11089734
    Abstract: A rectangular baler including a bale chamber having a plurality of walls including a movable wall section, an actuator for exerting a pressure on the movable wall section, a plunger for compressing crop material, and a control system configured to control the plunger to perform cyclic plunger strokes such that in each stroke the plunger force (F) exerted by the plunger on the crop material increases to reach a maximum plunger force (Fmax) to compress a newly inserted slice of crop material. The control system includes a first module to measure, at consecutive moments during a plunger stroke, a plurality of first values for the plunger force exerted by the plunger and/or for the pressure (Pd) in the actuator; and a control module to control at least one baling setting influencing the compressing of the crop material in the bale chamber as a function of the plurality of first values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Didier Verhaeghe, Kenny Nona, Brecht Vermeulen, Robert Mikulandric
  • Patent number: 10945377
    Abstract: A baler includes a frame and a bale chamber structure that is supported by the frame. The bale chamber structure includes a plurality of walls that cooperate to define a baling chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of walls shape different sides of the bale. At least one of the plurality of walls includes a first segment panel that is moveably attached to the frame and a second segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis. The second segment panel is moveably attached to the frame independent of the first segment panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darin L. Roth, Eric R. Lang
  • Patent number: 10609869
    Abstract: A baler includes a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element, a plunger mounted within the channel, and a rotary drive mechanism for driving reciprocating movement of the plunger. A control system controls operation of the baler, the control system configured to determine an actual maximum torque value associated with the rotary drive mechanism, compare the actual maximum torque value with a selected desired maximum torque value, and adjust the friction control element to regulate the actual maximum torque value according to the desired maximum torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: KUHN-GELDROP BV
    Inventors: Leonardus Hendricus Maria Van Amstel, Dionisius Cornelis Maria Akkermans
  • Patent number: 9936645
    Abstract: An agricultural baler having a baling chamber is provided. The baling chamber includes a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall. The first wall and the second wall extend longitudinally between a first end and a second end of the baling chamber, and the second wall forms a bottom surface of the baling chamber. The baler also includes a hinge disposed proximate to the first end of the baling chamber. The hinge is coupled to the second wall, and the second wall is configured to rotate about the hinge from a first position in which the second wall supports a bale within the baling chamber to a second position that enables the bale to move out of the baling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Donald P. Keller, Dominick Rizzon, Josh Lounder, Shaun A. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9861041
    Abstract: An agricultural baler system includes a bale chamber, a compressing device and at least one sensor. The compressing device is coupled to the bale chamber and periodically compresses gathered crop material in the bale chamber. The sensor is coupled to the bale chamber and it produces a signal. The signal contains information that includes the load on at least one of the compressing device and the density of the forming bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Didier Verhaeghe, Johan Vande Ryse, Tom Coen
  • Patent number: 9844187
    Abstract: Density control system for an agricultural baler having a baling chamber including a plurality of walls with at least one movable wall section, an intake duct leading into the baling chamber, and a plunger for compressing charges of crop material to a package in the chamber, an actuator for adjusting the position of the at least one movable wall section in response to an output of the density control system to vary the density of said package, wherein the density control system has a sensor for measuring the position of the at least one movable wall section, a comparator for comparing said position with a threshold position and a decision module configured to stop the movement of the actuator means when the position exceeds the threshold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Frederik Demon
  • Patent number: 9212005
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is directed to a cantilevered screw assembly comprising a solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw. Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includes an improved anchor system comprising multiple load-bearing walls. In particular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that is cantilevered to at least two walls. At least one reinforcement member may connect the walls for additional support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Mark E. Koenig, Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 9038532
    Abstract: Rectangular baler comprising a bale chamber adapted to contain one or more bales; a compacting plunger for advancing crop material in a direction towards a discharge opening of the bale chamber; wherein the rectangular baler further comprises at least one friction block mounted moveably in a wall of the bale chamber such that at least a part of each friction block is moveable out of the wall; and biasing element adapted for biasing the at least one friction block in a position wherein the at least one friction block protrudes out of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Karel O.R. Naeyaert
  • Patent number: 8807024
    Abstract: A baler for manufacturing bales of harvested crop material comprises a bale chamber comprising a first part where a plunger can make a reciprocating movement, and a second part which cannot be reached by the reciprocating plunger. The second part has a varying cross section along the length direction of the bale chamber, whereby the rate of change of the cross sections is different at multiple positions along the length direction of the second part of the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: CHH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Xavier G. J. M. Bonte, Martin Roberge, Sandor Van Vooren, Pieter Vandevelde
  • Patent number: 8635951
    Abstract: A baler having a bale chamber comprising chamber doors pivotably connected to a fixed frame part. Upon obtaining at least one crop parameter, a door angle value between two side sections of a door is selected; and the position of one of the side sections with respect to the other one is adapted in accordance with the selected door angle value. A corresponding baler and a control system for such baler are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Dirk A. R. Vandamme
  • Publication number: 20130269547
    Abstract: Rectangular baler comprising a bale chamber adapted to contain one or more bales; a compacting plunger for advancing crop material in a discharge direction towards a discharge opening of the bale chamber; wherein at least one friction block is fixed on an inner side of a wall of the bale chamber; the or each friction block comprising a wedge shaped part having an inclined surface extending from the inner side of the wall in the discharge direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Wouter Boone, Karel O.R. Naeyaert, Fernando Alvarez Guerra
  • Publication number: 20130255512
    Abstract: Rectangular baler comprising a bale chamber adapted to contain one or more bales; a compacting plunger for advancing crop material in a direction towards a discharge opening of the bale chamber; wherein the rectangular baler further comprises at least one friction block mounted moveably in a wall of the bale chamber such that at least a part of each friction block is moveable out of the wall; and biasing means adapted for biasing said at least one friction block in a position wherein said at least one friction block protrudes out of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Karel O.R. Naeyaert
  • Patent number: 8505447
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for compressing a loose solid feedstock. The apparatus includes a two stage compressor. The first compression stage is a screw compressor. The second compressor stage is a reciprocating compressor. The reciprocating compressor operates co-axially with, and receives its feed from, the screw compressor. The compressor establishes feedstock plug in a discharge pipe. A choke cone maintains pressure in the plug. The choke cone is actively controlled in response to operation of the compressor. The discharge from the compressor has a cooling jacket, and includes an expanding taper. The reciprocating compressor, the screw compressor, and the choke cone are all adjustable in real time to control the compression of the feedstock according to a pre-programmed schedule that need not have equal compression and retraction strokes. The operation of the screw compressor may be advanced or eased off depending on the motion of the reciprocating compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Mascoma Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Murray J. Burke
  • Patent number: 8065859
    Abstract: An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a moving hopper wall and mechanism for moving the wall at an input end of hopper. The wall moving mechanism and the moving wall of the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. A safety enclosure isolates the wall moving mechanism from contaminants and prevents exposure to the wall moving mechanism. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of a tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above a primary compression mechanism. A tunnel-adjustment mechanism varies a cross-section area of the tunnel exit in order to control the amount of compaction on the feed as it leaves the tunnel and enters the bag. In some embodiments, dual counter-rotating toothed compression mechanism force feed between the rotors and into the tunnel at a rate and pressure greater than what is possible with only one multiple-toothed compressor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Paul R. Wingert
  • Patent number: 7975607
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for controlling the pressure applied by the side walls of a square bale chamber comprising two independently positionable opposing pairs of bale tension rails, each pair perpendicularly arranged with respect to each other, whereby a uniform pressure may be exerted on all four sides of the bale in the bale chamber thereby resulting in improved consistency in bale length, density, shape, and appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Larry L. Hoover, Stephen W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7562619
    Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a single ram baler having a preflap assembly and a shear blade assembly. More specifically, the single ram baler of the present invention comprises a preflap assembly operable to pre-compact recycled material of smaller size in a compaction chamber of the baler to improve density properties of the bales produced therewith and to increase the efficiency of the baler. The baler is also operable with recycled material of large dimensions by operating the shear blades assembly without using the preflap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Industries Machinex Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Fortier, Marc Massé
  • Patent number: 7093538
    Abstract: A wooden debris compressor includes a storing tank, and a poking device under the storing tank provided with plural poking rods fixed spaced apart in a definite angle. Then alternate back-and-forth rotation of the poking rods controls the volume of wooden debris falling down, and at the same time ax-shaped knives at outer ends of the poking rods rotates also back and forth alternately to break bridged conditions of wooden debris to let wooden debris smoothly fall down through a feeding hole. Then a cutting device with a cutter is provided on a material room of a feeding device to cut wooden debris in bridged conditions in an upper portion of the material room to let it fall down in a lower portion. Then the compressor can carry out compressing operation continuously and smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7011018
    Abstract: The material compactor generally includes a feed apparatus and a final compaction apparatus. The final compaction apparatus generally includes a compaction chamber having confronting compression plates and an adjustably taperable portion. The area of the inner cavity of the final compaction chamber can be adjusted to become measurably smaller (tapered) or larger at the opened discharge or expelling end. Consequently, compacting movement of the material within the compaction chamber and through the chamber significantly subjects the material to restrictive compacting pressure which in turn compacts the material and performs liquid separation with each operationally continuous movement through the final compaction apparatus and out an open discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kurt Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane G. Schroeder, Raymond J. Koski
  • Patent number: 6715410
    Abstract: A baler includes a baling chamber configured for forming parallelepiped bales. The baling chamber has a top wall that is adjustable toward and away from a bottom wall of the chamber. The top wall is provided with a plurality of transversely spaced, parallel slots extending lengthwise of the chamber. A baling piston is mounted for movement within the baling chamber and includes an upper part which is defined by a plurality of transversely spaced ribs that are respectively received in the slots in the top wall and accommodate the movement of the latter during adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Boucher, Jocelyn Motret
  • Patent number: 6698343
    Abstract: A baler for the production of parallelepiped or slab-shaped bales is provided with a baling chamber whose cross section can be easily repositioned in height by servo motors that operate to adjust one part of the baling chamber relative to an overlapping second part. Corresponding adjustments can be made to the position of a driver for the baling piston, which itself is constructed to include separate telescoping parts. In addition, the needle assembly is provided with needle carrying arms that are mounted for movement with the movable part of the baling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jean-Loup Chassiboud
  • Patent number: 6427585
    Abstract: A compaction and transfer apparatus adapted to measure the length and/or weight of a waste log during compaction and transfer thereof, is provided. The apparatus comprises a compaction chamber, a closure device, a compaction ram, and a movement and/or weight detector. The compaction chamber is adapted to receive waste material. The compaction chamber has a discharge opening. The closure device is selectively movable into and out of the discharge opening to control the size of the discharge opening. The compaction ram is movable through the chamber to press the waste material against the closure device and thereby provide compaction of the waste material. The movement detector preferably is mounted on the closure device. The movement detector is adapted to detect movement of the waste material through the discharge opening, which movement corresponds to the length of the waste log extending out of the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Marathon Equipment Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Brown, Steven G. Seagraves
  • Patent number: 6279471
    Abstract: A press process and structure is disclosed for defluidizing earth drill cuttings, thereby extracting valuable drilling additives and returning them to the drilling system while producing a dense, drier material which may be chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey Reddoch
  • Patent number: 6178881
    Abstract: .hsc A waste bale press of horizontal construction used for manufacturing bound bales of predominantly organic waste materials, such as paper, cardboard, wood boxes or other used packaging materials includes a press shaft with a filling shaft in front of the press shaft and a drive portion arranged in front of the filling shaft. The drive portion includes two hydraulic cylinders which are arranged so as to intersect in the basic position thereof and whose free piston rod ends act on the press plate. The ends of the hydraulic cylinders are connected in an articulated manner on brackets or the like located laterally of the press housing outside of the parallel limiting walls of the press housing in the most rearward part of the drive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Hermann Schwelling
  • Patent number: 6138557
    Abstract: A compaction and transfer apparatus adapted to measure the length and/or weight of a waste log during compaction and transfer thereof, is provided. The apparatus comprises a compaction chamber, a closure device, a compaction ram, and a movement and/or weight detector. The compaction chamber is adapted to receive waste material. The compaction chamber has a discharge opening. The closure device is selectively movable into and out of the discharge opening to control the size of the discharge opening. The compaction ram is movable through the chamber to press the waste material against the closure device and thereby provide compaction of the waste material. The movement detector preferably is mounted on the closure device. The movement detector is adapted to detect movement of the waste material through the discharge opening, which movement corresponds to the length of the waste log extending out of the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Marathon Equipment Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Brown, Steven G. Seagraves
  • Patent number: 6026741
    Abstract: An agricultural baler having a baling chamber and apparatus for loading successive charges of crop material into the chamber. The cross section of the baling chamber is automatically adjusted to the load experienced by the plunger during compression of these charges and thereby controlling the density of the bales formed therein. The density control system further comprises elements associated with the actuator of the baling chamber for precluding adjustment of the cross section when no new charge of crop material has been introduced into the baling chamber. These elements comprise a sensor sensing the passage of such charge along a wall portion of the baling chamber and a by-pass valve which controls the pressure of hydraulic oil provided to the actuator. Thus the cross section of the baling chamber is prevented from being reduced further when the baler is turned on headlands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christiaan A. C. Lippens, Dirk G. C. Leupe
  • Patent number: 5996484
    Abstract: A press process and structure is disclosed for defluidizing earth drill cuttings, thereby extracting valuable drilling additives and returning them to the drilling system while producing a dense, drier material which may be chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Jeffrey Reddoch
  • Patent number: 5927188
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for compressing hay such that the hay is suitable for long distance shipping. The hay is texturized by passing the hay through a shredder with an added fog or mist of water. The shredder separates, cuts and bends hay fibers rather than shattering the fibers. Compression of the hay is achieved by feeding the hay through an open ended compression conduit in a peristaltic manner through the use of a hydraulically actuated ram. Increased compression of the hay is achieved by applying transverse pressure to the hay as the hay travels longitudinally through the compression conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: The A.C.X. Trading Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gombos, Moshe Leashno
  • Patent number: 5832815
    Abstract: During the pressing of bales in a baler, a portion of a press channel in front of a retracted press ram is in each case completely filled with material to be compacted. During compacting, the pressure forces exerted on the press ram have a resultant which intersects the side of the press ram directed in pressing direction below the center thereof or below the center of the press channel section at the location of that side of the press ram. The press ram shows less tendency to tilt, as a consequence of which the press ram guide is less loaded and less friction occurs between the press ram and the press channel. As a result, the bale is compressed more properly and the press ram guide wears less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Machinefabriek Bollegraaf Appingedam B.V.
    Inventor: Heiman Salle Bollegraaf
  • Patent number: 5735199
    Abstract: A bale chamber 22 includes a pair of elongated top rails 72,74, a pair of elongated bottom rails 80,82, an elongated right siderail 80, an elongated left siderail 90, and a squeeze mechanism 24 positioned proximate the discharge end of the bale chamber 22 for symmetrically adjusting the cross-section size of the discharge opening by simultaneous movement of all the rails. The squeeze mechanism 24 includes a vertical squeeze assembly 92 for adjusting the vertical distance between the top and bottom rails 72,74,80,82 and a horizontal squeeze assembly 94 for adjusting the horizontal distance between the left and right siderails 88,90. Each squeeze assembly 92,94 includes a jaw-type lever assembly 96,116 surrounding its respective rails and a cylinder assembly 98,118 that selectively shifts its lever assembly 96,116 and its respective rails towards and away from one another near the discharge end of the bale chamber 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Hay & Forage Industries
    Inventors: Edward Wesley Esau, Cecil Leon Case
  • Patent number: 5664491
    Abstract: Polystyrene baler for extreme compaction of expanded polystyrene or other similar materials where a ram forcibly acts to compress the expanded polystyrene material into a narrowing chamber where the narrowing chamber walls further act to compress the expanded polystyrene material to allow for air or gases trapped in the polystyrene material to escape so that a densely packed polystyrene bale is formed. A continuous bale is formed which can be broken or cut into desired lengths or weights. Vertically aligned walls of the bale chamber can be hydraulically actuated to accommodate the degree of compaction desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Harris Waste Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Maki, Forrest Wildes, Fred Johnson, Ken Roberts
  • Patent number: 5630362
    Abstract: A refuse compacting device has dewatering capability and in some cases refuse transporting capability wherein refuse is fed into an outer cylinder in which an axially elongate piston is arranged. The piston is capable of reciprocating motion by a drive motor and threadable piston rod and nut arrangement, whereby refuse is forced towards an outlet of the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with apertures for allowing water to escape from the wet refuse as it is compacted against a conically shaped throttling member at the outlet of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Roto-Sieve AB
    Inventor: Rolf Jonsson
  • Patent number: 5461975
    Abstract: A low friction liner is described for mounting to an agricultural material baler within the discharge chute for the baled materials. The liner includes liner plates of low friction material that are attached by a mount to the inwardly facing surfaces of the baler discharge chute. The low friction material provides inwardly facing low friction wear surfaces used to engage and guide materials along the discharge chute to a open discharge end. In one preferred embodiment, the low friction surfaces are flat and continuous from forward to rearward ends of the discharge chute plates. In another preferred form, angular indentations are made within the liner with incised or indented shoulders facing the rearward ends of the discharge chute plates to provide abutment surfaces for avoidance of "spring back" of baled materials as they are moved toward the discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Leland W. Driggs
  • Patent number: 5365838
    Abstract: The horizontal press appears as an elongated hollow structure (1) of flat profile resting on a frame (2a, b, c, d), and comprises a ram (6) reciprocated by a fluid power cylinder (5), a hopper (8) through which crushed and stemmed grapes fall into an inlet chamber (9) coinciding with the space swept by the ram, and a compression chamber (112) of tapered longitudinal section terminating in a narrow outlet (13) from which the pressed skins emerge. The top of the compression chamber consists in the flexible undersides (115) of a succession of inflatable cushions (120a . . . n) by which a downward compressive force is applied to the grapes, whilst the bottom takes the form of a continuous belt (122) fashioned from a filtering material, looped flexibly around at least two end rollers (123, 124) and supported by a frame (128) in such a way as to pass above and below a trough (125) from which the filtered juice is drawn off by conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Valentino Valentini
  • Patent number: 5347920
    Abstract: A rectangular baler is disclosed comprising a bale case (6) into which successive charges of crop material are introduced; a plunger (7) disposed for reciprocating movement in the bale case (6) to compact the charges while advancing the compacted charges toward an exit opening in the bale case; and a knotter (8) for tying a flexible binding material, such as twine, in a form-stabilising manner around successive increments of compacted crop material while they advance in the bale case (6) to form bales. An elongated sensor (48), disposed on the knotter (8) in the trajectory of the flexible material (49) projecting from a twine holder (32) towards a billhook (33), is operable to detect the tensile forces occurring in the binding material during bale formation and to produce signals, which are processed by a microprocessor (24) to, if found necessary, lower the density of the bales in order to avoid twine failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc G. Vansteelant, Marnix J. Schoonheere
  • Patent number: 5253570
    Abstract: In a rectangular baler provided with a reciprocating plunger that compacts each new charge of crop materials against previously compacted material and incrementally advances the compacted charge toward a restricted discharge opening at the rear of the baler, the compressive load in the connecting rods of the plunger is sensed during each compaction stroke and is compared with a preselected value to determine whether the size of the discharge opening should be increased or decreased in order to maintain the selected load value. A sensor in each of the connecting rods is in the nature of a transducer that causes a change in the frequency of an output signal in accordance with the compressive loading in the connecting rod, such output signal being delivered to a controller which in turn regulates the operation of hydraulic mechanism to increase or decrease the size of the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Hay & Forage Industries
    Inventor: Victor D. Goeckner
  • Patent number: 5007337
    Abstract: A horizontal waste material baling machine has a charging passage which leads to a compressing chamber of generally parallelopiped configuration and in which a charging plunger is reciprocably moveable for pushing waste material into the compressing chamber and compressing it into a bale. A discharge passage leads from the compressing chamber at right angles to the charging passage, and an ejection plunger is advanceable through the chamber and the discharge passage to eject the baled waste material. To ease the ejection of an oversize bale, the discharge passage wall adjacent the exit end of the charging passage is a vertically oriented planar surface of a structure that is moveable by a linear motor, such as a hydraulic cylinder, from a normal operative position at which the vertical planar surface and the opposite sidewall of the discharge passage determine the exit width to a position at which the planar surface is displaced by an amount it is desired to increase the exit width of the discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Mosley Machinery Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Horace R. Newsom
  • Patent number: 4947743
    Abstract: Apparatus for compacting and advancing a mass of particulate or fibrous material to a discharge end of a conduit combines an auger with a reciprocating annular piston. The improvement of the invention is in driving the piston by way of a flywheel equipped crankshaft which also drives a dynamically counter balancing member to reduce vibrations transmitted to the frame of the apparatus. Special hydrostatic guide sleeves are used to guide the reciprocating piston at a high speed. Further improvements include gas and liquid vents and a cooling jacket, both associated with the conduit to increase efficiency of the compacting. A density sensor controlled conical choke member at the discharge end assists in maintaining uniform density of the highly compacted plug of the material. Also, it breaks up the exiting plug to improve subsequent processing of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Stake Technology Limited
    Inventors: Douglas B. Brown, Henri Malys
  • Patent number: 4930411
    Abstract: A rectangular baler has a density control for controlling the density to which crop material is compacted in a bale case by a cyclically operating plunger, and a cyclically operating tying mechanism for typing loops of binding material around successive lengths of the compacted crop material to form bales. In order for the tying mechanism to function properly the binding material must slide between a tied bale and the crop material being compacted against the tied bale. If the sliding friction is too great, the binding material breaks or is pulled free of the tying mechanism thus resulting in failure of the tying process. To reduce the sliding friction, the density to which the crop material is compacted is reduced for an interval of time following each cycle of the tying mechanism. The interval of time is controlled by the rate at which crop material enters the bale case following a cycle of the tying mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrianus Naaktgeboren
  • Patent number: 4930410
    Abstract: A rectangular baler has a density control for controlling the density to which crop material is compacted by a cyclically operating plunger, and a cyclically operating tying mechanism for tying loops of binding material around successive lengths of the compacted crop material to form bales. In order for the tying mechanism to function properly the binding material must slide between a tied bale and the crop material being compacted against the tied bale. If the sliding friction is too great, the binding material breaks or is pulled free of the tying mechanism thus resulting in failure of the tying process. To reduce the sliding friction, the compaction density is reduced for an interval of time following each cycle of the tying mechanism. The interval of time may be tolled by counting a number of plunger cycles immediately following a cycle of the tying mechanism, the density control being set for reduced compaction density until the number of plunger cycles has been counted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Marnix J. Schoonheere, Christiaan A. C. Lippens, Adrianus Naaktgeboren
  • Patent number: 4846055
    Abstract: A baling machine of comparatively non-complex construction is disclosed. The baling machine comprises a baling chamber, which is of adjustable size in which can be mounted a ventillating hole making tube; and an eccentrically mounted circular or oval element. The eccentrically mounted circular or oval element is located at the entrance of the baling chamber, and as it rotates causes entering hay or other forage to be entered into the baling chamber and formed into a bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Larry D. Mustard
  • Patent number: 4817520
    Abstract: An offset compactor assembly includes an elongated chamber having a waste receiving end portion and a waste discharge end. A ram is displaceable therein for causing compaction of waste during transfer therebetween. A first cylinder and piston assembly is operably connected to the ram for causing displacement thereof. A gate is positioned proximate said end and is movable into and out of said chamber for selectively restricting said chamber and thereby controlling the passage of waste therethrough. A second cylinder and piston assembly is operably connected to the gate for causing displacement thereof. An hydraulic control operably interconnects the first and second cylinder and piston assemblies for causing offsetting operation thereof so that the waste compacted in the chamber has a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Marathon Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Brown, James K. Robbins, Kent Spiers
  • Patent number: 4815373
    Abstract: In a rectangular baler wherein a plunger is reciprocated by connecting rods to force crop material through a bale casing, and a microprocessor-based control circuit monitors the stress in the connecting rods to develop a digital value representing the pressure which should be applied to the tension rails of the casing in order to obtain baled crop material of desired density, the digital value is compared with upper and lower limits of the pressure which may be applied to the tension rails. If the digital vaue falls below the lower limit or exceeds the upper limit a visual indication of the condition is displayed for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Cecil R. Sudbrack, Richard P. Strosser
  • Patent number: 4809602
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently removing and disposing of a continuous web of matrix waste formed during the high speed manufacture of adhesive backed, pressure sensitive label stock on a printing press. As it leaves the press, the web of matrix waste is formed into a generally tubular rope in a cylindrical eductor. A controlled mixture of a high volume, high air and oil is used to pass the rope of matrix waste through an eductor, into and through a flexible hose, and into a compactor where the rope is compacted into relatively compact bundles. These bundles can then be readily deposited and efficiently stored in waste receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Marti Automatic, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger R. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4791865
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a bale case and a plunger reciprocable in the bale case for, in use of the baler, forming crop material into bales and moving bales along the bale case towards the discharge end thereof for ultimate discharge therefrom. A pair of slides in the bale case are operable to engage a formed or partially formed bale in the bale case and move it therealong towards the discharge end thereof independently of the operation of the plunger.Tines pivotally mounted on the slides are urged by springs into an operative position to engage bales in the bale case. The times may be retracted to an inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrianus Naaktgeboren
  • Patent number: 4756244
    Abstract: In a rectangular baler wherein right and left conrod load cells measure the force applied to plungers for compacting crop material, a microprocessor based control circuit monitors the loads registered by the load cells. The microprocessor produces output signals to control the baler in accordance with the loads sensed by the cells. On a stroke of the plunger, a one-quarter second interval is tolled after one cell registers a load. If the second cell does not register a load within the interval it is assumed that it is faulty. In order to permit continued operation of the baler, the output of the good cell is assumed to be, and is used by the microprocessor as if it were the output of the faulty cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard P. Strosser
  • Patent number: RE33491
    Abstract: An agricultural bag loading machine having an improved mechanical assembly for automatically effecting controlled, continuous compression and delivery of compacted animal feed material into a flexible agricultural storage bag via a compression and delivery chamber. The compressed, delivered feed material has a uniform, air tight side wall density throughout the bag-delivered, sausage shaped feed material mass. The loading machine has additional features, including a pneumatic bladder assembly for changing the forming chamber dimensions and configuration, an improved agricultural bag attachment and continuous feeding mechanism which eliminates bag fold-over and wrinkling problems during filling, and an integral forming chamber cleanout mechanism which enables clearing and cleaning of the forming chamber at the end of an agricultural bag loading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignees: Rand Farm Systems Inc., Poly Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Johnson, Ronald W. Marpoe, Larry B. Cox