With Alarm, Signal, Indicator, Or Test Means Patents (Class 100/99)
  • Patent number: 4389929
    Abstract: A latching mechanism is described which senses when a bale is ready for discharge from the bale forming chamber. As implemented, the enclosure for the baling chamber was hinged along the front edge to allow the upper portion to open like a rearward facing clam shell for discharge of a completed bale through a tailgate. The latching mechanism holds the opposing tailgate faces of the enclosure together while the bale forming process is being completed. The latching mechanism senses bale density while allowing only a slight opening of the tailgate in response to application of large compressive forces within the baling chamber. The profile of the slot in each latch is uniquely cut so that the forces tending to force open the tailgate can be matched to a spring. The spring is adjustable so as to allow the latch assembly to begin rotation toward the released condition as the bale density reaches a pre-established level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: The Paul Revere Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy Kluver, John Arnold
  • Patent number: 4388860
    Abstract: A belt press has at least one upper and at least one lower traverse respectively having lower and upper traverse faces, connectors extending vertically between the upper and lower traverses and securing the lower traverse to the upper traverse, upper and lower press platens carried on and between the traverses and having respective upper and lower platen faces respectively confronting the lower and upper traverse faces, and a hydraulic actuator for displacing the platens toward each other and thereby pressing the platens against a belt engaged therebetween. At least one of the traverses is formed of box section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Wagener Schwelm GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Peter Thies
  • Patent number: 4362097
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in combination with a cylindrical bale hay baler for efficiently determining the weight of the bale and comprising a lever assembly secured between the baler body and at least one of the support wheels thereof for yieldably supporting the baler body with respect to the wheel, a sensing device interposed between the body and the lever assembly for detecting vertical deflection of the body with respect to the wheel engaging the surface of the ground, and a weight indication device operably connected with the sensing device for providing a continual visual indication of the weight of the hay bale whereby the weight of the hay bale may be substantially accurately determined at any desired time during the baling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Inventor: Laurence J. D. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4358994
    Abstract: An apparatus to flatten a container such as a can employed in the soft drink or beer industry. The apparatus is so designed so as to initially bend the can in half and following the bending of the can in half, the can is then flattened or compressed so as to present a relatively thin laminate. The apparatus is designed to operate in a timed sequence of operation of thus effect the bending of the can and subsequently flatten the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventor: John D. Talley
  • Patent number: 4337694
    Abstract: A system including a combination of apparatuses for handling and baling metallic scrap material nominally into cubes in which a vibrating shaker conveyor hopper assembly, a conventional baling press modified by mounting a dumping hopper on its side, and a belt-type conveyor located between the shaker and dumping hoppers are provided. The scrap material is transferred by a front loader from a storage pad and dumped into the stationary hopper of the vibrating shaker conveyor hopper assembly, the said hoppers, conveyors, and baling press all being operatively interconnected to provide a continuous operative system which can be continuously fed by the front loader. Preferably at the discharge end of the shaker conveyor, a grate is provided to sift out dirt, grit and other extraneous material which falls onto and is carried away to a storage pad or container by a transverse conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Inventor: Stanford M. Brown
  • Patent number: 4333394
    Abstract: A method and system including a combination of apparatuses for handling and baling metallic scrap material nominally into cubes in which a vibrating shaker conveyor hopper assembly, a conventional baling press modified by mounting a dumping hopper on its side, and a belt-type conveyor located between the shaker and dumping hoppers are provided. The scrap material is transferred by a front loader from a storage pad and dumped into the stationary hopper of the vibrating shaker conveyor hopper assembly, the said hoppers, conveyors, and baling press all being operatively interconnected to provide a continuous operative system which can be continuously fed by the front loader. Preferably at the discharge end of the shaker conveyor, a grate is provided to sift out dirt, grit and other extraneous material which falls onto and is carried away to a storage pad or container by a transverse conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: Stanford M. Brown
  • Patent number: 4296683
    Abstract: A can crusher having a housing, a hopper removably supported on the housing for holding cans to be crushed, a baffle secured inside the hopper gravitationally supports cans thereon and permits descent of the cans into the bottom of the hopper whereby said cans drop into and rest upon a can cradle attached to a ram, a drive sprocket extending from a motor is connected to a sprocket wheel whereby the sprocket wheel turns upon turning of the drive sprocket, a ram connected to the sprocket wheel pivots on a ram support and reciprocates within guide means on said ram support upon turning of the sprocket wheel, a can engaging plate attached to the ram advances toward a can engaging plate attached to the ram support, a can supported on the can cradle is crushed between the plates as the ram advances with the sprocket wheel, the crushed can drops by gravity through an opening in the bottom of the housing upon the return stroke of the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventors: Albert F. Lidik, Randall E. Talley, III
  • Patent number: 4294169
    Abstract: A vehicle towable cotton module compacter (10) is disclosed for use in the cotton field on seed cotton. A rigid framework (12) has upper and lower rectangular frames (28, 22). The upper frame (28) has a hopper (88) with an open top mouth (90). The hopper (88) has a collection box (92) with a push plate (96) for discharging collected cotton rearwardly through an opening (94) into a vertical compaction chamber (30). The chamber (30) is formed by a stationary vertical front wall (32) and a pair of L-shaped doors (40, 42) hinged along vertical axes at their forward edges. The longitudinal sides (44, 46) of the doors (40, 42) form the right and left sidewalls of the compaction chamber (30), and the lateral sides (48, 50) of the doors (40, 42) each form half of the rear wall of the chamber (30). The left, right and rear chamber walls are tapered outwardly as they extend downwardly. The upper frame (28) includes tamper means (108) mounted above the compaction chamber (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Inventor: Charles D. Baird
  • Patent number: 4291618
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and crushing empty cylindrical cans such that after being folded and crushed the can end faces are essentially coplanar. The apparatus comprises a flat stationary anvil and a flat parallel reciprocable platen defining therebetween a folding compartment into which an empty can is inserted, an independently reciprocable creasing element or plunger slidably inserted in an aperture through the center of the reciprocable platen such as to enter and leave said folding compartment, and a drive arrangement simultaneously advancing the reciprocable platen and reciprocable creasing element into said folding compartment towards the can, the creasing element being advanced more rapidly than or ahead of the platen, and drive retracting the creasing element after the creasing element has nearly passed through the can without stopping the advance of the platen, and subsequently retracting the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Warren R. Heiser
    Inventors: Warren R. Heiser, Eugene A. Acey
  • Patent number: 4289022
    Abstract: Applicants disclose a load monitoring system for monitoring cyclical loads on the pitman of a production press during operation. The system includes a transducer attached to the pitman of the press to produce an electrical load signal that is proportional to the forces on the pitman. The electrical load signal is connected to an overload/underload detector circuit and to a timing signal generating circuit. In response to the load signal from the transducer, the timing signal generating circuit produces timing signals, including a check pulse, in timed relationship to the cyclical stroke of the pitman.The timing signals are used to control the operation of the overload/underload detector circuit and other aspects of the press production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Inventors: Frank R. Dybel, William P. Dybel
  • Patent number: 4274282
    Abstract: An improved instrument for measuring and indicating the load experienced during a cycle of a machine, as a reciprocating press. A piezoelectric transducer mounted on the press provides a signal which is proportional to the press frame deformation during operation. In one aspect of the instrument, the signal from the transducer is amplified and compared with reference voltages representative of excessive machine load and a minimum load level. During each cycle of operation either a NORMAL, UNDER or OVER (LOW, OK or HI) indicator is actuated. The NORMAL indicator remains on so long as the machine load is within the selected limits represented by the reference voltage. A safety circuit stops the press when an excessive load is experienced. In another aspect of the instrument, the reverse load experienced by the machine is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Productronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadas Budraitis, Gerald W. Seliga
  • Patent number: 4273035
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the operation of a dewatering press operating on a known liquid-solid mixture by measuring a physical property such as the pressure of the material being dewatered at an intermediate position in the press, comparing the measured value with a predetermined optimum value set at will by the machine operator, and generating from the comparison a process alteration capable of stabilizing the operation of the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Inventor: Dante S. Cusi
  • Patent number: 4269116
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting when the tying mechanism of a baler has failed to properly tie a cord or wire around a bale which has been formed in the baler, and further for producing an alarm for the operator of the baler that the tying mechanism is not functioning properly. The apparatus includes a sensor needle which is mounted for pivotal movement over one of the surfaces of the bale and beneath the tying cord which extends lengthwise along the surface of the bale of material which is being formed. If the tying mechanism has securely knotted the cord around the bale of material, the tied cord will engage the sensor needle and pivot the sensor needle back as the tied bale moves towards the discharge end of the bale forming chute. A clock mechanism is provided which activates an alarm if the sensor needle is not engaged and swung back within a preset time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventors: Goss E. Gordon, David L. McMillen
  • Patent number: 4257511
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering metal containers of a selected type from a collection of trash is disclosed. The apparatus includes pneumatic and magnetic separators for removing extraneous debris. The separated containers are crushed and weighed. Compensation is issued in response to the weight of the separated containers. The separated containers are stored in an overhead compartment for collection and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: John H. Miller
  • Patent number: 4246743
    Abstract: In a roll forming machine adapted to be towed across a field behind a prime moving vehicle controlled by an operator in a cab there is provided a full bale alarm system that signals the operator through a remote indicator that the bale has reached a predetermined desired size and is ready for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventors: L. Lavern Anstee, Aquila D. Mast
  • Patent number: 4240339
    Abstract: In pressing cardboard waste material and the like into a bale, the waste material is fed into a housing containing a pair of conveyor belts with a portion of each conveyor belt spaced from the other and forming therebetween a press chamber. The portion of the conveyor belts forming the press chamber are each driven in a different direction and the waste material is fed into the press chamber by one of the conveyor belts. As the waste material is rolled into a bale by the oppositely moving portions of the conveyor belts, the portion of the conveyor belts move outwardly away from one another increasing the volume of the press chamber and accommodating the increasing size of the bale. When the bale is completed, it is wound with a cord-like member and then one of the conveyor belts is pivoted away from the completed bale so that the bale can be displaced from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Gebruder Welger
    Inventor: Jurgen Simonis
  • Patent number: 4224867
    Abstract: In the event that crop material is loaded into the baling chamber more heavily in one portion than another, the forming belt at the area of insufficient volume will become slackened relative to the remaining belts. Such slack condition is sensed by the monitor, and a signal device such as a light, buzzer or bell is actuated to indicate to the operator that additional crop material is needed in the deficient portion of the chamber so as to prevent the bale from becoming improperly shaped. The operator can thereupon take steps to assure that material is loaded in such a way as to make up for the deficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Hesston Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin V. Gaeddert, Rex O. Weigand
  • Patent number: 4222323
    Abstract: An automotive tire bundling machine having a support framework or base which supports a pair of vertically spaced tire support members. A stack of tires are placed between the tire support members against guide rods on one of the tire support members. The other tire support member is moveable toward and away from the one tire support member for compressing the stack of tires. A strap feeding means position a strap about the peripheral edges of the stack of tires and is cooperative with a strap clinching device to tension the strap, secure the strap and cut off the excess strap material. The stack of tires is rotatable with the tire support members to facilitate the placement of additional straps about the stack of tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Troy E. Martindale
  • Patent number: 4206701
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for shutheight adjustment in a press having a frame with a crown and bed, a slide mounted for reciprocation toward and away from the bed, and a drive mechanism comprising one or more crankshaft driven connection screws for reciprocating the slide. The shutheight for the press is adjusted by means of a pair of internally threaded nuts on the threaded end portion of each of the connection screws, the nuts being connected to and carrying the slide. The nuts are keyed together so that they rotate in unison and are rotated by means of a worm mechanism turned either manually or by means of a motor. As the nuts rotate on their respective connection screws, the slide will be raised or lowered relative to the ram and to the bed of the press thereby adjusting the shutheight opening between the slide and bed. The adjustment mechanism is locked by means of a wedge-shaped split ring disposed between the nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Hemmelgarn
  • Patent number: 4196661
    Abstract: The knotting mechanism of a crop baler has a spring-loaded arm normally pulled down to a lowered position by the binding twine during operation of the knotter. However, if the knotter accidentally fails to tie a knot or the twine otherwise slips loose, the resulting slack will allow the arm to swing upwardly, and this motion may be used to trigger a switch for setting off an alarm or to raise a signal flag, either of which would indicate that the knotter needs attention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: Hesston Corporation
    Inventors: George Yatcilla, William C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4195563
    Abstract: An improved instrument for measuring and indicating the load experienced during a cycle of a machine, as a reciprocating press. A piezoelectric transducer mounted on the press provides a signal which is proportional to the press frame deformation during operation. In one aspect of the instrument, the signal from the transducer is amplified and compared with reference voltages representative of excessive machine load and a minimum load level. During each cycle of operation either a NORMAL, UNDER or OVER (LOW, OK or HI) indicator is actuated. The NORMAL indicator remains on so long as the machine load is within the selected limits represented by the reference voltage. A safety circuit stops the press when an excessive load is experienced. In another aspect of the instrument, the reverse load experienced by the machine is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Productronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadas Budraitis, Gerald W. Seliga
  • Patent number: 4184424
    Abstract: A waste material testing apparatus which is portable, economically manufactured, suitable for a wide variety of waste materials, sturdy enough to withstand the required compacting pressures, and equipped with a means to enable the viewing of the interior of the attendant container section to observe the compacting efficiency of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Browning-Ferris Industries of Ohio and Michigan, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Yeager, Hans T. Thumm
  • Patent number: 4182238
    Abstract: A transparent, generally cylindrical, wide-mouth pressure retaining vessel or container cast of synthetic resin with a surrounding side wall formed by successively downwardly inset, annular wall segments, and externally reinforced by integral vertical ribs with successive annular edges of the inner stepped face providing support ledges adapted to hold removable shelves upon which freshly cast dentures, acrylic hobby items, pressure-curable art objects, etc. as well as fermentable foodstuff and gas-generating chemicals may be placed for exposure to externally applied and/or internally generated fluid pressure (gas or liquid). Necessity for retention clamps is eliminated by a threadedly mounted closure which carries a manually operable, threaded piston stem disposing a piston in an open-bottom chamber of the cover, which chamber projecting into a container full of liquid causes the latter to fill the piston chamber upon the cover being mounted on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Inventors: John W. Mitchell, Sr., Kenneth H. Oyama, John K. Lawler, deceased, by Doris G. Lawler, executrix
  • Patent number: 4171646
    Abstract: A load monitoring system for monitoring loads that are cyclicaly applied to a force carrying member is disclosed. The load monitoring system comprises a transducer for sensing the loads exerted and a differential load monitoring circuit which receives the transducer signals, generates a normal load reference signal relating to previous load signals received and compares the normal load reference signal to the present load signal to determine when the present load exceeds the previous load by a predetermined amount for successive cycles of operation. The differential load monitoring circuit also includes an inhibit circuit which, during initial start-up of the cyclical load serves to inhibit the operation of the differential load monitoring circuit until such time as the normal load reference signals can be established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Inventors: Frank R. Dybel, William P. Dybel
  • Patent number: 4164178
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for waste materia, particularly but not exclusively for paper waste, comprising, a casing forming a container for waste material having structure defining an opening for entry to the container, a lid movably mounted on the casing adjacent the opening for movement between an open position allowing waste to be put into the container opening, and a closed position closing the opening of the container, the lid being formed so that in its closed position it extends into the container beyond the extremity of said container structure to occupy a volume within the container at least equal to that of an item of waste for which the container is intended, and means for releasably retaining the lid in its closed position, whereby each time waste is inserted through the opening and the lid closed, the waste in the container is progressively compressed and a space is created for the reception of further waste when the lid is next opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: Apura GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Baumann, Walter Besserer
  • Patent number: 4154159
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing and baling newspapers is provided having an imperforate rectangular shelf supported by vertically-disposed legs which extend beyond the top side of the shelf to form an open-sided container for the stack of newspapers. The shelf top side has a longitudinally-extending groove and three laterally-extending grooves which are adapted to receive a threading rod having a notch at one end thereof. With a stack of newspapers on the shelf, the end of the baling string is held in the notch and is pushed through the grooves, so that one longitudinal tie and either one, two, or three lateral ties may be made for each bale. The legs are secured to the shelf by self-locking connecting means. One of the legs is graduated with a vertically-extending scale expressing the height of the stack of newspapers in terms of the approximate weight of the stack. A magazine storage shelf, a holder for a roll of baling string and a peg for storing the threading rod are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Inventor: Fredrick Ortega
  • Patent number: 4123970
    Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers with refuse which has been compacted by pressing comprises a weighing device for weighing refuse collecting vehicles, a plurality of holders each capable of holding and discharging a batch of refuse from one vehicle, a refuse press including a filling shaft and two conveyor belts, which are preferably arranged one on each of two opposite sides of the filling shaft, for conveying batches of refuse discharged from the holders, which are arranged in a row, to the filling shaft of the press. The apparatus enables batches of refuse of different weights from each other to be selected from a larger number of batches to provide optimum filling of the container with the weight of the contents of the container closely approximating a predetermined weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Lindemann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Quante
  • Patent number: 4120185
    Abstract: A control system for controlling operating steps of a press and/or transfer mechanism therefor in dependence upon the position of a drive shaft of a drive mechanism of the press. The system includes a coded pulse generator supplying coded pulses indicative of the position of the drive shaft to a decoder from which decoded pulses are supplied to a control pulse distributor to an amplifying unit and appropriate regulating member for regulation of the operating step. A monitoring unit is also provided for monitoring the operation of the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: L. Schuler GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Schneider, Helmut Braitinger, Burkhard Schumann
  • Patent number: 4116050
    Abstract: A press load meter according to the present invention employs strain gauges as stress detectors. Outputs of the stress detectors are analogously processed until they are amplified and the amplified signals are digitally processed in a multiplexed form with respect to each channel whereby measurement in many stress detectors can be accomplished substantially simultaneously.According to the invention, outputs of the respective stress detectors and a total sum thereof appearing before start of an operation cycle of the press are stored in a first memory as initial unbalance components with respect to each channel and a maximum load value during one operation cycle of the press is stored in a second memory with respect to each channel. Contents of the first memory are subtracted from contents of the second memory, the result of the subtraction being displayed with respect to each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Sakae Tanahashi, Takashi Shima
  • Patent number: 4111113
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of packaging asbestos fibers wherein damp asbestos fibers are consolidated into blocks having a density of at least about 100 lbs./cu. ft. (PCF). These blocks can then be stacked on pallets, pulpable pallets if desired, and secured to said pallet with various means, for example with a shrink film, to produce a clean, compact package. At the point of use, the blocks are disintegrated using a block-breaker and the resultant pieces are then opened into a loose mass of asbestos fibers in a conventional opening apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Johns-Manville Corporation
    Inventor: Gerard Lucien Lambert
  • Patent number: 4108261
    Abstract: A refuse loading station comprising a refuse packer assembly, a refuse container and a loading dock disposed in front of the packer assembly. The loading dock includes a track arrangement on which is mounted a loading carriage for limited movement toward and away from the packer assembly. The carriage is structured for removably supporting the refuse container. A refuse clearing member is provided for clearing refuse situated between the packer assembly and the container subsequent to said container being loaded. A power actuable mechanism is provided on the loading dock for reciprocating the carriage to shift the container toward the packer assembly to a refuse loading position, and to shift the container away from the packer assembly to a container removal position. The carriage is movably mounted on a weighing mechanism which provides an indication of the weight of the container when the container is in a refuse loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey W. Liberman, Paul L. Goranson, R. Houston Ratledge, Jr., John C. Salyers
  • Patent number: 4102262
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a refuse loading station comprising a refuse packer assembly, a refuse container and a loading dock disposed in front of the packer assembly. The loading dock includes a track arrangement on which is mounted a loading carriage. The carriage is structured for removably supporting the refuse container. A refuse clearing member is provided for clearing refuse situated between the packer assembly and the container subsequent to said container being loaded. The carriage is movably mounted on a weighing mechanism which provides an indication of the weight of the container when the container is in a refuse loading position. The weighing mechanism is operably coupled to the packer assembly for controlling the loading of the container in accordance with a preselected container weight. The container includes a vertically slidable closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey W. Liberman, Paul L. Goranson, R. Houston Ratledge, Jr., John C. Salyers
  • Patent number: 4102263
    Abstract: A device for reducing solid waste material to a comminuted and/or compacted state for ease in disposal. The device comprises a series of receptacles, one for each class of waste material, provided with power driven cutters. At least one hydraulic ram type compactor compresses waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Inventor: Robin R. Forsberg
  • Patent number: 4091725
    Abstract: Apparatus for crushing containers, such as beverage cans, in a crushing zone between a movable ram and a relatively stationary platen, and for delivering the crushed containers to given receptacles according to the material of the containers. Control means for power operated means, such as a container counting device, includes a pair of movable container engaging probe members that are adapted to engage opposite ends of a container in a testing zone through which the container passes during movement to the crushing zone, the probe members comprising portions of an electric circuit also including a selector switch having a movable switch element. The extent of movement of the movable switch element is governed by the extent of movement of the probe members toward and away from engagement with a container. Power operated mechanism imparts movements to the ram, probe members, and a container feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Inventor: Ewald A. Arp
  • Patent number: 4084496
    Abstract: Containers made of various materials, such as aluminum and steel beverage cans, and glass beverage bottles, are crushed and separated to permit recycling of the metallic materials by a method and apparatus comprising crushing the containers in a container crushing means having two cone shaped members being rotationally frictionally engageable with each other, one of the cone shaped members being displaceable from the other against the resistance of a spring means, wherein the containers are crushed as they pass between the cone shaped members, conveying the crushed containers away from the crushing means on a container conveyor and separator means comprising an endless belt member having a first end portion for receiving crushed containers from the crushing means and a second end portion, separating the magnetic from the non-magnetic crushed containers by subjecting the containers to a magnetic field at the second end portion of the belt member whereby the non-magnetic containers are discharged from the belt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: G.B.C., Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Ehernberger, Bud Mazza
  • Patent number: 4073228
    Abstract: A trash compactor using a dolly as a receptacle for the trash to be compacted. The dolly is normally spring supported ready for movement into and out of the compactor, but when in the compactor and subjected to compacting pressure, the dolly is pressed downwardly, upon the beams of the main compactor frame which then takes the full compacting pressures.A novel construction of the dolly and compactor floor of the main frame makes such transfer of load possible. The compacting pressure is developed by four hydraulic cylinders, all of which are mounted on a common plate. The rod ends of the two center cylinders are connected to the top member of the main frame and the cylinder ends are connected to the common plate. The rod ends of the remaining two cylinders are connected to the main compacting plate with the cylinder ends mounted on the common plate. With the four cylinders mounted in this manner, twice the movement of the compacting ram is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Inventor: Jerry Henzl
  • Patent number: 4054087
    Abstract: A domestic trash compactor is provided with electromechanical means operable on a predetermined stroke of its compacting head to control a circuit, in the disclosed embodiment, a signal circuit providing a warning that the compacted trash in the receiver should be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: Norris Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Choate, Thomas Papoulias
  • Patent number: 4044664
    Abstract: A system for the handling of solid waste involving multiple solid waste handling stations. Each station has a hopper unit for receiving waste, a storage unit, and a compactor unit for transferring and compacting the waste. Each station is provided with detector means for detecting a packed storage unit. Adjoining stations are operatively interconnected by station selector means. The station selector means responds to the detector means to deactivate a station having a packed storage unit and to activate an adjoining station having an empty storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Hybud Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Hyman Budoff
  • Patent number: 4033252
    Abstract: This patent application discloses a mechanism for indicating the shut height in a mechanical press mechanism. It measures the absolute shut height though the press is shown having a variable stroke mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron, Inc.
    Inventor: Cyril Walter Baker
  • Patent number: 4027584
    Abstract: A compacting apparatus is described which is operated by pressures derived from a municipal or household supply of water under pressure. The apparatus includes a compression chamber having a feed opening therein for introducing material to be compacted in said chamber. The compression chamber is generally elongated and in one end portion thereof a closeable opening is provided for removal of a slug of compacted material. A moveable cylinder is closely received in the compression chamber, and has one end thereof which operates as a ram for compacting the material therein. The cylinder houses a stationary piston which includes a plate in sealed engagement peripherally of the cylinder to divide that cylinder into two sections. A fluid circuit is connectable in flow communication with each of the sections of the cylinder, and with an external supply of water under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Inventor: Howard M. Sly
  • Patent number: 4026204
    Abstract: The press blocking and air logic control system of this invention embodies a press ram blocking apparatus and air logic circuitry and control means in combination for moving a ram blocking member into ram stopping position thereunder upon the occurrence of one or more events justifying blocking of the press ram, to prevent injury or damage to personnel or equipment which would expectedly result from inadvertence, error or accident. The air logic control circuitry for the blocking device is connected to and in association with conventional press circuitry for the press ram actuating mechanism. For normal press operation, the ram blocking member is retained in retracted position by its air logic control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Starboard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice James Good
  • Patent number: 4014255
    Abstract: Material to be presented to a beam of electro-magnetic radiation to determine a characteristic of the material, for example, the ash content of the material is conveyed as a bed along a flat conveying deck. The initial boundaries of the bed of material are determined by an inverted trough shaped guide of uniform cross-sectional area. The material is then compacted by an extension of the inverted trough shaped guide, the extension being of tapering cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventor: Edward James Fox
  • Patent number: 4010679
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer is positioned on a member of a power press subject to stress under dynamic conditions. A ball joint bracket means fixes and maintains the transducer on the member parallel with the direction of force and with the faces of the piezoelectric ceramic plate perpendicular thereto. The high voltage signal generated by the transducer is transmitted to a signal conditioning circuit and impressed upon the grid of a grid-controlled vacuum tube. If the conditioned signal is sufficient to overcome the biasing grid voltage, it activates an electric circuit for the performance of one or more functions, including stopping the power press in the case of an overload, counting the number of times the press is overloaded or the number of times a workpiece is produced, and measuring the press load during a work cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1969
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Assignee: International Measurement & Control Co.
    Inventor: Frank R. Dybel
  • Patent number: 3999477
    Abstract: The press blocking and control system of this invention embodies a press ram blocking apparatus and circuitry and control means for moving a ram blocking member into ram stopping position thereunder upon the occurrence of one or more events justifying blocking of the pressed ram, to prevent injury or damage to personnel and equipment which would expectedly result from inadvertence, error or accident. The control circuitry for the blocking device is connected to and in association with conventional press control circuitry for the press ram actuating mechanism. For normal press operation, the ram blocking member is retained in retracted position by its actuating apparatus and control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Starboard Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice James Good, Benjamin W. Colman
  • Patent number: 3992986
    Abstract: Method and apparatus of refuse collection in a city for disposal in a landfill characterized by the steps of sending portable collecting and baling units on routes throughout the city for collecting refuse and simultaneously baling the refuse into large bales, then periodically discharging the bales along the route. A transport unit which is capable of carrying several bales is then notified to pick up the bales and transport them to a landfill. The baling unit has a hopper collector for manually dumping the refuse, a ram for compressing the refuse within a compaction chute into a bale once the refuse fills the hopper collector. After the bale achieves a selected size, wires previously threaded through guides are tied and the bale ejected. An attached conveyor extracts the bale and carries one or two bales temporarily until at a satisfactory place along the route they are unloaded for later pickup by the transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Inventor: William H. Sutton
  • Patent number: 3988981
    Abstract: A manually operated press comprising a base, a movable platen opposed to the base and a frame attached to the base and carrying a movable platen includes a novel platen supporting and actuating structure which provides for adjustment of the pressure to be exerted by the press upon an object placed between the base and the platen and for adjustment to compensate for the thickness of the object to be placed between the platen and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Inventor: Charles Douglas McDonald
  • Patent number: 3982418
    Abstract: This application discloses press brake testing apparatus of a self-contained independent form which can be quickly applied to any usual form of press having electrical controls to check the stopping distance or time, or both, after the power has been cut off and the brake simultaneously applied, the testing apparatus comprising a ram-attached flexible indicia strand, automatic take-up means for the flexible strand, means for quickly attaching the end of the flexible strand to a press ram, means for cutting off the power of the press and concurrently applying the brake, means responsive to the movement of the flexible strand for digitally indicating time and distance of stopping, means for initiating the operation of the digital indicating means when the press power is cut off and the brake applied, means for halting the action of the digital indicating means when the ram and strand stop, means to return the press ram to normal stop position after a test, and means for re-setting the digital indicating or read
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: George W. Leavesley, Dever C. Cleavenger
  • Patent number: 3965813
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a body to a support in which the body is provided with a slot through which the clamping member can extend includes a clamping member having a shaft with threads at one end and a T-head at the other end, a support having a recess in one face to receive the T-head and an opening through which the clamping member shaft extends and a threaded member coupled to the threaded end of the clamping member, the threaded member being rotatable to axially move the clamping member. A first drive motor is provided to rotate the threaded member to extend the clamping T-head beyond the surface of the support. A second drive motor is provided to rotate the clamping member to a clamping position and to a releasing position. A source of power such as fluid under pressure is provided, the motors being hydraulic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Fritz Muller
    Inventor: Karl Pfost
  • Patent number: 3962965
    Abstract: A plant for the compression of garbage which includes at least one compactor having a horizontal pusher device disposed under a hopper to force the garbage into a container. The hopper is placed at the end of a large capacity storage pit into which the loose garbage is dumped and means are provided for transferring the garbage into the hopper of the compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1972
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: Bennes Marrel
    Inventor: Antoine Corompt
  • Patent number: RE30298
    Abstract: An impact sensing detector for monitoring the operation of metal forming impact presses. The detector operates on an analog electric signal corresponding to the shock wave produced as the press ram impacts the fixed press platen and workpiece to produce a plurality of samples of the amplitude of said analog signal. These samples are digitized and compared against time corresponding standard samples previously derived from normal press operation. The detector may also be applied to other working areas of the press where waveform analysis can detect improper operation in order to avoid catastrophic failures. Predetermined differences between compared samples produce warning indicator signals which may be used to stop the press and also a fault analysis tool to help the press operator pinpoint the malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Michael I. Keller