With Material Displacing Means (e.g., Ejector) Patents (Class 100/218)
  • Patent number: 6523466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the volume of a cylindrical tube for disposal by crushing flat and then shearing into small coupons. Shearing is accomplished by opposed dies having a checkerboard grid of cutting edges. The resulting coupons are preferably substantially square in shape. The invention is particularly useful for reducing the storage volume of irradiated radioactive pressure tubes from a nuclear reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventors: James Mitchell King, Clair Arthur Cox
  • Patent number: 6474226
    Abstract: A vertical baler includes a horizontally disposed floor plate having an arched surface for receiving material to be compacted thereon. A compression plate is mounted for reciprocating vertical movement with respect to the floor plate, and left and right hydraulic pistons carried outside the wall of the baler are operably attached between the floor plate and the compression plate for reciprocating the compression plate relative to the floor plate. Material placed between the arched floor plate and the compression plate is compacted and formed with an arched bottom surface for ease in sliding fork elements of a lift truck thereunder. Once compacted and tied, the bale is pushed from the compaction chamber by pusher tabs vertically extending from a rear edge of the floor plate which is operable for horizontal reciprocation causing biasing of the pusher tabs against the material in a horizontal pushing of the bale from the chamber onto an adjacent floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: LoadKing Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Gregory Bryan Sutton, Dennis E. Finegan, Mark E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 6474228
    Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. C. Leupe, Christiaan A. C. Lippens
  • Publication number: 20020148366
    Abstract: A vertical baler includes a horizontally disposed floor plate having an arched surface for receiving material to be compacted thereon. A compression plate is mounted for reciprocating vertical movement with respect to the floor plate, and left and right hydraulic pistons carried outside the wall of the baler are operably attached between the floor plate and the compression plate for reciprocating the compression plate relative to the floor plate. Material placed between the arched floor plate and the compression plate is compacted and formed with an arched bottom surface for ease in sliding fork elements of a lift truck thereunder. Once compacted and tied, the bale is pushed from the compaction chamber by pusher tabs vertically extending from a rear edge of the floor plate which is operable for horizontal reciprocation causing biasing of the pusher tabs against the material in a horizontal pushing of the bale from the chamber onto an adjacent floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory Bryan Sutton, Dennis E. Finegan, Mark E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 6451138
    Abstract: The invention is a method, and its accompanying apparatus, for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered pressing material. In order to reduce the charging and discharging times, the method entails inserting a first transport device, or charging device, having a plurality of clamping devices into a charging region and inserting a second transport device having a plurality of suction devices into a pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport devices are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes. The pressing material is clamped in the charging region and a plate is accepted in the pressing chamber; the first transport device is then moved into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignees: Dieffenbacher Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Salenz, Peter Rapp
  • Patent number: 6425726
    Abstract: A side dump body including a side dump body unit pivotally mounted on a truck or trailer frame. The side dump body unit is pivotally moved from a transport position to a dumping position wherein the contents of the dump body unit may be dumped from the side of a truck or trailer. A material compactor is provided at the upper end of the body unit for compacting material within the body unit. The material compactor may be moved from its operative compaction position wherein it overlies the upper end of the body unit to an inoperative position at one side of the body unit so that the body unit may be moved to its dumping position without interference from the material compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Thurston Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Layton W. Jensen, Ralph R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6363845
    Abstract: According to a method of transferring a sheet through a working apparatus, a first sheet is moved by feed rolls partially into a working area of the working apparatus, which is followed by moving a second sheet by the same feed rolls to allow the leading end of the second sheet to be brought into abutment with the trailing end of its preceding first sheet and then to push the first sheet to a predetermined position within the working area. After the first sheet is thus placed and the second sheet is moved back out of the working area, the apparatus is operated to work the first sheet, for example, by pressing. The second sheet is moved forward into abutment with the trailing end of the worked first sheet and moved further while pushing the first sheet toward delivery rolls of the apparatus, which then removes the first sheet out of the working area of the apparatus. Such steps of operation is repeated to transfer a series of sheets successively through the working apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Honda
  • Patent number: 6360655
    Abstract: Residues are found to be stored in the compartments of a multiple container, located in homes, restaurants, cafeterias, etc. The residues thus classified are treated by the user himself who places the residues of the same type in the machine object of the invention, which will be another electrical appliance in homes and premises. The process consists of compacting each type of residue, forming briquettes with a spherical, cylindrical, prismatic shape, etc. formed in the compacting chamber of the machine. A binding material, such as a resin or the like and simultaneously a dye that indicates in accordance with a color code, the type of residue of the briquette, are injected on the briquette in a final stage. After polymerization and solidification, the briquettes are diverted automatically to a storage chamber for their subsequent transfer. The machine includes a compacting chamber with a side wall and another top wall movable by means of respective hydraulic cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Jose Francisco Crespo Barrio
  • Patent number: 6349638
    Abstract: A briquetting machine for compacting metal chips into briquettes with a movable die that provides plural die cavities. After metal chips are loaded into a loading chamber from a hopper, a chip compacting ram pushes the chips at a high speed and low pressure into one of several bores, disposed within a sliding die gate, and against an endplate. The bore and endplate together constitute a die and define at least two die cavities. After the ram reaches a predetermined low pressure, the ram then proceeds at a relatively low speed and relatively high pressure to compress the chips within the die into a briquette. Upon reaching a predetermined compaction pressure, the ram retracts from the bore. After such time, the die gate is moved to a location where one bore lies before an ejector cylinder. The ejector cylinder then extends into the bore, expelling the briquette from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Prab, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20020014166
    Abstract: A transfer press has a combined spring and cam-driven workpiece ejector. A spring-box 88 and a cam 32 act through a common element, namely a bell-crank 62. Either the cam or the spring-box may be removed, ejection then being provided by the other. The bell-crank is mounted on the front of the press and the cam is carried by a mounting 78 enabling it to be removed from the front of the press. Accessibility is improved compared to known presses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Hennah
  • Patent number: 6339986
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing large hay bales of approximately 750 kg to produce smaller recompacted manageable units to facilitate shipping in containers. The apparatus provides means for cutting the bales into at least two slabs, preferably three slabs, and means for cutting those slabs into two approximately equal pieces. Means are provided for each piece to be recompressed, strapped and cut again to provide units having an approximate weight of 35 kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Hunterwood Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ed Van Hierden
  • Publication number: 20020000281
    Abstract: The invention is a method, and its accompanying apparatus, for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered pressing material. In order to reduce the charging and discharging times, the method entails inserting a first transport device, or charging device, having a plurality of clamping devices into a charging region and inserting a second transport device having a plurality of suction devices into a pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport devices are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes. The pressing material is clamped in the charging region and a plate is accepted in the pressing chamber; the first transport device is then moved into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: DIETER SALENZ, PETER RAPP
  • Patent number: 6321645
    Abstract: A system for forming particulate material in a bulk form comprises a compression tower having a top and sides depending therefrom. A compression chamber having side walls and an open bottom is reciprocatively mounted to said tower for deposit of loose particulate material therein. The system further includes a first conveyor assembly displaced from said tower. In its extended position, the chamber contacts the first conveyor assembly and the bottom of the chamber is closed thereby. A vacuum blower draws loose particulate material into the chamber through an inlet and compresses it against the first conveyor assembly. A ram assembly within the chamber further compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. When the chamber and ram assembly are returned to their retracted positions, the material bulk is transferred downstream by the first conveyor assembly to a space between vertically spaced second and third conveyor assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: John Pollock
  • Patent number: 6301949
    Abstract: A reciprocating press for forming workpieces includes a tilting table that supports the workpiece and positions it with respect to the press tooling as the press closes, and then is pivoted upward into an inclined orientation as the press opens so that the finished workpiece falls down the table and is automatically discharged from the press. A preferred embodiment has a lifting arm attached to an upper reciprocating press member that carries an upper forming tool such as a punch. The lower end of the lifting arm engages the tilting table such that the table is pivoted about a horizontal axis in concert with the upward and downward movement of the reciprocating press member. The press preferably also includes a safety door that is automatically closed before the press fully closes and is opened again as the press opens such that operator access to the moving press parts is prevented by the door during a press cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew Gregory Beddoe, Ezra Lark Merrill, Trent Robert Wetherbee, Thomas Jacob Hagman
  • Patent number: 6272981
    Abstract: A chip compressing apparatus, including a housing which has an inner space having opposite open ends, a movable member which is movable, along one of the opposite open ends of the housing, to a closing position where the movable member closes the one open end of the housing and to an opening position where the movable member opens the one open end, a movable-member moving device which moves the movable member to the closing position and to the opening position, a compressing ram which is inserted in the inner space of the housing through the other open end thereof, such that the compressing ram is movable in an axial direction of the housing, a ram moving device which moves the compressing ram in the axial direction so that the ram cooperates with the housing and the movable member being positioned at the closing position to compress metallic chip which is stored in the inner space of the housing, and a supporting device which supports the housing and the movable member such that at least when the compressing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shintaro Murata, Katsuji Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 6196124
    Abstract: A baling machine includes a gathering chamber and a baling chamber. The gathering chamber includes a charging inlet through which material to be baled is delivered into the gathering chamber. The baling chamber communicates with the gathering chamber to allow compressed material to be forced from the gathering chamber into the baling chamber against the end wall. The baling chamber has a discharge outlet at one side for ejection of compressed material from the baling chamber. A gathering ram is reciprocal within the gathering chamber. The gathering ram includes a ram head movable between a retracted position and an advanced position to compress material in the gathering chamber and to drive compressed material into the baling chamber. An ejection ram is reciprocal within the baling chamber. The ejection ram includes a main ram head and an auxiliary ram head adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The American Baler Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6146079
    Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in crisscross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Amrep, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose A. Ghibaudo
  • Patent number: 6112501
    Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particulate material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to a horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a packaging station having upper and lower conveyor assemblies. The material bulk is then recompressed and conveyed to a space formed between upper and lower assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans portions of upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby for transfer to downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies to maintain compression thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: John Pollock
  • Patent number: 6085486
    Abstract: A forage compactor for compressing forage or crop into bales of increased crop density for transportation. A crop feed area feeds crop to a conveyor where it is moved to a scale area for proper bale weight. An indexer severs the crop while moving it from the scale area to the compression chamber. The crop is compressed and moved to a strapping chamber where straps are applied to the compressed crop. The bound bale is manipulated as desired at the product handling area downstream from the strapping chamber. The crop is provided with substantially constant stress during compression and moisture sensors in the strapping chamber sense the moisture content of the severed crop within the bale to be bound. The weight of the crop within the compression area may be reduced to reduce machine overloading. Keyway plungers provide reduced side loading on the main ram used for crop compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: HWD Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas Andrew Hunter, Richard Wayne Littlewood
  • Patent number: 6070522
    Abstract: A transportable apparatus includes a housing with a door which opens to facilitate placement of trash within a trash receiving chamber of the apparatus. A sweep within the trash receiving chamber is actuated upon closing the door, forcing the deposited trash into a first compaction chamber, wherein the trash is mixed and compressed into a condensed mass by converging chamber walls and a downwardly directed spray of water released from high pressure nozzles at the top of the chamber. A reciprocating horizontal plate at the lower end of the first compaction chamber slices off a bottom layer of the mass of trash with each cycle of forward and rearward movement. The sliced layers of trash are pushed and compacted into a second compaction chamber until the second chamber is full. The trash is then compressed to form a composite unit of predetermined size and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Reino Koljonen
  • Patent number: 6007291
    Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in criss-cross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Amrep, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose A. Ghibaudo
  • Patent number: 6000325
    Abstract: A waste press with an ejection device in which at least one lifting plate is arranged on or in a bottom floor of a shaft formed by a press housing and at least one pull rod of the ejection device connected in an articulated manner to the lifting plate is arranged in the press area of the shaft on or in a rear wall. In addition, a coupling member is provided for at least temporarily connecting the pull rod and the press plate. The coupling member which temporarily transmits the movement of the pressing plate to the lifting plate of the ejection device is constructed as a connecting unit arranged on the outside of the rear wall of the press housing, wherein the connecting unit is controlled by mechanically acting guide arranged on the press housing and forming a part of the press housing, and wherein the connecting unit protrudes through a cutout formed in the rear wall and is forcibly pivotable in and out and acts temporarily on the pressing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Hermann Schwelling
  • Patent number: 5979304
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method using the apparatus are described for the separation by filtration of a solid phase and a liquid phase from a sludge. A pressure is exerted on the sludge with the aid of a piston in a filtration chamber having a filter. The filter is extracted from the chamber and the surface of the filter is swept using a scraper device. The invention can be used for the treatment of liquid manure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventor: Marcel Norais
  • Patent number: 5943846
    Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particular material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to an horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a space formed between downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans the upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby. The system diminishes the dislodgement of the particulate material from the bulk subsequent to its formation and transports and avoids the expenses of utilizing separately formed packaging bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: John Pollock
  • Patent number: 5829348
    Abstract: A can crusher and storage system is provided including a piston housing having a first face, a second face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space. The piston housing has an inlet formed in the periphery thereof adjacent the first face. A thin rectangular outlet is formed in the periphery of the piston housing between the inlet and the first face and is further situated opposite of and offset from the inlet. Next provided is a piston assembly situated within the interior space of the piston housing for crushing cans situated within the inlet upon the actuation thereof. A control assembly is provided for selectively actuating the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Roger E. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5826501
    Abstract: Apparatus for pressing wet-formed fiber material boards in a multi-stage press is disclosed, including a vertically movable loading elevator with several stages for receiving transport plates for the boards, and a pusher for moving the transport plates from the loading elevator into the press. A hydraulic system is provided for driving both the loading elevator and the pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Industries AB
    Inventor: Sixten Gjervaldsater
  • Patent number: 5823104
    Abstract: The invention is a press for cold working of metal workpieces. The invention includes a double-acting linear hydraulic power drive cylinder, a continuous press frame for accepting reactive forces that develop during the operation of the press, and a control valve system operable by output signals, and being one of program-controlled or manually triggerable, from an electronic control unit, for controlling motion of a piston of the drive cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Grabener Pressensysteme GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Winfried Beisel, Eckehart Schulze, Heinz Groos, Dieter Budenbender, Hans-Werner Kutscher
  • Patent number: 5785487
    Abstract: A compound packing and ejecting device for a front or slide loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and later ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A plurality of compound packing and ejecting devices may be mounted within the charging hopper. The packing and ejecting device includes packing cylinders and ejecting cylinders coupled to a packer panel, wherein the expansion of the packing cylinders, with the ejecting cylinders retracted, linearly displaces the packer panel through a first longitudinal portion of the storage body and expansion of the ejecting cylinders, together with expansion of the packing cylinders, displaces the packer panel through the remainder of the storage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garwin B. McNeilus, Ronald E. Christenson, Wilbur R. Harris, Francis Oliver
  • Patent number: 5778773
    Abstract: A can crusher that is attachable to a trash or recycle container. The crusher has a movable vice between which the can to be crushed is placed. An extending upright handle is manually operated to move the vice and crush the can which then exits to the container via a normally trap door and a protective chute. Two gear racks with lower camming members open the trap door as the vice crushes the can. After, the crushing operation is completed the handle may be manually returned to its original position to reclose the normally closed trap door and permit to crushing of additional cans placed in the vice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Carolyn M. Clark
  • Patent number: 5709144
    Abstract: The lever press includes various elements such as a lever (3), a fulcrum shaft (4), a crank shaft (5), a crank wheel (6), a forked portion (7), a crank pin (8), a slider (9), a large gear-wheel (10) and a motive gear-wheel (13), etc. which are dimensioned in relation to the ascent/descent stroke (S) of a ram which is set to be 1. The lever press is designed to have the same capacity as the conventional lever presses while remarkably reducing the size thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Shiokawa, Shozo Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 5697294
    Abstract: A device for compressing tires and other compressible items in a shipping container comprises a support frame 22 attached to the lift end of a forklift. A fixture 20 is attached to and moves vertically with the support frame. The fixture comprises a horizontal compression platen 30. A vertical pusher plate 50 extends above and below the platen. The upper pusher plate 53, which is above the platen, can fold down so that the platen can be brought near the ceiling of a shipping container above a stack of tires. The fixture weighs enough to compress tires stacked below the compression platen. Additional tires are stacked above the platen and compressed tires. The upper pusher plate is then folded up, against the tires. Two hydraulic cylinders push the pusher plate away from the support frame to pull the platen from between the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventors: Michael Keller, Gerald Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5694742
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing strapless bales of highly compressible textile fibers is disclosed, wherein a compressed block of the fibers is ejected and expanded into a flexible bag. The apparatus includes a supply chamber for supplying loose fibers to a tramping chamber which is stationary. A ram assembly repeatedly tramps the fibers to form a compacted fiber mass which is then formed into a compressed fiber block within a stationary compression chamber disposed in fiber transfer relation to the stationary tramping chamber. The compressed fiber block is ejected transverse to the compression chamber through an ejection sleeve about which an oversized flexible bag is fitted. Due to the fact that the bag is of a greater size than the cross section of the ejection sleeve and due to the stretch and flexibility of the bag, the compressible fibers in the compressed fiber block undergo an expansion process wherein the flexible bag is filled with the compressible fibers to form a strapless bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Elliott, C. Thomas Curles, Alex Hollingsworth, David P. Zachary, Thomas C. Sisk, Michel D. Vaniman
  • Patent number: 5692435
    Abstract: A press frame has a floored portion that defines a pressing area and a floorless portion that defines a discharge area. The frame carries first and second squeezing elements that are moveable between the pressing area and discharge area. Only the first squeezing element is powered, and it can be driven selectively toward or away from the second squeezing element to press and discharge screenings. A linking device limits the maximum separation of the first and second squeezing elements so that the first element pulls the second, together with processed screenings, to the discharge area in a discharge cycle. An interposer limits the minimum separation of the first and second squeezing elements so that the powered element pushes the nonpowered element back to the pressing area after the discharge cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Serpentix Conveyor Corp.
    Inventor: Robert E. Nissen
  • Patent number: 5687643
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing strapped bales of highly compressible textile fibers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a supply chamber for supplying loose fibers to a tramping chamber which is stationary. A ram assembly repeatedly tramps loose fibers to form a compacted fiber mass which is then formed into a compressed fiber block within a stationary compression chamber disposed in fiber transfer relation to the stationary tramping chamber. The stationary tramping and compression chambers are off-set and the fiber mass is transferred through a transfer opening into the compression chamber. During the compression cycle, a new fiber mass may be tramped in the tramping chamber allowing a high production rate of strapped fiber bales. The compressed fiber block is formed between a movable main platen and a movable secondary platen which are axially aligned in the compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventors: J. David Felts, Kenneth W. Elliott, David P. Zachary
  • Patent number: 5632199
    Abstract: Hydraulically activated compactor with internal storage and integrated removable container-lift, having automatic angularity control for the platen bar, forming bales of waste and refuse material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventors: Joseph Molitorisz, Reuben J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5613433
    Abstract: A compacting method and apparatus particularly adapted to compacting hazardous materials, and in particular radioactive waste, in which a container (1, 1', 1", 1"') is compacted inside a compacting skirt (20) by cooperation between a support surface (7) on which the compacting skirt (20) with the container (1') is placed and a compactor (9) disposed faing the support surface (7) and displaceable along a vertical axis inside the compacting skirt (20). According to the compacting method the compacting skirt (20) containing the container (1, 1', 1", 1"') is moved in translation, in particular between a loading station (I) for loading the container (1), a compacting station (II) where the container (1') is compacted, and an unmolding station (III) for unmolding the compacted container (1") and for evacuating the compacted container (1"') downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Daniel Tucoulat, Patrick Jacq, Philippe Kerrien, Daniel Kerlau
  • Patent number: 5590594
    Abstract: A portable tire baling machine mounted on a trailer for transportation. The baler has unique fingers for holding partially baled tires for additional loading to make possible larger bales from a relatively smaller machine. Special provisions are made for holding the bales together and for emptying the bales from the machine. The method of loading the bales provides for added safety and a better, tighter bale. Safety features for the closure of the baling compartment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Les H. Pederson
  • Patent number: 5572926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unloading presses with a nonhydraulic press unloader. The apparatus generally includes a support frame, a reciprocating tray, a tray arm, a link arm, an actuating arm, and an attachment arm. The support frame has a pair of support frame members having top surfaces. A tray roller, for supporting the reciprocating tray, is rotatably mounted to each end of the support frame member. The tray arm is slidably engaged with the top surface of one of the support frame members and is pivotally attached to the link arm. The midsection of the tray arm is pinably connected to the reciprocating tray. The actuating arm is pivotally connected to the other end of the link arm and to the support frame. A pickup roller is rotatably attached to the actuating arm near its midsection. A release roller is rotatably attached to the actuating arm also near the midsection and adjacent the pickup roller. As the press ram rises, the arms draw the tray in between the gap presented by the separating die halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Peter Bachhuber
  • Patent number: 5566610
    Abstract: An apparatus for baling loose materials includes a housing defining a charging passage and a compaction chamber. The baling apparatus also includes a compacting ram platen which moves through the charging passage to compact loose materials into a bale in the compaction chamber. In one embodiment, the baling apparatus includes a reinforcing frame disposed generally circumferentially about at least portion of the housing to provide structural reinforcement. The reinforcing frame defines an aperture through which the floor panel and the first and second opposed side panels of the housing are typically extended during the fabrication of the baling apparatus so as to be supported in a predetermined positional relationship. In another embodiment, the baling apparatus includes a knife assembly including a frame member, such as the reinforcing frame, mounted to the housing and a second cutting edge mounted to the frame member for controlled movement relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Lindemann Recycling Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie R. Robinson, Robert L. Taylor, II
  • Patent number: 5560289
    Abstract: A container of prismatic shape, in particular with a square ground plan shape, has a bottom, a base frame, and side walls extending upwardly therefrom, wherein a front side wall is pivotably journalled for opening the container, and wherein the container is furthermore equipped with a pressing device provided for compressing the filling material. At its lower side, the front side wall is rigidly connected to the bottom, and the unit thus formed is journalled on the front side of the container so as to be outwardly pivotable. The pressing device is comprised of a pressing lid and a toggle lever mechanism provided for pressing down the pressing lid and actuatable by a hand lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Max Pernsteiner
    Inventor: Gerhard Pernsteiner
  • Patent number: 5558014
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for baling loose materials, such as waste material, includes a controllably moveable door assembly. In one embodiment, the door is adapted to open from an initial position to a final position such that the compacted bale can be ejected from the compaction chamber through the opening defined by the open door. In this embodiment, the leading edge portion of the door is moved to a final position in general alignment with the compacting ram platen such that bales of various sizes, including oversized bales, can be readily ejected from the baling apparatus. For example, the leading edge portion of the door can be moved into alignment with or rearward of the compacting ram platen. In another embodiment, the baling apparatus operates in a plug bale mode and includes a door which is urged against an at least partially ejected bale so as to securely hold the plug bale within the opening defined to the compaction chamber during the compaction of a succeeding bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Lindemann Recycling Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie R. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5555798
    Abstract: A hot press for producing multilayered substrate blanks wherein the substrate blanks are placed between upper and lower bolsters via heat insulating plates and heating plates. The multilayered substrate blanks are fitted into a frame which is provided on the upper bolster and the multilayered substrate blanks are pressed and heated. The frame is fashioned of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the coefficients of thermal expansion of the multilayered substrate blanks. When the multilayered substrate blanks are pressed and heated, outside dimensions become equal to the inside dimensions of the frame. Thus, no flow of an adhesive out of the multilayered substrate blanks occurs, and as a result it is possible to produce a high density multilayered substrate with a large number of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi Techno Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akimi Miyashita, Mutsumasa Fujii, Kenji Hisadomi
  • Patent number: 5544578
    Abstract: A device for compressing tires and other compressible items in a shipping container comprises a support frame 22 attached to the lift end of a forklift. A fixture 20 is attached to and moves vertically with the support frame. The fixture comprises a horizontal compression platen 30. A vertical pusher plate 50 extends above and below the platen. The upper pusher plate 53, which is above the platen, can fold down so that the platen can be brought near the ceiling of a shipping container above a stack of tires. The fixture weighs enough to compress tires stacked below the compression platen. Additional tires are stacked above the platen and compressed tires. The upper pusher plate is then folded up, against the tires. Two hydraulic cylinders push the pusher plate away from the support frame to pull the platen from between the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventors: Michael Keller, Gerald Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5540144
    Abstract: Instead of using the compacting plunger of the baler to unload one or more bales from the bale chamber, an auxiliary ejector system may be utilized that enables the operator to select only the last bale for off-loading, or both the last bale and the next-to-last bale. A shuttle assembly housed almost entirely within hollow rails of the bale case has a number of ejector dogs that need not all be placed in operating position simultaneously, thus permitting the operator to choose to actuate only those dogs which are necessary to off-load the bale he selects. The shuttle is repeatedly actuated and retracted through ejecting and reset strokes until the selected bale or bales are fully off-loaded. During the reset strokes the spring-loaded dogs are yieldably folded down under the pressure of the overhead bale so as to avoid retrograde movement of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hay & Forage Industries
    Inventors: Thomas G. Schrag, Cecil L. Case
  • Patent number: 5524533
    Abstract: An apparatus for crushing and releasing articles such as metal cans. A fixed anvil is mounted on the frame and a ram is mounted for movement in a direction toward and away from the anvil to crush an article located therebetween. The articles are fed sequentially to the crushing zone between the anvil and ram through a vertical chute. A spring loaded wedge plate extends outwardly from the ram towards the anvil and initially contacts the article intermediate its length to bend or deform the article to thereby insure uniform crushing of the article by the ram. A coil spring is mounted on the frame and has an adjustable finger which projects downwardly into the crushing zone to guide incoming cans fed from the chute into the crushing zone, and to facilitate release of the crushed can in the crushing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Richard M. Koenig
  • Patent number: 5524534
    Abstract: A two-stage compaction device for compressing residue metal waste and squeezing excess fluid from the waste, having a pre-compaction cylinder, a pair of compaction chambers, and a pair of die cylinders, all aligned along a common horizontal axis; each of the compaction chambers has an ejection plunger and ejection slot for removing compressed pellets of metal waste and for draining excess fluid accummulations. The pre-compaction cylinder and the die cylinders have pistons within the compaction chamber, and the actuation of the pistons is controlled to first compress residue waste material in one compaction chamber and then to compress residue metal waste material in the other compaction chamber while the ejection plunger is activated in the first chamber to eject the previously compressed pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Dale G. Dietel
  • Patent number: 5517908
    Abstract: The baler embodies false side walls which act as spacers in the bale chamber while the bale is completed. After completion, dogs on the platen engage the false side walls; they are raised by the ascending platen, and retained in the raised position by dogs on the baler side walls while the platen descends and compresses the bale. The bale is wired to the platen, which, rising, lifts the bale out of the bale chamber and allows a carton to be inserted in the (opened) bale chamber. The platen, descending again, lowers the bale into the carton; the lifting wires are cut, the platen rises, and the carton is sealed and extracted from the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Robert P. Stout
  • Patent number: 5493963
    Abstract: A high production, double lift box baler having a pair of lift box assemblies which rotate between a charging position and a compression position. Each lift box assembly includes a lift box and a displaceable lower platen which has a latched position in which the lower platen forms a floor of the lift box. Each lower platen also has an unlatched position in which the lower platen is independently displaced to rest against a bottom sill during a compression cycle to withstand the compression forces. The lower platens are independently displaceable, so that while one platen is displaced against the bottom sill for compression, the other sill is latched and is utilized as a floor for tramping the fibers during a filling cycle. A latch assembly is provided for unlatching the lower platen at the compression position during a compression cycle, and for latching the lower platen integrally to the lift box for rotation and tramping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Fishburne International, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis T. Curles, Paul R. Sexton, David P. Zachary
  • Patent number: 5471919
    Abstract: Automatic baling press including a plurality of vertical cases 12, intermittently rotating in carousel fashion, with continuous feed device 5 and automatic binding device 18. The cases 12 are open on the top and bottom and rotate by grazing an underlying horizontal fixed plane 6. The fixed plane or plate is provided with an aperture 21 in the pressing region. A cylinder 10 having a vertical axis is provided whose head 11 is intended to fit precisely into the case 12. The pressing station is provided with a horizontal prismatic caisson 7 with an aperture 20 equal and juxtaposed to the aperture 21 of the plane 6. The caisson has a head 15 which is axially movable. A gate 16 is transversely movable to delimit a pressing chamber 24. The caisson has a mouth for the unloading of the bales and is provided with automatic binding means 8 which are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Dabizzi Valerio & C. S.n.C.
    Inventor: Valerio Dabizzi
  • Patent number: 5467704
    Abstract: A waste container reformer, for reforming generally disk-shaped compacted waste containers into prismatic forms, sequentially presses the sides of the waste container into a prism with a 45.degree.-90.degree.-45.degree. triangular base so that when it is placed adjacent to another reformed container, the two form a rectangular box for more efficient use of storage space. The pressure surfaces are controlled by hydraulic cylinders to provide the forces needed to reform the container. The reforming process is controlled so that one angle is formed at a time, beginning with one of the 45.degree. angles, followed by the 90.degree. angle, and then completed by forming the other 45.degree. angle. By forming one angle at a time, the load requirements of the reformer are reduced, and a consistently similar shaped reformed waste container is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Alaron Corporation
    Inventors: Ron Mencarelli, Jeffry P. Sasko