Abstract: Herb oil pressing devices and methods are provided. The devices include a pair of closable opposed jaws that can apply pressure to a herb placed between the jaws; a motor connected to the jaws for controlling the closing of the jaws, and, when closed, controlling the pressure produced between the jaws; a heater connected to the jaws for heating the jaws and herb; a housing in which the jaws, the motor, and the heater are housed; and a user interface connected to the jaws and the heater, the user interface for inputting a selection of temperature, pressure, and amount of time the temperature and pressure is applied to a herb positioned between the jaws to extract oil therefrom. Related computer-implemented methods of pressing a herb are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material in connection with a pneumatic material conveying system includes a waste container/separating device, into which material is configured to be conducted from a conveying pipe of the pneumatic material conveying system via an inlet aperture and which is configured to be connected to a partial vacuum generator. The apparatus further includes a press device/compactor device, which is arranged to act on the material (w) conducted into the waste container/separating device, via at least one aperture formed in the container, and that at least one wall that is transverse with respect to the input direction of the material is arranged in the container space of the waste container/separating device, which wall is configured to guide the material into the operating range in the container space of the compressor of the press device/compactor device.

Abstract: One variation of a system for packaging a foodstuff includes: a ramp; a bag dispenser adjacent the ramp and dispensing a bag into a load position; a paddle pivotable about a hinge arranged above the ramp, comprising a leading edge opposite the hinge and engaging the ramp, and extensible between a retracted setting and an extended setting, the leading edge of the paddle in contact with the ramp in the retracted setting and inserted into the mouth of the bag in the extended setting; an actuator coupled to the paddle and extending the paddle between the retracted setting and the extended setting; and a conveyor advancing the a foodstuff toward the bag dispenser, foodstuff contacting a bottom surface of the paddle and pivoting the paddle about the hinge to separate an upper layer of the bag from a lower layer.

Abstract: An agricultural baler disposed on a movable agricultural implement is provided. The baler includes a first plunger and a second plunger. The baler also includes a strap feeding assembly and a track assembly disposed within a first slot formed on a first material-facing surface of the first plunger, a second slot formed on a second material-facing surface of the second plunger, a third slot formed on a third material-facing surface of a first wall of the baling chamber, and a fourth slot formed on a fourth material-facing surface of a second wall of the baling chamber. The first plunger is configured to compress material within the baling chamber, and the strap feeding assembly is configured to propel a strap through the track assembly, around the baling chamber, and into a sealing assembly configured to seal the strap into a loop around the bale.

Abstract: A hay press configured to generally (i) receive hay bales; (ii) cut the twine holding the hay bales together; (iii) move, by weight, a pre-established amount of hay into a compression chamber; (iv) compress the pre-established amount of hay into a package of pre-established size; and (v) eject and wrap the compressed package of hay for shipping. The hay press includes a (i) loading table and destacker; (ii) twine slicer; (iii) loading compartment; (iv) loading hydraulic press and platen; (v) infeed forks; (vi) compression chamber; (vii) scale; (viii) compression chamber door; (ix) hydraulic compression ram and platen; (x) hydraulic ejection press and platen; and (xi) ejection chute. An optional conveyor system may operate in conjunction with the hay press to transport loose hay having fallen during operation of the hay press to a loose hay loading chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes.

Abstract: A method for adhering a protecting tape to a protection surface of a wafer is disclosed. The method comprises: cutting the protecting tape of which one surface is processed to be an adhering surface into predetermined size and shape; storing the protecting tape so as to release tensile force therein; holding the protecting tape by a protecting tape holding device; holding the wafer by a wafer holding device; locating the protecting tape and the wafer in a vacuum chamber in such a way that the adhering surface and the protection surface are facing each other; evacuating an interior of the vacuum chamber; and bringing the protecting tape holding device and/or the wafer holding device close to each other, thereby adhering the adhering surface of the protecting tape and the protection surface of the wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coal dewatering system, method and apparatus. The dewatering system includes a preheater vessel (82) having a chamber (101) for heating coal, an inlet (84) to permit the passage of coal into the chamber (101), and an outlet (86) for permitting the passage of coal from the chamber (101). The dewatering vessel also includes a heating mechanism (98) associated with the preheater vessel (82) to heat coal contained in the chamber (101) and a non-return valve (92) to substantially prevent heated coal removed from the preheater chamber (101) via the outlet (86) from re-entering the preheater vessel (82) via the outlet (86). The dewatering system further includes a dewatering unit (60) adapted to receive the heated coal from the outlet (86) via the non-return valve (92) and to thereby dewater the coal.

Abstract: The present invention is a long reach press comprising a low force actuator for operably urging first tooling into a working position. It further includes an opposed high force actuator for operably urging second tooling into engagement with the first tooling. The low force actuator includes a positive stop actuator including a slide block stop for operatively supporting and restraining movement of the first tooling when engaged with the second tooling. The slide block is moveable between a stop extended position and a stop retracted position.

Abstract: A pill crusher has a portable housing with a base to be supported on a surface and a top surface having a transverse slot opening into a holding container in the housing for one of more pills carried in a pouch. The pouch can be manually inserted through the slot until a bottom edge of the pouch sits on a base of the container. Two horizontally oriented and opposed solenoids are powered by rechargeable battery power in the housing and drive vertical crusher plates toward one another in the holding container to impact repeatedly, during depression by the operator of a manual switch, until the operator determines that the repeated impacting action has sufficiently crushed the pills in the pouch so that the pouch can be withdrawn through the top opening.

Abstract: The press for forming bales of textile material comprises a first pre-pressing station (3) and a second pressing station (5), with transfer means for transferring the pre-pressed material from the first station to the second station. The transfer means comprise two containment walls, an upper and a lower (33, 35), approximately parallel with each other and defining a transfer path between said first and said second stations, and a ram (25) that pushes the pre-pressed material from the first station to the second station by sliding it between said two containment walls.

Abstract: Baling apparatus (2) for preparing highly compressed bales of materials such as silage, wool, paper, cardboard, plastics materials and scrap metal, the baling apparatus including a compression chamber (5) which includes two opposed gates (6, 7) which can be moved towards or away from each other by moving means (15, 16, 17, 18), to compress material between the gates into a bale; the gates being moved by moving means (15, 16, 18) which are mounted alongside the compression chamber (5).

Abstract: A platen machine for filling and sealing packages is provided having an upper platen and a lower platen journalled and independently moveable on a common alignment shaft to provide a close tolerance sealing mechanism with an independently operated heat seal element. The novel platen machine relocates clamping forces from the support frame to the alignment shaft so that the common alignment shafts bears the clamping forces and the carrier merely relies upon the frame to support the weight of the machine and not clamping forces. The upper platen moves toward the lower platen and the lower platen moves toward the upper platen to clamp a package between the two platens before an independently operated heat seal element is activated to advance to the clamped package and provide a heating and sealing cycle independent of the clamping cycle. Optional filling, gassing and evacuation can be provided during the clamping of the package without involving the separate heating and sealing operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-funtion diaphragm press having upper and lower platen assemblies separated by a flexible membrane. One of the platen assemblies is movable between a first position whereby it does not contact the flexible membrane and a second position whereby the flexible membrane is contacted to provide a rigid membrane.

Abstract: A container, such as a transfer trailer, a roll-off container, or other container that can be transported, has expandable side walls. The walls are hydraulically, or otherwise, forced outward to increase the inside width dimension of the container. A loading device, such as a garbage route collection truck or other similar vehicle can then be backed into the container whereby the solid material waste or other commodities can be directly loaded into the container. Once the container has been loaded, the side walls can be retracted to their original positions, such that the container maintains its standard regulated width dimension.

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.

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.

Abstract: An automatic syringe destruction system for sterilizing and destroying a carrier storing plastic syringes. A transfer wheel stores a plurality of carriers requiring sterilization and destruction. A first piston mechanism contacts one of the carriers stored on the transfer wheel and places the carrier into one end of a compression chamber. An induction coil surrounds the compression chamber and supplies heat to the compression chamber. A second piston mechanism enters another end of the compression chamber and compresses the carrier against the first piston mechanism.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The press comprises a frame (1), a feed zone (3) receiving the waste to be treated and a pressing chamber (9) formed by a die (11) with a cross-section equal to that of a compression piston (7). The die (11) is mounted in a slide (12) which is movable angularly between a first position placing the pressing chamber (9) in communication with the feed zone (3) and a second position placing the pressing chamber (9) in communication with a hatch (13) for discharge of the solid phase of the waste.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering liquid from refuse liquid-filled containers comprises an elongated compression chamber formed by a cylindrical wall having a perforated cylindrical wall portion provided with a plurality of liquid collection orifices, an annular liquid collection chamber surrounding the perforated wall portion, a first plunger and a second plunger axially movable in the compression chamber relative to the first plunger. The first and second plungers have respective first and second perforated plates mounted in spaced relationship thereon and each provided with a plurality of liquid discharge orifices. When the second plunger is moved in a direction toward the first plunger to compress the refuse containers between the first and second perforated plates and thereby cause the containers to burst and expel liquid, the liquid is discharged through the liquid discharge orifices and the liquid collection orifices, and into the liquid collection chamber.

Abstract: A mobile or stationary apparatus receives refuse in a bin or a chute. The refuse is consolidated by a first moveable shell into a transfer station of generally cylindrical shape. The member serves as a guide as the consolidated refuse is pushed by a compactor ram from the transfer station into a compactor chamber in a bagging station by a transfer actuator which, while transferring the refuse, compacts and crushes it. The bagging station includes a moveable piston against which the refuse is compacted and crushed. Then the baggage station is moved out-of-line with the transfer/compactor ram to a position where a fabric-coated impermeable bag is be installed over an open end of the bagging station. An ejector ram in the bagging station is operated to drive the cylindrical block of compacted refuse into the bag. The bag is sealed snugly around the refuse block and ready for delivery to the dumping site. The bag material is designed to permanently encase the compacted refuse block forever.

Abstract: A hay bale recompacting system comprises an elongated compression chamber having a generally rectangular cross-section defined by top, bottom, and end walls, an inlet end and an outlet end, an inlet opening at the inlet end in one side of the chamber, an outlet at the outlet end in the other side of the chamber, a ram at the inlet end of the chamber for compressing bales therein, an indexing apparatus for weighing a charge to be introduced into the compressor, a ram for moving a selected amount of a bale into the chamber, a strapping chamber at the outlet disposed at right angle to the compression chamber for receiving compressed bales, an extruder ram for extruding bales from the compression chamber into and from the strapping chamber, and strapping units associated with the strapping chamber for strapping bales in the strapping chamber.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for cooking and shaping precut meat pieces such as beef cuts, pork cuts or the like. The process comprises the steps of placing an uncooked meat piece adjacent the opening of a shaping mold, subjecting the meat piece to an air pressure differential to cause the meat piece to enter the mold, and heating the mold to cook the meat piece therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing fibrous material into dense bales having uniform size, shape and weight. Weighed longitudinally extended charges of material having a predetermined transverse dimensional profile are individually loaded into a compression chamber defined by side plates and first and second movable end platens. A long-stroke small-diameter hydraulic piston pushes the first end platen against the charge toward the second end platen, partially compressing the charge. The first end platen is then latched in a fixed position at full stroke while the second end platen, via a short-stroke large-diameter hydraulic piston, applies a further compressive force to the charge against the first end platen. The resulting fully compressed charge is pushed out of the compression chamber, bound loosely while still fully compressed, then released, whereupon the bale longitudinally expands into the bindings to a predetermined length.

Abstract: A device for pressing cylindrical containers holding nuclear facility waste materials into disk pellets includes an initial press and a main press. In the initial press, the container is deformed by an arrangement of movable dies and tension-relieving rams into a shape suitable to fit into a compaction chamber in the main press. After the container is collapsed by the dies and rams of the initial press, the initial press is opened and the collapsed container is deposited into the compaction chamber of the main press where it is compacted into a disk-like pellets and discharged from the compaction chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for pressing a stack of signatures including a first pressing member mounted on a bracket upwardly and downwardly movable by drive means for pressing the stack of signatures over an intermediate upper surface area thereof, a pivotally movable second pressing member connected at its one end to each end of the first pressing member for pressing the signature stack over the remaining upper surface area at each end thereof, an arm for pivotally moving the second pressing member and air cylinder-plunger means for driving the arm, the apparatus being characterized in that the cylinder-plunger means is disposed above the first pressing member and attached to the bracket, the plunger of the cylinder-plunger means being directed downward and having a lateral support member, the arm having one end pivoted to the support member and the other end to a base portion of the second pressing member.

Abstract: A first body has a cylindrical section that is adjacent a conical section so as to form a constricted passage through which granular solids are forced under pressure. Passage through the constriction results in the application of shear forces to the granular solids which degrades some of the particles to create fines to fit between the larger particles and which induces interparticle motion that facilitates the compaction process. After passing through the constriction, the compacted solids are received in a cylindrical receiving chamber, into which a piston can be inserted for the application of direct compression forces. In a preferred embodiment, the granular solids are forced through several constricted passages in sucession, resulting in several stages of compaction prior to the final stage of direct compression.

Abstract: A device for compressing various solid waste materials comprises a matrix receiving waste material to be compressed by compressing hydraulic cylinders, and a bottom plate positioned below the matrix. The bottom plate has an opening for discharging a blank compressed in the matrix from the device. The matrix is formed of two half-shells, one of which is horizontally displaceable so as to close and open the opening in the bottom plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for immobilizing and packing radioactive "ashes" in a mineral matrix, said method consisting in adjusting the coefficient of expansion of said ashes, molding around said ashes a porcelain in the raw state and taking the whole in one operation to form a hermetically sealed block.

Abstract: A shear system for processing scrap is provided that includes guiding and catching walls for enhancing the loading of large items into the shear system. A tiltable hopper is provided with an open rear so that very large and long scrap items may be processed. The hopper is tiltable so that scrap items may be loaded with relatively smaller apparatus. The system operates to precrush the scrap material taking advantage of leverage yielded by using pivoting wing and flap crushing surfaces. Crushing forces are essentially relieved prior to shearing to decrease the likelihood of jamming of the shear head. The system is modular and may be shipped to and erected in remote locations where electric power for operating the system is not available. The system includes an enclosed and protected area for the power plant and control station.

Abstract: A molding machine for making bricks, etc. having a mold open on both ends and opposed plungers for cooperation with the mold, the mold and plungers being removable and replaceable as a set.

Abstract: A bin transport system for a fiber baling apparatus utilizes a plurality of portable upwardly opening bins which have openable bottoms. The bins are transported from a plurality of fiber filling stations to a single compression station by a four-part transport means utilizing a dual carriage cross shuttle which moves the portable bins to and from positions adjacent the filling stations and the compression station . A pair of dedicated bin transporters are utilized to transport the bins such that one transporter delivers full bins from the filling stations to a position adjacent the compression station while the other transporter delivers empty bins from the compression station to a position adjacent each filling station.

Abstract: A stock baler comprising a container having a bottom floor, two side walls, a stationary end wall and a movable end wall and a pair of side rams positioned in the side wall adjacent to the stationary end wall. Both the movable end wall and the pair of side rams include means to advance and retract one another respectively. The stationary end wall and the movable end wall have mating V-shaped grooves in which the open portion of the groove mates with the open end of the other groove, and the apex of each V-shaped groove is positioned on substantially the same horizontal plane. The pair of side rams are shaped to advance and retract within the mating V-shaped grooves.

Abstract: The towel cabinet of the present invention includes a first compartment for storing and dispensing clean, unused paper towels, and a second storage compartment for receiving and storing used paper towels. The two compartments are connected by a manual control which, when actuated, opens a door in the first compartment to permit a clean towel to be exposed and removed and at the same time actuates a panel in the second compartment which compresses used towels into the second compartment. An elevator is provided in the second compartment for adjusting the floorplate of the second compartment as more and more towels are compacted into it, and a corridor is provided between the door in the first compartment and the panel in the second compartment into which the clean towels are dispensed and disposed for retrieval by the operator and into which the used towel is discharged for movement by the panel into the second compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for crushing cylindrical cans is disclosed. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for crushing cylindrical beverage cans such as those commonly used as containers for soft drinks and beer. The cans are crushed along their longitudinal axes by parallel crushing faces which each move towards each other along predetermined arcual paths. The faces are continuously moving along an arcual path so that the faces crush the can and then move away from the can to discharge it from the bottom of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber, a movable piston for compressing the mash of fibrous material, an agitator coupled to the piston so that the agitator moves coincident with the piston, and a drive mechanism for rotating the agitator to mix the mash. The extraction chamber includes an open end for expelling the by-product, a material inlet opening in proximity to the open end for filling the chamber with the mash, and a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract. A gate closes the open end to form a work station within the extraction chamber which is filled with the mash. The mash is agitated and compressed within the work station to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom, and the gate is removed to open the end of the chamber to allow the dry product to be expelled.

Abstract: A machine for reducing, crushing, and joining used metal cans to form an ingot comprising a stack of laminated crushed cans. The reducing chamber contains a vertically adjustable platen on which the ingot is formed. The cans are reduced, crushed, and joined by a ram which is operated within the chamber. Punches on the ram are effective to pierce extruded holes in the crushed cans after the cans have been flattened. The ram is powered hydraulically, or by any other pressure producing device, via a toggle so that an increasing compression force is developed as the cans are crushed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber and a mechanism for compressing the mash of fibrous material within the extraction chamber to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom. The extraction chamber includes a material inlet opening for filling the chamber with the mash, a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract, and a by-product outlet opening for collecting the dry by-product. The compressing mechanism expells the dry by-product from the extraction chamber once the liquid has been extracted from the mash. The mash is compressed within a movable work station, and the dry by-product is expelled from the extraction chamber by moving the work station and discharging the dry product in accordance therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing waste material comprises a piston arrangement acting upon a mass of refuse in a receptacle formed by a cylindrical wall and a counter-piston constituting the bottom. The counter-piston can rise in such a way as to block sludge outlets in the cylindrical wall during the initial phase of compression of the waste by the piston arrangement. Thereafter, the counter-piston descends so as to free the sludge outlets when a certain pressure is attained. The compression-piston arrangement comprises two coaxial pistons designed to ensure constant, substantially uniform pressure in the mass of waste. Thus, virtually all liquid, semisolid, or viscous materials can be extracted from the waste to obtain sludge useful in agriculture. Also obtained are virtually dry and non-brittle blocks of refuse which has not been crushed but subjected to internal shearing and contraction, thus yielding a good agglomerate. These blocks may be used as fuel briquettes.

Abstract: A press for forming self-supporting bales of fibrous material from a pulpy mass of the same having a high liquid content wherein the inner sides of the fixed walls of the baling chamber are provided with parallel narrow grooves having holes in their bottoms extending through the walls to the outside of the chamber. The pulpy mass creates rib-like formations in the grooves which block loss of solids but permit escape of liquid from the chamber. The grooves are parallel to the movement of the press head so the grooves are self-cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus for tightly compacting material within a wheeled, open top container including a frame composed of a stationary base and a overhead section disposed above the container and coupled to the frame base section by a plurality of telescoping columns which permit the overhead section to raise and lower relative to the container. A plurality of nominally relaxed tension lines extend downwardly from the frame overhead section to interconnect with the upper rim portion of the container. The apparatus also includes a pressing head suspended below the frame overhead section by a pair of spaced apart hydraulic cylinders which are retractable to lift the pressing head to an elevation above the container or extendible to force the pressing head downwardly into the container. As the pressing head pushes against the material within the container, a reaction force is generated which initially causes the frame overhead section to lift upwardly until the tension lines are drawn taut.

Abstract: An improved can crusher has two movable jaws, a first jaw and a second jaw, both movably mounted in a support housing. The jaws are initially spaced apart one from the other a distance sufficient to allow a can to be inserted between them. A member capable of generating a mechanical force is mounted on the housing and is directly connected by a connecting member to the second of the movable jaws by a force transferring member and is indirectly connected by the same connecting member to the first jaw by a force modifying member. The force modifying member modifies the mechanical force so generated to achieve a mechanical advantage. When the member capable of generating the mechanical force is activated this force is first transferred to the first jaw, and because of the mechanical advantage achieved, the first jaw is able to initially overcome the structural resistance of the can and crimp it.

Abstract: A beverage can compactor including an elongate compaction chamber for receiving emptied beverage cans. A pair of crushing platens are positioned for reciprocating movement from the opposite respective ends of the compaction chamber toward each other and then return to their initial positions at the respective ends of the compaction chamber. The compactor provides increased mechanical advantage at the beginning and end of the crushing stroke when such increased force is needed. Faster movement of the crushing platens is provided at the midpoint of the crushing stroke.

Abstract: A manual compactor having two handles each pivoted at one end for movement through adjacent arcs toward and away from each other, such reciprocating activation motion being translated into rotary motion in a single direction by means of ratchet and pawl arrangements about the pivot shaft of each handle, and thenceforth to rotary motion of opposing screws one each of which is driven by each handle, which in turn act through ball nut structures to forcibly draw together plates with force sufficient for compacting, the handles also having provisions for actuating push rod within the handles for the purpose of disengaging the pawls from the ratchets thereby allowing retraction through spring loading of the plates and repositioning of the apparatus for subsequent compacting.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the densichamber driven by a compression ram having a preset stroke and preferably being hydraulic, and a movable backplate facing the piston and being provided with means for producing a reaction force in opposition to the compression force of the ram and less than the maximum compression force exertable by the ram. Means for binding the compressed bales is also provided. Preferably the reaction force is maintained constant regardless of displacement of the backplate and this can be achieved by using a second hydraulic ram to which fluid is supplied at a constant pressure.

Abstract: A baling press has opposed boxes with a tramper movable along the lint feed box for pre-packing fibrous material fed thereinto. The press box opposed to the feed box has a ram follow block against which the fibrous material is pre-packed, and which moves incrementally away from the lint box as the prepacked fiber mass accumulates. The tramper is reciprocable at a uniform stroke and has a pronged tramper head thereon for restraining the pre-packed bale in the press box as a slotted gate is closed prior to a final compression of the bale. Prepacking in the lint box may then continue for another batch during the final bale compression.

Abstract: A machine feeds material such as shredded or ground paper, cellulose fiber, peat moss, or the like, into a vertical chamber having a ram forcing the material into a communicating chamber adapted to retain a bag over an open end thereof and having a ram or pressure plate moveable longitudinally thereof for compressing the material in the chamber. The rams are perforated, with the rear thereof being evacuated to dispose of dust or the like, and a piston operated back-up plate is mounted on a track for controlled movement relative to the open ended chamber for holding a bag end during compression of material and removal of loaded bags.