Abstract: An improved control system for selectively clamping a die to a power press or similar machine by means of a plurality of hydraulically actuated clamps. Such hydraulically actuated clamps are provided for securing the opposed halves of the die to the bolster and ram of the press. The clamps are connected in alternating fashion to first and second fluid conduits for both the bolster and the ram. Each of the conduits is connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The first and second conduits on the bolster and the ram provide a safety redundancy feature in case one of the conduits on the bolster or the ram fails. Each of the conduits is provided with first and second pressure sensors. The first pressure sensors are each adapted to generate an electrical output signal when the pressure in the associated conduit falls below a first predetermined level.

Abstract: In a refuse compactor wherein refuse in a disposable bag within a receptacle is compacted by a ram driven by a reversible electric motor, a "full bag" indicator lamp is energized when the refuse compacted in the receptacle is at a predetermined level. The motor drives the ram downward into the receptacle to compact the refuse, and when the ram slows in response to the reactive load of the refuse, a centrifugal switch reverses the direction of the motor to return the ram to a rest position above the receptacle. The bag is diagnosed full to energize the indicator lamp if the ram is at a predetermined level in the receptacle when the motor reverses. The indicator lamp is controlled by a latching relay that requires only one pair of contacts to energize and latch on the lamp.

Abstract: A stationary chamber is located below an apron on which garbage and other refuse is dumped from collection trucks. An opening in the apron is aligned with an opening in the top of the chamber. The discharge end of the chamber is closed by a gate which slants rearward at an angle of 15.degree. to the vertical against which the refuse is compacted. The gate may be raised when the chamber is to be discharged. Reciprocating within the chamber is a platen having its upper portion slanted forward at about an angle of 42.degree.. The platen is driven by a multi-stage hydraulic ram. Loads of about 15 cu. yds. are dumped into the chamber opening by a bulldozer. The bulldozer operator by a radio control causes the platen to move forward, compacting the first load to about one-half the original volume of the loose material. When the ram pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the platen is automatically retracted. The operation is repeated until a predetermined weight has been received and compacted.

Abstract: A novel press load monitoring system for a variable speed press which is capable of automatically adjusting the measured load level of the press so as to compensate for strain in the press frame produced by mechanical vibrations occurring as the speed of the press is varied.

Abstract: An indicator for use in a refuse compactor for effectively indicating the need for replacement of a refuse-treating material supply as a function of the normal depletion thereof. The indicator is controlled by a timer accumulating incremental time during each operation of the compaction ram and operates a signaling indicator when the accumulated time reaches a preselected value. The indicator may be used with any form of refuse-treating material apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the refuse-treating material apparatus is an aerosol spray can of deodorizing and sanitizing material removably mounted within the refuse compactor cabinet.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing and heating a material to be treated, i.e., fibrous materials of plants such as true grasses or the like, changing the quality of the material, and solidifying the same. The material to be treated is delivered by a rotatable screw into and through a quality-changing chamber. During the passage of the material through the quality-changing chamber, the material is heated by a heating device. During the passage of the material through the quality-changing chamber, the material has its tissues destroyed, is softened, is compacted, and is solidified due to the compression by the screw and the heating by the heating device. A sensor senses a load applied to a motor and/or the temperature of the material being treated within the quality-changing chamber. A control system responds to a signal or signals from the sensor to control the load and/or the temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing curved laminated glass having an adhesion interlayer between curved sheets of plate glass by passing the curved laminated glass through a pair of press rolls. A level of a contact position between said pair of press rolls and an inclination angle of a line connecting axes of said pair of press rolls with respect to a curved surface of the laminated glass are controlled to control a posture of said pair of press rolls upon movement of the laminated glass so as to correspond to controlled rotation of said pair of press rolls. A line of action of a press pressure is directed along a direction substantially normal to the curved surface of the laminated glass, and the location of application of the press pressure is level-shifted along the curved surface of the laminated glass. The posture of the press rolls is controlled in accordance with prestored data sampled along the curved surface of the laminated glass.

Abstract: The present invention discloses method and apparatus of protecting a press from being damaged not only under the pressure overload condition, but also under the torsion, power, and energy overload conditions by detecting means for detecting the angular displacement of the crank shaft or the fly wheel of the press, and by means of a digital information processor or a microcomputer for calculating the angular velocity, angular acceleration, pressure, torsion, power, and energy load values, and for monitoring the four overload conditions. When at least one of the overload conditions occurs, the digital information processor will immediately send out an overload signal to effect the proper protecting process, including braking the press and releasing the hydraulic buffer means of the press to reduce the impulse of the press.

Abstract: A round baler having a single bale forming chamber is provided with an electronic control circuit which makes its operation automatic except for the operator-controlled functions of starting and stopping forward motion of the baler. Under the circuit control the baler forms a bale, wraps it with twine, cuts the twine, raises the tailgate, ejects the wrapped bale and closes the tailgate. The control circuit energizes a first indicator when the tailgate closes to signal the operator to begin forward motion of the baler. When a point is reached in the bailing cycle at which the wrapping of the bale is to commence, the circuit energizes a second indicator to signal the operator to stop forward motion of the baler. The circuit also detects certain malfunctions and energizes a third indicator to signal the operator that a malfunction has occurred.

Abstract: Compactor apparatus comprises a conveyor for supplying articles to a hopper positioned alongside the upper end of a compression chamber in which a platen powered by a hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be reciprocated. The hopper is mounted at one end of a beam balance, the displacement of the other end of which measures the weight of a charge in the hopper. When the presence of a specified charge in the hopper is sensed, the conveyor is disabled, the hopper and hydraulic cylinder with the platen in the retracted position are swung laterally to bring the hopper over the compression chamber to dump the contained articles into the chamber. The hopper and cylinder are then returned to their initial positions, the cylinder is actuated to cause the platen to compress the dumped articles, and the conveyor is again enabled to supply articles to the hopper.

Abstract: A filter press equipped with a filter cloth hanging rod detecting arrangement which includes a support beam which is so arranged between the front and rear stands and above the hanging rods as to suspend the shatter members by means of corresponding brackets. The brackets respectively have longitudinal apertures extending vertically or shafts extending horizontally. Meanwhile the shatter members respectively have shafts inserted in the longitudinal apertures of the brackets or apertures in which the shafts of the brackets are inserted. Accordingly the shatter members may move upwardly and downwardly according the vertical movement of the hanging rods and also swing in an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the support beam following to the horizontal movement of the hanging rods.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container utilizes the back pressure generated by the compacted waste for determining the fullness of the container. The compactor ram is stopped when in the forward compacting position and the pressure exerted by the waste on the ram is monitored for thereby determining the fullness of the container. The system further includes a timer for monitoring the time required for displacement of the ram. Should the ram fail to attain the waste compacted position within a pre-determined time period then the hydraulic system is shut down and an indicator is lit in order to show to the operator that the container is full.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a predetermined load is placed upon an article prior to securing the article being strapped such as to hold said article together. The apparatus disclosed provides a means for controlling the drive force used to apply pressure to said article before strapping. In the preferred embodiment, an electric motor is mounted on a frame which allows the motor's displacement, relative to the frame of the strapping mechanism caused by the reactional torque of the motor applying force to the article prior to strapping. The measurement of the displacement of the motor relative to the stationary frame is monitored by an electrical apparatus, the output of which is compared to a predetermined value of desired force, thereby switching operation of said motor upon reaching the predetermined force.

Abstract: A press control system monitors and is responsive to the loads associated with individual die stations in a progressive die. The system detects chipped, dull, or excessively loaded portions of the progressive die and provides automatic quality monitoring of the parts produced by the press. The system provides a display of press load as a function of time scaled by the speed of the press. The press load as a function of time is automatically analyzed to determine and display the number of die stations and the peak loads associated with each die station in the progressive die. The peak loads are compared to limit values that depend in part on the past history of the press in order to monitor the condition of the progressive die and if necessary to shut down the press. The number and quality of parts produced by the press are also determined from the peak loads. Gradual wear of the die is monitored to determined when sharpening is required.

Abstract: An automatic control device for tying large diameter cylindrical bales produced by a hay baler. A tie guiding arm has an end which can be driven back and forth over the entire width of the bale by an electric motor. A microprocessor receives inputs indicating the driving speed of the baler, the diameter of the bale and the desired number of turns of the tie. The motor driving the guiding arm is discontinuously driven by the microprocessor so that the arm is held in a stationary position for a predetermined length of time at a predetermined number of stops. The microprocessor may also operate in a learning mode where the operator sets the number of stops and the length of time.

Abstract: A trash compactor and collapsible box for use therewith to handle waste material generated during flight of passenger-carrying aircraft. The trash compactor includes a housing formed with front and rear box chambers to receive first and second collapsible trash-receiving boxes. A front door is provided for the housing having a trash-receiving chute in its upper portion. The first box is initially disposed in the front box chamber. When it is filled, the front door is opened and the first box is pushed to the rear box chamber. The second box is then positioned within the front box chamber to receive trash, and the front door is shut. The collapsible boxes have a front wall disposed at the same elevation as the lower edge of the chute, while the tops of the side and rear walls are at a higher elevation than the top of the front wall to permit the boxes to receive a maximum amount of trash for their size. The bottom portion of the wall is of liquid-tight construction.

Abstract: A peanut butter press feeding mechanism has a peanut supply hopper which is controlled by a release gate to supply a volumetric feeder. The volumetric feeder ensures that each of four intermediate holding hoppers at a peanut butter press are filled to capacity. A second release gate controls the outlet of the volumetric feeder, which releases the peanuts into a totalizing scale which weighs peanuts supplied to all four of the intermediate holding hoppers. The totalizing scale supplies peanuts to a conveying arrangement having diverting gates which supply the appropriate intermediate holding hopper with a full supply of peanuts. During operation of the peanut butter press, a predetermined amount of oil is removed from the peanuts based upon the total weight of the peanuts used. This is necessary since merely knowing the volume of the peanuts used is insufficient due to the fluctuations in density of each batch of peanuts.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for crushing aluminum beverage cans after the contents have been emptied. The can crusher includes a frame having an anvil mounted at one end thereof and a movable ram positioned on the frame and facing the anvil, a crushing chamber is affixed to the frame for supporting the can between the anvil and the ram and a means is provided for moving the ram toward the anvil and then away from the anvil.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container utilizes the back pressure generated by the compacted waste for determining the fullness of the container. The compactor ram is stopped when in the forward compacting position and the pressure exerted by the waste on the ram is monitored for thereby determining the fullness of the container. The system further includes a timer for monitoring the time required for displacement of the ram should the ram fail to attain the waste compacted position within a pre-determined time period then the hydraulic system is shut down and an indicator is lit in order to show to the operator that the container is full.

Abstract: A machine for crushing metal cans into rectangular blocks or bales wherein cans are fed through a precrusher, which flattens and rips open the cans to drain liquids therefrom and leaves protruding torn tabs and flaps that facilitate bonding of the cans into a self-sustaining bale. The flattened cans are collected in a charging bin until a predetermined weight is reached; then the cans are released into a bale-forming chamber, which is closed by a hinged door forming an initial compression member. A ram then compresses the cans longitudinally in the chamber, the ram having ribs on the compression face to form grooves in the bale for future stack-retaining straps. A sliding door opens the end of the baling chamber for ejection of the formed bale by continued extension of the ram.

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: A round baling press for agricultural stalk products has a pressing chamber limited by a stationary front housing part and a movable rear housing part which is turnable for discharge of a finished bale about a horizontal axis and is provided with a sensing device which senses whether the turning region of the rear housing part is free of bale after its discharge to prevent turning of the rear housing part when the bale is still in its turning region.

Abstract: This invention is a strength measuring device utilizing changes in air pressure. The bellows portion of the device is a standard soft drink or beer can. The purposes of the present invention are two-fold; first, to measure the strength of the user thereof and secondly, to crush the can for more compact storage prior to disposal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identification and separation of metal boxes or cans, said can (1) being placed in a motor controlled cradle (7), and said cradle with the can being rotated in a first direction (a) to a first position with a first, preferably low stepping frequency, and then being rotated or influenced for rotation (b) back in a second and opposite direction (starting point position) with a second, preferably high stepping frequency, the time of said return movement simultaneously being measured as a function of the moment of inertia caused by said can and wherein said can as a function of the measurement of time and possibly of additional measurement of the can length and metal type is thrown out (A;B) of the cradle (7) either because said cradle is rotated further in said second direction (c) or because said cradle is rotated back (d) in the first direction and past said first position. Before the can is placed in said cradle it may be scanned inductively (3) and/or capacitively (21).

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and devices for automatically depositing and pressing continuous tows in containers moved to and fro on a traversing device, wherein the start of the tow is transferred via a chute to a catch box on the container and is retained there, the container is weighed during each traversing movement because of the extension of a weighing platform and, when the nominal weight is reached, the fed tow is held and severed in a cutting and fixing device, the tow ends obtained are fixed and marked, and the tow end belonging to the deposited material and the start of the tow are introduced into the full container from the catch box.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and devices for packing staple fibers into bales of identical weight. By using transportable press containers and load-measuring devices which permit a weighing of the press container, including its contents, in the prepress between the individual pressings without touching sealing devices, makes it possible to determine the weight increase of the press container per clearing motion and to predetermine the total number of clearer motions required for reaching a predetermined bale weight.The invention permits the production of bales whose weight fluctuates, for example, by only .+-.2 kg or, if a stroke-reducible clearing device is used, by only less than .+-.1 kg.

Abstract: A misfeed monitoring apparatus for transfer press of a type in which feeder stroke is changeable has a display system for indicating when misfeeding of a workpiece takes place.This display system displays the number assigned to each work station being in use in the operation order and causes a display corresponding to a work station to flicker if misfeeding takes place at this work station.Such display is realized by providing the monitoring apparatus with a memory for storing data on the operation state of the work stations and a circuit for causing the display to flicker in response to the output of the memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling tobacco. Five to eight bales are compacted to reduce the transverse dimension of the bales, the compacted group being tied into a single pack. The disclosed apparatus for performing the method consists of a truck having a pair of jaws which are movable toward one another, which are rotatable and which are elevatable to permit the bales to be compressed, raised, rotated through 90.degree. and tied.

Abstract: A baling press has a filler opening and workpiece in which a press piston is movable between retracted and compressing positions. Elongated flexible warning bands or cords, preferably elastic, are attached to the press piston and engage apparatus on the housing for extension between the piston and an edge of the filler opening to provide warning against inserting material through the filler opening. The engaging apparatus on the housing may comprise a tension arrangement to maintain the warning bands or cords taut at all positions of the piston. The tensioning apparatus may comprise a spring-loaded arrangment or an arrangement wherein the bands or cords extend about one or more rollers and are tensioned by a weight. Only a limited area of the filler opening is covered in order to provide manual access therethrough. The bands or cords may be arranged in crossing or in parallel relation.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the insertion of a recyclable container into a container receiving station in a manually operated rotatable carrier normally maintained in a non-rotatable condition; and for analysis and initial acceptance or rejection of the container for recycling without mechanical movement apparent to the user. The apparatus includes detecting means adjacent the receiving station to determine the presence of a container comprised of material acceptable for recycling and scanning means for reading code markings on the container. The information read from the code markings on the container may be recorded for subsequent use in determining amounts of deposits to be paid as well as sources of containers. Releasing means are provided for subsequently permitting movement of said rotatable carrier if said container comprises a material acceptable for recycling.

Abstract: A process for recycling containers such as used aluminum beverage cans comprises sensing the presence of an acceptable container inserted into a receiving station in a rotatable carrier and unlatching a latching mechanism to permit the carrier to be rotated if the presence of an acceptable container is sensed. Rotation of the carrier conveys the container to a station where the container is crushed. A receipt is then issued for the crushed container. The process is controlled by a central control unit which may include a computer having a program to monitor and control the process steps.

Abstract: A large cylindrical baler with a gauge for indicating the relative diameters of a bale being formed in the bale-forming chamber at two axially-spaced points on the bale periphery. The baler comprises a bale-forming chamber defined in part by a conveyor comprised of a plurality of endless loop belts. A belt-tensioning and take-up mechanism tensions all of the belts responsive to the diameter of the largest diameter portion of the bale during formation. The gauge has a pair of feelers engaging two of the belts in engagement with the periphery of the bale at two remote, axially-spaced points on the bale periphery. An indicator is positioned remotely of the bale-forming chamber and is interconnected with the pair of feelers through a signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the indicator responsive to the variation in tension of the two belts.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for receiving and crushing containers consisting essentially of recyclable material comprising an enclosure having a manually operated rotatable carrier with a first station comprising a pocket in the carrier to receive a container. Means are provided for detecting the presence of a container in the pocket and for detecting the type of material comprising the wall of the container. The apparatus also contains latching means to prevent rotation of the rotatable carrier until a container inserted therein has passed all tests performed in the first station. Means are also provided for measuring the weight of the container and for crushing metallic containers having a predetermined acceptable weight.

Abstract: Machine for crushing cylindrical aluminium cans for beer, soft drinks etc. The machine comprises a can intake. A craddle for receiving the can in a substantially horizontal position is displacable between a receiving position in the can intake and a crushing position in a press device for squeezing the cans axially between the end walls thereof. The displacement of the craddle between said position is effected by displacement of a closure member for the can intake between opened and closed positions. A perforated sloping plane is arranged below the press device for receiving the crushed can falling down from the press device at the return movement thereof after crushing, and diverting the crushed can to a collecting container.

Abstract: The recycling machine is provided with a baling chamber having a cyclable hydraulic ram. The ram cycles continuously, and each time it retracts, no more than a predetermined number of cans are admitted to the baling chamber for crushing and adding to the bale therein. A counting mechanism is provided as well as a mechanism for separating steel cans before baling.

Abstract: A compactor particularly for junk vehicles, has a flatbed supporting a pair of opposed, hinged compaction doors. Each door has a linkage hydraulically operated to open and close the door for compaction of the vehicle against the flatbed. A winch disposed on the front of the compactor has its tow line extrending beneath the doors and connects to the end of the vehicle opposite the flatbed to progressively advance the vehicle over the flatbed for compaction by the doors. A sequence control circuit is also provided which automatically opens and closes the compactor doors and automatically operates the winch to sequentially advance segments of the vehicle into the compactor. Additionally, the compactor can easily be made portable facilitating its transportation from one location to another.

Abstract: A system for segregating and baling textile wastes supplied from a plurality of separate sources embodies a plurality of filling stations which receive the wastes from the separate sources. An upwardly opening portable waste receiving bin is mounted within each filling station with the lower end of each bin carrying a detachable bottom platen. A transfer mechanism moves each bin selectively, back and forth between its filling station and a compression station where the wastes are compressed within the bin. Actuator units in the compression station disconnect the bin from its platen and raise the bin to an upper position about a movable ram to thus expose the bale for final bale out.

Abstract: Apparatus which measures loads imposed on load carrying members, and particularly such members in presses, to indicate the peak load reached during a press cycle, has circuits for amplifying the electrical signal from a sensing device such as a strain gage bridge, a peak detector which provides an output representing the peak load, and a digital indicator. Zero setting is achieved by integrating and holding an offset voltage derived by an integrating circuit in negative feedback relationship with the circuit which amplifies the signals from the sensing device. Calibration of the apparatus for press factor is obtained by adjusting the gain of a variable gain stage in the amplifier. The peak detector is reset each press cycle when the load sensed bears a predetermined ratio to rated or full capacity load.

Abstract: A combination for accurately determining the position of the movable part of a piston-cylinder device relative to the fixed part includes a long stroke position transducer movable in the operating direction of the device; a structure movable with the piston-cylinder device and which has a part extending in the operating direction; two position transducers positioned side-by-side and their direction of movement is normal to the operating direction. The movable parts of the two position transducers bear against the part of the structure. If there is no tilting of the piston within the cylinder, then electrical signals from the two position transducers remain unchanged, but the signals are changed if the piston tilts within the cylinder.

Abstract: A load monitoring system for a press comprises a slide-position counting circuit, A/D converter, random access memory and display. The load monitoring system receives a load value applied to the press and a slide position value from a load detector and a slide position detector mounted on the press. The load value is converted into a digital value through the A/D converter, and undergoes sampling according to the slide position. The sampled digital load values are sequentially stored in the random access memory and after the measurement of the load, the stored values are sequentially displayed together with the corresponding slide positions. The load monitoring further comprises a calibration circuit for automatically carrying out calibration as well as slide position setters for measurement start, measurement end and display. By these position setters, slide positions at which load measurement starts and ends, and corresponding to which the measured and stored load value is displayed can be set manually.

Abstract: A preparative monitoring apparatus for operations of a press displays interlock conditions relating to an operation currently in operation whose establishment is indespensable for the operation to be performed as well as the title of this operation. These interlock conditions are displayed by means of light emitting elements and the title is displayed by a display device provided on a panel. When either one of these interlock conditions is unestablished, the light emitting element corresponding to the unestablished condition and the display of the title are caused to flicker, thereby indicating occurrence of abnormality in the press.

Abstract: A can sorting, counting and flattening machine flattens empty cans by folding the can body over the back side of the ring or top end of the can so that both the brand name of the can on the can body and all identifying indicia on the ring end of the can are easily readable after the can has been completely flattened in a one step operation by a single machine operator. The machine employs a series of resettable counters which automatically count the total number of each brand of cans, the total number of cans returned per individual customer and the total number of cans reprocessed by the machine in a given time period.

Abstract: A bolster travels, with a first set of wheels propelled by a first pneumatic motor, along a first pair of rails into and out of a press and, with a second set of wheels propelled by a second pneumatic motor, along a second pair of rails laid at right angles with the first rail pair. The first set of wheels are mounted to the bolster body via hydraulic lift jacks for up-and-down movement into and out of engagement with the rails. The first and second pneumatic motors communicate with a source of air under pressure via first and second pilot-operated selector valves respectively. The lift jacks communicate with a hydraulic pump, driven from the pressurized air source, via a third pilot-operated selector valve. For pilot-operating the first, second and third selector valves there are provided manual control valves and sensors, the latter being actuated automatically to produce pneumatic signals representative of various working conditions of the bolster.

Abstract: Tractor drawn baler for the formation of large diameter cylindrical or round bales. Baler comprises a bale-forming chamber into which the harvest products are fed through an opening by a pickup which removes the harvest products from a windrow. Detecting means such as pivoted arms with feeling rollers engaging the chamber circumference are provided along the length of the bale for detecting the lack of uniformity in the diameter of the latter. Steering means connected to the said detecting means for steering the baler by tansversely back and forth movement (zig-zag) relative to the windrow direct the harvest products toward the part of the bale that has the smallest diameter and thereby reestablishing the uniformity of diameter of the said bale.

Abstract: A compactor safety interlock mechanism including a support with the support including a trash container receiving means and a compactor mechanism, the compactor mechanism including a door opening for receiving the trash and a door for said door opening, outlet means in the compactor mechanism dispensing trash into a trash container when the trash is put into the door opening, ram means in the compactor mechanism having up and down positions movable from a compactor mechanism from above the door opening, past the door and into a trash container when positioned in the support, interlock means associated with the support responsive to a trash container when the trash container is in proper position in the support for activating the ram, latch means for maintaining the door locked when the ram is in down position and for unlocking the door when the ram is in up position, control means associated with the door for deactivating the ram when the door is opened and for activating the ram when the door is closed, mean

Abstract: A belt press has a plurality of upper and a plurality of lower traverses respectively having lower and upper traverse faces, upper and lower press platens carried on and between these traverses and having respective upper and lower platen faces respectively confronting the lower and upper traverse faces, and mechanically actuated bolts engaged between the traverses for displacing them toward each other and thereby pressing the platens against a belt engaged between them. The belt press also has at least one bend-compensating element having a pair of nonparallel upper and lower surfaces and engaged between one of the platen faces and the confronting traverse faces, and a hydraulic force transmitter engaged between this bend-compensating element and one of the respective press and platen faces.

Abstract: A weight indicator for use with a refuse compactor. Structure is provided for sensing the weight of refuse in the refuse compactor receptacle. An indicator is operatively associated with the sensing structure to provide an indication of the sensed weight to the user of the refuse compactor. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing structure is operated as an incident of moving the receptacle to an accessible position. The receptacle is disposed to be pivoted by the weight of refuse therein when disposed in the accessible position and the sensor structure is responsive to the pivotal displacement. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing and indicating structure are fluid operated and define a movement amplifier for facilitating readout of the weight indication.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a stacker tyer for stacking newspapers received in a shingled stream from a printing press. A single centrally located stacker mechanism is flanked by a pair of compensators and outside of the compensators is a pair of tyers. Stacks are built in the stacker and moved laterally first to a compensator and then to a tying mechanism. Outside the tying mechanism is located a pair of delivery mechanisms which deliver the tied stack for further processing. The stacker is able to form either short stacks (bundles) or tall stacks (logs). The tyers are able to tie either a single strap around the midline of a stack or a pair of parallel straps offset to opposite sides of the middle of a stack using a single tie head. Moreover, the tyers are able to tie either bundles or logs.

Abstract: A belt press comprises a plurality of upper and a plurality of lower traverses respectively having lower and upper traverse faces, upper and lower press platens carried on and between these traverses and having respective upper and lower platen faces respectively confronting the lower and upper traverse faces, and a hydraulic actuator for displacing these traverses toward each other and thereby pressing the platens against a belt engaged therebetween. The hydraulic actuator is engaged between one of the platen faces and the confronting traverse face and has a pressure plate bearing on the one platen face, a plurality of diametrally compressible but circumferentially unstretchable hydraulic hoses forming at least one substantially closed chamber and bearing in one direction in surface contact on the pressure plate and in the opposite direction in surface contact at least indirectly on the confronting traverse face, and a system for pressurizing this chamber.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is presented which is useful with a machine which gathers crop material from a windrow and forms it into large round bales. The latching mechanism senses bale density while holding the opposing faces of the tailgate closed during the bale forming operation. Density is sensed by spring mounting the latch slides so that the tailgate comes slightly ajar when pressure in the baling chamber builds up. The amount of separation of the opposing faces of the tailgate is sensed and when it exceeds a specified amount, initiates a bale discharge sequence. The tailgate lifting mechanism is interlocked with the latch release to assure safe operation of the system.