Compressing Contents Within Preformed Receptacle Patents (Class 53/527)
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Patent number: 5960612Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of density control bars positioned within the tunnel of the machine. The density control bars are selectively pivotally moveable to the path of the silage being compacted in the bag so that the desired density of the silage is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5904031Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including a feed hopper having a sloped front wall and a sloped back wall with the sloped walls being substantially parallel to one another to reduce or prevent bridging of the material in the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1995Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5899247Abstract: An adjustable anchor wing is provided for an agricultural bagging machine which not only acts as an anchor against premature movement of the machine as the bag is being filled, but also controls the density of the material being packed in an agricultural bag. The adjustable wing is supported by a pair of longitudinally movable cables with the cables being connected to the wing to enable the wing to be moved from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Versa Corp.Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5894713Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of density control bars positioned within the tunnel of the machine. The density control bars are selectively pivotally moveable to the path of the silage being compacted in the bag so that the desired density of the silage is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1994Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5860271Abstract: A machine for compacting organic material such as silage and inserting the compacted material into an elongate elastic bag. A rotor positioned at an inlet of a tunnel propels and compacts the material. A barrier positioned in the tunnel strategic to the rotor restricts the flow of material directly into the bag. The barrier forces the material to flow through the barrier and upwardly over the barrier to insure complete filling of the bag. The barrier may be immovable or may be arranged to be pivoted to alter the resistance to the material flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Ag-Bag International, Ltd.Inventors: Larry Inman, Mike Koskela, Richard G. Lovell
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Patent number: 5857313Abstract: An adjustable, beveled press plate is provided on an agricultural bagging machine rearwardly of the rotor thereof. There vertical adjustablity of the press plate enables the machine operator to more precisely control the density of the material being packed in an agricultural bag.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Versa Corp.Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5816142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Inventors: Michael Keller, Gerald Wheeler
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Patent number: 5809744Abstract: A vacuum shell (10) defines an inner cavity (18) in which particulate materials are packed via vacuum pressure. In use, the vacuum shell (10) is positioned within the container (such as sack (16)), and the open end 15 of the shell 10 is brought into contact with a surface (such as platform (17 or 17')) such that a vacuum tight compartment is created. Particulate material is supplied through port (26 or 27) into the inner cavity (18) while vacuum pressure is applied. The particulate material is densified within the inner cavity (18) under the vacuum pressure, and when the volume/quantity of particulate is achieved, the vacuum pressure ceases, and the vacuum shell (10) is withdrawn from the container. To enhance filling, the filter media inside the vacuum shell (10) can be periodically pulsed with air or other suitable gases to remove particulate cakes from the filter material (22).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: J.M. Huber CorporationInventors: Newton L. Villines, William D. Whitner, Filip S. Gilmer
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Patent number: 5806416Abstract: A device designed to compress yard debris such as leaves, bush trimmings, and grass clippings inside a plastic trash bag without damaging the structural integrity of the plastic bag during the loading or filling process and during the compression cycle. This invention consist of four individual component parts; a hollow, smooth cylinder opened at both ends with a pair of handles at one end; a durable attachable bottom which caps one end of the cylinder; a plastic trash bag; and a flat, sturdy and durable piston which will fit inside the cylinder and which is used to compress loaded yard debris. The invention is assembled by placing the ridged, hollow cylinder inside a plastic trash bag and securing this elongated bag to the upper end of the cylinder with an elastic bungee cord of specific dimension and tension. The bottom is secured to cap off one end of the cylinder by use of two elastic bungee cords which are attached to the two handles of the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Inventors: James A. Cerniglia, Mary A. Cerniglia-Mosher
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Patent number: 5802820Abstract: Between a machine that manufactures bags of variable volume containing cohesionless material (exemplified by tea bags), and a packing machine which packs the bags as stacks, an indexing rotor with pockets in its outer periphery acts, in cooperation with a loading mechanism and an unloading mechanism at respective angularly distributed stations, at which each bag is respectively oriented bottom down and bottom up, to tend to redistribute the cohesionless material away from each bag bottom and to cause individual bags to be generally equally thick relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A.Inventor: Andrea Romagnoli
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Patent number: 5799472Abstract: A bag pan is provided for an agricultural feed bagging machine wherein the bag pan is supported by a pair of bag pan support arms which are vertically movably mounted in guide track support housings having guide tracks therein. The upper ends of the bag pan support arms have rollers thereon which engage track members in the guide track housings. The upper ends of the support arms are individually connected to a hydraulic cylinder by means of a flexible cable. The individual connection of the bag pan support arms with the hydraulic cylinder enables the bag pan on the support arms to conform to uneven ground conditions beneath the bag pan.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Versa Corp.Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5784865Abstract: A truck-mounted agricultural bagging machine is disclosed comprising a substantially conventional bagging machine mounted on the rear end of a truck. The bagging machine is powered by the truck engine. The truck may quickly and easily transport the bagging machine from one location to another.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1994Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Versa Corp.Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5775069Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5768988Abstract: A compacting device has a modular-type structure and limited dimensions typical of usual household appliances for personal and private use. The configuration of the compacting device may vary from a minimum structure having at least a motor or hand-operated compacting unit which can be coupled with at least a waste collection and compaction container, to more and more complex structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Tecnova S.r.l.Inventor: Gianfranco Meloni
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Patent number: 5711134Abstract: An apparatus for folding and receiving a continuous tape, which is being continuously fed, in a tape container, comprising: tape feed rollers disposed at a fixed position in a traveling path of the tape and driven for rotation to continuously feed the tape; a shooter disposed in a predetermined position downstream in a tape traveling direction of the tape feed rollers and having an upper end pivoted in such a manner that the shooter is pivotally movable with respect to the X axis and the Y axis; and first and second shooter-swinging means for pivotally moving a lower end of the shooter through a controllable width about the X axis and the Y axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: YKK CorporationInventor: Satoshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 5704404Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for compacting resilient waste materials for storage and disposal. The device provides for a storage container having at least one group of retaining members secured to the interior surface of the sides. Each group of retaining members is generally coplanar with the bottom of the container and each group defines the top of one of a plurality of storage zones located within the interior of the container. One or more domed caps are provided which are dimensioned to slidingly fit within the container and to cover the top of each storage zone. Finally, there is structure located on the edge of each domed cap for engaging the retaining members when a domed cap is placed on the top of the waste materials and compacted below a group of retaining members defining the top of a storage zone. There is also disclosed a method for compacting resilient waste materials for storage and disposal using the device of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Inventors: William E. Balding, Jr., Joseph A. Crowley
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Patent number: 5697294Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Inventors: Michael Keller, Gerald Wheeler
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Patent number: 5678387Abstract: Method and apparatus for evacuating a vacuum package made from a thin-walled and flexible packaging material and filled with granular material. An open end of a filled package is folded in such a manner that a narrow gap is formed which constitutes an open communication between an interior and an exterior of the package. At least a part of the package is placed in a vacuum space and vacuumized for removing gasses from the package through the gap. Upon evacuation the package is sealed airtightly. Further, on at least a part of the packaging material defining the gap a force is exerted which reduces the gap width, so that the gap constitutes a filter for the granular material, whereby the granular material is retained inside the package during the evacuation of the package.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.Inventor: Mathias Leonardus Cornelis Aarts
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Patent number: 5671594Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1996Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Versa Corp.Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5670195Abstract: A method of storing and aging a meat which comprises the steps of containing said meat in a controllable environment under a mechanical compression, substantially separating a majority of a surface of said meat from direct contact with a gas present in the controllable environment, controlling said gas in said controllable environment by reducing free oxygen gas in said controllable environment and controlling gas pressure in said controllable environment while protecting a majority of the surface of said meat from the effects of a pressure variation, and holding said meat under said controllable environment for a period of time within a predetermined temperature range; provided that said meat is held under the mechanical compression during the controlling of said gas in said controllable environment.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1994Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Tenderland LimitedInventor: Roger Keith Palmer
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Patent number: 5666786Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing compressible packs, especially bundles (10) or bundle groups (16, 17) comprised of small packs (11) of paper tissues into a carton (15). Articles or packs or pack groups of cellulose products are difficult to handle from the point of view of packaging technology. For the introduction into a carton (15) open at the top, bundle groups (16, 17) consisting of a multitude of small packs (11) of paper tissues are mechanically compressed, especially into a V-shaped form, then grasped on the top side by a lifting head (23) with suction holders (24 to 27) and held by suction. The lifting head (23) conveys a complete layer of bundle groups (16, 17) into the carton (15) from above, the compressed, reduced formation of the bundles (10) being maintained until they are deposited in the carton (15).Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)Inventors: Heinz Focke, Harald Freudenberg
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Patent number: 5660029Abstract: A low-cost capsule filler has a capsule holder with a medication tray, and cavities in the tray for receiving capsule bodies and capsule covers for filling with powdered or granulated medication. A wall around the medication tray contains loose medication, and the tray surface slopes toward each cavity to facilitate filling. Medication is tamped into the capsules with posts on an extractor; the extractor after tamping is inserted from beneath into the base of the capsule filler so the extractor posts push the filled capsules upward from their cavities where they can be gripped and removed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Inventor: Sidney E. King
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Patent number: 5661113Abstract: A system and method for mechanically forming a ceramic superconductor product. A system for making the ceramic superconductor includes a metallic channel portion having a cross section for receiving a ceramic superconductor powder, a roll to mechanically reduce the channel cross section and included superconductor powder and a cap portion welded to the channel portion using a localized high energy source. The assembled bar is then mechanically reduced to form a tape or wire end product.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: University of ChicagoInventors: Steven Danyluk, Michael McNallan, Robert Troendly, Roger Poeppel, Kenneth Goretta, Michael Lanagan
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Patent number: 5623811Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process and a device for packaging and supplying fiber material 5. In a multi-location fiber plant 1, the fiber material is filled into a closable freight container and is compacted in a filling station 2, and the freight container is subsequently shipped to a remote further processing station 3 with a transport vehicle 7. The fiber material 5 is filled into the freight container 4 as a collective load and without additional baling and hooping, and it is subjected to further processing from the freight container 4.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1994Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Firma Autefa Maschinenfabrik GmbHInventors: Herwig Hirschek, Jurgen Lang
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Patent number: 5619842Abstract: The method of the present invention for bagging pre-silage, has the steps of (a) receiving a bale of pre-silage from a loader, (b) compressing the bale in at least one cross section dimension to fit into a bag, and (c) advancing the compressed bale into the bag. The apparatus of the present invention for bagging baled pre-silage, has (a) a support frame having a plurality of lateral walls. The lateral walls define a rear opening to which a bag is attached, and a front opening through which is received the baled pre-silage. At least one of the lateral walls is reversibly movable in a direction toward an opposite lateral wall for compressing or squeezing the baled pre-silage to a size that will fit into the bag. The front opening has a closure and ram for enclosing the baled pre-silage and applying the ram to advnce the compressed baled pre-silage through the rear opening and into the bag.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Inventors: David Brubaker, Darin Boone
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Patent number: 5598684Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a vacuum package filled with granular material. A package made from a flexible film is filled with granular product. The filled package is compressed, so that the contents form a compact whole. Then the compressed package is evacuated by means of a vacuum element which is connected to a small suction opening in the wall of the package, while the rest of the package is not subjected to vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1996Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Sara Lee/De N.V.Inventor: Mathias L. C. Aarts
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Patent number: 5588358Abstract: A trash handling device for receiving trash in a trash container enclosed within a housing where the housing has mounted therein a trash compacting device for selectively compacting the trash received in the container, and a safety lock prevents delivery of trash to the container during a compacting operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Inventors: Frank H. Klepacki, David G. Klepacki
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Patent number: 5544578Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Inventors: Michael Keller, Gerald Wheeler
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Patent number: 5535792Abstract: A high speed bag filling machine utilizing a tiltable spout for attaching a bag in a tilted position and reversing the tilting motor to move the spout and bag over a conveyor. A vertically movable transfer carriage comprises a front forming bar and a pair of horizontally rotatable rotor arms. The bar and rotors clamp the filled bag, lower it to a conveyor, and discharge it. The forming bar then swings forward and upward to clear the rotor arms, which rotate forwardly beneath it to permit the next bag to enter the clamping area. The forming bar then swings down to engage the front face of the bag and the rotor arms continue their rotation to engage the rear face of the bag. The forming bar and rotor arms may include endless belts driven to discharge the bag.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1994Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventor: James R. McGregor
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Patent number: 5525180Abstract: Chopped fiber strands are produced by (1) wetting a continuous unsized fiber tow with a volatile sizing agent, (2) chopping the wet fiber tow into predetermined lengths, and (3) exposing the chopped fibers to conditions of temperature and pressure that remove the sizing agent by volatilizing but do not cause any structural changes in the fiber. Bundles of the unsized fibers have a high bulk density and are easily dispersible in air or other media to individual filaments or groups of small numbers of individual filaments. The process is especially useful for producing high bulk density packages of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Hercules IncorporatedInventors: James T. Paul, Jr., Warren C. Schimpf
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Patent number: 5519985Abstract: Apparatus and method of filling tubes of flexible, large mesh, netting material with compacted rice straw, or the like. The finished straw tubes are on the order of nine inches in diameter, twenty five feet in length and thirty pounds in weight; and thus readily lend themselves to use in controlling or mitigating the effects of erosion and to promoting revegetation.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1995Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Inventors: Rudolph H. Dyck, Michael E. Dyck
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Patent number: 5517806Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5503066Abstract: A replaceable cap for a rotor tine of a material bagging machine. The tines extend from the rotor and propel and compress the material to be bagged. The cap fits over the leading edge of the tine to provide a replaceable wear surface. The cap has an end that engages a notch provided in the tine and is secured to the tine by a single fastener. The single fastener facilitates rapid replacement of the cap when required.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: Ag-Bag International LimitedInventors: Michael H. Koskela, Larry R. Inman, Ronald V. Garvin
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Patent number: 5476558Abstract: An apparatus for forming paper blocks installable in offices to form paper blocks out of office-use paper such as computer printer paper, etc. including a treatment chamber, paper feeder and an adhesive apply device. Used and waste paper is fed into the treatment chamber by the paper feeder while being coated with adhesives by the adhesive apply device, and inside the treatment chamber, the paper with the adhesives coated thereon are pressed by a pusher or by air against the bottom of the chamber, thus forming firm paper blocks solidified by the adhesives.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1994Date of Patent: December 19, 1995Inventor: Hirokazu Yoshida
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Patent number: 5464049Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including density control cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine and including means for anchoring the opposite ends of the density control cables. The machine also includes a cable rewind spool which is mounted on one end of the rotor of the machine to enable each of the density control cables to be pulled from the tunnel after the bag has been filled.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1994Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5463849Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1994Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5463844Abstract: A machine for packaging poultry products and for breaking the hocks of the poultry products includes two substantially semi-cylindrical guide members for positioning a poultry product with unbroken hocks in a bag and a plunger device for breaking the hocks of the poultry product. The plunger device has two inclined surfaces forming a substantially V-shaped surface for contacting the legs of the poultry product and for breaking the hocks by compressing the legs of the poultry product against the carcass of the poultry product. Methods for operating the machine to load the poultry product into the bag and to automatically break the hocks are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1993Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.Inventors: Andrew W. Moehlenbrock, Joseph E. Owensby, Thomas H. Bagwell
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Patent number: 5459982Abstract: An apparatus for compressing bulky materials, like microfibers having a bulk density of less than about 0.2 PCF, to a much higher density, e.g. about 10.8 PCF, and packaging the compressed mass without damaging the material. The apparatus comprises a hopper having a pivoting wall wherein one edge of the pivoting wall is tapered and cooperates with a curved extension of one wall of an adjoining compression chamber to prevent the material from being pinched or scarffed which would damage the material. The compression chamber is long enough that when the compression means is withdrawn to accept another charge (each package requires a plurality of charging and compressing cycles) the compressed material cannot expand into the opening the compression chamber leading to the hopper. Finally, one end portion of a wall of the compression chamber has a movable retaining wall that also forms a portion of a wall of an adjoining packaging chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Schuller International, Inc.Inventor: James M. Long
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Patent number: 5447017Abstract: This present invention relates to an automatic recycling machine and automatic waste disposal system for plural types of household and commercial waste materials which automatically sorts, processes, shreds, crushes, compacts, rinses by cleaning liquid for removal of contamination and dirt from certain washable waste types, packages the waste material, and identifying the package with waste type and waste source by barcode marking.The automatic recycling machine is constructed as an appliance and includes separate fluid power actuation means for each type of recyclable material and non-recyclable waste, and control system to control the recycling process for each waste material type separately. The automatic recycling machine also comprises an operator control panel which includes warning indicators to inform on filled waste package of certain waste material type.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Inventors: Yona Becher, Daniel M. Lemieux
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Patent number: 5425220Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine comprising a pair of criss-crossed cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine. One of the cables is stationary while the other of the cables is adjustable so that the width of the adjustable cable may be varied to increase or decease the resistance of the cable to the feedstuffs passing through the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1994Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5408809Abstract: A bag pan is provided for an agricultural bagging machine wherein the bag pan includes a support which is pivotally secured to the axle of the machine and which is adapted to have various sizes of bag pans removably positioned thereon. A handle extends forwardly from the bag pan support towards the forward end of the machine. When the handle is in its upper position, the bag pan rests on the ground so that the bag may be loaded thereonto. When the handle is in its lower and locked position, the folded bag is supported on the bag pan with the proper amount of clearance being provided between the bag pan and the tunnel floor.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1994Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Versa CorporationInventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5398482Abstract: A mechanism for skinning a membrane cover onto a polymeric foam vehicle seat body is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a frame which can releasably hold front and rear ends of the cover in a generally horizontal orientation with an apex of the cover extending vertically downward, providing an opening in the cover for insertion of the seat body, a first reaction member moved by a first cylinder in a generally horizontal direction for compressing the seat cover and the seat body in a generally horizontal direction, and a bottom plate with side arms, the side arms having sheeting strip support surfaces, the bottom plate also having operatively associated sheeting strips having a first fixed end connected with the frame and a second free end placed over the sheeting strip support surface and into the cover before insertion of the seat body into the cover, and the bottom plate and side arms being connected with a pop-up cylinder for extending the seat body upward from the mechanism after insertioType: GrantFiled: March 10, 1993Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Joseph M Hessell, Jr., Robert P. Adams, Donald J. Hotton, William J. Wildern, IV, Bradley A. Johnston
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Patent number: 5388391Abstract: A new apparatus is provided as part of a system for use in hospitals and the like, which safely stores and packages biohazardous wastes. The upper portion of the apparatus includes a pneumatically operated descending pressure plate and anti-pathogen provisions. The lower portion encloses a slide-out compartment in which disposable waste containers are placed. Bags containing such wastes are deposited in the container from time to time and are continually exposed to ultraviolet light, while air is drawn away for filtering and safe discharge. When several bags of waste have been so deposited, a planar divider for the waste container is pressed downward, gently leveling the bags of waste beneath it, while the air expelled is sprayed with an anti-pathogenic spray. These operations are repeated using a succession of such dividers until a container has been substantially filled; it is then removed for disposal. Novel safety features are incorporated in the pneumatic circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1988Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Inventor: Richard D. Parker
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Patent number: 5388392Abstract: An apparatus for assembling antibody testing devices for use in conducting biotests which utilize a powder fluid absorbing material to fill the housing of the antibody testing devices. The apparatus has several stations at which the various assembly steps take place. At the first station, lower housing portions of the antibody testing device are loaded onto a conveyor belt. At a second station, the lower housing portions are loaded with a fluid absorbing powder. At a third station, the powder loaded lower housing portions are engaged with a slotted indexing carousel wheel and are carried away from the conveyor belt. At a fourth station, the liquid absorbing powder in the lower housing portion is compressed therein. At a fifth station, a disk of filter material is placed atop the liquid absorbing powder loaded into the housing portion. At a sixth station, caps carrying membranes which have been spotted with receptors are engaged with the powder filled housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1992Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: V-Tech, Inc.Inventor: Carl Linnecke
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Patent number: 5361692Abstract: A system for compacting material within a drum which includes a substantially tubular chamber, for placing a standard 55-gallon drum within, of the type having roll rings spaced along its annular wall; the chamber including a pair of swing away doors, for allowing access for the drum, and for closing around the wall of the drum, defining a portion of the inner wall of the chamber; a ram, configured in a dimension to fit within the drum opening for compacting material contained within the drum, and a series of thick, metal bands along the interior wall of the chamber, spaced apart so that one of the metal bands fills each space between the wall of the drum between the roll ring and the chamber wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1994Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Inventor: John Zimmer
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Patent number: 5331789Abstract: A vacuum processing machine and method are provided for use in assembling a vacuum insulation panel from a gas impermeable bag and a gas porous pouch filled with a microporous powder. The machine has a housing which is sealable in an air tight manner. A pair of substantially parallel plates are positioned within said housing. The housing is openable to receive the bag between the facing front sides of the plates. A vacuum source communicates with an interior of said housing to evacuate gases from said bag and pouch. Heat sealing apparatus are positioned within the housing for sealing an edge of said bag after evacuation of said gases from said bag and pouch. A nozzle for injecting a trace amount of helium at a pressure preferably below 1 mm Hg into the bag after evacuation of the gases and before sealing of the bag may be provided if desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nihat O. Cur, Richard W. Kruck
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Patent number: 5325655Abstract: Garbage is processed by separating the garbage in fractions, compressing the fractions in a container according to a desired predetermined composition, placing the container in a casing of metal wire, and placing the container on a destination place, preferably on the sea bottom. By means of the tidal influence after a certain time period sea weed, barnacles and so on will adhere to the metal wire and embed the container in a natural way protecting the environment from the garbage.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1992Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Inventor: Zakaria K. Doleh
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Patent number: 5297377Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of horizontally disposed and vertically spaced cables positioned at the rearward end of the tunnel of the machine. The cables are dragged through the silage being bagged as the bagging machine moves away from the closed end of the bag so that the proper amount of density is created in the material being bagged. Each of the cables defines a cable loop which extends rearwardly from the output end of the tunnel into the open end of the bag. The lengths of the cables may be adjusted to permit the density to be controlled. The number of cables may also be varied to control the density in various types of silage materials.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1993Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
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Patent number: 5259172Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected pre-opened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling air from the bag and compressing the contents prior to completion of the package. The method includes both the steps of expelling air and compacting the contents and the step of allowing the differential escape of oxygen from a package while retaining nitrogen therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: James P. Peppard, Anthony H. Gates
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Patent number: 5259304Abstract: A carousel trash compactor for selectively sorting and recycling multi-component refuse. The carousel includes a turntable mounted in the lower portion of the housing and supporting refuse bins rotatable with the turntable to position a selected bin in a refuse receiving position or a refuse compaction position. In the housing upper portion, a stationary compactor mechanism is positioned for compacting refuse in a bin therebeneath. A lid closes an opening in the top of the housing over the refuse-receiving position. A receptacle retrieving subassembly mounted in the upper portion of the housing facilitates removal of a full receptacle from the housing. Automatic control devices are provided for selectively rotating the turntable and bins, for weighing each bin, for compacting the refuse and for extricating the filled bins from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Inventor: Mark A. Roberts