Abstract: A baling system comprising a high capacity baler, and an electronic display configured to display baling information to an operator of the baling high capacity baler. The baler additionally comprises a first bale-forming area in which a first series of first individual bales can be formed, and a second bale-forming area in which a second series of second individual bales can be formed. The baler further comprises one or more first sensors configured to sense one or more parameters related to at least one of the first bales, and one or more second sensors configured to sense one or more parameters related to at least one of the second bales. The electronic display is configured to simultaneously display data generated from at least one of the first sensors and at least one of the second sensors.

Abstract: Pre-plating systems and related methods are disclosed. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed robot configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed robot configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member while the structural member is held in position by at least one of the infeed robot or the outfeed robot. A pre-plating system includes a press, a transfer pedestal, a plate picking robot, and a press loading robot. The plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a container and position the plate on the transfer pedestal. The press loading robot is configured to transfer the plate to the press. The press is configured to press the plate into a structural member positioned within the press.

Abstract: A pouch conditioner having a roller frame positioned over a bottom conditioning belt is disclosed. The roller frame includes a housing that has a pair of opposed guide plates, between which are positioned a plurality of conditioning rollers, a top conditioning belt, and a top conditioning belt drive. The top conditioning belt is disposed about the conditioning rollers. Each of the conditioning rollers is coupled to the guide plates by a pair of actuators that provide each roller with independent articulation and individual compressive force. The distance between the bottom conditioning belt and the top conditioning belt defines a conditioning gap through which product containers are advanced. The height of the conditioning rollers relative to the bottom conditioning belt may be varied to provide a graduated conditioning gap.

Abstract: The multi-stage modular horizontal digester is primarily comprised of a single auger in a horizontal orientation. The single auger includes sections of lesser and greater inner diameter, thus creating sections of that allow for mixing and time to operate on the contents, and sections where the liquids are squeezed out. As compared to the known processing methodology, the multi-stage modular horizontal digester creates numerous benefits. For example, by maintaining elevation of the pulp, it can be directly expelled into the hydrapulper without the need for an additional pump. Processes can be changed quickly by altering the rotation speed, auger sections, or chemical inputs and outputs without the need to move heavy tanks or adjust pumps. In other words, there is no need for the standard cascade-style system where the pulp descends through a step, is raised to the next step, and so forth.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a baling chamber and a pre-compression chamber. The pre-compression chamber is configured to gather crop material and to periodically form a slice of the crop material and introduce the slice into the baling chamber. The baling chamber includes a plunger provided for moving in the baling chamber thereby compressing slices of crop material into a bale. The agricultural baler further includes multiple sensors and a controller configured for controlling operation of the agricultural baler based on inputs of the multiple sensors. A first subset of the multiple sensors is directly related to bale parameters, and a second subset of the multiple sensors is indirectly related to the bale parameters. The controller is configured to control the operation of the agricultural baler and calibrate the sensors of the second subset based on outputs of sensors of the first subset.

Abstract: A bearing for holding a rotary conversion tool (10, 11) that includes two end rolling bearing devices (26, 28), at least one intermediate rolling bearing device (27) interposed between the end rolling bearing devices (26, 28), the end and intermediate rolling bearing devices (26, 27, 28) being intended to engage with an end (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) of the rotary tool (10, 11), and at least one mechanical actuator (32, 33) configured to exert a radial preload force (Fo, Fo?) at the intermediate rolling bearing device (27).

Abstract: A baler having a compression system for forming a bale includes a plunger that reciprocates within a baling chamber between an extended position and a retracted position. The baler also includes a controller configured to detect and calculate the amount of work exerted by the plunger as it reciprocates within the baling chamber. The controller generally calculates the work exerted by the plunger by determining the force applied to the plunger and the distance the plunger has traveled with respect to the baling chamber.

Abstract: A woody biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive woody biomass material and a compression system adapted to compact the material into a parallelepiped bale in the baling chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall that acts as a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, and wherein each chamber wall selected from among the upper wall, the lower wall, and each of the sidewalls can withstand a distributed force perpendicular to the selected chamber wall of between (0.11×Pp psi×Aw) pounds and (0.3×Pp psi×Aw) pounds, wherein 0.11 and 0.

Abstract: Bale measuring method for a rectangular baler includes the steps of: measuring a movement of a binding material that is being tied around a bale; using the measured movement of the binding material to calibrate a measurement and calculation tool for measuring a movement of the bale in the baler and for calculating a length of the bale based on said measurement; determining the length of the bale using the calibrated measurement and calculation tool as the bale moves backward in the baler.

Abstract: An infeed system for feeding a product downstream to a packaging machine for packaging a product with a packaging material includes a first conveyor section, a second conveyor section, and a third conveyor section. Each one of the conveyor sections includes a top belt and a bottom belt that engage respective surfaces of the product. The speeds of each belt may be adjusted to control the processing rate of the product and prevent any gaps between successive products. The top belt of the first conveyor system may also be inclined relative to the bottom belt to compress the product.

Abstract: A stack of a plurality of cellulose-containing absorbent towels for a dispenser is provided. The towels are separable upon dispensing. The stack is compressed to a predetermined density dependent on material choice.

Abstract: An agricultural square baler comprising a baling chamber, for compressing crop by a plunger, and a plunger drive connected to the plunger provided to drive the plunger. At least one connecting rod longitudinally delimited by a first and a second end is provided to transfer the rotational movement of the plunger drive into the linear reciprocal movement of the plunger. Each of the ends of the connecting rod having a first surface. An attachment connects a constraining element with the connecting rod at an attachment location away from the first surface of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A organic waste collection vehicle includes a chassis, a rear container for containing waste material, the rear container being mounted on the chassis, a hopper connected to the rear container and spaced above the chassis, the hopper being furthermore sloped to flow liquid toward the rear container, an automatic bin-tipping mechanism for dumping organic waste from a waste bin into the hopper, and a packer for compacting the organic waste material.

Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.

Abstract: A baler includes a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element, a plunger mounted within the channel, and a rotary drive mechanism for driving reciprocating movement of the plunger. A control system controls operation of the baler, the control system configured to determine an actual maximum torque value associated with the rotary drive mechanism, compare the actual maximum torque value with a selected desired maximum torque value, and adjust the friction control element to regulate the actual maximum torque value according to the desired maximum torque value.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for reducing a thickness of an absorbent body having liquid absorbent fiber as a main material. The apparatus includes a pressing device that reduces the thickness of the absorbent body transported in a transport direction, by sandwiching and pressing the absorbent body in a thickness direction orthogonal to the transport direction, a pair of rollers that is positioned on a downstream side along the transport direction than the pressing device, and rotates while passing the absorbent body through a gap formed by outer circumferences of the pair of rollers opposing each other, a sensor that outputs measurement information relating to the thickness of the absorbent body at a position between the pressing device and the pair of rollers, and a controller that sets a size of the gap between the pair of rollers based on the measurement information.

Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes, feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, decreasing a thickness of the permeable material, and wrapping the permeable material around a mandrel in a helical fashion.

Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes, feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, decreasing a thickness of the permeable material, and wrapping the permeable material around a mandrel in a helical fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.

Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, and decreasing a cross sectional area of the permeable material as it passes between the at least one set of rollers.

Abstract: A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

Abstract: An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a moving hopper wall and mechanism for moving the wall at an input end of hopper. The wall moving mechanism and the moving wall of the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. A safety enclosure isolates the wall moving mechanism from contaminants and prevents exposure to the wall moving mechanism. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of a tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above a primary compression mechanism. A tunnel-adjustment mechanism varies a cross-section area of the tunnel exit in order to control the amount of compaction on the feed as it leaves the tunnel and enters the bag. In some embodiments, dual counter-rotating toothed compression mechanism force feed between the rotors and into the tunnel at a rate and pressure greater than what is possible with only one multiple-toothed compressor rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving of wood veneer quality is provided. In the method, veneers are conveyed through a compression gap made up by two press elements, the gauge of said gap being adjustable. The method comprises the use of an endless felt assembly, which is adapted to circle around at least one of the press elements and which passes through the compression gap in such a way that at least one face of the veneer is brought against the felt assembly in said compression gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying a solid fuel within a pressurized gasifier without a lockhopper, a slurry or pulverization comprising the feeding of said fuel into a charging chamber having a first section equipped with a ram through which a mandrel is disposed, and a second section within which an impervious seal is formed from the solid fuel by the compressive forces generated by said ram and a third section into which the seal is advanced while said ram forms a successive seal in said second section. The seal from said third section is reduced in size and charged into the pressurized gasifier where it is gasified without loss of pressure. The gases produced are utilized to polygenerate products such as transport fuels and electric power, and a fertilizer from waste gas resulting from the combustion of one of the produced gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying solid waste to a furnace includes an opening to an elongated channel into which waste material is received and an outlet open to the furnace. A reciprocating ram with a head plate located in the channel opposite the outlet forces the waste toward the outlet. The ram also has an upper shield dimensioned to be slightly greater in area than the opening such that the opening is blocked when the ram is extended. The channel also includes an actuator-impelled restrictor plate for compressing waste as it is forced through said channel into a narrower portion, and a isolation door operable to close off the channel.

Abstract: A system and method for determining how food products might be portioned includes a scanner for scanning the food product and then using a computer to analyze the scanning data to develop a volume distribution of the food product. The computer operating scanning software carries out modeling to determine potential sets of end products achievable from the initial work product, taking into consideration the possibility of adjusting the thickness of the food product, either before or after cutting of the food product occurs. The computer evaluates the potential yield provided by the potential sets of end products and then one of the potential sets of end products is selected. Thereafter, the present system or a further portioning system is used to cut and optionally adjust the thickness of the food product, either before or after the cutting occurs, thereby to achieve the selected end product set.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web to thereby improve the smoothness and gloss of the web. A housing has at least one cooling chamber upstream and at least one steam chamber downstream. The cooling air in the cooling chamber is used to cool the web before steam is applied to the web from the steam chamber. This allows a sufficient volume of steam to be delivered to the web to thereby raise its moisture content to a desired level to thus achieve optimized calendering of the web.

Abstract: Large diameter self-expanding endoprosthetic devices, such as stents and stent grafts for delivery to large diameter vessels, such as the aorta, are disclosed having very small compacted delivery dimensions. Devices with deployed dimensions of 26 to 40 mm or more are disclosed that are compacted to extremely small dimensions of 5 mm or less, enabling percutaneous delivery of said devices without the need for surgical intervention. Compaction efficiencies are achieved by combining unique material combinations with new forms of restraining devices, compaction techniques, and delivery techniques. These inventive devices permit consistent percutaneous delivery of large vessel treatment devices. Additionally, small endoprosthetic devices are disclosed that can be compacted to extremely small dimensions for delivery through catheter tubes of less than 1 mm diameter.

Abstract: A method and a device for pressing a liquid extract from a material to be pressed include a screw press which conveys the material to be pressed along a pressing route and applies pressure to it. In addition, at least one extracting agent is added to the material to be pressed and is removed, together with the extract, from the pressed material. The extracting agent is supplied to the material to be pressed in an amount that is no more than twice the weight of the extract contained in the material to be pressed. At least a portion of the extracting agent dissolves in the extract.

Abstract: A method for controlling a calendering system having a first roll having a first roll speed controller and a second roll having a second roll speed controller is disclosed. An exemplary method comprises the steps of: (a) setting the first roll at a desired process speed with the first roll speed controller; (b) determining a target torque of the first roll; (c) contactingly engaging the first and second rolls; (d) determining an actual torque of the first roll; (e) comparing the target torque and the actual torque; and, (f) adjusting a speed of the second roll with the second roll speed controller to maintain the target torque of the first roll according to the comparison of the target torque and the actual torque.

Abstract: In a parallelepiped agricultural baler flake transfer events are sensed e.g. by the activation of a pre-compression chamber switch or other means indicating that the pre-compression chamber is full and a signal is sent to the baler control logic. The baler logic records in memory the GPS location of the baler at the time of the flake transfer event. A map is then generated showing the GPS location of each flake transfer event. The average crop quantity per flake is determined e.g. by weighing a finished bale and dividing the bale weight by the number of flakes per bale and programming the information into the baler logic. Finally the crop yield for a given field area is determined in the baler logic by multiplying the average crop quantity per flake by the number of flake events recorded in the given area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a bale of lint cotton fiber by pre-compressing each consecutive charge of fiber fed from the lint slide to a predetermined and uniform density. The apparatus includes a supply chamber predisposed with both vertical and horizontal platens driven by independent hydraulic cylinders. The movement and cycling of the platens is such that measured charges of fibers are presented to a vertical tramping device at consistent and uniform density. The tramping device, consisting of a platen driven by two hydraulic cylinders, packs each charge into a stationary box, one charge after another. This process continues until the desired bale weight is reached. The tramper cylinders are driven to a predetermined pressure setting during the tramping phase of each stroke cycle (extension) resulting in uniform compression (density).

Abstract: The present invention provides a pyrolysis system and method thereof which are capable of converting an entire rubber tire into several energy resources in an environmentally-friendly manner. The system includes a tire transporting unit, a waste to energy conversion unit, and a energy collection unit. The waste to energy conversion unit includes a conversion housing having a reaction chamber for receiving the rubber tire for pyrolysis processing to decompose the rubber tire into fuel oil, methane gas and carbon black, while metal wire from the rubber tire are resided for recycling use.

Abstract: A press for pressing a material to form a structural component comprises at least one revolving press band and a control for controlling the course of the press band. The control is preferably carried out via rotating rods that engage the press band and that can be tilted at a convenient angle for the purposes of varying the direction of travel of the press band. According to the method, the band of the press can be controlled by appropriately tilting the rotating rods.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web to thereby improve the smoothness and gloss of the web. A housing has at least one cooling chamber upstream and at least one steam chamber downstream. The cooling air in the cooling chamber is used to cool the web before steam is applied to the web from the steam chamber. This allows a sufficient volume of steam to be delivered to the web to thereby raise its moisture content to a desired level to thus achieve optimized calendering of the web.

Abstract: Roll arrangement that includes a deflection controlled roll and a counter roll. The counter roll and the deflection controlled roll are arranged to form at least one nip. The deflection controlled roll includes a rotating roll jacket, a carrier axially passing through the roll jacket, and support elements arranged between the roll jacket and the carrier. A plurality of the support elements, located at a nip side of the deflection controlled roll, are structured and controllable so that at least some of the plurality of support elements assume a position retracted from the roll jacket during a start-up operation of the deflection controlled roll. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method to produce a decay resistant and weatherproof wooden product (11) and to its qualities like hardwood, for instance teak, in compressing and heating wood block (1) into a wanted shape. In the method a dried wood block (1) is compressed at least in one direction and the compressed wood block (1 kept in compressed shape, for instance between walls (6); (7), and shifted into a heating chamber, which to its cross-section is a closed chamber of predetermined shape and free from oxygen, whereby still in the said chamber the temperature of timber block (11) is quickly raised to 210–390° C. and the timber block kept tight under controlled compression in each direction and that the timber block (11), still under compression, is quickly and controllably cooled, for instance placing it in a space between cooling walls (8).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the throughput of a parallelepiped agricultural baler. The baler has a feed duct communicating between a crop pick-up assembly and a baling chamber and the feed duct serves as a pre-compression chamber to accumulate crop to a predetermined density before the crop is transferred to the baling chamber. The transfer of the crop from the feed duct (pre-compression chamber) to the baling chamber is accomplished by a stuffer mechanism actuated in response to a crop density sensor associated with the feed duct (pre-compression chamber). The baler further has a plunger mechanism that compresses the crop into a column to form a bale in the baling chamber. The invention senses when the crop in the feed duct (pre-compression chamber) has reached a predetermined density for transfer to the baling chamber and when the plunger has attained a home position that allows for transfer of crop from the feed duct (pre-compression chamber) into the baling chamber.

Abstract: A machining waste metal recycling machine has an in-feed hopper. The hopper uses paired augers to move the waste metal through the hopper to a cutting and transporting auger. The hopper augers are powered independently from each other, and may be individually reversed or reversed as a group to clear jams. In the event a jam is not cleared through one or more reversal cycles, the remaining augers may be operated to clear the hopper, thereby avoiding the need for manual unloading. Within the hopper are one or more shear bars that are provided to sever bunches or bundles of machining waste and thereby clear tangles which might otherwise jam the augers. The cutting and transporting augers ultimately feed a reciprocating compactor having a movable gate with one or more grooves for controlled drainage of machining oil and other liquid, as the machining waste metal is compressed into pellets.

Abstract: The material compactor generally includes a feed apparatus and a final compaction apparatus. The final compaction apparatus generally includes a compaction chamber having confronting compression plates and an adjustably taperable portion. The area of the inner cavity of the final compaction chamber can be adjusted to become measurably smaller (tapered) or larger at the opened discharge or expelling end. Consequently, compacting movement of the material within the compaction chamber and through the chamber significantly subjects the material to restrictive compacting pressure which in turn compacts the material and performs liquid separation with each operationally continuous movement through the final compaction apparatus and out an open discharge port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt calender, comprising a first roll (11), a second roll (13; 15), and a belt loop therebetween, comprising an incompressible metal belt (12) pressed by the second roll (13; 15) against the first roll (11) to establish a calendering zone between the first roll (11) and said belt (12). The second roll (13; 15) is provided with a compressible belt section (14; 18) to be pressed against the metal belt (12).

Abstract: The material compactor in accordance with the present invention generally includes a feed apparatus, a preliminary compaction apparatus, and a final compaction apparatus. The final compaction apparatus generally includes a compaction chamber having an adjustably taperable choke tube. The area of the inner cavity of the final compaction chamber can be tapered to become measurably smaller or larger at the discharge or expelling end. Consequently, compacting movement of the material within the compaction chamber and through the tapered choke tube significantly subjects the material to restrictive compacting pressure which in turn compacts the material and performs liquid separation with each operationally continuous movement through the final compaction apparatus.

Abstract: Process for operating and calender with a roll stack having a plurality of rolls, including two end rolls arranged to form a press plane and middle rolls arranged between the end rolls. The plurality of rolls includes at least one elastic roll. The process includes displacing at least one roll relative to the press plane at periodic intervals.

Abstract: A paper web is profiled in a multiroll calender which includes at least an upper set of rolls having at least one calendering nip which profiles the paper web on one side; at least one lower set of rolls having at least one calendering nip which profiles the paper web on the other side; and a reversing nip between the upper set of rolls and the lower set of rolls. Both sides of the web are profiled in calendering nips before a nip which does not profile the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the properties of the polymer coating (2) of a roll or a belt (3), whereby the roll or the belt is used for calendering a fibrous web (4) in a roll nip (N), which is formed between the roll or the belt and its backing roll (5), whereby the roll or the belt has a polymer coating comprising fibrous material (1). In the method, the thermal elongation coefficient and/or thermal conductivity of the polymer coating (2) are adjusted by directing the fibre direction of the fibrous material (1).

Abstract: A pressure method for an electrode without causing any breakage of a current collecting material. The electrode structure comprises the current collecting material and an electrode layer. The electrode layer has a smaller surface area than a surface area of the current collecting material. The work roll with the concave portion pressurizes the electrode layer coated on the current collecting material while the convex portion to the section of the current collecting material without the electrode layer coated thereon where said section of the current collecting material is the predetermined distance away from the electrode layer, thereby elongating the electrode layer and the current collecting material.

Abstract: Calender including a roll stack having a plurality of rolls that rest against one another in a press direction. At least one of the rolls has an elastic surface. A vibration recording device determines in an uninterrupted manner a vibration of at least one of the rolls. A mechanism displaces the at least one roll crosswise to the press direction based on the vibration. The process includes determining in an uninterrupted manner a vibration of at least one of the rolls and displacing the at least one roll crosswise to the press direction based on the vibration.

Abstract: A process for compressing metallic powder into a compact in a powder press which has a die-plate, a hydraulically operated upper ram and at least one hydraulically operated lower ram, wherein the lower ram is set to vibrations while the die-plate is being filled with metallic powder.

Abstract: A method for making a fibre web, especially aboard web. The fibre web (W) is pre-calendered in a long-nip calender (11; 21), which replaces the Yankee cylinder. The invention also concerns a concept for making a fibre web, especially board. The concept includes a long-nip calender (11; 21) for pre-calendering the fibre web and to replace the Yankee cylinder.

Abstract: A baler system for baling of waste or other products having high output and having a sequenced method of operation. A previously formed bale formed in accordance with the invention is urged in incremental stages from a secondary bale chamber through a bale exit chamber and strapper for tieing in continuous and simultaneous progression while units of compressed waste are compressed together in sequenced steps first within a primary bale chamber and subsequently within a secondary bale chamber in the creation of a newly formed bale in continuous and simultaneous progression.