U.S. patent application number 10/866002 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-11 for adjustable density control means for a bagging machine.
Invention is credited to Cullen, Steven R..
Application Number | 20040221552 10/866002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32393287 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040221552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cullen, Steven R. |
November 11, 2004 |
Adjustable density control means for a bagging machine
Abstract
An adjustable density control means is provided for a bagging
machine designed for filling or packing material such as silage,
compost or the like into an elongated flexible bag. The adjustable
density control means comprises an elongated and flexible sheet or
belt member which is selectively adjustable positioned beneath the
bag being filled and the ground. The weight of the material in the
bag on the sheet member resists the forward movement of the bagging
machine away from the closed end of the bag. The density of the
material being packed or bagged is varied by the length of the
sheet member which is positioned beneath the bag being filled.
Inventors: |
Cullen, Steven R.; (Astoria,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
32393287 |
Appl. No.: |
10/866002 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10866002 |
Jun 10, 2004 |
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10417444 |
Apr 16, 2003 |
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6748724 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/459 ;
53/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 25/183 20130101;
A01F 25/14 20130101; A01F 2025/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/459 ;
053/576 |
International
Class: |
B65B 043/26 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A bagging machine for bagging material into a bag having a fixed
end and an open mouth, comprising: a movable frame having rearward
and forward ends; a material forming enclosure having an intake end
which receives the material to be bagged and an output end which
receives the open mouth of the bag; said material forming enclosure
having an upper end and a lower end; a material filling apparatus
on said frame; said material filling apparatus moving the material
to be bagged rearwardly into said material forming enclosure and
into the bag; and a flexible sheet member having one end
operatively secured to said frame and an unattached free end
extending rearwardly with respect to said frame beneath the bag
between the filled bag and the ground to resist the movement of the
bagging machine away from the fixed end of the bag.
2. The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said sheet member has a
length and a width and wherein said length is adjustable
controlled.
3. The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said sheet member
comprises a belt material.
4. The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said sheet material is
wound upon a selectively rotatable member.
5. The bagging machine of claim 4 wherein said selectively
rotatable member controls the length of said sheet member which is
positioned beneath the filled bag.
6. The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said sheet member has a
width which is approximately four to eight feet.
7. The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said sheet member has a
width at least as great as four feet.
8. The bagging machine of claim 4 wherein a reversible motor is
connected to said selectively rotatable member.
9. The bagging machine of claim 4 wherein said selectively
rotatable member is selectively reversible.
10. The bagging machine of claim 8 wherein said reversible motor
comprises a hydraulic motor.
11. The bagging machine of claim 10 wherein a hydraulic pressure
gauge is operatively fluidly connected to said hydraulic motor to
provide the operator with a measurement of the amount of back
pressure being exerted on said hydraulic motor by said flexible
sheet member as it is being pulled from beneath the bag during the
filling process.
12. A bagging machine for packing material into a container having
a closed fixed end and an open end, comprising: a movable frame
having rearward and forward ends; a material forming enclosure
having an intake end which receives the material to be packed and
an output end which receives the open mouth of the container; said
material forming enclosure having an upper end and a lower end; a
material packing apparatus on said frame; said material packing
apparatus moving the material to be packed rearwardly into said
material forming enclosure and into the bag; and a flexible member
having one end operatively secured to said frame and an unattached
free end extending rearwardly with respect to said frame beneath
the container between the packed container and the ground to resist
the movement of the machine away from the fixed end of the
container.
13. The machine of claim 12 wherein said flexible member has a
length and a width and wherein said length is adjustable
controlled.
14. The machine of claim 12 wherein said flexible member comprises
a belt material.
15. The machine of claim 12 wherein said flexible material is wound
upon a selectively rotatable member.
16. The machine of claim 14 wherein said selectively rotatable
member controls the length of said flexible member which is
positioned beneath the packed container.
17. The machine of claim 12 wherein said flexible member has a
width which is approximately four to eight feet.
18. The machine of claim 12 wherein said flexible member has a
width at least as great as four feet.
19. The machine of claim 15 wherein a reversible motor is connected
to said selectively rotatable member.
20. The machine of claim 15 wherein said selectively rotatable
member is selectively reversible.
21. The machine of claim 19 wherein said reversible motor comprises
a hydraulic motor.
22. The machine of claim 21 wherein a hydraulic pressure gauge is
operatively fluidly connected to said hydraulic motor to provide
the operator with a measurement of the amount of back pressure
being exerted on said hydraulic motor by said flexible member as it
is being pulled from beneath the container during the packing
process.
23. The method of bagging material into a bag having a closed end
and an open mouth, comprising the steps of: providing a bagging
machine including a movable frame having a rearward end and a
forward end, a material forming enclosure having an intake end
which receives the material to be bagged and an output end which
receives the open mouth of the bag, a material filling apparatus on
said frame for forcing the material into and through said material
forming enclosure and into said bag, and a flexible sheet member
having one end operatively secured to said frame and an unattached
free end extending rearwardly with respect to said frame beneath
the bag between the filled bag and the ground to resist the
movement of the bagging machine away from the fixed end of the bag;
operating said material filling apparatus to force material through
said material forming enclosure into said bag; and controlling the
density of the material placed into said bag by varying the
distance which said flexible sheet member extends beneath the
filling bag.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said bag is stretched during the
bagging operation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/417,444, filed on Apr. 16, 2003, entitled
ADJUSTABLE DENSITY CONTROL MEANS FOR A BAGGING MACHINE, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an adjustable density control
means for a bagging machine and more particularly to an adjustable
density control means for a bagging machine designed to fill or
pack material such as silage, compost or the like into an elongated
flexible bag. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a
method and means for adjustably controlling the density of the
material being filled or packed in the bag without the need for a
backstop, cable brakes or other density control means located
within the material being filled or packed in the bag.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Agricultural feed bagging machines have been employed for
several years to fill, pack or bag silage or the like into
elongated plastic bags. Two of the earliest bagging machines are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,061 and 4,046,068. In the prior
art bagging machines, silage or the like is supplied to the forward
or intake end of the bagging machine and is fed to a rotor which
conveys the silage into a tunnel on which the bag is positioned so
that the bag is filled. As silage is loaded into the bag, the
bagging machine moves away from the filled end of the bag in a
controlled fashion so as to achieve uniform compaction of the
silage material within the bag. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,805, silage
is forced by means of a rotor from the intake chamber of the
machine through the output chamber of the machine and into the
agricultural bag with a backstop structure yieldably engaging the
closed end of the agricultural bag to resist the movement of the
bagging machine away from the filled end of the agricultural bag as
silage is forced into the bag. The structure of the '805 patent
includes a pair of drums rotatably mounted on the bagging machine
with a brake associated therewith for braking or resisting the
rotation of the drum with a selected brake force. A cable is
wrapped around the drum and is connected to the backstop.
[0006] Although the cable drum and backstop structure of the '805
patent and other similar machines do function generally
satisfactorily, the cables, which are positioned on opposite sides
of the bag, can create openings or holes in the bag which will
adversely affect the fermentation process within the bag. A further
disadvantage of the cable drum and backstop structure of the
devices such as shown in the '805 patent is that the cables must be
rewound after the filling of an individual bag. A further
disadvantage of the cable drum and backstop structure of the
machine such as disclosed in the '805 patent is that a dangerous
condition exists should one of the cables break.
[0007] In an effort to overcome some of the disadvantages of
machines such as disclosed in the '805 patent, an attempt was made
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,666 to achieve the desired bagging operation
while eliminating the need for the cable drum and backstop
structure. In the '666 patent, the wheels on the bagging machine
were braked to provide the desired resistance to the filling of the
bag. Although the brake system of the '666 patent apparently met
with some success, it is believed that machines such as disclosed
in the '666 patent experience slippage difficulties in wet field
conditions which adversely affect the bagging operation. It is also
believed that the brake means alone on the bagging machine such as
those disclosed in the '666 patent do not achieve the desired
compaction of the silage material within the bag.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,377, applicant devised a simple way
of controlling the density of the bagged material. In the '377
patent, a density control means was described which included a
plurality of cables which were positioned in the flow of the silage
material being bagged. In order to vary the density of the material
in the machine of the '377 patent, more or less cables would be
employed based on the material being packed. For example, corn
silage flows easy and would require more cables while alfalfa packs
hard and would use less cables. The need to have a convenient means
for varying the density, by way of the density control cables,
exists and the instant invention provides such a means.
[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,220, a density control means was
described which included a pair of intersecting cables positioned
in the flow of the silage material being bagged. In order to vary
the density of the material in the machine of the '220 patent, the
relationship of the intersecting or crisscrossing cables was
varied. Applicant has also received U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,463,849;
5,464,049; 5,517,806; 5,671,594; 5,857,313; 5,894,713; 5,899,247;
5,960,612; and 6,443,194 relating to means for controlling the
density of the materials being filled or packed into bags. In each
of the patents described above, the density of the material in the
bag is controlled by a density control means positioned in the path
of the material being bagged. Although it is believed that the
above-identified patents of applicant represent significant
advances in the art, it is believed that the instant invention
truly represents a significant further advance in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A bagging machine is disclosed for packing or filling
material such as silage, compost or the like into a bag. The
bagging machine comprises a mobile frame having rearward and
forward ends. A material forming enclosure or tunnel is mounted on
the mobile frame and has an intake end which receives the material
to be bagged and an output end which receives the open mouth of the
bag. A material filling or packing apparatus is provided on the
frame which moves the material to be bagged rearwardly into the
material forming enclosure and into the bag. The material filling
or packing apparatus may be a screw conveyor, rotor, packing
fingers, etc. A flexible sheet member or belt member is operatively
secured to the frame and extends rearwardly with respect to the
frame between the bag being filled and the ground to resist the
movement of the bagging machine away from the fixed end of the bag.
The flexible sheet member is wound upon a rotatable member which
may be selectively reversibly driven so as to vary the length of
the sheet member which is positioned beneath the bag being filled
to adjustably control the density of the material being filled or
packed into the bag. The invention also causes the bag to be
stretched, thereby increasing the effective length thereof and to
reduce wrinkles in the bag. The flexible sheet member may also be
utilized to position the folded bag onto the material forming
enclosure.
[0011] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to
provide a method and means for achieving adjustable density in the
filling or packing of materials such as silage, grain, compost or
the like into a bag.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method
of achieving adjustable density in the filling or packing of
materials into a bag by extending a flexible belt or sheet member
under the bag between the bag and the ground.
[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method
and means of the type described wherein a flexible belt or sheet
member is adjustably extended beneath the bag thereby causing the
weight of the filled bag to rest on the extended belt or sheet
member.
[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a method
and means of the type described Which also smoothes the ground
beneath the bag.
[0015] A further object Of the invention is to provide a method and
means of the type described Which may be also used to assist in the
installation of the bag on the material forming enclosure or
tunnel.
[0016] Still another object of the invention is to provide a method
and means of the type described wherein a flexible belt or sheet
member is adjustably extended beneath the bag thereby causing the
weight of the filled bag to rest on the extended belt or sheet
member which resists the forward movement of the machine, thereby
causing the bag to be stretched to increase the effective length
thereof and to reduce wrinkles in the filled bag.
[0017] These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bagging machine having the
adjustable density control means of this mounted thereon;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view illustrating the
adjustable density control means of this invention being used;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the adjustable density
control means which is mounted on the bagging machine;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the adjustable density
control means of this invention being positioned beneath the bag
being filled;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but which illustrates the
adjustable density control means being removed from beneath the
bag.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] A bagging machine which may be utilized with this invention
is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Machine 10
includes a mobile or wheeled frame 12 having a forward end 14 and a
rearward end 16. Machine 10 also includes an engine 18 for driving
machine 10 and the components thereof. If the machine 10 is not
self-propelled, the machine 10 may be pulled by a tractor with the
power take-off thereof being utilized to power the components
thereof. Machine 10 also includes a bumper 20 at its forward end
and an inclined feed table 22. Machine 10 further includes an
operator's cab 24, hopper 26, a material filling or packing means
28 in the form of a rotor, a material forming enclosure or tunnel
30. The filling or packing means 28 could be in the form of a
plunger, screw conveyor, packing fingers, etc.
[0024] The numeral 32 refers to a flexible bag or container into
which the material is filled, bagged or packed. The adjustable
density control means of this invention is referred to generally by
the reference numeral 34. A rotatable member such as a winch shaft
36 has its ends rotatably mounted in bearings 38 and 40 which are
secured to frame members 42 and 44 of frame 12. A power means 46 is
provided for selectively rotating the shaft 36 in either a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. The
power means is preferably a hydraulic motor and a planetary gear
drive mechanism 48 of conventional design although other types of
motors and gear drives could be utilized.
[0025] A gauge 50 is operatively connected to the hydraulic motor
46 to provide an indication (measurement) of the hydraulic pressure
within the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic motor 46 for a
purpose to be described hereinafter.
[0026] A flexible belt-like member or sheet member 52 has one end
secured to shaft 36 and is wound thereupon, as seen in FIG. 3. The
free end (rearward end) 54 of member 52 is designed to be
selectively adjustably longitudinally movably positioned between
the bottom of the bag 32 and the ground 56. The member 52 may have
any length and preferably has a width of four to eight feet,
although the width will normally be dependent upon the diameter of
the bag being filled. Preferably, sheet member 52 is constructed of
a heavy-duty conveyor belt material such as used in conveying
particulate material such as aggregate, sand, etc.
[0027] One or more horizontally spaced-apart bag retainers 55 are
provided on the lower end of the member 30 and are generally
identical to the bag retainers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,408,810. The retainers 55 are designed to limit the bag 32 from
being pulled rearwardly from the member 30 during the filling of
the bag.
[0028] The adjustable density control means 34 of this invention
may be initially moved to assist in moving the folded bag 32
forwardly onto the tunnel 30. For example, the motor 46 of the
density control means 34 may be operated to unroll the sheet member
52 from the shaft 36 so that the rearward end 54 thereof is
positioned rearwardly of the rearward end of the tunnel 30. The bag
may then be positioned on the tunnel with the lower end thereof
being positioned upon the rearward end of the sheet member 52. The
motor 46 is then reversed so that the sheet member 52 is moved or
wound upon the shaft 36 which causes the lower end of the folded
bag 32 to be moved forwardly until such time as the bag may be
lifted upwardly so that the bag retainers 55 Will support the lower
end of the folded bag 32, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The bag
retainers 55 will normally replace the need for a bag pan such as
found on most conventional bagging machines.
[0029] When it is desired to fill, pack or bag the folded bag 32 on
the machine 10, the rearward end thereof is closed, such as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The hydraulic motor 46 of the density
control means 34 will be operated so that the rearward end 54 of
the sheet member 52 is positioned rearwardly of the rearward end of
the tunnel 30 with the bag 32 resting thereupon.
[0030] As the material is forced into the bag 32 by means of the
rotor 28, the machine 10 will move forwardly with respect to the
closed end of the bag. The weight of the bag and the material
therein on the sheet member 52 will provide a resistance to the
forward movement of the machine away from the filled bag. The
density of the material may be adjustably controlled by varying the
amount of the sheet material 52 which is positioned between the
bottom of the bag and the ground. For example, if greater density
is desired, a greater length of the sheet member 52 will be
positioned beneath the bag. Not only does the sheet member 52
provide an adjustable density control means for the material being
bagged, packed or filled in the bag, the weight of the material on
the sheet member 52 as the machine moves forwardly also causes the
uneven ground beneath the sheet member 52 to be smoothed. The
unevenness of the ground may be caused by wheel tracks, etc. The
fact that the bag is positioned on even ground results in better
bagging. An additional advantage of having the bag positioned on
even ground is that the material within the bag is more easily
removed therefrom at the desired time, since wrinkles, folds, etc.,
will not be present in the bottom of the bag which conform to the
uneven ground.
[0031] Another advantage of the present invention is that the
weight of the bag upon the sheet member causes the bag to be pulled
or stretched tight which increases the effective length of the bag
and which also reduces the wrinkles in the bag which, if present,
may reduce the effective length of the bag.
[0032] When the bag 32 has been completely filled or filled to the
desired capacity, the rotor 28 is inactivated and the motor 46 is
activated to pull the sheet member 52 from beneath the bag. The
adjustable density control means is disengaged from the bag without
pulling any material from within the bag such as may occur when
density control cables, anchors, etc., are utilized within the
material being bagged.
[0033] Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least
all of its stated objectives.
* * * * *