U.S. patent application number 11/253002 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for bagging machines for adjustably controlling packing density.
This patent application is currently assigned to SRC Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to Steven R. Cullen.
Application Number | 20070084153 11/253002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37946875 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070084153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cullen; Steven R. |
April 19, 2007 |
Bagging machines for adjustably controlling packing density
Abstract
Bagging machines for controlling the packing density of material
being packed into a container may include one or more density
control apparatus or assemblies. The density control apparatus may
include an elongate density control member having first and second
forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine and a
central portion extending rearwardly therefrom to provide a density
control assembly of a first configuration. The elongate density
control member also may be operatively associated with at least one
pair of density-setting posts operatively coupled to a portion of
the bagging machine to selectively provide a density control
assembly of at least one additional configuration. Additionally or
alternatively, the bagging machines may include a forward wheel
assembly operatively coupled to a forward region of the bagging
machine to enable the bagging machine to move over a ground
surface. The density control apparatus further may include a
forward brake assembly operatively associated with a forward wheel
assembly operatively coupled to a forward region of the bagging
machine.
Inventors: |
Cullen; Steven R.; (Astoria,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
200 PACIFIC BUILDING
520 SW YAMHILL STREET
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
SRC Innovations, LLC
|
Family ID: |
37946875 |
Appl. No.: |
11/253002 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/527 ;
53/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 25/183 20130101;
A01F 2025/145 20130101; A01F 25/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/527 ;
053/576 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/24 20060101
B65B001/24; B65B 43/42 20060101 B65B043/42 |
Claims
1. A bagging machine for bagging agricultural material, the bagging
machine comprising: a material-forming enclosure having a floor
assembly; at least one pair of density-setting posts disposed on
the floor assembly; an elongate density control member having first
and second forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine
and having a central portion extending rearwardly to provide a
density control assembly of a first configuration; wherein the
elongate density control member is operatively associated with the
at least one pair of density-setting posts to selectively provide a
density control assembly of at least one additional
configuration.
2. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the floor assembly has a
first end and a second end, wherein the at least one pair of
density-setting posts is adapted to center the density control
assembly between the first and second ends of the floor assembly
when the density control assembly is disposed in the at least one
additional configuration.
3. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the density-setting
posts include an upstanding member having an upper end and a first
cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the density-setting posts
further include a cap member disposed adjacent the upper end and
having a second cross-sectional dimension greater than the first
cross-sectional dimension.
4. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the central portion of
the elongate density control member extends rearwardly having
spaced apart forward legs joined by a rearward portion, wherein the
density control assembly first configuration includes forward legs
spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein each of the at least
one additional configurations includes forward legs spaced apart by
a distance distinct from the distance of the first configuration
and the other additional configurations.
5. The bagging machine of claim 4, wherein the forward legs each
include an adjustment region adapted to extend transversally to
selectively and operatively associate the density control member
with one of the at least one pair of density-setting posts to
thereby selectively provide the at least one additional
configuration.
6. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of
density-setting posts includes a single pair of density-setting
posts, wherein each of the density-setting posts is selectively and
adjustably positionable on the floor assembly.
7. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein one or more of the
density-setting posts is adapted to retain the elongate density
control member in a selected configuration during operation of the
bagging machine when the density control member is disposed in the
at least one additional configurations.
8. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the floor assembly
includes a base member and a cover member, wherein the at least one
pair of density-setting posts is disposed on the base member, and
wherein the cover member is operatively associated with the base
member and the density-setting posts to cover the density-setting
posts during operation of the bagging machine and to allow access
to the density-setting posts during adjustment of the density
control assembly.
9. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
forward ends of the elongate density control member is releasably
coupled to the bagging machine.
10. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
forward ends of the elongate density control member is coupled to
the bagging machine via a coupling to the material-forming
enclosure.
11. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one pair
density-setting posts are adapted to be spaced apart on the floor
assembly in a manner corresponding to a plurality of density
control assembly configurations for bagging agricultural material
under a plurality of different conditions.
12. A bagging machine for packing agricultural material into a
container, the bagging machine comprising: a mobile frame having a
forward region and a rearward region; a material-forming enclosure
having an intake region coupled to the rearward region of the
mobile frame, and an output region extending rearwardly from the
mobile frame; a material-filling apparatus coupled to the mobile
frame and adapted to pack the agricultural material into the
material-forming enclosure to thereby move the bagging machine
forward; a forward wheel assembly coupled to the forward region of
the mobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move
over a ground surface, wherein the forward wheel assembly is spaced
apart from the material-filling apparatus; a density control
apparatus operatively coupled to the mobile frame and extending
rearwardly therefrom in operative association with the material in
the material-forming enclosure to provide resistance to the forward
movement of the bagging machine; and a forward brake assembly
operatively associated with the forward wheel assembly and adapted
to provide selective auxiliary resistance to forward movement of
the bagging machine.
13. The bagging machine of claim 12, further comprising a rearward
wheel assembly coupled to the rearward region of the mobile frame
and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move over the ground
surface, and further comprising a rearward brake assembly
operatively associated with the rearward wheel assembly adapted to
provide additional resistance to forward movement of the bagging
machine.
14. The bagging machine of claim 12, wherein the density control
apparatus includes at least one density control setting configured
to provide a predetermined resistance during a bagging
operation.
15. The bagging machine of claim 12, wherein the density control
apparatus includes at least one drag member adapted to extend
rearwardly beneath the material in the material-forming
enclosure.
16. The bagging machine of claim 12, wherein the density control
apparatus includes at least one cable, wherein at least a portion
of the at least one cable is disposed within the material-forming
enclosure.
17. The bagging machine of claim 16, wherein the at least one cable
forms at least one cable loop having a rearward portion disposed
behind the material-filling apparatus.
18. The bagging machine of claim 12, wherein the material-filling
apparatus is spaced apart from the ground surface by a driving
force height, and wherein the density control apparatus is disposed
at a resistance height that is lower than the driving force
elevation.
19. The bagging machine of claim 18, further comprising a rearward
wheel assembly and corresponding rearward brake assembly adapted to
provide an additional resistance force, and wherein the auxiliary
resistance force provided by the forward brake assembly is greater
than the additional resistance force provided by the rearward brake
assembly.
20. The bagging machine of claim 12, wherein the density control
apparatus is provided at least in part by an extended
material-forming enclosure.
21. The bagging machine of claim 20, wherein the extended
material-forming enclosure has an effective diameter, D, and has a
length from the intake end to the output end of between about 0.5 D
and about 2 D, and wherein the length of the material-forming
enclosure is adapted to provide a predetermined resistance to the
forward movement of the bagging machine.
22. The bagging machine of claim 21, wherein the extended
material-forming enclosure is adapted to be adjustable between at
least two configurations having different lengths.
23. The bagging machine of claim 21, wherein the extended
material-forming enclosure has a length from the intake end to the
output end of between about 0.8 D and about 1.5 D.
24. The bagging machine of claim 20, further comprising an
ancillary density control apparatus disposed in operative
association with the material in the material forming enclosure to
provide ancillary resistance to the forward movement of the bagging
machine.
25. The bagging machine of claim 24, wherein the ancillary density
control apparatus includes at least one drag member adapted to
extend rearwardly beneath the material in the material-forming
enclosure.
26. The bagging machine of claim 24, wherein the ancillary density
control apparatus includes at least one cable, wherein at least a
portion of the at least one cable is disposed within the
material-forming enclosure.
27. The bagging machine of claim 26, wherein the at least one cable
forms at least one cable loop having a rearward portion disposed
behind the material-filling apparatus.
28. A bagging machine for packing agricultural material into a
container, the bagging machine comprising: a mobile frame having a
forward region and a rearward region; a material-forming enclosure
having a floor assembly and having an intake region coupled to the
rearward region of the mobile frame and an output region extending
rearwardly from the mobile frame; a material-filling apparatus
coupled to the mobile frame and adapted to pack the agricultural
material into the material-forming enclosure to thereby move the
bagging machine forward; at least one pair of density-setting posts
disposed on the floor assembly of the material-forming enclosure; a
forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to the forward region of
the mobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move
over a ground surface; an elongate density control member having
first and second forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging
machine and having a central portion extending rearwardly to
provide a density control assembly of a first configuration,
wherein the elongate density control member is operatively
associated with the at least one pair of density-setting posts to
selectively provide a density control assembly of at least one
additional configuration, and wherein the density control assembly
formed by the elongate density control member is adapted to provide
a predetermined resistance to the forward movement of the bagging
machine; and a forward brake assembly operatively associated with
the forward wheel assembly and adapted to provide selective
auxiliary resistance to the forward movement of the bagging
machine.
29. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the density-setting
posts include an upstanding member having an upper end and a first
cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the density-setting posts
further include a cap member adjacent the upper end and having a
second cross-sectional dimension greater than the first
cross-sectional dimension.
30. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the central portion of
the elongate density control member extends rearwardly having
spaced apart forward legs joined by a rearward portion, wherein the
density control assembly first configuration includes forward legs
spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein each of the at least
one additional configurations includes forward legs spaced apart by
a distance distinct from the distance of the first configuration
and the other additional configurations.
31. The bagging machine of claim 30, wherein the forward legs each
include an adjustment region adapted to extend transversally to
selectively and operatively associate the density control member
with one of the at least one pair of density-setting posts to
thereby selectively provide the at least one additional
configuration.
32. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the at least one pair
of density-setting posts includes a single pair of density-setting
posts, wherein each of the density-setting posts is selectively and
adjustably positionable on the floor assembly.
33. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein one or more of the
density-setting posts is adapted to retain the elongate density
control assembly in a selected configuration during operation of
the bagging machine when the density control assembly is disposed
in the at least one additional configuration.
34. The bagging machine of claim 33, wherein each of the
configurations of the density control assembly is selectable by a
user to provide a distinct, predetermined resistance during a
bagging operation.
35. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the floor assembly
includes a base member and a cover member, wherein the at least one
pair of density-setting posts is disposed on the base member, and
wherein the cover member is operatively associated with the base
member and the density-setting posts to cover the density-setting
posts during operation of the bagging machine and to allow access
to the density-setting posts during adjustment of the density
control assembly.
36. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the material-filling
apparatus is spaced apart from the ground surface by a driving
force height, and wherein the density control assembly is disposed
at a resistance height that is lower than the driving force
elevation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure relates to bagging machines for adjustably
controlling the packing density of material, such as silage,
compost, or the like, packed into an elongate bag or container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Agricultural feed bagging machines have been employed for
several years to fill, pack, or bag silage or the like into
elongated plastic bags. In these bagging machines, silage or the
like is supplied to the forward or intake end of the bagging
machine and is fed to a rotor that 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. These
machines included 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 or chain was wrapped around the drum and was released with
rotation of the drum. A backstop structure was disposed at the
closed end of the agricultural bag and was coupled to the bagging
machine via the chains or cables to resist the movement of the
bagging machine away from the filled end of the agricultural bag as
silage is forced into the bag.
[0003] In more recent bagging machines, a variety of density
control assemblies, which included one or more cables, have been
positioned in the flow of the silage material being bagged. In
order to vary the density of the material in the machine, more or
fewer cables would be employed based on the material being packed.
For example, corn silage flows easy and would require more cables.
Similarly, alfalfa packs hard and would require fewer cables.
[0004] In other bagging machines, a single cable forming a loop has
been employed with adjustment mechanisms allowing a user to
lengthen or shorten the loop behind the bagging machine. In still
other bagging machines, one or more ends of the loop have been
coupled to movable trolleys to allow a user to adjust the
configuration of the cable loop, such as by widening or narrowing
the cable loop, during the bagging operation to adjustably control
the packing density.
[0005] Control of the packing density during the bagging operation
is important because a single bag may include material having
different properties that packs differently. For example, a single
bag may be several hundred feet long and be packed with
agricultural material, such as alfalfa, from all parts of a farm or
region. The alfalfa is brought to the bagging machine in a number
of separate loads, some of which may be wetter than others or some
of which may include alfalfa cut longer than the alfalfa in other
loads. The wet alfalfa or long alfalfa will pack more densely in a
given cable loop configuration than will dry or short alfalfa.
Accordingly, a user may prefer to adjust the configuration of the
cable or other density control apparatus in accordance with the
material properties of the material being packed. Unfortunately,
the extent and impact of the differences between the materials is
rarely known until the material is packed into the bag and the
difference evidences itself as loose packing or a bagging machine
that is stuck due to the unexpectedly dense packing.
[0006] Previous bagging machines with adjustable density control
apparatus allow the user to control the packing density during
operation, but it often takes several feet of packing distance
before the desired change is completed. For example, if the forward
end of a cable loop is narrowed, the rearward end will trend
narrower as it moves forward but it will not be as narrow as the
forward end for at least several inches, if not several feet, of
bagging machine movement. Accordingly, there is a delay between the
control signal and the attainment of the configuration adapted to
provide the selected packing density. Depending on the
circumstances, that delay may lead to undesirable loose packing for
several inches or feet of the bag length or may cause the machine
to become stalled due to the resistance force being greater than
the available forward force. Alternatively, the loose packing
wastes available storage space and may decrease the storage
quality. A stalled machine interrupts the bagging operation and
wastes many resources trying to free the machine from the packed
bag and restarting the bagging operation. A bagging machine that
provides for greater control over the packing density is described
herein.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure is directed towards bagging machines
for controlling the packing density of material being packed into a
container. The bagging machines may include a mobile frame having a
forward region and a rearward region. A material-forming enclosure
having an intake region may be coupled to the rearward region of
the mobile frame. An output region of the material-forming
enclosure extends rearwardly from the mobile frame. A
material-filling apparatus may be coupled to the mobile frame and
may be adapted to pack the agricultural material into the
material-forming enclosure to thereby move the bagging machine
forward. A forward wheel assembly may be coupled to the forward
region of the mobile frame to enable the bagging machine to move
over a ground surface. A density control apparatus is operatively
coupled to the mobile frame and extends rearwardly therefrom in
operative association with the material in the material-forming
enclosure. The density control apparatus provides resistance to the
forward movement of the bagging machine. The bagging machines
further may include a forward brake assembly operatively associated
with the forward wheel assembly. The forward brake assembly may be
adapted to provide auxiliary resistance to forward movement of the
bagging machine.
[0008] The bagging machine may additionally or alternatively
include a density control apparatus adjustable between at least two
predetermined configurations. The bagging machine may include a
material-forming enclosure having a floor assembly. At least one
pair of density-setting posts may be disposed on the floor
assembly. Additionally, an elongate density control member has
first and second forward ends coupled to the bagging machine and
has a central portion extending rearwardly within the material
forming enclosure to thereby provide a density control assembly of
a first configuration. The elongate density control member is also
operatively associated with the at least one pair of
density-setting posts to selectively provide a density control
assembly of at least one additional configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bagging machine having a forward
brake assembly and a density control apparatus coupled to the
bagging machine.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of a bagging machine having a forward
brake assembly and an alternative density control apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a bagging machine have a forward
brake assembly and another alternative density control
apparatus.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a material-forming enclosure
including a density control assembly in a first configuration.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the material forming enclosure of
FIG. 4 showing the density control assembly in an additional
configuration.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the material forming enclosure of
FIG. 4 including a floor assembly that includes a base member and a
cover member and showing the density control assembly in two
alternative additional configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a packing machine 10 according to the
present disclosure. Packing machine 10 also may be referred to
herein as bagging machine 10. As used herein, "packing" and
"bagging" are used interchangeably to refer to the act of pressing
material into a container for storage. Bagging machine 10 may
include a mobile frame 12 having a forward region 14 and a rearward
region 16. In some implementations of the present disclosure,
bagging machine 10 may include an operator's cab 18. Additionally,
bagging machine 10 may include a motor 20 to power one or more
components of the bagging machine. Additionally or alternatively,
bagging machine 10 may be coupled to the power take-off of an
auxiliary tractor (not shown). Additionally or alternatively,
bagging machine 10 may include a truck, such as a substantially
traditional truck, having a bagging machine apparatus coupled to
the truck bed, such as at the rear end thereof. Examples of a
truck-mounted bagging machine are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,865,
which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
[0016] Bagging machine 10 also may include a material-filling
apparatus 22 and a material-forming enclosure 24. Material-forming
enclosure 24 may be adapted to cooperate with a bag or other
container (not shown) into which material-filling apparatus 22
packs the material. Material-forming enclosure 24 may include a
number of components to facilitate or otherwise aid the cooperation
between the bag and material-forming enclosure 24. For example,
material forming enclosure 24 may include one or more bag retainers
adapted to retain the bag on the material-forming enclosure and
gradually release the bag as needed. Material-filling apparatus 22
may be adapted to include a feed tray 30, a hopper 32, and a rotary
packer 34. Material-filling apparatus 22 may alternatively or
additionally include other components adapted to move material into
material-forming enclosure 24.
[0017] Packing machine 10 may be adapted to pack a variety of
materials. For example, packing machine 10 may be adapted to bag
compost material or agricultural material into bags or containers
for storage and/or composting. As material-filling apparatus 22
moves material into the bag, the bag fills and the material is
pressed or compressed within the bag. As additional material is
packed into the bag, the bagging machine 10 will move forward
releasing the bag as needed to provide additional room for the
material. Accordingly, material-filling apparatus 18 may be adapted
to move the bagging machine forward.
[0018] A density control apparatus 36 may be operatively coupled to
bagging machine 10, or to mobile frame 12, and may extend
rearwardly from its point of coupling. Density control apparatus 36
is disposed in operative association with the material in
material-forming enclosure 24 to provide resistance to the forward
movement of the bagging machine. The amount of resistance provided
by density control apparatus 36 cooperates with material-filling
apparatus 22 to control the rate at which bagging machine 10 moves
away from the closed end of the bag.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, bagging machine 10 may include a
forward wheel assembly 38 and a rearward wheel assembly 40 adapted
to enable the bagging machine to move over ground surface 42 as the
driving force of material-filling apparatus 22 overcomes the
resistance force of density control apparatus 36. Forward wheel
assembly 38 may be coupled to forward region 14 of mobile frame 12.
Similarly, rearward wheel assembly 40 may be coupled to rearward
region 16 of mobile frame 12. In some embodiments, forward wheel
assembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly 40 may be spaced apart. For
example, depending on the length of the mobile frame 12, forward
wheel assembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly 40 may be spaced
apart by at least about four feet, as measured from wheel center to
wheel center. Forward wheel assembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly
40 may be spaced apart by between about four feet and about
fourteen feet. In some embodiments, forward wheel assembly 38 and
rearward wheel assembly 40 may be spaced apart by between about
eight feet and about 12 feet. While bagging machine 10 is
illustrated with wheel assemblies 38,40, the wheel assemblies may
be replaced or supplemented by other support and transport systems.
For example, bagging machine 10 may include a skid in place of
rearward wheel assembly 40. Additionally or alternatively, wheel
assemblies 38,40 may cooperate with a track assembly rather than
traditional tires.
[0020] When bagging machine 10 includes wheel assemblies, the wheel
assemblies may include tires 44 and other components of traditional
wheel systems, such as axels, suspension systems, steering systems,
and the like. The configuration of each wheel assembly will be
determined by its function. Additionally, bagging machine 10 may
include additional wheel assemblies to provide additional support
for the bagging machine, to provide greater contact with the
ground, to operate one or more track assemblies, or for other
reasons. For example, two rearward wheel assemblies may be
provided. Additionally or alternatively, a wheel assembly may be
provided in the mid-section of the mobile frame.
[0021] A brake assembly 46 may be operatively associated with one
or more of the wheel assemblies. Brake assembly 46 may include
braking mechanisms of any suitable configuration. For example,
brake assembly 46 may include air brakes configured as S-cam
brakes, wedge brakes, disc brakes, or other suitable brake
configurations. Similarly, brake assembly 46 may include brakes of
configurations other than air brakes.
[0022] Brake assembly 46 in operative association with one or more
of the wheel assemblies may be adapted to provide auxiliary
resistance to the forward movement of bagging machine 10. As
described above, the resistance forces on the bagging machine
operate to slow the forward motion of bagging machine 10 to
increase the packing density of the material packed into the bag by
material-filling apparatus 22. Brake assemblies 46 in operative
association with one or more of the wheel assemblies may be adapted
to cooperate with density control apparatus 36 to control the
packing density of the bagging operation.
[0023] For example, density control apparatus 36 may be disposed in
a configuration determined by the operator to provide an estimated
minimum amount of resistive force for the intended bagging
operation, such as a particular configuration suitable for bagging
alfalfa or different configurations suitable for bagging barley,
corn, wheat, etc. Alternatively, bagging machine 10 and density
control apparatus 36 may only have one configuration available. As
the bagging operation proceeds, the operator may observe that
greater resistance is necessary to obtain the desired packing
density. Accordingly, the operator may engage one or more brake
assembly 46 to increase the friction of one or more of the wheel
assemblies with the ground surface, thereby providing auxiliary
resistance to forward movement and increasing the combined
resistance forces on bagging machine 10.
[0024] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the auxiliary
resistance provided by brake assembly 46 may enable an operator to
have greater and/or more timely control over the packing density.
As discussed above, altering the configuration of density control
apparatus 36 during the bagging operation often incurs some delay
between the time the operator initiates the configuration change
and the time the change is fully effected. The resultant delay may
waste valuable bag space if the bag is being packed too loosely.
Alternatively, if the bag is being packed too densely, it may be
impossible for the bagging machine to continue its forward progress
and the operator's efforts to change the configuration of density
control apparatus 36 may be in vain. One of the worst scenarios
under previous bagging machines was when the packing density would
be too great and the resulting resistance force on the density
control apparatus would stall the bagging machine. When the
resistance force from the density control apparatus overpowered the
maximum force that could be applied by the material-filling
apparatus, the operator had to stop the bagging operation and free
the density control apparatus from the packed material, which often
involved wasted agricultural material and wasted resources.
[0025] Brake assembly 46 provides bagging machine 10 with an
auxiliary resistance force that can be increased or decreased with
significantly reduced delays. In some applications, the effect of
brake assembly 46 may enable an operator to change the packing
density substantially instantaneously. Considering the situation
where the packing density is observed to be too low, the operator
may increase the auxiliary resistance by applying greater braking
power. The increased resistance is translated to the bag and the
packing density increases as material-filling apparatus packs the
bag against a greater combined resistance. Similarly, if the
resistance force is too great, such as when the supplied
agricultural material is wet, the operator may reduce the braking
power applied by brake assembly 46 and may decrease the combined
resistance force to allow the bagging machine to move forward at
the desired rate to attain the desired packing density. Because the
entire resistance force is not provided by the density control
apparatus in association with the packed material, the operator's
change may be more immediate and/or more effective in responding to
the varying bagging conditions.
[0026] Bagging machine 10 may be provided with one or more brake
assemblies 46 of the same or different configurations. For example,
forward wheel assembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly 40 may
include brake assemblies of different configurations and/or braking
strength. Alternatively, bagging machine 10 may include the same
brake assembly on all wheel assemblies or on all wheel assemblies
that are associated with a brake assembly. However, regardless of
the brake assembly's configuration or ability to brake the rotation
of the wheel, the amount of auxiliary resistance provided by brake
assembly 46 will be determined by the interaction between the wheel
assembly and the ground surface 42. A number of factors may affect
this interaction to increase or decrease the ability of brake
assembly 46 to provide auxiliary resistance. For example, a wet
ground surface or worn tire treads may decrease the amount of
auxiliary resistance available.
[0027] In some implementations within the scope of the present
disclosure, the operation of bagging machine 10 may apply greater
or lesser loading on one or more of the wheel assemblies. For
example, forward wheel assembly 38 may experience greater loading
than rearward wheel assembly 40. Similarly, some implementations of
bagging machine 10 may apply greater loading on rearward wheel
assembly 40. A number of factors may affect which of the wheel
assemblies experiences greater or lesser loading. For example, the
construction of bagging machine 10 may dispose a greater proportion
of the weight closer to one of the wheel assemblies.
[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the operation of bagging
machine 10 may apply a number of forces on machine 10, the result
of which may be a rotational force on the machine. For example, and
with continued reference to FIG. 1, density control apparatus 36
may be coupled to bagging machine 10 above ground surface 42 at a
resistance height 48. Similarly, material-filling apparatus 22 may
be configured such that the driving force provided by the
material-filling apparatus is spaced apart from the ground surface
at a driving force height 50. In some implementations, the spacing
between these two forces and the point at which the forces are
applied may produce an upward force in rearward region 16 of mobile
frame 12 and a corresponding downward force in forward region 14 of
mobile frame 12. Other factors, such as the trajectory of material
exiting material-filling apparatus 22 and the angle at which
density control apparatus 36 applies its resistance force, may
influence the degree to which the rearward region experiences an
upward force and the forward region experiences a downward
force.
[0029] Bagging machine 10 according to the present disclosure may
include brake assemblies 46, wheel assemblies 38,40,
material-filling apparatus 22, and/or density control apparatus 36
configured to optimize the amount of auxiliary resistance force
provided by the one or more brake assemblies. While any one or more
of these components may be modified to optimize the auxiliary
resistance force, it has been found that a bagging machine having a
density control apparatus 36 and a forward brake assembly 52
provide a suitable combined resistance force. Bagging machines
incorporating a rearward brake assembly 54 in combination with
forward wheel assembly 52 and density control apparatus 36 also
provide satisfactory results.
[0030] In some applications, it has been found that increasing the
spacing between forward wheel assembly 38 and material-filling
apparatus 22, such as rotary packer 34, may increase the downward
forces applied to the forward wheel assembly. Accordingly, the
space between forward wheel assembly 38 and material-filling
apparatus 22 may be varied to optimize the amount of auxiliary
resistance force brake assembly 46 is able to provide. In some
implementations, forward wheel assembly 38 may be spaced from
material-filling apparatus, or a component thereof such as the
rotary packer, by between about four feet and about fifteen feet.
In other implementations, the spacing may range from about six feet
to about twelve feet. In still other implementations, between about
eight feet and about ten feet may separate forward wheel assembly
38 and material-filling apparatus 22, or a component thereof. The
spacing implemented in a given bagging machine may be selected
based on factors such as the intended bagging conditions, the
expected transport needs for the bagging machine, the cooperating
density control apparatus configuration, or other factors.
[0031] In operation, bagging machine 10 begins by packing material
into the bag. As the available space in the bag is filled, density
control apparatus 36 resists the forward motion of bagging machine
10 until its resistance force is overcome by the driving force of
material-filling apparatus 22. As bagging machine 10 begins to move
forward, the packing density in the bag may be observed to be too
low or too high. An operator may then adjust one or more of the
components applying a resistance force to control the packing
density. For example, if the packing density is too low, the
operator may apply forward brake assembly 52 to provide auxiliary
resistance and to increase the packing density. Additionally or
alternatively, the operator may apply rearward brake assembly
54.
[0032] The brake assemblies 46 may be operated from within
operator's cab 18 via one or more controls. For example, forward
brake assembly 52 may include a control system adapted to be
operated from the operator's cab. Accordingly, the operator may
selectively engage forward brake assembly 52, rearward brake
assembly 54, or both. Alternatively, forward brake assembly 52 and
rearward brake assembly 54 may include control systems that are
integrated into a single control in the operator's cab. In such
configurations, the operator may engage a single control to
increase or decrease the auxiliary resistance force provided by
brake assembly 46, whether it includes brake assemblies on one or
more of the wheel assemblies. Moreover, brake assembly 46, whether
there be one or more brake assembly, may be controlled from
locations other than the operator's cab. For example, controls may
be provided on the sides of the bagging machine or remote from the
bagging machine.
[0033] As discussed above, bagging machine 10 may include a
substantially conventional truck having forward wheels, rearward
wheels, and a truck cab. In such configurations, forward and/or
rearward brake assemblies 52,54 may be conventional brake systems
provided to the truck and may be useful for braking the bagging
machine truck both during bagging operations and during transport
of the truck. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the
brake assemblies may be adapted for use during bagging operations
but not for use in transport of the bagging machine truck.
Similarly, one or more of the brake assemblies may be adapted to be
selectively configurable by an operator between one setting for use
during bagging operations and another setting for use during
transport of the truck.
[0034] Brake assemblies 46 may be used in combination with any
suitable density control apparatus 36. Exemplary combinations are
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Density control apparatus 36 may be
adapted to provide one or more configurations. Accordingly, density
control apparatus 36 may provide at least one density control
setting. When density control apparatus 36 provides only one
density control setting, brake assembly 46 may be operated to
adjust the total resistance force by varying the auxiliary
resistance applied by the brake assembly. When density control
apparatus 36 includes a plurality of density control settings, the
density control apparatus and brake assembly 46 may cooperate to
allow the user to select the total resistance force. As will be
understood by the discussion herein, density control apparatus 36
may be adapted to provide a single configuration, or density
control setting. Additionally or alternatively, density control
apparatus 36 may be adapted to provide a plurality of
configurations, each of which may be selected prior to beginning
bagging operations, the selection of which is unchangeable during
the bagging operation. Density control apparatus 36 may also be
adapted to provide a plurality of configurations selectable before
beginning the bagging operations and during the bagging
operations.
[0035] One example of density control apparatus 36 having one or
more of these characteristics is illustrated in FIG. 1. As
illustrated, density control apparatus 36 includes an elongate
density control member 56 having first and second forward ends 58
coupled to bagging machine 10. Density control member 56
additionally includes a central portion 60 that extends rearwardly
within material-forming enclosure 24 to provide a density control
assembly 62. As shown, density control member 56 includes a cable
that may form a cable loop 64 having a rearward portion 66 disposed
behind the material-filling apparatus. Density control apparatus 36
may include other elongate density control members extended
rearwardly within the material-forming enclosure. For example,
density control apparatus 36 may include a hanging anchor, such as
may be formed by a single cable extending rearwardly to an anchor
or other structure. Additionally or alternatively, more than one
elongate density control member may be implemented, either as a
loop or as a hanging anchor.
[0036] Density control member 56, such as cable loop 64, may be
coupled to bagging machine 10 in any suitable manner. For example,
one or more of forward ends 58 may be selectively or substantially
permanently coupled to material-forming enclosure 24, to mobile
frame 12, or to another component of bagging machine 10.
Furthermore, density control member 56 may be entirely disposed
within material-forming enclosure 24 or may have portions that
extend outside of material-forming enclosure 24. For example,
forward ends 58 may extend outside of material-forming enclosure 24
by extending through one or more of the side walls or the front
wall. Similarly, rearward portion 66 may extend beyond the rearward
end of material-forming enclosure 24.
[0037] As discussed above, density control apparatus 36 may be
adapted to provide one or more density control settings and may be
adapted to be fixed during operation or adjustable during
operation. Density control apparatus 36 illustrated in FIG. 1 of
the present application is illustrative and exemplary of the
various elongate density control members that may be operatively
coupled to bagging machine 10 to provide resistance to the forward
of the bagging machine. Other density control apparatus including
elongate density control members are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,297,377; 5,425,220; 5,463,849; 5,517,806; 5,671,594; 5,775,069;
5,857,313; 6,655,116; 6,694,711; and RE38,020, each of which is
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 2, density control apparatus 36 may
additionally or alternatively include a drag member 68. Drag member
68 may be a single sheet member or a plurality of drag members.
Drag member 68 may also have one or more configurations that may be
fixed or adjustable during the bagging operation. Density control
apparatus 36 including one or more drag members are described in
U.S. Pat. No, 6,748,724 and U.S. Patent Application Publication
20050016132A1, for which the issue fee has been paid, both of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 3, material-forming enclosure 24 is
illustrated as providing density control apparatus 36 by way of an
extended material-forming enclosure 70. As can be seen in FIG. 3,
extended material-forming enclosure 70 is coupled to the mobile
frame and extends rearwardly therefrom in operative association
with the material in the material-forming enclosure. The extended
length of the material-forming enclosure increases the contact area
between the material-forming enclosure and the material packed
therein. The increased contact area increases the frictional
resistance applied by the interior surfaces of extended
material-forming enclosure 70.
[0040] In some implementations of bagging machine 10, extended
material-forming enclosure may have a length that is proportional
to the effective diameter of the enclosure. The effective diameter
of the material-forming enclosure may be the distance between
opposing sidewalls of the enclosure. The relationship between the
effective diameter of the extended material-forming enclosure and
the length of the enclosure may affect the resistance against
forward movement of the bagging machine in a manner similar to the
principles of fluid flow in pipes or other channels. In some
implementations, the effective diameter of the material-forming
enclosure may range from about 6 feet to about 20 feet, with
enclosures having diameters from about 8 feet to about 14 feet
being more conventional. With the effective diameter of the
material-forming enclosure represented as "D," the length of
extended material-forming enclosure may range from about 0.5 D to
about 2 D. For example, when the effective diameter is 8 feet, the
length of the extended material-forming enclosure may range from
about 4 feet to about 16 feet. Other suitable lengths may be used.
For example, the material forming enclosure may range from about 4
feet to about 16 feet long. In some embodiments, extended
material-forming enclosure may range from about 8 feet to about 12
feet long. The length of the extended material-forming enclosure
may be selected to provide a predetermined amount of resistance to
forward movement. Other factors, such as intended transportation or
storage needs for the bagging machine may affect the length of the
material-forming enclosure. In some implementations, the length of
the tunnel may range from about 0.8 D to about 1.5 D. A length of
0.8 D may be preferred in light of the various factors, such as
transportation, storage, etc.
[0041] Bagging machines 10 may include a variety of
material-forming enclosures, including the extended
material-forming enclosures described above. Some bagging machines
may include adjustable material-forming enclosures. Suitable
material-forming enclosures are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,355,659; 6,834,479; and 6,907,714 and in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/020,646, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, and entitled "BAGGING
MACHINE WITH A TUNNEL AT LEAST PARTIALLY FORMED OF FLEXIBLE
MATERIAL;" and Ser. No. 11/022,043, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, and
entitled "BAGGING MACHINE WITH AN ADJUSTABLE TUNNEL," all of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all
purposes. Extended material-forming enclosure 70 may be adapted to
be lengthened or shortened either before beginning bagging
operations or during bagging operations.
[0042] As described above, bagging machine 10 with brake assembly
46 may be used with a variety of density control apparatus 36.
FIGS. 4-7 illustrate various aspects of a multi-hub density control
apparatus 72 that may be used with a bagging machine, with or
without a brake assembly. FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of
material-forming enclosure 24 that may be coupled to a bagging
machine. Material-forming enclosure 24 includes an intake end that
may be permanently or selectively coupled to the rearward region of
a bagging machine or a mobile frame thereof. Material-forming
enclosure 24 illustrated in FIG. 4 is representative of any
suitable material-forming enclosure that may be used in conjunction
with multi-hub density control apparatus 72. The material-forming
enclosures described above, whether fixed or adjustable, are
suitable for use with the multi-hub density control apparatus.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, material-forming enclosure 24 includes a
floor assembly 74. Floor assembly 74 may extend from one side wall
76a of material-forming enclosure 24 to the other side wall 76b.
Alternatively, floor assembly 74 may be configured to extend
rearwardly from the front wall 78 of material-forming enclosure 24
without touching or otherwise coupling to the side walls.
Similarly, floor assembly 74 may be coupled to bagging machine 10,
the mobile frame 12 thereof, or some other component thereof,
independent of material-forming enclosure 24. For example, floor
assembly 74 may be added to an otherwise conventional bagging
machine after manufacturing to reconfigure the bagging machine to
cooperate with a multi-hub density control apparatus.
[0044] Floor assembly 74 includes at least one pair of
density-setting posts 80. As illustrated in FIG. 4, floor assembly
74 may include four pairs of density-setting posts (80a, 80b, etc).
Configurations with one, two, three, four, five, six, or more pairs
of density-setting posts are possible. Each of the density-setting
posts 82 may be substantially permanently coupled to floor assembly
74, such as by welding or other substantially permanent means.
Additionally or alternatively, density-setting posts 82 may be
integrally formed with the floor assembly. Moreover,
density-setting posts 82 and floor assembly 74 may be adapted to
selectively couple density-setting posts 82 to the floor assembly
to allow removal or addition of density-setting posts as desired.
Illustrative examples of selectively coupled density-setting posts
are discussed in relation to FIGS. 7-12. In operation, the forces
on density-setting posts 82 will be fairly significant and the
coupling of the density-setting posts to the floor assembly should
be strong enough to withstand those forces to reduce the risk of
breakage during operation.
[0045] The at least one pair of density-setting posts 80 may be
disposed on floor assembly 74 substantially equidistantly between a
floor assembly first end 84 and a floor assembly second end 86.
With reference to FIG. 4, a pair of density-setting posts 80a is
illustrated as including two density-setting posts 82, one of which
is a first density-setting post 82a and the other of which is a
second density-setting post 82b. First density-setting post 82a may
be spaced apart from floor assembly first end 84 and second
density-setting post 82b may be spaced apart from floor assembly
second end 86. First density-setting post 82a and second
density-setting post 82b may be spaced apart from their respective
floor assembly ends by substantially the same distance.
[0046] Floor assembly 74 may include a base member 88 and a cover
member 90. As illustrated in FIG. 4, density-setting posts 82 may
be disposed on base member 88. Cover member 90 may be operatively
associated with base member 88 and density-setting posts 82 to
cover the density-setting posts during operation of the bagging
machine and to allow access to the density-setting posts to adjust
the multi-hub density control apparatus. Cover member 90 and base
member 88 further may be adapted to not impede the packing
operation. Additionally or alternatively, base member 88 and cover
member 90 may be adapted to functionally interact with the material
being bagged to aid in the bagging operation. Base member 88 and
cover member 90 will be described in more detail in connection with
FIG. 6.
[0047] With continuing reference to FIG. 4, density-setting posts
82 are illustrated as coupled to floor assembly 74. Density-setting
posts 82 may include an upstanding member 92 having an upper end 94
and having a first cross-sectional dimension. Density-setting posts
82 may additionally include a cap member 96 adjacent upper end 94
that has a second cross-sectional dimension that is greater than
the first cross-sectional dimension. As illustrated in FIG. 4,
upstanding member 92 is substantially cylindrical and extends
vertically from floor assembly 74. Upstanding member 92 may be
formed in other configurations, such as to have an elliptical
cross-section or other cross-sectional configuration. Due to the
interaction of upstanding member 92 with the elongate density
control member, rounded edges may be preferred for upstanding
member 92 rather than sharp corners or edges. FIG. 4 illustrates
density-setting posts 82 in a substantially linear arrangement on
floor assembly 74. Density-setting posts 82 may be disposed in any
suitable manner on floor assembly 74, such as in alternating
forward and rearward positions so that adjacent density-setting
posts are offset from each other.
[0048] As illustrated, cap member 96 is disc-shaped. Cap member 96
may be of uniform thickness, may have a center portion that is
thicker than the edge portion, or other configuration. Cap member
96 may be centered on upstanding member 92 or may be offset in any
direction. Similar to upstanding member 92, cap member 96 may have
a variety of cross-sectional configurations in addition to the
disc-shaped configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, cap
member 96 may be elliptical, square, rectangular, or other suitable
configuration. Because the edges of cap member 96 do not interact
with the elongate density control member during bagging operations,
cap member 96 may include rounded and/or sharp corners or edges. As
mentioned above, cap member 96 may have a cross-sectional dimension
greater than the cross-sectional dimension of upstanding member 92.
The larger cross-sectional dimension enables cap member 96 to
retain the elongate density control member in operative association
with the density-setting posts, as will be discussed in greater
detail herein.
[0049] With continued reference to FIG. 4, multi-hub density
control apparatus 72 includes an elongate density control member
102 having first and second forward ends 104a, 104b coupled to the
bagging machine. Elongate density control member 102 also includes
a central portion 106 extending rearwardly within the material
forming enclosure to provide a density control assembly 108.
Density control assembly 106 functions during the bagging operation
in manner similar to conventional cable loops in that the loop
portion extending rearwardly interacts with the packed material to
resist the forward movement of the bagging machine.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates density control assembly 108 in a first
configuration where first and second forward ends 104a, 104b are
coupled to the bagging machine and the central portion 106 extends
directly therefrom without coupling to any of the density-setting
posts. More specifically, first forward end 104a is selectively
coupled to the bagging machine through a passage 110 in front wall
78 leading to a releasing mechanism 112. Second forward end 104b is
coupled to mounting post 114, which is disposed inside
material-forming enclosure 24 on floor assembly 74. FIG. 4
illustrates an exemplary first configuration where central portion
106 extends directly from the coupling points of the first and
second forward ends 104 of the density control member.
[0051] The first configuration of density control assembly 108 may
include a number of variations from the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4. For example, second forward end 104b may be selectively
coupled to a releasing mechanism. Similarly, both forward ends 104
may be coupled to releasing mechanisms or to mounting posts.
Whether coupled to releasing mechanisms or to mounting posts,
forward ends 104 may extend through material-forming enclosure 24
either through front wall 78 or side wall 76.
[0052] Releasing mechanism 112 may include one or more moving parts
that selectively position releasing mechanism 112 in a locked
position. In the locked position, releasing mechanism secures
forward end 104 of elongate density control member 102. Upon
freeing releasing mechanism 112 from the locked position, the
releasing mechanism allows the forward end to be uncoupled from the
bagging machine. During bagging operations, uncoupling one forward
end of the density control member facilitates conclusion of the
bagging operation as the bagging machine frees itself from the
packed material.
[0053] Mounting post 114 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as including an
upstanding member to which density control member 102 is coupled.
Mounting post 114 may include any suitable features to ensure
density control member 102 is securely coupled during bagging
operations. Suitable configurations will vary depending on the
nature and configuration of density control member 102. Mounting
post 114 may be configured similar to density-setting posts 82,
including an upstanding member and a cap member. In some
applications, it may be desirable for mounting post 114 to be
substantially permanently coupled to one forward end of the density
control member. Alternatively, mounting post 114 may provide for a
fixed coupling during bagging operation and provide for convenient
release of density control member 102 when not in a bagging
operation. For example, it may be desirable to completely remove
density control member 102 during storage or transport of the
bagging machine or material-forming enclosure 24.
[0054] Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 further may be
modified from the embodiment of FIG. 4 by repositioning forward
ends 104. As illustrated in FIG. 4, forward ends 104 are coupled to
the bagging machine at points outward from the outermost pair of
density-setting posts 80. Forward ends 104 may be coupled to the
bagging machine at any suitable location. For example, one or more
of forward ends 104 may be coupled to the bagging machine inwardly
from the outermost pair of density-setting posts 82. In some
configurations, there may be one or more pairs of density-setting
posts inward and/or outward of the forward ends of elongate density
control member 102.
[0055] With continued reference to FIG. 4, multi-hub density
control apparatus 72 may additionally include one or more guide
post 116. Guide post 116 may be disposed on floor assembly 74 and
may be operatively associated with elongate density control member
102 to appropriately position the elongate density control member
for use during the bagging operation. As shown in FIG. 4, guide
post 116 is adapted to position the elongate density control member
so that forward end 104a passes directly through passage 110
without applying pressure on the sides of the passage and so that
the forces applied to releasing mechanism 112 by elongate density
control member 102 are directed in a desired direction. One or more
guide posts 116 may be disposed in operative association with
elongate density control member 102 depending on the arrangement of
the remaining components of multi-hub density control apparatus
72.
[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates multi-hub density control apparatus 72
and material-forming enclosure 24 of FIG. 4 with elongate density
control member 102 operatively associated with the at least one
pair of density-setting posts 80 to provide a density control
assembly 108 of an additional configuration. As in FIG. 4, density
control assembly 108 of FIG. 5 includes elongate density control
member 102 including forward ends 104 coupled to the bagging
machine and central portion 106 that extends rearwardly within
material-forming enclosure 24. The first configuration illustrated
in FIG. 4 and the additional configuration illustrated in FIG. 5
each include spaced apart forward legs 118 that extend rearwardly
and that are joined by a rearward portion 120. However, the
additional configuration of FIG. 5 illustrates forward legs 118
including an adjustment region 122 adapted to extend transversally
to operatively couple elongate density control member 102 to one of
the at least one pair of density-setting posts 80.
[0057] As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the at least
one pair of density-setting posts 80 are operatively associated
with elongate density control member 102 to allow density control
member 102 to be selectively coupled to a given pair to provide a
density control assembly of a configuration different from the
first configuration provided by the coupling of the density control
member to the bagging machine directly without coupling via a pair
of density-setting posts. The position of the pair of
density-setting posts 80 determines the distance between the spaced
apart forward legs 118 of the various density control assembly
configurations. For example, without coupling to any of the
density-setting posts, such as illustrated in FIG. 4, forward legs
118 of density control member 102 are spaced apart by a first
distance. Whereas, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5,
forward legs 118 are spaced apart by a distance distinct from the
first distance. With reference to FIG. 6, when density control
member 102 is coupled to a given pair of density-setting posts 80,
forward legs 114 are spaced apart from each other by a distance
that is distinct from the spacing of forward legs 114 when density
control member 102 is coupled to a different pair of
density-setting posts 80.
[0058] Accordingly, each pair of density-setting posts 80 is
adapted to be operatively associated with elongate density control
member 102 to provide a density control assembly 108 of a
configuration distinct from the density control assembly
configuration provided by the remaining pairs of density-setting
posts 80. The position of density-setting posts 82 and the spacing
between the posts may be varied based on a number of factors to
provide a plurality of predetermined configurations for density
control assembly 108. For example, a multi-hub density control
apparatus may include just one pair of density-setting posts 80 to
provide two available configurations. Additionally or
alternatively, a multi-hub density control apparatus may include
between about two and about six pairs of density-setting posts 80
to provide greater variations in the predetermined configurations
of density control assembly 108. Some bagging machines may be
intended for use in a narrow range of applications, such as always
bagging alfalfa or corn. Other bagging machines may be intended for
use in a much broader range of bagging applications, such as
bagging alfalfa, barley, wheat, oats, corn, and compost material.
Accordingly, the number and position of density-setting posts 82
may vary according to the intended application of the multi-hub
density control apparatus.
[0059] Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may include one or
more pairs of density-setting posts 80 in a variety of
arrangements, as discussed above. However, each pair of
density-setting posts 80 may be configured to position elongate
density control member 102 to provide a density control assembly in
a configuration suitable for the intended bagging operations. For
example, density-setting posts 82 may be adapted to retain the
elongate density control member in the selected configuration
during operation of the bagging machine. As described above,
density-setting posts 82 may include cap members 96 or other
features adapted to maintain the density control member's
association with the density-setting posts during operation.
[0060] Additionally or alternatively, each of the one or more pairs
of density-setting posts 80 may be adapted to center density
control assembly 108 within material-forming enclosure 24. As
discussed above, each density-setting post 82 of each of the pairs
80 may be disposed equidistantly from the ends of floor assembly
74. Additionally or alternatively, each density-setting post 82 of
each of the pairs 80 may be disposed equidistantly from the
centerline of material-forming enclosure 24.
[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates the multi-hub density control apparatus
of FIGS. 4 and 5 showing density control member 102 disposed to
provide a density control assembly in two of the selectable
additional configurations. As discussed above, each of the
additional configurations of density control assembly 108 are
distinct from the others and from the first configuration of FIG. 4
at least in the spacing between forward legs 118. Moreover, each of
the configurations may be distinct in the distance to which the
rearward portion 120 extends rearwardly behind the material-filling
apparatus 22.
[0062] As discussed above, multi-hub density control apparatus 72
may include one or more pairs of density-setting posts 80 depending
on the intended usage of the density control apparatus. FIG. 6
illustrates elongate density control member 102 associated with a
first pair of density-setting posts 80, shown as density control
assembly 108a in solid lines, and associated with a second pair of
density-setting posts 80, shown as an alternative density control
assembly 108b in dashed lines. As discussed above, density control
assembly 108 may be provided in different configurations depending
on the material to be bagged. In general, a narrower configuration
may be preferred for bagging material such as alfalfa and legumes.
A wider configuration may be preferred for bagging material such as
barley, wheat, oats, and triticali. An even wider setting may be
preferred for bagging material such as corn or sorghum. Local
conditions such as moisture content, material particle size, and
other factors may vary the desired configuration for a particular
material. An operator of a bagging machine with a multi-hub density
control apparatus will associate elongate density control member
102 with a particular pair of density-setting posts 80 based on the
material to be bagged and the local conditions of the bagging
operation.
[0063] In some applications, the operator may select the
configuration of density control assembly 108 from among the
available first configuration and one or more additional
configurations to provide the narrowest configuration that is
expected to be required for suitable bagging of the material. A
narrow configuration will generally provide less resistance against
forward movement than a wider configuration. While a particular
configuration may be appropriate for bagging dry material, a load
of wet material may apply too much resistance. Accordingly, density
control assembly 108 may be disposed in a configuration suitable
for bagging wet material.
[0064] In the event that all the material bagged is wet material of
substantially the same constitution, the predetermined
configuration of density control assembly 108 would provide optimum
bagging conditions. However, among the many loads of material
packed into a conventional bag, there is often a fair amount of
variation. Accordingly, a bag packed by a bagging machine including
only a multi-hub density control apparatus may include variations
in packing density along the length of the packed bag. In some
applications, such variation is acceptable.
[0065] However, many operators of bagging machines according to the
present disclosure desire, for a number of reasons, a bag packed to
substantially the same density throughout the vast majority of the
bag. Accordingly, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may be
used as the only density control apparatus in a bagging machine or
may be combined with other suitable density control apparatus that
provide adjustable density control features. As one example,
multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may be used with brake
assembly 46, including forward brake assembly 52, rearward brake
assembly 54, or both, such as described above. Other exemplary
density control apparatus that may be used in conjunction with
multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may include a variable
length extended material-forming enclosure or a variable drag
member, such as described above and in the patents and patent
applications previously incorporated herein. Additionally or
alternatively, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may be
provided with one or more forward ends that extend through the
front or side walls of material-forming enclosure 24 to a winch
adapted to let out or draw in lengths of the elongate density
control member. The winch may be adapted to vary the configuration
of the density control assembly formed by the density control
member, particularly the distance to which density control assembly
extends rearwardly of the material-filling apparatus. Accordingly,
multi-hub density control apparatus 72 provides a density control
assembly having at least two user-selectable configurations that
provide a fixed separation between the forward legs of the density
control assembly during operation of the bagging machine.
[0066] FIG. 6 further illustrates base member 88 and cover member
90 that may form part of floor assembly 74. As discussed briefly
above, density-setting posts 82 may be disposed on base member 88.
Cover member 90 may be operatively associated with base member 88
and density-setting posts 82 to cover the posts during operation of
the bagging machine and to allow access to the posts to adjust the
multi-hub density control apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
cover member 90 may be pivotally coupled to front wall 78 of
material-forming enclosure 24. Additionally or alternatively, floor
assembly 74 and/or base member 88 may include one or more
upstanding members to which cover member 90 may be coupled. When a
cover member is included in floor assembly 74, any suitable
operative association between cover member 90 and base member 88
may be implemented that enables cover member 90 to suitably cover
the density-setting posts of the multi-hub density control
apparatus.
[0067] A floor assembly including a cover member and a base member
may be configured with a single cover member or with two or more
cover members. As shown in FIG. 6, floor assembly 74 includes two
cover members 90a, 90b, each covering approximately half the length
of the floor assembly. Cover member 90 may be configured to provide
access to density-setting posts to allow an operator to selectively
adjust the configuration of density control assembly 108. As
illustrated, cover member 90 does not extend the full width
(measured from the forward end of floor assembly 74 to the rearward
end of floor assembly 74) of the floor assembly. Base member 88 may
provide a flat surface, on which density-setting posts 82 are
disposed, and an angled surface sloping downwardly from the flat
surface. Cover member 90 may be adapted or disposed to provide a
substantially continuous downward sloping surface during bagging
operations.
[0068] Additionally or alternatively, cover member 90 and/or base
member 88 may include bevels, inclined regions, or other changes in
slope to further control or alter the path of the material being
packed into the bag. Furthermore, cover member 90 may be associated
with base member 88 to provide a narrow opening when cover member
90 is closed during bagging operations. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
elongate density control member 102 extends rearwardly between
cover member 90 and base member 88. The narrow opening between
cover member 90 and base member 88 may be provided and maintained
simply by the cover member resting on elongate density control
member 102. Additionally or alternatively, density-setting posts 82
may be configured to provide a rest to support cover member 90 in
its closed position. Cover member 90 may be supported in its closed
position to provide the narrow opening in a number of other
suitable manners. For example, and not as a limitation, base member
88 may include support posts at the forward end near the coupling
of the cover member or near the rearward location where the cover
member rests in the closed position.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, cover member 90 extends the entire width
of material-forming enclosure 24. Alternatively, cover member 90
may be only as long as floor assembly 74, which, as described
above, need not be as long as the width of material-forming
enclosure 24. Cover member 90 may also be sized to only provide
coverage of density-setting posts 82 in the region where material
is exiting material-filling apparatus 22. Floor assembly 74 may
include base members, cover members, and/or additional suitable
components in various configurations to accommodate density-setting
posts 82 and the multi-hub density control apparatus 72.
[0070] As discussed above, multi-hub density control apparatus 72
may include density-setting posts 82 that are selectively coupled
to floor assembly 74. FIGS. 7-12 illustrate a number of manners in
which a density-setting post may be operatively coupled to the
floor assembly. While illustrative, the embodiments of FIGS. 7-12
are only exemplary and other suitable configurations are within the
scope of the present disclosure. Where appropriate, elements in
FIGS. 7-12 that are similar to elements in FIGS. 4-6 will be
identified with the same reference numerals.
[0071] Turning now to FIG. 7, material forming enclosure 24
includes a floor assembly 74, which includes base member 88 and
cover member 90. Base member 88 includes a support member 124 and a
sloped member 126. Support member 124 may be provided by any
suitable structure to which one or more density-setting posts 82
may be mounted or operatively coupled. In FIG. 7, support member
124 is provided by a beam such as square beam 128, which may begin
as a substantially hollow, square tube. Sloped member 126 may be
provided by any suitable material, such as sheet metal, to provide
the sloped face of the floor assembly. Sloped member 126 may be
coupled to support member 124 or may be otherwise coupled to a
portion of the floor assembly to form base member 88. As discussed
above, cover member 90 and base member 88 may be adapted to provide
a substantially smooth, sloped surface during the bagging
operation. Accordingly, sloped member 126 may be adapted to
cooperate with support member 124 and cover member 90 to provide a
substantially continuous downwardly sloping surface.
[0072] With continuing reference to FIG. 7, a plurality of
post-receiving holes 130 may be provided in square beam 128.
Post-receiving holes 130 may be adapted to receive a
density-setting post 82 to operatively couple the density-setting
post to square beam 128. Density-setting post 82 is illustrated in
FIG. 7 as a peg-style density-setting post 134, which is
illustrated in better detail in FIG. 8. Peg-style density-setting
post 134 may be configured to include a lower portion adapted to be
inserted into a post-receiving hole and to include an upper portion
adapted to extend above the support member to provide a
density-setting post adapted to operatively associate with the
elongate density control member 102. Multi-hub density control
apparatus 72 of FIG. 7 may include any suitable number of
post-receiving holes spaced at any suitable interval to provide
each post with sufficient strength to withstand the operational
forces placed thereon and to provide the operator of the packing
machine with a desired degree of variability in the available
spacings between forward legs 118 of density control assembly
108.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 7, multi-hub density control
apparatus 72 includes just two peg-style density-setting posts 134,
which form the at least one pair of density-setting posts 80
discussed above. Additional peg-style density-setting posts may be
provided as desired. Additionally, FIG. 7 illustrates first and
second ends 104a, 104b of elongate density control member 102
coupled to the packing machine in the same manner as described
above for FIGS. 4-6. It is within the scope of the present
disclosure that first and second ends 104a, 104b may be coupled to
the packing machine in any suitable manner, such as those described
above. Moreover, first and second ends 104a, 104b may be coupled to
selectively removable posts, such as peg-style density-setting
posts 134.
[0074] FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of an exemplary support
member 124, illustrated as a square beam 128. As illustrated,
square beam 128 has a first end 84 and a second end 86 with a
number of post-receiving holes 130 spaced along the length of the
beam. FIG. 8 also illustrates square beam 128 including a hinge 131
disposed substantially in the midsection thereof, between first
intermediate region 127 and second intermediate region 129. The
hinge and coupling in the midsection is shown somewhat
schematically in FIG. 8 and is representative of the numerous ways
that two beams can be adjustably coupled together. As described in
greater detail above, material forming enclosure 24 may take a
number of different forms, including collapsible or folding
material forming enclosures such as described above and in other
patents and patent applications previously incorporated herein by
reference. Similar to hinge 131 disposed in square beam 128, other
elements of material forming enclosure 24, such as sloped member
126, may be appropriately adapted to enable folding of the material
forming enclosure when desired.
[0075] As discussed above, post-receiving holes 130 may be spaced
at any suitable interval, such as two inches, three inches, four
inches, five inches, or six inches center-to-center. Similarly, the
diameter or effective size of the post-receiving holes 130 may be
of any suitable size, which may depend on the dimensions and
material of the support member 124 and/or the dimensions and
materials of the peg-style density-setting post 134. Continuing
with the example of a circular post-receiving hole, post-receiving
hole 130 may have a diameter measuring one inch, one and a half
inches, two inches, or another measurement larger than, smaller
than, or within that range. Post-receiving holes 130 may be
substantially circular, as illustrated, or may be formed in other
suitable shapes to accommodate the peg-style density-setting posts
134, which may include a lower portion adapted or formed to
coordinate with the post-receiving holes. Exemplary alternative
configurations include square-shaped, oval-shaped, and other
shapes, including more complicated geometries.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 8, peg-style density-setting post 134
includes a lower post segment 136, an upper post segment 138, a
lower washer member 140, and a cap member 142. Peg-style
density-setting post 134 may be formed of one or more separate
pieces fixedly or adjustably coupled together. For example, lower
post segment 136 and upper post segment 138 may be formed of an
integral post and be divided only by lower washer member 140 welded
or otherwise secured in place. Alternatively, upper and lower post
segments 136, 138 may include separate posts welded or otherwise
coupled together, directly or indirectly, to form peg-style
density-setting posts 134. Additionally or alternatively, lower
washer member 140 and cap member 142 may be coupled to peg-style
density-setting post 134 in a number of suitable manners. For
example, lower washer member 140 may be welded or threadedly
coupled to the density-setting post. Threaded coupling of the lower
washer member may provide a variable height peg-style
density-setting post 134. While peg-style density-setting post 134
may include a cylindrical lower post member 136 as illustrated,
other configurations of lower post member 136 are also within the
scope of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the
configuration of the peg-style density-setting posts and the
post-receiving holes may be the same or similar. Additionally or
alternatively, the configurations may be different by corresponding
to allow peg-setting density-setting post 134 to be disposed in
post-receiving hole 130, as illustrated by arrow 144 in FIG. 8.
[0077] Square beam 128 may be adapted to accommodate and hold
peg-style density-setting posts 134 in a number of manners. As one
example, post-receiving holes 130 may include corresponding holes
provided in the top and bottom of square beam 128. The lower
portion of peg-style density-setting post 134 may extend through
both of the holes with lower washer member 140 resting against the
top of square beam 128. Similarly, a hole may be provided in the
top of square beam 128 and a corresponding recess may be provided
on the interior surface of the bottom of square beam 128. The
recess may be sized to receive the lowermost end of lower post
segment 136 and may be configured to allow the peg-style
density-setting post to be vertically stable without the need for a
lower washer member. The holes provided in square beam 128 may be
simple holes, may be reinforced with ribs or other structures,
and/or may include additional elements adapted to cooperate with
density-setting posts 82.
[0078] With continued reference to FIG. 8, post-receiving holes 130
are illustrated as including sleeve 132 disposed vertically within
square beam 128 opening at least to a hole in the upper surface of
square beam 128. Similar to the discussion above, sleeve 132 may
have an open bottom or a closed bottom. Sleeve 132 may have the
same cross-section as the hole in the upper surface or may have a
different cross-section, by size or by shape. Sleeve 132 may be
adapted to provide greater stability to peg-style density-setting
post 134 when it is disposed in the post-receiving hole 130. Sleeve
132 may additionally or alternatively be adapted to provide
additional strength to the square beam 128 in the vicinity of the
post-receiving holes 130. Only two sleeves 132 are illustrated in
dashed lines in FIG. 8; however, each of post-receiving holes 130
may be similarly provided with a sleeve 132.
[0079] In operation, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 of
FIGS. 7 and 8 may operate in a manner similar to that described
above in relation to FIGS. 4-6. The operator determines the desired
configuration of density control assembly 108 and the desired
spacing between the forward legs 118. When using the density
control apparatus of FIG. 7, however, the operator is able to
position the selectively coupled peg-style density-setting posts
134 in any of the post-receiving holes 130 rather than being
limited by the post positions selected by the packing machine
manufacturer. The ability to place the two or more peg-style
density-setting posts in any of the available post-receiving holes
130 may provide greater variability in the base density settings
available to the operator, thereby allow the operator to closer
approximate the density control provided by the density control
assembly 108 to the density control desired during operation and
allowing the brake assembly or other density controlling assembly
to provide fine tuning density control resistance over a smaller
range.
[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary configuration of
multi-hub density control apparatus 72 having selectively coupled,
or selectively positionable, density-setting posts 82. In the
embodiment of FIG. 9, the support member of base member 88 is
provided by I-beam 146 and density-setting posts 82 are provided by
sliding density-setting posts 148. The remaining elements of
density control apparatus 72 and material forming enclosure may be
as described above.
[0081] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a section of
I-beam 146 showing the relationship between sliding density-setting
posts 148,150 and the I-beam. I-beam 146 includes top flange 152,
bottom flange 154, and upright member 156. FIG. 10 illustrates the
density-setting posts in two exemplary sliding density-setting
posts 148, 150. Sliding density-setting posts 148, 150 may include
features adapted to couple the density-setting post to the support
member 124 while allowing the posts to slide horizontally along the
length of support member 124. Sliding density-setting posts 148,
150 are discussed in greater detail in relation to FIGS. 11 and
12.
[0082] I-beam 146 is representative of a number of beams and other
support members that may be adapted to cooperate with sliding
density-setting posts. For example, a square beam, such as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, may be provided with grooves in one or more of the
side surfaces to cooperate with sliding density-setting posts.
I-beam 146 or other support member 124 adapted to operatively
couple to a sliding density-setting post may include other features
to facilitate the coupling of the sliding density-setting post. For
example, one or more ends of the I-beam may include a region where
top flange 152 is narrowed to facilitate installation, removal,
and/or replacement of sliding density-setting posts. Additionally
or alternatively, the support member may be provided with ridges,
notches, serrated edges, rubberized edges, or other features
adapted to enable sliding motion of the sliding density-setting
post and adapted to increase the resistance to sliding motion
during operation of the bagging machine.
[0083] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, and with continued
reference to FIG. 10, illustrative embodiments of sliding
density-setting posts 148, 150 are illustrated in perspective view.
FIG. 11 illustrates a sliding density-setting post 148 including a
density setting post 82 mounted or operatively coupled to a sliding
coupler 164. Density-setting post 82 may include an upstanding
member 160, which may be at least substantially similar to the
upstanding member 92 of FIG. 4. Density-setting post 82 also may
include a cap member 162, which may be at least substantially
similar to cap member 96 described above.
[0084] FIG. 11 further illustrates that sliding density-setting
post 148, and particularly sliding coupler 164 may include a
coupling region 166. Coupling region 166 may take any suitable form
for coupling sliding density-setting post 148 to support member
124. As described above, support member 124 may be configured in a
number of manners to cooperate with sliding density-setting posts.
Accordingly, one or more coupling region 166 and support member 124
may be adapted to cooperate and slidingly engage the other. As
illustrated in FIG. 11, sliding density-setting post 148 includes a
J-shaped sliding coupler having a single coupling region 166
including a curved portion 168 adapted to bend around the edge of
an I-beam flange. Coupling region 166 also includes a tongue 170
extending from the curved portion 168 and adapted to couple the
sliding density-setting post 148 to the support member 124. In the
example of an I-beam 146 as support member 124 and a J-shaped
sliding density-setting post 148, coupling region 166 may be
adapted to extend around the rear edge of the top flange 152 of the
I-beam 146.
[0085] J-shaped sliding density-setting post 148 may be slide into
position or may be placed onto the I-beam 146 at the desired
position. Once the elongate density control member 102 is
operatively associated with the J-shaped density-setting post 148,
such as being wrapped around a portion thereof, and the material is
being bagged by the machine, the rearward force on the elongate
density control member applies at least a rearward force on the
density-setting post. The coupling region 166 is adapted to prevent
sliding density-setting post from being pulled rearwardly.
[0086] Depending on the configuration of the elongate density
control member and the sliding density-setting posts, the elongate
density control member 102 may also apply a lateral force on the
sliding density-setting posts 148 during operation of the packing
machine. Lateral sliding of the sliding density-setting posts 148
may be inhibited or at least substantially precluded in a number of
ways. For example, the rearward force on the sliding
density-setting posts 148 may be strong enough to create sufficient
frictional force between support member 124 and the density-setting
posts 148. Additionally or alternatively, a rubberized material or
other material may be applied to one or more of the sliding coupler
164 and the support member 124 to increase the frictional
resistance to lateral sliding. Additionally or alternatively, one
or more of the sliding coupler 164 and the support member 124 may
be adapted to include one or more of notches, grooves, sawteeth,
protrusions, fingers, or other structures or elements adapted to
cooperatively create some degree of mechanical resistance to
lateral sliding. As just one of the many suitable combinations, the
rearward edge of the top flange 152 of the I-beam 146 may be
provided with a plurality of fingers, which may be formed by
cutting a plurality of notches into an otherwise standard I-beam,
and the curved portion 168 of the sliding coupler 166 may be
provided with one or more notches, recesses, cutouts, or the like
adapted to cooperate with the fingers on the I-beam. As one other
example, density setting post 82 may be coupled to coupling member
166 in a way that enables the operator to clamp the density-setting
post in place on the support member, such as threadedly coupling
the upstanding member 160 to sliding coupler 164 such that
upstanding member 160 can be screwed down through sliding coupler
164 to apply force on the support member 124. While a coupling
member 164 and an I-beam 146, or other support member 124, may be
used without any further modifications, one or more of the
modifications discussed herein or other modifications may be made.
As discussed above, the sliding coupler 164 of J-shaped sliding
density-setting post 148 and the support member 124 may be
configured in any suitable manner to enable sliding density-setting
post 148 and support member 124 to be selectively and adjustably
coupled together to enable an operator to position the
density-setting posts 148 at a desired position prior to commencing
bagging operations and to be fixedly coupled together during the
bagging operation.
[0087] The sliding density-setting post 148 has been discussed
structurally and operationally as an independent element. However,
as discussed herein at least one pair of sliding density-setting
posts 148 may be used together to provide the pair of
density-setting posts 80 discussed above. Accordingly, sliding
density-setting posts 148 may cooperate with other aspects of the
material forming enclosure 24 to provide a multi-hub density
control apparatus 72.
[0088] FIG. 12 illustrates yet another variation of a sliding
density-setting post suitable for use in a multi-hub density
control apparatus according to the present disclosure. As
illustrated, C-shaped sliding density-setting post 150 is similar
to J-shaped sliding density-setting post 148 but includes two
coupling regions 166 rather than just one. Accordingly, C-shaped
sliding density-setting post 150 is adapted to wrap around both the
forward edge and the rearward edge of support member 124.
Otherwise, C-shaped sliding density-setting post 150 may be
substantially similar to the J-shaped sliding density-setting post
148 described above, including the many variations, applications,
and uses described above. The C-shaped configuration of the sliding
density-setting post may provide additional options for countering
whatever lateral forces may be applied to the sliding
density-setting posts during operation. Additionally or
alternatively, the C-shaped configuration may more securely couple
the sliding density-setting posts to the support member when the
bagging machine is not bagging material.
[0089] Other configurations are available for the sliding
density-setting posts. The configuration implemented in a
particular multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may depend on one
or more of the nature of the bagging operation, the remaining
components of the bagging machine, whether the multi-hub apparatus
is coupled to the bagging machine pre- or post-manufacture of the
bagging machine, the configuration of support member 124, or other
factors. As just one example, the sliding density-setting posts may
be adapted to couple to a square support member 124, such as the
square beam 128 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, by configuring the coupling
region 166 accordingly, such as by extending the dimensions of the
curved portion 168. Other variations to one or more of support
member 124 and the sliding density-setting posts are within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0090] As discussed above, support member 124 is adapted to be
operatively coupled to sloped member 126. When support member 124
is formed at least in part by I-beam 146, sloped member 126 may be
operatively coupled to the forward edge of the top flange 152, such
as by welding or otherwise. However, with reference to FIGS. 10 and
12, it can be seen that when C-shaped density-setting post 150 is
coupled to the top flange 152 of I-beam 146, the forward coupling
region 166 of the sliding density-setting post wraps around the
forward edge of the top flange 152 of I-beam 146. Accordingly,
sloped member 126 may be coupled to I-beam 146 to not interfere
significantly with sliding density-setting posts 150. In some
configurations, sloped member 126 may be coupled to another portion
of the I-beam 146. For example, sloped member 126 may be coupled to
the bottom flange, the upright member 156, or to the joint between
the upright member 156 and the top flange 152, which is indicated
as joint 158 in FIG. 10.
[0091] Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 utilizing sliding
density-setting posts, whether of a J-shaped configuration, a
C-shaped configuration, or some other configuration, may be adapted
to provide the same or substantially the functionality as the
multi-hub density control apparatus 72 discussed above in
connection with FIGS. 4-6. As with the configurations illustrated
and discussed in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, the sliding
density-setting posts discussed and illustrated in connection with
FIGS. 9-12 may provide the operator of the bagging machine with a
greater degree of customization in determining the spacing between
forward legs 118 of density control assembly 108.
[0092] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties
disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a
first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be
understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements,
neither requiring, nor excluding, two or more such elements.
[0093] It is believed that the following claims particularly point
out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to
one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious.
Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of
features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed
through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new
claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new
claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or
directed to the same invention, whether different, broader,
narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also
regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of
the present disclosure.
[0094] Although the present invention has been shown and described
with reference to the foregoing operational principles and
preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various changes in form and detail may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present
invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *