U.S. patent application number 14/083712 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-22 for fluid extraction and injection system for bagging machinery.
The applicant listed for this patent is Steven R. Cullen. Invention is credited to Steven R. Cullen.
Application Number | 20140137520 14/083712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50726638 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140137520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cullen; Steven R. |
May 22, 2014 |
FLUID EXTRACTION AND INJECTION SYSTEM FOR BAGGING MACHINERY
Abstract
A bagging machine having a uniquely configured rotor that can be
operated with a grill, enables removal or injection of fluid
materials when filling a bag. In one mode, the rotor enables the
removal or draining of an effluent created from the bagging process
such as from silage. In another mode, the rotor enables the
injection of a treatment agent such as an antifungal agent as
material is bagged.
Inventors: |
Cullen; Steven R.; (Chinook,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cullen; Steven R. |
Chinook |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50726638 |
Appl. No.: |
14/083712 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61728505 |
Nov 20, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/459 ;
53/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 25/183 20130101;
A01F 2025/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/459 ;
53/570 |
International
Class: |
B65B 43/54 20060101
B65B043/54 |
Claims
1. A bagging machine, comprising: a tunnel having an inlet and an
outlet; a conveyor or a hopper operably connected to the tunnel;
and a rotor positioned at the inlet of the tunnel, the rotor also
comprising a cylindrical body having a circumference, an axial
length, and a plurality of holes through which a fluid may pass
through the cylindrical body.
2. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the rotor also comprises
packing tines arranged on the cylindrical body in between the
plurality of holes.
3. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes
include one or more rows substantially spanning the axial length of
the cylindrical body.
4. The bagging machine of claim 3, wherein there are 2 to 8
rows.
5. The bagging machine of claim 2, wherein the packing tines are
helically arranged about the cylindrical body.
6. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the outlet has a
plurality of stripping grill bars operably arranged over the
rotor's plurality of holes.
7. A system for removing effluent from a bagging process,
comprising: a tunnel having an inlet and an outlet; a conveyor or a
hopper operably connected to the inlet of the tunnel; and a rotor
positioned at the inlet of the tunnel, the rotor also comprising a
cylindrical body having a circumference, an axial length, and a
plurality of holes through which a fluid may pass through the
cylindrical body.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the rotor also comprises packing
tines arranged on the cylindrical body in between the plurality of
holes.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes includes
one or more rows substantially spanning the axial length of the
cylindrical body.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein there are 2 to 8 rows.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the packing tines are helically
arranged about the cylindrical body.
12. The system of any one of claims 7, wherein the outlet has a
plurality of stripping grill bars operably arranged over the
rotor's plurality of holes.
13. The system of claim 7, further comprising a pump for conveying
fluid through the rotor.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the pump conveys fluid through
the plurality of holes and out of the rotor.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the fluid is effluent from the
material being bagged.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the pump drives fluid into the
rotor and out the plurality of holes.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the fluid includes a treatment
agent for preserving material bagged by the system.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the treatment agent is selected
from the group consisting of: antifungal agents, antibacterial
agents, and nutritional supplements.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the treatment agent is
ammonia.
20. A method of operating a bagging machine, comprising: providing
a rotor, the rotor having a cylindrical body with a circumference,
an axial length, and a plurality of holes; passing a fluid through
the plurality of holes and cylindrical body; and packing material
into a bag.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to systems and bagging
machinery as well as methods of bagging material, more particularly
to bagging machinery and processes that include injection or
removal of a fluid.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Increasingly, expandable, storage bags are used as an
alternative storage container for a variety of applications such as
permanent feed storage structures as alternatives to barns and
silos. In addition, processors store compost and waste materials
using storage bags for short and long-term storage needs.
[0003] A variety of bagging devices exist in the art including
bagging machines for the aforementioned products and uses. In many
of these applications, it would be desirable to capture or collect
off gasses, effluent, or other fluids to improve packing efficiency
and for protecting the environment. In many of these applications,
it would be desirable to inject additives into the packing
material.
[0004] The bag for use with such bagging machines is typically
manufactured and delivered in a pleated shape, i.e., folded into an
accordion-bellows-type shape. Typically, a bag having a nominal
ten-foot-diameter (approximately 3 meters diameter, or 9.6 meters
circumference) and a 300-foot length (approximately 90 meters
length) will be folded to a 10-foot-diameter (about 3 meters) ring
about one foot (about 0.3 meter) long and 1 foot (about 0.3 meter)
thick. To start the loading operation, this bag-ring is pre-loaded
around the tunnel, and the pleats are unfolded one at a time as the
bag is deployed and filled. Once any portion of the bag fills with
fill material, such as feed, that portion becomes very heavy
weighing down the bag on a surface so it does not move. Thus, the
bagger machine itself is propelled along the ground in front of the
bag being filled.
[0005] There are numerous challenges to efficiently using
conventional bagging machines. For example, in the processing of
silage or wet materials, effluent fills the packing the space
around a packing rotor. New incoming organic material floats on
accumulated effluent and either cannot be packed by the rotor or is
packed less efficiently. In such bagging processes, the process
must be stopped to remove accumulated effluent.
[0006] In addition, where it is desired to inject treatments,
adjuvants, or other enhancements into the material being bagged, it
is difficult to obtain an even distribution of the injected
material within the bagged material. In many applications, the
injected material is sprayed onto the material being processed, and
much of the desired treatment additive escapes without mixing into
the bagged material.
[0007] There is a need, therefore, for modifying and improving
bagging machinery where fluids can be added or removed during the
bagging and packing process.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect, a bagging machine, is disclosed including a
tunnel having an inlet and an outlet; a conveyor or a hopper
operably connected to the tunnel; and a rotor positioned at the
inlet of the tunnel, the rotor also comprising a cylindrical body
having a circumference, an axial length, and a plurality of holes
through which a fluid may pass through the cylindrical body.
[0009] In another aspect, a system for removing effluent from a
bagging process is disclosed, including a tunnel having an inlet
and an outlet; a conveyor or a hopper operably connected to the
inlet of the tunnel; and a rotor positioned at the inlet of the
tunnel, the rotor also comprising a cylindrical body having a
circumference, an axial length, and a plurality of holes through
which a fluid may pass through the cylindrical body.
[0010] In another aspect, a method of operating a bagging machine
is disclosed. The method includes providing a rotor, the rotor
having a cylindrical body with a circumference, an axial length,
and a plurality of holes; passing a fluid through the plurality of
holes and cylindrical body; and packing material into a bag.
[0011] In some embodiments, the rotor also comprises packing tines
arranged on the cylindrical body in between the plurality of holes.
In some embodiments, the plurality of holes include one or more
rows substantially spanning the axial length of the cylindrical
body. In some embodiments, there are 2 to 8 rows. In some
embodiments, there are 4 rows. In some embodiments, the packing
tines are helically arranged about the cylindrical body. In some
embodiments, the outlet has a plurality of stripping grill bars
operably arranged over the rotor's plurality of holes.
[0012] In some embodiments, the rotor also includes a shaft. In
some embodiments, the rotor has a hose swivel adapter. In some
embodiments, the hose swivel adapter is located on the shaft. In
some embodiments, the bagging machine also includes a pump for
conveying fluid through the rotor. In some embodiments, the pump
conveys fluid through the plurality of holes and out of the rotor.
In some embodiments, the pump conveys fluid into the rotor and out
the plurality of holes.
[0013] In some embodiments, the fluid is effluent from the material
being bagged. In some embodiments, the fluid includes a treatment
agent for preserving material bagged by the system. In some
embodiments, the treatment agent is selected from the group
consisting of: antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, and
nutritional supplements. In some embodiments, the treatment agent
is ammonia.
[0014] In some embodiments, the method of operating a bagging
machine also includes conveying fluid through the rotor. In some
embodiments, the conveying conveys fluid through the plurality of
holes and out of the rotor. In some embodiments, the fluid is
effluent from the material being bagged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of bagging machine of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a partial cut away view of a rotor and in a
bagging machine of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows components of a rotor for use in the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a frontal view of a rotor for use in the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] While the terminology used in this application is standard
within the art, the following definitions of certain terms are
provided to assure clarity. Units, prefixes, and symbols may be
denoted in their SI accepted form. Numeric ranges recited herein
are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include and are
supportive of each integer within the defined range. Unless
otherwise noted, the terms "a" or "an" are to be construed as
meaning "at least one of." The section headings used herein are for
organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as
limiting the subject matter described. All documents, or portions
of documents, cited in this application, including but not limited
to patents, patent applications, articles, books, and treatises,
are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety
for any purpose.
[0020] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a bagging machine 10 used to fill
large, flexible bags (not shown). The bagging machine 10 includes a
conveyor 16 and a tunnel 14 which has an inlet 15 and an outlet 17.
The conveyor 16 is used to load material from a material source,
such as a truck, into the bagging machinery. The tunnel is used for
manipulating the bag and transferring the packing material from the
bagging machine into a bag. The bagging machine 10 also includes a
bagging cavity 12 in which is located a packing rotor 20 and a
grill 40 having a plurality of bars 42. Packing material is fed by
the conveyor 16 to the bagging cavity 12 where the packing rotor 20
packs the materials into the tunnel inlet 15, through the tunnel
and into a bag passing out the tunnel outlet 17.
[0021] In some embodiments, the conveyor 16 may be replaced with a
hopper (not shown) in operable connection with the tunnel. The
hopper receives and holds bagging material. As is known to one of
skill in the art, hoppers are often used with bagging machines that
are loaded with a front end loader or portable conveyor.
[0022] The packing rotor 20 is a cylindrical body having a
circumference and a central axis. The circumference of the rotor
has a plurality of tines 30. In some embodiments, the tines 30 are
radially located about the circumference of the rotor 20. The rotor
20 also has open, hollow ends 24 and 26 so that a cavity exists
between the hollow ends through the rotor. At one or more of the
hollow ends, a shaft 22 may be fitted into at least a portion of
the rotor 20, the shaft itself being hollow.
[0023] The packing rotor 20 also has a plurality of through holes
28. Each of the through holes 28 is located between the plurality
of tines 30. That is, a through hole is not radially located in the
same plane (circumferential plane) as a tine about the central
axis. As a result, when the packing rotor 20 is rotated about the
central axis, the plurality of tines 30 pass between the plurality
of bars 42 of the grill. In doing so, the grill bars 42 will catch
material accumulating outside rotor 20 and above each of the
through holes 28. This action reduces or prevents occlusion of the
through holes 28 so that any effluent in the packing material or
accumulating in the bagging cavity 20 can be removed. It also
enables a consistent injection of any desired fluid into the
packing material. Without occlusion, the effluent can drain into
the through holes and through the shaft to the open ends. Moreover,
if operator wants to inject treatment material or some fluid
containing treatment material, the spinning action of the packing
rotor 20 and stripping facilitated by the grill bars 40 enable the
injection to pass out the through holes into the packing material
in a substantially uniform manner.
[0024] Each tine 30 can be offset from adjacent tines forming a
circumferential pattern whereby as the packing rotor 20 rotates
about a central axis, the tines are in continuous engagement with
fill material (not shown) and pressed or packed into a packing bag
(not shown). The tines 30 are spaced apart from one another so that
as the packing rotor 20 spins, the tines 30 pass through the grill
40.
[0025] The number and arrangement of tines 30 may be varied in
several ways. For example, a plurality of tines may be
circumferentially located about the packing rotor 20 and its
central axis in a row represented by a common radial plane of
rotation (circumferential plane). In one embodiment, the number of
rows is from 1-20. The number of rows may be from 1-16. The number
of rows may be from 1-15. The number of rows may be from 1-12. The
number of rows may be from 1-10. The number of rows may be from
1-8. The number of rows may be from 1-6. The number of rows may be
from 1-5. The number of rows may be from 1-4. The number of rows
may be from 1-3. The number of rows may be from 1-2. The number of
rows may be 1. In some embodiments, the number of rows is an
integer selected from any one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.
[0026] In one embodiment, the tines may be located along a common
radius forming a straight row parallel to the packing rotor's
central axis. In another embodiment, the tines may be located in a
helical pattern about the packing rotor. Thus, there may be one or
more helical rows of tines about the packing rotor. For example,
there may be 1, 2, 3, 4, or more helical rows.
[0027] The tines themselves may be made from any durable material
including various metals, metal alloys such as steel, and carbides
and affixed to the packing rotor 20 by welding. In some
embodiments, the tines may be removable such as those described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,692, which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference. In some embodiments, the tines may be formed with a
concave face such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,735,
which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The tines may
also have a leading edge or wear strip 32 that can be replaced as
the tine wears.
[0028] The number and arrangement of the through holes may be
varied in several ways. For example, the through holes may be
circumferentially located about the packing rotor and its central
axis. In one embodiment, the number of through holes located in a
single plane of rotation (circumferential plane) about the packing
rotor is one or more. In some embodiments, the number of through
holes located in a single plane of rotation about the packing rotor
is from 1 to 8. In some embodiments, the number of through holes is
an integer selected from any one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
[0029] In one embodiment, the through holes may located along a
common radius forming a straight row parallel to the packing
rotor's central axis. In another embodiment, the through holes may
be located in a helical pattern about the packing rotor. Thus,
there may be one or more helical rows of through holes about the
packing rotor. For example, there may be 1, 2, 3, 4, or more
helical rows.
[0030] In some embodiments, a row of through holes substantially
spans the axial length of the packing rotor and its cylindrical
body. In some embodiments, a row of through holes spans only a
portion, i.e. less than the full length, of the packing rotor and
its cylindrical body. In such embodiments, the holes may span 80%
or less than the length of the packing rotor and its cylindrical
body. In some embodiments, the holes may span 50% or less than the
length of the packing rotor and its cylindrical body.
[0031] In some embodiments, the through holes are located in a
circumferential plane adjacent to another circumferential plane in
which a tine is located.
[0032] In one embodiment, such as the one depicted in FIG. 3, the
packing rotor has two parallel rows of through holes located about
180 degrees from one another and parallel to the central axis. In
that embodiment, two helical rows of tines are also located
circumferentially about the central axis where each of the tines in
a common plane perpendicular to the central axis is about 180
degrees apart.
[0033] The grill bar widths are generally of a width approximate to
the width between tines. The grill bar widths are generally of a
width approximate to or greater than the diameter of a through
hole.
[0034] The hollow ends 24 and 26 can also be fitted with a shaft 22
that passes through at least a portion of the rotor 20, a bearing
52 and a swivel adapter 50. The bearing 52 supports rotor 20 and
shaft 22 and is fastened to a side wall 58 of the tunnel 14. The
swivel adapter enables fluid transfer from a stationary source into
a rotating piece of machinery, in this case the packing rotor 20.
In some embodiments, the swivel adapter 50 is connected to
collection tank (not shown) for collecting the effluent. In some
embodiments, the collection tank is located on the bagging machine
10. In some embodiments, the effluent can be drained from the
packing rotor and allow to fluid flow onto the packing bag surface
such as the ground or pavement. In some embodiments, a vacuum is
applied to help draw out the effluent. In some embodiments, a pump
is operably connected to the packing rotor to pump material out of
the rotor. In some embodiments, a pump is operably connected to the
packing material to pump material into the rotor and out the
through holes.
[0035] In other embodiments, the swivel adapter is connected to a
treatment tank holding a treatment material. The treatment material
can be pressurized or the added to a pressurized stream which is
injected into the rotor and out the through holes.
[0036] The swivel hose adapter 50 may include a flange 54 having a
hole 60 through which a locking shaft 56 may extend. The locking
shaft 56 may be mounted to a tunnel side wall 58 to anchor and
prevent the hose swivel adapter 50 from rotating with the shaft 22
(if present) and rotor 20.
[0037] A number of treatment materials can be included depending on
the desired application. For example, feed supplements such as
nutritional supplements can be injected into silage and other feed
materials. Examples of such feed supplements include: urea,
molasses, and others commonly employed in animal feed materials.
Other treatment materials can include preservatives and other
additives such as antifungal agents and antibacterial agents. The
treatment material can be ammonia or aqueous ammonia solution.
[0038] The hollow ends 24 and 26 of the rotor can be fitted with a
bearing 52 that enables the packing rotor to rotate to a fixed
frame of the bagging machine. The packing rotor 20 can be rotated
in a counterclockwise fashion when packing material is packed into
a bag. A transmission (not shown) on the bagging machine 10 can be
operated to select a desired speed at which the packing rotor 20 is
operated.
[0039] The claimed invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other
essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed
hereafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims,
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their full scope.
* * * * *