Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a bale-handling and compressor system for operating on an elongated bale to reduce the size thereof, the combination of a compressor including relatively movable upper and lower platens and side doors to perform the compressing operation, said platens and said doors being elongated to engage the sides of said bale parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, a conveyor for transporting bales to a transfer station adjacent one end of said compressor, clamp means for engaging each bale at said transfer station to transfer the same in the direction of said longitudinal axis into said compressor through said one end thereof and to return said bale through said one end to said transfer station upon completion of the compressing operation, and means to remove each compressed bale from said transfer station in readiness for receipt of the next bale to be compressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a bale-handling and compressor system for operating on an elongated bale to reduce the size thereof, the combination of a compressor including relatively movable upper and lower platens and side doors to perform the compressing operation, said platens and said doors being elongated to engage the sides of said bale parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, a conveyor for transporting bales to a transfer station adjacent one end of said compressor, clamp means for engaging each bale at said transfer station to transfer the same in the direction of said longitudinal axis into said compressor through said one end thereof and to return said bale through said one end to said transfer station upon completion of the compressing operation, and means to remove each compressed bale from said transfer station in readiness for receipt of the next bale to be compressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said clamp means includes movable side members to engage the sides of the bale and fluid means for actuating said side members to positively grip said sides of the bale during the transfer operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein is provided a horizontal platform at said transfer station and said removing means comprises a second conveyor extending at an angle to saiD platform at said transfer station, said second conveyor being positioned on the opposite side of said transfer station from said compressor and extending in the direction of travel of said clamp means, whereby the bale is received from said clamp means after passing through said transfer station subsequent to the compressing operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said platform and said second conveyor include a continuous line of idler rollers extending transverse to the direction of travel of the bale for support of the same during the transfer and removing operations, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said clamp means is carried by a double fluid cylinder having firs and second pistons extending concentrically and in the direction of travel of said bale along said platform and said second conveyor, said first piston extending sufficiently to perform the removing operation and said second piston extending sufficiently to perform the transfer operation, and control circuit means for operating said first and second pistons in sequence.