Patent US3590731A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cotton bale handling and compressing system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-06-03
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided for automatically handling and compressing bales in which an extensible clamp is operative to transfer the bale into and out of the compressor through a single end thereof; the bale being removed from the transfer station by additional movement of the clamp away from the compressor. Blade members are provided on the side platens of the compressor to tuck the holding bands into the interior as slack is formed during the compressing operation. Additional blade segments are utilized to tuck the wrapper at the ends of the bale; both the blade members and segments being mounted for movement to accommodate for the reduction in girth in the bale as it is compressed. Spring-biased stripper plates for the blade members and segments are provided on the side platens, which plates also serve to stabilize the bale during the compressing operation. Special stabilized carriage mounting for the side platens and fluid circuitry for automatically sequencing the entire bale handling and compressing operation are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry L Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:10
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/30; B30B9/3003
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2934194A
Cited
US3428190A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |