Patent ID: 6112501
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A system for forming and packaging particulate material in a bulk form comprising:a compression tower comprising:a chamber presented by a series of walls;a ram assembly in said chamber having a first position adjacent a top of said tower and selectably extendable to a second position adjacent a lower end of said tower;an opening at said lower end of said tower;first conveyor means presenting a conveyor surface for forming a base of said tower, said first conveyor means movable between a first position wherein said surface closes said opening and a second position wherein said surface is downwardly displaced from said opening of said tower;an inlet in said tower adapted for deposit of particulate material therein, the deposited material falling upon said first conveyor means surface at said first position, an extension of said ram to said second position adapted for compressing the material into a bulk form atop said conveyor means surface, the bulk being displaced below said tower upon said movement of said first conveyor means surface to said second position downwardly displaced from said opening of said tower, said first conveyor means including a conveyor belt for moving the bulk downstream of said tower;a downstream framework including:a second conveyor means having a first position longitudinally adjacent said conveyor belt of said first conveyor means;a third conveyor means vertically displaced from said second conveyor means to present a space for receipt of the bulk therebetween; andmeans for regulating said space between said second and third conveyor means according to a height of the bulk whereby to further compress the bulk, an operation of said second and third conveyor means directing the material downstream.