BALING MACHINES

Abstract: The disclosure relates to baling machines. A stationary chamber (l3) is located below an apron (ll) on which garbage and other refuse is dumped from collection trucks. An opening (4l) in the apron is aligned with an opening in the top of the chamber. The discharge end of the chamber is closed by a gate (36) which slants rearward at an angle of l5° to the vertical against which the refuse is compacted. The gate may be raised when the chamber is to be discharged. Reciprocating within the chamber is a platen (46) having its upper portion (48) slanted forward at about an angle of 42° The platen is driven by a multi-stage hydraulic ram (5l). Loads of about l5 cu. yds. are dumped into the chamber opening by a bulldozer (l2). The bulldozer operator by radio control causes the platen to move forward, compacting the first load to about one-half the original volume of the loose material. When the ram pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the platen is automatically retracted. The operation is repeated until a predetermined weight has been received and compacted. Meanwhile a truck (l6) has been hitched to the end of the chamber. The operator then actuates controls at said panel. The gate (36) is raised by hydraulic cylinders (38) and the platen moved forward to push the compacted load out of the chamber through the back end of the truck and onto the bed of the truck. Each bale has longitudinal sides, top and bottom. The front end is slanted rearward about l5°. The rear end has a vertical surface extending upward about half way, then a forward slanted surface at about 42° and then a short vertical top stretch; thus the rear of the baIe is complementary to the platen.

Description: This invention relates to a new and improved compactor and transfer chamber for refuse. More particularly, the invention relates to means for compacting large quantities of garbage and other refuse in a baling chamber and then, upon lifting of an end gate, the load is pushed onto the bed of a truck for further transportation. Heretofore, the common commercial means for preparing refuse for long distance transportation has differed from the structure of the present invention in that compaction of the load has been performed when the load is in the bed of the truck or trailer. This system is very destructive of trailers. The present invention differs from past commercial systems in that the baling is conducted in a stationary chamber and then the load is pushed onto the bed of a truck. Therefore, the trailer walls bear little or no load; indeed, a flatbed truck may be used. Accordingly, the trailer may be constructed in a less rigid manner and the weight of the trailer thereby reduced making the trailer capable of transporting a greater payload. Patents US-A-3753506 and US-A-4256434 illustrate generally the prior system where compaction occurs within the truck. FR-A-2079442 discloses a process and apparatus for compacting refuse in which refuse is compressed into a block in a compacting chamber between a fluid operated ram and a removable door of the chamber, the door is removed after the refuse has been compressed and the ram is moved to eject the block into an adjacent container. With such an arrangement there is a tendency for the top part of the leading face of the block to collapse as the block is displaced into the container destroying the shape of the leading part of the bale. Non-square and tilted bales are shown in such patents as US-A-3059789; US-A-3753506; US-A-4352624 and US-A-4487120. However, such shapes are caused primarily by ejectors in the receiving vehicle intself rather than the loading apparatus. This invention provides a baling machine comprising an elongated rectangular cross-section, horizontal chamber having an open discharge end and a rearward end, said chamber having a loading aperture in its top, a retractable gate closing off said discharge end, means for retracting said gate, a platen in said chamber, a hydraulic ram fixed to said rearward end of said chamber and to said platen, for reciprocation in said chamber between a retracted position behind said loading aperture to a projected position beyond said discharge end, whereby said platen compacts material deposited in said aperture against said gate when said gate is closed and discharges compacted material out of said chamber through said discharge end when said gate is open; wherein said gate is slanted upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the lengthwise direction of the chamber to create a corresponding upwardly and rearwadly slanted face on the material compacted in the chamber against the gate before discharge of the compacted material; and in that transport means are provided for guiding the platen along the chamber between said retracted and projected positions. According to a prefered embodiment, the platen in side elevation may have a vertical portion at the bottom extending upward approximately half the height of said platen, above which the platen may have an upwardly and forwardly slanted portion extending to near the top of said platen and above which the platen may have a further vertical portion. More specifically, the platen may have a side guide roller at each corner bearing against the sides of said chamber and an upwardly and forwardly curved protector at each top corner and a downwardly and forwardly curved protector at each bottom corner. In any of the above arrangements the transport means may comprise a carriage, said platen comprising the forward face of said carriage and said ram extending through said carriage. More specifically, the ram may have multiple stages and support wheels may depend from some of said stages, with tracks provided on the bottom of the chamber to guide said wheels. In any of the above arrangements hydraulic means may be provided for said ram comprising a reservoir for fluid, a pump; a prime mover for said pump, a control module for delivering fluid alternately to opposite ends of said ram, and a sensor sensing the pressure of fluid delivered to said ram and means to reverse said ram when said sensor senses a predetermined maximum pressure delivered to said ram. Also in any of the above arrangements an apron may be provided having an opening aligned with said loading aperture in the chamber whereby material deposited on said apron may be charged into said opening when said platen is retracted behind said aperture for use with a vehicle having a bed and an open end aligned with said discharge end, whereby compacted material discharged out of said chamber may be delivered directly into said bed of such vehicle. The invention also provides bale of compaced material of substantially rectangular transverse cross-section having parallel sides and parallel top and bottom, a forward end inclined upwardly-rearwardly and a rearward end having a vertical lower stretch extending upward from the bottom about half the height of said bale, an upwardly-forwardly inclined stretch above said lower stretch and a short vertical stretch above said inclined stretch. More particularly said forward end may be inclined about 15° from the vertical. Further, said inclined stretch may be about 42° to the horizontal. The following is a description of some specific embodiments of the present invention referring to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational view of the system of the present invention partly broken away in section to reveal internal construction; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the baling chamber; Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof; Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure of Figure 2 partly broken away to converse space; Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a bale formed in the baling chamber of the present invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the baling chamber taken substantially along line 7-7 of Figure 7; Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of the baling chamber showing means for raising and lowering the end gate; Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the carriage and ram in retracted position; and Fig. 9 is a schematic hydraulic diagram of the invention. As best shown in Figs. l and 4, the present invention employs an extensive concrete apron ll onto which refuse collection vehicles deposit their loads. Bulldozers or similar scrapers l2 push the refuse over the apron ll toward the opening l4 which is in register with a corresponding opening in the baling chamber l3 which is immediately below baling chamber ll. At one end of chamber l3 is a truck loading dock at which trucks or trailers l6 may be parked and connected to the chamber l3 by a hitch l7 which hitches onto the tail of the trailer l6 to prevent it from being pushed forward when the load is discharged thereon as hereinafter appears. Chamber l3 has a top 2l formed of plate into which fits a rectangular frame 22 immediately under the opening l4 in apron ll. A number of crossbeams 24 rigidify the top 2l. Vertical sides 26 extend longitudinally of the chamber l3, the sides 26 being formed of plate reinforced by columns 27 which are of I-beam or equivalent construction. Similarly, there is a bottom plate 29 which extends the length of the chamber l3 which bottom is reinforced and supported by transverse I-beam 29 and longitudinal members 33 which are supported by pedestals 3l having incorporated therein weight sensors 32. When the total weight of the chamber l3 and its contents as measured by the sensors 32 equals a predetermined amount, the charge of refuse into the chamber is terminated since this predetermined weight equals the load capacity of the truck or trailer l6. At the forward or discharge end of chamber l3 is a gate 36 which reciprocates in a gate guide frame 37 slanted rearwardly, at an angle of l5 degrees to the vertical to a position above chamber l3. Gate 36 is attached to a transverse frame 40 fitting around frame 37. Their rods 39 are fixed to frame 40. Hence gate 36 reciprocates within structure 37. As the gate rams 38 are energized the gate 36 is lifted by transverse frame 40 to open the discharge end of chamber l3. When the gate 36 is in lowered position, it constitutes a wall against which the refuse within the chamber is forced. Reciprocating within the chamber l3 is a carriage 4l having top rollers 42 bearing against the underside of top 2l and bottom rollers 43 bearing against the bottom 28, as well as side rollers 44 at both the top and bottom which bear against the sides 26. On the forward end of carriage 4l is a platen 46. Platen 46 has a lower portion 47 which extends vertically upwardly to about one-half the height of chamber l3 and thereabove is a forward slanted portion 48 disposed at an angle of 42° to the horizontal which extends close to the top 2l. Above slanted portion 48 is a short vertical portion 49. At each top corner of the platen are side roller 44 protectors 7l and at the bottom corners are bottom roller 43 protectors 72. Pivotally disposed at the forward end of chamber l3 is a multi-stage hydraulic ram 5l which is attached to the rear of the platen 46. The capacity of ram 5l is sufficient so that it will move the carriage from the retracted position shown in Fig. 4 in solid lines (behind opening l4) to the extreme forward position shown at the right of Fig. 4 in dot and dash lines. Tracks 23 support and guide the rollers 73 which support cylinder stages 5la, b, c of ram 5l as they extend and retract. Hose 52 is attached to the forward end of ram 5l to conduct hydraulic fluid for retraction of the ram. A reel motor 53 is connected by cable 76 to reel 79 which winds hose 52. Second hose 78 runs from reel 77 to a port on the far end of ram section 5lc. The carriage 4l is subject to considerable stress and, accordingly, braces 54 and other means are employed to support the structure. In operation, bulldozer l2 drops refuse through the opening l4 into the baling chamber l3, it being understood that the platen 46 is retracted while the dumping occurs. A typical load is approximately l5 cubic yards of material. The carriage 4l is then moved forward, by energizing ram 5l, pushing the first load forward. The platen is then retracted and another load of approximately l5 yards is deposited in the chamber. Thereupon, the ram 5l is again energized, forcing the two loads against the gate 36 until the pressure exerted reaches a predetermined pressure of approximately 2000 psi, whereupon, carriage 4l automatically retracts. The extension of the ram 5l is radio-controlled by the operator in the bulldozer l2. Refuse is repeatedly charged into the opening l4 and, as each charge is deposited, the operator, by radio, causes the ram 5l to extend, building up successive compacted charges in layers within the chamber l3. When the total weight within the chamber l3 reaches a predetermined amount, the operator reads a scale readout of panel and control panel 56 from his position on the tractor. The operator then moves to the control panel 56 and energizes valves which cause the gate 36 to be raised. Thereupon the ram 5l is again energized, pushing the platen 46 forwardly to approximately the end of the chamber l3 and this pushes the load onto the bed of truck or trailer l6. When the load has been deposited on the truck, the hitch l7 is disconnected and the bale 4l transported to a suitable dump. Hitch l7 has a sensor (not shown) which, through electrical means, de-engages ram 5l if excessive force is applied to the trailer during ejection of the bale (e.g., blockage of movement of the bale). This is a safety feature preventing trailer damage. Bale 6l has vertical longitudinal side faces 62 and horizontal longitudinal top and bottom faces 64 and 66. The front face 63 is slanted rearward at an angle of approximately l5° from the the vertical thereby being complementary to the gate 36. The rearward end of bale 6l has a rear lower face 67 which is transverse and vertical and extends up about half the height of the bale 6l. Above the lower face 67 is a forwardly-upwardly slanted face 68 disposed at an angle of about 42° to the horizontal and extending almost to the top of the bale. At the top of the rear of the bale is a top face 69 which is vertically disposed. Thus the faces 67, 68, 69 are complementary to the forward face of the platen 46.

Claims: A baling machine comprising an elongated rectangular cross-section, horizontal chamber (13) having an open discharge end and a rearward end, said chamber having a loading aperture (14) in its top, a retractable gate (36) closing off said discharge end, means (38) for retracting said gate, a platen (46) in said chamber, a hydraulic ram (51) fixed to said rearward end of said chamber and to said platen, for reciprocation in said chamber between a retracted position behind said loading aperture to a projected position beyond said discharge end, whereby said platen compacts material deposited in said aperture against said gate when said gate is closed and discharges compacted material out of said chamber through said discharge end when said gate is open; characterised in that said gate (36) is slanted upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the lengthwise direction of the chamber (13) to create a corresponding upwardly and rearwadly slanted face on the material compacted in the chamber against the gate before discharge of the compacted material; and in that transport means (41, 42, 43) are provided for guiding the platen along the chamber between said retracted and projected positions. A machine according to Claim 1 in which said platen (46) in side elevation has a vertical portion (47) at the bottom extending upward approximately half the height of said platen, above which the platen has an upwardly and forwardly slanted portion (48) extending to near the top of said platen and above which the platen has a further vertical portion (49). A machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that said platen (46) has a side guide roller (47) at each corner bearing against the sides of said chamber (13) and an upwardly and forwardly curved protector (71) at each top corner and a downwardly and forwardly curved protector (72) at each bottom corner. A machine according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said transport means comprises a carriage (41), said platen (46) comprising the forward face of said carriage and said ram (51) extends through said carriage. A machine according to Claim 4, characterised in that said ram (51) has multiple stages and support wheels (73) depend from some of said stages, and tracks (23) are provided on the bottom of the chamber to guide said wheels. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that hydraulic means are provided for said ram comprising a reservoir for fluid, a pump; a prime mover for said pump, a control module for delivering fluid alternately to opposite ends of said ram, and a sensor sensing the pressure of fluid delivered to said ram and means to reverse said ram when said sensor senses a predetermined maximum pressure delivered to said ram. A system comprising a machine according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that an apron (11) is provided having an opening aligned with said loading aperture (14) in the chamber whereby material deposited on said apron may be charged into said opening when said platen is retracted behind said aperture for use with a vehicle having a bed and an open end aligned with said discharge end, whereby compacted material discharged out of said chamber may be delivered directly into said bed of such vehicle. A bale of compaced material of substantially rectangular transverse cross-section having parallel sides and parallel top and bottom, a forward end inclined upwardly-rearwardly and a rearward end having a vertical lower stretch extending upward from the bottom about half the height of said bale, an upwardly-forwardly inclined stretch above said lower stretch and a short vertical stretch above said inclined stretch. A bale according to Claim 8 in which said forward end is inclined about 15° from the vertical. A bale according to Claim 8 or 9 in which said inclined stretch is about 42° to the horizontal.

Inventors: GARDELLA, PETER, WOOD, KEVIN L.
Applicants: NOR-WOOD ENTERPRISES
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B30B9
IPC codes: B65F5, B30B9