Patent Publication Number: US-10760287-B2

Title: Loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/146,527, filed Apr. 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     When insulating buildings and installations, a frequently used insulation product is loosefill insulation material. In contrast to the unitary or monolithic structure of insulation materials formed as batts or blankets, loosefill insulation material is a multiplicity of discrete, individual tufts, cubes, flakes or nodules. Loosefill insulation material is usually applied within buildings and installations by blowing the loosefill insulation material into an insulation cavity, such as a wall cavity or an attic of a building. Typically loosefill insulation material is made of glass fibers although other mineral fibers, organic fibers, and cellulose fibers can be used. 
     Loosefill insulation material, also referred to as blowing wool, is typically compressed in packages for transport from an insulation manufacturing site to a building that is to be insulated. Typically the packages include compressed loosefill insulation material encapsulated in a bag. The bags can be made of polypropylene or other suitable material. During the packaging of the loosefill insulation material, it is placed under compression for storage and transportation efficiencies. Typically, the loosefill insulation material is packaged with a compression ratio of at least about 10:1. 
     The distribution of loosefill insulation material into an insulation cavity typically uses an insulation blowing machine that can condition the loosefill insulation material to a desired density and feed the conditioned loosefill insulation material pneumatically through a distribution hose. Blowing insulation machines typically have a funnel-shaped chute or hopper for containing and feeding the blowing insulation material after the package is opened and the blowing insulation material is allowed to expand. 
     It would be advantageous if insulation blowing machines could be improved to make them easier to use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumerated are achieved by a machine for distributing blowing insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The chute has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a bale guide and a cutting mechanism. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material with the package having a substantially vertical orientation. The inlet portion of the chute has a vertical height. The bale guide has a length and is configured to urge the package against the cutting mechanism as the package slides within the chute. The cutting mechanism is configured to open the bag of insulation. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The length of the bale guide extends substantially across the height of the inlet portion of the chute. 
     There is also provided a machine for distributing blowing loosefill insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The chute has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a bale guide and a cutting mechanism. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material with the package having a substantially vertical orientation. The bale guide has a length, a vertical orientation and is configured to urge the package against the cutting mechanism as the package slides within the chute. The cutting mechanism is configured to open the bag of insulation. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The length of the bale guide is configured to retain the vertical orientation of the package as the package slides within the chute and engages the cutting mechanism. 
     There is also provided a machine for distributing blowing loosefill insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The chute has a depth, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a bale guide and a cutting mechanism. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material with the package having a substantially vertical orientation. The bale guide has a depth, a vertical orientation and is configured to urge the package against the cutting mechanism as the package slides within the chute. The cutting mechanism is configured to open the bag of insulation. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The depth of the bale guide forms a retention structure configured to retain within the chute loosefill insulation material exiting the package and expanding toward the inlet portion of the chute. 
     There is also provided a machine for distributing blowing loosefill insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The chute has a width, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a bale guide and a cutting mechanism. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material with the package having a substantially vertical orientation. The bale guide extends from the inlet portion of the chute, has a width and is configured to urge the package against the cutting mechanism as the package slides within the chute. The cutting mechanism is configured to open the bag of insulation. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The width of the bale guide is less than 20.0% of the width of the chute. 
     Various objects and advantages of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view, in elevation, of a loosefill insulation blowing machine. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view, in elevation, partially in cross-section, of the loosefill insulation blowing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view, in elevation, of the loosefill insulation blowing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view, in elevation, of the inlet portion of the chute of the loosefill insulation blowing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view, in cross-section, of the chute of the loosefill insulation blowing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6 a    is a perspective view of the bale guide of the loosefill insulation blowing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6 b    is a side view, in elevation, of the bale guide of  FIG. 6   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide will now be described with occasional reference to specific embodiments. The loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide to those skilled in the art. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide belongs. The terminology used in the description of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide. As used in the description of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements. 
     The description and figures disclose a loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide. The bale guide is positioned within an inlet portion of a chute. The chute configured to receive a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The bale guide is configured for several functions. First, the bale guide is configured to urge the package of compressed loosefill insulation material against a cutting mechanism as the package is slid into the chute. Next, the bale guide is configured to retain expanding loosefill insulation material within the interior of the chute as the package is cut by the cutting mechanism. Finally, the bale guide is configured to retain the package in an upright orientation as the package engages the cutting mechanism, thereby substantially preventing sagging of the package as the moves past the cutting mechanism. 
     The term “loosefill insulation material”, as used herein, is defined to mean any insulating material configured for distribution in an airstream. The term “finely conditioned”, as used herein, is defined to mean the shredding, picking apart and conditioning of loosefill insulation material to a desired density prior to distribution into an airstream. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a loosefill insulation blowing machine (hereafter “blowing machine”) is shown generally at  10 . The blowing machine  10  is configured for conditioning compressed loosefill insulation material and further configured for distributing the conditioned loosefill insulation material to desired locations, such as for example, insulation cavities. The blowing machine  10  includes a lower unit  12  and a chute  14 . The lower unit  12  is connected to the chute  14  by one or more fastening mechanisms  15 , configured to readily assemble and disassemble the chute  14  to the lower unit  12 . The chute  14  has an inlet portion  16  and an outlet portion  18 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material typically contained within a package (not shown). As the package of compressed loosefill insulation material is guided into an interior of the chute  14 , the cross-sectional shape and size of the chute  14  relative to the cross-sectional shape and size of the package of compressed loosefill insulation material directs an expansion of the compressed loosefill insulation material to a direction toward the outlet portion  18 , wherein the loosefill insulation material is introduced to a shredding chamber  23  positioned in the lower unit  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , optionally the chute  14  can include one or more handle segments  17 , configured to facilitate ready movement of the blowing machine  10  from one location to another. The handle segment  17  can have any desired structure and configuration. However, it should be understood that the one or more handle segments  17  are not necessary to the operation of the blowing machine  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the chute  14  includes a bail guide  19 , mounted at the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . The bail guide  19  is configured to urge a package of compressed loosefill insulation material against a cutting mechanism  20  as the package of compressed loosefill insulation material moves further into the interior of the chute  14 . The bail guide  19  will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the chute  14  includes a distribution hose storage structure  80 . The distribution hose storage structure  80  is configured to store a distribution hose  38  within the chute  14  in the event the blowing machine  10  is not in use. The distribution hose storage structure  80  includes a hose hub  82  attached to flanges  84   a ,  84   b , with each of the flanges  84   a ,  84   b  being mounted in opposing sides of the chute  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the shredding chamber  23  is mounted in the lower unit  12 , downstream from the outlet portion  18  of the chute  14 . The shredding chamber  23  can include a plurality of low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  and one or more agitators  26 . The low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  are configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material as the loosefill insulation material is discharged into the shredding chamber  23  from the outlet portion  18  of the chute  14 . The one or more agitators  26  are configured to finely condition the loosefill insulation material to a desired density as the loosefill insulation material exits the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b . It should be appreciated that any quantity of low speed shredders and agitators can be used. Further, although the blowing machine  10  is described with low speed shredders and agitators, any type or combination of separators, such as clump breakers, beater bars or any other mechanisms, devices or structures that shred, pick apart, condition and/or finely condition the loosefill insulation material can be used. 
     Referring again to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the agitator  26  is positioned vertically below the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b . Alternatively, the agitator  26  can be positioned in any location relative to the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b , such as horizontally adjacent to the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b , sufficient to finely condition the loosefill insulation material to a desired density as the loosefill insulation material exits the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b.    
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown by direction arrows D 1   a , D 1   b  and the one or more agitators  26  also rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown by direction arrow D 2 . Rotating the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  and the agitator  26  in the same counter-clockwise directions, D 1   a , D 1   b  and D 2 , allows the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  and the agitator  26  to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation material while substantially preventing an accumulation of unshredded or partially shredded loosefill insulation material in the shredding chamber  23 . However, in other embodiments, the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  and the agitator  26  could rotate in a clock-wise direction or the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  and the agitator  26  could rotate in different directions provided an accumulation of unshredded or partially shredded loosefill insulation material does not occur in the shredding chamber  23 . 
     Referring again to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  rotate at a lower rotational speed than the agitator  26 . The low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  rotate at a speed of about 40-80 revolutions per minute (rpm) and the agitator  26  rotates at a speed of about 300-500 rpm. In another embodiment, the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  can rotate at a speed less than about 40-80 rpm, provided the speed is sufficient to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation material. In still other embodiments, the agitator  26  can rotate at a speed less than or more than 300-500 rpm provided the speed is sufficient to finely shred the loosefill insulation material and prepare the loosefill insulation material for distribution into an airstream. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the shredding chamber  23  includes a first guide shell  120  positioned partially around the low speed shredder  24   a . The first guide shell  120  extends to form an arc of approximately 90°. The first guide shell  120  has an inner surface  121 . The first guide shell  120  is configured to allow the low speed shredder  24   a  to seal against the inner surface  121  and thereby direct the loosefill insulation material in a downstream direction as the low speed shredder  24   a  rotates. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the shredding chamber  23  includes a second guide shell  122  positioned partially around the low speed shredder  24   b . The second guide shell  122  extends to form an arc of approximately 90°. The second guide shell  122  has an inner surface  123 . The second guide shell  122  is configured to allow the low speed shredder  24   b  to seal against the inner surface  123  and thereby direct the loosefill insulation material in a downstream direction as the low speed shredder  24   b  rotates. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the shredding chamber  23  includes a third guide shell  124  positioned partially around the agitator  26 . The third guide shell  124  extends to form an approximate semi-circle. The third guide shell  124  has an inner surface  125 . The third guide shell  124  is configured to allow the agitator  26  to seal against the inner surface  125  and thereby direct the finely conditioned loosefill insulation material in a downstream direction as the agitator  26  rotates. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the inner surfaces  121 ,  123  and  125 , are formed from a high density polyethylene material (hdpe) configured to provide a lightweight, low friction sealing surface and guide for the loosefill insulation material. Alternatively, the inner surfaces  121 ,  123  and  125  can be formed from other materials, such as aluminum, sufficient to provide a lightweight, low friction sealing surface and guide that allows the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  and the agitator  26  to direct the loosefill insulation material downstream. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a discharge mechanism, shown schematically at  28 , is positioned downstream from the one or more agitators  26  and is configured to distribute the finely conditioned loosefill insulation material exiting the agitator  26  into an airstream, shown schematically by arrow  33  in  FIG. 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge mechanism  28  is a rotary valve. In other embodiments, the discharge mechanism  28  can be other structures, mechanisms and devices, such as for example staging hoppers, metering devices or rotary feeders, sufficient to distribute the finely conditioned loosefill insulation material into the airstream  33 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the finely conditioned loosefill insulation material is driven through the discharge mechanism  28  and through a machine outlet  32  by the airstream  33 . The airstream  33  is provided by a blower  34  and associated ductwork, shown in phantom at  35 . In alternate embodiments, the airstream  33  can be provided by other structures and manners, such as by a vacuum, sufficient to provide the airstream  33  through the discharge mechanism  28 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b , agitator  26  and discharge mechanism  28  are mounted for rotation. In the illustrated embodiment, they are driven by an electric motor  36  and associated drive means (not shown). However, in other embodiments, the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b , agitator  26  and discharge mechanism  28  can be driven by any suitable means. In still other embodiments, each of the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b , agitator  26  and discharge mechanism  28  can be provided with its own source of rotation. In the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor  36  driving the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b , agitator  26  and discharge mechanism  28  is configured to operate on a single 15 ampere, 110 volt a.c. electrical power supply. In other embodiments, other suitable power supplies can be used. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the discharge mechanism  28  is configured with a side inlet  92 . The side inlet  92  is configured to receive the finely conditioned loosefill insulation material as it is fed in a substantially horizontal direction from the agitator  26 . In this embodiment, the side inlet  92  of the discharge mechanism  28  is positioned to be horizontally adjacent to the agitator  26 . In another embodiment, a low speed shredder  24   a  or  24   b , or a plurality of low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  or agitators  26 , or other shredding mechanisms can be horizontally adjacent to the side inlet  92  of the discharge mechanism  28  or in other suitable positions. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a choke  110  is positioned between the agitator  26  and the discharge mechanism  28 . In this position, the choke  110  is configured to allow finely conditioned loosefill insulation material to enter the side inlet  92  of the discharge mechanism  28  and redirect heavier clumps of conditioned loosefill insulation material past the side inlet  92  of the discharge mechanism  28  and back to the low speed shredders,  24   a  and  24   b , for further conditioning. In the illustrated embodiment, the choke  110  has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. However, the choke  110  can have other cross-sectional shapes sufficient to allow finely conditioned loosefill insulation material to enter the side inlet  92  of the discharge mechanism  28  and redirect heavier clumps of conditioned loosefill insulation material past the side inlet  92  of the discharge mechanism  28  and back to the low speed shredders,  24   a  and  24   b , for further conditioning. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in operation, the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  receives a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. As the package of compressed loosefill insulation material moves into the chute  14 , the bale guide  19  urges the package against the cutting mechanism  20  thereby cutting an outer protective covering and allowing the compressed loosefill insulation within the package to expand. As the compressed loosefill insulation material expands within the chute  14 , the chute  14  directs the expanding loosefill insulation material past the outlet portion  18  of the chute  14  and into the shredding chamber  23 . The low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  receive the loosefill insulation material and shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. The loosefill insulation material is directed by the low speed shredders  24   a ,  24   b  to the agitator  26 . The agitator  26  is configured to finely condition the loosefill insulation material and prepare the loosefill insulation material for distribution into the airstream  33  by further shredding and conditioning the loosefill insulation material. The finely conditioned loosefill insulation material exits the agitator  26  and enters the discharge mechanism  28  for distribution into the airstream  33  provided by the blower  34 . The airstream  33 , entrained with the finely conditioned loosefill insulation material, exits the insulation blowing machine  10  at the machine outlet  32  and flows through the distribution hose  38  toward an insulation cavity (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  includes longitudinal sides  64   a ,  64   b  and lateral sides  66   a ,  66   b . The longitudinal sides  64   a ,  64   b  of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 , are configured to be substantially vertical and centered about major longitudinal axis A-A. The lateral sides  66   a ,  66   b  are configured to be substantially horizontal and centered about major lateral axis B-B. In operation, a package of compressed loosefill insulation material  50  is fed into the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  in a manner such that the package  50  has a substantially vertical orientation. The term “vertical orientation”, as used herein, is defined to a mean major face  52   a  of the package  50  extends along the longitudinal side  64   a , opposing major face  52   b  extends along the substantially vertically-oriented bale guide  19 , and opposing minor faces  54   a ,  54   b  of the package  50  are extend along the lateral sides  66   a ,  66   b . Alternatively, the chute  14  can be configured such that the package  50  has a substantially horizontal orientation when fed into the inlet end  16  of the chute  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , the bale guide  19  is illustrated. The bale guide  19  is formed from one or more sheet materials having a thickness T. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness T is approximately 0.125 inches. However, in other embodiments, the thickness T can be more or less than approximately 0.125 inches. The sheet material forming the bale guide  19  is configured to be flexible, thereby allowing the bale guide  19  to flex as the package  50  contacts the bale guide  19 . In turn, the resilient nature of the bale guide  19  produces a force that urges the package  50  into contact with the cutting mechanism  20  as the package  50  progresses into the inlet end  16  of the chute  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bale guide  19  is formed from a polymeric material having a low coefficient of friction that allows the package  50  to easily slide against the bale guide  19 , such as for example, high density polyethylene (hdpe). However, in other embodiments, the bale guide  19  can be formed from other materials suitable to flexibly urge the package  50  into sliding contact with the cutting mechanism  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , the bale guide  19  has a first flat portion  70 , a curved portion  72  extending from the first flat portion  70  and a second flat portion  74  extending from the curved portion  72 . The first and second flat portions  70 ,  74  are oriented in a stacked arrangement, thereby forming the curved portion  72 . A plurality of apertures  76  (a single aperture is shown for purposes of clarity) extend through the first and second stacked flat portions  70 ,  74 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a plurality of fasteners  76  is used to attached the bale guide  19  to the longitudinal side  64   b  of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  such that the curved portion  72  of the bale guide  19  is positioned downstream from the stacked first and second flat portions  70 ,  72 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners  76  are rivets. However, in other embodiments, the fasteners  76  can have other forms sufficient to attach the bale guide  19  to the longitudinal side  64   b  of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 , including the non-limiting example of threaded fasteners. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5 and 6   b , the curved portion  72  of the bale guide  19  has a diameter DCP. The diameter DCP of the curved portion  72  is configured such that the curved portion  72  of the bale guide  19  extends across a depth DC of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  a distance sufficient to ensure engagement of the package  50  with the cutting mechanism  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the curved portion  72  has a diameter DCP in a range of from about 2.0 inches to about 3.0 inches and the depth DC of the inlet portion  16  is in a range of from about 8.0 inches to about 10.0 inches. Accordingly, the curved portion  72  of the bale guide  19  extends across approximately 20.0% to about 37.5% of the depth DC of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . Without being held to the theory, it is believed that a curved portion  72  having a larger diameter would hinder entry of the package  50  into the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  and a curved portion  72  having a smaller diameter would provide insufficient engagement of the package  50  with the cutting mechanism  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , as discussed above the curved portion  72  of the bale guide  19  extends across approximately 20.0% to about 37.5% of the depth DC of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . Advantageously, the extension of the bale guide  19  across the inlet portion  16  provides a retention structure (e.g. dam). The retention structure is useful to retain loosefill insulation material exiting the package  50  and expanding in a direction, as shown by direction arrows D 3 , toward the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . The loosefill insulation material expanding in the direction D 3  toward the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  will be substantially retained within the chute  14  by the bale guide  19 . 
     While the bale guide  19  is shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    as having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, the bale guide  19  can have other cross-sectional shapes, such as for example a triangular cross-sectional shape. A triangularly-shaped bale guide could be oriented with the narrow portion of the triangle positioned near the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  and a larger portion of the triangle arranged in a downstream direction. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5 and 6   b , the bale guide  19  is positioned at the inlet portion  16  of the chute and has a width WBG. The width WBG of the bale guide  19  is configured such that the bale guide  19  extends from the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  into the chute  14  only a small distance compared to an overall chute width WC. In the illustrated embodiment, the width WBG of the bale guide  19  is in a range of from about 4.0 inches to about 6.0 inches and the width WC of the chute  14  is in a range of from about 32.0 inches to about 36.0 inches. Accordingly, the bale guide  19  extends into the chute  14  approximately 11.1% to about 18.8% of the width WC of the chute  14 . Advantageously, positioning the bale guide  19  at the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  and limiting the distance the bale guide  19  extends into the chute  14  provides more space within the interior of the chute  14  for the distribution hose  38  to be wound around the hub  82  with the machine  10  in a storage mode. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 6   a , the bale guide  19  has a length LBG. The length LBG of the bale guide  19  is configured such that the bale guide  19  extends substantially across a height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . The term “substantially across”, as used herein, is defined to mean the length LBG of the bale guide  19  is in a range of from about 70.0% of the height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  to about 100.0% of the height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . Without being held to the theory, it is believed the length LBG of the bale guide  19  of at least 70.0% of the height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  advantageously retains the package  50  in an upright orientation as the package  50  is slid into the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  and subsequently engages the cutting mechanism  20 . An upright orientation of the package  50  substantially prevents sagging of the package  50  as the package  50  moves past the cutting mechanism  20 . It has been found that maintaining an upright orientation of the package  50  leads to more efficient expansion of the compressed loosefill insulation material as the compressed loosefill insulation material exits the package in a direction toward the shredding chamber  23 . In the illustrated embodiment, the length LBG of the bale guide is about 15.0 inches and the height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14  is about 21.0 inches. Accordingly, the length LBG the bale guide  19  is approximately 71.0% of the height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . However, in other embodiments, the length LBG of the bale guide  19  can be more than 71.0% of the height HIP of the inlet portion  16  of the chute  14 . 
     The principle and mode of operation of the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide have been described in certain embodiments. However, it should be noted that the loosefill insulation blowing machine with a full height bale guide may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.