Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method for stacking and binding flattened cardboard or cellulose material into a bale is disclosed. The apparatus disclosed is anticipated for use in recycling paper and cardboard. The apparatus uses a post or a sleeve with a piercing element for perforating the cardboard sheets and holding them in a stack as they accumulate. Cord is routed through the stack of papers, cardboard, or other cellulose materials fastens the stack by with the help of anchoring elements attached to the ends of the cord. The apparatus uses a ram for facilitating the process of forcing the pieces down the post or the sleeve. Additionally, the apparatus is mounted on a stand adapted to match with the type of materials being baled and the stand can be mounted on a surface such as a wall.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application claims the benefits of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/870,199 filed on Aug. 26, 2013, by the present inventor and is incorporated herewith by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed invention is generally within the field of bale forming devices and discloses a method and apparatus for cardboard baling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device for binding multiple cardboard sheets, such as flattened boxes, into a bale for disposal or recycling. The device is compact, inexpensive, and imposes practically no limitations on the size of the cardboard sheets that make up the bale. The device performs optimally even when the size of the material being baled varies widely within the same bale. 
     Significant aspects and features of the present invention include a binding method whereby cord passes through the body of each cardboard sheet of the bale and, therefore, through the bale. An anchoring element is fastened to each end of the cord retaining the material on the cord between the anchoring elements. The binding method represents a departure from prior art methods in which at least a portion of the cord wraps around the perimeter of the bale. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a baler comprising multiple, removable parts, which are quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by hand into various configurations before, during, and after construction of the bale. Changeability of the state of assembly allows the device to be optimally configured at each step of the baling process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device for binding multiple cardboard sheets, such as flattened boxes, into a bale for disposal or recycling. The device is compact, inexpensive, and imposes practically no limitations on the size of the cardboard sheets that make up the bale. The device performs optimally even when the size of the material being baled varies widely within the same bale. 
     Cardboard balers disclosed in prior art have been large and complex machines or impose explicit or implicit limitations on the size of the cardboard sheets that make up the bale. Large, complex machines can also be costly and not accessible to normal household consumers. Further, since the cardboard sheet sizes encountered in normal daily use vary significantly in size, imposing limitations in cardboard sheet size make these balers unsuitable for baling use by consumer. Even when the baling apparatus disclosed in the prior art is simple and affordable, the apparatus generally restricts the baled material to be roughly of similar size for optimal performance. 
     What is needed is a baling apparatus that is appropriate for daily use and allows the baling of cardboard and other cellulose pieces of a plurality of sizes, shapes and thickness. What is also needed is a baling apparatus that is detachable and easy to store. What is needed is a baling apparatus that is easy to assemble and store. What is also needed is an apparatus for baling that is cost effective and affordable and easy to use. 
     Significant aspects and features of the present invention include a binding method whereby cord passes through the body of each cardboard sheet of the bale and, therefore, through the bale. An anchoring element is fastened to each end of the cord retaining the material on the cord between the anchoring elements. The binding method represents a departure from prior art methods in which at least a portion of the cord wraps around the perimeter of the bale. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a baler comprising multiple, removable parts, which are quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by hand into various configurations before, during, and after construction of the bale. Changeability of the state of assembly allows the device to be optimally configured at each step of the baling process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described in conjunction with the attached drawings in which referenced numerals designate elements, and wherein, 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the baling apparatus; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are isometric and plan view of an L-shaped post and the complementary slot in the movable jaw adapted to accommodate it;  FIGS. 2C and 2D  are isometric and plan view of an T-shaped post and the complementary slot in the movable jaw adapted to accommodate it; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the components used in an embodiment of the baling apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded elevation view of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is elevation view of a bale formed by using an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 6A through 6E  illustrate the steps in the process of stacking paper or cardboard in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 7A through 7G  illustrate the steps in the process of removing the stacked paper or cardboard and creating a bale therefrom in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the sleeve includes a piercing element; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the post is inserted into a circular base. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded elevation view of an embodiment of the invention where the cord is routed through a slot in the post with  FIG. 11  illustrating the cross-sectional view of the post; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the base  412  is mounted on a vertical structure such as a wall; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is the cross-sectional view of the post for the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration where an embodiment of the invention is used to bale cardboard pieces of unequal and non-uniform sizes. 
         FIG. 16  is an embodiment of the invention without the use of anchoring elements where the two ends of a cord running through the bale are tied over the surface of the bale. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed in this application is an apparatus and method for baling arbitrarily shaped pieces of cardboard, or other material that is easy to pierce. The invention comprises of a post with a piercing end adapted to receive a plurality of cardboard pieces of arbitrary shapes and sizes. A twine, rope, cord or a similar anchoring element is inserted through the holes pierced through the cardboard. A user uses a ram with a grip for providing mechanical advantage when pushing bales down so that compact bales are formed. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an assembled side view of an embodiment of the invention  10 , including a clamp assembly  13 . The stationary jaw  16  is fixedly attached to the base  12  using a fastener  20 . A screwable fastener  22  connecting the stationary jaw  16  and the movable jaw  18  is adapted to generate predetermined force to optimally engage and thereby fixedly retain post  14  when the baler  10  is assembled to perform the baling process. The first anchoring element  26  is one of two anchoring elements between which the bale is constrained. The first anchoring element  26  may be, for example, a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. Attached to the first anchoring element  26  is a cord  28  having sufficient length to provide two free ends after the cord  28  is fastened to the post  14  at the notch  32 . 
     An embodiment of the clamp assembly  13  illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  comprises of an L-shaped post  14  sandwiched between a movable jaw  18  and a stationary jaw  16 . One arm of the L-shaped post is inserted into the slot  19  included in the stationary jaw  16 . An embodiment of clamp assembly  13  illustrated in  FIGS. 2C and 2D  comprises a stationary jaw  16 , a movable jaw  18 , and a T-shaped post  14 . The inner surfaces of the stationary jaw  16  and movable jaw  18  (e.g. the surface on each jaw that faces the other jaw) are in substantially parallel planes where the space between the two parallel surfaces is adapted to engage post  14 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a sleeve  36  comprises a rigid cylindrical wall defining an interior region with an opening at both ends. The sleeve  36  is removably disposed over the post  14 , being supported at the proximal end by the stand  11 . The sleeve  36  is cut at an angle at its distal end  38 , the angle ranging from fifteen degrees (15°) to ninety degrees (90°) relative to the sleeve axis. The cord  28  is routed through a first defined space that provides a protected passageway between the post  14  and the sleeve  36 . The first defined space prevents cardboard sheets  56  from abrading the cord  28  when cardboard sheets are slid over the post  14  toward the base  12 . The first defined space is defined by the cavity between the post  14  and the inner wall of the sleeve  36  through which the cord  28  is routed. 
     The cord  28  is routed through a second defined space that provides a protected passageway between the region outside the sleeve  36  and the region inside the sleeve  36 . The second defined space prevents the sleeve  36  from pinching the cord  28  when the sleeve  36  is disposed over the post  14 . The second defined space may be provided by a slot  30  formed in a surface of a clamp jaw, the slot  30  extending from the region outside the area circumscribed by the wall of the sleeve  36  to the region inside the area circumscribed by the wall of the sleeve  36 , thereby forming an opening between the sleeve  36  and the clamp  13  through which the cord  28  can pass. 
     An apparatus for baling cardboard comprising a base; a post having a primal end, a middle section, and a distal end where the primal end, the middle section and the distal end are linearly disposed, and the primal end of the post is attached to the base and the post has a notch; a cord of predetermined length having a first end and a second end and adapted to run through a bale of cardboard where the first end of the cord is attached to a first anchoring element and the second end of the cord is attached to the notch in the post; a sleeve having a primal end and a distal end with the primal end of the sleeve adapted to cover the primal end of the post and the distal end of the sleeve adapted to cover the post, where the sleeve is substantially shaped as a hollow cylinder having a diameter and a length where the diameter of the sleeve is adapted to include within the hollow cavity the post and a cord attached thereupon, and the length of the sleeve is adapted to cover the post; and a second anchoring element adapted to attach to the second end of the cord. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a jaw attached to the base where the jaw includes a housing cavity and the post is inserted into the housing cavity of the jaw, wherein the conformation of the post and jaw attached to the base includes an angle between the base and the post, and the included angle between the post and the base ranges between fifteen (15) degrees to ninety (90) degrees. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a piercing element disposed over the distal end of the post with the piercing element comprising of a tapered feature where the piercing element is attached to and supported by the distal end of the post and includes a pointed contour with the pointed contour extending beyond the distal end of the post. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a piercing element disposed over the distal end of the sleeve with the piercing element comprising of a tapered feature where the piercing element is attached to and supported by the distal end of the sleeve and includes a pointed contour with the pointed contour extending beyond the distal end of the post. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard including a first defined space where the first defined space is formed by the region between the post and the sleeve, and a portion of the cord is run alongside the post and through the first defined space. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a jaw attached to the base where the jaw includes a housing cavity and the post is inserted into the housing cavity of the jaw, with the post having a cross section shape and where the cross section shape of the post has a shape of an “L” and wherein the housing cavity in the jaw is adapted to receive the post with the “L” cross section shape. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a jaw attached to the base where the jaw includes a housing cavity and the post is inserted into the housing cavity of the jaw, with the post having a cross section shape and where the cross section shape of the post has a shape of an “T” and wherein the hollow cavity in the jaw is adapted to receive the post with the “T” cross section shape. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a base where the includes a surface and a device for mounting and the base on a mounting surface where the device for mounting the base on the mounting surface includes a plurality of fasteners that pierce through the base surface and insert into the mounting surface thereby fastening the base and the mounting surface. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a base that has a shape selected from a group consisting of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a trapezoid and a square. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard has a jaw a jaw attached to the base where the jaw includes a housing cavity and the post is inserted into the housing cavity of the jaw, wherein the jaw comprises of a stationary jaw portion and a movable jaw portion where the stationary jaw portion is fixedly attached to the base; the movable jaw portion has a first end and a second end where the first end of the movable jaw portion is detachably attached to a fence and the second end the movable jaw portion is detachably attached to the stationary jaw portion; and the attachment of the movable jaw portion and the stationary jaw portion includes the housing cavity. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard that comprises of a fastening mechanism for fixedly attaching the stationary jaw portion to the base; the movable jaw portion and the stationary jaw portion each having a surface where the surfaces come into a contact with each other creating a hollow cavity that is complimentarily shaped and adapted to accommodate the post to fully engage and occupy the hollow cavity; a clamping mechanism utilizing one or more threaded fasteners for attaching the movable jaw portion to the stationary jaw portion where the clamping mechanism is adapted to vary the force exerted by the movable jaw portion and the stationary jaw portion over the accommodated post. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard that comprises of a movable jaw portion having a jaw height and a left end and a right end where the right end of the movable jaw portion engages the stationary jaw portion and the left end of the movable jaw portion includes a fence having a fence height where the fence height is larger than the jaw height; the fence attached to the left end of the movable jaw portion with the clamp; and the fence height is adapted to restrain a first anchoring element in close proximity to the post. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a ram  40  comprises a rigid tubular wall defining an interior region with three openings to the ambient atmosphere. The ram  40  is removably disposed over a portion of the post  14  and sleeve  36 . The ram  40  has an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, the two portions being disposed at right angles, as in the shape of a capital letter T. The upper tubular portion corresponds to the horizontal stroke in the capital letter T and the lower tubular portion corresponds to the vertical stroke in the capital letter T. The upper tubular portion and lower tubular portion are joined so as to form a single interior cavity in the shape of a T, the cavity open to the ambient atmosphere at both ends of the upper tubular portion  44  and at the bottom opening  42  of the lower tubular portion. Each opening is delineated by an edge adjacent to the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall. The bottom opening  42  may be delineated by an edge that is beveled such that the opening is larger at the outer wall than the inner wall. A compliant, shock-absorbing element  46  may occupy the cavity bounded by the walls of the upper tubular portion. The shock-absorbing element  46  is of sufficient length to extend entirely across the passageway leading from the upper tubular portion to the lower tubular portion and of sufficient breadth to fit snugly in the upper tubular portion. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard includes a ram adapted to cover the sleeve and the post included therein and wherein the ram comprises an upper portion and a lower portion with each of the upper portion and the lower portion having a hollow cylindrical shape, where the upper portion and lower portion are fixedly attached so as form a shape of a letter “T” with the upper portion aligned with horizontal arm of the letter “T” and the lower portion aligned with vertical arm of the letter “T”; the upper portion is stuffed with compliant or shock absorbing material; and the lower portion having a top end and a bottom end where the top end of the lower portion is fixedly attached to the upper portion, and the lower end has an opening where the opening includes beveled edge circumscribing the perimeter of the opening. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 5  is a second anchoring element  48  attached to the free ends of cord  28  to complete the binding of the bale  58 . The second anchoring element  48  may be, for example, a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. The second anchoring element  48  may be of similar construction to the first anchoring element  26  or of differing construction. 
     The post  14  has a piercing element  34  formed at its distal end. The proximal end the post  14  attaches to clamp  13 . In an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal cross section of the post  14  is generally L-shaped wherein the receptacle slot  19  within the clamp assembly  13  has predetermined width and depth to accommodate one leg of the L extends along the inner surface of the stationary jaw  16  while the inner surface of the movable jaw  18  is substantially planar. Threaded fasteners  22  situated on each side of the post  14  couples the jaws to each other. The threaded fasteners  22  draw the jaws toward each other when tightened, the threaded fasteners  22  being the tightening mechanism of the clamp  13 . The fasteners  22  may be bolts and nuts, lag screws, or the like. 
     Additionally, a fence  24  may be secured adjacent the movable jaw  18 . The fence  24  may be parallelepiped in shape having a length dimension and a height dimension in a plane disposed approximately parallel to the post  14 . The height dimension is sufficient to extend above and below the movable jaw  18 . The fence  24  extends below the movable jaw  18  by a distance equal to the height (thickness) of the base  12  such that the bottom of the fence  24  is in the same plane as the surface supporting the base  12 . The length of the fence  24  may be greater than the width of the base  12 , providing lateral stability to the baler  10  beyond that provided by the base  12  alone. The fence  24  extends above the movable jaw  18  by a distance sufficient to retain a first anchoring element  26  in the space bounded by the post  14 , movable jaw  18 , and fence  24 . 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 6A through 6E  are the steps in the process of bale formation. Starting with  FIG. 6A  is where the post  14  is clamped between stationary jaw  16  and the movable jaw  18 , with the fastener  22  tightened to a predetermined level to keep the post  14  in a fixedly upright position. Illustrated in  FIG. 6B  is a first anchoring element  26  with the attached cord  28  which is inserted into notch  32  wherein the first anchoring element  26  is seated into the stand  11 . Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 6C , the sleeve  36  is inserted over the post  14  where the sleeve  36  is adapted to be snugly cover the post  14 . The sleeve  36  performs the function of providing a smooth surface that guide the sliding motion of ram  40 , as well as provides a covering for keeping the cord  28  secure by preventing its movements against the thrusting actions of the ram. Illustrated in  FIG. 6D  is the dimensional compatibility of the baling components&#39; assembly  10  with the ram  40  with a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow interior having dimensions to snugly accommodate the sleeve  36  also having an approximately cylindrical shape with the hollow interior having dimensions adapted to snugly accommodate the post  14  and provide a covering for the attached cord  28  inserted into notch  32 . In an embodiment of the invention the upward facing end of the sleeve  36  is shaped to pierce through the cardboard or paper pieces and facilitate the baling process. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 6E  is the step of adding plurality of cardboard or paper pieced to the bale  56  getting formed over the stand  11 . One or more of the pieces of cardboards are pushed down over the sleeve  36  with the help of a ram  40  having one end with a substantially tubular portion containing a shock-absorbing element. The process of adding paper or cardboard with the help of a ram  40  moving downwards continues until the bale  56  achieves a predetermined size. 
       FIGS. 7A through 7G  illustrate the steps in the process of removing the bale  56  from the apparatus disclosed. The first step in removing the bale is illustrated in  FIG. 7A  where the ram  40 , and the sleeve  36  are removed from post  14  thereby exposing the cord  28  attached to the notch  32 . Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the cord  28  is removed from the notch  32 . The second anchoring element  48  is then attached to the cord  28  while pressure, using a foot, is applied to the bale  56  to bring it into a substantially compressed conformation as illustrated in  FIG. 7C . Pressure may also be applied using the ram  40  to bring the bale  56  into a substantially compressed conformation as illustrated in  FIG. 7D . This leaves the bale  56  in a substantially compact conformation encompassed by the first anchoring element  26  on one end and a second anchoring element  48  at the other end where the two anchoring elements are connected with a cord  28  running through the baled cardboard or paper as shown in  FIG. 7E . 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 7F and 7G  are the steps of dismounting the bale  56  from the baling apparatus  10 . The bale having been formed, the stand  11  is turned over so that bale  56  glides down the post  14  under the force of gravity as illustrated in  FIG. 7F . The stand  11  is returned to its normal upright position after the bale  56  is completely off the post  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 7G . 
     An embodiment of the method for baling of material is disclosed where the method comprising the steps of providing an apparatus for baling cardboard or cellulosic material where the apparatus is comprised of a base, and a post having a length and a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the post attached to the base, a piercing element extending beyond the distal end of the post, a cord having a first end and a second end and predetermined length, the first end of the cord attached to a first anchoring element and connected to the primal end of the post, and the second end of the cord attached to a notch included on the post; providing a plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material to be baled; attaching the first end of the cord to the first anchoring element; routing the cord through a set of defined spaces along the post and attaching the cord to the notch on the post; impaling the plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material over the piercing element; sliding the plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material along the length of the post optionally with the help of a ram used for pushing the plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material down towards to the proximal end of the post thereby building a stack of the plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material at the proximal end of the post; compressing the stack of the plurality of pieces cardboard or cellulosic material with a predetermined force; detaching said cord from the notch on the post and attaching it to a second anchoring element thereby forming a bundle of the plurality of cardboard or cellulosic material compressed between the first and the second anchoring element; and removing the bundle from the post. 
     An embodiment of the method for baling of material is disclosed with the method comprising the steps of providing additional device components including a sleeve; installing the sleeve to cover the post prior to impaling the plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material over the piercing element; and removing the sleeve from the post after sliding the plurality of pieces of cardboard or cellulosic material along the length of the sleeve covering the post. 
     An embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 8  includes a plurality of fasteners  122  that attach movable jaw  118  and the stationary jaw  116 . The stand  111  comprises of a post  114  extending from a base  112 , a fence  124 , a first anchoring element  126 , and a cord  128 . The sleeve  136  has two ends with one end resting on the stand  111  and the other including a sharp end designed to pierce through cardboard or paper needing to be baled. The ram  146  has a capped end, a substantially cylindrical shaped and a hollow interior adapted to slide over the post  114 . 
     The post  114  is blunt at its distal end. Additionally, the post  114  attached to the base  112  in the slot  130  formed between stationary jaw  116  and movable jaw  118 . The stationary jaw  116  is attached to the base  112  by any suitable means, for example with two screws  120 . The inner surfaces of the stationary jaw  116  and movable jaw  118  (e.g. the surface on each jaw that faces the other jaw) are in substantially parallel planes. The force-applying region of the jaw inner surfaces may be shaped to optimally engage the post  114 . Threaded fasteners  122  situated on each side of the post  114  couples the jaws to each other. The threaded fasteners  122  draw the jaws toward each other when tightened, the threaded fasteners  122  being the tightening mechanism of the clamp  113 . The fasteners  122  may be bolts and nuts, lag screws, or the like. 
     Additionally, a fence  124  may be secured adjacent the movable jaw  118 . The fence  124  may be parallelepiped in shape having a length dimension and a height dimension in a plane disposed approximately parallel to the post  114 . The height dimension is sufficient to extend above and below the movable jaw  118 . The fence  124  extends below the movable jaw  118  by a distance equal to the height (thickness) of the base  112  such that the bottom of the fence  124  is in the same plane as the surface supporting the base  112 . The fence  124  extends above the movable jaw  118  by a distance sufficient to retain a first anchoring element  126  in the space bounded by the post  114 , movable jaw  118 , and fence  124 . 
     The first anchoring element  126  is one of two anchoring elements between which the bale is constrained. The first anchoring element  126  may be, for example, a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. Attached to the first anchoring element  126  is a cord  128  having sufficient length to provide two free ends after the cord  128  is fastened to the post  114  at the notch  132 . 
     A sleeve  136  comprises a rigid cylindrical wall defining an interior region with an opening at both ends. The sleeve  136  is removably disposed over all or part of the post  114 . The sleeve  136  is supported at its proximal end by a standoff structure  130 . The sleeve  136  is formed at its distal end into a piercing element  138 , where the piercing element  138  is suitably contoured for piercing cardboard and guiding it onto the sleeve  136  where the sleeve  136  is longer than the post  114 . 
     The cord  128  is routed through a first defined space that provides a protected passageway between the post  114  and the sleeve  136 . The first defined space prevents cardboard sheets from abrading the cord  128  when cardboard sheets are slid over the post  114  toward the base  112 . The first defined space is defined by the cavity between the inner wall of the sleeve  136  and the post  114  through which the cord  128  is routed. In the case where the sleeve  136  and post  114  both are circular in cross section, the cavity between them will be generally annular in cross section. 
     The cord  128  is routed through a second defined space that provides a protected passageway between the region outside the sleeve  136  and the region inside the sleeve  136 . The second defined space prevents the sleeve  136  from pinching the cord  128  when the sleeve  136  is disposed over the post  114 . The second defined space may be provided by a standoff structure that supports the sleeve  136  above the cord, such as a screw  130  or a formation integral to the clamp  113 , for example, by making the stationary jaw  116  longer in one dimension than the movable jaw  118 , the standoff structure forming an opening between the sleeve  136  and the stand  111  through which the cord can pass. 
     A ram  140  is removably disposed over the sleeve  136 . The ram  140  comprises a rigid tubular wall defining an interior region with an opening  142  at one end and a cap  146  at the other end. The opening  142  may be delineated by an edge that is beveled such that the opening is larger at the outer wall than the inner wall. A second anchoring element  148  is attached to the free ends of cord  128  to complete the binding of the bale. In more detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 8 , the cardboard baler  110  includes both discardable and reusable components. Excluding the cardboard being baled, the discard able components are the first anchoring element  126 , cord  128 , and the second anchoring element  148 . All other components are reusable. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 9  is an embodiment of the cardboard baler  210  having a stand  211 , a sleeve  236 , a ram  240 , and a second anchoring element  248 . The stand  211  comprises a post  214  extending from a base  212 , a first anchoring element  226 , and a cord  228 . The base  212  is circular, the post  214  being attached at its proximal end to the base  212  near the geometric center of the circle with a glued or a mechanically formed joint, such as a threaded joint, a press-fit joint, and the like. Although the base is circular, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible. The post  214  is blunt at its distal end. The post  214  has a notch  232  formed in its distal end. The first anchoring element  226  is one of two anchoring elements between which the bale is constrained. The first anchoring element  226  may be, for example, a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. Attached to the first anchoring element  226  is cord  228  having sufficient length to provide two free ends after the cord  228  is fastened to the post  214  at the notch  232 . 
     A sleeve  236  comprises a rigid cylindrical wall defining an interior region with an opening at one end. The sleeve  236  is removably disposed over the entire length of the post  214 . The sleeve  236  is supported at its proximal end by the base  212 . The sleeve  236  is formed at its distal end into a piercing element  238 , the piercing element  238  being suitably contoured for piercing cardboard and guiding it onto the sleeve  236  wherein the sleeve  236  is longer than the post  214 . 
     The cord  228  is routed through a first defined space that provides a protected passageway between the post  214  and the sleeve  236 . The first defined space prevents cardboard sheets from abrading the cord  228  when cardboard sheets are slid over the post  214  toward the base  212 . The first defined space is defined by the cavity between the inner wall of the sleeve  236  and the post  214  through which the cord  228  is routed. In the case where the sleeve  236  and post  214  both are circular in cross section, the cavity between them will be generally annular in cross section. 
     The cord  228  is routed through a second defined space that provides a protected passageway between the region outside the sleeve  236  and the region inside the sleeve  236 . The second defined space prevents the sleeve  236  from pinching the cord  228  when the sleeve  236  is disposed over the post  214 . The second defined space may be provided by a slot or a plurality of slots formed in the proximal end of the sleeve  236 , said slots forming openings through which the cord  228  can pass. 
     A ram  240  is removably disposed over the sleeve  236 . The ram  240  comprises a rigid tubular wall defining an interior region with a first opening  242  at one end and a second opening  244  at the other end. The first opening  242  may be delineated by an edge that is beveled such that the opening is larger at the outer wall than the inner wall. The second opening  244  may be similarly beveled. 
     A second anchoring element  248  is attached to the free ends of cord  228  to complete the binding of the bale. In more detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 9 , the cardboard baler  210  includes components that are reusable or may be discarded. Excluding the cardboard being baled, the first anchoring element  226 , cord  228 , and the second anchoring element  248  may be discarded. All other components are reusable.  FIGS. 6-7  illustrate the steps in the process of baling cardboard or paper with an embodiment of the invention. Similar steps are used for baling cardboard or paper using the embodiment of cardboard baler  210 . 
     An embodiment of the cardboard baler  310  shown in  FIG. 10  has stand  311 , a piercing element  338 , a ram  340 , and a second anchoring element  348 . The stand  311  comprises a post  314  extending from a base  312 , a first anchoring element  326 , and a cord  328 . The base  312  is circular, the post  314  being attached at its proximal end to the base  312  near the geometric center of the circle with a glued or a mechanically formed joint, such as a threaded joint, a press-fit joint, and the like. Although the base is circular, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible. The post  314  is blunt at its distal end. The post  314  has a notch  332  formed in its distal end. 
     The first anchoring element  326  is one of two anchoring elements between which the bale is constrained. The first anchoring element  326  may be, for example, a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. Attached to the first anchoring element  326  is cord  328  having sufficient length to provide two free ends after the cord  328  is fastened to the post  314  at the notch  332 . 
     A piercing element  338  comprises a rigid cylindrical wall defining an interior region with an opening at one end into which the distal end of the post  314  is received. The piercing element  338  is removably disposed over the distal end of the post  314  and is supported from the inside by the distal end of the post  314 . The piercing element  338  is formed at the end opposite the opening into a pointed tip contoured for piercing cardboard and guiding it onto the post  314 . 
     The cord  328  is routed through a defined space that provides a protected passageway along the post  314 . A channel formed longitudinally in the post  314  into which a portion of the cord  328  is routed defines the defined space. The defined space prevents cardboard sheets from abrading the cord  328  when cardboard sheets are slid over the post  314  toward the base  312 . 
     A ram  340  is removably disposed over the piercing element  338  and post  314 . The ram  340  comprises a rigid tubular wall defining an interior region with a first opening  342  at one end and a second opening  344  at the other end. The first opening  342  may be delineated by an edge that is beveled such that the opening is larger at the outer wall than the inner wall. The second opening  344  may be similarly beveled. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the cross section view of the post  314 . 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 12  is the embodiment of the cardboard baler  410  having a stand  411 , a sleeve  436 , a ram  440 , and a second anchoring element  448 . The stand  411  comprises a post  414  extending from a base  412 , a fence  424 , a first anchoring element  426 , and a cord  428 . The base  412  is fixed to a surface, such as a wall, with one or more fasteners  450  and the post is disposed at an angle, α, relative to the base  412 , the angle ranging from fifteen degrees (15°) to ninety degrees (90°). The post  414  has a piercing element  434  formed at its distal end and is attached to the base  412  at its proximal end. 
     Additionally, a fence  424  is secured adjacent the base  412 . The first anchoring element  426  is one of two anchoring elements between which the bale is constrained. The first anchoring element  426  is made with a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. Attached to the first anchoring element  426  is a cord  428  having sufficient length to provide two free ends after the cord  428  is fastened to the post  414  at the notch  432 . 
     A sleeve  436  comprises a rigid cylindrical wall defining an interior region with an opening at both ends. The sleeve  436  is removably disposed over the post  414 , being supported at the proximal end by the stand  411 . The sleeve  436  is cut at an angle at its distal end  438 , the angle ranging from fifteen degrees (15°) to ninety degrees (90°) relative to the sleeve axis. The cord  428  is routed through a first defined space included between the post  414  and the sleeve  436  by the cavity between the post  414  and the inner wall of the sleeve  436 . The cord  428  is routed through the first defined space. The first defined space prevents the cord  428  from getting abraded by the cardboard sheets when cardboard sheets are slid over the post  414  toward the base  412 . 
     The cord  428  is routed through a second defined space that provides a protected passageway between the region outside the sleeve  436  and the region inside the sleeve  436 . The second defined space prevents the sleeve  436  from pinching the cord  428  when the sleeve  436  is disposed over the post  414 . The second defined space is provided by a slot  430  formed in the upper surface of the base  412 , the slot  430  extending from the region outside the area circumscribed by the wall of the sleeve  436  to the region inside the area circumscribed by the wall of the sleeve  436 , thereby forming an opening between the sleeve  436  and the base  412  through which the cord can pass. 
     A ram  440  comprises a rigid tubular wall defining an interior region with three openings and is removably disposed over a portion of the post  414  and sleeve  436 . The ram  440  has an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, the two portions being disposed at right angles forming substantially the shape of a capital letter T. The upper tubular portion corresponds to the horizontal stroke in the capital letter T and the lower tubular portion corresponds to the vertical stroke in the capital letter T. The upper tubular portion and lower tubular portion are joined so as to form a single interior cavity in the shape of a T, the cavity open at both ends of the upper tubular portion  444  and at the bottom opening  442  of the lower tubular portion. Each opening is delineated by an edge adjacent to the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall. In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom opening  442  is delineated by an edge that is beveled such that the opening is larger at the outer wall than the inner wall. A compliant, shock-absorbing element  446  occupies the cavity bounded by the walls of the upper tubular portion in an embodiment of the invention. The shock-absorbing element  446  is of sufficient length to extend entirely across the passageway leading from the upper tubular portion to the lower tubular portion and of sufficient breadth to fit snugly in the upper tubular portion. 
     A second anchoring element  448  is attached to the free ends of cord  428  to complete the binding of the bale. In an embodiment of the invention, the second anchoring element  448  is a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. 
     Illustrated next in  FIG. 13  is an embodiment of the cardboard baler  510  having a stand  511 , a sleeve  536 , a ram  540 , and a second anchoring element  548 . The stand  511  comprises a primary post  514  extending from a base  512 , a secondary post  549 , a fence  524 , a first anchoring element  526 , and a cord  528 . 
     The primary post  514  has a piercing element  534  formed at its distal end and is attached to the base  512  at its proximal end. The secondary post  549  is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the primary post  514 . The secondary post  549  has a notch  550  at its proximal end and a notch  551  at its distal end. 
     The first anchoring element  526  is one of two anchoring elements between which the bale is constrained. In an embodiment of the invention, the first anchoring element  526  is a piece of cardboard that is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape. Attached to the first anchoring element  526  is a cord  528  having sufficient length to provide two free ends after the cord  528  has been routed through the slot  550  at the proximal end of the secondary post  549 , alongside the secondary post, and through the slot  551  at the distal end of the secondary post  549 . The slot  550  and slot  551  may be tapered to accept and hold a range of diameters for the cord  528 . 
     A sleeve  536  comprises a rigid cylindrical wall defining an interior region with an opening at both ends. The sleeve  536  is removably disposed over the primary post  514  and the secondary post  549 , being supported at the proximal end by the stand  511 . The sleeve  536  is cut at an angle at its distal end  538 , the angle ranging from fifteen degrees (15°) to ninety degrees (90°) relative to the sleeve axis. 
     The cord  528  is routed through a first defined space that provides a protected passageway between the secondary post  549  and the sleeve  536 . The first defined space is created by the cavity between the primary post  514 , the secondary post  549 , and the inner wall of the sleeve  536  through which the cord  528  is routed. The first defined space prevents cardboard sheets from abrading the cord  528  when cardboard sheets are slid over the primary post  514  and the secondary post  549  toward the base  512 . 
     A ram  540  comprises a rigid tubular wall defining an interior region with three openings. The ram  540  is removably disposed over a portion of the primary post  514  and the sleeve  536 . A second anchoring element  548  is attached to the free ends of cord  528  to complete the binding of the bale. 
       FIG. 14  depicts the sectional view through the primary post  514  and the secondary post  549 . The primary post  514  has an “L” shaped cross section where one of the arms of the “L” is inserted into a slot within the stationary jaw  516  and the other arm of the “L” is tightly sandwiched between the movable jaw  518  and stationary jaw  516  tightened with a pair of fasteners  522  so that primary post  514  is held in an upright and stable position. The sectional view also depicts the relationship between the primary post  514  having an “L” shaped cross section and the secondary post  549  having a circular cross section. The cord  528  runs through the first defined space or cavity formed as the circular cross sectioned secondary post  549  is placed adjacent to the “L” shaped cross sectioned primary post  514 . 
     An embodiment of the apparatus for baling cardboard comprises of a base a jaw attached to the base where the jaw includes a housing cavity; a primary post in substantially cylindrical conformation having a cross-sectional shape, a primal end and a distal end where the primal end and the distal end of the primary post are linearly disposed, where the primal end of the primary post is adapted to fit into and engage the housing cavity included in the jaw; a secondary post in a substantially cylindrical conformation having a cross-sectional shape, a primal end and a distal end where the primal end and the distal end of the secondary post are linearly disposed and the distal end of the secondary post has a notch, where the primary post and the secondary post are disposed adjacent to each other with their respective axes running in parallel, and the cross section shaped of the primary and the secondary posts adapted to create a first defined space where the first defined space runs parallel to the axes of the primary and the secondary posts; a cord of predetermined length having a first end, a middle section, and a second end and adapted to run through a bale of cardboard where the first end of the cord is attached to a first anchoring element and the second end of the cord is attached to the notch in the distal end of the secondary post and where the middle section of the cord is encapsulated within the first defined space; a sleeve that is substantially shaped as a hollow cylinder having a diameter and a length where the diameter of the sleeve is adapted to collectively fit over the primary and the secondary post where the sleeve is adapted to cover the primary and the secondary post; and a second anchoring element adapted to attach to the second end of the cord. In an embodiment of the invention the cross sectional shape of the primary post is that of an “L” and the cross sectional shape of the secondary post is a circle. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 15  the use of the cardboard baler in an application where the cardboard pieces being baled have non-uniform and unequal size. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the baler does not utilize any anchoring elements. Instead, the cord  28  is passed through the center of the cardboard being baled. The cord  28  is of sufficient length so that the two ends of the cord are knotted together over one of the edges of the bale  58 . 
     While several aspects have been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that a vast number of variations exist and these aspects are merely an example, and it is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those of ordinary skill in the art with a convenient guide for implementing a desired aspect of the invention and various changes can be made in the function and arrangements of the embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1