Improvements in Straw, Hay, or other Produce Presses.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Straw, Hay, or other Produce Presses.
I, JAMES MARTLAND of Burscough Bridge in the County of Lancaster,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for compressing or baling straw in its full
length as it leaves the threshing machine, and has for its object a machine wherein
the operations of trussing straw, forming the trusses into bales and delivering the
bales from the machine can be automatically performed. The invention is also
applicable for compressing or baling hay and other materials besides straw.
•
In carrying my invention into effect as applied to straw compressing or baling
apparatus, the invention in general outward appearance does not greatly differ
from other baling machines, but at the top I locate an apparatus for trussing the
straw or other material. This apparatus may be of any convenient construction,
the trussed straw, as discharged from the trussing apparatus, being fed vertically
through a feed opening or hopper into the baling chamber of the press. This
baling chamber may be of rectangular shape arranged to exert the greatest pressure
on the sides of the trussed bundles of straw, and one or both of the sides is or are
provided with spring adjusting devices for effecting the required adjustment and
regulating the density of the bales, the adjustment being effected horizontally and
automatically by means of the springs, a screw being also provided to regulate the
tension of the springs. The ram is operated by a crank and connecting rod or
other gearing and may run on wheels and rails so as to ensure it travelling in a
straight line. Part or all the top of baling chamber may be dispensed with or it
may be made adjustable to keep straight any length of straw vertically. In the
inside of the baling chamber at the top near the opening of the feeding hopper,
I locate yielding sheets or plates so arranged that they will yield to a certain
extent to the pressure and prevent jamming of the straw between the ram and the
forward edge of the hopper or opening when the ram is moved forward. I also
provide in the interior of the baling chamber specially shaped teeth or their
equivalent, forming retaining devices which while offering no resistance to the straw
being pushed forward and compressed by the ram, yet entirely prevent it from
springing back when the return stroke of the ram takes place.
I prefer to make the followers or boards in a peculiar manner of a plate or sheet,
these plates or sheets being plain, but fitted on each side with one or more pro-
jecting grooves having a narrow orifice enlarging slightly on the inside to receive
the binding wires or cords. These boards or followers may be made in skeleton form
if desired, or two or three joined together by stays so as to secure lightness, or
they may be used singly, in pairs, in threes or otherwise.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The trussed straw from the trussing machine is fed into the baling chamber
through the hopper opening, each trussed bundle being fed vertically into the
chamber and in that position compressed in its full length when the ram moves
forward. The ram forces the straw into the chamber, the flexible or springy plate
or plates at mouth of chamber preventing jamming of the straw between the ram
and the forward edge of the hopper or opening. Immediately the crank has
passed its forward dead centre, it slides back, the retainers or teeth preventing the
straw coming back with it, but retaining it in its compressed condition. The

page_text: operation is repeated, one or more bundles of trussed straw being fed in in front of
the ram, the forward travel of which forces the straw into the chamber, compressing
it into one solid mass. Followers are inserted at intervals for separating one bale
from another in the baling chamber, and the grooves on these followers provide
means whereby the bale ties or binding wires can be passed from side to side of
the compressed straw while in the chamber. There are slits or openings in the
sides or even the top, if any, of the chamber to facilitate the passage of the ties
and to enable them to be bound around the compressed straw. The compressed
straw is thus bound up by means of ties into bales which are finally delivered from
the chamber in a finished condition and ready for delivery.
I may if desired form in the top of the baling chamber a groove of sufficient
size to allow the followers to be inserted into the inside of the chamber between
retainers, and thus keep them upright in such a position that the ram and straw in
their forward movement will move them forward without coming in actual contact
with the ram.
This groove may be provided with two rollers or cheeks closing
the groove, but provided with means such as a treadle, by depressing which the
two rollers or cheeks will be separated sufficiently to allow the followers to pass
between them and through the groove into the baling chamber between the
retainers. By this arrangement a special stroke of the ram to drive home the
followers past the retainers will not be required.
The ram may be of special construction and fitted with wheels to run on metals
or in grooves, the front of same having grooves to receive the projecting grooves
on the followers. The top edge or top side of the ram may have special arrange-
ments such as rollers or guards for preventing the straw from escaping from the
front top of ram.
Moreover the connections of the ram with the driving gear
may be so arranged as to facilitate the connecting or disconnecting of the ram,
and the lubricating of the same and means provided to enable the pressure or
stroke of the ram to be adjusted. These latter may be effected by means of a
screw or other suitable device. At the front part of the ram may be fixed an
adjustable plate to enable the length or height of the bale to be adjusted.
Dated this 12th day of December 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Straw, Hay, or other Produce Presses.
I, JAMES MARTLAND, of Burscough Bridge in the County of Lancaster,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention relates to apparatus for compressing or baling straw in its full
length as it leaves the threshing machine, and has for its object a machine, wherein
the operations of trussing straw, forming the trusses or loose material into bales
and delivering the bales from the machine can be automatically performed. The
invention is also applicable for compressing or baling hay and other materials
⚫besides straw.
This improved compressing and baling apparatus is of that kind in which the
material to be baled is fed into a chamber and is intermittently pushed or forced
along the chamber by a ram to which a reciprocating motion is imparted and
which compresses the bale or portion of a bale at each stroke.
It will be understood from the following description, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus;

page_text: Figure 3 a detail view.
In these figures, A. is the hopper which receives the trussed or loose straw or
other material as it is discharged from the trussing apparatus, or from the delivery-
end of a threshing machine or otherwise, and from whence it is fed or introduced
into the baling chamber B. This baling chamber is of rectangular shape and
sufficiently bigh to receive the straw in its upright position and arranged to exert
the greatest pressure on the sides of the bundles of straw. D is a ram which is
operated by a crank and connecting rod E, but it will be obvious that other
gearing may take its place. The ram may run on wheels e and rails to ensure it.
travelling in a straight line. It is shown in Figure 2 drawn back into a position
to allow of the straw being fed from the hopper A into the baling chamber B. In
the interior of the baling chamber, I arrange retaining devices. These devices.
comprise yielding plates F, which are hinged to the frame of the baling chamber
at and provided with springs G. These plates serve to retain the straw, etcetera,
in its compressed condition after the ram has moved away. Further retaining
devices are also provided in the shape of teeth or serrations H, which, whilst
offering no resistance to the straw being pushed forward and compressed by the
ram, are designed to prevent it from springing back on the return stroke of the
ram. Other retaining devices are also shown at L formed of hinged plates.
controlled by springs that prevent the straw being pushed out of the end of the.
chamber until the increasing pressure overcomes the springs. The apparatus may
be mounted on wheels to facilitate its transport.
I prefer to make the followers or boards I in a peculiar manner of a plate or
sheet J, these plates or sheets being plain, but fitted on each side with one or more-
projecting grooves J¹ having a narrow orifice enlarging slightly on the inside to.
receive the binding wires or cords K. These boards or followers may be made in.
skeleton form if desired, or two or three joined together by stays, so as to secure
lightness, or they may be used singly, in pairs, in threes or otherwise.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The trussed or loose straw is fed into the baling chamber B through the
hopper A, or through a suitable orifice, the straw being fed automatically or
otherwise into the chamber so as to be vertical therein, and in that position com-
pressed in its full length when the ram moves forward. The ram forces the straw
into the chamber B and compresses it. Immediately the crank E has passed its
forward dead centre it slides back, the retainers F and H preventing the straw
coming back with it and retaining it in its compressed condition. The operation is.
repeated, trussed or loose straw being fed in in front of the ram, the forward travel
of which forces the straw into the chamber, compressing it into one solid mass..
Followers I are inserted at intervals and serve for separating one bale from
another in the baling chamber, and the grooves on these followers provide means
whereby the bale ties, binding wires or cords can be passed from side to side of the.
compressed straw whilst in the chamber. There are slits or openings B' in the
sides of the chamber to facilitate the passage of the ties and to enable them to be.
bound around the compressed straw. The compressed straw is thus bound by
means of ties into bales which are finally delivered from the chamber in a finished.
condition and ready for delivery.
1 may, if desired, form in the top of the baling chamber a groove of sufficient.
size to allow the followers to be inserted into the inside of the chamber between
the retainers and thus keep them upright in such a position that the ram and straw
in their forward movement will move them forward without coming in actual contact
with the ram. The ram may be fitted with wheels running on metals or grooves.
Moreover, the connections of the ram with the driving gear may be so arranged as.
to facilitate the connecting or disconnecting of the ram and the lubricating of the
same, and means are provided to enable the pressure or stroke of the ram to be
adjusted. This latter may be effected by means of a screw or other suitable.

page_text: device. The front part of the ram may be fixed in an adjustable plate to enable
the length or height of the bale to be adjusted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improvement in apparatus for compressing or baling straw, hay or the
like, whereby the material is compressed and baled in its full length, and any
breaking or mutilation of the stalks of the straw or other material is avoided,
substantially as described.
2. The employment in a baling press of a baling chamber so formed as to admit
of the material being baled and compressed in its full length as it leaves the
threshing machine, substantially as described.
3. A baling press, whose baling chamber is so constructed that its sides will
exert the greatest pressure on the straw or other material to be compressed, sub-
stantially as described.
4. In an apparatus for compressing and baling straw, hay or the like, the
employment in the baling chamber of retaining devices, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
5. Forming the discharge ends of baling presses with projecting spring plates or
friction devices so arranged as to prevent the straw being pushed out of the end
until the increasing pressure of the material overcomes that of the springs, sub-
stantially as described.
6. The improved follower or separating board constructed substantially as and
for the purpose described.
7. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming my
improved apparatus for baling or compressing straw, hay or the like.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, Patent Agents.