Engineered top infeed hopper system
US8205546B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB30B9/3078
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A baler for making compacted bales of a cellulosic and preferably woody biomass material, the baler comprising: a housing defining a compaction chamber therein, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, an infeed opening defined in the top wall for introducing the material into the compaction chamber, and a hopper system comprising: first and second doors pivotably attached to the housing in opposing array over the infeed opening, wherein each door comprises a pivot having a plurality of fingers extending in planar array therefrom and defining a plurality of recesses disposed therebetween, and wherein the fingers of the first and second doors are staggered such that the fingers of each door are positioned opposite to and receivable by the recesses of the other door, and actuator means for pivoting the doors upwardly to form a chute for directing the material toward the infeed opening, and downwardly to intermesh and preferably interlock the fingers and substantially cover the infeed opening.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.