Gregory Robert Sutton

US Patent:

6694869, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/992547

Inventors:

Gregory Bryan Sutton - Perry GA
Dennis E. Finegan - Green Cove Springs FL
Mark E. Lindsey - Jacksonville FL

Assignee:

Load King Manufacturing Co. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

B65B 1318

US Classification:

100 34, 100 3, 100218

Abstract:

A vertical baler includes a horizontally disposed floor plate having an arched surface for receiving material to be compacted thereon. A compression plate is mounted for reciprocating vertical movement with respect to the floor plate, and left and right hydraulic pistons carried outside the wall of the baler are operably attached between the floor plate and the compression plate for reciprocating the compression plate relative to the floor plate. Material placed between the arched floor plate and the compression plate is compacted and formed with an arched bottom surface for ease in sliding fork elements of a lift truck thereunder. Once compacted and tied, the bale is pushed from the compaction chamber by pusher tabs vertically extending from a rear edge of the floor plate which is operable for horizontal reciprocation causing biasing of the pusher tabs against the material in a horizontal pushing of the bale from the chamber onto an adjacent floor surface. To enhance formation of the bale having a desired arched bottom shape, struts are carried on a top surface of the floor plate for forming a depression within the bale formed during the compression of the material. Yet further shaping of the bale is provided by a pair of opposing struts extending along opposing edges of the compression plate, for providing enhanced compression of the material along lower opposing edge portions of the floor plate.