Presses – Methods – With cutting or comminuting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-03-20
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Presses
Methods
With cutting or comminuting
C100S041000, C100S045000, C100S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202548
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the texturizing and high density baling of hay. In particular, the present invention pertains to the texturizing of hay to increase digestibility and the compacting of hay into high density bales of a size and weight appropriate for long distance shipping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical harvesting of hay involves cutting the hay and drying it in the field, after which it is typically pressed and bound into bales for easier handling and storage. Although field bales so compressed may be suitable for local handling and shipping, for long distance shipping hay bales of increased density are desirable in order to reduce shipping costs. For long distance shipping, especially to the overseas market for domestically produced hay, the hay must be packaged in high density units or bales capable of efficient packaging into shipping containers in order to provide for economical shipping of the hay. Efficient transportation of the hay also requires that the hay bales be of substantially uniform size and weight.
One method well known in the art for compacting hay to a high density is to create dry pellets or cubes of hay via an extrusion process. Pellets have a relatively high density, and preserve adequately as long as they are kept dry. Pellets, however, are expensive to produce. Additionally, cattle may not be able to chew or digest pellets easily because the pellets are hard and dry. Haylage, which is fermented hay, is more palatable to and digestible by livestock because it is moist and tender. haylage, however, contains a high percentage of water, causing increased shipping costs. Haylage may also spoil rapidly when exposed to air.
In order to economically ship hay long distances it has become common to double compress hay bales. That is, the standard field-baled hay is rebated into a bale of approximately one-half the prior size. Such a double compressed hay bale may often reach a density of 22 lbs/cu. ft. An even greater density is desirable for shipping in standard cargo containers used for overseas shipping.
Standard methods of compacting hay may also lead to decreased leaf retention. A substantial amount of the nutrients in many varieties of hay is found in the leafy matter attached to the stems or stalks of the hay. Forcefully compacting hay by pressing the hay against an unyielding object may result in the severing of the leafy matter from the stem or stalk. Such a result is undesirable because once the hay is placed in a trough for feeding the cattle the leafy matter, and therefore a substantial amount of the nutrients, will tend to locate in the bottom of the trough and not be eaten by the cattle. Accordingly, a means for compacting hay to increased densities while maintaining a greater amount of leaf retention than provided by conventional methods of compacting hay is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for texturizing and baling hay. In accordance with the present invention, hay is provided to a hopper which carries the hay on a conveyor belt through counter rotating blades of a shredder which decrease the hay stalk size and texturizes the hay. The hay is then passed through a leveler and fed into a receiving bin. Fogging misters are associated with the shredder for moisturizing the hay as required for a desired moisture content. Coupled to the receiving bin is a conduit or compression tunnel. The hay is forced through the conduit via a hydraulically actuated ram coupled to a pusher plate, the ram operating on a cyclical basis. As the hay is forced through the conduit by the pusher plate and ram, the walls of the conduit are forced towards each other by a hydraulically actuated clamp device.
The present invention thereby provides a method of compacting hay to a high density. In doing so, the present invention also texturizes the hay to lead to increased palatability and digestibility. Moreover, the above is accomplished while providing greater levels of leaf retention than is conventionally achieved.
The attendant features of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts throughout.
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Gombos John M.
Leashno Moshe
A.C.X. Trading, Inc.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Gerrity Stephen F.
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