| JPS5255183 | CEREAL FILLING DEVICE IN CEREAL TANK |
| WO2010077348A2 | 2010-07-08 |
| DE9307426U1 | 1993-07-22 | |||
| GB2261626A | 1993-05-26 | |||
| EP0042580A1 | 1981-12-30 |
| Patent claims 1. Automated method for spreading and compression of material, e.g. wood pieces, characterised in that a storage unit (2), in which the wood pieces (1) are to be packed into, rotates while the wood pieces (1) fall/are placed therein, in which a device (4) being placed in the storage unit (2) moves on top of the wood pieces (1). 2. Method according to claim ^characterised in that the device (4) is being shaped as one or more wheels (4). 3. Method according to claim ^characterised in that the device (4) is made of one or more plates (4) being shaped as to slide on top of the wood pieces (1). 4. Method according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that the device (4) itself, or a connected device, has small lateral movements, and possibly up-and-down movements as well, and will exert varying pressure in different directions on the billets (1), such that they are pushed more firmly together. |
4646 Finsland
Inventor: Kjell Spikkeland
4646 Finsland
Title: "Automated method for spreading and compression of material"
Description
The invention is related to an automated method for spreading and compression of material, such as when e.g. wood pieces are to be packed into large bags before storage, drying and transportation.
- Area of use for the invention.
Production of wood pieces is becoming increasingly automated. The steps to be included in the process of transforming timber logs to wood pieces can largely be automated. There is equipment that pulls the logs onto a belt. The belt is being run forwardly, such that a butt may be cut off. Further, the butt will fall into a log splitter machine, where the butt is split into billets. Then, the billets will be transported on a conveyer belt so that they can fall down into a storage unit for the wood pieces.
When the wood pieces fall down from the conveyer belt, the wood pieces will pile up at the same place, and they will also be loosely packed.
A known method discloses that the storage unit for the wood pieces is standing still, and that a roller is arranged on top of the wood pieces. This roller is moving in a circle around the center point of the storage unit while it rolls on top of the wood pieces.
The known method is limited in that the wood pieces fall at the same place in the storage unit. This limitation means that the wood pieces become more
compressed where they fall down. The limitation also means that the wood pieces will have to be pushed around when they are in the storage unit, in order to achieve a uniform distribution. Furthermore, this limitation makes the roller and its construction exposed to the falling wood pieces, hence being at risk to damages at each round.
- What is particularly achieved in relation to prior art.
In the present invention, a uniform distribution of the wood pieces in the storage unit is achieved. Also, the wood pieces will be more firmly packed, and with a more uniformly distributed firmness than what is achievable when the task is done manually or with a known method.
Experience also shows that there are fewer problems with transportation, with the more firm packing being achieved, and that the storage units may be placed closer during storage.
- Required means to achieve this.
According to the invention, this is achieved by that the storage unit is made to rotate while the wood pieces fall into it. The wood pieces that are to be supplied to the storage unit fall down between the center of the storage unit and its edges.
At the opposite side of where the wood pieces fall down, a device is placed, which may be shaped as a number of wheels rolling on top of the wood pieces that already lie in the storage unit, or a towing facility that slides on top of the wood.
The device is connected to a rod, and is held back by the rod such that it cannot follow the rotation of the storage unit, and moves on top of the wood because of this. The rod is designed and is being attached outside of the storage unit in such a manner that the device may move upwardly while the storage unit is being filled up. Weights or other means that reduce or increase the pressure on the wood pieces can be mounted onto the rod.
The device can be mounted so that a certain pressure also will be exercised, which alternates from side to side and up and down while it moves across on the wood pieces. In this manner it is possible to have the billets twisted and pushed, at the same as they are pushed downwards by the device.
- A further explanation of the invention
The method according to the invention is shown in drawings, in which figure 1 shows a view of the invention from the side, and figure 2 shows the same, but seen from above. A
The storage unit 2 for wood pieces 1 is placed on a device 3, which is not further described. The device 3 is set to rotate so that the storage unit 2 also rotates.
Wood pieces 1 fall down from a device, not being further specified, such that they land in between the center of rotation and the edges of the storage unit.
A device 4, which may be a wheel that rolls, moves on top of the wood pieces 1 that already are in the storage unit 2. The device 4 is located approximately midway between the center of the rotation and the edges of the storage unit, preferably at a place where the wood pieces 1 are not dropped into the storage unit 2.
The device 4 is held by a rod 5. The rod is attached to a device 6, such that the device 4 cannot follow the rotation of the storage unit 2, and hence tow the device 4 such that it moves on top of the wood pieces, e.g. by rolling. The rod 5 is on an axle in the device 6, such that the rod 5 and the device 4 may be moved up and down while the device 4 moves on top of the wood pieces, and will rock and push on the wood pieces 1.
The pressure being exerted on the wood pieces 1 by the device 4 may be adjusted by placing a weight 7 at the opposite end of the rod 5.