Bagging machines for adjustably controlling packing density

Abstract

Bagging machines for controlling the packing density of material being packed into a container may include one or more density control apparatus or assemblies. The density control apparatus may include an elongate density control member having first and second forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine and a central portion extending rearwardly therefrom to provide a density control assembly of a first configuration. The elongate density control member also may be operatively associated with at least one pair of density-setting posts operatively coupled to a portion of the bagging machine to selectively provide a density control assembly of at least one additional configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the bagging machines may include a forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to a forward region of the bagging machine to enable the bagging machine to move over a ground surface. The density control apparatus further may include a forward brake assembly operatively associated with a forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to a forward region of the bagging machine.

1 . A bagging machine for bagging agricultural material, the bagging machine comprising: 
 a material-forming enclosure having a floor assembly;    at least one pair of density-setting posts disposed on the floor assembly;    an elongate density control member having first and second forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine and having a central portion extending rearwardly to provide a density control assembly of a first configuration;    wherein the elongate density control member is operatively associated with the at least one pair of density-setting posts to selectively provide a density control assembly of at least one additional configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the floor assembly has a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one pair of density-setting posts is adapted to center the density control assembly between the first and second ends of the floor assembly when the density control assembly is disposed in the at least one additional configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the density-setting posts include an upstanding member having an upper end and a first cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the density-setting posts further include a cap member disposed adjacent the upper end and having a second cross-sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension.  
   
   
       4 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion of the elongate density control member extends rearwardly having spaced apart forward legs joined by a rearward portion, wherein the density control assembly first configuration includes forward legs spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein each of the at least one additional configurations includes forward legs spaced apart by a distance distinct from the distance of the first configuration and the other additional configurations.  
   
   
       5 . The bagging machine of  claim 4 , wherein the forward legs each include an adjustment region adapted to extend transversally to selectively and operatively associate the density control member with one of the at least one pair of density-setting posts to thereby selectively provide the at least one additional configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pair of density-setting posts includes a single pair of density-setting posts, wherein each of the density-setting posts is selectively and adjustably positionable on the floor assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the density-setting posts is adapted to retain the elongate density control member in a selected configuration during operation of the bagging machine when the density control member is disposed in the at least one additional configurations.  
   
   
       8 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the floor assembly includes a base member and a cover member, wherein the at least one pair of density-setting posts is disposed on the base member, and wherein the cover member is operatively associated with the base member and the density-setting posts to cover the density-setting posts during operation of the bagging machine and to allow access to the density-setting posts during adjustment of the density control assembly.  
   
   
       9 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the forward ends of the elongate density control member is releasably coupled to the bagging machine.  
   
   
       10 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the forward ends of the elongate density control member is coupled to the bagging machine via a coupling to the material-forming enclosure.  
   
   
       11 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pair density-setting posts are adapted to be spaced apart on the floor assembly in a manner corresponding to a plurality of density control assembly configurations for bagging agricultural material under a plurality of different conditions.  
   
   
       12 . A bagging machine for packing agricultural material into a container, the bagging machine comprising: 
 a mobile frame having a forward region and a rearward region;    a material-forming enclosure having an intake region coupled to the rearward region of the mobile frame, and an output region extending rearwardly from the mobile frame;    a material-filling apparatus coupled to the mobile frame and adapted to pack the agricultural material into the material-forming enclosure to thereby move the bagging machine forward;    a forward wheel assembly coupled to the forward region of the mobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move over a ground surface, wherein the forward wheel assembly is spaced apart from the material-filling apparatus;    a density control apparatus operatively coupled to the mobile frame and extending rearwardly therefrom in operative association with the material in the material-forming enclosure to provide resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine; and    a forward brake assembly operatively associated with the forward wheel assembly and adapted to provide selective auxiliary resistance to forward movement of the bagging machine.    
   
   
       13 . The bagging machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a rearward wheel assembly coupled to the rearward region of the mobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move over the ground surface, and further comprising a rearward brake assembly operatively associated with the rearward wheel assembly adapted to provide additional resistance to forward movement of the bagging machine.  
   
   
       14 . The bagging machine of  claim 12 , wherein the density control apparatus includes at least one density control setting configured to provide a predetermined resistance during a bagging operation.  
   
   
       15 . The bagging machine of  claim 12 , wherein the density control apparatus includes at least one drag member adapted to extend rearwardly beneath the material in the material-forming enclosure.  
   
   
       16 . The bagging machine of  claim 12 , wherein the density control apparatus includes at least one cable, wherein at least a portion of the at least one cable is disposed within the material-forming enclosure.  
   
   
       17 . The bagging machine of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one cable forms at least one cable loop having a rearward portion disposed behind the material-filling apparatus.  
   
   
       18 . The bagging machine of  claim 12 , wherein the material-filling apparatus is spaced apart from the ground surface by a driving force height, and wherein the density control apparatus is disposed at a resistance height that is lower than the driving force elevation.  
   
   
       19 . The bagging machine of  claim 18 , further comprising a rearward wheel assembly and corresponding rearward brake assembly adapted to provide an additional resistance force, and wherein the auxiliary resistance force provided by the forward brake assembly is greater than the additional resistance force provided by the rearward brake assembly.  
   
   
       20 . The bagging machine of  claim 12 , wherein the density control apparatus is provided at least in part by an extended material-forming enclosure.  
   
   
       21 . The bagging machine of  claim 20 , wherein the extended material-forming enclosure has an effective diameter, D, and has a length from the intake end to the output end of between about 0.5 D and about 2 D, and wherein the length of the material-forming enclosure is adapted to provide a predetermined resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine.  
   
   
       22 . The bagging machine of  claim 21 , wherein the extended material-forming enclosure is adapted to be adjustable between at least two configurations having different lengths.  
   
   
       23 . The bagging machine of  claim 21 , wherein the extended material-forming enclosure has a length from the intake end to the output end of between about 0.8 D and about 1.5 D.  
   
   
       24 . The bagging machine of  claim 20 , further comprising an ancillary density control apparatus disposed in operative association with the material in the material forming enclosure to provide ancillary resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine.  
   
   
       25 . The bagging machine of  claim 24 , wherein the ancillary density control apparatus includes at least one drag member adapted to extend rearwardly beneath the material in the material-forming enclosure.  
   
   
       26 . The bagging machine of  claim 24 , wherein the ancillary density control apparatus includes at least one cable, wherein at least a portion of the at least one cable is disposed within the material-forming enclosure.  
   
   
       27 . The bagging machine of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one cable forms at least one cable loop having a rearward portion disposed behind the material-filling apparatus.  
   
   
       28 . A bagging machine for packing agricultural material into a container, the bagging machine comprising: 
 a mobile frame having a forward region and a rearward region;    a material-forming enclosure having a floor assembly and having an intake region coupled to the rearward region of the mobile frame and an output region extending rearwardly from the mobile frame;    a material-filling apparatus coupled to the mobile frame and adapted to pack the agricultural material into the material-forming enclosure to thereby move the bagging machine forward;    at least one pair of density-setting posts disposed on the floor assembly of the material-forming enclosure;    a forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to the forward region of the mobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move over a ground surface;    an elongate density control member having first and second forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine and having a central portion extending rearwardly to provide a density control assembly of a first configuration, wherein the elongate density control member is operatively associated with the at least one pair of density-setting posts to selectively provide a density control assembly of at least one additional configuration, and wherein the density control assembly formed by the elongate density control member is adapted to provide a predetermined resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine; and    a forward brake assembly operatively associated with the forward wheel assembly and adapted to provide selective auxiliary resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine.    
   
   
       29 . The bagging machine of  claim 28 , wherein the density-setting posts include an upstanding member having an upper end and a first cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the density-setting posts further include a cap member adjacent the upper end and having a second cross-sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension.  
   
   
       30 . The bagging machine of  claim 28 , wherein the central portion of the elongate density control member extends rearwardly having spaced apart forward legs joined by a rearward portion, wherein the density control assembly first configuration includes forward legs spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein each of the at least one additional configurations includes forward legs spaced apart by a distance distinct from the distance of the first configuration and the other additional configurations.  
   
   
       31 . The bagging machine of  claim 30 , wherein the forward legs each include an adjustment region adapted to extend transversally to selectively and operatively associate the density control member with one of the at least one pair of density-setting posts to thereby selectively provide the at least one additional configuration.  
   
   
       32 . The bagging machine of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one pair of density-setting posts includes a single pair of density-setting posts, wherein each of the density-setting posts is selectively and adjustably positionable on the floor assembly.  
   
   
       33 . The bagging machine of  claim 28 , wherein one or more of the density-setting posts is adapted to retain the elongate density control assembly in a selected configuration during operation of the bagging machine when the density control assembly is disposed in the at least one additional configuration.  
   
   
       34 . The bagging machine of  claim 33 , wherein each of the configurations of the density control assembly is selectable by a user to provide a distinct, predetermined resistance during a bagging operation.  
   
   
       35 . The bagging machine of  claim 28 , wherein the floor assembly includes a base member and a cover member, wherein the at least one pair of density-setting posts is disposed on the base member, and wherein the cover member is operatively associated with the base member and the density-setting posts to cover the density-setting posts during operation of the bagging machine and to allow access to the density-setting posts during adjustment of the density control assembly.  
   
   
       36 . The bagging machine of  claim 28 , wherein the material-filling apparatus is spaced apart from the ground surface by a driving force height, and wherein the density control assembly is disposed at a resistance height that is lower than the driving force elevation.