Bale feeder with elevator platform

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a bale feeder assembly is provided comprising a housing having side walls and a feed assembly disposed between the side walls. The feed assembly has a proximal end and a distal end, and is structured to move a bale of material. The bale feeder also has a movable platform connected to the proximal end of the feed assembly to move the bale along the housing, and wherein the movable platform is rotatable between a generally horizontal position and a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing. The bale feeder also has a shredder disposed adjacent the distal end of the feed assembly to shred the bale, the feed assembly being disposed at an angle such that the proximal end is in a plane spaced below a plane the distal end is disposed in and the feed assembly with the movable platform is capable of moving a bale of material or a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder for shredding.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bale feeder assembly comprising:
 a housing having side walls;   a feed assembly disposed between the side walls, the feed assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, structured to move a bale of material;   a movable platform connected to the proximal end of the feed assembly to move the bale along the housing, and wherein the movable platform is rotatable between a generally horizontal position and a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing; and   a shredder disposed adjacent the distal end of the feed assembly to shred the bale, the feed assembly being disposed at an angle such that the proximal end is in a plane spaced below a plane the distal end is disposed in and the feed assembly with the movable platform is arranged to move a bale of material or a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder for shredding.   
     
     
         2 . The bale feeder assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of rail members, wherein each individual rail members is connected to a respective one of the side walls and receives a respective roller associated with the movable platform. 
     
     
         3 . The bale feeder assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the feed assembly comprises a drive chain disposed below at least one of the rail members, wherein the drive chain is structured to pull the movable platform towards the shredder. 
     
     
         4 . The bale feeder assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the movable platform is attached to the drive chain, the drive chain structured to pull the movable platform from a generally horizontal position to a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The bale feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the shredder comprises a spinning blade. 
     
     
         6 . The bale feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the shredder comprises a plurality of spinning blades. 
     
     
         7 . The bale feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the movable platform, when in a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing, moves along with the feed assembly to move a bale of material or a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder to generate a consistent feed rate of the bale of material to the shredder. 
     
     
         8 . The bale feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the platform has a width of 75 to 225 cm and a length of 75 to 225 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The bale feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the feed assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart slats. 
     
     
         10 . A bale feeder assembly comprising:
 a housing having side walls;   a movable feed assembly disposed between the side walls, the movable feed assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, and is structured to move a bale of material;   a platform connected to the feed assembly structured to move the bale along the housing between the sidewalls, and wherein the movable platform is pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the feed assembly, wherein the first position provides an angle between the platform and the feed assembly that is greater than when in the second position; and   a shredder disposed adjacent the distal end of the feed assembly to shred the bale, the feed assembly disposed at an angle such that the proximal end is in a plane spaced below a plane the distal end is disposed in and the feed assembly with the platform is arranged to move at least a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder for shredding.   
     
     
         11 . The bale feeder of  claim 10 , wherein the platform has a width of 75 to 225 cm and a length of 75 to 225 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The bale feeder assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a pair of rail members, wherein each individual rail members is connected to a respective one of the side walls and receives a respective roller associated with the movable platform. 
     
     
         13 . The bale feeder assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the feed assembly comprises a drive chain disposed below at least one of the rail members, wherein the drive chain is structured to pull the movable platform towards the shredder. 
     
     
         14 . The bale feeder assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the movable platform is attached to the drive chain, the drive chain structured to pull the movable platform from a generally horizontal position to a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The bale feeder of  claim 10 , wherein the shredder comprises a plurality of spinning blades. 
     
     
         16 . The bale feeder of  claim 10 , wherein the movable platform, when in a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing, moves along with the feed assembly to move a bale of material or a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder to generate a consistent feed rate of the bale of material to the shredder. 
     
     
         17 . The bale feeder of  claim 10 , wherein the feed assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart slats. 
     
     
         18 . A bale feeder assembly comprising:
 a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;   a platform supported by the housing, the platform being movable within the housing from the inlet end towards the outlet end, the platform sized to support a bale of material;   a shredder disposed adjacent the outlet end of the feed assembly to shred the bale; and   a driving member connected with the housing and the platform to drive the platform between the inlet and outlet ends of the housing   
     
     
         19 . The bale feeder of  claim 18 , wherein the platform is pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing, wherein the first position provides an angle between the platform and the housing that is greater than when in the second position; and the housing disposed at an angle such that the inlet end is in a plane spaced below a plane the outlet end is disposed in, and the platform is arranged to move at least a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder for shredding. 
     
     
         20 . The bale feeder of  claim 19 , wherein the platform has a width of 75 to 225 cm and a length of 75 to 225 cm.