Ag-bag International Limited

Ag-bag Corporation

Miller-st. Nazianz, Inc.

Ronald V Garvin

Larry R Inman

Arthur P Schuette

Michael H Koskela

Patrick S Welch

Michael C Stenblom

A method and apparatus for treating bagged materials. A bagging machine is equipped with feed tubes that feed a conduit through a bag filling tunnel of the machine and through the open end of the bag and into the bag. The conduit is perforated and when the bag is filled, the length of the conduits is extended out through the bag end to be connected to a treatment media, e.g., forced air. An opening is provided at the rear end to provide an exhaust opening for air that is forced into the conduit, out the perforations and through the bagged material. The air will dry the material to lower the moisture content or provide oxygen as may be desired to enhance decomposition. Water may also be introduced as desired.

Method for treatment of bagged organic materials

A machine arranged to insert material to be composted into an elongate elastic bag. The machine is arranged to insert an elongate perforated pipe into the elongate elastic bag with the material. The perforated pipe is fed from an air tight container through a conduit into the bag. The machine may have an expander mechanism to enlarge the opening of the elastic bag with the expanding mechanism defining a tunnel through which the material will be forced into the bag. A reciprocating plunger movable within a channel or hopper forces the material into the elongate bag. The machine is arranged so that the composting process may commence when there is material available to only partially fill the bag. When a bag is filled partially, the plunger is moved to a position at the entry of the tunnel to seal the open end of the bag and a media may be applied to dispense the media into the material via the perforated pipe to commence the composting process. The operation of the machine may be controlled remotely such as by a transmitter. Power for operating the mechanism of the machine may be provided by a motor mounted on the machine or from a tractor.

Materials bagger and system

A replaceable cap for a rotor tine of a material bagging machine. The tines extend from the rotor and propel and compress the material to be bagged. The cap fits over the leading edge of the tine to provide a replaceable wear surface. The cap has an end that engages a notch provided in the tine and is secured to the tine by a single fastener. The single fastener facilitates rapid replacement of the cap when required.

Replaceable rotor tine cap for bagging machine

A crop bagging machine is provided with a movable chassis having adjustable brakes and a grain container having a rear tunnel defining a rear opening. A pliable plastic bag is fit to the tunnel with the bag bottom closing the opening. A bin on the chassis receives grain, e.g., from a truck and an auger transports the grain from the bin to an elevated position in the container that is above the height of the filled bag. The adjustable brakes are set to establish the level of grain pile in the container to cover the opening and thereby fill the bag. The brakes are independently controlled to provide limited steering. An additional embodiment of the invention shows downsizing for reduction in cost and in dimension for compatibility with conventional shipping containers while further providing adjustability in tunnel size to accommodate variation in bag diameter. A further additional embodiment provides for a modified conveyor system for the grain that utilizes air flow. This latter embodiment provides added versatility for use in removing stored grain when storage is no longer desired.

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Hammond, OR, United States of America

Ronald V Garvin