The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 22, 1999
Jonathan A. Little, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Donald R. Schomisch, Allegan, MI (US);
PMDS, LLC, Oxford, MI (US);
Abstract
A system and method for compressing scrap metal. The scrap metal is compressed in a portable container. The container rests on two scales that rest above the ground surface. The fullness of the container is primarily evaluated based on the weight of the container. The scrap metal is initially delivered to a static compactor to which the container is mated. The compactor includes a ram that forces the scrap metal into and compresses the scrap metal in the container. The weight of the container is continually monitored while the container is mated to the compactor. The actuation of the ram is controlled so that, as the amount of scrap metal in the container increases, the frequency with which the ram is actuated increases. After the volume of scrap metal in the container increases above a certain level, each actuation of the ram actual comprises running the ram through plural extension and retraction cycles. The weight of the container is employed as the primary variable upon which the fullness of the ram is evaluated. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid that actuates the ram is also monitored. Even if the container weight is below a set weight, if the hydraulic pressure exceeds a set pressure, the container is considered full.