US3818955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for harvesting forage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-28
•
Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-08-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for harvesting and treating forage to be used as animal feed in which the forage is placed in flexible airtight containers and is treated to inhibit the growth of mold and fungus. Thereafter liquid and gaseous fluids within the container are evacuated and the container is sealed to preserve the nutritive value of the forage. Prior to sealing, inert gas may be inserted to raise the pressure substantially to atmospheric.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:29
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D85/00; A01D85/001; A01D85/004; A01D87/00; A01D87/10; A01D90/00; A01F; A01F25/00; A01F25/14; A23; A23K; A23K30/00; A23K30/10; A23K30/15; A01F2025/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of preserving and storing harvester forage for subsequent use as animal feed comprising the steps of: raising cut forage from the ground, discharging forage and air into a container having flexible substantially air-impermeable wall structure, said air maintaining said container in expanded condition, continuously permitting air to escape from said container while retaining the forage therewith, intermittently interrupting the discharging of forage and air into the container, evacuating air from said container when said discharging of forage and air is interrupted to collapse said wall structure about said forage, and compressing the container about said forage to assist the air evacuation and to compact the forage within the container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of preserving and storing harvester forage for subsequent use as animal feed comprising the steps of: raising cut forage from the ground, discharging forage and air into a container having flexible substantially air-impermeable wall structure, said air maintaining said container in expanded condition, continuously permitting air to escape from said container while retaining the forage therewith, intermittently interrupting the discharging of forage and air into the container, evacuating air from said container when said discharging of forage and air is interrupted to collapse said wall structure about said forage, and compressing the container about said forage to assist the air evacuation and to compact the forage within the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of introducing inert non-toxic gas into said container after the air has been evacuated to raise the pressure within the container substantially to atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
The combination of a vehicle and a portable depository for receiving and storing forage material for subsequent use as animal feed, said vehicle comprising a bed supported by ground-engaging wheels, a fixed wall extending upwardly from each side of said bed, a movable wall hingedly connected to each of said fixed walls, means for selectively swinging said movable walls relative to said fixed walls, attaching means carried by said movable walls, said depository comprising a normally closed container having a flexible substantially air-impermeable wall structure, means for connecting portions of said container to said attaching means of said movable walls to open said container, said container having inlet sleeve means in said wall structure, means for selectively introducing forage material and air through said sleeve means into said container, means for discharging air from said container while maintaining the forage material therewithin, and means for evacuating air from said container when said means for introducing forage material and air is interrupted and while said means for swinging said movable walls is operated to cause the wall structure of the container to collapse and compact the forage material therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
188 words
The combination of a vehicle and a portable depository for receiving and storing forage material for subsequent use as animal feed, said vehicle comprising a bed supported by ground-engaging wheels, a fixed wall extending upwardly from each side of said bed, a movable wall hingedly connected to each of said fixed walls, means for selectively swinging said movable walls relative to said fixed walls, attaching means carried by said movable walls, said depository comprising a normally closed container having a flexible substantially air-impermeable wall structure, means for connecting portions of said container to said attaching means of said movable walls to open said container, said container having inlet sleeve means in said wall structure, means for selectively introducing forage material and air through said sleeve means into said container, means for discharging air from said container while maintaining the forage material therewithin, and means for evacuating air from said container when said means for introducing forage material and air is interrupted and while said means for swinging said movable walls is operated to cause the wall structure of the container to collapse and compact the forage material therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2565045A
Cited
US2780247A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |