초록 ▼

A bulk straw loading system includes one or more bulk straw staging members having a plurality of compartments which receive, organize and store straws. The straws are detected and counted as they are received. A bulk straw staging member compartment opening temporary closure device insures that at

A bulk straw loading system includes one or more bulk straw staging members having a plurality of compartments which receive, organize and store straws. The straws are detected and counted as they are received. A bulk straw staging member compartment opening temporary closure device insures that at least two compartments full of straws can be stored in a bulk straw staging member prior to being unloaded to a bulk straw transport device. A bulk straw transport device provides the straws to a bulk straw packager such as a boxer or bagger. A bulk straw loading system controller utilizes straw manufacturing speed information from a straw extruder, cutter or wrapper and combined with straw count information, effectuates rotation of each bulk straw staging member as appropriate. The controller also controls the bulk straw transport system by controlling air or hydraulic cylinders which move one or more bulk straw transport devices between a first position which under the bulk straw staging member and a second position proximate the bagger or boxer.

대표청구항 ▼

A bulk straw loading system comprising: at least one bulk straw staging member, including a plurality of bulk straw staging member compartments, each of said bulk straw staging member compartments for receiving a plurality of straws from a source of straws, and for containing said plurality of said

A bulk straw loading system comprising: at least one bulk straw staging member, including a plurality of bulk straw staging member compartments, each of said bulk straw staging member compartments for receiving a plurality of straws from a source of straws, and for containing said plurality of said straws; at least one bulk straw staging member rotator, coupled to said at least one bulk straw staging member, for effecting rotational movement of said bulk straw staging member; at least one bulk straw transport device, for receiving said plurality of straws from each successive rotated bulk straw staging member compartment, and for transporting said received plurality of straws to a bulk straw packager; and a bulk straw loading system controller, coupled to at least said at least one bulk straw staging member rotator and said at least one bulk straw transport device, and responsive to at least an indication of a rate at which said straws are being received by each of said plurality of bulk straw staging member compartments of said bulk straw staging member, for controlling said at least one bulk straw staging member rotator thereby controlling rotational movement of said bulk straw staging member when a predetermined number of straws are received in each of said plurality of bulk straw staging member compartments, and for controlling transport of said received plurality of straws by said bulk straw transport device such that said bulk straw transport device transports said received plurality of straws while at least a first bulk straw staging member compartment holds a first plurality of straws and at least a second bulk straw staging member compartment receives a second plurality of straws.