Bagging machine with an adjustable tunnel

Abstract

A bagging machine for bagging agricultural or compost material includes a tunnel adapted to be configured in at least two positions. The tunnel may be configured in an open position and in a closed position. The tunnel may also be configured in two or more open positions having different widths. The tunnel may include a first and a second tunnel member joined by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly may allow the first and second tunnel members to move between the two or more positions. A third tunnel member may be provided to cover any separation between the first and second tunnel members.

1 . A tunnel for use with a bagging machine, the tunnel comprising: 
 a first tunnel member having forward and rearward ends; and    a second tunnel member having forward and rearward ends;    wherein the forward ends of the first and second tunnel members are operatively coupled in a fixed, spaced-apart relationship; and wherein the rearward ends of the first and second tunnel members are selectively movable toward and away from one another.    
   
   
       2 . The tunnel of  claim 1  wherein the forward ends of the first and second tunnel members are operatively coupled by one or more hinges, and wherein the first and second tunnel members are rotated about a single axis of rotation as the rearward ends are selectively moved toward and away from one another.  
   
   
       3 . The tunnel of  claim 2  wherein the forward ends of the first and second tunnel members are operatively coupled by two or more vertically spaced-apart hinges having a common axis of rotation.  
   
   
       4 . The tunnel of  claim 1  further comprising a third tunnel member extending at least between an upper end of the first tunnel member and an upper end of the second tunnel member.  
   
   
       5 . The tunnel of  claim 4  wherein the third tunnel member includes first and second side edges, wherein the first side edge is operatively coupled adjacent the upper end of the first tunnel member, and wherein the second side edge is operatively coupled adjacent the upper end of the second tunnel member.  
   
   
       6 . The tunnel of  claim 5  wherein the third tunnel member includes a first panel and a second panel operatively coupled together, wherein the first panel is operatively coupled adjacent the upper end of the first tunnel member, and wherein the second panel is operatively coupled adjacent the upper end of the second tunnel member.  
   
   
       7 . The tunnel of  claim 4  wherein the third tunnel member is formed at least partially of a flexible material.  
   
   
       8 . The tunnel of  claim 4  wherein the third tunnel member extends from at least a lower end of the first tunnel member past the upper ends of the first and second tunnel members to at least a lower end of the second tunnel member.  
   
   
       9 . The tunnel of  claim 1  further comprising an actuating assembly for selectively moving the rearward ends of the first and second tunnel members toward and away from one another.  
   
   
       10 . The tunnel of  claim 9  wherein the actuating assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The tunnel of  claim 1  further comprising a coupling assembly operatively associated with the first and second tunnel member and adapted to adjustably couple the rearward ends of the first and second tunnel members.  
   
   
       12 . The tunnel of  claim 11  wherein the coupling assembly includes at least two telescoping members.  
   
   
       13 . A tunnel for use with a bagging machine, the tunnel comprising: 
 a first tunnel member having upper and lower ends;    a second tunnel member having upper and lower ends, wherein the upper ends of the first and second tunnel members are operatively coupled to be selectively movable toward and away from one another; and    a third tunnel member extending at least between the upper ends of the first and second tunnel members and adapted to span a separation between the upper ends of the first and second tunnel members when the upper ends are moved away from one another.    
   
   
       14 . The tunnel of  claim 13  wherein the first and second tunnel members have a forward end and a rearward end and wherein the third tunnel member extends from adjacent the forward end to adjacent the rearward end.  
   
   
       15 . The tunnel of  claim 13  wherein lower ends of the first and second tunnel members are operatively coupled to be selectively movable toward and away from one another.  
   
   
       16 . The tunnel of  claim 13  further comprising at least one actuating assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The tunnel of  claim 16  wherein the at least one actuating assembly is adapted to move the upper ends and the lower ends of the first and second tunnel member in tandem.  
   
   
       18 . The tunnel of  claim 17  wherein the at least one actuating assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       19 . The tunnel of  claim 13  further comprising a coupling assembly operatively associated with the first and second tunnel members.  
   
   
       20 . The tunnel of  claim 19  wherein the coupling assembly includes a vertical hinge disposed between the first and second tunnel members, and wherein the vertical hinge is operatively coupled to forward ends of the first and second tunnel members.  
   
   
       21 . The tunnel of  claim 20  wherein the coupling assembly further includes a first hinged extension and a second hinged extension coupled to the vertical hinge, wherein the first tunnel member is operatively coupled to the first hinged extension, and wherein the second tunnel member is operatively coupled to the second hinged extension.  
   
   
       22 . The tunnel of  claim 19  wherein the coupling assembly includes at least two telescoping members operatively associated with the first and second tunnel members.  
   
   
       23 . The tunnel of  claim 22  wherein the at least one coupling assembly includes diagonally disposed transverse members.  
   
   
       24 . The tunnel of  claim 19 , further comprising an actuating assembly and wherein the coupling assembly is operatively associated with the actuating assembly and the first and second tunnel members to move the upper ends and the lower ends of the first and second tunnel members in tandem.  
   
   
       25 . The tunnel of  claim 13  wherein the third tunnel member includes first and second side edges, wherein the first side edge is operatively coupled to the upper end of the first tunnel member, and wherein the second side edge is operatively coupled to the upper end of the second tunnel member.  
   
   
       26 . The tunnel of  claim 25  wherein the third tunnel member includes a flexible material.  
   
   
       27 . The tunnel of  claim 13  wherein the third tunnel member extends from at least a lower end of the first tunnel member past the upper ends of the first and second tunnel members to at least a lower end of the second tunnel member.  
   
   
       28 . The tunnel of  claim 13  further comprising one or more securing members operatively associated with the first and second tunnel members and with the third tunnel member to maintain the third tunnel member in a user-selectable position during operation of the bagging machine.  
   
   
       29 . The tunnel of  claim 13  wherein the first and second tunnel members each include at least one perimeter member defining a perimeter of the first and second tunnel members and defining a side panel area, and wherein the first and second tunnel members each include at least one support member.  
   
   
       30 . The tunnel of  claim 29  wherein the first and second tunnel members each include at least one panel of flexible material adapted to cover the side panel areas.  
   
   
       31 . The tunnel of  claim 29  wherein the third tunnel member includes a flexible material that is adapted to cover the side panel areas of the first and second tunnel members and is adapted to wrap under the tunnel for storage of excess flexible material, and further comprising one or more securing members operatively associated with the first and second tunnel members and with the third tunnel member to maintain the third tunnel member in a user-selectable position during operation of the bagging machine.  
   
   
       32 . A bagging machine for packing material into bags, the bagging machine comprising: 
 a mobile frame having forward and rearward ends;    a material packing assembly coupled to the mobile frame and adapted to move a material to the rearward end of the mobile frame;    a first tunnel member having a forward end operatively coupled to the rearward end of the mobile frame;    a second tunnel member having a forward end operatively coupled to the rearward end of the mobile frame;    and coupling means for coupling the first and the second tunnel members in a tunnel configuration having a first position and at least one additional position having a different width.    
   
   
       33 . The bagging machine of  claim 32  wherein the coupling means includes one or more hinges operatively associated with the forward ends of the first and second tunnel members.  
   
   
       34 . The bagging machine of  claim 33  wherein the coupling means further includes one or more hinged extensions.  
   
   
       35 . The bagging machine of  claim 32  further comprising an actuating means for moving at least one of the first and second tunnel members relative to the other.  
   
   
       37 . The bagging machine of  claim 35  wherein the actuating means is operatively associated with the coupling means.  
   
   
       38 . The bagging machine of  claim 37  wherein the coupling means includes at least two telescoping members, and wherein the actuating means includes at least one hydraulic cylinder disposed in operative association with the telescoping members.