Fluid extraction and injection system for bagging machinery

Abstract

A bagging machine having a uniquely configured rotor that can be operated with a grill, enables removal or injection of fluid materials when filling a bag. In one mode, the rotor enables the removal or draining of an effluent created from the bagging process such as from silage. In another mode, the rotor enables the injection of a treatment agent such as an antifungal agent as material is bagged.

1 . A bagging machine, comprising:
 a tunnel having an inlet and an outlet;   a conveyor or a hopper operably connected to the tunnel; and   a rotor positioned at the inlet of the tunnel, the rotor also comprising a cylindrical body having a circumference, an axial length, and a plurality of holes through which a fluid may pass through the cylindrical body.   
     
     
         2 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor also comprises packing tines arranged on the cylindrical body in between the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         3 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes include one or more rows substantially spanning the axial length of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         4 . The bagging machine of  claim 3 , wherein there are 2 to 8 rows. 
     
     
         5 . The bagging machine of  claim 2 , wherein the packing tines are helically arranged about the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         6 . The bagging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet has a plurality of stripping grill bars operably arranged over the rotor's plurality of holes. 
     
     
         7 . A system for removing effluent from a bagging process, comprising:
 a tunnel having an inlet and an outlet;   a conveyor or a hopper operably connected to the inlet of the tunnel; and   a rotor positioned at the inlet of the tunnel, the rotor also comprising a cylindrical body having a circumference, an axial length, and a plurality of holes through which a fluid may pass through the cylindrical body.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotor also comprises packing tines arranged on the cylindrical body in between the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of holes includes one or more rows substantially spanning the axial length of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein there are 2 to 8 rows. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the packing tines are helically arranged about the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         12 . The system of any one of  claims 7 , wherein the outlet has a plurality of stripping grill bars operably arranged over the rotor's plurality of holes. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a pump for conveying fluid through the rotor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pump conveys fluid through the plurality of holes and out of the rotor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid is effluent from the material being bagged. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pump drives fluid into the rotor and out the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid includes a treatment agent for preserving material bagged by the system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of: antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, and nutritional supplements. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment agent is ammonia. 
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a bagging machine, comprising:
 providing a rotor, the rotor having a cylindrical body with a circumference, an axial length, and a plurality of holes;   passing a fluid through the plurality of holes and cylindrical body; and   packing material into a bag.