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Nov. 28, 1967 R. SCHULTZ 3,354,845 PELLET MILL HAVING ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ROLLERS Filed June 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. INVENTOR RICHARD. SCHULTZ Nie au vee ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 R, SCHULTZ 3,354,845 PELLET MILL HAVING ADJUSTABLY NOUNTED ROLLERS Filed June 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BC 23 22 . 6 = Ree Fig. 2 INVENTOR RICHARD SCHULTZ 8 par nd fren ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 1 3,354,845 A PELLET MILL HAVING ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ROLLERS Richard Schultz, Unwil, Switzerland, assignor to Gebriider Biihler, Uzwil, Switzerland Filed June 22, 1965, Ser. No, 466,004 6 Claims. (Ci. 10714) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A press mold includes an open ended cylindrical mold carrier which is mounted on a shaft for rotation there- with. A ring-shaped mold is secured to one end of the ‘mold carrier and a cartier member is secured (0 the shaft and rotates within the mold carrier. A feature of the construction is the mounting of press rollers in @ manner such that they may be adjusted in respect to the interior surface of the mold, For this purpose, the rollers are car- ried on members which include an inner end portion and fan outer end portion which are eccentric to a central bearing portion for rotatably supporting the rollers. In addition, the inner end portion includes means for clamp- ing this portion in an adjusted position in respect to a ore defined in the rotatable carrier. The press rollers which are eccentrically carried in respect to the inner end portion may thus be adjustably postioned in respect to the mold by rotating an outer eccentric end portion of the roller assembly. This causes the intermediate bearing portion for the rollers in the assembly to shift thereby to relocate the roller in respect to the interior periphery of the mold. After the shifting is accomplished, the assembly is anchored in an adjusted position by rotating the outer eccentric member to cause a displacement of a tensioning id against tensioning means carried around the inner ec centric member which bears outwardly around the walls of the bore of the rotatable carrier member. Summary of the invention ‘This invention relates in general to machines for com- pressing materials into compact form and in particular to a new and useful machine for compressing fodder into cubes which includes compression rollers which are ‘mounted for rotation within a press mold and which have means for easily adjusting the rollers in respect to the interior surface of the mold, In known machines for the compression of fodder into ceubes, the eccentric bolts are secured by either clamping them ‘by means which reduce the silt bore of the roller cartier and using a tightening screw; ot by widening the diameter of the eccentric bolt by means of a cone pressed in by a screw whereby the eccentric bolt may be clamped (0 the bore of the roller carrier. A disadvantage of the first type of arrangement is that the connection cannot bbe loosened from the front in an accessible location and therefore cannot be easily disconnected. A disadvantage of the other arrangement is that the cone doss not pro- Vide a compact tensioning surface, but the tensioning is effected in a certain place in an annular form. Ta accordance with the invention, the rollers are ar- ranged within a compression mold’ and mounted on a roller carrier by means of an eccentric bolt member. In the perferred arrangement the eccentric bolt member in- cludes a central mounting portion for roller bearings and the compression or roller element. The assembly further includes an interior or inner eccentric portion which con- tains adjustable annular tensioning elements which may ’be operated from the opposite outer end of the mount ing bolt to secure the bolt asembly in position within the roller cartier, The outer end of the bolt assembly includes 10 25 4s 50 55 cy 0 3,354,845. Patented Nov. 28, 1967 2 f squared end for engagement by a wrench to shift the outer periphery of the compression rollers in respect 10 the inner periphery of the compression mold, In addition, it includes a through bolt or adjustment element which extends through the assembly and is threadably engaged in a tensioning or tightening nut member at the inner end. When the outer end of the adjustment element is rotated it is threaded into the tensioning nut member 10 cause the mut member to bear against the tensioning ele- ‘ments and to secure the assembly in the roller carrier. Thus the invention is characterized by a construction in which the eccentric bolts carrying the rollers are secured in the roller carrier by screw elements which may be operated ata distance from the roller carrier. The advantage of the invention resides in the fact that this connection can be made and severed from the front of the device and in an accessible location. In addition, even under bigh pressure, the axis of the compression roller will always be absolutely parallel with respect to the com- pression mold and an excellent connection is guaranteed. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to pro- vide a machine for compressing fodder which includes a roller carrier concentrically and rotatably mounted within a compression mold with rollers mounted on a cartier in a manner permitting their adjustment in respect to the mold from the outer end of the device. A farther object of the invention is to provide a means for securing rollers to a carrier in a device in which the carrier has its inner end in an inaccessible location and wherein there is an eccentric bolt assembly provided for rotatably mounting the rollers on the catsier in a manner such that they will be adjustable in respect to the interior periphery of a compression mold element and accessible from the exterior of the device. The eccentric bolt as- sembly includes means for securing the assembly to the carrier from the exterior of the mold using a threaded bolt element which is threaded into a tightening mut to expand tensioning elements against a bore of the roller ‘A further object of the invention is to provide a ma- chine for compressing fodder which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture. ‘The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating ad~ vantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which there is illustrated and described 2 preferred embodiment Of the invention, In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a machine for compressing fodder constructed in accordance; and FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the mechanism indicated in FIG. 1 Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a machine for compressing fodder which includes a base or support 1 having two upstanding support elements 2 and 3 which support at each end a bearing block element 4. A shaft $is supported Within the bearing block 4 and it carries at its outer end roller bearings 9 and 10 on which is rotatable a com- pression carrier 8 which is formed at its inner end with ‘pulley formation 7. The mold carrier 8 which is of sub- stantially conical configuration is rotated by the rotation of the pulley 7 through the belt elements 7”. The mold cartier 8 defines a cavity which receives a roller carrier 6 which is secured on the stationary shaft element 5. An interchangeable compression mold 11 is secured to the outer end of the mold carrier 8 and rotates therewith. ‘The mold 11 is secured to the mold carrier 8 by securing 8,354,845 3 devices such as bolts (not shown) which extend axially through the mold 11 and the carrier 8. The compression ‘mold 11 is provided with bores 12 through which the compressed material is directed. Tn accordance with the invention, each of a plurality of compression roller elements is mounted on an eccen- tric bolt assembly generally designated 13 which assem- bles are eccentrically secured on the roller carrier 6. The ‘eccentric bolt assemblies include a central bearing portion 132 for rotatably mounting the roller elements 28 and an outer end eccentric portion 136 and an inner end eccen- tie portion 13¢ which is adapted to be mounted in a bore of the roller cartier 6. The outer eccentric portion 135 and the inner eccentric portion 13c have the same eccen- tricity in respect to the center or axis of the bolt assembly. central portion 132. The outer eccentric portion 136 is, provided with a square milled portion 16 for applying a fork wrench to effect the rotation of the eccentsie portion 413c in the bore of the roller carrier 6 and the adjustment ‘of the central portion for locating the roller 28 in respect to the intetior periphery of the compression mold 11. ‘A feature of the invention is that when the roller 28 is adjusted in respect to the compression mold 11 it may be anchored in an adjusted position on the roller carrier 6 by securing or tensioning means located on the exterior of the device or accessible from the outer end. For this purpose an adjustment element or bolt member 21 ex- fends completely through the bolt assembly 13 and is threaded into a threaded bore of a tensioning lid or clamp- ing cap 23, the thread being indicated at 22. Tnsioning means are carried on the exterior periphery of the inner eccentric portion 13¢ which are engageable With the interior of the bore of the roller carrier 6 upon the threading of the bolt 21 into the clamping cap 23. ‘The tensioning means advantageously include sets of wedge shaped tings 26 and 27 which are cartied on the periphery of the eccentric portion 13¢ and which abut at their inner ends against a spacer ring 24 which in turn abuts against an end portion of the eccentric portion 13c. ‘The ring seis 26 snd 27 each include two rings having conical contacting surfaces. Means are provided to ensure that the cap 23 does not rotate in the bore of the roller carrier 6. Such means comprise in the example illustrated pins 18 which enzage in a longitudinally extending bore 17 formed in the bolt eccentric portion 13c. The bolt eccentric portion 13¢ also includes a bore 19 to accommodate an inner flange por- ‘tion of the cap 23. An outer flange portion extends around the outer periphery of the eccentric portion 13c. ‘The rollers or compression elements 28 include axially extending grooves 29 and they are arranged on roller bearing sets 3 and 31,which are separated centrally by a spacer ring 32. Flat disc elements 36 and 37 are ar- ranged on each side of the bearings 30 and 31 and form dust protection walls, Spacer rings 33 and 34 are arranged fon each end of the flat disc elements and they support bearing covers 38 and 39 which are secured to the roller element 28. A shaft nut 41 is threaded onto the metric threads 14 of the central portion 13a and holds the entire compression roller against disalignment. When the roller clements 28 are to be set up on the roller carrier 6, the entire assembly with the lid 23 screwed onto the eccentric portion 13c is inserted into the bore of the roller carrier. By turning the square portion 16 of the eccentric portion 13b, the distance between the roller element 28 and the compression mold 11 may be reduced or increased. As soon as the desired spacing has been set, the lid 23 is ‘moved to the left by turning the screw 21 and by holding the eccentric portion 13b in a fixed position. As a result, the tensioning elements 26 and 27 spread out and firmly engage in the bore of the roller carrier 6. The pin 18 prevents the lid 23 from turning together with the serew 21 when the later is tightened. ‘The invention bas the advantage that the connection ccan be set up with easy accessibility from the front end 10 35 48 0 «0 4 and it can be disconnected in the same manner. In addi- tion, there is an absolute parallelism of the axes of the compression rollers 28 in respect to the compression mold 11. ‘While’ a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application Of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. What is claimed 1. A machine for compressing material such as fodder into compact form comprising a hollow compression mold having an inner and outer end, means closing said inner end of said mold, a roller cartier mounted adjacent said ‘mold inner end, means for rotating said roller carrier and said-mold relatively insubstantial concentrcity, said roller carrier having at least one bore therethrough, an eccentric bolt assembly including an intermediate por- tion for rotatably mounting a compression element with said hollow compression mold, an inner eccentric end portion for mounting said eccentric bolt assembly on said roller carrier which extends into the bore of said roller carrier, and an outer end portion accessible from the exterior of said machine, an adjustable element Io- cated adjacent said outer end portion of said eccentric bolt assembly and accessible from said outer end of said mold, and tensioning means carried on said inner eccen- tric end portion of said bolt assembly and connected to said adjustable element, said tensioning means being dis- placeable upon movement of said adjustable element into bearing engagement with said roller carrier 2. A machine for compressing material such as fodder {nto compact form comprising a hollow compression mold having an inner and outer end, means closing said inner end of said mold, a roller carrier mounted adjacent said ‘mold inner end, means for rotating said roller carrier and said mold relatively in substantial concentricity, said roller cartier having at least one bore eccentrically lo cated in respect to the axis thereof, an eccentric bolt as- sembly including an intermediate ‘portion for rotatably ‘mounting 2 compression roller within said hollow com- pression mold, an inner eccentric end portion. positioned in the bore of said roller earrier and an adjustable outer ‘eccentric end portion extending outwardly {com said’ outer end of said compression mold, a threaded adjust ing element accessible from said ‘outer end of said! mold and extending through said bolt assembly from sald outer eccentric end portion to said inner eccentric end portion, and tensioning means carried on said inner eccentric end portion and connected to said threaded ad~ justing element and displaceable by rotation of said threaded adjusting element into engagement and disen- ‘agement with said roller cartier. 3. A machine for compressing material such as fodder into compact form comprising a hollow compression mold having an inner and outer end, means closing said innet end of said mold, a roller carrier mounted adjacent said ‘mold inner end, means for rotating said roller carrier and stid mold relatively in substantial concentricity, said roller carrier having at least one bore eccentrically 10- cated in respect to the axis thereof, an eccentric bolt assembly including an intermediate portion for rotatably ‘mounting a compression roller within ssid hollow com- pression mold, an inner eccentric end portion positioned in the bore of said roller carrier and an outer adjustable eccentric end portion extending outwardly from said com- pression mold, a threaded adjusting element accessible from the outer end of said mold and extending through ssid bolt assembly, tensioning means carried on said inner ‘eccentric end portion and connected to said threaded ad- justing element for displacement by rotation of said ‘threaded adjusting clement into engagement and disen- gagement with said roller carrier, a roller element r0- tatably mounted on the intermediate portion of suid ec- centric bolt assembly, and protective cover means on 3,354,845 cach end of said roller element on the intermediate por- tion of sad eccentric bolt assembly. 4. A machine for compressing material such as fodder into compact form comprising 2 hollow compression mold having an inner and outer end, means closing said inner end of said mold, a roller cartier mounted adjacent said ‘mold inner end, means for rotating sai roller carrier and said. mold ‘relatively in substantiad concentricty, said roller carrier having at least one bore eccentrcally lo- ated in respect to the axis thereof, an eccentric bolt as cluding an intermediate portion for rotatably ‘© compression roller within said hollow com- pression mold, an inner eccentric end portion positioned Jn the bore of said roller carrer and an adjustable outer ecventric end portion extending outwardly from said com- pression mold, a thresded adjusting element accessible from the outer end of said mold and extending through said bolt assembly fom said outer eccentric end portion to said inner eccentric end portion, and tensioning means carried On said inner eccentric end portion and connected to said threaded adjusting clement for displacement by rotation of said threaded adjustable clement into engage- ment and disengagement with said roller carter, said Ouier eccentric end portion having a flat portion for en- gagement by a wrench for shifting said’ bolt assembly for adjusting the position of a roller on the intermediate portion in respect to the interior periphery of said com- pression mold. 3. A muchine for compressing material such as fodder into compact form comprising a hollow compression mold having an inner and outer end, means closing said Inner end of ssid mold, a roller carrier mounted adj cent said mold inner end, means for rotating said roller carrier and said mold relatively in substantial concen- tuiity, said roller carrer having atleast one bore eccen- tically Tocated in respect to the axis thereof, an. eccen- tric bolt assembly including an intermediate portion for rolatably mounting a compression roller within ssid hol cy 20 25 35 6 Jow compression mold, an inner eccentric end portion positioned in the bore of said roller carrier and an adjust- able outer eccentric end portion extending outwardly from seid compression mold, a threaded adjusting element ac cessible from the outer end of said mold and extending through said bolt assembly, tensioning means carried on ssid inner eccentric end portion and connected to said threaded adjusting element for displacement by rotation of said threaded adjusting element into engagement and disengagement with said roller carrier, including a ten- sioning cap threadably engaged with said threaded ad- justing element, and at least one set of split ring mem- bers having conical surfaces in engagement disposed in alignment with said tensioning cap, said tensioning cap being displaceable along said inner eccentric end. por tion to displace said split ring members so that they cause bearing engagement between said inner eccentric end por- tion and said roller carrier. 6. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said ten- sioning means comprises at least two sets of split ring members, each set including two split rings having con- ical surfaces in engagement permitting relative axial dis- placement of said rings, References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,240,660 5/1941. Meakin 2'241,546 5/1941 Evenstand et al. 1078 2/306,145 12/1942 Thompson 10714 2/336,14 12/1943 Meakin 107-8 21626576 1/1953, T1074 2700940 2/1955 107-8 2,870,481 1/1959 Bonnafoux 18-12 21995,096 8/1961 Roskamp 10714 3,017,845 1/1962 Bonnafoux 10714 BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner.

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