Apparatus for Laying and Anchoring a Sheet of Material on a Ground Surface

• US 20150336142A1
• Filed: 05/26/2014
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EPI Environmental Products Inc.
• Original Assignee: EPI Environmental Products Inc.
• Inventors: Kozak, Randall J., Bond, Justin T.J., Rempel, Paul A., Deakin, Stephen P., Jensen, Lynn M., Gregoire, Kathleen M., Murchie, Ryan H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 13/0287 Devices for laying-out or removing ground coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 1/00 Dumping solid waste
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 1/004 Covering of dumping sites
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/025 for thin material, e.g. for sheets, strips or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/01 Means for holding or positioning work
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/015 for sheet material or piles of sheets B26D7/018 and B26D7/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/02 with clamping means B26D7/018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/025 acting upon planar surfaces B26D7/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7487 Means to clamp work

Abstract

A machine (20) for laying a film (122) on a ground surface such as a landfill has a pair of opposed, support arms (84) each having a respective film roll support mechanism (94). In some embodiments the support arms are pivotable. Each film roll support mechanism (94) has a moveable arm (102) with a film roll support bracket (106), and a hydraulic system (98, 104) controllable by an operator of the machine for retracting and extending the moveable arm (102). The machine has means (120, 124) for holding the roll (96) of film between the brackets (106) for unwinding the film onto the ground. The machine may include a film cutter assembly (154) for cutting the laid film. The machine permits the controlled laying of the film and the operator adjustment of the position of the roll of film in response to windy conditions, obstacles and sloping ground.

Claims

1. A machine for laying a film on a ground surface and depositing an anchoring material on the film, comprising:

(a) a container for holding the anchoring material;

(b) means for releasing the anchoring material from the container;

(c) means for moving the machine over the ground surface;

(d) a pair of support arms each having a respective film roll support mechanism operatively connected thereto, the support arms being movable between an operating position in which the respective film roll support mechanism is extended outward from the machine at a respective opposed side thereof, and a retracted position in which the respective film roll support mechanism is adjacent to the respective opposed side of the machine;

(e) the two film roll support mechanisms each comprising;

(i) a movable arm;

(ii) a film roll support bracket operatively connected to the movable arm; and

(iii) a hydraulic system controllable by an operator of the machine for retracting and extending the movable arm to fix the film roll support bracket in a selected position above the ground surface; and

(f) means for holding the roll of film between the two roll support brackets for unwinding of the film onto the ground surface as the machine is moved and the anchoring material is deposited onto the film.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic cylinder within which the moveable arm is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a hydraulic control system for operator control of the movement of the moveable arm.

3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the two support arms are pivotable between the operating position and the retracted position.

4. A machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for detaching each film roll support bracket from the respective movable arm, and means for moving the detached film roll support brackets and the roll of sheet material between the movable arms and the ground surface.

5. A machine according to claim 1, further comprising pivoting arm brackets for supporting the respective support arm.

6. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for holding the roll of film comprises a mandrel tube.

7. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the film comprises a degradable polyolefin.

8. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the ground comprises a landfill.

9. A machine for laying a film on a ground surface and depositing an anchoring material on the film, comprising:

(a) a container for holding and releasing the anchoring material;

(b) a pair of support arms each having a respective film roll support mechanism operatively connected thereto, the support arms being movable between an operating position in which the respective film roll support mechanism is extended outward from the machine at a respective opposed side thereof, and a retracted position in which the respective film roll support mechanism is adjacent to the respective opposed side of the machine;

(c) the two film roll support mechanisms each comprising;

(i) a movable arm; and

(ii) a film roll support bracket operatively connected to the movable arm, the movable arm being retractable and extendable by a hydraulic system controllable by an operator of the machine to fix the film roll support bracket in a selected position above the ground surface; and

(d) a film roll holder for holding the roll of film between the two roll support brackets for unwinding of the film onto the ground surface as the machine is moved over the ground surface and the anchoring material is deposited onto the film.

10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic cylinder within which the moveable arm is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a hydraulic control system for operator control of the movement of the moveable arm.

11. A machine according to claim 9, wherein the two support arms are pivotable between the operating position and the retracted position.

12. A machine according to claim 9, further comprising a winch mechanism for moving the film roll and the film roll support brackets, when detached from the movable arms, between the movable arms and the ground surface.

13. A machine for laying a film on a ground surface and depositing an anchoring material on the film, comprising:

(a) a container for holding the anchoring material;

(b) means for releasing the anchoring material from the container;

(c) means for moving the machine over the ground surface;

(d) a pair of support arms each having a respective film roll support mechanism operatively connected thereto;

(e) the two film roll support mechanisms each comprising;

(i) a movable arm;

(ii) a film roll support bracket operatively connected to the movable arm; and

(iii) a hydraulic system controllable by an operator of the machine for retracting and extending the movable arm to fix the film roll support bracket in a selected position above the ground surface; and

(f) means for holding the roll of film between the two roll support brackets for unwinding of the film onto the ground surface as the machine is moved and the anchoring material is deposited onto the film.

14. A machine according to claim 13, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic cylinder within which the moveable arm is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a hydraulic control system for operator control of the movement of the moveable arm.

15. A machine for laying a film on a ground surface and depositing an anchoring material on the film, comprising:

(a) a container for holding and releasing the anchoring material;

(b) a pair of support arms each having a respective film roll support mechanism operatively connected thereto;

(c) the two film roll support mechanisms each comprising;

(i) a movable arm; and

(ii) a film roll support bracket operatively connected to the movable arm, the movable arm being retractable and extendable by a hydraulic system controllable by an operator of the machine to fix the film roll support bracket in a selected position above the ground surface; and

(d) a film roll holder for holding the roll of film between the two roll support brackets for unwinding of the film onto the ground surface as the machine is moved over the ground surface and the anchoring material is deposited onto the film.

16. A machine according to claim 15, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic cylinder within which the moveable arm is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a hydraulic control system for operator control of the movement of the moveable arm.

24. A machine according to claim 15, further comprising the film cutter assembly of claim 17.

17. A film cutter assembly for use with a machine for laying film on a ground surface, comprising:

(a) a first film-clamping surface;

(b) means for engaging the film unwound from a roll of film carried by the machine, and bringing the film into engagement with the first film-clamping surface;

(c) a film-clamping member having a second film-clamping surface, the film-clamping member being moveable between a first position in which the second film-clamping surface is spaced from the first film-clamping surface, and a second position in which the second film-clamping surface engages the first film-clamping surface;

(d) means for moving the film-clamping member between its first and second positions; and

(e) means for cutting the film when held between the first film-clamping surface and the second film-clamping surface.

18. A film cutter assembly according to claim 17, wherein the means for engaging the film comprises a film pick-up assembly attached to support members extending outward from the machine.

19. A film cutter assembly according to claim 18, wherein the film pick-up assembly comprises a film pick-up member supported by pivotable pick-up arms.

20. A film cutter assembly according to claim 17, wherein the means for cutting the film comprises a moveable blade.

21. A film cutter assembly according to claim 17, wherein the means for engaging the film comprises a film pick-up member moveable between a first position in which the film pick-up member is out of engagement with the film and a second position in which the film pick-up member engages the film and holds it adjacent to the first film-clamping surface.

22. A film cutter assembly for use with a machine for laying film on a ground surface, comprising:

(a) a film pick-up assembly for engaging and lifting the film;

(b) a fixed cutter assembly comprising a first film-clamping surface;

(c) a film-clamping member having a second film-clamping surface, the film-clamping member being moveable between a first position in which the second film-clamping surface is spaced from the first film-clamping surface, and a second position in which the second film-clamping surface is pressed against the first film-clamping surface;

(d) the film pick-up assembly comprising a film pick-up member moveable between a first position in which the film pick-up member is out of engagement with the film and a second position in which the film pick-up member engages and holds the film adjacent to the first film-clamping surface;

(e) a mechanism for moving the film-clamping member between its first and second positions;

(f) a mechanism for moving the film pick-up member between its first and second positions; and

(g) a mechanism for cutting the film when held between the first film-clamping surface and the second film-clamping surface.

23. A film cutter assembly according to claim 22, wherein the mechanism for cutting the film comprises a moveable blade.

25. A method of cutting a film dispensed by a machine for laying a film on a ground surface and for depositing an anchoring material on the film, comprising the steps of:

(a) moving a film pick-up member to engage the film unwound from a roll of film and to bring the film into engagement with a first film-clamping surface;

(b) moving a second film-clamping surface to press against the first film-clamping surface, with the film gripped between the first film-clamping surface and the second film-clamping surface;

(c) moving a cutting blade across the film and cutting the film adjacent to the first film-clamping surface and the second film-clamping surface to release a length of cut film; and

(d) moving the film pick-up member out of engagement with the film while holding a free end of the unwound film between the first film-clamping surface and the second film-clamping surface such that a length of unwound film extends between the roll of film and the first film-clamping surface and the second film-clamping surface, the length of unwound film being in a position to receive the anchoring material from the machine.