U.S. patent application number 10/706797 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for bag filling apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alberta Sunflower Seeds Ltd.. Invention is credited to Droog, Thomas W., Greening, Douglas, Withington, Stephen A..
Application Number | 20040103619 10/706797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4163312 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040103619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Droog, Thomas W. ; et
al. |
June 3, 2004 |
Bag filling apparatus and method
Abstract
Automated apparatus for filling of a bag with a loose commodity
comprises a bag filling station for dispensing commodity into a
bag; a wicket for feeding a stacked and interconnected array of
empty bags; and a conveyor for removing filled bags from the
filling station. Reciprocating clamps grip the open mouths of the
filled bags, and transfer the filled bags away from the filling
station, with a subsequent bag being drawn into appropriate
position for filling by means of the connection formed between the
contacting bags.
Inventors: |
Droog, Thomas W.; (Bow
Island, CA) ; Withington, Stephen A.; (Calgary,
CA) ; Greening, Douglas; (Calgary, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Collard & Roe, P.C.
1077 Northern Boulevard
Roslyn
NY
11576
US
|
Assignee: |
Alberta Sunflower Seeds
Ltd.
Systematic Design Services Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
4163312 |
Appl. No.: |
10/706797 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10706797 |
Nov 12, 2003 |
|
|
|
09890083 |
Jul 25, 2001 |
|
|
|
6662532 |
|
|
|
|
09890083 |
Jul 25, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/CA00/00114 |
Feb 7, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/459 ;
53/571 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 43/465 20130101;
B65B 51/18 20130101; B65B 43/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/459 ;
053/571 |
International
Class: |
B65B 043/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 1999 |
CA |
2,262,276 |
Claims
We claim:
1. Apparatus for filling bags with a loose commodity and
transferring filled bags to a processing means, comprising: a bag
filling station comprising a source of loose commodity and an
outlet for depositing a predetermined amount of said commodity into
said bags; a wicket for receiving empty bags arranged in
interconnected array and positioning said bags sequentially beneath
said filling station; bag transfer means comprising reciprocating
clamp members for releasably engaging an open mouth of a filled
bag, said clamp-members being mounted to a frame and associated
with drive means for reciprocal lateral movement of said clamp
members, whereby upon lateral movement of said gripping member and
said bag laterally away from said hopper the subsequent of said
bags is drawn along said wicket and is advanced to a filling
position at said filling station.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamp members
comprise a first pair of parallel arms each terminating in a
downwardly-depending finger; and a second pair of parallel arms
positioned between said first pair and each terminating in a
corresponding downwardly-depending finger, said second pair of arms
being driven by drive means for reciprocal diverging and converging
movement whereby within a converged position said-fingers of said
second arms are positioned for insertion within an open mouth of a
bag, and in said diverged position, said fingers are positioned to
draw the mouth of said bag into a taut position whereby opposing
corners of the bag are clampingly gripped between the fingers of
respective inner and outer arms.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein there is further
provided an air nozzle for directing a stream of air into the mouth
of each of said bags as they are sequentially positioned at said
filling station, for opening the mouths thereof.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamp members
are mounted to a carriage means, said carriage means being mounted
for reciprocal longitudinal movement to a carriage frame, and drive
means for driving said carriage means in a reciprocating
longitudinal movement.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamp means are
mounted to a frame for reciprocating vertical movement.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
conveyer means for receiving filled bags from said gripping means,
said conveyer means comprising: a pair of substantially co-planar
rotatable belt means, said belt means mounted for reciprocal
converging and diverging movement whereby in a diverged position
the belt means are spaced apart from each other to receive said
bag, and in a converged position said belt means are substantially
in contact with each other to convey said bag therebetween; a first
drive means for rotatably driving at least one of said belts; and a
second drive means for actuating at least one of said belt means
between said converged and diverged positions.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said belt means are
mounted within a substantially horizontal plane, and each comprise
a pair of spaced apart pulley members supporting a belt
therebetween, a first of said belt means being mounted for pivotal
movement about a vertical axis.
8. An apparatus as defined in any of claims 2 through 7, further
comprising a controller for controlling the apparatus to perform
the following sequence of events: downward movement of said,
whereby said jaws extend at least partly into an open mouth of a
first of said bags for deposition of a measured quantity of said
commodity therein; movement of said clamp members laterally towards
said hopper whereby said fingers are positioned substantially over
the mouth of said bags; downward movement of said clamp members
whereby by said inner fingers extend into said bag; upward movement
of said hopper away from said bag; diverging movement of said inner
arms whereby said inner fingers draw the mouth of said bag taut and
grippingly engage said bag between respective inner and outer
fingers; lateral movement of said bag away from the hopper in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said wicket
members, thereby removing the filled bag from the wicket and
drawing a second bag laterally into position beneath said hopper,
and separating said first and second bags.
9. An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said controller further
controls the apparatus to perform the subsequent step of
transferring said filled bag laterally into said conveyor
means.
10. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said wicket angles
downwardly to at least partly feed said bags to said filling
station via gravity.
11. A method for filling a bag with a loose commodity and
transferring the filled bags to a processing means, comprising the
steps of: providing a bag-filling apparatus featuring a bag filling
station, a wicket, and bag transfer means; providing empty bags on
said wicket in a stacked and interconnected array to form a
continuous web; opening the mouth of a first bag on said wicket;
filling a first empty bag with said loose commodity at said filling
station; transferring said filled bag away from said filling
station along a generally horizontal plane towards said processing
means, thereby drawing a second connected bag into said filling
station and detaching said first bag from said second bag; and
transferring the filled bag to the processing means.
12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said step of transferring the
filled bag away from said filling station comprises transferring
the filled bag in a first direction for detaching the filled bag
from the subsequent bag, and subsequently in a second direction
towards the processing means.
13. A method as in claim 11, wherein the step of transferring the
filled bag includes the step of drawing the open mouth of the bag
substantially closed, by drawing apart opposed ends of the upper
region of the bag, thereby drawing together the opposed sides of
the bag, and delivering the substantially closed bag to the
processing means.
14. A method as in claim 11, wherein said bags are interconnected
to form a continuous web by means of generating between the bags a
static electrical charge, or surface tension for releasably holding
neighbouring bags together.
15. A method as in claim 11, wherein said bags are interconnected
to form a continuous web by means of mechanical connection between
said bags.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to packaging technology, and in
particular to an apparatus and method for filing bags with a loose
commodity such as seed or grain, by means of an automated
apparatus, and carrying the filled bags to a bag sealing station or
other processing means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The bagging of bulk commodities such as seed or grain
requires automated equipment for sequentially dispensing a measured
quantity or weight of a commodity into an open-topped bag, and
transferring the bag to a heat sealing station or other bag-sealing
means. Typically in apparatus of this nature, the bulk commodity is
dispensed from a hopper into an open-topped bag. After a measured
amount is dispensed, the bag is removed from the hopper and
discharged from the apparatus. Typically, individual bags are
positioned beneath the hopper sequentially. Modem
commodity-handling operations require bag filling machines that
are-capable of operating rapidly and effectively, that is, with a
minimum of skipped bags (wherein a bag is missing when the hopper
discharges it s load), torn or damaged bags, or doubled-up
bags.
[0003] Typically, rapidity and precision are achieved by means of
an automated device having moveable fingers or other gripping
members for manipulation of individual bags before, during and
after the filling operation. For example, published Canadian
Application 2,091,471 (Huwelmann) discloses a bag-filling apparatus
having opposed clamping mechanisms for gripping the open upper end
of the bag, and holding the bag open for filling by a hopper or the
like. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,349 (Lipes) discloses opening
of a bag by means of a pair of opposed gripping members that grip
opposing sides of the bag and hold it open at its mouth. A similar
arrangement is disclosed in U.S. 4,651,506 (Lerner et al.).
[0004] One requirement is that such apparatus accurately and
rapidly transfer individual bags from a bag supply to a filling
station and subsequently to a conveyor for transferring the bag to
a heat-sealing mechanism or other bag-handling subsystem. This
sequence may be efficiently carried out if the bags are transferred
efficiently between the various stations.
[0005] A further specific requirement that is not adequately
addressed in the prior art is for a simple, effective and rapid
means whereby empty bags are individually engaged and positioned in
an open-topped position to receive a bulk commodity from a hopper
or other filling means.
[0006] In general terms, it is desirable to provide a mechanism
whereby empty bags may be sequentially engaged and transferred in
an open position to a bag-filling station, and subsequently
transferred to a bag conveyor. Conveniently, the individual bags
may be drawn closed as they are being fed to the downstream
conveyor. Since typically the downstream conveyor feeds the bags
into a heat-sealing station comprising a pair of heated rollers or
belts, it is desirable that the mechanism draws the sides of the
bags together to form a flattened upper region of the bag to
receive a heat seal.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide an improved bag filling apparatus and method,
whereby individual bags are selectively engaged and positioned for
individual filling and subsequently are withdrawn from the filling
station in a generally lateral direction for transfer to a
downstream conveyor. It is a further object to provide a means
whereby the filled bags are generally substantially closed at their
upper ends as the bags are transferred to the downstream conveyor,
in such a manner as to permit the bags to be conveniently heat
sealed at their upper ends.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the foregoing objects, the invention
comprises in one aspect an apparatus for filling bags with a loose
commodity and transferring filled bags to a processing means,
comprising:
[0009] a bag filling station for dispensing a measured quantity of
the commodity into bags;
[0010] a wicket for receiving empty bags in a stacked and
interconnected array whereby the bags form a continuous web;
and
[0011] filled bag transfer means incorporating a releasable clamp
for engaging an open mouth of a bag upon filling the bag with the
commodity and withdrawing the filled bag away from the hopper.
[0012] The interconnection of the bags may be achieved by a
mechanical interconnection, for example interlocking edge regions
of adjacent bags, or surface effects such as surface tension or
electrical attraction between contacting bags.
[0013] The releasable clamp draws the open mouth of the bag into a
taut position upon engaging the bag. The direction of transfer of
the filled bags permits removal of a filled bag from the filling
station to draw a subsequent empty bag from said wicket to the
filling station and detach the full bag from the subsequent bag.
The transfer means then transfers the filled bags from the filling
station to the processing means.
[0014] Preferably, the transfer means sequentially transfers the
bag in a first direction generally perpendicular to the elongate
axis of the apparatus for detaching a filled bag from a subsequent
bag, and subsequently in a second direction generally parallel to
the elongate axis for delivering filled bags to the processing
means.
[0015] The clamp of the preferred version comprises a pair of
laterally moveable fingers associated with drive means for moving
the fingers between converged and diverged positions. The
reciprocating fingers engage opposed corresponding fixed fingers,
whereby opposed ends of the bag are clamped between respective
pairs of moveable and fixed fingers when the moveable fingers are
diverged, and the bag is released from the clamp member when the
moveable fingers are converged. The position of the fixed fingers
may be laterally adjusted to converge or diverge to accommodate a
selected size of bag.
[0016] The filling station preferable includes a hopper having a
downwardly-depending nozzle for discharge of the loose commodity,
and further comprising reciprocating drive means for elevating the
hopper during the bag removal stage and lowering the hopper during
the bag filling stage.
[0017] An intermediary conveyor means may receive the filled bags
from the transfer mean, to convey the bags by their upper rim to a
heat sealing station or the like. The intermediary conveyor may
comprise a pair of opposing elongated conveyor members, such as a
pair of endless belts driven by pulleys, that diverge to receive a
bag and converge to engage and transport the bag.
[0018] In a further aspect, the invention comprises a method for
filling a bag with a loose commodity and transferring the filled
bags to a processing means, comprising the steps of:
[0019] providing a bag-filling apparatus featuring a bag filling
station, a wicket, and filled bag transfer means;
[0020] loading a supply of empty bags on the wicket in a stacked
and interconnected array to form a continuous web;
[0021] opening the mouth of a first bag on the wicket;
[0022] filling the first empty bag with loose commodity at the
filling station;
[0023] transferring the filled bag, away from the filling station
towards the processing means thereby drawing a second connected bag
into said filling station, opening the mouth of the empty bag and
detaching said first bag from said second bag; and transferring the
filled bag to the processing means.
[0024] The step of transferring the filled bag away from the
filling station may comprise transferring the filled bag in a first
direction for detaching the filled bag from the subsequent bag, and
subsequently in a second direction towards the processing means.
Alternatively, transfers within the first and second directions may
occur essentially simultaneously.
[0025] The step of transferring the filled bag may include the step
of drawing the open mouth of the bag to a substantially closed
configuration, by drawing apart opposed ends of the upper region of
the bag, thereby drawing together the opposed sides of the bag, and
delivering the substantially closed bag to the processing
means.
[0026] Having thus described the invention in general terms, the
invention will now be further characterized by reference to a
description and illustrations of a preferred embodiment.
[0027] The directional references employed throughout this
specification are in relation to the longitudinal axis of the
machine comprising the direction the general direction of movement
of the bags subsequent to the filling stage, i.e., from the filling
station to the heat sealing station or other downstream processing
means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a plan view, from above, showing-the apparatus
according to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective: view of the apparatus, illustrating
the: conveyer within the closed position;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a further perspective view, illustrating the
conveyer within an open position;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the apparatus;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a further perspective view of the apparatus;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the
apparatus;
[0034] FIGS. 7a through i comprise a series of perspective views,
of a portion of the apparatus, illustrating operation of the
apparatus;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the device,
illustrating a further embodiment of one aspect thereof;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a further perspective view as in FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the portion shown in
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to the figures, the apparatus globally denoted by
reference 10 is supported on a frame 16. The apparatus comprises a
bag-filling station 20, having associated therewith a bag wicket
station 22 and a bag transfer station 26. The bag-filling station
comprises a vertically reciprocating hopper 28, which is driven for
a reciprocal vertical movement by a pneumatic drive cylinder 30. A
supply conduit 32 feeds grain or other loose, bulk commodity (not
shown) into the hopper 28. Release of commodity from the hopper 28
is controlled by means of an openable jaw structure 34 which
defines the lower portion of the hopper and comprises a fixed jaw
member 36' and a moveable jaw member 38 which pivots about a
horizontal axis. The moveable jaw member 38 is driven for a
reciprocal movement diverging and convergin with the fixed jaw
member 36 by a pneumatic cylinder 40 mounted to the hopper 28. In
the closed position, shown in FIG. 2, the respective jaw structure
34 closed and commodity cannot escape from the hopper 28. Within
the-open position, shown in FIG. 7(c), the jaw structure 34 is
opened for the discharge of a measured amount of commodity from the
hopper 28.
[0039] The bag wicket station 22 comprises a generally box-like
support structure 43 mounted to the frame 16, and which slidably
engages the hopper 28. The pneumatic cylinder 30 driving the hopper
is mounted to an upper portion of the support structure 43. The
wicket station 22 features a pair of wicket members 44, from which
may be hung a flattened stack of empty bags 46 for filling with the
commodity. The wicket members are angled downwardly to urge the
bags towards the filling station via gravity. A pair of holes 48
extend through the upper rim portion of the bags 46 adjacent
opposed sides thereof, to engage the wicket members 44. The bags 46
are interconnected to form an endless web or chain.
[0040] In a further aspect, an alternative arrangement of the
wicket station is shown in FIGS. 8 through 10. Within this version,
a wicket station 200 comprises paired wicket arms 202, which are
angled downwardly towards the feeding station to feed the bags 46
via gravity towards the feeding station. The wicket arms 202
terminate at a plate like wicket knife assembly 206, mounted to the
wicket station 22. A wicket knife 208 forms a gusset like web
between the plate 206 and the wicket arms 202. The wicket knife has
a knife edge 210 for slicing the bags as the same are drawn
forwardly for removal from the wicket. Use of the wicket knife
assembly, and consequent cutting of the bag, permits easier removal
of the bags from the wicket with less stretching than a simple
tearing action against the rounded wicket arms. FIG. 9 illustrates
with arrow 212 the direction of tearing of the bag as the same is
pulled forwardly off the wicket, with the tear origin occurring at
point 214 on the bag.
[0041] Conveniently, the interconnection may result from surface
tension, static or electrical forces between the bags or mechanical
forces achieved by deformation of a portion of the bags surrounding
the holes, which permits each bag to lightly grip its neighbours.
The interconnection between the bags is sufficient to permit each
bag to draw it's neighbour forwardly and open the mouth of the
neighbouring bag, as each bag is removed from the wicket upon
filling. The term "interconnection" encompasses a physical
connection formed by eg. deformation of adjacent bags forming an
interlocking structure, or surface effects such as surface tension
forming a connection between adjacent bags.
[0042] The bag transfer station 26 comprises in general terms a bag
gripper assembly 50; a gripper carriage assembly 52; and a bag
conveyer station 54. The gripper assembly 50 is adapted to grip
individual bags 46 and position each bag sequentially beneath the
hopper 28 for filling with the commodity. Upon filling of the bag
46, the gripper assembly 50 and its associated carriage assembly 52
carry the bag to the conveyer station 54 which in turn receives the
filled bag for conveyance to a heat sealing station 56 or other
downstream processing means.
[0043] The gripper assembly 50 comprises a generally plate-like
vertical base 60. A pair of fixed arms 62(a) and (b) extend
laterally from either end of the base 60 towards the hopper 26.
Each of the outer arms 62 terminates in a downwardly-extending
finger 64. The fingers 64 are a dustable on the arms 62 to
accommodate bags of differing sizes requiring a greater or lesser
spread of the fingers 64 to hold the bags generally taut.
Positioned between the fixed outer arms 62 and parallel thereto is
a pair of moveable inner arms 66(a) and (b), having a similar
configuration and each terminating in a downwardly depending finger
67. The inner arms 66 are each mounted to the base 60 for slideable
movement relative to the base 60. The inner arms 66 are each
connected to a corresponding pneumatic cylinder 70 mounted to the
base 60, with the cylinders adapted to drive the inner arms 66
between reciprocating converging and diverging positions. The inner
arms 66 are reciprocate between a converged first position, shown
in FIG. 7(a), wherein the fingers 67 of the inner arms 66 are
spaced substantially apart from the fingers 64 of the fixed outer
arms 62, and a second diverged position; shown in FIG. 7(b),
wherein the respective fingers 64 and 67 of the inner and outer
arms meet to clampingly engage a bag 46 therebetween.
[0044] It will be understood that the linear reciprocating motion
of the cylinders 70, as well as all other like drive means, may be
replaced by any suitable drive means including rotary drive means
such as a revolving wheel, with the driven member being pivotally
mounted at a position adjacent the wheel perimeter for
reciprocating sinusoidal movement.
[0045] The carriage assembly 52 is adapted to carry the gripper
assembly 50 in three axis of movement, namely laterally,
longitudinally and vertically. The carriage assembly 52 comprises a
carriage frame 80, mounted to the apparatus frame 16. The carriage
frame includes a pair of spaced apart parallel bars 82(a) and (b)
which are fixedly mounted to the frame 16 along a longitudinal
axis. A carriage 84 engages the bars 82, and includes a pair of
sleeves 85 for slideable receiving the bars to permit the carriage
84 to slide longitudinally along the bars 82. A reciprocating
pneumatic cylinder 88 mounted at one end to the carriage 84 and at
the opposing end to the apparatus frame 16 drives the carriage 84
within a longitudinal direction. Extending upwardly from the
carriage 84 is a rectangular pillar 88' A corresponding rectangular
sleeve 90 is slideably received on the pillar and is driven
vertically relative to the support by means of a reciprocating
pneumatic cylinder 92 mounted to the respective members. Mounted to
a side of the sleeve 90 is a second, horizontally-oriented
rectangular sleeve 94, the axis of which is in the lateral
direction. The second sleeve 94 slidingly receives a beam 96, one
end of which in turn is mounted to the base of the gripper assembly
50. Lateral reciprocating movement of the gripper assembly 50
relative to the carriage 52 is achieved by means of slidable
movement of the beam 96 within the second sleeve 94, which in turn
is driven by a pneumatic cylinder 98 linking the respective
members. Vertical movement of the gripper assembly 50 is achieved
by operation of the pneumatic cylinder 92.
[0046] The conveyer station 54 is mounted to the carriage assembly
52 by means of a beam arrangement 100. The conveyer station 54
comprises a pair of generally co-planer belt assemblies 102(a) and
(b). The belt assemblies 102 each comprise a housing 104, having
journalled therein a pair of rotatable pullies 106 at either end
thereof, supporting the opposing ends of a rotatably driven belt
108. A motor 110 drives both the first of the belts 108(a) and
108(b). The respective belts are geared together through meshing
spur gears mounted on corresponding belt drive shafts. The first
housing 104(a), with the motor 110 mounted thereto, is fixed to the
beam arrangement 100. The second housing 104(b) is pivotally
mounted to the beam arrangement 100 for pivoting about a vertical
axis. When the respective housings 104(a) and (b) are swung
together within the closed position, the respective belts 108(a)
and (b) are parallel to and in substantial contact with each other.
Within the open position shown in FIG. 3, the belts 108 diverge.
When in the diverged position, the belts are able to receive a
filled bag, and subsequently swing together in to the closed
position for conveyance of the bag away from the apparatus.
[0047] Operation of the devise will now be described by reference
to FIGS. 107(a)-(i).
[0048] Operation of the apparatus commences with an individual bag
110, comprising the first bag in the interconnected array of bags
46, being supported by the wicket members 44 and positioned
directly below the hopper 28. An air nozzle 112 mounted to the
wicket support 43 directs a stream of air into the at least partly
open mouth of the bag 110, to open the bag sufficiently for filling
and to hold the bag open as the jaws 36 and 38 of the hopper 28
descend into the bag 110, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The hopper 28 then
discharges a measured amount of the commodity into the bag 110. As
the hopper is discharging the commodity, the bag gripper assembly
50 advances laterally towards the hopper 28, as seen in FIG.
7(c)-(e), and subsequently downwardly, as seen in FIG. 7(f), such
that the downwardly-depending fingers 67 of the inner arms 66
extend into the open mouth of the bag 110. The jaws 36 and 38 of
the hopper 28 then close and the hopper moves upwardly, as shown in
FIG. 7(g) and (h). Simultaneously, the inner arms 67 of the gripper
diverge, thereby drawing taut the mouth of the bag 110 and gripping
opposing corners of the bag between the respective inner and outer
fingers 64 and 67, as seen in FIG. 7(h). The gripper assembly 50
then retracts laterally, as seen in FIG. 7(i), and transfers the
bag 110 longitudinally to the conveyer station 54. Retraction of
the first bag 110 away from the interconnected array of bags 46
draws the subsequent bag 111 in the array forwardly in position
beneath the hopper 28. The filled bag 110 is then conveyed
longitudinally along the paired bars 82, towards the conveyor
station 54. The paired belts 108 of the conveyer station 54 within
the open position receive the bag 110, and subsequently converge to
grippingly engage the bag between the respective belts 108, for
conveyance towards a heat sealing station 120 or the like.
Conventionally, the heat sealing station comprises a pair of heated
belts 122 which may receive the bag directly from the conveyer to
perform a heat sealing operation on the bag.
[0049] Operation of the device, and in particular, operation of the
various pneumatic cylinders, is controlled by a central control
unit, which in includes sensors for detecting the positions of the
various components referred to above, and ensuring the various
pneumatic actuators operate in a coordinated fashion.
[0050] It will be seen that although the present embodiment employs
reciprocating pneumatic actuators for driving the various
components of the apparatus, any known drive means may be
substituted, including hydraulic rams, electric linear actuators or
other like means.
[0051] It will be further understood, that although the present
invention has been described in detail by way of a preferred
embodiment thereof, persons skilled in the art to which this
invention pertains will be able to make numerous modifications and
variations to the invention. These variations and modifications
will still remain within the spirit and scope of the invention,
which is described and characterized within the appended
claims.
* * * * *