U.S. patent number 3,817,017 [Application Number 05/351,970] was granted by the patent office on 1974-06-18 for bag construction and method for filling the same.
Invention is credited to Oliver R. Titchenal.
United States Patent |
3,817,017 |
Titchenal |
June 18, 1974 |
BAG CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR FILLING THE SAME
Abstract
A bag construction embodied in a chain of connected bag elements
and an efficient method for filling the same. In novel feeding and
mounting concepts, the chain of bag elements is preferably fed to
the filling apparatus from a folded pile, and is initially received
by a mandrel which mounts the same in a curtain-and-rod-like
fashion by means of a loop located along the top end of each bag.
In the chain, the bag elements are substantially separated from one
another such that their complete separation after filling can be
easily achieved, as for example, by a gentle pulling action. In
specific bag constructions, loading or filling through gusseted
sections of the bag elements is made possible through novel gusset
designs and filling methods, and scrap minimized, for example, by
thinning strategic portions of the bag elements which later are
customarily trimmed therefrom following sealing operations.
Inventors: |
Titchenal; Oliver R. (Avon,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
26765642 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/351,970 |
Filed: |
April 17, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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81500 |
Oct 13, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/437; 53/525;
53/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
43/123 (20130101); B65B 43/267 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
43/00 (20060101); B65B 43/26 (20060101); B65B
43/12 (20060101); B65b 043/12 (); B65b
043/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/24,29,36,37,39,44,187,191,192,182,126,183 ;229/69,14,54R
;93/20,8R,8W,8WA ;83/175,178,425 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGehee; Travis S.
Assistant Examiner: Culver; Horace M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nunez; Gustalo
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation, of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 81,500
filed Oct. 13, 1970, and now abandoned.
Claims
Accordingly what is claimed is:
1. A method of filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein
each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends and
two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent
whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top end of
each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method
comprising the steps of:
a. feeding the tunnel portions of said bag elements about an
elongated mandrel member to mount said bag elements in a
curtain-and-rod-like fashion;
b. parting said tunnel portions in the longitudinal direction to
form a fill opening for each bag element located between the two
closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of the tunnel
portion;
c. plowing open said parted edges; and
d. thereafter depositing a product in each bag element through the
fill opening thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 including the step of intermittently
feeding said bag elements about said elongated mandrel member.
3. The method of claim 2 including the step of feeding said chain
of connected bag elements to said elongated mandrel member from a
folded pile, said folded pile comprising connected bag elements
positioned one on top of the other in a continuous Z-like stacking
arrangement.
4. The method of claim 3 including the step of vibrating said bag
elements during the step of introducing a fill product in said bag
elements thereby permitting a more complete fill.
5. The method of claim 4 including the step of individually filling
each of said chain connected bag elements.
6. The method of claim 5 including the step of trimming a portion
of said parted tunnel portion edges after introducing said fill
product in said bag elements, thereby further weakening the
connection between said chain connected bag elements.
7. The method of claim 6 including the step of placing said filled
chain connected bag elements in a position resulting in said chain
connected bag elements breaking apart from each other by their own
weight.
8. The method of claim 7 including the step of sealing said
elements after said fill product is introduced into said bag
elements.
9. The method of filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein
each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, two
sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent, whereby
an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top end of each bag
element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising
the steps of:
a. intermittently feeding the tunnel portions of said bag elements
about an elongated mandrel member to mount said bag elements in a
curtain-and-rod-like fashion;
b. moving said chain of connected bag elements to a product filling
station;
c. parting said tunnel portions in the longitudinal direction to
form a fill opening, for each bag element, located between the two
closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of said tunnel
portion;
d. plowing open said parted edges; and
e. activating said product filling station thereby depositing a
fill product in said bag elements while said bag elements are
intermittently positioned adjacent said product filling
station.
10. The method of claim 9 including the step of feeding said chain
of connected bag elements to said elongated mandrel from a folded
pile of connected bag elements.
11. The method of claim 9 including the step of feeding said chain
of connected bag elements to said elongated mandrel from a fan
folded pile of connected bag elements.
12. The method of claim 9 including the step of feeding said chain
of connected bag elements from an endless pile of connected bag
elements.
13. The method of claim 9 including the step of vibrating each of
said bag elements during the step of introducing a fill product in
said bag elements.
14. The method of claim 9 including the step of vibrating each of
said bag elements after the step of introducing a fill product in
said bag elements.
15. The method of claim 14 including the step of placing said
filled bag elements in a position resulting in said connected bag
elements breaking apart from each other by their own weight.
16. A method of individually filling a chain of connected bag
elements, wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom
and top ends, two sides, said sides closed except at their
uppermost extent whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at
the top of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned,
said method comprising the steps of:
a. intermittently feeding the tunnel portions of said chain of bag
elements about an elongated mandrel member to longitudinally mount
said connected bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion;
b. moving said mounted chain of connected bag elements to a product
filling station;
c. parting said tunnel portions in a longitudinal direction to form
a fill opening for each bag element, located between the two closed
sides thereof and the two parted edges of said tunnel portion;
d. plowing open said parted edges;
e. activating said product filling station and depositing a product
fill singularly in each of said bag elements while said bag element
is intermittently positioned adjacent said product filling
station;
f. vibrating said bag elements;
g. conveying said filled bag elements to a position resulting in
said connected bag elements separating from each other by their own
weight; and
h. sealing said bag elements.
17. The method of claim 16 including the method of claim 9
including the step of vibrating each of said bag elements during
the step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements.
18. The method of claim 16 including the method of claim 9
including the step of vibrating each of said bag elements after the
step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to novel bag constructions as
embodied on a chain of connected bag elements and further relates
to a novel and improved method for feeding, filling and sealing the
same.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
method for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein the
bag elements can be drawn to the filling apparatus from a folded
pile, if desired, thereby permitting economies and advantages
heretofore unknown in such filling methods.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved method for filling a chain of connected bag elements
wherein a novel means of mounting the connected bag elements in the
filling apparatus is provided to minimize the possibility of
fouling the filling apparatus by misdirecting the bag elements
thereto.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved method for filling a chain of connected bag elements
wherein the method allows for efficient filling of the bag elements
while requiring only relatively low coat and uncomplicated filling
apparatus.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved method for filling a chain of connected bag elements
wherein a special cutting step to part the bag elements after
filling operations can be advantageously eliminated from the
method.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved bag construction wherein the bags are normally connected
together in a chain and wherein the novel construction of the bag
elements permits economies and advantages heretofore unknown in the
prior art.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such
bag constructions wherein the sterile condition of the bag elements
is better insured during storage and shipping operations due to
their unique and improved constructions.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
such bag constructions wherein the bag elements are equipped with
an improved valve especially adapted for powdered products whereby
the valve can include a novel filter concept that serves to allow
air to escape from the confines of the bag, but is an effective
barrier to powdered or finely divided products.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such
bag constructions wherein the bag elements are so formed that their
proper alignment in the filling apparatus is insured such that the
possibility of the connected bag elements fouling the apparatus by
being misfed thereto is minimized.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
such bag constructions wherein the bags are so formed that waste
and scrap accompanying the filling of the same as, for example, in
sealing and trimming operations is minimized.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such
bag elements wherein the bag elements can include gussets along the
sides or ends thereof strategically arranged and formed so as not
to interfere with the sealing and filling operations to be
performed on the bag elements.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide
such bag elements wherein unique constructions are employed to
allow filling through a gusseted portion thereof.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a
chain of connected and flattened containers as, for example, folded
cartons or flexible bags wherein the containers are connected
together in a clothsline-like fashion to simplify the filling of
the same and to permit efficiencies and advantages heretofore
unknown. Briefly then, the present invention contemplates an
improved method for filling a chain of connected bag elements
wherein each bag normally includes a closed bottom and top end, and
two sides closed except at their uppermost extent so as to form an
open ended loop across a top edge portion of each bag element. Most
beneficially, the chain of connected bag elements is fed to the
filling apparatus from a folded pile with each bag element being
substantially broken away from the ones adjacent thereto. From the
pile, the bags are initially received by a mandrel on which they
are mounted in a curtain-and-rodlike fashion by means of the loop
at the top end of each bag element. The loop is then parted in the
longitudinal direction, as for example, by a knife fixed to the top
edge of the mandrel, whereby fill openings are formed between the
two closed sides of each bag element and the two parted edges of
the loop. Thereafter the bag elements are directed to a filling
station which plows open the two parted edges and deposits a
product into each bag element through the respective fill opening
thereof, which fill openings are then closed in a suitable manner.
The weakly connected bag elements can thereafter be easily parted
from each other without requiring a special cutting step. In
specific embodiments, the weakening of the connection between the
bag elements is beneficially accomplished in several different
ways, each having enhanced value for specific filling arrangements.
For instance, where maintaining sterile conditions is of
importance, a break-away type seam is taught wherein the seam is
thinned and weakened along its center line such that it is
imperforate, but yet easily ruptured without cutting. Also,
advantageous chain arrangements are taught for connecting together
the bag elements. For example, is one embodiment the bag elements
are connected together side by side in a clothesline-like fashion
by a strip of material seamed along one edge to one side of the
mouth or fill openings of each bag element, and then folded over
and secured along the other edge to the opposite side of the mouth.
In this arrangement, the strip of material also forms the loop on
which the chain of bag elements are mounted. Yet other specific
embodiments of the invention include unique bag constructions
wherein, for instance, filling is possible through a gusseted
portion of the bag, and scrap or waste accompanying trimming of the
parted edges of the bag elements is reduced by minimizing the
material forming the parted edges. 9
Yet additional objects and advantages of the present invention, and
its numerous and cognate benefits are even more apparent and
manifest in and by the ensuing description and specification taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which wheresoever
possible, like characters of reference designate corresponding
material and parts throughout the several views thereof in
which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a chain of
connected bag elements constructed according to the principles of
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connected bag elements of
FIG. 1 taken along reference line 2--2 thereof;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connected bag elements of
FIG. 1 taken along reference line 3--3 thereof;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
connected bag elements of FIG. 1 showing modifications thereof;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of filling apparatus illustrating
schematically the practice of the principles of the method of the
present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the filling apparatus of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the filling apparatus of FIG. 5
taken along reference line 7--7 thereof;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the filling
apparatus of FIG. 5 taken along reference line 8--8 thereof;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the filling
apparatus of FIG. 5 taken along reference line 9--9 thereof;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the filling
apparatus of FIG. 5 taken along reference line 10--10 thereof;
FIg. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the filling apparatus of FIG.
6 taken along reference line 11--11 thereof and showing the method
of closing the connected bag elements after filling operations;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a filled, sealed, closed, and
trimmed bag element shown in FIG. 5 and taken along reference line
12--12 thereof;
FIG. 13 s a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a filled, sealed,
closed, and trimmed bag element as modified according to FIG.
4;
FIG. 14 is an isometric view showing a modification of the
connected bag elements of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connected bag
elements of FIG. 14 taken along reference line 15--15 thereon;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connected bag
elements of FIG. 14 taken along reference line 16--16 thereof;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of connected bag
elements of FIG. 14 taken along reference line 17--17 thereof, and
show a modified break away seam construction;
FIG. 18 is an isometric view showing a modification of the
connected bag elements of FIG. 14;
FIG. 19 is a view like FIG. 1 only showing still another modified
form of the connected bag elements of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the connected bag elements of
FIG. 19 taken along reference line 20--20 thereof;
FIG. 21 is a view like FIG. 1 only showing yet another modified
form of the connected bag elements of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the connected bag elements of
FIG. 21 taken along reference line 22--22 thereof;
FIG. 23 is a view like FIG. 22 only showing yet another modified
form of the connected bag elements of the invention;
Fig. 24 is a view like FIG. 22 only showing still another modified
form of the connected bag elements of the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a view like FIG. 1 showing still another modified form
of the connected bag elements of the present invention and involves
a novel valve construction.
FIG. 26 is a front view of a chain of connected bag elements
showing yet another modification of the present invention wherein
the bag elements are connected together as on a clothesline;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the bag elements of FIG. 26
taken along reference line 27--27 thereof;
FIG. 28 is a view like FIG. 27 only showing a modification
thereof;
FIG. 29 is a view like FIG. 28 showing yet another modification of
the present invention;
FIg. 30 is a view like FIG. 26 only showing a modified form of the
invention wherein each of the bag elements are provided with
gussets extending along the two opposite sides thereof; and
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of connected bag elements of FIG.
30 taken along reference line 31--31.
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in
FIG. 1 a chain of connected bag elements 10 arranged or strung out
along a generally longitudinally defined axis 12. Specifically, the
connected bag elements 10 comprise a length of tubular material 14
flattened to form first and second longitudinally extending edge
portions 16 and 18, and first and second walls or portions of
material 20 and 22, respectively, located opposite each other. The
first and second walls 20 and 22 are intermittently secured to each
other in the transverse direction by seams 24 located at spaced
intervals along tubular material 14. In particular, seams 24 divide
tubular material 14 into separate bag elements 10 with respective
pairs of the seams forming the two closed sides 26 and 28 of each
bag element. The second edge portion 18, as divided by seams 24,
forms or comprises the respective bottom end 30 of each bag element
10 with the first edge portion 16 accordingly referenced as
comprising the respective top end 32 thereof.
As can be readily observed from FIG. 1, seams 24 extend upwardly
from the second edge portion 18 of each of the bag elements 10 to a
point adjacent to but spaced from their respective top ends 32.
This inherently forms a loop or tunnel structure 34 across the top
end 32 of each bag element 10 with the opposite longitudinally
extending edges 36 and 38 of the loop respectively merging together
with the first and second walls 20 and 22. Specifically, a channel
40 defined by loop 34, commnicates from bag element to bag element
whereby the chain of connected bag elements 10 can be mounted in a
curtain-and-rod-like fashion by inserting an elongated element
through loop 34, which method of mounting is discussed more fully
hereinafter.
In order to realize the full benefit of the method described
hereinafter, the connection between each of the bag elements 10 has
been substantially weakened such that the bags can be parted from
each other by a gentle pulling action. In bag elements 10 this is
achieved by forming slits 42 and 44 parting each seam 24 along the
transverse or length dimension thereof, Specifically, the two slits
42 and 44 are interrupted by a joined portion or land 46 which
connects together the bag elements 10 adjacent their bottom ends
30.
Each bag element 10 can further include a bottom gusset 50 which
extends across the bottom end 30 thereof. Structurally, bottom
gusset 50 comprises first and second legs 52 and 54 with each leg
52 and 54 respectively comprising first and second panels 56 and
58, and 60 and 62. The second panels 58 and 60 of legs 52 and 54
together form what in generally referred to as an inverse fold and
are merged or joined together with each other along their
respective inner longitudinally extending edges 64 and 66. The two
outer longitudinally extending edges 68 and 70 of the composite or
joined second panels 60 and 62 are respectively joined together
with the adjacent longitudinal edges 72 and 74 of the first panels
56 and 62. The opposite longitudinal edges 76 and 78 of first
panels 56 and 62 in turn respectively merge together with the first
and second walls 20 and 22 of each bag element 10 thereby
longitudinally closing gusset 50. To close ends of each gusset 50,
the four panels of legs 52 and 54 are edgewise joined together at
each side 26 and 28 of the individual bag elements 10 by seams
24.
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown an
apparatus 80 adapted for efficiently filling the chain of connected
bag elements 10 according to the principles of the unique method
taught by the present invention. As illustrated particularly in
FIG. 5, the chain of connected bag elements 10 are preferably and
most beneficially fed to apparatus 80 from a folded pile 82 instead
of the usual supply roll arrangements customarily used in the prior
art filling methods. In pile 82 the connected bag elements 10 are
located face down one on top of the other in a continuous Z-like
stacking arrangement wherein the sides 26 and 28 of the bag
elements 10 are respectively aligned in two vertical rows 84 and
86.
Specifically, apparatus 80 includes a mandrel 88 which initially
receives the bag elements 10 from pile 82. Specifically, loop 34 of
the chain of connected bag elements 10 is fed about mandrel 88 such
that the connected bag elements 10 are strung or mounted on the
mandrel in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion. Particularly, this
method of mounting has been found to achieve precise aligning and
indexing of bag elements 10 in apparatus 80 such that a fouling of
the apparatus by misdirected bag elements is avoided.
In the prior art filling methods, the function of properly feeding
and aligning the bag elements in the apparatus was initially
facilitated by first winding the bags on a supply roll. Since these
bags, then, were previously correctly mounted on a supply roll,
problems as to misfeeding were made less difficult to overcome.
However, when feeding the folded pile, like pile 82, no really
effective initial alignment of the connected bag elements 10 is
provided. By the employment of the unique mandrel concept taught
herein, however, on effective method of feeding the bag elements
from a pile is provided whereby the method in combination with
particularly beneficial bag element constructions accomplishes
important advantages. For instance, the usual tension forces
incurred in the winding of the connected bag elements on a supply
roll are eliminated. Accordingly, the connected bag elements 10 can
be almost completely severed from each other prior to being
received by apparatus 80, as for example, by the slits 42 and 44
made in seams 24 of the connected bag elements 10. Thus, a special
cutting station to part the connected bag elements 10 after filling
can be eliminated from the filling apparatus. Furthermore, the
bearings, couplings, frames and the like necessary to rotatably
mount the supply roll in the apparatus can also be dispensed
with.
In particular, the shape of mandrel 88 is preferably of a generally
dew-drop cross-sectional configuration with the tapered or
sharpened edge of the dew-drop comprising the top edge 90 of the
mandrel. This configuration facilitates automatic centering of the
fold or crease 92 of loop 34 on mandrel 88 such that the chain of
connected bag elements 10 drape from mandrel 88 in generally
precise vertical alignment.
A parting means or knife 94 is mounted atop mandrel 88 downwardly
of the leading edge 96 thereof as concerns the direction of travel
of connected bag elements 10, which direction is indicated by arrow
98. Specifically, knife 94 parts the loop 34 longitudinally as the
chain of bag elements 10 proceed past knife 94. Parting of loop 34
forms a separate fill opening 100 for each bag element 10 with the
separate fill openings 100 defined between the two parted edges 102
and 104 of the loop and the two closed sides 26 and 28 of each bag
element.
As the connected bag elements 10 pass from mandrel 88 and knife 94,
the two parted edges 102 and 104 are engaged by a pair of endless
belts 106 and 108 driven by separate pulley systems 110 and 112.
Specifically, the two parted edges 102 and 104 are squeezed
together between the belts 106 and 108, as illustrated in FIG. 9,
whereby the chain of connected bag elements 10 is directed to a
filling station 114 which includes a hopper 116.
Hopper 116 is suitably mounted so as to bisect the two parted edges
102 and 104 of bag elements 10 such that the edges 102 and 104 are
plowed open by hopper 116 and pass about the opposite sides 118 and
120 thereof. Accordingly, hopper 116 can be employed to deposit a
product into each bag element 10 through the separate fill openings
100 thereof located between the plowed open parted edges 102 and
104. Most simply the filling of bag elements 10 is accomplished on
an intermittent basis wherein belts 106 and 108 direct the bag
element to hopper 116 one at a time. Accordingly with a bag element
10 positioned beneath hopper 116, the belts 106 and 108 are stopped
for a time interval sufficient to allow the charge or fill to be
dropped through hopper 116 into the particular bag element being
filled.
In the apparatus 80 described, belts 106 and 108 are designed to
support parted edges 102 and 104 entirely about the periphery of
hopper 116 and thereafter direct the filled bag elements 10 to a
closure station as is described more fully hereinafter. To this
end, pulley systems 110 and 112 cooperate together to provide a
first pair of nip pulleys 122 and 124 located adjacent the front or
plowing end 126 of hopper 116, and a second pair of nip pulleys 128
and 130 disposed adjacent the opposite end of the hopper, that is,
the rear or back end 132 thereof. Accordingly, belts 106 and 108
support and squeeze together parted edges 102 and 104 at the front
end 126 of hopper 116 by means of the pressure supplied by the
first pair of nip pulleys 122 and 124, and thereafter the belts
respectively snuggly pass about the opposite sides 118 and 120 of
hopper 116, whereby parted edge 102 is supported by being squeezed
between belt 108 and side 118, while parted edge 104 is supported
in the same manner between bolt 106 and side 120. The belts 106 and
108 with the parted edges 102 and 104 squeezed between them, are
then reunited at the rear end 132 of hopper 116 by means of the
second pair of nip pulleys 106 and 108.
Thereafter, belts 106 and 108 with the parted edges 102 and 104
squeezed between them, are directed between third and fourth pairs
of nip pulleys 134 and 136, and 138 and 140. Located generally
between and directly below the two pairs of nip pulleys 134 and
136, and 138 and 140 are a pair of cooperating impulse sealing bars
142 and 144. Sealing bars 142 and 144 are of the conventional sort,
heated, for example, by electric current to a temperature suitable
for sealing bag elements 10 having heat sealable qualities as, for
example, those formed of thermoplastic materials such as
polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and the like. Specifically, bars
142 and 144 are activated during the stop interval accompanying
filling operations whereby the bars 142 and 144 close together
across the first edge portion 16 of the particular bag element 10
positioned therebetween. The heat and pressure supplied by bars 142
and 144 form seal 146 welding together the first and second walls
20 and 22 across the first edge portion 16 of the bag element 10,
with the seal formed connecting together with the seams 24 at each
side 26 and 28 thereof to provide a leak proof closure of fill
opening 100.
After completion of sealing operations, belts 106 and 108 direct
the filled and sealed bag elements 10 to a fifth pair of nip
pulleys 148 and 150. Specifically, pulleys 148 and 150 respectively
anchor the separate pulley systems 110 and 112 thereby returning
the bolts 106 and 108 to the first pair of nip pulleys 122 and 124
via a route including tension pulleys 152 and 154, and 156 and 158.
Beneficially, the tension pulleys are slidingly mounted to move
either inwardly or outwardly of their shown positions whereby the
tension on belts 106 and 108 can be adjusted.
As the two belts 106 and 108 pass about the anchor pulleys 148 and
150, they separate from each other thereby releasing their grip on
the parted edges 102 and 104 of the filled and sealed bag elements
10.
Beneficially assisting belts 106 and 108 in their driving function
is a conveyor system 160 including an endless conveyor bolt 162,
which supports and drives the bottom ends 30 of the connected bag
element 10 during filling and sealing operations. Specifically,
conveyor belt 162 is anchored at each end and travels about (in the
direction indicated by arrow 164) a pair of drive rollers 166 and
168. Located intermediate of drive rollers 166 and 168 is a pivot
roller 170 which works in combination with drive roller 166 to form
a settling station for apparatus 80. Specifically, roller 166 is
reciprocally mounted (as, for example, by a conventional cam
mechanism not shown) to vibrate generally upwardly and downwardly
about the axis of roller 170 thereby causing likewise vibration of
the portion of the conveyor belt 162 located beneath hopper 116.
This vibrating action shakes the bottom ends 30 of the bag element
10 during filling operations such that a more complete fill and
settling of the product in the bottom end 30 of the bag is
obtained.
From roller 170, conveyor belt 162 directs the bottom ends 30 of
the filled bag elements 10 to the aforementioned impulse sealing
bars 142 and 144. Thereafter, conveyor belt 162 returns to roller
166 whereby support for the bottom ends 30 of the filled and sealed
bag elements 10 is terminated. Termination of the support provided
by conveyor belt 162, together with the release of the top ends 32
of bag elements 10 be belts 106 and 108, frees the filled and
sealed bag elements 10 from apparatus 80. Thus, by their own
weight, the bag elements 10 are allowed to fall away from apparatus
80 usually substantially breaking apart from each other during the
process.
Assisting in the breaking apart of the connected bag elements 10 is
a trimmer mechanism 172. Trimmer 172 generally includes a pair of
rotatably mounted and peripherally sharpened discs 174 and 176
disposed on each side of bag elements 10 at a location directly
below belts 106 and 108, and adjacent the anchor pulleys 148 and
150. Discs 174 and 176 cooperate together to shear or cut off the
parted edges 102 and 104 of bag elements 10 across the top edge 178
of seam 146. Beneficially the removal of the parted edges 102 and
104 further weakens the connection between each of the bag elements
10 whereby the bag elements 10 more easily part from each other
upon their release by apparatus 80. Preferably, the trimmed parted
edges 102 and 104 are directed to a reel 180 upon which they are
wound and conveniently placed out of the way.
In particular, belts 106 and 108 and conveyor belt 162 can be
activated from a single power outlet driving these two mechanisms
in synchronized intermittent motion. This is customarily achieved
by employing an electric eye which focuses on a printed legend on
each bag element 10. The electric eye is usually circuited to the
electric motor (not shown) which drives belts 106 and 108 and
conveyor belt 162. Specifically, the electric eye functions to cut
the power supplied to the electric motor thereby stopping the
operation with one bag element located directly beneath the hopper
116. After filling operations are completed, by means of a suitable
timer, the electric motor can be restarted whereby the filling
cycle is repeated. Similarly, the dropping of a change or product
through hopper 116 and the activating of sealing bars 142 and 144
during the stop intervals, is customarily achieved by incorporating
a second timer into the system whereby upon stoppage of belts 106
and 108 and conveyor belt 162, the drop mechanism depositing the
product through hopper 116 is activated together with the sealing
bars 142 and 144, which seal closed the fill opening 100 of a
previously filled bag element 10. Parts for intermittently driving
apparatus 80 as, for example, suitable electric eye circuits,
electric motors, timer mechanisms, etc., are widely known and
available as well as commonly employed in filling apparatus. Their
proper and efficient selection for apparatus 80 would be usually a
matter of choice well within the powers of those skilled in the art
in view of the disclosure of invention herein.
In FIGS. 4 and 13 a modification is shown wherein the loop 34 is
fitted with two bead-like locking members extending longitudinally
thereon and more specifically a female member 182 and a male member
184. These type locking members are well known in the art and are
particularly described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,338,284 which
shows and teaches a particular advantageous embodiment of such a
locking system. Such locking members, in fact, can be extruded
directly with the tubular material as, for example, in a method
like that illustrated in detail in Canadian Pat. No. 700,470. What
has been found unique in such a locking system is that when the
parted edges 102 and 104 are trimmed and the members locked
together as, for example, like that shown in FIG. 13, an especially
effective mechanical closure of the bag element is obtained. This
is not the result one would expect since this type locking feature
is widely known for its easy opening abilities. However, with the
parted edges 102 and 104 trimmed from loop 34 such that the locking
members 182 and 184 are disposed adjacent the trimmed edges 186 and
188 of the filled bag element 10, an especially secure and
tamper-proof mechanical lock closing fill opening 100 is
provided.
Bag elements 10 having such a mechanical locking feature are
particularly desired since the closure of these bags after filling
is particularly simple and easy to accomplish without requiring
special heat sealing or other closing apparatus. Furthermore, the
closing of such bag elements can be accomplished on a continuous
basis whereby filling operations are speeded up allowing for
heretofore unknown economics especially suited for high volume
packagers.
Referring to FIGS. 14 through 17, there is shown another
modification of the unique bag construction taught herein.
Generally, bag elements 10a are like those described above with
each bag element including closed bottom and top ends 30a and 32a,
and two sides 26a and 28a closed except at their uppermost extent
to form the open ended loop 34a across the top end of each bag
element 10a. Each bag element 10a, however, further includes both a
bottom gusset 36a and a top gusset 36a'. Gussets 36a and 36a' are
similar to gussets 36 of bag elements 10 with the exception that in
the top gussets 36a' the first leg 190 is offset beyond the second
leg 192, as is best illustrated in FIG. 15. Thus, the first and
second panels 194 and 196 of the first leg 190 extend beyond panels
198 and 200 of the second leg 192 whereby the offset portions of
panels 194 and 196 are advantageously positioned to form the loop
34a at the top end of each bag element 10a. Specifically, loop 34a
is defined by means of terminating the seams 24a adjacent the
leading edge 202 of the second leg 192, leaving the offset portion
of first leg 190 substantially unseamed. Accordingly, there is
formed a channel 40a defined by the offset portions of panels 194
and 196, which channel 40a extends from bag element to bag element
substantially unobstructed. At locations below the leading edge 202
of the second leg 192, the four plies of the first and second
panels of legs 190 and 192 are secured together at each side 26a
and 28a of the bag elements 10a by seams 24a. Accordingly, seams
24a securely hold the top gusset 36a' in its folded position during
the filling and sealing operations performed by apparatus 80.
Bag elements 10a further include a unique break-away seam 24a
construction as best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 17.
Seam 24a is particularly designed for bag elements formed of
thermoplastic material, and allows the bag elements to be of the
break away variety without the need for extra perforating or
slitting steps. This is accomplished by thinning a strip A along
the center of the seam 24a as illustrated in FIG. 17 with the
material originally located along strip A being displaced and
forming bulbular shaped ridges B on each side of the thinned strip.
The strip A, or couse, substantially weakens the strength of the
connection between each of the bag elements 10a with the thickened
bulbular sections B forming especially tough seams at the sides 26a
and 28a of each bag element 10a. To facilitate the break-away
construction of seams 24a, an aperture 204 can be cut through the
panels 194 and 196 of the first leg 190 adjacent the upper
terminating end of the seam. After trimming, the portion above
aperture 204 is removed as, for instance, by trimming mechanism
172, with the aperture 204 then being located in a position to
initiate the parting of seam 24a along weakened strip A.
FIG. 18 shows yet another modified form of the invention as
embodied in a chain of connected bag elements 10b, constructed
generally like those illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 17, but
additionally defining triangular shaped cutouts 206 and 208
removed, respectively, from gussets 36b and 36b' adjacent the
opposite ends of each seam 24b. Cutouts 206 and 208 trim back the
opposite ends 210 and 212 of each gusset 36b and 36b', at an angle
of about 45.degree., whereby the bag elements 10b, when filled and
separated, tend to square-out nicely at their corners. The four
panels comprising the first and second legs of each gusset 36b and
36b', and specifically excluding the offset portion of the first
leg 190b of the top gusset 36b', are secured together at each end
210 and 212 by seams 214 which in turn merge into and comprise a
part of seams 24b closing the sides of each bag element 10b.
Specifically seams 214 are of a break away construction, that is,
the inner portion of seams 214 joining together the facing surfaces
of the respective second panels of gussets 36b and 36b' at each end
210 and 212. provide only a relatively light bond whereby upon
filling bag elements 10b, the first and second legs of each gusset
36b and 36b', break apart from each other. More specifically, the
seams 214 closing top gussets 36b', terminate in spaced
relationship with the leading or folded edge 218 of the first leg
190b. This leaves the offset portion of the first leg 190b at least
partially open at each end 210 and 212, thereby forming the open
ended loop 34b at the top end of each bag element 10b. Yet even
more specifically, the cutouts 208 made in gussets 36b' leave a
strip of material 220 intact and connecting together adjacent loops
34b of the bag elements 10b. The continuous loop structure provided
by strips 220, enables a smoother feeding of the elements 10b about
mandrel 88 whereby the possibility of a loop 34b catching on the
leading edge of the mandrel is minimized. A variation in seams 24b
is also shown in bag elements 10b, wherein a series of perforations
216 are employed to substantially part each seam 24a down the
middle thereof such that the connected bag elements 10b can be more
easily separated from each other as described above.
In FIGS. 19 and 20 yet another modified embodiment of the invention
is illustrated in the form of connected bag elements 10c. Each bag
element 10c, includes both a bottom and a top gusset 36c and 36c',
respectively, which are generally like those shown in FIG. 18 but
with the two legs of each gusset 36c and 36c' located approximately
180.degree. apart. Specifically, in top gussets 36c', the first
legs 222 thereof are disposed or oriented generally upright and
form the top ends 32c of bag elements 10c, with the second legs 224
of gussets 36c' folded over to a position generally superposed with
the second walls 22c. The upright position of the first legs 222
strategically positions the same to form the open ended loop 34c at
the top end 32c of each bag element whereby the first legs 222 need
not be of a deeper construction, that is, offset beyond the second
legs 224 in order to allow sealing and trimming operations to be
performed without interference from the second legs.
More specifically, the folding apart of the legs 222 and 224 is
made possible by seaming the legs 222 and 224 separately at the
opposite ends 226 and 9 228 of gussets 36c'. Thus, the two panels
230 and 232 of first leg 224 are secured together at the opposite
ends 226 and 228 thereof by seams 234, which seams terminate in
spaced relationship with the folded edge 236 of legs 222 to form
loops 34c. Likewise, panels 238 and 240 of legs 224 are secured
together at ends 226 and 228 by seams 242. In particular, both
seams 234 and 242 merge together with seams 24c to close the sides
26c and 28c of each bag element 10c, except at the uppermost extend
thereof whereat the channel 40c is located.
Generally, the bottom gussets 36c are formed like top gussets 36c',
except that both the first and second legs of gusset 36c are
completely closed off at the opposite ends 226 and 228 by seams 244
and 248. Also, the opposite ends 226 and 228 of gusset 36c and 36c'
are trimmed back at an angle of approximately 45.degree., like in
bag elements 10b, with the one exception that in the first leg 222
of gussets 36c', a strip of material is not left intact. In
particular, removal of such a strip may in some instances be
desired, for example, to simplify the trimming and sealing
operations necessary to form the top gussets.
FIGS. 21 through 24 illustrate yet another modified embodiment of
the present invention wherein the material forming the loop of each
bag element is thinned somewhat such that the scrap accompanying
trimming of the loop, or more aptly, the two edges formed by
parting the same, is reduced. In FIGS. 21 and 22 this is
accomplished by forming the bag elements 10d from laminated plies
of material wherein the loop 34d, for example, can be a single ply
of a relatively light guage material and wherein the first and
second walls 28d and 22d of bag elements 10d are of multi-ply
construction. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, tubular
material 14d comprises an inner ply 254 of preferably relatively
thin guage lightweight material (but capable of suitably supporting
bag elements 10d through fill, sealing and closing operations)
which has laminated over portions thereof, excluding the loop 34d,
a relatively heavy gauge outer ply 256. More specifically, the
heavy gauge ply 256 extends from the longitudinal edge 36d of the
loop 34d, in intimately joined relationship with the inner ply 254,
around the bottom end 30d of bag elements 10d to the opposite
longitudinal edge 38d of the loop.
In FIG. 23, showing bag elements 10a, material savings are
accomplished by using a double wall concept like that shown in FIG.
22, with the exception that the outer ply or layer 258 is secured
together with the inner ply or layer 260 at only strategic areas
as, for example, along the opposite longitudinally extending edges
36c and 38e of loop 34c.
In bag elements 10f of FIG. 24, material savings are accomplished
in a more direct fashion by actually thinning the material
comprising loop 34f as, for example, by extruding tubular material
14f having a thinner cross section at the edge portion 262 thereof
forming the loop. This would be suitable, of course, only for bag
elements 10f comprised of thermoplastic or like materials which can
be readily thinned at strategic portions by extrusion or other
equally effective techniques.
A further modification of the bag elements 10d illustrated in FIG.
21, relates to a series of notches or cutouts 266 removed at spaced
and regular intervals along the loop 34d thereof. Beneficially,
notches 266 provide means to index the location of bag elements 10d
in apparatus 80. Thus, notches 266 can be employed, for example, to
precisely time and trigger the filling and closing operations to be
performed on the bag elements. Still yet another variation of bag
elements 10d concerns seams 24d, each of which comprises a pair of
closely spaced and parallel seams 268 and 270, extending from the
bottom ends 30d of bag elements 10d, to adjacent the opposite
longitudinal edges 36d and 38d of the loop. Perforations 272 are
located between each pair of seams 268 and 270, for the reasons
discussed above, and extend upwardly therefrom through loop 34d.
Weakening of the loop 34d by perforations 272 would usually be
advantageous for bag elements to be filled and sealed by apparatus
not including a trimming mechanism as, for example, one like
mechanism 172 shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 25 illustrates yet another modified form of the invention as
embodied in connected bag elements 10g. In particular, the loop of
these bag elements is preslit or parted, whereby the filling of bag
elements 10g would customarily be from a supply roll-like
arrangement. This illustrates generally the versatility of the bag
constructions of the present invention, wherein, if desired, they
can be readily adapted for use in the more conventional filling and
sealing apparatus.
Further modifications to bag elements 10g concern the provision of
a valve integrally formed in the bag construction, and especially
suited for powdered or finely divided products, whereby excess air
trapped within the bag can escape through a filter in the valve,
but the filter is made impervious to the passage of the product.
Such a valve is particularly beneficial for use in combination with
powdered products and the like, since these products seem to
actually absorb or trap air particles, which tend, after filling,
to bloat the bag. Specifically, the filter is formed of paper or
like material, pervious to air but substantially impervious to the
product, and comprises an inner ply or layer 276 forming at least a
portion of the walls 20g and 22g of each bag element 10g. Layer 276
is covered by and along its two opposite longitudinal edges 279 and
281, joined together with an outer ply or layer 278. Where the
outer layer 278 comprises an air or gas impervious material, as,
for example, a thermoplastic film, the same can include a multitude
of perforations 280. Accordingly, the excess air entrapped within
the powdered product is able to pass through the inner filter layer
276, and then through perforations 280, such that excessive air is
expelled from the confines of the bag elements 10g automatically.
Beneficially, the outer layer 278 extends beyond the inner layer
276, at the top end 32g of each bag element 10g, to form the parted
edges 102g and 104g thereof, whereby the concept of material
savings by minimizing scrap is constructed into bag elements
10g.
FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate yet another modified form of the
invention wherein bag elements 10h are strung or draped in side by
side relationship, as, for example, like on a clothesline. This is
accomplished by means of a strip of material 286 which is joined
together along one of its longitudinal edges 288 with the
respective first walls 20h of each bag elements 10h, and then
topwise folded over and joined together along its opposite
longitudinal edge 290 with the respective second walls 22h thereof,
as is best illustrated in FIG. 27. More specifically, the seams 292
and 294, securing together walls 20h and 22h along sides 26h and
28h, terminate in spaced relationship with the folded edge 296 of
strip 286, whereby the folded strip 286 forms the opened ended loop
34h at the top end of each bag element 10h. Most beneficially, the
seams, adhesive means of the like 298, joining walls 20h and 22h
with the opposite edges 288 and 290 of strip 286, do not extend
across the entire top end 34h of bag elements 10h, but terminate at
a spaced distance from the opposite sides 26h and 28h thereof. This
seam construction allows for a greater expansion of the fill
openings of each bag element 10h, formed after parting loop 34h
such that loading or filling operations are facilitated.
A further connection between adjacent bag elements 10h is provided
near their bottom ends 30h by means of short strips of material
302, respectively connecting together adjacent bag elements 10h
thereat. A connection at this location stabilizes the bag elements
10h on strip 286 such that when feeding from a pile located in a
box or like container, catching of the bottom ends of the bag
elements on an edge of the container is avoided.
FIGS. 28 and 29 show modifications of the general inventive concept
illustrated in FIG. 26 wherein the concept is adapted to allow for
loading or filling through gusseted sections of the bag elements.
Specifically, FIG. 28 shows a top gusset 36i constructed generally
like gussets 36a', with the exception that in gusset 36i the two
panels 304 and 306 forming the first leg 190i thereof, are not
joined directly to each other, but to the opposite edges 288 and
290 of strip 286. In FIG. 29, a likewise joining of strip 286 to a
gusset 36j is shown wherein gusset 36j is of the general type
having the two legs thereof folded 180.degree. apart, as was
described in detail with regard to FIGS. 19 and 20.
In FIGS. 30 and 31, yet another embodiment of the general inventive
concept of FIG. 26 is shown, wherein the bag elements 10k of FIG.
30 each include along the opposite sides 26k and 28k thereof, side
gussets 310 and 312. Gussets 310 and 312 are generally of the
inverse fold type described in detail in regard to FIG. 1, and each
include two legs 318 and 320. The four panels of legs 318 and 320
are edgewise secured together at the respective bottom ends 30k of
each bag element 10k by seams 322 and 324. More specifically, seams
322 and 324 merge into and comprise a portion of seams 314 securing
together the first and second walls 20k and 22k across the bottom
end of bag elements 10k. The four panels of each leg 318 and 320
are also edgewise secured together adjacent the respective top ends
32k of each bag element by seams 316 and 328. Beneficially, seams
316 and 328 are employed to maintain gussets 310 and 312 in a
folded position to assist closing operations whereby after filling
a heat appearing seam can be made across the top ends 32k of bag
elements 10k.
The clothesline, claim concept illustrated in FIGS. 26 through 31
can be employed for folded cartons as, for example, those formed of
paperboard, as well as bag elements as described in detail
above.
The bag elements of the present invention can be formed from
conventional packaging materials as, for example, paper, burlap,
cotton, plastic film, plastic sheeting and the like with
polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride being examples of
the latter. When formed from plastic film or sheeting, the bag
elements would be conventionally manufactured from either tubular
material or a single web or from two webs superposed upon each
other and edgewise sealed in the longitudinal direction.
Specifically, those bag elements formed with an open ended loop at
the top end thereof would normally be formed from tubular material,
while those having edges at the top end thereof like those bag
elements shown in FIG. 25, formed from a single web suitably folded
such that the opposite longitudinal edges of the web form the edges
at the top end of the bag element.
Seams and like attachments as described above can be formed by the
usual techniques, as, for example, by heat sealing methods,
adhesives, solvents, sewing, and the like as would be appropriate
for the materials involved.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been
shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *