U.S. patent number 3,699,746 [Application Number 05/132,808] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-24 for apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Basic Packaging Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to William A. Armstrong, Oliver R. Titchenal.
United States Patent |
3,699,746 |
Titchenal , et al. |
October 24, 1972 |
APPARATUS FOR FILLING A CHAIN OF CONNECTED BAG ELEMENTS
Abstract
Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein
improved design enables the apparatus to receive the bag elements
from a folded pile. This allows the use of bag elements almost
totally separated from each other whereby after filling the bag
elements can be easily parted, as, for example, by a gentle pulling
action. Accordingly, a cutting station to part the bags after
filling can be eliminated from the apparatus. Other beneficial
features of the invention include the employment of a mandrel to
initially mount and align the connected bag elements in the
apparatus such that the possibility of fouling the same by
misfeeding the bags thereto is minimized, and an intermittently
operated filling station which works in combination with a
continuously run sealer or closing station to facilitate the
pulling apart of the connected bag elements after fill
operations.
Inventors: |
Titchenal; Oliver R. (Berea,
OH), Armstrong; William A. (Berea, OH) |
Assignee: |
Basic Packaging Systems, Inc.
(Avon Lake, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22455694 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/132,808 |
Filed: |
April 9, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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727545 |
May 8, 1968 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/570; 383/37;
53/384.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
43/267 (20130101); B65B 61/04 (20130101); B65B
43/123 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
43/26 (20060101); B65B 43/00 (20060101); B65B
43/12 (20060101); B65B 61/04 (20060101); B65b
043/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/187,190,183,167,192,28,384 ;93/20,8R,8W,8WA
;83/175,178,425 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Condon; Theron E.
Assistant Examiner: Culver; Horace M.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser.
No. 727,545, filed May 8, 1968, now abandoned, under the title
APPARATUS FOR FILLING A CHAIN OF CONNECTED BAG ELEMENTS.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for filling a chain of successively connected bag
elements wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom
and top ends, and two sides, said sides being closed except at
their uppermost extent, thereby forming an open ended tunnel
located at the top end of each of said bag elements, said tunnels
being aligned, said apparatus comprising:
a. a guide means comprising a mandrel about which the tunnel
portion of said bag elements is fed, said mandrel being disposed to
slidingly engage the underside of said closed top portions
successively for aligning said chain of bag elements in said
apparatus in a curtain and rod like fashion,
b. means to form the tunnel of each bag element into freely
spreadable flaps by dividing said tunnel along an uninterrupted
path extending in the longitudinal direction, said dividing means
being located downwardly of the forwardmost end of said
mandrel,
c. means located downwardly of said dividing means and cooperable
therewith for plowing apart the spreadable flaps formed by said
dividing means, and
d. filling means cooperable with said plowing means for filling a
product into each bag element through the fill openings thereof,
respectively, defined between said plowed apart flaps.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means to close the fill
openings of said filled bag element.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein lines of preferential
separation exist between said bag elements, said apparatus
including means to separate filled bag elements from said chain and
direct the same individually or in select groups to said closing
means.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes means
to intermittently arrest the forward motion of said chain of bag
elements to assist said separating means to separate said filled
bag elements from said chain.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes means
to operate said filling means intermittently, and means to grip
said chain and hold the chain firmly accompanying filling of said
bag elements to assist said separating means to separate a
previously filled bag element from said claim.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes means
to operate said separating means continuously.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said apparatus includes means
to operate said separating means continuously.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dividing means comprises a
stationary slitting means located downwardly of the leading edge of
said mandrel.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 including means to grip a select region
of said bag elements along the top end thereof and forward said bag
elements to said filling means.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said gripping means comprises
a first pair of continuous belts which grip between them said bag
elements, said belts being disposed to sliding pass on opposite
side portions of said filling means, whereby said flaps are firmly
held underneath said belts and against said opposite side portions
respectively, to assist filling said bag elements.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said bag elements are of a
general type adapted to be separated along preferential lines of
separation, said apparatus including means to separate filled bags
from said chain along said preferential lines of separation and
direct filled bags to means for closing the filled bags.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said separating means
comprises a second pair of belts adapted to grip between them said
bags along a select region thereof adjacent said flaps, said second
pair of belts being located behind said filling means.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 including means to operate said
second pair of belts continuously, and means to operate the first
pair of belts intermittently, whereby accompanying stoppage of said
first pair of belts, said second pair of belts assists to separate
filled bag elements individually of in select groups from said
chain.
14. In apparatus of a type including filling means and useable for
handling and filling material wherein the resulting product is a
filled receptacle, the material including a loop comprising the
substantially closed top portion of said material, said closed top
portion being adapted to be parted to permit filling through the
area between the parted edges thereof, the improvement which
comprises, a mandrel for receiving said material by entering said
loop and slidably engaging said closed top portion, means for
forwarding said material from said mandrel to the filling means,
means for dividing said closed top portion into freely spreadable
flaps at a location intermediate of the forward end of said mandrel
and said filling means, means to plow apart said flaps as the same
approach the filling means, the lower extent of said filling means
being disposed so that said plowed apart flaps pass about opposite
side portions, respectively, thereof.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 including means to firmly hold said
flaps against said opposite side portions, respectively, to assist
filling.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said forwarding means
comprises movable belts which grip between them a select region of
said material along said closed top portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said belts firmly pass about
said opposite side portions, respectively, and comprise means to
hold said flaps against said opposite side portions to assist
filling.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein lines of preferential
separation exist between said bag elements, said apparatus
including means cooperative with said belts to separate filled bag
elements from said chain, and means to forward the separated bag
elements to means for closing the filled bag elements.
19. Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements, said
chain being generally of a type defining a longitudinally extending
tunnel of narrower width than the transverse width of said chain
and located generally along the top longitudinal edge portion
thereof, said apparatus comprising in cooperative combination:
guide means comprising a mandrel for receiving said chain by
entering said tunnel, gripping means for receiving said chain from
said mandrel and forwarding the chain to a filling means, said
gripping means selectively engaging said chain in a region adjacent
and along the top end thereof, means located forward of said
filling means for dividing said tunnel along an uninterrupted path
extending in the longitudinal direction, and into freely spreadable
flaps between which said bag elements can be filled, and means for
spreading apart said flaps to a product receiving position.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said gripping means comprise
a pair of opposed continuous belts which grip between them said bag
elements.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said belts are disposed to
slidingly pass on opposite side portions, respectively, of said
filling means, whereby said flaps are firmly held underneath said
belts and against said side portions, respectively, to assist
filling said bag elements.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said bag elements are of a
general type adapted to be separated along preferential lines of
separation, said apparatus including means to separate filled bags
from said chain and forward said filled bags individually or in
select groups to means for closing the filled bags.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said separating means
comprises a second pair of belts adapted to grip between them said
bags along a select region thereof adjacent said flaps, said second
pair of belts being located behind said filling means.
24. An apparatus for the continuous feeding of a chain of flexible
bag elements being initially in a compact supply form in which the
individual bag elements are largely disconnected except for at
least a flexible loop portion at the uppermost part of the chain
providing a relatively narrow tension bearing zone running
lengthwise of the chain, said apparatus comprising, in
combination:
a. a feeding device including an elongated element insertable in
the loop portion for supporting a portion of the chain and for
leaving successive connected bag elements in aligned fashion,
generally along the longitudinal feed path,
b. means which lie in the feed path for dividing the top of the
loop portion into freely spreadable flaps,
c. means to plow apart said flaps sufficiently to cause each bag
element to open for filling, at least partially, and
d. gripping means for imparting longitudinal movement to the chain
engageable with the loop portion on opposite sides of said plowing
means and maintaining the separated sides of the flexible loop
portion in substantially continuous, conforming contact with the
plowing means while the bag elements are in an opened condition,
and said gripping means being cooperable with said elongated
element for developing a controlled tension in said tension bearing
zone causing successive portions of the chain to be pulled from the
compact supply into the longitudinal feed path whereby the weaker
connections between individual bag elements are largely maintained
as the chain is being fed and the bag elements open for
filling.
25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein filling means are
provided for handling and filling material said filling means
positioned so as to communicate with the interior of each bag
element when in the opened condition and where the resulting
product is a filled bag element, the plowing means comprising a
hollow member having a flared cross section, the narrowest part of
which lies in the feed path and said filling means arranged to
discharge material through the plowing means and into the bag
elements while they are held open.
26. An apparatus for the continuous feeding of a chain of flexible
bag elements being initially in a folded supply form in which the
individual bag elements are largely disconnected in a continuous
Z-like stacking array except for at least a flexible loop portion
at the uppermost part of the chain providing a relatively narrow
tension band running lengthwise of the chain, said apparatus
comprising, in combination,
a. a relatively narrow mandrel at least in length equal to the
width of one bag element adapted to be inserted in the loop portion
at the leading end of the chain for supporting a portion of the
chain and for leading successive connected bag elements from the
folded supply into a generally longitudinal feed path aligned with
said mandrel,
b. means for dividing said loop portion into freely spreadable
flaps,
c. plowing means having a diverging-converging cross-section, the
narrowest diverging and converging parts thereof lying in the feed
path and extending downwardly within the flexible loop portion a
distance sufficient to cause each bag element successively to open
for filling, at least partially, and
d. a pair of continuous belts positioned on opposite sides of said
plowing means adapted to be driven for imparting longitudinal
movement to the chain and engageable with the loop portion on
opposite sides of said plowing means and maintaining the separated
sides of the flexible loop portion in substantially continuous,
conforming contact with the diverging-converging cross-section of
said plowing means, and said pair of belts cooperable with said
mandrel during the feeding of the chain for developing a control
tension in said tension band causing successive portions of the
chain to be pulled from the folded supply and into the longitudinal
feed path whereby individual bag elements in the chain may be
almost completely severed in the folded supply form, yet be fed and
individually opened for filling.
27. An apparatus according to claim 26 comprising in addition
conveyor means adapted to support filled bag elements in the chain
and extending below said plowing means and movable longitudinally
in unison with the chain whereby the weight of individual filled
bag elements is taken by the conveyor means.
28. An apparatus according to claim 27 comprising in addition
sealing means positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal feed
path engageable with the sides of the flexible loop portion
downstream of the plowing means for sealing successive filled bag
elements along a longitudinal sealing line near the lower end of
the flexible loop portion and isolating said tension band to a
region above said sealing line, and trimming means engageable above
the sealing line for trimming off said isolated portion of the
tension band whereby the sealed bag elements will become severed
from the chain automatically downstream of the trimming means when
support for the bag elements is removed.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved apparatus for filling and
sealing bags wherein the latter are in the form of a chain of
connected bag elements, and more specifically, to such apparatus
wherein the cost and complexity of the same are minimized while
still maintaining a high degree of efficiency.
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for
filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein efficient filling
of the bags is achieved at a relatively low cost and with
uncomplicated apparatus.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such
apparatus wherein the same can be supplied in individual modules
such that the basic filling module can be combined with a variety
of closure stations or modules now presently in use.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein a
cutting station has been eliminated to simplify the apparatus
without detracting from the efficiency of the same.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein the
bags are fed to the apparatus from a folded pile rather than from
the usual supply roll arrangements, thereby permitting economies
and advantages heretofore unknown in such apparatus.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein a
unique means of mounting and aligning the bag elements in the
filling apparatus is provided such that the possibility of fouling
the apparatus by misdirecting the bags thereto is minimized.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein the
apparatus can be operated either continuously and/or intermittently
as suits the desires of the packager and wherein the complexity of
the apparatus is kept at a minimum to lessen apparatus costs and
the likelihood of breakdowns.
Briefly then, the present invention concerns apparatus for filling
a chain of connected bag elements wherein each bag normally
includes closed bottom and top ends, 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. The bag elements are
preferably fed to the apparatus from a folded pile and are
initially received by a mandrel upon which they are mounted in a
curtain-and-rod-like fashion by means of the loop located along the
top edge of each bag element. Specifically, the mandrel precisely
mounts the chain of bag elements in the apparatus whereby the
possibility of fouling the same by misdirecting the bag elements
thereto is minimized. In the specific embodiments, the apparatus
further includes a knife located downwardly of the leading edge of
the mandrel. The knife longitudinally parts the loop, thereby
forming fill openings between the two closed sides of each bag
element and the two parted edges of the loop. The bag elements are
then directed to a filling station which plows open the two parted
edges to deposit a product in each bag element through the
respective fill opening thereof. The above portions of the
apparatus comprise a first or filling module and in most
applications would be operated on an intermittent basis. The second
or closing module in the preferred embodiment of the invention
comprises a closure station which can include two continuously
running belts which grip between them the filled bag elements,
thereby pulling the same from the intermittently operated first
module and apart from each other. Where the bag material comprises
a thermoplastic, these belts can be heated along strategic areas to
a temperature suitable to weld closed the fill openings of each bag
element in a continuous sealing operation.
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 chain of connected bag elements of
the general sort contemplated for use in the filling apparatus 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 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
7 taken along reference line 3--3 thereof;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
7 taken along reference line 4--4 thereof;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
7 taken along reference line 5--5 thereof;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
7 taken along reference line 6--6 thereof;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of filling apparatus constructed
according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the
apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating yet another modified form of the
apparatus of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 10.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown a chain of
connected bag elements 10 having along a top portion 14 thereof a
loop 12. The connected bag elements 10 can be formed by
intermittently sealing traverse strips 16 along a length of
flattened thermoplastic tubing 21 whereby each bag element 10 is
defined between a pair of the traverse strip seams 16.
Specifically, seams 16 form the two closed sides 18 and 20 of each
bag element 10 and, as observed from FIG 1, extend upwardly from
the bottom ends 22 of the bag elements to a point adjacent to but
spaced from the top ends 24 thereof. This seam construction
inherently forms the loop 12 wherein the channel 26 defined by the
loop extends throughout the chain of the connected bag elements 10
unobstructed. Thus, bag elements 10 can be mounted in a
curtain-and-rod-like fashion by inserting an elongated element
through loop 12 which method of mounting is discussed more fully
hereinafter.
In order to realize the full benefit of the apparatus 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 the bag elements 10
illustrated, this is achieved by cutout portions 28 and 30 located
within the metes and bounds of seams 16. The two cutout portions 28
and 30 are interrupted by a joined portion or land 32 connecting
together the bag elements 10 near the bottom ends 22 thereof.
Additionally, perforations 34 extend from seams 16 to the top end
24 of bag elements 10 further weakening the strength of the
connection between each of the bag elements 10.
As is customary, each bag element 10 can further include a bottom
gusset 36 which extends across the bottom end 22 thereof securely
closing the same. At each side 18 and 20 of bag elements 10,
gussets 36 are secured with the two walls of the bag element by
seams 16.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown an apparatus 38 adapted
for efficiently filling the connected bag elements 10. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, bag elements 10 are preferably fed to
apparatus 38 from a folded pile 40 instead of the usual supply roll
arrangements customarily used in the prior art filling devices. In
pile 40 the bag elements 10 are located face down one on top of the
other in a continuous Z-like stacking arrangement.
Specifically, apparatus 38 includes a mandrel 42 which initially
receives the bag elements 10 from pile 40 for proper alignment and
feeding of the same into apparatus 38. More specifically, loop 12
of connected bag elements 10 is fed about mandrel 42 such that the
connected bag elements 10 are strung or mounted on mandrel 42 in a
curtain-and-rod-like fashion. This arrangement of mounting bag
elements 10 has been found especially effective in that the
possibility of fouling the apparatus 38 by misfeeding the connected
bag elements 10 thereto is minimized.
In the prior art bag filling devices the function of properly
feeding the bags to the apparatus was facilitated by first winding
the bags on a supply roll. Since these bags were previously
correctly mounted on the supply roll, misfeeding problems were made
less difficult to overcome. However, when feeding the bags from a
folded pile like pile 40, no real effective initial alignment of
the connected bag element 10 is provided. By the employment of the
unique mandrel concept taught herein, however, feeding from a pile
is possible whereby important benefits can be achieved. For
instance, the usual tensions accompanying winding of 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 38 and in a manner
as, for example, like that illustrated in FIG. 1. After filling,
the lightly connected bag elements 10 are easily parted from each
other without the need of a special cutting tool. Accordingly, a
special cutting station to part these bags after filling can be
eliminated from the apparatus. Furthermore, the bearings,
couplings, and the like necessary to rotatably mount the supply
roll in the apparatus can also be dispensed with. Accordingly,
while the invention is not limited to feeding bag elements 10 from
a pile, the benefits and advantages obtained by doing so can be
readily appreciated.
In particular, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, mandrel 42 is
preferably of a generally dew-drop cross-sectional configuration
with the tapered edge of the dew-drop comprising the top edge 44 of
the mandrel. This configuration facilitates automatic centering of
the fold or crease 23 of the loop on mandrel 42 such that bag
elements 10 drape from mandrel 42 in precise vertical
alignment.
A parting means or knife 46 is mounted on mandrel 42 downwardly of
the leading edge 48 thereof as concerns the direction of travel of
connected bag elements 10, which direction is indicated by arrow
49. Specifically, knife 46 is centered on the top edge 44 of
mandrel 42, whereby the loop 12 is evenly parted in the
longitudinal direction as it passed by knife 46. The parting of
loop 12 forms a separate fill opening 51 for each bag element 10,
as is illustrated in FIG 4, with the respective fill openings 51
being defined between two parted edges 50 and 52 of the loop and
the two closed sides 18 and 20 of each bag element.
As the connected bag elements 10 pass from mandrel 42 and knife 46,
the two parted edges 50 and 52 are engaged by a pair of endless
belts 54 and 56 which are driven by separate pulley systems 58 and
60. Specifically, the two parted edges 50 and 52 are squeezed
together between belts 54 and 56 as illustrated in FIG. 5, whereby
the connected bag elements 10 are directed to a filling station 62
which includes a hopper or spout 64.
Hopper 64 is suitably mounted so as to bisect the two parted edges
50 and 52 of bag elements 10 such that edges 50 and 52 are plowed
open by hopper 64 and pass about the opposite sides 66 and 68
thereof as is best seen in FIG. 6. Accordingly, hopper 64 can be
used to deposit a product into each bag element 10 through the
respective fill openings 51 thereof located between the plowed open
parted edges 50 and 52.
In particular, belts 54 and 56 are designed to support parted edges
50 and 52 entirely about hopper 64 and thereafter direct the filled
bag elements 10 to a closure station described more fully
hereinafter. To this end, pulley systems 58 and 60 cooperate
together to provide a first pair of nip pulleys 70 and 72 located
adjacent the front or plowing end 74 of hopper 64, and a second
pair of nip pulleys 76 and 78 positioned opposite thereto adjacent
the rear or back end 98 of the hopper. Thus, belts 54 and 56
support parted edges 50 and 52 at the front end 74 of hopper 64 by
means of the pressure supplied by the first pair of nip pulleys 70
and 72, and thereafter the belts respectively snuggly pass about
the opposite sides 66 and 68 of hopper 64, whereby parted edge 50
is supported by being squeezed between belt 54 and side 66, while
parted edge 52 is supported in the same manner between belt 56 and
side 68. The belts 54 and 56 with the parted edges 50 and 52
squeezed between them, are then reunited at the rear end 98 of
hopper 64 by means of the second pair of nip pulleys 76 and 78.
Thereafter, belts 54 and 56 are respectively directed between
pulleys 80 and 82 which are mounted in spaced relationship such
that belts 54 and 56 gradually separate from each other on their
approach thereto. Accordingly, at this location, the parted edges
50 and 52 are now being squeezed or gripped less tightly between
the gradually separating belts 54 and 56. This facilitates transfer
of the filled bag elements 10 to a continuously operated closing
station, as is described more fully hereinafter.
Specifically, pulleys 80 and 82 respectively anchor the separate
pulley systems 58 and 60 thereby returning the belts 54 and 56 to
the first pair of nip pulleys 70 and 72 via a route including
tension pulleys 84 and 86. Beneficially, tension pulleys 84 and 86
are slidingly mounted to move either inwardly or outwardly of their
shown positions whereby the tension on belts 54 and 56 can be
adjusted.
In addition to hopper 64, filling station 62 preferably includes a
settling device 88 located beneath hopper 64 and on which the
bottom ends 22 of bag elements are supported during fill
operations. Settling device 88 includes an endless conveyor belt 90
which travels about (in the direction indicated by arrow 92) a pair
of drive rollers 94 and 96. Also, settling device 88 is
reciprocally mounted (by suitable means not shown) to operate in an
upper position A, and a lower position B. The upper position A is
depicted in FIG. 7 in solid lines, while the lower position B is
depicted in the same FIGURE but in broken lines. As the filling of
bag element 10 commences, the settling device 88 is in the upper
position A whereby the settling device 88 pushes upwardly on the
bottom end 22 of the bag elements 10 being filled. Accordingly,
slack is given to the walls of the bag elements such that the same
can readily bloom out to receive the fill. The lower position B is
assumed by settling device 88 at a point intermediate of the
filling of the bag element 10. In this position the bottom end 22
is allowed to drop back somewhat such that the bottom of bag
elements 10 can completely fill with the product. Thereafter,
settling device 88 returns to the upper position A whereby conveyor
belt 90 is aligned to direct the bottom end 22 of the filled bag
element 10 onto a second conveyor belt for closing operations.
Preferably, the parts of apparatus 38 described so far are operated
on an intermittent basis wherein the bags are directed to the
filling station 62 one at a time. This is customarily achieved by
employing an electric eye which focuses on a printed legend on each
bag element 10. The electric eye can be circuited to an electric
motor (not shown) which operates the two continuous belts 54 and 56
and rollers 94 and 96. Specifically, the electric eye functions to
cut the power supplied to the electric motor thereby stopping the
operation with a bag element 10 located directly beneath hopper 64.
A timer is usually incorporated into the electric motor to restart
the same after the filling operation. Thus, the motor restarts and
drives the next bag element to a position under hopper 64, at which
time the electric eye again cuts the circuit to the motor whereby
the filling processes are repeated. The up and down motion of the
settling device 88 can also be accomplished by use of a timer or,
if desired, a cam operated mechanism (not shown). Timers, electric
eye circuits, suitable motors and the like, are components well
known in the apparatus arts. Their proper selection for apparatus
38 should be merely a matter of efficient choice well within the
powers of those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure of
invention herein.
The second or closing module of apparatus 38 comprises a closing
station 100 which beneficially operates on a continuous basis
whereby bag elements 10, after filling, are continuously pulled
from the intermittently operated first or filling module and apart
from each other and, thereafter, are closed across their fill
openings 51.
In the embodiment of apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7 and 8, closing
station 100 is provided with a pair of continuously operated
endless belts 102 and 104 which are driven by separate pulley
systems 106 and 108. Pulley systems 106 and 108 cooperate together
to form a pair of nip pulleys 110 and 112 located on each side of
the last filled bag element 10 at a position directly below and
intermediate of pulleys 76 and 78, and 80 and 82 driving belts 54
and 56. Belts 102 and 104 pass between nip pulleys 110 and 112 to
initially engage and grip between them the last filled bag element
10, whereby during the stop interval accompanying filling
operations, the last filled bag element is pulled from the weakened
grip of belts 54 and 56 and apart from the next preceding one, that
is, the bag element 10 being filled through hopper 64.
Assisting belts 102 and 104 is a continuously operated endless
conveyor belt 114 which supports and drives the bottom ends 22 of
the filled bag elements during the closing operation. Specifically,
conveyor belt 114 is driven about rollers 116 and 118 in the
direction indicated by arrow 120, and at a speed synchronized with
the speed of belts 102 and 104 gripping the top ends 24 of the bag
elements 10. Rollers 116 and 118 are suitably mounted to align the
support surface of conveyor belt 114 with that of settling device
88 while at its upper position A. Accordingly, at the termination
of the filling step, settling device 88 smoothly delivers the
filled bag element 10 onto conveyor belt 114 whereby the driving
force of conveyor belt 114 is able to assist belts 102 and 104 in
breaking the bag elements 10 apart.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, belts 102 and
104 are heated by suitable means as, for example, a pair of
electrically heated cartirdges or elements 103 and 105, between
which elements the belts 102 and 104 pass at a location downwardly
of nip pulleys 110 and 112. By means of elements 103 and 105, the
belts are raised to a temperature suitable to heat seal closed the
bag elements 10 across their respective fill openings 51.
Specifically, the seams formed connect together with the seams 16
at each side 18 and 20 of bag elements 10 to perfect the closure.
As a more particular example, belts 102 and 104 can be like those
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,522 wherein a continuous band or belt
sealer is illustrated in some detail. Another example of such a
sealing mechanism is the Doughbag continuous band or belt sealer
designated as model CBG-B, and manufactured by Doughboy Industries,
Inc., of New Richman, Wis.
Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an apparatus 38a
illustrating a modification of the present invention wherein both
the filling and closure modules thereof are designed to be able to
operate on a continuous basis. To this end, there is provided a
unitized settling device-conveyor system combination in the form of
an endless conveyor belt 130 which supports and directs the bottom
ends 22 of the connected bag elements 10 during both fill and
sealing operations. Generally, conveyor belt 130 is anchored at
each end and travels about (in the direction indicated by arrow
122) a pair of drive rollers 124 and 126. Located intermediate of
drive rollers 124 and 126 is a pivot roller 128. Specifically,
roller 124 is reciprocally mounted (as, for example, by a
conventional cam mechanism not shown) to vibrate generally upwardly
and downwardly about the axis of roller 128, as is indicated
generally in dotted lines. Accordingly, likewise vibration of the
portion of the conveyor belt 130 located beneath hopper 64a is
obtained whereby the conveyor belt 130 is able to double as a
settling device for apparatus 38a.
Other modifications illustrated in apparatus 38a concern the
location of mandrel 42a which extends to adjacent the front end 74a
of the hopper 64a, and if desired, can be fixedly secured to the
same as, for example, by brackets, welding or the like. By so
positioning and extending mandrel 42a, the mandrel is able to
direct and support the top ends 24 of bag elements 10 to a point
nearly adjacent the front end 74a of the hopper, or more precisely,
to the point at which loop 12 is parted by the knife 46a.
Similarly, the heated belts 102a and 104a have been extended to a
location adjacent the rear end 98a of hopper 64a whereat they grip
and unite together the parted edges 50 and 52 as they emerge from
about hopper 64a.
Essentially, the repositioning of mandrel 42a and belts 102a and
104a involves a simplification of apparatus 38a wherein the belts
54 and 56 shown in apparatus 38 have not been employed. Belts 54
and 56, if operated on a continuous basis, however, can be
incorporated into apparatus 38a and would likely be used for
relatively heavy product fills. Alternately, for lighter product
fills wherein the support at the front and rear ends of the hopper,
as provided by mandrel 42a and belts 102a and 104a, is sufficient,
the incorporation of belts 54 and 56 would generally not be
desirable from an economical standpoint.
In particular, the hopper 64a employed for apparatus 38a is of the
stationary or fixed in position type as opposed to those of
reciprocating and/or rotary or like motion as are the type
customarily employed in continuous filling and sealing apparatus.
While reciprocating or rotary motion hoppers can readily be adapted
for employment in the apparatus of the present invention, as for
example one like that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,272,251, as a
rule, such hoppers generally entail the use of activating
mechanisms of considerable sophistication and complexity. Where
such complex mechanisms can be avoided, it is usually desirable to
do so. Such avoidance is accomplished in apparatus 38a by designing
the hopper 64a to have a width dimension Y of only about
one-sixteenth to about three-fourths as great as the width
dimension X of the bag elements 10 being filled. Accordingly, in a
continuous filling operation, the charge or fill would be dumped
through hopper 64a as soon as a bag element 10 was far enough
underneath the hopper to catch the fill. More specifically, the bag
elements 10 would move at a speed timed to permit the charge to be
completely dropped into the bag element before the trailing edge or
side 18 thereof has passed by the hopper 64a. In such a system it
would be particularly beneficial to fill the bag elements 10
through a fill opening located along the long or maximum dimension
thereof to allow additional time for dropping of the charge into
the bag element. Thus, in the connected bag elements 10 the side to
side or X dimension of each bag element, which defines the length
of fill opening 51, is beneficially of somewhat greater magnitude
than the end to end or Z dimension of each bag element.
Yet another modification of the present invention is apparatus 38b
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 and showing a particular embodiment
of the general principles of the present invention in an apparatus
wherein both the filling and closing modules thereof, if desired,
are able to operate on an intermittent basis.
The mandrel 42b, knife 46b, and hopper 64b arrangement of apparatus
38b is generally similar to that shown in apparatus 38. Also,
apparatus 38b is provided with a pair of endless belts 132 and 134
which support and direct the parted edges 50 and 52 of bag elements
10 to and about hopper 64b in a manner like that described in
detail with regard to apparatus 38. Thereafter, however, belts 132
and 134 continue on with the parted edges 50 and 52 squeezed
between them whereby the bag elements 10 are delivered to a closure
station 136 which comprises a pair of impulse sealing bars 138 and
140. The sealing bars illustrated can be of the conventional sort,
heated, for example, by an electric current to a temperature
suitable for sealing bag elements 10 having heat sealable
qualities, such as those formed of thermoplastic materials.
Specifically, bars 138 and 140 are located directly below belts 132
and 134 at a unit number of bag elements widths from the leading
side 20 of that bag element located directly beneath hopper 64b,
whereby the bars are properly indexed to span across the width of a
single previously filled bag element 10. More specifically, bars
138 and 140 are particularly suited for use in combination with an
intermittently operated filling module wherein during the stop
interval accompanying filling operations, the bars close together
across the top end 24 of the bag element 10 located therebetween.
Accordingly, the heat and pressure supplied by bars 138 and 140
forms a heat seam 142 welding closed the fill opening 51 of the bag
element 10, with the seam 142 formed connecting together with seams
16 at each side 18 and 20 of the bag element to form a leak-proof
closure.
After completion of sealing operations, belts 132 and 134 direct
the filled and sealed bag elements 10 to nip pulleys 144 and 146.
Nip pulleys 144 and 146 respectively anchor the separate pulley
systems 148 and 150 driving the belts, and thereby return the same
to the first pair of nip pulleys 70b and 72b via a route including
tension pulleys 152 and 154 and 156 and 158. Specifically, as the
two belts 132 and 134 pass about the anchor pulleys 144 and 146,
they separate from each other releasing their grip on the parted
edges 50 and 52 of the filled and sealed bag elements 10. The
release of the top ends 24 of bag elements 10 by belts 132 and 134
frees the bag elements from apparatus 38 whereby they are allowed
to fall away from the apparatus 38 tending to break apart from each
other during the process.
Assisting in the breaking apart of the connected bag elements 10 is
a trimmer 160. Trimmer 160 generally includes a pair of rotatably
mounted and peripheral sharpened discs 162 and 164 disposed
opposite each other on each side of bag elements 10 at a location
directly below belts 132 and 134, and adjacent the anchor pulleys
144 and 146. Discs 162 and 164 cooperate together to shear or cut
off the parted edges 50 and 52 of bag elements 10 along the top
edge 166 of seam 142. Beneficially, the removal of the parted edges
50 and 52 further weakens the connection between each of the bag
elements 10 such that the bag elements more easily part from each
other upon release of their top ends 24 by belts 132 and 134.
Preferably, the trimmed parted edges 50 and 52 are directed to a
rotatably mounted reel 168 upon which they are wound and
conveniently placed out of the way. To facilitate winding
operations, the trimmed parted edges 50 and 52 need to FIG. intact.
Accordingly, the perforations 34 employed to weaken the loop 12 of
bag elements 10 illustrated in FIG 1, would not normally be
included on bag elements filled by apparatus having a trimmer 160
and reel 168.
In particular, the apparatus 38b described above is suited for
relatively light product fills wherein the support and direction
provided by belts 132 and 134 is adequate without assistance from a
conveyor system to support and direct the bottom ends 22 of bag
elements. If a conveyor system is employed, however, it could be
like the one shown in FIG. 9.
The frame employed to mount the components of the apparatus
described herein can be of the conventional type having, for
example, four support legs and suitable cross members connecting
together the legs, and therewith forming a stand-like structure on
which the components can be suitably mounted.
The closing modules of the apparatus of the present invention have
been described in particular as being of the heat sealing type
adapted for closure of bag elements 10 having heat sealable or
weldable qualities. The scope of the present invention, however, is
obviously not limited to a heat seal closing principle. Thus, other
closure modules, as, for example, the continuously operated tie
tape closure apparatus illustrated in detail in U.S. Pat. No.
3,291,143, can be readily adapted for use in the apparatus
described herein when suitably modified to practice the general
principles thereof. As another example, mechanical means can be
employed to close bag elements 10 such as the bead-like male and
female locking members shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,672. Yet as
another example, bag elements 10 formed of paper of like material
would likely require a closing apparatus designed especially
therefor wherein frequently the apparatus would include means to
apply strips of adhesive to the bag elements to form surfaces that
can be closed by activating the adhesive.
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.
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