U.S. patent number 3,763,628 [Application Number 05/260,781] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-09 for bag loader.
Invention is credited to William A. Bodolay.
United States Patent |
3,763,628 |
Bodolay |
October 9, 1973 |
BAG LOADER
Abstract
In order to speed up the check-out of customers at a discount
store operation, and in order to eliminate one person at the
station who has to package the groceries or merchandise, the within
invention has been developed. There is a tray with a cover which is
of the overall dimensions of the typical grocery bag but slightly
smaller. There is a lid cover on top of the tray. At the bottom of
the tray is a movable tray to which a tongue is attached. At the
end of the tray are a pair of doors. These doors are located away
from the cash register area and toward the exit. When the cover is
closed and the tray is filled with groceries a switch is actuated
causing the doors to open and the tray and the tongue with the
groceries to move through the doors. While the groceries are being
placed in the tray, a bag is opened and is positioned horizontally
to receive the groceries. As soon as the groceries have been
inserted in the bag, the bag is now uprighted and the tongue acts
as a shoehorn so that the groceries are gently deposited in the
bag. The tongue and the tray are returned to the normal position
and the bag filled with the groceries is conveyed in this instance
to a rotary type conveyor which acts as a pick-up station from
where the customer may collect the grocery bags. There is an
electrical control circuit for synchronizing and operating the
aforesaid functions. There is a special bag opening means whereby a
blower assists the opening of the bags which are in a horizontal
position in conjunction with suction cups which also assist the
opening the bag and which suction cups are mounted on a movable arm
which has to be displaced when the bags have been filled and are to
be delivered to the conveyor. The electrical circuit is actuated by
switches which are strategically placed at key locations along the
path of the various pulleys and chains which operate the moving
parts.
Inventors: |
Bodolay; William A. (East
Longmeadow, MA) |
Family
ID: |
22990601 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/260,781 |
Filed: |
June 8, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/572; 53/386.1;
53/385.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
67/04 (20130101); B65B 5/067 (20130101); B65B
43/36 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
5/06 (20060101); B65B 67/00 (20060101); B65B
67/04 (20060101); B65b 043/28 (); B65b
043/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/187,188,189,386,385 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGehee; Travis S.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
comprising a tray, a conveyor means for said tray, a tongue in the
bottom of said tray, means for opening a bag and placing said bag
in a horizontal position adjoining said tray and tongue, means for
inserting said tongue and tray into said bag after the groceries
have been placed in said tray on said tongue, means whereby said
tongue carries said groceries within said bag off the tray from a
horizontal to a vertical position, and means for delivering said
bag to a pick-up station.
2. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 1 wherein said tongue is connected at the end
of said tray furthest away from said pick-up station, said tongue
being of a resilient material whereby said tongue is flexible from
the point where it is attached to said tray.
3. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 1 wherein said means for opening bags
comprises a movable arm, a plurality of suction cups attached to
said arm, means for positioning said arm so that the suction cups
are in surface contact with a bag, and means for creating a vacuum
within said suction cups causing the top side surface of the said
bag to be attached to the suction cups whereby when said arm moves,
said suction cups cause the top of the bag to move with the
movement of the said arm.
4. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 2 wherein said means for opening bags
comprises a movable arm, a plurality of suction cups attached to
said arm, means for positioning said arm so that the suction cups
are in surface contact with a bag, and means for creating a vacuum
within said suction cups causing the top side surface of the said
bag to be attached to the suction cups whereby when said arm moves,
said suction cups cause the top of the bag to move with the
movement of the said arm.
5. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 3 wherein there are a supply of bags, one on
top of the other, a clamp means for holding down the lower side of
the top bag whereby when said arm moves, the upper side of the
closed bag is pulled away from the clamped lower side of said bag
so that said bag is opened.
6. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 3 wherein there is a blower, said blower
causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag
away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.
7. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 4 wherein there is a blower, said blower
causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag
away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.
8. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 5 wherein there is a blower, said blower
causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag
away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.
9. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station
as described in claim 1 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a
dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
10. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 2 wherein said tray and said tongue
are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
11. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 3 wherein said tray and said tongue
are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
12. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 4 wherein said tray and said tongue
are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
13. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 5 wherein said tray and said tongue
are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
14. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 6 wherein said tray and said tongue
are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
15. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 1 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting the tray and the tongue into said bag
is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges
when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading
position.
16. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 2 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting the tray and the tongue into said bag
is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges
when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading
position.
17. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 3 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is
operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when
the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
18. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 4 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting tray and tongue into said bag is
operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when
the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
19. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 5 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is
operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when
the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
20. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 6 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is
operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when
the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
21. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 9 having doors, said doors being
movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray
near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened
when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is
operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when
the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
22. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 1 having an electrical circuit for
controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to
a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to
one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a
coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said
stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of
power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said
stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm
having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number
of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected
to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch
control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping
switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on
said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the
opposite side of each of said solonoids connected to said opposite
side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said
switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to
close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.
23. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-station as
described in claim 22, wherein one of said solonoids causes the
means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes
the means for inserting the tongue and the tray into the bag to
operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to
move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and
tray to return to their original starting positions.
24. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 3 having an electrical circuit for
controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to
a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to
one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a
coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said
stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of
power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said
stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm
having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number
of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected
to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch
control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping
switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on
said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the
opposite side of each said solonoids connected to said opposite
side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said
switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to
close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.
25. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 24, wherein one of said solonoids
causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said
solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray
into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag
opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is
causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting
positions.
26. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 16 having an electrical circuit for
controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to
a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to
one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a
coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said
stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of
power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said
stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm
having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number
of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected
to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch
control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping
switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on
said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the
opposite side of each of said solonoids connected to said opposite
side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said
switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to
close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.
27. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 26, wherein one of said solonoids
causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said
solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray
into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag
opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is
causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting
positions.
28. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 22, each of said switches adapted to
be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation
of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed
when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches
being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag,
the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue
are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being
closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be
delivered to the pick-up station.
29. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 23, each of said switches adapted to
be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation
of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed
when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches
being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag,
the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue
are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being
closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be
delivered to the pick-up station.
30. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 24, each of said switches adapted to
be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation
of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed
when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches
being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag,
the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue
are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being
closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be
delivered to the pick-up station.
31. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 25, each of said switches adapted to
be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation
of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed
when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches
being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag,
the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue
are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being
closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be
delivered to the pick-up station.
32. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 26, each of said switches adapted to
be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation
of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed
when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches
being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag,
the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue
are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being
closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be
delivered to the pick-up station.
33. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out
station as described in claim 27, each of said switches adapted to
be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation
of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed
when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches
being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag,
the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue
are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being
closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be
delivered to the pick-up station.
Description
This invention is concerned with a device to be located at the cash
register of a supermarket or discount store for the purpose of
expediting the loading of bags automatically without the need of
human labor who previously placed the merchandise within the
bags.
Many attempts have been made to automatically load bags at the cash
register of the supermarket as the cashier checks out the customer,
but these attempts have failed because the system employed is too
burdensome, slow, expensive, and awkward.
It is an object of the within invention to provide an automatic
machine for feeding the bag to the cashier, locating the bag in an
open position for receiving the merchandise to be inserted therein,
placing the merchandise into the bag, and uprighting the bag for
delivery to the customer.
It is another object of the within invention to provide a device
that can now be operated by one person instead of several persons,
in order to save the cost of labor at the checkout station of a
supermarket or a discount store.
It is yet an additional object of the within invention to provide a
means for feeding a bag to the checkout station at a retail store,
whereby the operator of the cash register can also operate the
opening of the bag and the placing of the merchandise in the bag as
well as the delivery of the bag to the customer.
It is also an object of the within invention to provide a means for
saving the cost of labor at the checkout station of a retail
store.
It is still an additional object of the within invention to provide
a machine that is inexpensive in the cost of manufacture, simple in
design, efficient in operation, and time saving.
The machine that performs all of these accomplishments is located
next to the cash register. The merchandise is placed on the counter
by the customer as is presently conventional. The cashier, as she
takes each item and rings up the cash register recording of the
item, places the item into a tray which is located proximate to the
position where she is standing. When she fills the tray, she closes
the cover on the tray. Immediately, a switch is activated causing
the cycle of loading the items in the tray into a bag. There is a
tongue which carries the groceries which are setting thereon, into
a bag which is opened in a horizontal position. The bag has been
pre-opened and is waiting for the receipt of the groceries. As soon
as the tongue carries the groceries into the bag, and the groceries
are now located within the bag, the tongue is returned to the tray
and the bag, at this particular time, is uprighted and sent out on
a conveyer for delivery to the customer. The tray is now in
position to receive a second load of groceries and the cycle is
repeated.
For a more detailed description of this invention, reference is
made to the following specification and to the drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a view of the front elevation of the device in
diagrammatical style in order to show the various components
necessary to carry out the function of the machine.
FIG. 1-A is a view in elevation and in diagramatic style of the
filled grocery bag being delivered to the station where the
customer is to pick same up.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, looking down, on the view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, similar to the view of FIG. 1,
but with the groceries, the tray and the tongue located within the
open bag.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the view of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the machine showing the beg
being uprighted while the bag, tray and tongue are being returned
to their original position.
FIG. 5-A is the remaining portion of the bag as it is making
contact with the rotary conveyer.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the rotary conveyer.
FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of the circuits for
controlling the various operations of the machine.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation diagramatic view of the bag opening
station just prior to the opening of the bag.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing how the air has
separated the bag with the assistance of the suction cup.
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the bag fully
erected.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the bag fully erected
and the suction cups removed from the locus of the bag.
FIG. 12 is a top plan diagramatic view of the various pins and
switches triggering the central switches.
FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENT PARTS
The groceries 1 are located on the counter 2. The counter 2 is
advanced towards the invention by a grocery advancing belt 9. This
is all conventional. Adjoining the end of the counter 2 is an
intermediate storage area 47. Proximate the storage area 47 is the
grocery guard bar 46. The bar is located just before the grocery
collecting tray 30. The grocery collecting tray 30 is like a box.
It is substantially rectangular in shape and has length, width and
depth dimensions. It is substantially the same size as a typical
grocery bag and is of the same contour and substantially the same
dimensions. The tray 30 has a tray top door 24. It also has a tray
top door handle 25. The door 24 is also referred to as the door 26
when it is in the open position as seen in FIG. 1.
At the bottom of the tray 30 is the insert tongue 31. This tongue
31 is made of a slippery, resilient, heavy plastic material. It is
of the same dimension as the wide side of a bag; it is extremely
thin and is attached to the tray pusher 48 by the tray insert clamp
32.
There are doors 13 at the end of the tray 31 near the position
where the bag is located. See FIG. 4. Reference is made in the
description of these doors 13 to both the view of FIG. 1 and FIG.
2. They are hinged at 23. The hinges 23 comprise a tortion spring
which keeps the doors 13 normally closed. As soon as pressure is
released from the doors 13, they automatically return to the
position shown in the view of FIG. 2.
Doors 13 have a horizontal surface which can be seen in the dotted
line of the view of FIG. 2. This further assists the delivery of
the tongue in the bottom of the tray to the bag. It aids in keeping
the bag fully opened and unraveled as the groceries are being
inserted within the open bag 10.
There are supplies of shopping bags which are stacked in a closed
position at 10a which can be seen in the view of FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 10,
and 11. The conventional bags 10 that are used for groceries have a
fold for the bottom square of the bag. In order to operate this
machine, it is necessary that the fold be up, instead of down. This
can be seen in the view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 with the bottom part
of the bag to the left of the view with the fold up. The bags are
resting on a support tray 16. The support tray 16 is connected to
the bag tray support rack 17. At the bottom or near the bottom of
rack 17 are the bag feed rack pinions 21. Connected to the pinions
21 is the rack pinion shaft 19. There is a wind-up tension spring
motor 18 which operates the pinion shaft 19. When shaft 19 turns,
it forces rack support shaft 17 to rise upwardly, exerting pressure
against the bag support tray 16 causing the bags to rise upwardly,
exerting pressure against the bag support tray 16 causing the bags
to rise against the clamp 20, so as to be clamped by clamp 20.
There is a fan 22 located so that it is blasting air across the
area where the "L" is located with the bag stack 10a. Because of
this blast of air from the fan 22, the upper portion of the bag 20
is separated from the bottom side as they are shown in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 9. Operating at the same time as the blast of air from the fan
22 is the suction arm 15 which has attached to it the suction cup
support manifold 12. The suction arm 15 is pushed downwardly in the
arc of the path at 14 so that the suction cups 11 make contact with
the surface of the top of the blown out part of the bag 10a as
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and cause the bag 10 to become opened as the
arm 15 returns to its upright position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10
which view the sequence of the operation. The bag is now in an open
position as shown at 10.
It is, of course, necessary to have a transmission system operate
the various moving parts of the machine. The motor 43 is mounted
below the machine. Connected to the motor 43 is the motor gear
reducer 44 which is for mechanical advantage and speed control. The
motor gear reducer 44 is connected by a chain 50 to the forward cam
shaft 51. There is mounted on the cam shaft 51, cam 57 for
operating the suction arms 15. There is also a chain 42 which is
connected to the motor gear reducer 44. Also connected to a
distribution shaft 52, there is a tray drawing chain 41 connected
to a tray drive shaft 38. There is a drive block 39 located beneath
and attached to the tray 30 and connected to the drive shaft 53.
When the drive shaft 53 is in operation, chain 38 operates. Chain
38 carries the drive block 39 which causes the tray 30 to move into
the bag and then to return to its original position as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3. There are two positions of the block 39 shown. There
is the position whereby the tray is in the bag, and then there is
the position shown in dotted lines whereby the tray is back in its
original position; and the drive block 39 is now almost underneath
the counter where the groceries are located. It might be restated
that the block 39 connected to the tray 30 travels back and forth
on the tray travel operating chain 38.
Chain 40 is the tray pusher driving chain and is connected to the
distribution shaft 52. It is also connected to the tray driving
shaft 54. There is a tray pusher head or rod 36. The rod head 36 is
connected to the tray pusher guide shaft 35. The guide shaft 35 is
connected to the tray pusher 48. There is a chain 37 connected
around the shaft 54 and the shaft 54a. As chain 38 moves, it picks
up 39 and moves it forward as in FIG. 3. This causes the tray 30 to
insert the groceries in the open bag 10. This can be seen in the
view of FIG. 3. Once the groceries have been inserted in the bag
10, tray pusher pin 49 is in contact with the rod head 36 and the
rod head 36 now pushes the rod 35 which pushes the tray pusher 48
and tray tongue 31. The groceries 1 in the bag 10 are now conveyed
off the tray and onto the discharge turn table pocket 61 as shown
in the view of FIGS. 5 and 5-A, 6 and 1-A. When pin 49 is no longer
in contact with rod head 36, the spring in the motor 33 will cause
the tray pusher return cable 34 to pull the tray pusher return
cable 34 to pull the tray pusher 48 into its original position
within the tray 30.
The chain 38 under control of the control circuit which will be
hereinafter described, again commences to turn and move. Mounted on
chain 38 is a tray chain pin 3 which is inserted in tray travel
chain lug block 39. Consequently, as chain 38 moves, and since
block 39 is connected to it by the pin 3, and since the tray 30 is
connected to the block 39, the tray 30 is then returned to the
position from which it started by the pull of the chain 38 as shown
in FIG. 1 in its original starting position.
The door 26 of the loading tray 30 can be opened, in preparation
for additional groceries or items to be placed therein.
The tray 30 is mounted on the wheels 27 and 28. Wheels 27 are
located on the sides of the tray 30 and at the rear thereof as
shown in the view of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. The wheels 27 are mounted
on an axle 85 that passes through one end of the support arm 84.
Wheels 28 are mounted on an axle 86 which passes through the lug
block 39 as can be seen in the view of FIGS. 3 and 5.
The wheels 27 and 28 rest and roll on the frame member 29 which
acts as a railroad track.
The tongue 31 and tray pusher 48 are supported on rods 35 which
ride in bearings 81 which bearings 81 are mounted in the rear
bottom of tray 30 as shown in the view of FIG. 2.
OPENING AND POSITIONING OF BAGS
Reference is now made to the view of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, for a
more detailed explanation of the delivery of the supply of bags to
the loading station. A cursory statement of the function of the
loading of the bags has been made, but it is felt, for the sake of
clarity, that a more detailed description is in order. As
previously stated, shaft 51 receives its rotary motion from the
chain 50. When shaft 51 is operating, it causes the cam 57 to turn,
which causes the arm 56 which has the ratchet teeth, hereinafter
referred to as the bag suction operating rack, to move in contact
with the bag suction operating pinion 55. As cam 57 reciprocates
back and forth on shaft 51, the rack 56 will move back and forth
operating the teeth and the pinion 55 back and forth, depending
upon the motion of 56 whether it is to the left or to the right. If
the motion of 56 is to the right, it will cause the arm, 15 to be
in the upright position, as shown in FIG. 11. If, on the other
hand, the arm 56 is moving to the left, then the arm 15 will be in
the position shown in the view of FIG. 8. With this understanding
of the motion that is transmitted, let us now explain how the bags
move upwardly and are opened. As already stated, the blower 22 is
functioning and causing a stream of air to go into the open edge of
the bag, causing same to open up to some extent, as shown in FIG.
9. There is a conventional thumbcut in the bag on the upper surface
thereof, referred to as 4 and shown in the view of FIG. 2. This
thumbcut 4 with the blower 22 operating against the bag assists in
the removal of the top of the bag over the clamp 20. The bottom of
the clamp 20 is still holding the bottom surface of the bag as it
is opened from the thrust of air from the blower 22.
While the bag is being blown open in this manner, the cam 57 is
operating from the movement of the shaft 51. See FIG. 11.
Let us examine the view of FIG. 8. The bag 10 is closed and the
blower is attempting to erect the top surface of the bag 10 over
the clamp 20. Arm 15 has now moved down so that the suction cup 11
is making contact with the upper surface of the bag 10. There is,
connected to the suction cups 11, a hose, which is connected to a
pump, which is not shown in the drawing. The cups 11 create a
suction. When they are in contact with the surface of the bag, they
are effectively attached to the surface of the bag 10 because of
the suction created from the hose and in the cup ends. This, in
conjunction with the air being blown from the blower 22, lifts the
top surface of the bag as the arm 15 is moved upwardly as shown in
FIG. 9. The arm 15 continues to move upwardly as shown in the view
of FIG. 10, and the bag is continually open to the position shown
in FIG. 10. It is to be noted that the various component parts
change their position. For example, notice should be taken of the
suction cup manifold 12 and the suction cup 11. They move in an arc
as the arm 15 moves in an arc towards the vertical position of the
view of FIGS. 8-11.
FIG. 11 shows the position of the bag popped open and FIG. 11 also
shows the view of the cups 11 being pulled away from the surface of
the bag. It is to be noted that the tray 30 remains, while this
function of the bag opening is taking place, in its position as
shown in the view of FIG. 1. One of the important features of the
design is to have the suction cup 11 out of the path of the
groceries 1. In order to do this, the suction cups are mounted on
the suction cup support manifold 12. As the arm 15 swings back into
position and as it goes from the vertical and beyond, a cam 5 which
is stationary and which may be referred to as the suction head link
pivot cam 5, causes the contact with the cam follower 7, which may
be referred to as the suction head link cam follower 7, as arm 15
rotates further off the vertical as shown in the views of FIGS. 10
and 11, and because arm 58 is mounted on a pivot which may be
referred to hereinafter as a suction head link pivot stud 6, the
suction head link 58 which is an arm, also, is caused to swing out
into the position shown in FIG. 11 and away from the area where the
groceries 1 pass.
ELECTRICAL CONTROL CIRCUIT
Reference is now made to the view of FIG. 7. As already stated,
there are several operations taking place either at the same time
or sequentially in order to form the cycle of opening the bag,
placing the bag in position, loading of the bag, and then the
removing of the bag so that it eventually ends up in the turn table
station shown in FIG. 6.
In order to carry out these functions, electrical curcuits have
been employed to operate the various cams and chains which in turn
operate switches.
In FIG. 7 the circuit is connected to a source of 110 volts, 60
cycle alternating current, and on one side of the circuit is a
power "on-off" switch. Across this source of electrical energy is a
commercial type clutch control power source 59 which is a rectifier
and a step-up and step-down voltage control. Connected to 59, on
one side, is an electrical conductor 62 which connects the
rectifier 59 with the stepping switch 63. The circuit is completed
from the stepping switch 63 through a plurality of solonoids and to
the line 64. Solonoid clutch No. 1 is referred to as 65. Solonoid
clutch No. 2 is referred to as 66 and solonoid clutch No. 3 is
referred to as 68.
The stepping switch 63 is shown in the view of FIG. 7 in the idle
or off position with its arm 69 in contact with position 0.
When the contact arm 69 is in the idle position at 0, all circuits
are open but the circuits from the clutch control power source 59
through the various solonoid clutches 1-3 are open. However, when
the arm 69, for example, is in the position as shown in the dotted
lines at 1 on the switch 63, current now passes through solonoid
clutch 65, and back to the clutch control power source 59. This
explanation applies equally to the position of the arm 69 of the
switch 63 at the various switch positions 2-3-4 causing
respectively circuits to the various solonoid clutches
66-68-69a.
Connected on one side of the electrical source is a conductor 70.
From this conductor 70, connected in parallel, are a plurality of
switches. Another conductor 71 is connected from the other side of
the power source and passes through the stepping switch coil 72. An
electrical circuit is established from the stepping switch coil 72
to the plurality of switches by means of the electrical conductor
73. The plurality of switches, as shown in the view of FIG. 7, are
referred to as switch 1, switch 2, switch 3, switch 4, and switch
0. The contacts on switch 1 are referred to as 24a, switch 2 has
the contact 38a, switch 3 has the contact 37a, switch 4 has the
contact 38b, and switch 0 has the contact 50a. The contacts are
connected to the conductor 70 so that if any of these switches are
closed, the circuits are closed between one side of the voltage
source through line 70, through the switches just mentioned,
through the line 73, through the stepping switch coil 72 and back
through the line 71.
The numerical designations of the switches have a relationship to
the mechanical parts that have already been explained. Switch 1 is
actually an interlock. It is operated when the door 24 is in closed
position. Therefore the number 24a was given to this interlock
switch 1. When the door 24 is closed, the contacts 24a of the
interlock switch 1 makes contact and switch 1 is closed causing an
electrical circuit to pass through the stepping switch control coil
72. When the stepping switch coil 72 has a current through it
during that moment, it causes stepping switch arm 69 to pulse one
position to position No. 1 in a clockwise direction. When arm 69 is
now in contact with position 1 on the stepping switch 63, an
electrical circuit passes through solonoid 65. These solonoids are
commercial solonoid clutches. Solonoid clutch 65 operates the chain
38. Contact 38a is located on switch 2 and causes the chain 38 to
operate when the contacts 38a are closed. The contacts 38a are
located proximate the chain 38 and are closed as chain 38 moves.
See FIG. 12.
Once contacts 38a are closed, the stepping switch coil 72 causes a
pulse, and therefore moves the arm 69 from position 1 to position
2. The circuit is then now closed through the solonoid 66, and
since this is a clutch solonoid, chain 37 commences to operate. A
pin 75 is located proximate chain 37 which, as chain 37 passes said
pin 75, causes contact 37a to close on switch 3. The switch is now
closed through stepping switch coil 72 of the stepping switch 63
causing the stepping switch arm 69 to move to the position No. 3. A
circuit is now closed through solonoid 65, and since solonoid 65 is
a clutch solonoid, chain 38 is caused to operate again. When chain
38 operates again, a pin 76 located near chain 38 causes contacts
38b on switch 4 to operate. Now, a circuit is closed through switch
4 and contacts 38b through the stepping switch coil 72 causing the
stepping switch coil 72 to pulse and move the arm 69 to the
position at 4. Now a circuit is closed through the solonoid clutch
68 and solonoid 69a which causes chain 50 to operate again and also
the turn table of FIG. 6 to operate. There is a cam 78 located near
chain 50 which causes the contacts 50a to close when chain 50
operates near this cam 78 and switch 0 is now closed. The stepping
switch coil 72 is pulsed and the arm on the stepping switch 69
returns to position 0 and none of the solonoids, 65-66-68-69a are
operating. The cycle is complete. The door to the tray is opened.
The tray door, being open, the switch 1 with the contacts 24a are
no longer closed and the cashier can start to reload the tray.
There is a separate motor, not shown, which operates the rotary
motion of the turn table of FIG. 6. The clutch solonoid 69a
controls the motor drive of the turn table simultaneously with the
erection of the bag. Switch 0 is in parallel with the bag erection
function circuit as well as the turn table position control.
SUMMARY OF OPERATION
To summarize the operation of this device, the cashier places the
groceries inside the tray. The tray cover 26 is closed. The switch
1 in the view of FIG. 13 is closed when the cover 24 is closed. The
switch 1 now closes the contacts to a stepping switch 63 as
hereinbefore mentioned, causing the chain 38 to operate. The chain
38 operating, causes the loaded tray 30 to be inserted into the bag
10. When the groceries 1 are all the way in the bag, switch 2 is
energized because of the type of contacting made by the chain 38
with pin 77 as shown in the view of FIG. 12. Chain 37 is now caused
to operate. Chain 37 conveys the full grocery bag 10 onto the
discharge turn table pocket 61. Switch 3, in the view of FIG. 7,
operates and causes chain 38 to again operate because pin 75
activates switch 3 in FIG. 12. Chain 38 is again in motion. This
causes the tongue 31 in the tray 30 to return to its original
position. Pin 76 activates switch 4. This causes switch 4 to close
in the view of FIG. 7, and chain 50 to operate and the turn table
motor to operate simultaneously. This causes in the view of FIGS.
8-11 the clutch 57 to operate and causes one of the bags to be
opened and placed in position as previously described. Shaft 51
turns cam 78 and switch 0 turns off the operation of the machine at
the end of the cycle.
The cycle is now complete. It only remains for the cashier to open
the cover 26 so that switch 1 will now be in a position to be
activated once the cover is closed. The tongue 31 acts as a
shoehorn as the groceries 1 are removed from the bag 10. As the bag
is removed from the tongue 31, the weight of the groceries are
gently shifted in the bag which is being uprighted as the tongue is
removed therefrom.
* * * * *