U.S. patent number 3,807,122 [Application Number 05/254,075] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-30 for bag holding apparatus and method for packaging.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dake Corporation. Invention is credited to Lee S. Kihnke, Dewey L. Thompson.
United States Patent |
3,807,122 |
Kihnke , et al. |
April 30, 1974 |
BAG HOLDING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING
Abstract
A bag holder for packaging operations which removably supports a
plurality of flexible bags preferably adjacent both a bag filling
means and a fluid means for opening the bags prior to filling and
for indicating the absence of bags on the holder. The bag holder
comprises a support means including a frame, a removable wire
wicket and a spring-biased back plate for urging the bags into
filling position against the wicket. Associated with the
spring-biased plate is a fluid pressure sensitive signaling means
which is actuable by a stream of air normally directed against the
bags. When a supply of bags is on the wicket they prevent the
signaling means from being actuated but when the supply of bags is
exhausted the stream of air actuates the signaling means to
indicate the supply of bags is exhausted. Another feature relates
to means for pivoting the bag holder away from the bag filling
means in order to facilitate the insertion of a fresh supply of
bags on the holder.
Inventors: |
Kihnke; Lee S. (Spring Lake,
MI), Thompson; Dewey L. (Grand Haven, MI) |
Assignee: |
Dake Corporation (Grand Haven,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
22962835 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/254,075 |
Filed: |
May 17, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/459; 53/385.1;
53/506; 116/202; 53/502; 53/572 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
57/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
57/02 (20060101); B65B 57/08 (20060101); B65b
057/06 (); B65b 043/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/59W,63,67,78,189,385,29 ;116/65,67 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGehee; Travis S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A bag holding apparatus for packaging machines comprising in
combination: support means for holding removable bags adjacent a
bag filling means; and fluid-operated switch means for indicating
the absence of said bag on said support means; said switch means
including means for directing a stream of fluid against one surface
of a bag when held by said support means and means responsive to
said fluid flow for preventing operation of a packaging machine
when said bag is absent, said responsive means being located in
registry with said fluid flow and adjacent a surface of said bag
opposite said one surface when said bag is held on said support
means.
2. A bag holding apparatus for packaging machines comprising in
combination: support means for holding removable bags adjacent a
bag filling means; and fluid operated switch means for indicating
the absence of said bag on said support means; said support means
comprising a frame for supporting said bags in a position
immediately adjacent said bag filling means, hanger means for
removably mounting said bags on said frame, and backing means for
constantly urging said bags into said position immediately adjacent
said filling means.
3. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said
fluid operated switch means comprises fluid flow directing means
and fluid pressure sensitive shut-off means, said fluid flow
directing means being positioned to direct a fluid flow against
bags supported by said frame such that said fluid flow opens and
fills said bags thereby properly positioning said bag means to
receive material; and, in the absence of any bag means on said
support means, directing said fluid flow against said backing means
and into said fluid pressure sensitive shut-off means for actuating
the same.
4. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said
hanger means comprises a U-shaped wire wicket, said U-shaped wire
wicket having two, parallel leg portions each having one of their
ends extending in a direction toward the plane of said backing
means and their other ends interconnected by a bight portion; said
bight portion preventing bags being on said legs from sliding off
said wicket legs when said wicket is mounted on said frame; said
backing means including a spring-biased back plate for constantly
urging bags being on said legs against said bight portion so as to
position the tops of the bags in position to be opened by said
fluid flow directing means.
5. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said
fluid flow directing means comprises a nozzle directing a flow of
compressed air.
6. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said
fluid pressure sensitive shut-off means comprises an aperture
formed in said backing means in line with said flow of compressed
air, an expandable fluid servo unit including an electrical switch
and a flexible tube connecting said aperture with said servo unit
such that, in the absence of bags on said wicket, said flow of
compressed air will enter said aperture, be communicated by said
tube to said servo unit, and actuate said servo unit, thereby
closing said electrical switch.
7. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein there is
provided wicket support means for removably supporting said wicket
on said support means and pivot means for selectively pivoting said
support means and said wicket support means out of their normal
position in which they support bags in a ready-to-fill position
whereby said wicket may be removed from said wicket support means
and another of said wickets, including at least one bag, may be
mounted on said frame.
8. The bag holding apparatus of claim 7 in which the support means
is pivoted at its upper end and a locking means is provided at its
lower end for locking the support into ready-to-fill position; said
locking means being releaseable for permitting pivoting of said
support means about said pivot means.
9. Apparatus for opening bags and indicating the absence of bags on
a bag holder for packaging machines comprising fluid flow directing
means for directing a stream of fluid toward a bag holder and for
opening and positioning the mouth of a bag on said holder for
receiving material to be packaged from a packaging machine; and
fluid pressure sensitive signaling means including means responsive
to the pressure of said stream of fluid for providing a signal
indicating when said bags are absent; said flow being directed by
said directing means such that when said bags are supported on said
holder, said stream will open and position said bag mouth, and when
no bags are supported on said bag holder, said stream will activate
said fluid pressure sensitive signaling means and indicate the
absence of said bags.
10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said fluid flow
directing means comprises a nozzle arranged to direct a stream of
compressed air against the outermost bag supported by said holder
such that said outermost bag is opened and filled with said
air.
11. Apparatus for opening bags and indicating the absence of bags
on a bag holder for packaging machines comprising fluid flow
directing means, and fluid pressure sensitive signaling means, said
fluid flow directing means adapted to direct a stream of fluid
toward said bag holder such that when said bags are supported on
said holder, said stream will open said bags, and when no bags are
supported on said bag holder, said stream will activate said fluid
pressure sensitive signaling means and indicate the absence of said
bags; said fluid flow directing means comprising a nozzle arranged
to direct a stream of compressed air against the outermost bag
supported by said holder such that said outermost bag is opened and
filled with said air; said fluid pressure sensitive signaling means
comprising an aperture formed in said bag holder behind the area in
which said bags are normally supported, an expandable fluid servo
unit, and a flexible tube connecting said aperture with said servo
unit, said aperture being in line with said stream of compressed
air such that, in the absence of any bags on said holder, said
stream of air enters said aperture, is transmitted to said servo
unit by said tube, and actuates said servo unit thereby signaling
the absence of said bags.
12. A bag holding apparatus for packaging machines comprising a
movable support means for holding a supply of removable bags
adjacent a bag filling means; and securing means for selectively
restraining and allowing movement of said support means whereby the
insertion of a fresh supply of removable bags is facilitated; said
support means being pivotally mounted adjacent a bag filling means;
said securing means comprising a pivot arm and a fixed member
separate from said support means, said pivot arm adapted to be
selectively engaged and disengaged with said fixed member whereby
said support means is allowed to pivot away from said bag filling
means in order to insert a fresh supply of bags.
13. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said
support means comprises a frame for supporting said bags in a
position immediately adjacent said bag filling means, hanger means
for removably mounting said bags on said frame, and backing means
for constantly urging said bags into said position immediately
adjacent said filling means.
14. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said
pivot arm is pivotally mounted on said frame and said fixed member
is rigidly mounted on said bag filling means.
15. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said
pivot arm is adjustable such that said support means may be held in
various positions relative to said bag filling means.
16. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said
hanger means comprises a wicket removably insertable in apertures
provided in said frame, said wicket adapted to support a supply of
bags adjacent said bag filling means when in place on said frame,
said support means being restrained adjacent said bag filling means
by said securing means; said support means further including a
retaining plate removably mounted on said frame for retaining said
wicket on said frame; said securing means arranged to allow said
support means to be pivoted away from said bag filling means
whereby removal of said retaining plate and wicket is
facilitated.
17. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said
wicket comprises a U-shaped wire wicket, said U-shaped wire wicket
having two, parallel leg portions each having one of their ends
extending in a direction toward the plane of said backing means and
their other ends interconnected by a bight portion; said bight
portion preventing bags being on said legs from sliding off said
wicket legs when said wicket is mounted on said frame; said backing
means including a spring-biased back plate for constantly urging
bags being on said legs against said bight portion so as to
position the tops of the bags in position to be opened by said
fluid flow directing means.
18. A bag holding apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said
support means is pivoted at its upper end and said securing means
is provided at its lower end for restraining said support means in
a ready-to-fill position.
19. In a method of packaging material comprising:
providing a bag for receiving material;
opening said bag with a stream of fluid;
depositing said material in said bag;
the improvement comprising detecting a stream of fluid in order to
indicate the absence of a bag; said stream being directed against
one side of said bag position when said bag is present; said stream
being detected on the opposite side of said bag position when said
bag is absent.
20. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said opening of
said bag and said detecting of said stream of fluid are
accomplished with the same stream of fluid.
21. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said detection of
said stream of fluid initiates the stopping of said deposition of
said material.
22. A bag holding apparatus for packaging machines comprising a
pivotally movable support means for holding a supply of removable
bags adjacent a bag filling means; and securing means for
selectively restraining and allowing pivotal movement of said
support means whereby the insertion of a fresh supply of removable
bags is facilitated; said support means including a frame for
supporting said bags in a position immediately adjacent said bag
filling means, hanger means for removably mounting said bags on
said frame, and backing means for constantly urging said bags into
said position immediately adjacent said filling means.
Description
This invention relates to means or apparatus for supporting a
plurality of bags in a packaging machine and, more particularly, to
a bag holding apparatus which removably supports a plurality of
flexible bags preferably adjacent a bag filling means and a fluid
means for opening the bags prior to filling and for indication when
the bag holder is empty.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, various apparatus for supporting and holding bags
during packaging operations have been devised. Some of these prior
bag holders have required the manual insertion and removal of
individual bags before and after the filling operation. Others of
the prior bag holders have held a plurality of bags such that
individual bags may be opened, filled and removed without the
individual insertion of additional bags. However, these latter
support means have included no means for indicating the absence of
any bags on the bag holder and thus, have not been able to prevent
the operation of the packaging machine associated therewith when
the bag holder is empty. Consequently, the utilization of the prior
bag holders has required constant attention to the packaging
machines associated therewith by human operators in order to
prevent the waste and spillage of materials to be packaged when no
bags are available and to maintain the constant operation of the
machine.
Thus, no efficient and reliable apparatus was available for
holding, opening and indicating the absence of any of a supply of
individual flexible bags and which would automatically prevent the
operation of an associated packaging apparatus when the bag holder
was empty.
Further, the replenishing of bags on prior machines which held a
supply of bags at one time was difficult and time consuming. Thus,
even with the constant attention of the operator, valuable
packaging time was lost merely in inserting a fresh supply of
bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object and feature of the present invention
to provide a bag holding, opening and removing apparatus for
packaging machines which includes automatic means for indicating
the absence of any bags on the bag holder and automatically
prevents the operation of the packaging machine when the bag holder
is empty.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to
provide a bag holding, opening and removing apparatus for packaging
machines having a fluid means for opening the individual bags in
preparation for their filling with the material to be packaged and
a mechanical means for releasing the material to be packaged into
the opened bag and for removing the bag from the bag holder.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to
provide a bag holder having a means for constantly urging the
outermost bag in a supply of bags into the proper position for
filling and removal from said bag holder.
It is yet another object and feature of the present invention to
provide a bag holder having pivotal securing means for pivoting the
bag holder into a position facilitating the insertion and removal
of hanger means including a plurality of bags.
The object and attendant advantages of the present invention may be
accomplished by providing a bag holder for packaging machines
comprising a support means for holding a plurality of bags adjacent
a filling means for filling the bags with material to be packaged.
The support means comprises a bag frame pivotally mounted on a
portion of the frame for the packaging machine and includes a rear
support plate and means mounted perpendicularly thereto for
removably holding a hanger means which carries the plurality of
bags. The bags hang from the hanger means and rest on a
spring-biased back plate which is slidably mounted perpendicularly
to the rear support plate such that the back plate constantly urges
the plurality of bags against a cross member included on said
hanger means thereby forcing the plurality of bags away from the
rear support plate. The outermost bag on the plurality of bags is
thus held in the proper position adjacent the filling means in
ready-to-fill position. A retaining plate is removably mounted on
the hanger supporting means in order to retain the hanger means and
the plurality of bags in their proper position. The support means
also includes a pivotal securing means which is slidably secured in
a slotted member mounted on the packaging apparatus frame which may
be selectively secured or released to allow the pivotal movement of
the bag frame away from the filling means thereby facilitating the
removal of the retaining plate and the hanger means in order to
refill the bag holding apparatus.
The bag holding apparatus further includes an aperture in the
biased back plate which is connected with a fluid
pressure-sensitive signaling means. When no bags are held by the
bag holder, a fluid means, including a nozzle directing a stream of
compressed air at the aperture, directs the stream of air into the
aperture, thereby activating the fluid pressure-sensitive signaling
means which indicates the absence of any bags and prevents the
filling means from releasing any material to be packaged. The fluid
means also works in cooperation with the filling means adjacent the
bag holding apparatus in order to open the outermost bag held by
the bag holding apparatus prior to the filling operation.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention
will become apparent from a study of the following description
taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the bag holding apparatus
in combination with a packaging apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the bag holding apparatus in
combination with the packaging apparatus taken along line 2--2 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a portion of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the bag
holding apparatus; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to FIG. 1 but
showing the bag holding apparatus pivoted to a position for
receiving a fresh supply of bags.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows the
bag holding apparatus 10 in combination with a packaging apparatus
including a filling means 60 and an infeed conveyor means 90.
Generally speaking, support means or bag holding apparatus 10 is
supported between frame members 11 and 12 which form a portion of
the frame structure which also supports filling means 60. Bag
holder is disposed at an angle with the vertical generally beneath
the lower end of the filling means such that the outermost bag 14
included in a plurality of bags 16 is properly positioned to be
opened and removed by a fluid means 50 and filling means 60.
The filling means 60 which comprises a portion of the packaging
apparatus used in conjunction with the bag holding apparatus 10, is
of the type described in the concurrently filed application
entitled PRODUCT PACKAGING APPARATUS invented by Lee S. Kihnke,
Ser. No. 254,074, filed on even date herewith and incorporated by
reference herein. Generally, the packaging apparatus includes a
scale 62 having counterbalancing means or weights 63 which allows a
predetermined weight to be set on scale 62 such that a certain
predetermined amount of material to be packaged may be dispensed
into bag 16 by filling means 60. Scale 62 provides a support for
filling means 60 suspended therefrom by means of frame 64. The
filling means 60 comprises a bucket 65 having an upper opening 66
disposed adjacent the discharge end 92 of infeed conveyor means 90,
and a lower end 67 disposed adjacent bags 16. Hingedly mounted on
bucket 65 is a mechanical means or cover plate 70 which pivots
about rod 71. Fluid power means including two air cylinders 72 and
74 mounted end to end provide power for opening cover plate or door
70 to a first open position 75 and a second open position 76. First
and second open positions 75 and 76, shown by the phantom lines in
FIG. 1, respectively allow the material to be packaged held in
bucket 65 to be released into the awaiting outermost bag 14 (shown
by the phantom lines in FIG. 1) and cause the filled bag to be
removed from the bag holding apparatus 10 respectively. Prior to
the filling and removal of the bag 14, fluid means 50 opens bag 14
by means of a stream of compressed air as will be described more
fully below.
Cooperating with filling means 60, is the infeed conveyor means 90,
described in the concurrently filed application entitled PACKAGING
APPARATUS, invented by Lee S. Kihnke, Ser. No. 254,076, filed on
even date herewith and incorporated by reference herein. As
partially shown in FIG. 1, conveyor means 90 includes a discharge
end 92, flow diverting gates 94, and a recirculating conveyor means
96. The infeed conveyor means 90 feeds a flow of material to be
packaged to bucket 65 until a predetermined quantity of the
material has been deposited in the bucket, when scale 62 signals
that the predetermined weight has been reached. This signal causes
flow diverting gates 94 to divert the flow of material from bucket
65 to recirculating conveyor 96 thereby preventing any waste and
spillage of the material. Therefore, infeed conveyor means 90 and
filling means 60 work in cooperation with support means or bag
holder 10 and fluid means 50 to provide a complete product or
material packaging apparatus which can automatically open, fill,
and remove a supply of bags 16 held by the bag holding apparatus
10.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, the construction and operation
of the novel support means or bag holding apparatus 10 will now be
described. Bag holding apparatus 10 is mounted on frame member 11
by means of support members 18 which include a support arm 19 (FIG.
3). Fastening means such as bolts 20 may be used for this purpose.
Bag frame 22 is pivotally mounted on support arm 19 by means of
pins 23 and pivot members 24. Bag frame 22 includes a rear support
plate 25 including wicket or hanger receiving elements 26 mounted
perpendicularly thereon. A backing means or back plate 27 is
slidably mounted on rods 28. The back plate 27 is biased by springs
29 such that plate 27 is parallel to rear support plate 25 but is
constantly urged against the plurality of bags 16 mounted on bag
holding apparatus 10.
The plurality of bags 16 is fastened to bag frame 22 by means of a
hanger means or wicket 30. Wicket 30 includes two parallel legs 31
extending from and interconnected by a bight portion or cross
member 32, which serves to restrain bag 16 when the wicket is in
place in elements 26. Each of the plurality of bags 16 includes two
apertures 33 which receive legs 31 when the bags are placed
thereon.
Bags 16 each include a flap 15 which is adjacent to and extends
beyond the opening 17 in each bag. Thus, when a plurality of bags
16 are stacked on wicket 30 by means of apertures 33 provided in
flaps 15, and the wicket 30 is mounted in apertures 34 provided in
wicket receiving elements 26, the opening 17 of the outermost bag
14 will be in a position immediately below the opening 67 of bucket
65. The outermost bag 14 is prevented from sliding off legs 31 by
cross member 32, and the entire wicket and bag assembly when
mounted in apertures 34 is prevented from moving by means of a
removable restraining means or securing plate 35 mounted on
elements 26 by means of slots 36 and fastening means 37. As shown
in FIG. 4, a right angle extension 38 on securing plate 35 contacts
cross member 32 of wicket 30 and securely holds the wicket in place
in apertures 34. Apertures 34 may be provided with grommets 39 or
other liners in order to provide a frictional engagement of legs
31. Wicket 30 may thus be slidably inserted in apertures 34 and
securely held by grommets 39.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the support means includes a securing
means comprising a securing arm 40 pivotally mounted on pin 45, the
lower portion of rear support plate 25 and cooperating with a
slotted member 41 such that the entire support means 10, including
bag frame 22, may be selectively secured or released to pivot about
pins 23 in an arc downwardly and away from bucket 65. Securing arm
40 is threaded and receives two nuts 46. Nuts 46 may be moved along
the length of arm 40 to provide an adjustable space along the arm
for receiving slotted member 41. Thus, the position of nuts 46 on
arm 40 determines the angle at which the plurality of bags 16
supported on bag frame 22 is held beneath filling means 60. When
the last of the plurality of bags 16 has been removed from bag
holding apparatus 10, securing arm 40 may be released from slotted
member 41 thereby allowing bag frame 22 to pivot away from filling
means 60 and allowing the removal of securing plate 35 and empty
wicket 30, as shown in FIG. 5. A fresh supply of bags carried on a
separate wicket 30 may then be inserted in apertures 34 and secured
in place by plate 35. The bag frame may then be pivoted back to its
operational position and secured in place by means of securing arm
40.
Cooperating with bag holding apparatus 10, is fluid means 50 as
described in the co-pending application, Ser. No. 254,074, referred
to above. Fluid means 50 comprises a conduit or tube 51 having a
fluid flow directing means or nozzle 52 at the end thereof. Conduit
51 is connected to a main air supply, a portion of which is shown
in FIG. 1 at 53. Nozzle 52 is positioned so as to direct a stream
of compressed air from air supply 53 past the lowermost extremity
of mechanical means or cover plate 70. A portion of the stream of
compressed air will be deflected by cover plate 70 towards opening
17 of the outermost bag 14 thereby opening and filling the bag with
air. Upon a signal given by scale 62, as described above, the cover
plate 70 will then be pivoted into its first open position 75, as
described above, and cover plate 70 will swing into the already
open bag 14 thereby allowing material to be packaged to slide from
bucket 65 into bag 14. The cover plate 70 may then be moved to its
second open position 76, as also described above, which movement
forceably removes bag 14 from flag 15 along the perforated line
shown in FIG. 4 and allows the filled bag to drop into a waiting
receptacle positioned below the bag holding apparatus. This
operation will be repeated by the filling means 60 a number of
times until all of the plurality of bags 16 have been used. The
removal of the last bag from bag holding apparatus 10 allows the
operation of an additional feature as described below.
The additional operation comprises a method for detecting the
absence of bags on the bag holding apparatus and for stopping the
dispensing of material when the absence of any bags is detected.
When the last bag 14 has been urged into position by biased backing
plate 27, filled and removed by filling means 60 and cover plate
70, an additional portion of the fluid means 50 or an indicating
means mounted on bag holding apparatus 10 is activated. Back plate
27 includes an aperture or port 42 which is connected to a fluid
pressure sensitive signaling or switch means 43 mounted on rear
support plate 25 by a communicating or flexible tube 44. Port 24 is
positioned in back plate 27 directly in line with the stream of air
flowing from nozzle 52 past the lowermost extremity of cover plate
70 such that, when the last bag 14 has been removed from apparatus
10, the flow of compressed air will directly enter port 42. A bag
in position as supported by apparatus 10 normally blocks the flow
of air with its exposed side. However, when the bag is absent, air
will enter port 42 which is positioned on the opposite side of the
normal bag position. The entering of the flow of compressed air
into port 42 causes an increase in fluid pressure in communicating
or flexible tube 44 which in turn expands a bellows (not shown) in
fluid pressure sensitive signaling or switch means 43 thereby
closing a switch (not shown). The closing of the switch in fluid
pressure sensitive signaling means 43 activates a bag-empty or
no-bag electrical signaling circuit (not shown) which in turn
activates and diverts gates 94 across the flow of material on
infeed conveyor 90 thereby preventing material from entering bucket
65 and being released by cover plate 70. An indicating light is
also turned on by signaling means 43 to visually alert the
packaging apparatus operator that the bag holder is empty.
Consequently, it will be understood that the indicating means
comprising port 42, signaling means 43 and tube 44, in combination
with the remainder of fluid means 50, comprise a means for
indicating the absence of any bags on bag holding apparatus 10.
This indicating means prevents the operation of the packaging
apparatus until a fresh supply of bags is inserted on bag holder 10
and the bag-empty signaling circuit is manually shut off.
Therefore, it will be apparent that the bag holding apparatus or
support means 10, in combination with the fluid means 50, provides
a novel and useful means for supporting a plurality of bags in a
packaging machine or apparatus. The bag holder and fluid means both
insure the continuous and efficient operation of the packaging
apparatus as a whole and yet, control the operation of the
packaging apparatus when the bag holder's supply of bags is
exhausted. Thus, the efficient and automatic operation of the
packaging apparatus is insured since the bag holding apparatus and
fluid means will prevent the waste and spillage of the material to
be packaged when no bags are left on the bag holding apparatus. It
will also be observed that the bag holding apparatus 10 may be
utilized to secure many types of flexible bags although in its
preferred embodiment, its use is designed for lightweight, flexible
plastic bags such as those used in the food processing
industry.
While one form of the invention has been shown and described, other
forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore,
it will be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and
described above, is merely for illustrative purposes, and is not
intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by
the claims which follow.
* * * * *