U.S. patent number 3,807,123 [Application Number 05/254,074] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-30 for product packaging apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dake Corporation. Invention is credited to Lee S. Kihnke.
United States Patent |
3,807,123 |
Kihnke |
April 30, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
PRODUCT PACKAGING APPARATUS
Abstract
A product packaging apparatus for the automated conveyance and
packaging of predetermined quantities of products or materials in
individual, flexible bags. The apparatus comprises an infeed
conveyor for feeding a flow of material to be packaged to a
packaging means and means for shutting off the flow of material
from the infeed conveyor to the packaging means. The packaging
means includes a receptacle, weighing means, support means for
holding a plurality of flexible bags beneath the receptacle,
closure means for opening, filling, and removing the bags, and a
control means associated therewith for controlling the operation of
the above means for shutting off the flow of material from the
infeed conveyor to the packaging means.
Inventors: |
Kihnke; Lee S. (Spring Lake,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Dake Corporation (Grand Haven,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
22962833 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/254,074 |
Filed: |
May 17, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/502; 53/385.1;
177/120; 53/506; 53/572 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
1/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
1/30 (20060101); B65B 1/32 (20060101); B65b
057/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/59W,63,67,78,189,190,385 ;177/59,120 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGehee; Travis S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Huizenga &
Cooper
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: infeed conveyor means for feeding said material into a
packaging means, said infeed conveyor means having infeed and
discharge ends and adapted to carry a flow of material; receptacle
means for receiving said material from said infeed conveyor means;
weighing means associated with said receptacle means for measuring
the quantity of said material in said receptacle means; bag support
means for holding at least one bag in a position for receiving said
material from said receptacle means; means actuated by said
weighing means in response to said receptacle means containing a
predetermined weight of material for causing material from said
receptacle means to be released into the bag held by said bag
support; said means actuated by said weighing means including
release means for both releasing said quantity of material into the
bag and for opening the bag during the release of said material
into the bag; and means for shutting off the flow of material to
said receptacle; said last mentioned means being responsive to said
receptacle containing said predetermined weight of material and to
the releasing of said material from said receptacle whereby
material is restrained from being fed to said receptacle while said
predetermined weight of material is contained in said receptacle
and during the releasing of said material from said receptacle.
2. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said release
means comprise a closure means movably mounted on said receptacle
means for releasing said material from said receptacle and for
opening said bag and a control means responsive to said weighing
means for controlling the movement of said closure means.
3. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: infeed conveyor means for feeding said material into a
packaging means, said infeed conveyor means having infeed and
discharge ends and adapted to carry a flow of material; receptacle
means for receiving said material from said infeed conveyor means;
weighing means associated with said receptacle means for measuring
the quantity of said material in said receptacle means; bag support
means for holding at least one bag in a position for receiving said
material from said receptacle means; means actuated by said
weighing means in response to said receptacle means containing a
predetermined weight of material for causing material from said
receptacle means to be released into a bag held by said bag
support; and means for shutting off the flow of material to said
receptacle; said last-mentioned means being responsive to said
receptacle containing said predetermined weight of material and to
the releasing of said material from said receptacle whereby
material is restrained from being fed to said receptacle while said
predetermined weight of material is contained in said receptacle
and during the releasing of said material from said receptacle;
said means actuated by said weighing means comprising a closure
means movably mounted on said receptacle means for releasing said
material from said receptacle and a control means responsive to
said weighing means for controlling the movement of said closure
means; said receptacle means comprising a bucket suspended from
said weighing means, said bucket having openings at both its first
and second ends, said openings at said first end positioned
adjacent said discharge end of said infeed conveyor so as to
receive said flow of material from said infeed conveyor and said
opening at said second end adjacent said bag support means, and a
closure means being hingedly mounted on said bucket at said second
end.
4. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said
apparatus further includes a fluid means cooperating with said
closure means for initially opening said bag.
5. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said fluid
means comprises a means for directing a stream of compressed air
against a portion of said closure means, said portion being
immediately adjacent said bag on said support means such that said
stream is at least partially reflected against said opening of said
bag on said support means thereby filling said bag with air and
maintaining said bag in a proper position for receiving said
material from said receptacle means.
6. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said
weighing means comprise a scale and a bracket, said bucket being
suspended from one end of said scale on said bracket;
counterbalancing means mounted on the other end of said scale; and
said control means include weight signaling means for indicating
when a predetermined quantity of material in said bucket has been
reached; said counterbalancing means allowing a predetermined
weight to be placed on said scale such that said weight signaling
means will produce a signal only after a predetermined quantity of
material has been received in said bucket.
7. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said control
means further includes at least one timing means; said closure
means is selectively pivoted on said hinged mounting between a
first open position, a second open position, and a closed position
by a power means in response to successive signals from said weight
signaling means included on said scale and said timing means; said
power means mounted between said bracket and said closure means;
said selective pivoting of said closure means into said first open
position simultaneously further opening said bag and releasing said
material from said bucket into said bag means, and said selective
pivoting of said closure means into said second open position
removing said bag means from said support means.
8. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said power
means comprise two compressed air cylinders mounted coaxially end
to end forming a double air cylinder, said double air cylinder
having a first and second end including first and second movable
shafts mounted on first and second pistons in said respective ends,
whereby said shafts are responsive to the introduction of
compressed air on one or the other sides of said pistons in said
cylinders such that said shafts may be selectively withdrawn and
extended, the introduction of compressed air into one of said two
cylinders on one side of said first piston, in response to said
signals from said timing means, withdrawing said second shaft
thereby further opening said closure means to said second open
position and simultaneously removing said bag from said support
means, and the introduction of compressed air on the other sides of
both said first and second pistons in said first and second
cylinders, in response to said signals from said timing means
extending said first and second shafts thereby returning said
closure means to said closed position.
9. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said bag
support means comprises a frame for supporting said bag adjacent
said opening at said second end of said bucket, said bag adapted to
be mounted on a hanger means, said bag having an opening into the
interior of the bag along the side of said bag nearest said bucket,
said support means also including a biased back plate for
constantly urging said bag toward said bucket such that said bag is
always positioned to receive said material from said bucket.
10. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said hanger
means comprises a replaceable, U-shaped wire wicket having two
parallel legs interconnected by a cross-member; said bag having a
flap extending from one side beyond the opening thereof, said flap
including support apertures therein, said legs extending through
said support apertures, said cross-member preventing said bags from
sliding off said wicket legs when said wicket is mounted on said
frame; said back plate being spring-biased for constantly urging
said bag against said cross-member such that said opening of said
bag is immediately adjacent said opening at said second end of said
bucket in order to properly receive said material from said
bucket.
11. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: infeed conveyor means for feeding said material into a
packaging means, said infeed conveyor means having infeed and
discharge ends and adapted to carry a flow of material; receptacle
means for receiving said material from said infeed conveyor means;
weighing means associated with said receptacle means for measuring
the quantity of said material in said receptacle means; bag support
means for holding at least one bag in a position for receiving said
material from said receptacle means; means actuated by said
weighing means in response to said receptacle means containing a
predetermined weight of material for causing material from said
receptacle means to be released into a bag held by said bag
support; and means for shutting off the flow of material to said
receptacle; said last-mentioned means being responsive to said
receptacle containing said predetermined weight of material and to
the releasing of said material from said receptacle whereby
material is restrained from being fed to said receptacle while said
predetermined weight of material is contained in said receptacle
and during the releasing of said material from said receptacle;
said means actuated by said weighing means comprising a closure
means movably mounted on said receptacle means for releasing said
material from said receptacle and a control means responsive to
said weighing means for controlling the movement of said closure
means; said means for shutting off the flow of material to said
receptacle comprising flow diverting means for diverting the flow
of material on said infeed conveyor means away from said packaging
means, said flow diverting means including at least one gate means,
gate power means for said gate means and guide means for guiding
said flow of material on said infeed conveyor, said gate means
pivotally mounted on said guide means and said gate power means
mounted between said gate means and said guide means such that, in
response to said control means, said gate power means pivot said
gate across said flow of material thereby selectively diverting
said flow from said packaging means and allowing said flow into
said packaging means.
12. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said
control means comprise weight signaling means mounted on said
weighing means and at least one timing means, said weight signaling
means adapted to produce signals when said receptacle means
contains a predetermined weight of said material as measured by
said weighing means; said timing means coupled to said weight
signaling means such that another signal is produced by said timing
means after a certain interval following said signal from said
weight signaling means; said gate means comprises a pivotal
extension of said guide means; said gate power means comprises a
compressed air cylinder including a movable shaft at one end
thereof, said shaft adapted to pivot said gate means by means of
compressed air injected into said cylinder in response to said
signals from said weight signaling means and said timing means,
said shaft moving to pivot said gate means to divert said flow in
response to said signal from said weight signaling means and moving
to pivot said gate means back to its original position in response
to said signal from said timing means; said guide means comprising
walls supported immediately over said infeed conveyor parallel to
the flow on and intermediate the sides of said infeed conveyor.
13. Material dispensing and packaging apparatus comprising in
combination: scale means, receptacle means, closure means for said
receptacle means, and bag support means adapted to support a bag in
which the material is to be packaged; said receptacle means
supported by said scale means; said bag support means being mounted
adjacent to said closure means; and said closure means being
mounted on said receptacle means for opening and closing said
receptacle means in response to the presence of a predetermined
weight of said material in said receptacle means, said closure
means being removable between first and second open positions and a
closed position, said movement to said first open position for
engaging and opening said bag and releasing said material held in
said receptacle means into said bag, and said movement to said
second open position for removing said bag from said bag support
means.
14. Material dispensing and packaging apparatus in accordance with
claim 13 wherein said scale means comprises a scale including
counterbalancing means and weight signaling means, said scale
having said receptacle means suspended therefrom, said
counterbalancing means counterbalancing said receptacle means by
means of a predetermined weight placed on said counterbalancing
means such that whenever the weight of said material in said
receptacle means is greater than said predetermined weight, said
weight signaling means will produce a signal.
15. Material dispensing and packaging apparatus in accordance with
claim 13 wherein said receptacle means comprises a bucket suspended
from said scale means such that said bucket may be readily filled
with said material, said bucket having a first opening for
receiving said material and a second opening, selectively opened
and closed by said closure means, for releasing said material into
said bag means.
16. Material dispensing and packaging apparatus in accordance with
claim 13 wherein said closure means comprise a cover plate hingedly
mounted on said receptacle means, power means for selectively
opening and closing said cover plate and timing means for said
power means, said power means operative to open said colsure means
to said first open positions in response to a signal from said
scale means, said signal indicating that a predetermined weight of
said material has been received in said receptacle means, and
operative to open said closure means to said second open position
and thereafter return said closure means to said closed position
following pre-set time periods set on said timing means.
17. Material dispensing and packaging apparatus in accordance with
claim 13 wherein said bag support means is adapted to support at
least one expandable bag, said bag having a flap extending beyond
an opening in the top of said bag, said flap having apertures
provided therein for mounting said bag on said support means, said
flap attached to said bag along a perforated line such that said
bag may be easily removed from said support means by the engagement
of said closure means with said bag and by said movement of said
closure means to said second open position.
18. Material dispensing and packaging apparatus in accordance with
claim 13 wherein said support means comprise a frame for supporting
said bag adjacent said receptacle means in a position to receive
said material from said receptacle means, a removable hanger means
for mounting said bag on said frame, a spring-biased back plate for
constanting urging said bag into said position for receiving said
material from said receptacle means, and pivot means for pivotally
mounting said support means in relation to said receptacle means
such that the insertion and removal of said removable hanger means
is facilitated, said pivot means including clamping means for
selectively pivoting said frame and holding said frame in said
position for receiving said material.
19. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: receptacle means for receiving material to be
packaged; support means for supporting at least one bag for
receiving said material from said receptacle means; closure means
including means for mounting said closure means for movement with
respect to said receptacle means to at least three positions, one
of said positions being a closed position for retaining material in
said receptacle and two of said positions being open positions for
opening said bag, releasing said material into said bag, and
removing said bag from said support means.
20. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 19 including fluid
means arranged to cooperate with said support means in said closure
means for initially opening said bag, 7 said fluid means comprising
a nozzle directing a stream of compressed air against at least a
portion of said closure means and said support means such that any
bag supported by said support means is opened and filled by said
stream of air and positioned to be engaged by said closure
means.
21. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: receptacle means for receiving material to be
packaged; support means for supporting at least one bag for
receiving said material from said receptacle means; closure means
adapted to open said bag, release said material into said bag, and
remove said bag from said support means; and fluid means arranged
to cooperate with said support means and said closure means for
initially opening said bag; said fluid means comprising a nozzle
directing a stream of compressed air against at least a portion of
said closure means and said support means such that any bag
supported by said support means is opened and filled by said stream
of air and positioned to be engaged by said closure means; said
closure means comprising a door hingedly mounted on said receptacle
means adjacent said support means, said door adapted to pivot
between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open
position; said pivotal movement between said closed and first open
positions causing said door to engage and further open said
initially opened bag and to release said material from said
receptacle into said bag; said pivotal movement between said first
and second open positions causing said door to forceably remove
said bag filled with said released material from said support.
22. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said door
is pivoted between said positions by fluid pressure cylinders
actuated in response to signaling means associated with said
apparatus.
23. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: receptacle means for receiving material to be
packaged; support means for supporting at least one bag for
receiving said material from said receptacle means; and closure
means being mounted for movement with respect to said receptacle
means between at least two open positions for opening said bag,
releasing said material into said bag, and removing said bag from
said support means and control means for moving said closure means
to and from said first and second open positions.
24. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising in
combination: receptacle means for receiving material to be
packaged; support means for supporting at least one bag for
receiving said material from said receptacle means; and closure
means for opening said bag, releasing said material into said bag,
and removing said bag from said support means; said closure means
being movably mounted on said receptacle means; said closure means
comprising a door hingedly mounted on said receptacle means
adjacent said support means, said door adapted to pivot between a
closed position, a first open position, and a second open position;
said pivotal movement between said closed and first open positions
causing said door to engage and open said bag and to release said
material from said receptacle into said bag; said pivotal movement
between said first and second open positions causing said door to
forcibly remove said bag filled with said released material from
said support.
25. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said door
is pivoted between said positions by fluid pressure cylinders
actuated in response to signaling means associated with said
apparatus.
26. Packaging apparatus for the packaging of material comprising
infeed means for feeding a continuous flow of material; receptacle
means for receiving the material from said infeed means prior to
packaging; diverting means for diverting the continuous flow of
material from said receptacle means without stopping the flow;
closure means for first retaining material in said receptacle and
then releasing material from said receptacle means, for packaging,
said closure means mounted for movement with respect to said
receptacle means; and means for controlling said closure means and
said diverting means, said control means being responsive to the
condition of said receptacle means when said receptacle means have
received a predetermined amount of material and including means for
controlling the position of said closure means and diverting means
in response to said condition of said receptacle means.
27. The packaging apparatus of claim 26 wherein said control means
comprise power means for moving said closure and diverting means
and timing means for actuating said power means.
Description
This invention relates to a product packaging apparatus and, more
particularly, to an apparatus for the automated conveyance and
packaging of predetermined quantities of products or materials in
individual, flexible bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, machines and apparatus for the packaging of products
and materials have been characterized by their complexity and
intricate design. More recently, such machines have been made
highly automated with the result that the machine designs have
become increasingly more complex. Although being automated, the
intricate designs have detracted from the value of such machines
due to the resulting inefficiencies. Thus, such prior machines with
their intricate machinery have been prone to frequent breakdowns,
and have required constant attention to keep the apparatus
operational. More importantly, however, such machines have been
incapable of handling varying types of products and materials
thereby causing those machines to be attractive only to highly
specialized packaging needs. Therefore, the need was apparent for a
product or material packaging apparatus or machine which was
automatic and packaged the product or material without the
intervention of any manual labor, which was highly flexible and
could therefore handle a variety of products or materials to be
packaged, and which was simple and efficient in its operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object and feature of the present invention
to provide a packaging apparatus which is fully automatic in
operation and includes a conveying means for transporting the
material to be packaged, a packaging means for dispensing a
predetermined amount of the material into individual flexible bags,
and a recirculating means for recirculating the material to be
packaged which is not accepted by the packaging means.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to
provide a packaging apparatus which is capable of packaging a
variety of products and materials, but especially thin, elongated
articles or produce such as carrots.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to
provide a simple and efficient packaging apparatus utilizing few
moving parts which can accurately and quickly dispense
predetermined amounts of a continuous flow of material to be
packaged into individual bags after which the bags are removed and
dropped into a waiting receptacle, all without the intervention of
any human operators, or the waste or spillage of any material to be
packaged.
These and other objects and features of the present invention may
be accomplished by providing a product packaging apparatus which
conveys and packages a continuous flow of products or material to
be packaged and recirculates any product or material which cannot
be accepted by the packaging means. The packaging apparatus
includes an infeed conveyor for receiving and feeding the material
to be packaged to and into the packaging section of the apparatus.
The infeed conveyor includes means for segregating the flow of
material into several columns and at least two sections for
accelerating the flow of material over the length of the infeed
conveyor. The infeed conveyor may also include reciprocating means
for orientating the flow of material on the conveyor.
The apparatus also includes a packaging means comprising at least
one receptacle or bucket for receiving the material from the infeed
conveyor which bucket is suspended from a scale in order to measure
the quantity of material received in the bucket. The bucket is
disposed adjacent a support means for holding at least one flexible
bag, which bag receives the material to be packaged from the
bucket. A fluid means is provided for opening the bag prior to the
reception of the material from the bucket and for indicating the
absence of any bags on the support means.
Following the measurement of the material in the bucket by the
scale, a closure means is activated to release the material from
the bucket into the bag, after which release the filled bag is
removed from the support means. After the bucket is filled and
during the release of the material to be packaged into the bag, a
flow diverting means mounted on the discharge end of the infeed
conveyor diverts the flow of material onto a recirculating means
which carries the diverted material to a position where it may be
returned to a portion of the infeed conveyor. Signaling means,
timing means, and power means are provided for operating the
various elements of the apparatus and for accomplishing these
operations in the proper sequence.
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 perspective view of the packaging apparatus
comprising the present novel invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the packaging means shown
positioned adjacent the discharge end of the infeed conveyor;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation taken along lines III--III
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the packaging
means shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the discharge end of the infeed
conveyor, the packaging means, and the recirculating means; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit controlling
one of the units of the packaging means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows the
packaging apparatus 10 as assembled and installed for operation. As
depicted therein, packaging apparatus 10 comprises an infeed
conveyor means 12, a recirculating means 20, and a packaging means
50. Generally, the infeed conveyor means 12 receives the products
or material to be packaged at its infeed end 14 and transports or
conveys the material to the packaging means 50. The packaging means
50 includes six separate packaging units 60 (one of which is shown)
spaced along the discharge end 16 of the infeed conveyor 12. The
packaging means 50 also includes six scales or weighing means 52,
each of which is operably associated with one of the individual
packaging units 60. Also included in packaging means 50 are a
series of bag supply indicating lights 54 and 55 for indicating
when the packaging means no longer holds a supply of bags.
Additionally, a control box 56 is provided for housing the
electrical circuit and timing controls needed for the operation of
the packaging apparatus 10.
Infeed conveyor means 12 and recirculating means 20 are of the type
described in my 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. Thus, the
infeed conveyor 12 generally receives and conveys or transports a
quantity of products or material to be packaged from its infeed end
14 to and into the packaging means 50 as will be more fully
described below. As described in the co-pending application
referred to above, the infeed conveyor 12 includes guide means 18
for segrating the flow of material to be packaged into a pluraltiy
of columns of flow, each of which columns is directed to one of the
packaging units 60. As described hereinafter, if the individual
packaging units 60 are filled or unable to accept any more of the
material to be packaged, flow diverting means 150 provided at the
discharge end 16 of the infeed conveyor 12 are activated to divert
the flow of material onto recirculating means or recirculating
conveyor 20, which recirculating conveyor then removes the flow of
material such that it may be returned to the infeed end 14 of
infeed conveyor 12. Thus the continuous and efficient operation of
the packaging apparatus 10 is insured since the conveyor 12 may
operate continuously without clogging or jamming resulting when the
individual packaging units 60 are for any reason unable to accept
more of the material to be packaged.
Individual packaging units 60 generally include a receptacle means
62 for receiving the flow of material to be packaged from the
discharge end 16 of the infeed conveyor 12, as shown in FIG. 1. A
support means 90 for a bag means or plurality of bags 110 is
disposed adjacent to and immediately below the lower end of
receptacle means 62 such that the material to be packaged, which
has been weighed and measured by means of a scale 52 while held in
receptacle means 62, may be released into the outermost bag of bag
means 110 as supported by support means 90. The individual bags
112, which are opened by a fluid means 120 (FIG. 2) prior to the
release of the measured amount of material to be packaged by the
receptacle means 62, are then removed mechanically by closure means
70 from support means 90, after which the filled bags drop into a
receptacle or container therebeneath. The details and construction
of the various elements enabling this continuous bag filling and
recirculating operation will be more fully described below.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, the details of the construction
and operation of the various elements utilized to accomplish the
above described packaging operation will be more fully revealed. As
shown in FIG. 2, each individual packaging unit 60 includes a scale
or weighing means 52, a receptacle means 62, a closure means 70, a
support means or bag holder 90 for holding a bag means 110
including a plurality of individual flexible bags 112, and a fluid
means 120. Also associated with the packaging units 60, are the
flow diverting means 150 and recirculating means 20 mounted
adjacent to the packaging units 60 on the discharge end 16 of
infeed conveyor 12. Scale 52 is mounted on frame members 64 and
supports receptacle means 62 by means of downwardly extending frame
66. Scale 52 includes a counter-balancing means 53 on which weights
may be placed to predetermine the amount of material received in
receptacle means 62 prior to its release into bags 112. Scale 52 is
of the conventional and well-known type which is readily
commercially available and which indicates exactly when a weight
suspended from it exactly matches the weight of counterweight 53
preset thereon. Scale 52 also includes a control signaling means
(not shown) which may be set to activate both the closure means 70
and the flow diverting means 150 when a predetermined weight has
been measured by the scale, as will be more fully described
below.
Receptacle means 62 comprises a bucket 67 having a first opening 68
at the upper end thereof and a second opening 69 at the lower end.
Bucket 67 is fixedly mounted on the lower portion of frame 66 at an
angle with the vertical such that the first opening 68 is
positioned immediately adjacent and in line with the trajectory of
the flow of material to be packaged leaving the discharge end 16 of
infeed conveyor 12 (see FIG. 2). Second opening 69 of bucket 67 is
disposed adjacent to support means 90 and is selectively opened and
closed by closure means 70 in order to release the material to be
packaged held by bucket 67.
Closure means 70 comprises a pivotal door 71 including a hinge arm
72, which hinge arm 72 allows door 71 to pivot about rod 73 which
is mounted on bucket 67. Door 71 also includes a power arm 74 which
is in turn operably connected to air cylinders 75 and 76 mounted
end to end such that a double air cylinder is formed. Cylinders 75
and 76 include extensible shafts 77 and 78, respectively, which
shafts 77 and 78 are respectively pivotally connected to power arm
74 and frame member 66. Thus, when one of the air cylinders 75 or
76 is activated, an extensible shaft is withdrawn thereby moving
the door 71 from a closed position 79, shown by the solid lines in
FIGS. 2 and 4, to the first open position 79', shown in phantom.
The movement of the door 71 to the first open position 79', also
inserts the extremity of door 71 into the opening of the outermost
bag 112 supported on support means 90. Bag 112 is opened prior to
the pivotal insertion of door 71 therein by fluid means 120 which
directs a stream of compressed air from nozzle 122 in a direction
of the lower edge of door 71 thereby causing the air to reflect off
door 71 and into the opening 113 of bag 112. The stream of air thus
opens and maintains bag 112 in an opened position, after which the
rotation of door 71, by means of the activation of one of the
cylinders 75 or 76, causes the extremity of door 71 to be inserted
in opening 113 thereby mechanically stretching open, i.e., further
opening, opening 113 to its fullest extent in preparation for the
release of the material from bucket 67. The activation of the
remaining cylinder 75 or 76 will withdraw the remaining extensible
shaft causing door 71 to rotate or pivot about rod 73 to the second
open position shown at 79", also shown in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 4.
This rotation to the second open position 79" of door 71, causes
bag 112 to be removed from holder 90 since the pivotal movement of
door 71 separates bag 112 from flat 114 along perforated line 115.
Thus, in cooperation with fluid means 120, closure means 70 is
extended to fully open and fill the outermost bag 112 held by
support means 90, after which filling the closure means 70 is
further extended to completely remove bag 112 from support means 90
and packaging means 60. These various operations are timed to occur
sequentially in response to successive signals from control or
signaling means included with the scale 52 and timing means mounted
within control box 56, as will be more fully described below.
Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the construction and operation
of the support means 90 in relation to the position and
construction of the weighing means 52, receptacle means 62 and
fluid means 120 will become more fully apparent. Support means 90
is of the type described in the concurrently filed application
entitled BAG HOLDING APPARATUS & METHOD FOR PACKAGING invented
by Lee S. Kihnke and Dewey L. Thompson, Ser. No. 254,075, filed on
even date herewith and incorporated by reference herein. Support
means or bag holder 90 is mounted on frame member 91 by means of
support members 92 and arm 93. Bag holder 90 further includes a bag
frame 94 pivotally mounted on pin 95 mounted on arm 93. Bag frame
94 comprises a back plate 96 slidably mounted on rods 97 which rods
97 are in turn mounted in apertures provided in rear support plate
98 of bag frame 94. Back plate 96 is biased away from rear support
plate 98 by means of springs 99. Bag means 110 comprising a
plurality of bags 112 are mounted by means of a U-shaped wire
wicket 100 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Preferably, the bags 112
contemplated for use with support means 90 are flexible, plastic
bags made from polyethylene or other similar materials. The bags
112 are preferably formed in a rectangular shape with an opening
113 at the top. A supporting flap 114 extends beyond the opening
from one side of the bag and includes apertures for receiving the
legs of the U-shaped wire wicket 100. The bag 112 may be removed
from flap 114 and wicket 100 along a preferated line 115 between
the flap 114 and the edge of opening 113.
The U-shaped wire wicket has two parallel legs interconnected by a
cross member, which legs extend through apertures provided in flaps
114 of each individual bag 112 such that the bags may be stacked on
the wicket and prevented from sliding off the ends of the legs by
means of the cross member. The parallel legs of the wicket are
slidably and removably inserted in bag frame 94 such that the
plurality of bags 112 is supported by the back plate 96 with the
outermost bag, i.e., the bag farthest away from back plate 96,
being supported immediately adjacent and beneath the second opening
69 of bucket 67 and closure means 70 as described above. A securing
plate 101 is removably attached over the tops of the bag means 110
such that it contacts the cross member of wire wicket 100 thereby
securely holding the wicket and the attached plurality of bags 112
in place.
Therefore, when assembled, bag holder 90 supports a removable and
replaceable plurality of bags 110 at an angle immediately adjacent
and beneath the second opening 69 of bucket 67 with the back plate
96 continuously biasing the outermost bag 112 into the proper
position such that the bag may be opened by fluid means 120 and
filled and removed by closure means 70 in combination with bucket
67. Support means or bag holder 90 also includes pivotal securing
means 102 comprising a pivotal securing arm 103 pivotally mounted
on the lower portion or rear support plate 98 such that arm 103 may
be selectively pivoted into and out of a slot member 104 fixedly
secured to a portion of the frame 65 beneath the bag holder.
Consequently, the pivotal movement of arm 103 out of contact with
slot member 104 releases the bag holder 90 enabling it to swing
about pivot point 95 such that securing plate 101 and wire wicket
100 may be easily removed and replaced with a full complement of
bags.
As described above, fluid means 120 comprises a means for directing
a stream of compressed air at the lowermost extremity of closure
means 70 such that the air is deflected off the closure means 70
thereby opening and filling the outermost bag 112 supported on
support means 90. In addition, fluid means 120 comprises a portion
of the bag supply indicating means for indicating when the bag
means or supply of bags 110 has been entirely removed from the bag
holder 80. Fluid means 120, as referred to above, comprises a
conduit 121 for compressed air, which conduit is connected to a
compressed air supply 124 as shown in FIG. 2. The compressed air
supplied to fluid means 120 originates at the same source as the
compressed air used to power cylinders 75 and 76, however, the air
for clyinders 75 and 76 is first passed through a lubricant such
that a sifficient amount of oil is carried into the cylinders for
lubrication purposes. The air provided to fluid means 120, on the
other hand, does not pass through an oil bath and is thus perfectly
dry and oil free thereby preventing any contamination or dirtying
of the individual bags 112 or the packaging means 60. A nozzle 122
is mounted at the end of conduit 121 and is directed such that a
stream of air just contacts the lowest extremity of door 71 of
closure means 70. The main portion of the stream of air continues
on and, when all the bags held by support means 90 have been used
by the packaging apparatus, the stream of air enters port 126
formed in biased back plate 96.
Port or aperture 126 is connected to a fluid pressure responsive
signaling means 130 by means of a communicating means or flexible
conduit or tube 128. The fluid pressure responsive signaling means
130 comprises a fluidic servo unit including an expandable bellows
and a switch (not shown), which bellows when filled by the stream
of air directed at port 126 and communicated to the bellows by
means of tube 128, expands and closes the switch thereby producing
a signal which is transmitted to flow diverting means 150 as will
be hereinafter described. Consequently, when at least one bag
remains supported on support means 90, port 126 will be blocked by
the material forming the bag, thus preventing the stream of
compressed air from entering port 126 and activating the fluid
pressure responsive signaling means. When the last bag 112 is used,
however, the stream of air will enter port 126, activate fluid
pressure responsive signaling means 130 producing a signal which,
when transmitted, activates the flow diverting means 150 and turns
on light 54 indicating the bag holder or support means 90 is empty.
Thus, the flow of material to be packaged on infeed conveyor 12
will be diverted by flow diverting means 150 when no bags are left
on bag holder 90 to receive the material as described below.
Consequently, no waste or spillage of the material to be packaged
is encountered.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the construction and cooperation of
the flow diverting means 150, packaging means 50 including
packaging unit 60, and recirculating means 20 will become apparent.
As described in the co-pending application referred to above, flow
diverting means 150 comprise a plurality of pivotal extensions of
the guide means 18 or gates 152. Gates 152 are powered by fluid
pressure means or air cylinders (not shown) which, in response to
signals produced by either the scale 52 or the fluid pressure
responsive signaling means 130, pivot gates 152 across the flow of
material on infeed conveyor 12 at the discharge end of the
conveyor. The pivoting of the gates 152 thus causes the flow to be
diverted from entering the opening 68 of bucket 67 onto and against
the deflecting chute 154, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5.
The deflected material or products then slide down chute 154 and
onto recirculating conveyor 20 which carries the diverted material
away from the end of infeed conveyor 12 to a position at which it
may be transferred back to the infeed end 14 of conveyor 12. As
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the recirculating means or conveyor 20
is mounted such that it carries the flow thereon transverse to the
flow on infeed conveyor 12. However, conveyor 20 may be mounted in
any convenient position such that it receives and carries the
diverted material to a position where that material may be
transported to the infeed end 14 of conveyor 12.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the control circuit 160 for controlling
each of the individual packaging units 60 is shown. Circuit 160 is
repeated several times such that each unit 60 has its own control
circuit. The control circuit basically operates as follows. The
main control switch is pushed on and power is fed to the three
circuits 170, 180 and 190 contained within circuit 160, each of
which is included circuits operates to control and operation of the
packaging apparatus 10 upon the occurrence of a certain event.
Circuit 170 comprises the bag-empty signaling circuit indicating
when support means 90 contains no more flexible bags. As described
above, when fluid pressure responsive signaling means 130 is
activated due to the lack of any bags preventing the stream of air
from entering port 126, switch 171 is closed, thereby activating
relay 172 and indicating light 54. Relay 172 immediately closes
switch 174 in order to activate the flow diverting means 150 to
divert gates 152 thereby stopping the flow of material to be
packaged to bucket 67 since no bags 110 remain to receive any
material from bucket 67. Reset switch 173 must be manually pushed
after the support means 90 have been refilled with bags 110 in
order to open circuit 170 thereby allowing the continued operation
of the packaging unit 60.
When sufficient bags are held by bag holder 90, the normal
operation of the packaging apparatus 60 will taken place as
controlled by circuits 180 and 190. When a sufficient amount of
material has entered bucket 67, the scale 52 will close switch 181
activating first timing means or time delay relay 182 thereby
closing switch 183 and simultaneously opening switch 191. When
switch 183 is closed, solenoid 184 is activated thereby pivoting
gates 152 and again diverting flow away from bucket 67 to diverting
chute 154. The activation of solenoid 184 also closes switch 185
thereby activating solenoid 186 which activates one of the
cylinders 75 or 76 thereby causing closure means 70 to open to the
first open position shown at 79' in FIG. 4.
After the activation of solenoids 184 and 186, the time delay relay
182 causes switch 183 to open thereby closing interconnected switch
191 and immediately activating circuit 190 including a second
timing means or time delay relay 192. Following a predetermined
amount of time set on time delay relay 192 to allow bucket 67 to
release all material held therein, relay 192 closes switch 193
thereby activating a third timing means or time delay relay 194
which immediately closes switch 195 thereby activating solenoid
196. Solenoid 196 activates the remaining cylinder 75 or 76 to
further open closure means 70 to position shown in FIG. 4 at 79".
This further opening of closure 70 removes the outermost bag 112
from support means 90. After a preset amount of time on time delay
relay 194, relay 194 closes switch 197 thereby activating solenoids
198 and 199 which cause the closure means 70 to close the opening
69 of bucket 67 and pivot gates 152 back to their normal position,
respectively. After gate 152 has returned to its normal position,
the operation will repeat itself since the flow of material will
enter bucket 67 and again cause scale 52 to activate switch
181.
Therefore, the various operations and elements of packaging means
60 are controlled by a circuit 160 including circuits 170, 180 and
190 as described above. The basic operation thereby utilizes three
time delay relays to sequentially fill bucket 67, divert the flow
of material with gates 152, open closure means 70 to a first open
position 79' to fill outermost bag 112, further open closure means
70 to position 79" to remove the filled bag 112 from the packaging
means 60, pivot closure means 70 back to its original position, and
return gate 152 to its original position.
The method or operation of packaging material or products by means
of the novel packaging apparatus 10 described above will now become
more apparent. The operation begins by feeding a flow of material
to be packaged onto the infeed end 14 of infeed conveyor 12, which
conveyor both orients and accelerates the material over the length
of the conveyor as it progresses toward discharge end 16. The flow
of material is also segregated by guide means 18 into a number of
columns, one column for each of the packaging means 60 included
within packaging apparatus 10. If the support means or bag holder
90 has a sufficient supply of bags 112 supported thereon, fluid
means 120 will not be able to direct the stream of compressed air
into aperture 126 thereby preventing the activation of circuit 170
and allowing the flow of material to progress into the individual
packaging units 60, since gates 152 will not be diverted or moved
across the flow of material.
When the material reaches the discharge end 16 of infeed conveyor
12, its linear momentum imparted by the motion of conveyor 12 will
carry it in a smooth trajectory into the opening 68 of bucket 67
disposed adjacent thereto. When a sufficient amount of material is
in bucket 67, the weight of that material will overcome the
predetermined counterweight 53 placed on scale 52 causing scale 52
to activate circuit 180. During the filling of bucket 67, fluid
means 120 through nozzle 122 is directing a stream of compressed
air against the lower extremity of door 71 of closure means 70
which stream is thereby deflected into the opening of the outermost
bag 112 supported by support means 90. The deflection of air into
opening 113 of bag 112 opens and fills bag 112 thereby readying the
bag for filling in the next operation.
The activation of circuit 180 by means of scale 52 immediately
causes gates 152 to pivot across the flow of material on discharge
end 16 thereby diverting the material against discharge chute 154
causing the material to fall onto recirculating conveyor 20 which
carries the material out of the area of packaging apparatus 10. At
the same time the gates 152 are pivoted, time delay 182 activates
one of the cylinders 75 or 76 thereby retracting or withdrawing one
of the shafts 77 or 78 which in turn moves the closure means 70
including door 71 to the first open position shown at 79'. The
pivoting of door 71 into the first open position releases the
material to be packaged from bucket 67 into the already opened bag
112 thereby filling the bag with the predetermined quantity of
material. After a time delay, preset on time delay relay 192 in
circuit 190, which circuit has been activated previously by time
delay relay 182 and a movement of interconnected switches 183 and
191, the door 71 is pivoted to its second open position shown at
79" by the activation of the remaining cylinder 75 or 76 and the
withdrawing of the remaining shafts 77 or 78. This movement of the
door 71 to the second open position causes the bag 112 to be
separated from the flap 114 along perforated line 115 thereby
removing the bag from the packaging unit 60 and allowing the filled
bag to drop into a waiting receptacle placed under unit 60.
Following a time delay preset on a third timing means or time delay
relay 194, the closure means 70 including door 71 is pivoted back
to its closed position by means of the extension of shafts 77 and
78 by the reverse activation of air cylinders 75 and 76 as
controlled by circuit 190.
Should the packaging unit 60 fill and remove all of the bags 112
included in bag means 110, circuit 170 will be activated by means
of the compressed air stream entering aperture 126. The compressed
air entering aperture 126 causes an increase in fluid pressure
within commmunicating tube 128 thereby activating fluid pressure
responsive signaling means 130. The activation of signaling means
130 is indicated by the light 54 and also causes the pivoting of
the gates 152 across the flow of material such that the material is
diverted into recirculating conveyor 120 thereby preventing the
filling of bucket 67 when no bags are present on the support means
90. A new supply of bags 110 may be inserted on support means 90 by
pivoting arm 102 out of slotted member 104 and pivoting the entire
bag frame 94 downwardly and away from bucket 67. The pivotal
movement of bag frame 94 allows sufficient room to remove securing
plate 101 thereby allowing the removal of the empty wicket 100 and
the insertion of a new supply of bags 110 on another wicket 100.
Following the insertion of the new supply of bags 110, the rest
switch 173 may be pushed, thereby deactivating the operation of
circuit 170 and allowing the continued normal operation of the
packaging apparatus 10.
Therefore, it is apparent that a highly efficient automatic
packaging apparatus and method is provided with the novel
construction described above. The apparatus is seen to have a
simple construction utilizing few moving parts yet is able to
accurately, quickly and continuously package of flow of products
and materials carried to the packaging apparatus. Additionally, the
novel construction will be seen to have the necessary flexibility
enabling it to accommodate many varied types of products and
materials which may need to be packaged.
While one preferred 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.
* * * * *