US2697543A - Machine for opening and filling cellophane bags - Google Patents

Description

1366- 1954 M. w. SAWYER ET AL MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS 4 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1952 *Qx m a, Y, .m 3 W N M a $5 w m N m m M w m \M, \|.I m G 4 WWI II IJHI JT m E MR Q\ N m ms 5 W W Dec. 21, 1954 M, w. SAWYER ETAL 2,697,543

MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS Filed Feb. 11, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet s 1954 M. w. SAWYER ET AL 2,

MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS Filed Feb. 11, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Z /6 (Iltomeg United States Patent G MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS Marshall W. Sawyer, Los Angeles, Calif., Herman W. Wilson, In, Moscow, Idaho, and Reginald G. Kenway, Los Angeles, and John S. Overholser, Venice, Calif.; said Kenway and said Overholser assignors to said Sawyer and said Wilson Application February 11, 1952, Serial No. 270,968

12 Claims. (Cl. 226-49) The invention relates in general to machines for bagging various substances and is particularly useful in means for filling bags with food products and closing and sealing these bags in an expeditious manner. The invention relates in particular to a machine for opening and filling bags and for delivering the filled bags at a selected location. The invention is preferably used in conjunction with the bag closing and sealing device shown in our co-pending application, Serial No. 223,178, filed April 27, 1951 for Machine for Closing and Sealing. Cellophane Bags, but the invention may be used with other closing and sealing equipment or to supply filled bags to workers who close and seal the same by hand.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device having downwardly projecting bag-holding members which move from a bag receiving position through a bag filling position to a discharge position and a simple means for placing the bags on the bag-holding members for securing them so that they will remain in place on the respective bag-holding members during the performance of bag expanding and filling operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means normally automatically delivering measured quantities of a product to the bag-holding members as they reach the bag filling position of the device and in addition thereto automatic means for rendering the product delivery means inactive should a bag not be properly positioned with relation to a bag holding member approaching the bag filling position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the character described having a bag feeding wheel operating in timed relation to the movement of the bag holding members, this bag feeding wheel having means for engaging bags and carrying them to the respective bag holding members, and means for delivering to the bag feeding wheel the bags which are to be filled by the device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the character described having a turntable with a plurality of bag holding members thereon, and

means for rotating the turntable so as to carry the bag holding members through a plurality of positions and to provide in one of the positions a bag expanding means of simple character and in another of the positions a bag filler, there being means for stopping the operation of the turntable in the respective positions thereof, thereby relieving the mechanism from the effects of back lash between the linkage which connects the turntable with the driving mechanism.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be, evident from the following part of the specification wherein we have described a preferred embodiment of the invention in detail for the purpose of completeness of disclosure, without limiting the scope of the in vention defined by the appended claims nor limiting the range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. l is an elevational view of the invention incorporating also the hydraulic and compressed air systems by which parts of the device are actuated;

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing a portion of the feed wheel in section;

Fig. 3 is. a partly sectioned elevational view, to enlarged scale, of the upper, rightward portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. is a perspective view of one: of the bags adapted to be opened, and filled by the device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view looking, downward from the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary partly sectioned view showing to enlarged scale parts of the initial bag feeding mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of Fig. 6, showing the cam and stop members in position for the placement of the bag which is to be fed to the feed wheel.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view arranged to show a plan view of one of the bag gripping members;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing an electrical system and parts cooperating therewith to prevent operation of the product delivery means when a bag is not properly placed on a bag holder.

As shown in Fig. l, the device includes a primary bag feeder A arranged to deliver bags to a bag feeding wheel B which sequentially places bags which are to be filled with a quantity, on bag holders comprisingfunnel members 10 which are supported by a bag conveyor arranged to carry the bags from a bag receiving position a through a bag inflating position b to a bag filling position c wherein each bag receives a quantity from the product delivery means D. The funnel members. 10- are respectively indicated by the numerals 10a, 10b, 10c and 18d. The bag conveyor C moves the bags from the filling position 0 to the releasing positions d wherein the mechanism automatically operates to release the bag from the conveyor C so that it may subjected to the operations of closing and sealing. The closing and sealing of the filled bags may be by hand if desired. However, the device disclosed herein is adapted to operate in conjunction with automatic bag closing and sealing means and in Fig. 1 a chute 11 is shown aligned with the lower end of the bag 22d in the bag releasing position a. so that when the bag is released it will drop into the chute 11 and be thereby delivered to the bag closing and sealing mechanism.

The primary bag feeder A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, includes a support 12 having a pair of parallel bars 13 spaced apart horizontally and extending downwardly from left to right, shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. Between the bars 13 there is a downwardly sloping plate 14 to provide a slide on which an operator consecutively places bags which are to be fed into the device. As shown in Fig. 6, a roller 15 is supported on a shaft 16 in such position that its lower surface will be slightly above the plane defined by the slide plate 14. A shaft 17 is disposed below the shaft 16 and a small distance rightwardly thereof. This shaft 17 has thereon cam members 18, between the side bars 13 of the support 12, each of these earns 18 having, as shown in Fig. 6,. a curved cam surface 19 preferably generated around the axis of the shaft 17. At the front end of the cam surface 19 there is a shoulder 20 arranged to lift against the lower surface of the roller 15 the rightward end portion 21 of a bag 22 which has been placed on the slide 14 as shown in Fig. 6, in a position wherein it lies between the roller and the cam 18. If the cam 18 continues to rotate in clockwise direction from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6 it will cause the bag 22 to move rightwardly through a position indicated in the dotted lines 21'. Either the surface of the roller 15 or the cam surface 19 or both, is characterized by resiliency. In Fig. 6, I have shown the roller 15 as incorporating a surface layer 23 of rubbery material such as a rubber compound. The cam 18 is so positioned with relation to the roller 15 that the bag 22 will be caused to swing upwardly from the plane defined by the plate 14 toward the lower peripheral surface of the bag feeding wheel B as shown by dotted lines 21'. As further shown in Fig. 6, when the shoulder 20 of the cam surface 19 engages the bag 22, a gripper finger carried by the peripheral portion of the wheel B positioned above and slightly forwardly (rightwardly) of the rightward extremity of the bag 22. Owing to the counterclockwise rotation of the wheel B, the gripper finger 24 moves rightwardly and for a portion of its rightward movement is ahead of the lip 25 of the bag 22, but, the speed of the cam 18 is proportioned with relation to the speed of rightward movement of the finger 24, Fig. 6, to cause the lip 25 of the bag 22 to move into the gap 26 between the finger 24 and the surface of the wheel B so as to be gripped by the finger. In Fig. l, the wheel B and the cam 18 are shown in positions of further rotation, with the bag 22 gripped by the finger 24, with the leftward end of the bag 22 released from the roller 15 and the cam surface 19 of the primary bag feeder, in order that continued counterclockwise rotation of the bag feeding wheel B will carry the bag 22 into the position of the bag 22x which is being moved toward the bag support a in the bag receiving position a.

The feeding device A has stops 27 arranged to project above the plane of the slide plate 14 in a position rightwardly of the roller 15, and stops 28 which are arranged to project through openings 29 in the rightward portion of the plate 14 so that the upper portions thereof will extend above the plane of the plate 14 leftwardly of the roller 15. The stops 27, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 comprise pins which project upwardly from the rightward end of a lever 30 which is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a horizontal pin 31 extended between the side bars 13. The stops 28 are mounted in upwardly projecting position in the laterally expanded rightward end 32 of a lever 33 so that the stops 28 will be disposed in straddling relation to the adjacent portion of the lever 30. The lever 33 is swung on a horizontal pin 34 positioned leftwardly of and below the forked leftward end 35 of the lever 30. A compression spring 36 is arranged to urge the lever 33 upwardly so that the upper portions of the stops 28 will be moved into position above the plate 14. A link 37 connects a pin 38 carried by the lever 33 near the leftward end thereof, with the leftward end of the fulcrum lever 30. The upper portion of the link 37 has an elongated slot 39 through which passes a pin 40 supported in a horizontal position by the leftward end of the fulcrum lever 30. A spring 41 disposed around the link 37 tends to urge the leftward end of the lever 30 upwardly so as to carry the pin 40 toward the upper end of the slot 39.

The rightward end of the lever 30 is bifurcated and carries a cam follower roller 42 arranged to engage the periphery of a cam 43 which is fixed on the shaft 17 and therefore rotates in clockwise direction with the cam 18. The cam 43 has an arcuate surface 44 arranged to lift the rightward end of the lever 30 during the time the cam surface 19 of the cam 18 is out of engagement with a bag or with the surface of the roller 15. The cam 43, as shown in Fig. 6 has a radial recession 45 which starts just ahead of the shoulder 20 of the cam surface 19 and ends substantially in alignment with the rear shoulder of the cam surface 19. This recession 45 permits a lowering of the stops 27 and a raising of the stops 28, as will be described with relation to Fig. 7.

In Fig. 7, the cam 43 is shown with its arcuate surface 44 in engagement with the roller 42, to raise the rightward end of the lever 30 and project the stops 27 above the plane of the plate 14. A bag 22, placed upon the plate 14 will slide rightwardly downwardly until the end thereof comes into engagement with the stops 27, the stops 28 being at this time in retracted position effected by downward movement of the leftward end 35 of the lever 30 swinging the lever 33 downward when the rightward end of the lever 30 is moved upward by the cam surface 44. The rightward portion of the bag 22 lies between the roller and the cam 18 which is rotating in clockwise direction. When the front shoulder of the cam surface 19 reaches the roller 15, this shoulder 20 will engage the lower surface of the bag 22 and force the same upwardly into engagement with the lower surface of the roller 15 and also bending the rightward end of this bag 22 upward into a position above the stops 27, as shown in Fig. 6. At this time'the front end of the recession 45 is passing under the roller 42, and as further clockwise rotation of the earns 18 and 43 occurs the intermediate portion of the recession as shown at 45 in Fig. 7, will engage the roller 42 permitting a lowering of the rightward end of the lever from the position in which it is shown in full lines in Fig. 7, thereby retracting the stops 27 downwardly. The lowering of the rightward end of the lever will raise the leftward end of the lever 30 to permit the spring 36 to urge the lever 33 upwardly so as to project the stops 28 from the position in which they are shown in Fig. 7 to the raised position thereof indicated by dotted lines 28', above the plane of the plate 14 and obstructing the entrance of the cam Quer mechanism so that in event that a bag is at this time placed upon the plate 14, its rightward movement will be stopped by the stops in the positions 28 thereof and the bag will be prevented from passing further rightward between the roller 15 and the cam 18. As further shown in Fig. 7, the cam surface 19 will be in the position 19' when the recession 45 is in engagement with roller 42 as indicated at 45', and the forward portion of the bag which is being fed will be moving in the position indicated by dotted lines 22. The rearward portion of the bag, lying to the left of the roller 15, Fig. 7, will be deflected upwardly by the stops 28 when they move into the position 28. If a bag is placed on the slide 14 so as to rest against the raised stops 28 in the position 28, the subsequent lowering of the stops 28 into the position which they are shown in Fig. 7 will permit the bag to slide down into the position of the bag 22, against the raised stops 27.

The primary bag feeder A is driven through a chain 46 from the power transmission system of the device so as to act in synchrony with other moving parts of the device. This chain 46 drives a sprocket 47 fixed on a shaft 48, shaft 48 being carried by levers 49 which project downwardly from the bar 13. A loop chain 50 runs over a sprocket 51, fixed on the shaft 17 which carries the cams 18 and 43, and a sprocket 52 which is fixed on the shaft 48, thereby turning the cams 18 and 43 in timed relation to the movement of other parts of the device. The upper run of the loop chain 50 engages a sprocket 53 which is fixed on a shaft 54. As shown in Fig. 2, a smaller sprocket 55 is connected to the sprocket 53 so as to rotate therewith and a chain 56 connects this sprocket 55 with a larger sprocket 57 which is connected to the wheel B so that the rotation of this wheel B will be in timed relation to the rotation of the earns 18 and 43, corresponding to the number of bag gripping means 58. Four of the bag gripping means 58 are shown on the wheel B; therefore, the rotation of the cams 18 and 43 will be of four to one ratio to the rotation of the wheel B.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, each of the bag gripper means 58 comprises a square bar 59 disposed in a radial opening in a flanged fitting 60 secured in an opening 61 in the peripheral wall 62 of the wheel. A gripping finger 24 extends in trailing or clockwise direction from the outer end of each bar 59. Around the inner portion of each bar 59 there is a compression spring 63 disposed between the inner end of the associated fitting 60 and a washer 64 fixed on the inner end of the bar 59. The springs 63 urge the bar 59 and the fingers 24 into rctracted positions, or into closed or gripping positions of the fingers 24. Means are provided for moving the fingers 24 outwardly into the position of the finger 24 in Fig. 6 wherein a gap 26 is formed between the finger 24 and the adjacent portion of the fitting 60. This is regarded as the open position of the gripping means. For this purpose levers 65 are provided mounted on hinge means 66 which are secured to the web 67 of the wheel B in positions adjacent the inner ends of the bars 59. As best shown in Fig. 2, each lever 65 has a transverse portion 68 which extends across the inner end of the adjacent bar 59 and projects through an opening 69 in the web 67 of the wheel B so as to project from the rear face of the web 67. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a cam 70 is secured to the post 71 which supports the wheel B in a position adjacent the primary bag feeder A, this cam 70 having a spiral surface 72 which engages the end of the laterally projecting portion of a lever 65 just prior to the time that the lever 65 reaches the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6, swinging the lever 65 downwardly so as to move the bar 59 and its associated finger 24 into open position. The cam surface 72 is so formed that the lever 65 Will be maintained in depressed position, thereby holding the finger 24 in open position until the lever passes the shoulder 73 of the cam after which a spring 63 will retract the finger 24 upwardly into bag gripping position as shown in Fig. 1. The bag 22, as shown in Fig. 4, has side walls 74 and 75 which are joined by gussets 76. The side Wall 75 has a notch 77 which exposes a portion of the side wall 74. The bags 22 are placed on the slide 14 with the side wall 75 thereof facing downward in order that the side wall 74 will be facing upward and in order that the portion of the side wall 74 exposed by the notches 77 will slide into the gap 26, Fig. 6, between the finger 24 and the adjacent portion of the fitting 60 and be thereby gripped by a finger 24. Accordingly, as the bag 22, Fig. 1, moves from the position in which it isshown in Fig. 1 toward the position of the bag 222:, it is carriedonly by the. upper portion of the. side wall 7 1, and the side wall. of the. bag may swing away from the side. wall 74. In other words, the mouth of the bag 22 may open while the bag is: gripped by the upper portion of the side walls 74 thereof- In Fig. l, the bag 22x is shown moving toward the bag supporting member 10a in position a and toward the position of the bag 2212' in Fig. 3 which is positioned on the bag holder 11 Each bag holder 10 comprises a conical funnel which converges downwardly and has the. lower end thereof contoured diagonally, an air nozzle 7&- is disposed in position a, Figs. 1 and. 3, above the. bag holder 10a so as to deliver a blast of air downwardly through the opening of the bag holder into the bag 22x, to spread the upper portions of the. bag walls as the bag moves from the position of the bag 22x into the position of the bag 22a, thereby enabling the movement of the bag onto the mouth of the funnel like bag holder 10. When the bag 22x reaches its uppermost limit on the bag holder 19.. Fig. 3, the continued upward. movement of the bag gripping means 58 will slide the finger 24 upward and off from the portion of the bag wall 74 which it engages. frictionally only with sufficient pressure to support and move the bag onto the bag holder 10.

The bag conveyor C includes a circular turntable 79 supported as shown in Fig. 3 at the upper end of a shaft 80 Which extends through a vertical tubular shaft. housing. 81 and is supported for rotation therein by hearing 82, Fig. 1, and the bearing 83, Fig. 3. C has a radial wall 84 with four evenly spaced openings 85 therein which receive the upper ends of the funnel members 10a, 10b, 10c and 1061, Figs. 1 to 3 and 9. These funnel members are consecutively moved through the positions a, b, c and d as the result of the intermittent driving of the turntable 79 through angles of As shown in Fig. l, the shaft 80 is driven through bevel gearing 86 from a primary drive shaft 87 which extends from a powered drive mechanism 88 which is of a type to impart intermittent angular motion through the shaft 87 to the shaft 80. This mechanism 88 includes a Geneva movement drive, details of which are not shown herein for the reason that drive mechanisms are generally old in the mechanical arts. To the right of the turntable 79, Fig. 1, there is a second vertical tubular housing 89, having a vertical shaft 90 rotatably supported therein arranged to be driven intermittently from the shaft 80 through bevel gearing 91 a transverse shaft 92 which extends through an interconnecting tubular housing 93, and bevel gearing 94. As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 90 is arranged to drive a shaft 95 through a clutch 96 comprising a sleeve 97 which is fixed on the upper end of the shaft 90, and a sleeve 98 which is vertically slidable on the lower end of the shaft 95 but has driving engagement with the shaft 95 through a pin 99 which extends diametrally through the shaft 95 into a vertically elongated slot 190 in the sleeve 98. Means of engagement are provided in the clutch parts 97 and 98, shown as a projection 101 extending downwardly from the vertically movable clutch part 98 arranged to enter diametrally opposed notches 162 in the clutch part 97. The projection 101 may be in duplicate with the two portions thereof diametrally opposed. For disengaging the clutch 96 a solenoid 103 is provided having an armature 104 connected to the outer end of a fulcrum lever 105 which has a yoke 106 equipped with pins 107, as shown in Fig. 9, which extend into a circumferential channel 108 in the vertically movable clutch part 98 of the clutch 96. When the solenoid 103 is energized, the projections 101 are lifted out of engagement with the notches 102. Then, rotation of the clutch part 97 will carry the notches 102. out of alignment with the projections 101 so that reengagement of the clutch cannot occur until the shaft 90 has made a half revolution.

At the upper end of the tubular housing 89 there is a stationary circular plate 109 which forms a part of the quantity delivering means D. The plate 109 has an opening 110, Fig. 3, from which a cylindrical chute 111 extends downwardly in the filling position 0 so that a quantity such as a measured amount of product, dclivered to the upper end of the tube or chute 111 will be delivered thereby into the bag holder 10c which in turn directs the quantity into the bag 220 which is held thereon. Above the late 109 there is a rotary conveyor structure which carries the quantity from the lower end of a hopper This turntable 112, Fig. l, to the chute 111, consisting of vertically spaced circular walls 113 and 114 which are fixed on the upper end of the shaft 95 so as to rotate therewith, and two containers 115 between walls 113 and 114, spaced apart at. equal angles and having their upper and lower ends open. A larger number of the containers 115 may be employed providing the bevel gear sets 91 and 94 are of a composition to provide the required driving ratio between the shafts 80 and 90. In the arrangement shown, the conveyor D will rotate through 180 when the turntable 79 makes a quarter revolution. When the containers 115. are in the positions in which they are shown in Fig. l, the right hand container will be filled from the hopper 1.12 and the left hand container will discharge through the chute 111 into the bag which is supported therebelow.

Each of the bag holders 10 is accompanied by a bag gripper 116, pivotally supported on one of the four pairs of posts 113 which project downwardly from the lower face of the plate 84 of the turntable 79. Each of these bag grippers 116 consists of a fulcrum lever 118 having at the outer end thereof ayoke 119 which, as shown in Fig. 8, has arms 120 straddling the adjacent bag holder 16 and havin diametrally opposed inwardly faced resilient proiections 121 to engage diametrally opposite portions of a bag against the adjacent surfaces of the funnel 10 when the bag gripper 116 swings from the position in which it is shown at 116a in Fig. l to the posi tion 116s. The fulcrum levers 118 are swung on hinge 121 which project through the posts 117, and springs 121' are provided for exerting continuous forces upon the fulcrum levers 113 tending to move the yokes 119 thereof upwardly into positions wherein the resilient knobs or projections 121" will engage the surfaces of the funnels 10 or the portions of bags which are positioned on the funnel so as to lie between the projections 121" and the surfaces of the funnels 10.

Means are provided for releasing the bag grippers 116 when they are in position a and c, in order that when the bag 22x, Fig. l is moved upwardly onto the funnel 110 in the position a, the bag gripper 116a will be in released position and therefore will not interfere with the proper movement of the upper portion of the bag 22x onto the funnel 10, and so that each filled bag, when it reaches position 0 will be released from the funnel 10d on which it is supported and dropped into the chute 11. The means for releasing the bag grippers 116 in position a comprises a hydraulic actuator 122. A hydraulic actuator 123 is provided for releasing the bag gripper 116 in position a. The actuators 122 and 123 are identical, as indicated in Fig. 3. comprise each a plunger 124 operating in a cylinder 125. The plunger 124 of the actuator 122 is arranged to engage a knob 125 on the fulcrum lever 118 or the actuator 116 in position a and rotate such fulcrum lever 118 in counterclockwise direction against the force of the associated spring 121, thereby moving the bag gripper 116 into released position. Hydraulic valves 125 and 126 are connected to the hydraulic actuators 122 and 123 through conduits 127 and 128. These valves 125 and 126 are adapted to be actuated by cams 129 and 130 so as to deliver fluid under pressure to the hydraulic actuators 122 and 123 in properly timed relation to the movement of the funnels 10 into the positions a and b. The cam 129 is so formed that it causes the hydraulic actuator 122 to release each bag grippers 116 prior to movement of a bag onto a funnel member 10 in position and to then effect movement of the bag gripper into bag gripping position just prior to the start of movement of the turntable 79 to carry the gripped bag from position a to position b.

An upper annular brake ring 131 is secured to the lower ends of the posts 117 so that it will rotate with the turntable 79. A non-rotating brake ring 132 is disposed adjacent the lower face of the brake ring 131 and a layer of brake lining 133 is disposed between the rings 131 and 132., One side of the brake ring 132 is held in proximity to the adjacent portion of the brake ring 1131 by a stationary bracket 134, Fig. 3, and the opposite side of the brake ring 132 is adapted to be raised and lowered by a hydraulic actuator 135 which is connected to a conduit 136 with a valve 137 arranged to be operated by a cam 138. The cams 129, 130 and 138 are operated in timed relation to the rotary movement of the turntable 79 by a shaft 139 driven from the power source :38. The cam 138 is arranged to operate the valve 137 and deliver hydraulic fluid to the actuator 135, and to raise the lower brake ring 132 into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 for a period of time starting just prior to the time the turntable 79 comes to a stop and ending at the beginning of the subsequent rotary movement of the turntable 79. The brake thereby absorbs the momentum of the turntable 79 as the intermittent driving mechanism 88 reaches the end of a driving period, bringing the turntable 79 to a stop in a manner to relieve the transmission mechanism from undue strain and wear. During a major part of the revolution of the turntable 79, the cam 138 actuates the valve 137 so as to release fluid pressure from the actuator 135, and the brake ring 132 is during this period of time in lowered position indicated by dotted lines 132' in Fig. 3.

In position b of the rotation of the turntable 79 there is a bag inflating means 140 comprising an inverted cup 141 which obstructs the opening of the funnels 10 when they are in position (b), and means for supplying air under pressure to the cup so that the compressed air will pass down through the funnel 10b into the supported bag, such as shown at 22b, Fig. 9, and expand the bag to maximum size, so that when the bag is moved into position a by the turntable 79 the product may flow freely and completely thereinto. Compressed air is delivered to the inverted cup 141 through a conduit 142 from an air valve 143, Fig. 1, arranged to be actuated by a cam 144 which is driven from the timing shaft 139, so that compressed air will be supplied to the inverted cup when a bag holder moves into position below the cup 141. An air valve 145, actuated by a cam 146 is arranged to deliver compressed air from the air supply pipe 147 through a duct 148 to the air nozzle 78.

The invention provides means for shutting off the bag filling operation in position when a funnel moves between position b and position 0 without a bag properly positioned thereon. As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, a bracket 150, which carries the cup 141 also supports an insulator body 151 arranged to carry a flexible contact 152 in a position adjacent the path of movement of the funnels 10 from position b to position c, and in a horizontal plane below the upper edges of the bags which are placed on the funnels 10. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, a bag 22b properly positioned on the funnel 10b'will have a portion thereof disposed between the spring contact 152 and the funnel 10b thereby preventing contact between these parts. The spring contact 152 and the funnels 10b comprise switch means for actuating the clutch releasing mechanism when a funnel 10 passes from position b to position 0 without a bag so held thereon that the bag will prevent contact of the spring contact member 152 with the funnel.

As further shown in Fig. 9, the turntable 79 is grounded and the spring contact 152 is connected through a relay 153 with a source of electrical curre t 154, one terminal of which is connected to ground. The relay 153, when energized, closes a switch 155 so as to complete a circuit 156 adapted to connect the winding of the solenoid 103 with a source of electric current 107. Accordingly, when a funnel 10 passes from the position b toward the position 0, without a bag thereon, or with a bag improperly placed. the relay 153 will energize the solenoid 103 so as to lift the movable clutch part 98 whereupon the notches 102 will become dislined with the projections 101. The clutch 96, therefore, will remain disengaged until the shaft 90 passes through a half revolution. and the quantity conveyor D will remain inactive so that a filled container 115 will not move into communication with the upper end of the chute 111 when the unbagged or improperly bag ed funnel 10 is aligned with the lower end of the funnel 111.

We claim:

1. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means comprising a member rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper on the outer portion of said member which moves upwardly through an arcuate path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position, and means operating to direct a fiow of air so as to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder as said bag gripper moves past the same; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; and filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag.

2. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means comprising a member rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper on the outer portion of said member which moves upwardly through an arcuate path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position, and means operating to direct a flow of air so as to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder as said bag gripper moves past the same; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag; and bag inflating means to apply air pressure through said bag holder to the interior of said bag only during the time it is being moved from said bag filling to said bag receiving position to inflate the bag prior to the time it reaches said bag filling position.

3. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion, said bag holder having a filling opening therethrough; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; means for placing the bag on said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder While the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag, said filling means having a con veyor member moving to carry said quantity to the filling opening of said bag holder in timed relation to the movement of said bag holder into said filling position; means operating to stop movement of said conveyor member independently of the movement of said bag holder toward filling position in consequence of a bag not being properly placed on said bag holder; and means operating after the bag has received said quantity, to release said bag engaging means to effect removal of said bag from said bag holder. 7

4, In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; means for placing the bag on said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag, said filling means comprising a conveyor having a moving compartment arranged to carry said quantity to said bag holder; a clutch arranged to drive said conveyor; and means operating to disengage said clutch in consequence of said bag holder approaching said filling position without a bag properly placed thereon.

5. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion, said bag holder carrying an electrical contact means positioned so that a portion of a bag on said bag holder will cover said contact means; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; means for placing the bag on said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity into said bag; an electrical contact supported along the path of movement of said bag holder from said bag receiving position to said bag filling position, said contact being arranged to engage said contact means when it is uncovered; an electric circuit including said contact and said contact means; electrically controlled means acting under control of said electric circuit to inhibit operation of said filling means in consequence of said bag holder moving to said filling position unoccupied by a bag; and means operating after the bag has received said quantity, to release said bag engaging means to effect removal of said bag from said bag holder.

6. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portionof a bag on its downwardly extending portion, said bag holder carrying an electrical contact means positioned so that a portion of a bag on said bag holder will cover said contact means; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which moves through a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity into said bag; an electrical contact supported along the path of movement of said bag holder from said bag receiving position to said bag filling position, said contact being arranged to engage said contact means when it is uncovered; an electric circuit including said contact and said contact means; and electrically controlled means acting under control of said electric circuit to inhibit operation of said filling means when said bag holder moves to said filling posi tion unoccupied by a bag.

7. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filiing position; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity into said bag, said filling means comprising a conveyor having a moving compartment arranged to carry said quantity to said bag holder; a clutch arranged to drive said conveyor; and means operating to disengage said clutch in consequence of said bag holder approaching said filling position without a bag properly placed thereon.

8. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which moves through a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder; a support for the unopened bag adjacent said path at a point spaced from said bag receiving position of said bag holder, means for moving the bag from said support into engagement with said gripper comprising a roller disposed above said support and a lifting member operating in timed relation to the movement of said bag gripper and being arranged to rise therethrough said support and move the bag which has been placed on the support into engagement with said roller to lift the bag, move it forwardly and effect engagement of said bag with said gripper; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; and filling means for delivering a quantity into said bag.

9. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which moves through a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder; a support for the unopened bag adjacent said path at a point spaced from saidbag receiving position of said bag holder, and means for moving the bag rrom said support into engagement with saidgripper comprising a roller disposed aoove said support and awheel segment rotating on an axis below said roner and in timed relation to the movement of said gripper, so as to rise relative to said support and move the nag which has been placed on the support into engagement with said roller and then to said gripper so as to cited: engagement of said bag with said gripper; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder whne the oag holder is moved from said receiving position into said fining position; and filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag.

10. In 'a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; bag feeding means rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which moves through a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder; a support for the unopened bag adjacent said path at a point spaced from said bag receiving position of said bag holder; means for moving the bag from said support into engagement with said gripper comprising a roller disposed above said support and a lifting member operating in timed relation to the movement of said bag gripper and being arranged to rise relative to said support and move the bag which has been placed on the support into engagement with said roller and effect engagement of said bag with said gripper, a limiting stop on said support, and means operating in timed relation to the movement of said lifting member to shift said stop out of its limiting position; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; and filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag.

11. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holder adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means comprising a member rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper on the outer portion of said member which moves upwardly through an arcuate path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position and means operating to direct a flow of air so as to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder as said bag gripper moves past the same; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag; emergency means adapted to inhibit the operation of said filling means when said bag holder moves into said filling position without a bag properly positioned thereon, said emergency means having a part positioned between said bag receiving position and said bag filling position arranged to engage bags as they are moved on said bag holder between said positions, and means connected to said part and responding when said bag holder moves from said bag receiving position to said bag filling position so as to inhibit the filling operation; and bag inflating means to apply air pressure through said bag holder to the interior of said bag to inflate the bag prior to the time it receives said quantity.

12. In a bag opening and filling device: a turntable arranged to rotate on a substantially vertical axis; a downwardly faced funnel member on said turntable adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardly extending portion; means operable to rotate said turntable so as to move said funnel member laterally from a bag receiving position to a bag filling position; bag engaging means for holding said bag on said funnel member comprising a member movably disposed on said turntable at a side of the funnel member and having at least one part which moves toward the funnel member so as to grip the bag against a part of the funnel member, means for moving said member toward said funnel member in a bag receiving position and away from said funnel member, so as to release the bag from the funnel member, after the bag has been filled in said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity through said funnel member into said bag, said filling means having a conveyor member arranged to carry said quantity to said funnel member in timed relation to the movement of said funnel member into said filling position; and means having a control part positioned between said bag receiving position and said bag filling position operating to stop said conveyor member in consequence of a bag being improperly placed on said funnel member.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS

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