USRE23486E - Method of and apparatus for produc - Google Patents

Description

l Re. 23,486

Plll 29, 1952- H. E. LEE

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A VALVED OR SLEEVED BAGS Original Filed April 17, 1945 '7 Sheets-Shefl E INVENTOR arr ee BY y wmf, 'Jy s. 24.2 ATTORNEY@ April 29, 1952 E, LEE Re. 23,486

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING VALVED OR SLEEVED BAGS Original Filed April 1'7, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR faryee wd/ 2-M` ATT RNEYS April 29, 1952 E, LEE Re. 23,486

. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING VALVED OR'SLEEVED BAGS Original Filed April 17, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTOFINEY 7 sheets-sheet 4v Rw .wm mw, Y M R O w] w ,1 m A @M/ QN w I ww www E;| EE APPARATUS FOR PRQDUCING sLEEvED BAGS METHOD OF AND VALVED OR Original Filed April l?, 1945 April 29, 1952 April 29, 1952 Re. 23,486

l H. E. LEE METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR PRonucING vALvED 0R sLEEvED BAGS A original Filed April 1'?, 1945 7 sheets-snaai 5 Zijl] .if

. IN V EN TOR y farfyee BY 4 Y D" )k-Q AT ORNEY`v April 29, 1952 H. E. LEE

METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING VALVED OR SLEEVED BAGS Original Filed April 1'?, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 M/lAo--M ATTORNEY@ Apnl 29, 1952 v H. E. LEE Re- 23,486

" METHOD 0F' AND APPARATUS FOR FRODUCING VALVEID OR SLEEVED BAGS Original Filed April 17, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 O O 0 0 Q O O 0 0 0 O nvVENToR flaryee BY I 05nd, f 24.2

' AT ORNEYS Reissuecl Apr. 29, 19x52 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUC- ING VALVED OR SLEEVED BAGS Harry E. Lee, Oswego, N. Y., assignor to St. Regis Paper Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No. 2,387,274, dated October 23, 1945, Se-

rial No. 588,812, April 17, 1945. Application for reissue December 27, 1951, Serial No. 263,650

i Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: appears in the original patent but forms no part o! this reissue speciiication; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

31 Claims.

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for,k forming valves in valve bags and for securing a supplemental sleeve-forming sheet in the open corners of valve bags.

My invention, according to one aspect thereof, relates toan improved method of the character stated wherein relative movement is effected between a bag having a spread corner and a holder for a supplemental sheet, to thereby engage the spread corner of the bag with an adhesive-coated portion of the supplemental sheet, the bag corner and the supplemental sheet being thereafter suitably shaped to cause the latter to form a sleeve `in the valved end of the bag.

My invention relates to a combination of apparatus involving a clamp for engaging a gus- 'seted bag prior to operation of a pair of spreading wings, or equivalent means, the latter being' movable into the gusset to spread an open corner of the bag so that a supplemental sheet carried by a movable holder may be deposited, in adheringl relation, on the aforesaid spread open corner of the bag.

. My invention has further reference toa novel holder arrangement for the supplemental sheet, this arrangement comprising adhesive-applying means,r av folder for the supplemental sheet and 'mechanism for operating the holder arrangement and folder in timed relation'withrrelated parts oi the apparatus.

My invention has` further reference to apparatus utilizable for forming a bag having a tuckin sleeve'which is adapted to prevent material placed in the bag from sifting between the several sheets of paper forming the bag at the valve.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will clearly appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming .a pai-tof. the specification and illustrating, by

wayl f example, one form of apparatus which may be used in carrying out the invention. The invention resides in such novel features, arrangements, `and,combinations of parts as may be shown'and described in connection with the apparatus herein disclosed. 1 This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 464,215, filed November '2, 1942 l (now abandoned).

In the drawings',

Fig. i is a plan view of apparatus embodying one form of the invention with some parts omitted for simplification and ease of understanding Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, with the supplemental sheet applying devices and certain other parts omitted;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the corner holding and spreading apparatus viewed substantially as from line 3--3 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 4. is a view corresponding with Fig. 3, some oi the parts being shown in different positions;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view oi' the appa'- ratus for applyingthe supplemental sheet;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line E-B of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a detailed plan view illustrating the operating means for the folding fingers;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a portion of the apparatus including the paste-applying device;

' Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 9 5 of Fig. 1 showing a crosssection of thel bag;

FigflO is a detailed view showingA the means for operating the paste-applying device;

' Figs. 11-13, inclusive, are diagrammatic front elevational views illustrating various stages of the valving and sleeving operation herein described;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating 4another step in the operation; Fig. l5 is a diagrammatic view showing the sleeve in position against the bag;

Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the bag as it appears during the'step illustrated in Fig. 14;

Figs. 17 and 18 are perspective views illustrating the nal steps in my novel valving and sleeving operation; and

Fig. 19 is a plan View showing the completed valve with a tuck-in sleeveinserted therein, a portion of the bag being broken away.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, I have shown a paper bag blank 20 which may be properly located upon a horizontal table 2-I by a flange. 22 extending longitudinally of one edge 23 fof the bagbut stopping short oi the open end portions thereof indicated at 24. The edge portions 23 vof the bag 20 are preferably folded inwardly and creased as is clearly shown in Fig. 9 in which the top and bottom surfaces of -the bag are shown, re-

S'pectively, at 25 and 2B, these surfaces folding inwardly as indicated at 21 and 28, respectively, to `form a gusset as at 25 and a crease as at 3i). The edge portions 23 of the bag may extend slightly beyond the open end portions 24 thus forming a projection or tab as at 3|.

The parts of the mechanism operable directly upon the bag blank 2D include a clamp 32 to iirmly secure the bag in desired position while the valving and sleeving operation proceeds, suction cups 33, 33 to slightly spreadapart or separate the upper surface 25 and the lowersurface 26 of the bag and initiate spreading of the gusset Y 23, spreading wings 34, 34 to enter and further spread the gusset 29, a reciprocable shoe, spreading member or wedging member 35 which is adapted to carry a supplemental sheet or sleeve 36, Figs. 5 and 7, to enter the spread apartopen end 24 of the bag, the shoe 35, engaging and shaping the inner surfaces of the bag 'insuch mannerV as to form a substantially plane rbag surface on which the sleeve 36 may be deposited, the mechanism further comprising holding members 31, 31 to hold the sleeve in position against said substantially plane bag surface during withdrawal of the shoe 35,fa creasing plate 38 being providedto fold the sleeve 35 and impart the desiredv shape to the open end portions 24 of the bag.

The above-mentioned parts are all operated by power from a suitable main drive shaft 33 and actuated by cam action to function in proper timed relationduring the folding of the bag and application of the sleeve thereto.

As is apparent from Figs. 3 and 4, `a clamping plate 40 is located at the same level as table 2|, beneath the area where the clamp 32 will be applied, the vclamping plate having a, rod 4| extending downwardly therefrom which is journalled in a bracket-42 beneath the table 2i. A spring 43 urges clamping plate 43 and rod 4| upwardly to the `position shown in Fig..3 in which position a stop 44 on rod 4| engages bracket 42. Accordingly, the edge y23 of the bag is supported upon the-clamping lplate-40 when .the bag is properly positioned for the valving and sleeving operf ation.

The spreader cups 33, 33 are mounted, respectively, upon rods 45, 45 which, in turn, are mounted -in arms 45, 4E. Preferably, the rods 45. 45 kare yieldinglymounted in the arms 4G, 45 so thatwhen the spreader cups 33 33` are brought towardsreach other and against the bag, they will be yieldingly pressed against the bag. The rods 45, 45 may be hollow and maytconnectwith passages-41, 41 in the arms 4.5, 45 leadingto asuitable source of vacuum,if desired.

The arms 45, 45 are mounted, respectively, upon rockshafts 48, 45-which carry meshing segments 49,49 whereby they are rocked in unison in opposite directions. A cam shaft near Vthe bottom of the apparatus carries a cam 5I. A lever 52 fulcrumed at 53 is provided at one end thereof with a camk roller 54 engaging cam 5|. The other end .of the lever 52 is connected by va link 55 to "an arm 55cm the end of the lower rockshaft 48. A spring 51 is attached to the end of Iarm 56 and vto vfulcrum 53, the spring 51h01- mally keepingthe cam roller 54 in contactl with cam 5I. It will be seen that, when the lobe of cam 5| engages roller 54, the spreader cups-33, 33 vmove toward each other and contact the respective upper and lower surfaces of the bag 20 supported upon table 2|, the 4spreader cups 33, 33 separatingslightlyas Vthe cam 5| continues to rotate to thereby slightly spread apart the gusset 29 of the bag. As the rotation of cam 5| continues, the roller 54 engages the circular portion of cam 5| and spring 51 urges the spreader cups 33, 33 back into the full line positions of Figs. 3 and Ll, the suction at the spreader cups 33, V33 being insuihcient to maintain contact with the bag after .the gusset has been slightly spread apart.

The parts just described are mountedupon a base 53 which carries a slide 59, Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Slide .59 is adapted to move toward and away niii) is in itsnormal yposition relative to slide 59. The clamp 32 has an arm 64 extending there- ,from which is pivoted to sub-slide 50 as at 35. Normally, the .clamp 32. israised by aspiring 66 to thefposition in which it isshown in Fig. ,3.

The arm 54 of clamp 32 is provided withv ka cam surface E1 over which rolls a roller 63 mounted upon slide 59. j

As slide ,53 moves from a, position remote from table 2| as in Fig. 3 to a position adjacent .table 2| as in Fig. 4, sub-slide 65 together with clamp 32 moves with slide 59 until the clamp 32 isin position over `the clamping plate 45. At this time. sub-slide 60 engages a stop viii) with the y,result that the motion of sub-slide E5 toward table 2| is stopped. As slide 59 continues to move toward the table 2|, the ,spring 6| lis compressed and roller 5S engages the upper Vportion of cam surface E1 forcing the clamp Y32 downwardly vinto engagement kwith the upper surface of the ybag which, in turn, rests on the clamping plate 4U.

The spreading wings 34 are mounted, respectively, upon `hinges 15, Figs. 1 and 2, supported by` a bracket 1| on slide 53. Arms 12, Fig. i2, extending respectively from the hinges 10 are connected by links 13 to a cam roller 14 which is supported above slide 55 by a link 15. The cam 13 is mounted upon a shaft 11 journalled in a bracket 18 on the base 58in position so that the cam roller 14 is brought 'in alignment therewith when the slide 55 is in its position nearest to the table 2|, Fig. 3. The outer end of shaft 11, Fig l,.is provided with a miter gear 19 meshing with a rgear v35 on the upper endof a vertical shaft 8|, Fig. .2, the lower end of which ,carries a gear 82 in mesh with a gear 83 on` shaft 55. A spring 13' attached to the respective links 13 urges the spreading wings 34 to the closed position shown .in Figs. 2 -and 3. When slide 53 moves to a position adjacent the table 2|, cam 1.5, which ,is driven from the main drive shaft 39 as hereinbefore described, engages roller .14 to 'thereby pivot the spreading wings 34 to the position shown in Fig. 4.

Slide 53 is moved toward and away from table 2|, Fig. 4, by mechanism which includes a lever 84 pivoted at85 upon a bracket 35 extending from base 53. The upper end of the lever 84 is connected -by a link 81 to slide 59. A cam roller 53 on the lower end of the lever 84 is brought into contact with a cam 89 on shaft 5U by a spring 55, the shaft 53 being driven by suitable gearing from the main drive shaft 33. An adjustable -screw 9| is provided for xing the initial position of slide 55. It will be understood that, after the bag 2G is placed in positionupon the table 2|, slide 53 is moved towards said .bag 20 ,and clamp 32 first extends over the gusset and keeps Jequally spaced paster pads.

the gusset between this clamp 32 and :clamping plate 49. The spreading' cups 33, 33 are immediately closed upon the gusseted portion of the bag and then promptly separated to thereby slightly open the gusset, as previously described. Immediately after the spreading cups 33, 33 start to spread the gusset, the ends of spreading Wings 34, -34 enter the gusset, At the same time, roller 68 presses clamp 32 firmly against the top of the gusseted portion of the bag, the spring under clamping plate 49 yielding slightly, if necessary. When the -s'lide 59 reaches its position adjacent table 2| roller 14, Fig. 2, is in line with ca'rnl16 and'by" the operation oi" that cam, thespreading wings`34, 34 are opened out to complete the spreading of the gusset.

vThe device for shaping the spread corner of v.the lbaiser-'id forapplying a supplemental sheet will be described next. This device is mounted upon a base' 92, Figs. 1, 5 and 6, which is provided witha vslideway 93 in which there is movable aslide 94. Racks 95 on the under side of the slide meshes with pinions 99, respectively, whizsh, in turn, mesh with racks 91 on the lower sideofthe slideway. Pinions 96 arecarried at the upper end of a lever 98, the lower end of lthe .lever being l'positioned by'a link 99. Lever 99 is Vprovidedwith an elongated slot |99 in which wrks a crank roller 9| upon a crank disk |92 mounted on the end of a shaft |93, Figs. 1 and 5. The other 'end of shaft |93 is provided with a gear |94 which meshes with a gear |95 on a shaft |96 which, in turn, has a gear |91 meshing with'a gear |99 upon the main drive shaft 39.

Mounted upon slide 94 is a bracket |99 carrying the `spreader plate or shoe 35 with beveled corners I|9, ||9. As will become apparent later, the shoe 35 is adapted to enter the spread apart open corner of a bag and assist in vforming a valve thereon. The reary of plate 3 5 is provided with a'series of openings which connect with a channel 2 on the back of the plate which, in turn, may be connected in any-suitable manner to a. pump for decreasing the air pressure at the openings I. Atthe rear of the shoe 35 there are folding fingers I 3, |3 mounted upon a rockshaft I| 4. On the lower end of the rockshaft ||4, there is a pinion ||5, Fig. 7, meshing with a 'segment ||1 provided with an arm ||8- carrying aroller ||9 which encounters a cam surface |29 during the movement of the slide 94. Thus, as slide 94 ymoves longitudinally of slideway 93, rollerl ||9 `engages the cam surface |29, swinging fingers ||3 in a clockwise direction, Fig. "7, from the full line to the dotted line position, the fingers ||3 remaining in the dotted line position as the roller `||9 passes along the upper flat portion |2| of cam surface |29.

Mounted upon base 92 there is also a bracket |22, Fig. 6. on which there ismounted a pasteapplying device including a roller |23 which is partially surroundedy by a paste channel |24, to which paste is fed through a bore |25 from a reservoir |26 in the base or bracket |22, As will be seen from Fig. 1. there is a scraper or doctor |21 provided for limiting the amount of adhesive upon the roller. The upper end of the rollery is provided with a pulley |29, Fig. 6, by which it maybe driven from any suitable source nf power.

Adjacent the paste roller |23 there is mounted a. paste transferrer |29V provided with four A ratchet |39 at the top of the paste transferrer |29 prevents reverse rotation'of the pads while a toothed wheel |3|, Figs. 5,-6 .and -10, at 'the bottom .of the paste gers ||3 are operated by the action of 'camfsurf 6 transferrer 29-'i'slin posi-tion to v-be engaged-by an armJ |32 on slide 94 whenl the slide moves past the paste-applying device. Arm |32 is normallyl'held by a spring |32', Fig. 10, against a stop |325'.

As slide 94 moves in the direction of thearrow,

arm |32 engages wheel |3| turning paste .transf ferrer |29 through an angle of y9() degrees. As

slide 94 moves in reverse direction, springf |32 yields as arm |32 engages'wheel |3| and paste transferrer |29 does tion.

With the parts in the position in `which theyA are Shown in Figs. 5 and 7, a supplemental fsheet 36 for forming a sleeve is applied in any suitable way to the shoe' 35. For example, an automatic magazinemay be providedfor feeding the 'sup'- plemental sheets one 'at a time to the sheer.

As applied,- rhe sheetas assumes .rue-.position Apast pads |29, thus applying a stripl of paste to the heading edge |33 of .sheer-,13a Afterrhe sheet 36 is past the paste pads,fthe foldingnface |29 on roller ||9 to fold the rear-end |34 of the sheet forward, The'slide l94 continues'to move the sheet 36 into position so that the pasted portion at |33 forms a cuff insideof the spread apar't'corner of the bag and the folded over por-'- tion |34 of the sheet extends on the outside-of thespread apart cornerof the bag. The holders 31, Figs.` '1 and 2, are mounted upon arms |35 extending ironia vertical rock, shaft |36. The lower end of vrockshaft |35 is pro-- vided with a pinion |31 meshing with va pinion |38 which, in turn, meshes with a rack |39, carrying a roller |49 operated by arcam |4|on` shaft |96. Thev 'end of rack |39 is forked as at |42 and straddles the shaft |96. Roller |49 is kept in contact with cam |4| by a suitablespring", not shown. The holders 31 are swung -byQcam |4| into position against the rear bent-over por-l tions |34 of supplemental sheet 36 and press them rmly against the outer portion of the bag which is in contact with shoe 35 in its position inside the spreadapart corner of the bag.

The creasing plate38 is slidably mounted upon a base |43. A lever |44, Fig.` 2, is connected te the bottom o f the creasing `plate 38 by a link -|4 5 and a lspring |46 normally holdsthe leverand slide in the position in `which Athey arel shownin Figs. 1 .and-2. The ylever |44 which 'is fulcrumed at |41, extends downwardly therefrom adjacent shaft |96 and is operated therefrom by 4.means'oi a suitable cam, not shown. Creasing plate 3,3

moves toward the bag, Fig. l, and engages the'- central portion of the sleeve 36 as shoe"35com mences to withdraw from its position inside: the spread apart corner of the bag at which time" the sleeve 36 is held in position vagainst the bag byholders 31. Normalair pressure is restored to the pe'rforations as shoe 35 starts kto move away from the bag whereby the-sleeve 36 is disengaged from shoe 35 andfremains in position onA the bag. As creasing plate 38 engages sleeve 36,

the holders 31 start to withdraw. Creasing plate 38 thus presses against sleeve 36 `opposite the central line of the gusset, thus creasing fthe sleeve 36 and positioning it properly against 'the' end of the bag. l

Spreading wings 34 start-toclose while creas# not rotate in reverse direcing p1ate33 is in its holding positionand, as the plate withdraws, the spreading wings 34 close and complete the folding of the bag corner. Thereupon, slide 53 starts out, first withdrawing the spreading wings. 34y from the gusset 29 and then withdrawing the clamp 32 from over the gusset, whereupon the bag 20 may be removed in any desired manner and a new bag positioned and folded.

The various steps in the operation of my valving apparatus are successively illustrated in Figs. 11 to 18, inclusive, which will be referred to during the following brief summary of the operation. n

In Fig. 11, the bag 29 is shown in its initial position upon the table 2|. With the bag in this position, movement of the slide 59, Fig. 3 toward the bag causes clamp 32 to move into position over the bag and above clamping plate 4|). At this time, suction cups 33, 33 move toward the respective upper and lower surfaces of the vbag and movement of shoe 35 toward the bag in an angular direction is initiated as clearly appears from Fig. l.

In the step illustrated in Fig. 12, slide 59, Figs.

3 and 4, is in its position adjacent the bag and the clamp 32 is in engagement with the upper bag surface thus holding the bag firmly between clamp 32.and clamp-ing plate 40. It will be understood that clamp 32 holds the bag in engagement with clamping plate 40 in this manner during the rest of the operation. At this time, suction cups 33, l33 have been moved into engagement with opposite respective sides of the bag and are now slightly spread apart with the result that the gusset 29 is slightly opened. Spreading wings 34 are shown in position engaging the bag adjacent the fold or crease 30, Fig. 9, interiorly of the gusset 29. Shoe 35 is closer to the bag and the supplemental sheet 36 is held in position thereon by suction at the perforations ||I. A strip of glue is shown at |41 which has been applied to the leading edge |33 of sleeve 36 during the passage of shoe 35 past the paste transferrer |29, Fig. E. In this position, the sheet 3B is substantially Iiat and the folding fingers I I3, I I3 are in position beneath the rearward portions |34 of sleeve 3,6.

In Fig. 13, the spreading wings 34 and 34, in response to action of the cam 16, Fig. 2, upon roller 14 are shown in open position. Accordingly, the gusset 29 is fully opened and presents a substantially flat surface as at |48, the bag folding inwardly at |49 to form a second substantially flat surface in contact with spreading wings 34, 34. Consequently, a recessed portion exists between the spreading wings 34, 34 and the clamp 32 as indicated at |50. The respective upper and lower end portions of the bag are spread somewhat by the action of spreading wings 34, 34 as indicated at to thereby distend the end of the bag in such manner as to permit the shoe 35 to enter the open corner of the bag. Rotation of the folding fingers ||3, II3 has been initiated by the action of cam surface on roller |I9, Fig. '1, to thereby fold over the rearwardly directed portions |34 of the supplemental sheet 36. It is to be understood that the leading edge |33 of the sleeve is still held in position upon the shoe 35 by the suction at perforations |I|. The suction cups 33, 33 rhave been withdrawn and, for simplicity, are not shown in this or succeeding views.

In Fig. 14, the shoe 35 is shown as having enmed. the spread. spart open end of the bas III and is in engagement with the inner portions of the bag as at |52 the respective upper and lower portions I5| of the bag being fully extended by the entrance o f the shoe 35. Fig. 16 shows the shape of the bag, during the step illustrated in Fig. 14, the supplemental sheet and portions of the mechanism operating on the bag being omitted for clarity. It will be noted that the leading edge |33 of supplemental sheet 36 passes interiorly of and engages the spread apart open end of the bag as at |53, Figs. 14 and 15. It will further be understood that the surface of the bag in contact with the shoe 35 as at |54 is a substantially plane surface and that the rear portions |34 of the sheet 36 are completely folded over by the fingers |3I, |3I and pressed into engagement with said substantially plane bag surface |54. At this time, the supporting members 31, 31 swing inwardly and hold the rear portions |34 of the supplemental sheet against the bag. Normal air pressure is then restored to the perforations I I and the shoe 35 commences to move away from the bag leaving folded over portion |34 of the supplemental sheet 36 in position against the outer bag surface |54 supported by holding members 31. At this time motion of creasing plate 38 toward the central portion of the bag is initiated.

Referring to Fig. 17, it will be noted that the shoe 35 has moved away from the bag and that creasing plate 38 is in engagement with supplemental sheet 36 to thereby crease said sleeve along a central fold line adjacent thegusset of the bag. As soon as creasing plate 38 contacts the sheet 36, the supporting members31, 31 commence to withdraw. As creasing plate 38 moves further into the bag, the spreading wings 34, 34 start to close and engage the bag at the surfaces |55, |55, respectively, to thereby complete theclosure and folding of the bagcorner. 'Ilhe final position" of the spreading wings 34 is shown in Fig. 18 in which it will be seen that a U-shaped valve |53 i's provided extending laterally into the bag, the folded sleeve36, Fig. 19 f1tting into the valve |56 to provide for kready insertion of a filling tube, for example. It will be apparent that the leading edge |33 of the sleeve is folded over and held in contact with the inner surface of the valve as indicated at |51, Fig. 19, by the strip of adhesive material which was applied to the leading edge |33 during the passage of shoe 35 adjacent the pasting roll |29, Fig. 6.Y

Referring again to Fig. l5, it will be seen that the sleeve 36 is folded around and covers the open end of the bag interiorly of the valve. Thus, if the bag were formed from several sheets of paper, for example, there would be -no tendency for material to work its way between the several sheets of material into the interior of the bag. After the sleeve has been folded and applied to the bag in this manner, slide 59, Figs. 3 and 4, moves away from the bag whereupon clamp 32 is withdrawn together with the spreading wings 34, 34, at which time the bag may be removed in any suitable manner and a new bag placed upon the table 2 I.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the apparatus may be easily modied to form a valve upon a bag without application of a supplemental sheet or sleeve thereto. Thus, for example, if no supplemental sheets are supplied to the shoe 35, the clamp 32, spreading wings 34, 34, suction cups v33, 33 and creasing plate 38 will operate to form a valve upon the baz. It will be apparent that the holding mom- Furforrr'raA valve upon a bag, shoe 35 may, in some cases, be omitted, sufficient spreading of the gusvset 29 being obtained by action of the spreading Wings 34, 34 to form the necessary folds in the valve. Furthermore, it will be understood that bags of various sizes and shapes may be valved by the novel apparatus herein described and supplemental sheets or sleeves of various shapes and dimensions may be applied thereto.

Broadly speaking, the table 2l, clamp 32, and spreading wings 34, 34 constitute means for supporting a bag having a spread corner. Moreover, the portions of the shoe 35 adjacent the perforations I l l comprises holding means for a supplemental sheet or sleeve while the mechanism `for moving shoe 35 together with the holding members 31 and creasing plate 38 constitute means for effecting relative movement between the sleeve and the bag to cause the sleeve to engage v`and be retained in engagement with the' spread corner of the bag.

While the invention has been described with 'respect-to a present preferred embodiment which has -given satisfactory results, and certain modifications have been referred to, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after understanding the invention, that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionand it is intended, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all ysuch changes and modifications,

What is claimed as new and desired to be se'- cured by Letters lPatent is:

1. In fourming a sleeve Valve bag', the steps which comprise separating the Walls of the open end of a bag adjacent one corner of the bag, introducing between the separated Walls a spreader and moving the spreader in a diagonal direction into the bag until the corner ofthe bag is substantially straightened against the spreader, applying to the outside of the straightened corner a sheet adapted to form a sleeve, thereafter withdrawing'the spreader while holding the sheet in position and then folding the sheet and straightened corner about a median line and collapsing thespread apart walls against the folded in sheet and corner.

2. The method of forming a sleeve in the corner of a bag, which comprises holding on a supporting member a supplemental sheet having an adhesive-coated portion, spreading apart the bag walls at an open end of the bag adjacent one corner thereof to form a substantially plane bag surface which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bag, effecting relative movement between the bag and said holding member to engage the plane bag surface with the adhesive-coated portion of the supplemental sheet, 'and folding the supplemental sheet, after subner of a bag, which comprises holding the bag fn collapsed position adjacent an open end thereof,

spreading apart the bag walls at the open bag end to form a substantially plane surface between the bag walls, holding a supplemental sheet having an adhesive-coated portion on a supporting l10 member, folding the supplemental sheet into substantially U-shaped configuration lwith one long leg', and with the` adhesive-coated portion defining at least a part of .one short leg, effecting relative movement between the plane bag surface and said supporting member to thereby position the short leg of the supplemental sheet inside the plane bag surface in adhering relation therewith and the long leg of the supplemental sheet outside the plane bag surface, and folding the lsupplemental sheet and the plane bag surface to cause the supplemental sheet to form a sleeve in the valved end of the bag.

4. The method of forming a sleeve in the corner of a bag, which comprises holding the bag in collasped position adjacent an open end thereof. spreading apart the bag walls at the open bag end to'form a substantially plane surface between the bag walls, holding a supplemental sheet having an adhesive-coated portion on a supporting member, moving the supporting member toward the plane bag surface and, while said supporting member moves, folding the supplemental sheet into substantially U-shaped configuration with one long leg and with the adhesive-coated portion defining at least a part of one short leg, continued movement of said supporting member positioning the short leg of the supplemental sheet inside the plane bag surface in adhering relation therewith and the long leg of the supplemental sheet outside the plane bag surface, and folding the supplemental sheet and the plane bag surface to cause the supplemental sheet to form a sleeve in the valved end of the bag.

[75. In apparatus of the character described, a support for a bag, means for separating the walls of the bag at one corner thereof to form a bag surface which 'is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for effecting relative movement between said holding means and said supporting means to cause the supplemental sheet to engage and be retained in engagement with said substantially perpendicular bag surface. and means for folding said surface and the retained sheet inwardly into the plane o f the bag] [6. In apparatus of the character described, means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof to retain the bag in a stationary position, means for spreading an open corner of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet, and means for moving said holding means toward the bag to deposit the supplemental sheet on a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, said holding means being thereafter movable from the bag] [7. In apparatus of the character described, means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof to retain the bag in a stationary position, means for spreading an open corner of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for moving said holding means toward the bag `to deposit the supplemental sheet on a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, said holding means being thereafter movable from the bag, and means for folding the corner of the bag and the supplemental sheet inwardly] 8. In apparatus of the character described. means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof, means for spreading an open corner of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for imparting approximately U-shape configuration to the supplemental sheet with one leg thereof longer thanthe other, and means for 11 moving said holding means toward the bag to deposit the short leg of the supplemental sheet on 'an-interior surface of the bag at the spread cor- 'tion to the supplemental sheet with one leg thereof longer than the other, and means for 'moving said holding means toward the bag to de- Y posit the short leg of the supplemental sheet on an interior surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, said holding means being thereafter movable from the bag.

10. In apparatus of the character described, means lfor clamping a bag near an open end thereof, means for spreading an open corner of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet,

means for imparting approximately U-shaped configuration to the supplemental sheet with one leg thereof longer than the other, and means for moving said holding means toward the bag to depositithe short legr of the supplemental sheet on an interior surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof. said holding means being thereafter movable fromv the bag, said third named means being operative while said holding means is moving toward the spread corner of the bag.

1l. In apparatus of the character described, means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof to retain the bag in a stationary position, means for spreading an open corner of the bag.

-holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for applying adhesive to the supplemental sheet,

' .means for moving said holding means toward the bag to ldeposit the adhesive-coated surface of the supplemental sheet in engagement with a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, said holding means being thereafter movable from the bag, and means for applying pressure to the engaged surfaces of the bag and the supplemental sheet. Y

12. In apparatus of the character described. means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof to hold said bag in a stationary position, means for spreading apart the bag Walls at an open corner of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for applying adhesive to the supplemental sheet, means for moving said holding means toward the bag to deposit the adhesive-coated surface of the supplemental sheet in engagement with a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, said holding means being thereafter movable from the bag, and means for applying pressure to the engaged surfaces of the bag and the supplemental sheet, said last named means comprising a member coactable with said holding means for the purpose stated.

13. In apparatus of the character described, means for holding a bag having a spread apart open corner, holding means for a supplemental sheet, and means for imparting approximately U-shaped configuration to the supplemental sheet with one leg thereof longer than the other and for depositing the long leg of the supplemental sheet upon an exterior surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, the short leg o-f the supplemental sheet being in contact with an interior surface of the bag.

14. In apparatus of the character described, means for holding a bag having a spread apart open corner, holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for applying a strip of adhesive to said supplemental sheet. and means for imparting approximately U-shaped configuration to the supplemental sheet with one leg thereof longer than the other and for depositing the long leg of the supplemental sheet upon an exterior surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, the short leg of the supplemental sheet having the strip of adhesive applied Athereto and being in contact with an interior surface of the bag.

15. In apparatus for forming a valve bag, means to spread the corner of the bag diagonally between the side and the open end of the bag, means to hold a supplemental sheet, and means to move the holder to and from the bag and apply the sheet to said corner.

16. In apparatus for forming a valve bag, means to spread the corner of the bag diagonally between the side and the open end of the bag, a holder for a supplemental sheet, means to fold the sheet into a substantially U-shape with one leg longer than the other, and means to move the holder substantially in line with said corner to position the short leg of the sheet inside of the corner and the long leg of the sheet outside of the corner.

17. In apparatus for forming a valve bag, means to spread the cornerof the bag diagonally between the side and the open end of the bag, a holder for a supplemental sheet, means to apply paste to one edge of the sheet upon the holder,

means to move the holder to carry said pasted edge inside of the said corner `with the paste next to the Wall of the bag, and means for folding the other side of the sheet so that it lies outside of said corner. f-

18. In apparatus for forming a rsleeve valve bag, means to straighten the edge ofithe wall of thebag at one corner in a direction transverse to the open end of the bag, means to fold a sheet into a substantially U-form with one leg longer than the other, means to insert the short leg of the sheet; inside of said straightened edge of the bag4 wall, and means to fold the sheet and straightened edge about a line in ,the plane of the' open end of the bag. y

19. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 and comprising means to apply adhesive to the short leg of the sheet before it is inserted in the bag.

2D. In apparatus for forming a sleeve valve bag, means to straighten the edge of a corner of a bag, means to separate the walls of a bag at its open end, a spreader plate, means to hold one edge of a supplemental sheet against the rear portion of said spreader plate, means to apply adhesive to said edge of the sheet, means to move the spreader with the sheet held thereby into the end of the bag and substantially. straighten the wall at one corner of the bag in a line transverse to the open end of the bag and carry the said edge of the sheet into the bag inside of said straightened edge of the bag Wall, and means to fold the other edge of the sheet outsideof the bag wall.

2l. In apparatus for forming sleeve valve bags, means for holding, spreading apart and tucking in one corner of the bag to form a valve, in combination with a holder, means to move the holder diagonally to and from said corner, suction means on said holder for holding a sheet of paper thereagainst, and means for applying adhesive to the paper while the holder is being moved towards the bag, the parts being timed and related so that the holder applies the paper to the open cornerV of the bag before it is folded in.

22. In apparatus for forming a sleeve valve in a` gusseted bag, a clamp for holding the gusset collapsed near one corner, spreading wings adapted to enter the gusset of the bag and spread the gusset adjacent the clamp, a holder, means to move the holder in a rectilinear line diagonally towards and from the clamp, a spreader plate on the holder adapted to enter the corner of the bag and straighten the edge of the; Wall of the bag at the corner, suction means for holding a sheet of paper against the rear edge of the spreader plate, means for applying adhesive to the sheet where it is held by the spreader plate, and means operative after the application of the adhesive to swing the rear edge of the sheet of paper forward in the direction of the movement ofthe holder, means for pressing the folded forward portion of the sheet against the bag wall when the spreader plate is within the bag whereby the adhesive is pressed between the sheet and bag wall by the spreader plate and said pressing means, the parts being timed to retain said pressingmeans in position While the spreader plate is at least partially withdrawn, a creaser plate, and means to move the creaser plate to and from the corner in the plane of the collapsed bag, whereby the spread apart corner and the sheet applied thereto are creased along a centra-l fold line.

23. In apparatus for folding in ,the corner of a bag to form a valve, means for supporting a collapsed bag in position for valving, means to spre'ad apart the Walls at the open end of the bag and substantially straighten the edge of the Wall at the corner in aline transverse to the plane ofthe collapsed bag, a plate rectilinearly reciprocable in the plane of the collapsed bag and in a direction parallel with the edge kof the bag. thefedge of said plate being perpendicular to its lineof travel, means to move said plate against the' spread apart corner and to collapse the spread apart corner against the opposite sides of the plate as it is being withdrawn. I

24. In apparatus for valving a gusseted bag, means for holding the bag in position to be valved, a slide, spreaders carried by the slide,

mea'n'stol moveV the slide to insert the spreaders inthe gusset, a sub-slide carried'on the r'st said slide, a clamping member'pivoted to Athe subsli'de and adapted to extend over the gusset when the slide ismovedvinward, and means for tightening the clamping member by relative movement of the sub-slide andthe first said slide.

[25. In apparatus of the character described, means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof to hold the bag in a stationary position, means for spreading an open corner of the bag, holding means for a supplemental sheet, and means for moving said holding means to deposit the supplemental sheet on a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof] 26. In apparatus ofthe character described, means for clamping a bag near an open end thereof, means for Spreading an open corner of the bag, ashoe, and means for moving said shoe into the bag to engage the inner surfaces thereof and form a substantially plane bag surface, said shoe being thereafter movable from the bag, and means to deposit at least a portion of a supplemental sheet upon said substantially plane bag surface.

27. In apparatus of the character described, a support for a bag, means for separating the walls of the bag to form a substantially plane bag surv face at one corner of the bag which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bag, supporti-ng means for an individual supplemental sheet, means iordetachably securingsuchen dividualsupplemental sheet to said supportingl meansmeans for effecting relative-mvementbef tween said support and said supporting means to cause said individual supplemental shee'tlto. engagev and be. retained in engagementwith said plane bag surface,v and means for folding.- said surface and the retained sheet inwardly into the plane of the bag.

28. In apparatus of the character, described. means for supporting a bag having a gussetgat one side thereof, means for spreading apart th gusset of the bagadjacent one bag cornerto form av substantially plane bag surface whichf is sub.-

stantially perpendicular to the plane. of the bg, holding means for a supplemental sheet, means for effecting relative movement. between-said holding means; and said supporting means to cause the supplemental sheet to. engage and, be retained in engagement withsaid substantially `plane bag surface, and means. for folding said,` surface and the retained sheet inwardly intortheu plane of the bag. v y

29. In apparatus ofthe characterdescribed,l a support for a bag, spreading means vforseparating the Walls of the bag to form a spread corner,

`said spreading means comprising spreading wings which initiate the separation ofzthe vbag Walls and a shoe which enters thebag and forms a substantially plane bag surface at the spread corner, supporting means for a supplemental sheet, and means for effecting relative movement between said bag support land said supporting means to cause the supplemental sheet Ato beengaged 'and `retained in engagement with theV`ll spread corner of the bag.

[3(1. In apparatus of. the character described,

means. for supporting a bag having'a gusset at oney side thereof, means for clamping thebagnear an `open end Athereof to hold the bag in astatio-nary position, means for spreading apartI thev gusset ofthe bag adjacent one bag. `cor-nerto form a plane bag surface, holding meansY for-a supplemental sheet, andv means for moving said holding means to deposit the supplemental sheet A on said plane bag'surface] y u 31. In apparatus of the character descilind,` a support for a bag, means for separating the Walls of the bag to form a substantially plane bag sur face at one corner of the bag whichis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bag,v supporting means for an individual supplemental sheet, means for detachably securing such an individual supplemental sheet to said supporting means, means for effecting relative movement between said support and said supporting means to cause said individual supplemental sheetv lto engage and be retained in engagementwith said plane bag surface, and means for folding the open corner of the bag and said supplemental sheet inwardly to thereby forma sleeved valved bag.k f

[32; In apparatus of the'charaeter` described, means for clamping a bag near an.open` end thereof tohold the bag in a stationary position. means for spreading an open corner ofthe bag, holding meansfor a supplemental sheet having an adhesive-coated portion, means for moving said holding means to deposit the supplemental sheet on a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof, means for applying pressure to the Aengaged surfaces of the bag and the supplemental sheet, and means for folding the open corner of the bag and said supplemental sheet inwardly to thereby form a sleeved, valved bag.]

33. In apparatus of the character described, a support for a gusseted bag blank: means for separating the walls of the bag blank at one corner thereof, such means comprising a spreader device having a pair of wings spreadable within the gusset at such corner of the bag blank to form a bag surface which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bag and which forms an accessible valve flap; holding means for a` supplemental sheet, said holding means having a sheet retaining member; means for effecting relative movement between said holding means and said bag blank supporting means to cause the supplemental sheet to engage and be retained in engagement with said'substantially perpendicular bag surface, said means for effecting relative movement comprising a power driven device operativelyv connected vto said holding means; means for folding said surface and the retained sheet inwardly about the median line of the valve flap into the plane of the bag, such folding means comprising a creasing member; and interconnected drive means for actuating in timed relationship said spreader device and said power driven device to effect said relative movement between said holding means and said bag blank supporting means to apply the supplemental sheet behind said flap, and thereafter to withdraw said holding means from behind said/flap and to actuate said creasing member for so folding said surface and sheet.

34. In apparatus of the character described, means including a clamp for clamping a gusseted bag blank near an open end' thereof to retain the bag blank in a stationary position; means for spreading an open corner of the bag blank, said spreading means including a spreader device insertable into the gusset of the bag blank and havin-g a pair of pivotally mounted elements which are separable toopen such corner; holding means for a supplemental sheet, said holding means including a sheet retainingv element; means including a power driven device operatively connected to said holding means for moving the latv ter toward the bag blank to deposit the supplemental sheet on al surface of the bag blank with a portion of such sheet behind the spread corner thereof, said holding means being thereafter movable from the bag blank; foldover mechanism for 'engaging a supplemental sheet and folding same into substantially U-shaped configuration with one leg located exteriorly of such open spread corner and the other leg comprising said portion positioned as aforementioned behind the spread corner of the bag blank; means comprising a creasing member for folding the spread open corner of the bag blank and the supplemental sheet about a median line thereof; and interconnected drive means for actuating in timed relation said spreader device and said power driven device to effect said relative movement between said holding means and said bag blank to apply the supplemental sheet to the spread corner of the bag blank, and to actuate said foldover mechanism for folding the supplemental sheet over the spread corner of the bag blank, and thereafter to actuate said creasing member for so folding said corner and supplemental sheet to close said spreader device thereby to collapse said open corner with the supplemental sheet therein.

3,5, In apparatus of the character described, means for clamping a gusseted bag blank near an open end'thereof to hold the bag in a stationary position; means for spreading an open corner of the bag blank comprising a spreader device having a pair of wings spreadable within the gusset at such corner of the bag blank to form an accessible valve Jap; holding means for a supplemental sheet comprising a sheet retaining member; means for moving said holding means to deposit the supplemental sheet on a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof with a portion of such sheet positioned behind said valve flap; means comprising a foldover member'for folding said supplemental sheet into substantially U-shaped configuration with one leg located exteriorly of such valve flap and the other leg comprising such portion positioned as aforementioned behind such flap; means comprising a creaser member for folding said valve flap and supplemental sheet inwardly about a median line thereof; and interconnected drive means for actuating in timed relationship said spreader device, said moving means so to deposit said sheet by said holding means, the latter thereafter being withdrawn, and said creaser member for so folding said flap and sheet.

36. In apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a bag having a gusset at one side thereof; means including a. clamp for clamping the bag near an open end thereof to hold the bag in a stationary position; means for spreading apart the gusset of the bag adiacent one bag corner to form a plane bag surface, said spreading means including spreader wings insertable in the gusset, such wings being separable to spread apart the gusset; holding means for a supplemental sheet, said holding means including a supplemental sheet retaining member; automatic adhesive applicator means for depositing adhesive upon each of the supplemental sheets, means for moving said holding means toward the bag to deposit the supplemental sheet on said plane bag surface, said moving means including a power device operatively' connected to said holding means; means comprising a creasing member for folding the spread open corner of the bag and the supplemental' sheet about a median line thereof for collapsing such open corner; and interconnected drive means for actuating in timed relationship said spreading means, said power device to effect relative movement between said holding means and the bag, and said creasing member for so folding said corner and supplemental sheet.

37. In apparatus of the character described, means including a clamp for clamping a gusseted bag near an open end thereof to hold the bag in a stationary position; means for spreading an open corner of the bag, such spreading means comprising a spreader device having spreader wings which are insertable near said clamp in a gusset of the bag when such wings are in a substantially closed condition, said wings being openable to spread such gusset and the corner of the bag to form an accessible valve flap; holding means for a supplemental sheet having an adhesive-coated portion, such holding means comprising a supplemental sheet retaining device; means for moving said holding means to deposit the supplemental sheet on a surface of the bag at the spread corner thereof with a portion thereof behind said valve flap, such moving means comprising a power driven device and mechanism for operatively connecting same to said holding means; means for applying pressure to the engaged surfaces of the bag and the supplemental sheet, means including a creaser plate for folding l the open corner of the bag and said supplemental sheet about a median line thereof inwardly to REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record 1n the 111e of this patent or the original patent:

Number 948,439

18 l UNITED STATES EA'IE'INISV Name Date Beam Feb. 9, 1910 4 Rqipgton Nov. 4, 1930 Rdngton Apr. 5, 1932 Currier Oct. 4, 1932 Andreas July 4, 1933 Svillj'igrkey June 25, 1940 fBisfhofI Feb. 11, 1941 L'e et. a1 Nov. 3, 1942

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