JPH0780494B2 - Opening device for plastic bags - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for opening plastic bags to remove their contents has a pair of wheels (11,12) mounted in approximate coplanar relationship such that there is a point of approximate cotangency. The two wheels rotate in opposite directions, and a series of tines 13 are mounted in spaced relation on the periphery of each wheel to extend normal to the direction of travel of the loop. Once a filled plastic bag is placed onto the apparatus at the point of approximate cotangency of the wheels, a biased flexing structure presses the bag against the tines. A hole is created in that surface riding on the tines as the tines move away from the point of approximate cotangency. To remove any articles remaining in an opened bag, a pair of oppositely-rotating rollers (63,68) are positioned so as to draw the bag between them. An oscillating member forward of the rollers acts to prevent any articles remaining in an opened bag from entering between the rollers. A vacuum collection means 73 draws off the emptied bags. The apparatus has particular application to the opening of bags containing recyclable articles. <IMAGE>

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plastic bag opening device, and more particularly to a device for controlling the opening of a plastic garbage bag filled with waste to be recycled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With increasing concern about the environment, used glass bottles, tin cans, papers and other wastes have been collected and recycled. For convenience, such waste is often collected and stored in a plastic garbage bag. in this case,
Opening a large number of bags by hand is a labor-intensive task, so a means for opening them quickly is required.

Various devices have been proposed in the past for opening a bag filled with such waste and taking out the waste therein. As an example thereof, US Pat. No. 4, entitled "Method and Machine for Opening a Packed Bag, Taking Out the Items, and Handling the Empty Bag".
No. 798508 (issued to Dow Chemical Company on January 17, 1989). Here, first, the bag is guided to the gap between the pair of rotating drums. From each drum, a series of spikes extend radially through a belt that rotates around the drum. As the bag enters the gap between the drums, it is retained by the spikes and drawn into the cutter means. The cutter means cuts the bag in half to remove the contents. Each half emptied
The spikes on the drums on each side carry the spikes away from the belt where they are released.

Considering recycling, it is desirable to keep glass bottles and similar fragile objects intact through the opening process of the garbage bag, and so disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,798,508 to open the bag. It is not practical to use such a device. Instead, what is desired is a means by which one side of a plastic bag full of waste can be opened and the bag oriented to drop the waste therein from the side from which it was opened. The device according to the invention is a plastic bag opening means which allows the bag to be quickly opened and emptied while keeping the individual articles in the plastic bag intact.

The device of the present invention comprises a pair of wheels, one wheel moving in a first plane perpendicular to the axis and the other moving in a plane perpendicular to the second axis. Further, one wheel rotates clockwise and the other wheel rotates counterclockwise. Both wheels rotate at approximately the same angular velocity,
It is oriented so that the first and second planes are in substantially the same plane and that there is at least one close position such that the two wheels are tangentially separated from each other. The device also includes a series of cusps spaced on the outer edge of each wheel on the same side of each wheel's orthogonal plane and generally perpendicular to that plane. have. The device further comprises means for pressing the bags onto the cusps moving past this close position so that the cusps penetrate the first surface of the bag. As the cusps on the two wheels move away from their close proximity, the bifurcation creates a tear line on the first surface of the bag. The apparatus also includes vibrating strainer means and vacuum collecting means located adjacent the outer edge of each wheel. Due to the tangential separation of each wheel and the spacing of adjacent cusps on the same wheel, when the cusps on two wheels move away from their close proximity to each other on the first surface of the bag. The tear lines that are formed are sufficiently close that they can combine to form a single continuous hole in the surface. All or most of the contents of the bag
It falls through the hole. The combination of filtration and vibration action allows the vibration strainer means to remove residue in the bag. The vacuum collection means collects the empty bag. At least a portion of the vacuum collection means is positioned immediately adjacent to the oscillating strainer means and downstream of the strainer means with respect to rotation of the respective wheel.

The vibration strainer means may be a pair of rollers mounted so that the rotation axis of each roller is parallel to the other roller and extends substantially horizontally. The two rollers are adapted to rotate in opposite directions and are spaced apart from each other so that their cylindrical surfaces engage along the pull line. The pull line is positioned so that the bag captured by the cusp moving past one end of the roller is drawn into the pull line.
The vibrating strainer means also includes a vibrating member extending forward of the pair of rollers and having first and second portions.
The first portion defines one lip of the oscillating slot at the barrier located in front of the pull line. The bag that enters the pull line is pulled through the slot. The second portion defines a vibrating guide member for acting against the bag entering the slot, thereby preventing bag contents from entering the slot.

A stationary ring is provided adjacent to the circumference of each wheel. Each ring has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the circle formed by the cusps on each wheel. The cusps on each wheel move inside and proximate to each ring. Each ring is attached to the device such that the upper edge of that portion of the ring that extends adjacent the strainer means extends proximate the upper end of the pointed tip that moves past the strainer means.

The bag pushing means may comprise a biased flexible structure consisting of a number of links, one of the links having a plate means for pushing onto the bag. This flexible structure has a substantially box-like configuration and has four links connected in series via hinges. The outer end of each outer link is hinged to the underframe of the device. The flexible structure is normally supported by the underframe of the apparatus in the rest position, and is biased by the biasing means so as to return to the rest position after the movement. This structure causes the flexible structure to move from its rest position when the bag first contacts the plate means. The biasing means continue to act in its approached position to press the bag against the cusps on the wheel and then return the flexible structure to its rest position.

The vacuum collecting means has the other part located downstream of one part with respect to the direction of rotation of each wheel. The other part of the vacuum collecting means comprises a pair of vertically stationary pipe sections, one extending above the passage of the pointed tip in position and the other below the passage. The air introduced from the bottom pipe section is sucked into the upper pipe section at the same flow rate, thereby forming an upward air column across the cusps moving past the predetermined position.

[0010]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to two preferred examples.
The details will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a pair of identically shaped wheels 11 and 12 lie in the same horizontal plane. Wheels 11 and 12 each comprise a series of pointed heads 1 supported at equal intervals along their outer edges.
Have three. Each point 13 is fixed to the outer end of a respective horizontal arm 14 and the inner end of each arm 14 is attached to the outer edge of the wheel. Wheel 1
The axes of rotation of 1 and 12 in the position indicated by reference numeral 15 in FIG.
The passages of the two cusps are provided so as to approach each other. The motor (not shown) is the input shaft 16 of the first gear case 17.
Is also connected to the second gear case 19 via the belt 18. The pulley 20 is attached to the gear case 19 to drive the belt 21, and the belt 21 further rotates around the pulley 22. This pulley 22 is fixed to the wheel 11 and rotates with it. The wheel 12 has been omitted from FIG. 1 in order to better show the corresponding drive and to clearly show the running frame 23 supporting the rotating wheels 11 and 12. With the configuration shown, the wheel 11 rotates clockwise and the wheel 12 rotates counterclockwise at the corresponding angular velocities. A series of cusps 13 on the two wheels move away past position 15.

A series of cusps 13 are each wheel 11
The wheel 12 is mounted so as to extend vertically to either outer edge of the wheel 12. However, the pointed portion 13 may be inclined in the direction in which the outer edge portion moves.
In the side view of FIG. 6, the cusp 13 is provided on one outer edge 28 of the wheels 11 and 12 at an angle of about 75 ° with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the wheels.
The size of this angle is not critical, but all cusps must be attached at the same angle. The point 29 located at the end of the cusp 13 is actually a linear edge 30, as best seen in the end view of FIG. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, each point may be tilted radially with its outer end toward the center of the wheel.

The chute 33 is fixed to the underframe of the bag opening device at an angle such that the lower end of the chute 33 is located near the position 15. The upper end of the chute 33 may be installed below the end of a conveyor belt (not shown). The angle of the chute 33 should be steep enough that the plastic bag filled with waste is free to glide over the chute 33 and drop onto the double cusps passing through position 15. Further, a pair of cogwheels 35 are mounted on a rotary shaft 36 so as to be freely rotatable at intervals. Each end of the rotary shaft is attached to one end of a pair of identical beams 37. It is connected. The pair of cogwheels 35 are typically 8 inches apart. The other end of each beam 37 is rotatably connected to a rotary shaft 38, and the shaft 38 is fixed to the underframe of the bag opening device.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wheel 12
Is supported by a first bearing 40 and rotates about a fixed rotation shaft 41 extending from the upper portion of the traveling underframe 23 of the device. The wheel 11 is similarly supported. Above the bearing 40, the axis of rotation 41 is slightly bent towards the position 15. The second bearing 43 of the rotating shaft 41 supports the truncated cone-shaped saucer 45 above the bent portion. The peg 46 attached to the upper surface of the wheel 12
It extends into the opening in the bottom surface 48 of the saucer 45.
The peg 46 allows the wheel 12 and the saucer 45 to rotate together in an angularly offset plane. Similarly, the saucer 49 rotates with the wheel 11.
The purpose of the pair of saucers 45 and 49 is to position the garbage bag on the two sets of cusps 13 moving past position 15. The bag thereby rests on the frustoconical edges of the two saucers and the annular lip 50 of each saucer.

A portion of the carriage frame 23 defines a ramp 52 which forms an angle of approximately 25 ° with the horizontal. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the upper end of ramp 52 extends below a portion of wheels 11 and 12, and the lower end of ramp 52 abuts conveyor belt assembly 53.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a strainer device, generally designated 60, is provided adjacent the outer edge of the wheel 12, and the same device is also provided adjacent the outer edge of the wheel 11. ing. The device 60 is composed of a motor 62 that drives a first vertical shaft 63 via a gear case 64. The gear case 64 includes a vertical support 6 which is fixed to the slope 52 through a connected bottom support 66.
Supported by 5. The lower portion of the first vertical axis 63 has a series of vertically extending teeth that coincide with the axis of symmetry of that axis. A second vertical shaft 68, which is rotatably supported by the bottom support 66, extends parallel to the shaft 63 and has a complementary series of teeth which engage the teeth of the shaft 63. Vertical axis 6
The clockwise rotation of shaft 63 causes the counterclockwise rotation of shaft 68 because the teeth of 3 and 68 mesh. The teeth of shafts 63 and 68 are located in one of a pair of housings 70 and 71, respectively, defining a pair of elongated vertical slits between the two housings. A suction pipe 73 is connected to the strainer assembly 60, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, and also in FIGS. The suction pipe 73 extends at a constant angle, and one end of the suction pipe 73 is provided close to the outside of a vertical slit defined between the housing 70 and the housing 71.

A pair of lower guide bars 75 and 76 are adjacent the passage of the pointed portion 13 from the ramp 52 to the housing 7.
1, the lower end of the guide bar 75 is fixed to the inclined path 52 closer to the wheel 12 than the position of the lower end of the guide bar 76. The upper guide bar 78 extends upward from a mounting position on the housing 70 to a mounting position (not shown) on the bag opening device.

A cam bar 80 extends between position 15 and strainer assembly 60 adjacent the passageway of point 13. One end of cam bar 80 is fixed to ramp 52 and the other end is attached to the top of vertical post 81. The vertical support 81 has its lower end fixed to the slope 52. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vertical plate 8
2 is supported by a column 83 from the underframe of the bag opening device. The plate 82 has a generally rectangular side surface and is mounted so that its lower surface lies slightly above the annular lip 50.

The pair of bars 85 extend downward from the underframe of the bag opening device at a constant angle, and the lower ends thereof are located away from the pointed portions 13. The plan view of FIG. 1 shows the positional relationship of the bar 85 with respect to the entire apparatus.

The first embodiment of the device operates as follows. While the wheels 11 and 12 are both rotated at an angular velocity of 3 to 10 rotations / second (preferably about 8 rotations / second), the bag filled with waste is dropped onto the chute 33. A pair of cogwheels 35 rotate as the plastic bag slides underneath it and stays on the bag as the bag moves at position 15 over a series of two cusps 13. The gear 35 serves to more firmly press the plastic bag against the cusp by its own weight and to position the bag on the cusp. This bag opening device is constructed so as to function sufficiently without the gear 35, but by providing it, the performance can be improved. When two sets of cusps are forked, the linear edge 30 of each cusp penetrates the surface of the bag resting on that edge. In the operating condition of the device, the wheels 11 and 12 each have a diameter of about 6 feet, and the series of cusps 13 located at the outer edge of each wheel has a length of about 4 inches, each about 4 inches. Separated. Two wheels 11
The distances 12 and 12 are set so that at position 15 the respective wheel tips 13 are about 4 inches apart. It has been found that this configuration allows the tear lines formed on the surface of the bag by the bifurcation of the cusps to connect to form a single hole on the surface of the bag. It has also been found that the distance between the two wheel cusps 13 at position 15 is an important parameter for the effective functioning of the device. If the distance is too short, the bag will ride on the cusps without receiving sufficient penetration, and if the distance is too long, the tear lines formed on the surface of the bag will be wide and the surface The web between the two lines does not tear so as to form a single hole therein.

When holes are formed in the lower surface of the bag,
The upper portion of the bag is in contact with the pair of bars 85. The lower part of the bag continues to move by the cusps, while the movement of its upper part is restrained so that the bag rotates so that its open lower surface leads the upper part. Bar 85
Are spaced sufficiently above the cusps to allow such rotation of the bag. The majority of recycled article 86 in the opened bag falls through the open lower surface of the bag onto ramp 52 and then slides onto conveyor belt assembly 53. This conveyor belt assembly 53 also carries them to the sorting position. The waste on the annular lip 50 contacts one of the plates 82 located above the lip and is therefore pushed onto the ramp 52. Although hard items such as cans can be pushed into the point, the cam bar 80 pushes them away from the point.

Most of the items in each bag are removed by the process described above, but some are usually left in the corners of the bag. The strainer device 60 and its associated guide bar are used to retrieve those items. The opened plastic bag 87 is dragged across the lower guide bars 75 and 76 by one or more cusps 13 and further between the lower guide bar and the upper guide bar 78. Then the bag is in housing 70 and 7
Enter the vertical slit between 1 and proceed to the passage of the pair of engaging gears of shafts 63 and 68. Once the engagement gear captures the bag, it begins to pull the bag through its engagement surface. The article remaining in the bag is too large to fit in the vertical slit between housings 70 and 71 and is therefore pushed through the bag onto ramp 52. When the residue of the bag 87 comes out from the opposite side of the strainer device 60, it is collected by the suction pipe 73. The suction pipe 73 supplies these to a waste bin (not shown).

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the bag opening device of the present invention. In this embodiment, a pair of chains 90 and 91 each extend through a passage defined in part by guide tracks, which are designated by 92 and 93, respectively. Each of the guide tracks 92 and 93 includes an upper track portion and a lower track portion, as shown in FIG. The chute 95 has a function corresponding to the chute 33 of the first embodiment, and the pair of mating gears 96 are the pair of gears 35 of the first embodiment.
Has a function corresponding to. The chain 90 rotates around the sprocket 97 and the sprocket 98,
1 rotates around the sprocket 99 and the sprocket 100. A series of cusps 102 are provided on the chains 90 and 91. Unlike the first embodiment, the cusps 102 each extend vertically and have a pointed upper end. Head 102 passing through guide tracks 92 and 93
In order to stabilize the movement of each point, each point has a pair of carrier rollers 103 thereon. The rotation axis of each roller 103 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the pointed portion. One roller 103 of each pair of carrier rollers is located in the upper track portion of either guide track 92 or 93 and the other roller 103 is located in the lower track portion. A suction pipe extends vertically at an intermediate position between the centers of the sprockets 98 and 100, and a lower end portion of the suction pipe is located slightly above a plane passing through an upper end portion of the pointed portion 102. A conveyor system, generally designated 105, extends below the area between the guide tracks 92 and 93 and retrieves articles falling from a bag held by a cusp moving in those tracks. .

The second embodiment of the invention operates similarly to the device of the first embodiment. First, the garbage bag filled with waste is placed on the chute 95 and slid to the point 102 passing through the position 107. Thereafter, two sets of pointed heads 102 are linearly branched to form holes in the adjacent bag surfaces. Furthermore, for a short distance, two sets of series of cusps 10 are provided.
The two move in parallel paths while holding the bag from the taut between them. The two sets of cusps then converge around as they pass around sprockets 98 and 100, respectively, thereby relieving the force of the cusps gripping the emptied bag. The bag then passes under the suction pipe 104. The suction pipe now pulls the empty bag from the cusp and feeds it into a waste bin (not shown).

11 to 15 show another device structure which can be used together with the first embodiment of the present device, and FIG. 15 shows a first embodiment having these other devices. It is a figure.

FIG. 11 shows another strainer device of the first preferred embodiment. This device has a motor 120 for driving a worm in a worm gear 121. The worm wheel in the gear case 121 is attached to the bearing of the underframe member 122 of the bag opening device, and the horizontal shaft 1 of the first roller indicated by reference numeral 124.
It is connected to 23. The first roller 124 is a steel cylinder, and is wound with a soft urethane cylindrical tire 125 having a thickness of about 1 inch. The horizontal shaft 127 of the second roller indicated by reference numeral 128 is attached to the bearing of the underframe member 122. Like the first roller 124, the second roller
The roller 128 is a steel cylinder, and a soft urethane cylindrical tire 129 having a thickness of about 1 inch is wound around the roller 128. The horizontal shafts 123 and 127 are attached to the underframe member 122 at intervals such that the tire 125 continuously presses the tire 129. As a result, the second roller 128 can be rotated at the same angular velocity as the roller 124 and in the opposite direction.

The alternative strainer device further comprises a cam plate 132 mounted to the shaft 127 with its support surface proximate the tire 125. The plate 132 has an eccentricity such that its maximum radius is about 0.125 inches larger than its minimum radius, and its maximum radius is 180 ° offset from the minimum radius. Underframe member 1 of the bag opening device
The bearing of 34 is provided with a swivel shaft 135, and a pair of bars 136 are attached to the swivel shaft 135. A bar 128 extending above the second roller 128 is integrally attached to an arcuate plate 137 which defines the upper lip of a horizontal slot 138 having the same height as the tangent between tires 125 and 129. Is forming. The metal plate 140 attached to the underframe of the bag opening device forms the lower lip of the slot 138. The cam wheel 142 is attached to one of the bars 136, and the wheel 142 is rotatable and
It is positioned so as to rotate on the cam plate 132. When the shaft 127 and the cam plate 132 rotate, the cam wheel 142 and the plate 137 reciprocate in the vertical direction. The rotation of the cam plate 132 causes the slot 13
The distance between the upper lip and the lower lip of 8 can vary from a minimum of about 1/4 inch to a maximum of about 3/8 inch. An alternative strainer device is one in which the horizontal slot 138 extends at about the same height as the trajectory described by the upper end of the pointed head 13 and one end of the slot 138 and one end of the rollers 124 and 128 are close to the trajectory. It is attached to the underframe of the bag opening device. A wedge-shaped plate 144 is attached to the plate 137 to secure a slight distance from the upper end of the pointed portion 13,
The plate 137 is allowed to freely move up and down. Further, two support members 145 are provided between the plates 137 and 144 to maintain their relative positional relationship.

The plastic bag caught on one of the cusps 13 is pulled out by the slot 138 and captured by the pair of tires 125 and 129 almost simultaneously. The proximity of the plate 144 to the tops of the cusps 13 prevents residue in the bag from climbing over these cusps. Further, the plate 144 functions as a barrier for preventing the waste in the bag from colliding with the plate 137, and can prevent the waste such as a glass bottle from being damaged. The lower surface of the plate 144 lies in a plane just above the slot 138 so that contact between the plate 144 and the residue in the bag does not direct the direction of travel of those articles into the slot 138. The localization can be aimed at. Also, the slot 138, due to its small size, functions as a barrier to the recycled articles in the bag and allows the tire 125 to
And 129 facilitate peeling bags from these articles. Occasionally, flat cans and similar thin waste can quickly become stuck in the slot 138, which has been found to be removable by reciprocating the slot 138.

FIG. 12 shows another suction mechanism for removing bag residue from the bag opening device. This alternative suction device has a first suction pipe means indicated by reference numeral 150 and a second suction pipe means indicated by reference numeral 151. The first suction means 150 comprises a rectangular pipe 153 having an area of about 20 square inches and located immediately downstream of the bag opening device from the strainer device. Pipe 1
53 has a rectangular slot cutout on one side and is oriented so that the passage of the pointed portion 13 extends through the slot. About 4 passages from the pipe 153 to the tip 13
The second suction pipe means 151 is provided downstream of the foot. The second suction means comprises a pair of annular pipes 155 and 156 each having an area of about 20 square inches. The pipe 155 extends vertically such that its open lower end is directly above the upper end of the pointed portion 13, while
The pipe 156 extends vertically such that its open upper end is located directly below the lower end of the pointed portion 13. As shown in FIG. 12, the pipes 153 and 155 communicate with a common suction pipe 157, which is connected to a bag residue collecting container 158. A fan 159 is provided on the top of the container 158 to suck the inside of the pipe 157,
And a corresponding outward airflow through the pipe 156. The resulting strong air flow between the pipes 156 and 155 allows suction of residual plastic product from the pointed portion 13.

13, 14 and 15 show another bag supply device. A bag full of reclaimed waste is placed in a trough, designated 160, having a horizontal floor 161 connected to a pair of inclined side members 162. Floor 1
A series of pusher dogs 165 connected to a continuous driven chain through a longitudinal slot 164 in 61.
Is extended. The first end of the trough 160 is adjacent to the aforementioned position 15 where the two sets of cusps 13 are closest.
Above the position 15 a bag pressing device, indicated generally by 175, is attached to the underframe of the bag opening device. The device 170 shown in side view in FIG. 14 has a series of four connected bars 171, 172, 173, 174 in addition to the two tilting members 175 and 176 described below.
One end of the bar 171 is connected to the underframe of the bag opening device at a position 180 via a hinge. Bar 17 at rest
1 extends downward from one end thereof at an angle of about 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The other end of the bar 171 has a bar 172
Is connected via one end to the pivot. At rest, the bar 172 has a first portion extending from one end thereof at an angle of about 20 degrees to the horizontal and an integral second portion extending further upwardly from the first portion at an angle of about 40 degrees to the horizontal. Have The other end of the bar 172 is about 50 with respect to the horizontal plane.
It is pivotally connected to one end of a short bar 173 extending upward at an angle of degrees. The other end of the bar 173 is pivotally connected to one end of a bar 174 that extends in a generally horizontal direction in a stationary state. The other end of the bar 174 is hingedly connected to the underframe of the bag opening device at position 181. The frame has a spar 183 that maintains the bar 174 in its horizontal rest position by providing support from below. Dimensions a, b, c shown in FIG.
d and e are 13 inches, 18 inches, 22 inches, 9 inches and 26 inches, respectively. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14, a pair of strong springs 184 extend in a vertical line from the undercarriage girder 183 to the bar 171. These springs are only slightly loaded when the bag pusher 170 is in the rest position shown in FIG.

The inner sloping member 175 is a plate 185 that is secured to the second portion of the bar 172 and has a pair of edge flanges 186. Each edge flange 186 extends along one of a pair of edges of plate 185 parallel to bar 172. The external tilting member 176 is pivotally connected to the bar 172 by a pair of ears 187. The ramp member 176 is also formed from a pair of plates 188 each supporting an edge flange 189 and connected by a U-shaped member 190.
Further, ridges 191 extend from each of the plates 188 parallel to the edge flanges 189. In the rest position of the outer tilt member 176, the plate 188 overlies the plate 185 of the inner tilt member 175.
The inner tilting member 175 is dimensioned to press a bag that is smaller in size than the bag that the outer tilting member 176 tries to press. The alternative bag feeder of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 operates as follows. When a series of bags full of recycled waste is placed in the trough 160, the pusher dog 165 pushes the bags towards the first end of the trough 160. The bags in a row are wheel 11 first
And a bag pressing device 1 gripped by the pointed heads 13 of 12
It is urged toward 70. Large bag has external tilting member 1
It contacts the edge flange 189 and the raised portion 191 of 76 to maintain the guiding contact while rotating the member upwards. The small bag first contacts the edge flange 186 of the inner ramp member 175. Bag has edge flange 1
Starting to press 86, the bars 171, 172, 173 move to the left in FIG. 13 causing the spring 184 to distract. After that, the bars 172, 173, 174 have the bag in position 15
When it is captured by the pointed head 13 and further pulled below the bag pressing device 170, it starts moving upward. When the inner ramp 175 (and also the outer ramp 176 in the case of a larger bag) pushes the bag downwards, two sets of cusps 13 cut through the bag. The bag pushing device 170 then returns to its rest position and begins its work again with the next bag full of waste.

FIG. 16 shows the relative positional relationship in the first embodiment for each of the other structural devices of FIGS. 11 to 15. It shows the first embodiment with some further improvements. The cam bars 80 and vertical straddles 81 are still provided, but the guide bars 75, 76 and 78 in FIG. 4 have been removed. FIG. 16 further illustrates the addition of a pair of stationary steel rings 195, each ring being located on each of the wheels 11 and 12, outside the pointed portion 13 and in close proximity thereto. Each ring 195 has a rigid arcuate steel curtain 1 at its lower edge.
It is held in place by welding to the upper edge of 96. The ring 195 is oriented so that its top edge extends proximate the passage at the upper end of the pointed portion 13 that has passed through the plate 144 of the strainer device. A heavy rubber mat 197 is installed from below position 15 to the ramp 52, with each side of the mat 197 partially extending to the respective end of the curtain 196. This device is designed so that articles falling from an opened bag will have wheels 11 and 1
2 can be effectively prevented from being trapped under. Another modification to the first embodiment of FIG. 4 is that the plate 82 is replaced with a heavy rubber flap 198. Good working speed of the bag opening device can be achieved by using the alternative structural device shown in FIGS.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of a first preferred embodiment of a plastic bag opening device.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment.

5 is the same as the perspective view of FIG. 4, but showing a series of possible positions of the plastic bag captured by one point of the wheel of the device.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an example of a cusp which can be used in the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the pointed portion of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the present plastic bag opening device.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second preferred embodiment.

10 is a sectional view of the chain and the cusp attached thereto according to the second preferred embodiment, taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another strainer device used in the first preferred embodiment of the bag opening device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another suction device used for removing bag residue according to the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another bag supply device used in the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of another bag supply device of FIG. 13, which presses a bag having contents clogged against a cusp.

15 is an end cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 14 taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG.

16 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the alternative device of FIGS. 11-15. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 12 Wheel 13 Pointed head 14 Arm 21 Belt 23 Traveling frame 33 Chute 52 Ramp 53 Conveyor belt 60 Strainer device 90, 91 Chain

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Keith, Wayne, Little Canada, Cheltenham, Ontario, Canada, Earl, No. 1, (56) References JP-A-61-33921 (JP, A) Actual Development: 60-190605 ( JP, U) Actual opening 63-64612 (JP, U) Actual opening 64-28959 (JP, U) Actual opening 59-10008 (JP, Y2)

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A device for removing the contents of a filled plastic bag, comprising: (a) one wheel rotating a first surface of rotation in a clockwise direction and the other wheel rotating a second surface of rotation. A pair of counterclockwise rotating wheels, both wheels rotating at substantially the same angular velocity, the first surface of rotation and the second surface of rotation being in substantially the same plane, and the two wheels being tangential to each other. A pair of wheels oriented so as to be in an approaching position extending apart from each other in the direction, and (b) each wheel so as to extend on the same side of the rotation surface of each wheel and in a direction perpendicular to the rotation surface. A series of cusps spaced apart on the periphery and (c) a series of cusps moving past the approaching position so that the series of cusps penetrate the first surface of the bag. Means to push the bag with two wheels Bag pressing means for forming a tear line in the first surface of the bag by continuously branching the tip parts of the two wheels when moving in the direction away from the approaching position, and (d) one roller. The pair of rollers has a pair of rollers provided such that the rotation axis extends parallel to the other roller in the horizontal direction, and a vibrating member having a first portion and a second portion and extending in front of the pair of rollers. Bags caught in the cusps that rotate in opposite directions and are separated from each other so that their cylindrical surfaces engage along the pull line and move past the end of the roller. Positioned so as to be retracted into the pulling line, the first portion of the vibrating member defines one lip of the vibrating slot in the barrier located in front of the pull line, and the bag entering the pull line is pulled through the vibrating slot. , Two parts defining a vibration guide member for operation against the bag entering the vibration slots,
A vibration strainer means provided adjacent the outer edge of each wheel to prevent articles in the bag from entering the vibration slot; and (e) a vacuum collection means provided adjacent the outer edge of each wheel. The tangential separation of the wheels and the spacing of adjacent cusps on the same wheel is such that the tear formed on the first side of the bag when the cusps of the two wheels are moved away from the approaching position. The vibrating strainer is set so that the lines are close enough to join to form a continuous hole in its surface, and all or most of the contents of the bag can fall through the hole. An apparatus for removing the contents of a plastic bag, characterized in that the means removes the residue of the bag by a combination of filtration and vibration action and the vacuum collecting means collects the empty bag. 2. Plastic according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the vacuum collecting means is arranged very adjacent to the vibrating strainer means and downstream of the strainer means with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective wheel. Bag contents removal device. 3. A stationary ring is provided adjacent to the periphery of each wheel, each stationary ring having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the circle formed by the cusps on each wheel.
The cusps of each wheel move inside and in close proximity to their respective stationary rings, and the stationary rings are such that the upper edge of that portion of the stationary ring extending adjacent to the strainer means passes through the strainer means. The plastic bag contents removing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is attached so as to extend close to the upper end portion. 4. The bag pressing means comprises a biased flexible structure consisting of a number of links, one of the static links having a plate for pressing the bag. Equipment for removing the contents of plastic bags. 5. The flexible structure is four links that are hinged in a continuous manner so as to form a box shape, and the outer end of each outer link is hinged to the underframe of the apparatus. The structure is statically supported on the underframe of the device and is biased by the biasing means to return to the rest position after operation and the bag contacts the plate means to move the flexible structure from the rest position. 5. The plastic bag of claim 4, wherein the biasing means continues to act in the approach position to push the bag against the cusps of the wheel, returning the flexible structure to its rest position. Content removal device. 6. An apparatus for removing the contents of a filled plastic bag, comprising: (a) one endless loop rotating in a clockwise direction on a first rotation surface and the other endless loop rotating in a second rotation direction. A pair of endless loops rotating in a counterclockwise direction, both endless loops rotating at substantially the same angular velocity, the first rotating surface and the second rotating surface being in substantially the same plane, and two endless loops. A pair of endless loops oriented so that they are tangentially spaced apart from each other, and (b) on the same side of the plane of rotation of each endless loop and in a direction perpendicular to that plane of rotation. A series of cusps spaced apart in each endless loop so as to extend; and (c) means for positioning the bag on the cusps moving past the approaching position. Bag positioning means for continuously diverging the cusps of the two endless loops to form a tear line in the bag surface resting on the cusps when the dress loop moves away from the particular approach position. (D) means for transporting the bag having a chute positioned at a certain angle so that the bag can slide and having a lower end of the chute terminating above a specified approach position to the specified approach position, and (e) turning Having a wheel supported on the outer end of the arm and rotatably mounting the inner end of the pivot arm on the frame of the device for pressing the bag against the cusp moving past a particular approach position The tangential separation of the endless loops and the spacing of adjacent cusps on the same endless loop such that the cusps of the two endless loops move away from a particular approach position. When the tear line formed on the surface of the bag on the cusp is close enough to join to form a continuous hole in the surface, and the contents of the bag pass through the hole. An apparatus for removing the contents of a plastic bag, which is set so that it can fall. 7. The endless loop is a wheel rim, each wheel rim having a tangential position extending tangentially away from the rims of the other wheels. Removal equipment for plastic bags. 8. The contents of the plastic bag according to claim 6, wherein each point is attached to each endless loop so as to have an inclination toward the direction in which the endless loop moves in the attaching position. Object removal device. 9. The bag positioning means comprises a pair of frustoconical elements, each element rotating with a respective wheel and the axis of rotation of the element at a first angle being the axis of rotation of the respective wheel. A flat annular ring rotatably oriented with respect to each wheel so that it intersects and extends around the larger end of each element, each annular ring having its surface on the surface of each element. Positioned so as to extend perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the outer edge of each annular ring and the rim of the respective wheel move adjacent to each other in the approaching position, and in the approaching position due to the conical slope of the two elements. 7. Positioning the bag.
A device for removing the contents of the described plastic bag. 10. A bag comprising at least one rigid member extending from an underframe of the apparatus over the entire upper passage of the bag moving away from the approaching position, wherein each bag is rotated by the rigid member and is pointed by the cusp. 10. The device for removing contents of a plastic bag according to claim 9, wherein the hole formed on the surface extends forward of the upper portion of the bag. 11. A pair of plates positioned to extend slightly above and perpendicular to the surface of the ring to force the contents carried on the ring. Removal equipment for plastic bags. 12. A pair of abutments including a pair of bag strainer means having a strainer assembly and a series of guide rails, each strainer assembly located adjacent an outer edge of a respective wheel and rotating in opposite directions. A bag having a cylindrical member defining a pull line adjacent the rim of the wheel and trapped at the wheel tip is guided by a series of guide rails to the respective pull line of the strainer assembly to provide strainer assembly. 10. The plastic bag contents removing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the three-dimensional cylindrical member filters the residue from the bag. 13. An apparatus for removing the contents of a plastic bag according to claim 12, wherein a vacuum suction function is provided and each bag is collected after filtering the bag by one of the bag strainer means. 14. Each chain extends around a respective first wheel and a respective second wheel, and a particular approaching position exists between a pair of second wheels, each chain extending from the respective first wheel. Each track travels through a fixed track as it travels to the second wheel, and the track travels through the track more than when each chain travels around either the first wheel or the second wheel. 13. It is characterized in that it is positioned such that it has a greater distance when moving.
A device for removing the contents of the described plastic bag.