BE571107A - - Google Patents

Description

       

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   The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling bags, and more particularly to a machine used for filling bags with the aid of a pulverulent material and for automatically transporting the latter from a filling station to an evacuation station.
Heretofore, bag filling and handling machines of various kinds have been invented for automatically filling bags with powdered material, the bag filling part of the machine comprising a weighing device. to automatically adjust the amount of material loaded into the bag, and a device for then automatically discharging the bag from the machine.

   However, these machines leave a lot to be desired from the standpoint of simplicity, precision, and safety, and because of the limited functions they are capable of performing. With these machines, too, removal of the bags from the filling station often results in material flow, resulting in loss of material and a dirty condition around the machines.



   The present invention aims in particular to provide: a machine for filling and handling bags which enables an operator to check the weight of a bag which has been removed from the bag filling station of the machine and, in if necessary, perform a manual bag closing operation; - a machine as described above in which a number of operations can be carried out at the same time on a number of different bags, such as the bag filling operation and the checking operation. weight or other bags, and an operation of removing the bag at the discharge station of the machine, so that the checking operation does not limit the speed of the machine;

   - a machine for filling bags or the like with powdered materials, in which the bag is suspended from a horizontal filling tube extending. in an orifice disposed horizontally of the bag and supported by the weighing apparatus which controls a switch which automatically stops the flow of material in the filling tube when the contents of the filling tube and of the bag reach the desired weight, and in Further, material left in the horizontal fill tube after stopping the flow of material to it is poured into the bag so that the desired amount of material is loaded into the bag and a discharge material removal from the filling tube, upon removal from the bag, either minimized or avoided entirely;

   - a bag filling machine in which the flow of the pulverulent material at the bag filling station is regulated by a device comprising a deformable pipe which is associated with a pipe deformation device allowing both a relatively high flow rate than relatively low flow rate or in small quantities; - a bag filling machine which uses a shaking device which shakes the bag during the loading of the powder material at a high loading rate, and which in addition to its role of shaking, performs other important functions comprising removing the bag from the horizontally extending filling tube to which the bag hangs; - a bag filling machine which comprises a new device intended to hermetically close the bag after it has been filled.



   In its preferred form, the machine of the present invention has a bag filling station, a weight checking station, and an evacuation station. The filling station includes a horizontally extending filling tube for extending into a horizontally disposed filling port formed at the top of the bag to be filled. A device for maintaining and ser

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 The bag rage is provided to hold the bag against the filling tube so that the bag is suspended therefrom. The filling tube is carried by a suitable weighing device, preferably by the end of a balancing beam, this weighing device comprising a control switch which is opened or closed when the bag carried by the filling tube. reaches a predetermined weight.

   A flexible line connects the inlet end of the filling tube to a hopper containing a supply of powder material to be loaded into the bag.



   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, separate start adjusters are provided located on opposite sides of the deformable conduit. These flow control devices each include a piston intended to be moved from a retracted position to an advanced position in which the piston partially deforms the pipe. One of the pistons is intended to deform the pipe at a. appreciable degree to provide a load in small amounts, and the other piston, located on the other side of the pipe, is intended to supplement the deformation of the pipe to completely interrupt the advance of material from the pipe. filling tube. With this arrangement, the efficiency and speed of the flow rate control are maximized.



   Another aspect of the invention is to prevent the powder material from spilling out from the filling tube when the bag is removed therefrom. Since the filler tube is a horizontally disposed element, there is usually a certain amount of material left at the end of the filler tube which may fall from the end of the latter as soon as the bag has been removed. According to another aspect of the present invention, a blowing device is provided which is synchronized with the filling operation of the bag so that at the end of the charging of the powder material in the filling tube,

   a source of pressurized air is applied to the base of the fill tube to force any powder material remaining in the fill tube into the bag so that the bag receives all of its additional material, and no material is left in the fill tube which is likely to spill out from the end when the bag is removed To minimize operator work to mount the bag to the tube filling, in one form of the invention there is provided a photocell regulator having a light beam in the path of movement of the bag mounted on the filling spout.

   The interruption of the light beam by placing the bag on the filling tube is used to initiate the operation of a bag holder which clamps the bag on the filling tube, and of a another control device which controls the bag filling operation.



   Another aspect of the invention relates to the method of removing the bag from the filling spout without the assistance of the operator, using the same apparatus which shakes the bag during the initial filling of the latter.



  The shaker is automatically lifted to come into contact with the bottom of the bag and shakes the latter to compact the material therein.



  When the weight of the material contained in the bag approaches the desired weight, the shaking apparatus is moved away from the bag, so that the weighing device carrying the filling tube can accurately weigh the contents of the bag.



  When the weight is reached, a control switch is actuated which actuates the aforementioned flow control device, which completely deforms the deformable pipe connected to the filling tube. Operation of the control switch also initiates the elevation of the shaking mechanism for a second time, which lifts the bag from the fill tube. Almost simultaneously, the aforementioned bag holder is released from the bag, and when the shaking device reaches its upper limit, a limit switch is actuated which initiates the operation of a plunger piston which pushes the bag up. away from the fill tube and away from the shaker on a conveyor.

   The above-mentioned limit switch

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 born is also activated when the shaking device is lifted the first time to shake the bag while it is being filled. However, a suitable device is provided controlled by the weighing device to ineffectively activate the switch until the bag has been filled to the desired point. The last-mentioned transporter carries the bag discharged from the filling station preferably to the platform of a weighing scale located at the weight checking station.



   According to another aspect of the invention, the bag handling machine is arranged so that a number of operations can be performed simultaneously. Thus, when a given bag reaches the weight checking station, a switch Limiter of the finished bag is tripped, allowing the start of a fill cycle after a new bag is applied to the fill tube as explained above, using a photoelectric cell and a light beam or using a manual priming switch. When the last bag is being filled, the operator performs the appropriate verification operations at the verification station, such as checking the weight of the bag on the weighing scale.

   Preferably, the platform of the weighing scale is inclined, and a stop flap or shoulder is provided at the base thereof, which prevents displacement of the bag under the force of gravity from. the platform of the weighing scale, After a period of time determined from the start of a filling cycle, which period is sufficient to allow an operator to perform the necessary checking operations, but which is less than at the period of time required to fill a bag, the above-mentioned flap at the base of the weighing scale platform is automatically lowered, so that the bag is driven by the force of gravity towards the . evacuation station.

   The bag which was previously at the evacuation station must be unloaded before the last mentioned bag at the verification station is transported to said evacuation station. Therefore, at the discharge station there is provided a bag discharge device which is synchronized with the start of the filling cycle to discharge the bag which is at the discharge station before the next bag is transported therein.



   Heretofore, particularly for the packaging of carbon black, the bags have a filling port defined by a fold formed on a sleeve which is folded by the machine operator after filling the bag. Perfect closing of these bags was not possible with this type of bag, so that during handling of the bags during transport to the end user, a certain amount of the powder material often escaped as fine dust through the restricted opening of the bag.

   While the present invention can be applied to such a bag, in accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention, a novel bag sealing device is provided which automatically and completely seals a modified type of bag, preferably. at the discharge station of the machine, which now also becomes a hermetic closing station as well as an discharge station; The bag used according to this aspect of the invention does not have a sleeve capable of being folded, and the orifice disposed horizontally at the top of the bag is delimited by opposing or facing deformable walls of the material of the bag, which are normally in the undeformed or at most half-deformed state.

   A control switch is provided at the hermetic closure or discharge station which is actuated when the bag is initially transported therein. An automatic gluing device is provided at the closing and discharge station which is actuated when operating 1 control switch to automatically apply a fast-drying glue or cement to the internal surface of one of the deformable walls op - placed at least from the filling opening of the bag. This gluing device can consist of a glue application tube supported to be moved between a rest position and a working position in which the end of the tube extends into the filling orifice to apply the glue to at least one of the opposing deformable walls.

   When removing the glue application tube

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 from the bag opening, a closure plunger is momentarily pushed against the top of the bag to fold down the opposing facing walls of the bag filling opening to glue them together and seal the opening tightly. of the bag. Upon removal of the closure device, the above-mentioned bag discharge device is actuated to push the bag onto another suitable conveyor or the like.



   Other features of the invention relate to various details of construction of the machine and of the control circuits thereof, and other advantages and characteristics will emerge from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the bag filling and handling machine of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, on a larger scale, through the machine taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a vertical cross section of the machine taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a vertical cross section of the machine taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3;

   Figure 6 is an end view of the bag shaking and lifting device of the machine, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is an end view of the machine's weight check station, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 2; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bag suspended from the filling tube during a bag filling operation; Figure 9 shows a vertical longitudinal section of the bag after its sleeve has been folded to enclose the opening; FIGS. 10a and 10b together form a diagram of the electrical and hydraulic control circuits of the machine; FIG. 11 is a diagram of a control circuit of the photoelectric cell for initiating a bag filling operation;

   FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the discharge station of a variant of the machine which comprises a sizing and bag closing apparatus for automatically and hermetically closing a checked bag which does not have the folded sleeve; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bag at the discharge station of the machine showing the sizing apparatus introduced into the bag filling port; Figure 14 shows a longitudinal vertical section of the bag and the glue application apparatus of Figure 13; Fig. 15 is a vertical cross section of the bag and the glue application apparatus shown in Fig. 13, taken along line 15-15 of the latter figure;

   Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bag hermetic closure apparatus with its closure plunger in the pushed position in which it closes the mouth of the bag; Figure 17 is a fragmentary vertical section on an enlarged scale of the bag sealing apparatus of Figure 16;

   

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   Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit for the operation of the glue application and sealing apparatus shown in Figures 13 to 170
As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the machine has a bag filling station 4, a checking station 6, and an evacuation station 80 At the bag filling station 4, there is an apparatus indicated so. general at 10, which automatically admits the correct amount of material through the horizontally extending filling tube 12 and which supports a bag 14 to be filled with material.

   Below the filling station is a bag shaking and lifting apparatus, generally indicated at 16, and a bag discharging apparatus 18 by means of which a filled bag can be automatically pushed out from the bag. filling tube 12 on an inclined conveyor 20 which transports the bag to the checking station 6, which preferably has a weighing scale indicated generally at 22. At the checking station, the operator can visually check the actual weight of the contents of the bag fed into it, and when necessary, it can fold the sleeve of the bag when using a sleeve type bag.

   At the correct moment, the checked bag is brought automatically from the checking station to the evacuation station 80
The discharge station 8 comprises a pusher mechanism 24 for discharging the bag admitted to the discharge station on a suitable conveyor, such as a conveyor 26 of the transverse belt type. The discharge station may also include, when using a bag of the sleeveless type, a glue application and hermetic sealing apparatus indicated generally at 28 and shown only by dashes in Figure 1. This apparatus apply glue to the opening of the bag and seal the bag tightly by pressing the glued sides of the opening to close it.



   Now that the basic components forming the preferred embodiment of the invention have been briefly described, the structural and functional details of these various components will be described.



   Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 6, showing the apparatus at the bag filling station of the invention, this apparatus comprises a hopper 29 supported by the upper platform 30 of a frame 31 supporting rollers. The hopper contains a supply of the powdery material 35 (Figure 3), such as carbon black, which is to be admitted into the fill tube 12. An inlet pipe or line 32 is connected to the top of the hopper 29. , a conduit through which new supplies of powder material can be loaded when needed. The hopper has a perforated sloping bottom wall 34, the base end of which leads to an outlet 36 of the hopper.



  The perforations formed in the wall 34 are small enough to prevent the passage of powder material through it. A pressurized air inlet chamber 38 is located below the lower perforated wall 34 of the hopper, and this chamber has an inlet port 40 connected to a pressurized air inlet line 44. '. An electromagnet controlled valve (to be described hereinafter) is opened to apply air pressure at the start of a bag fill cycle to line 44 '. This air pressure is applied inside the hopper through the perforated bottom wall 34 of the latter, air pressure which forces the pulverulent material in the hopper through the discharge port 36 of this latter. last.



   The hopper 29 has a cylindrical extension 43 surrounding the discharge port 36 at its base, and a deformable pipe 44 of rubber or other similar material is applied over the extension 43 and is held firmly thereon. by a split ring clamping device 46.



  The other end of the deformable conduit 44 is elongated over one of the protruding ends of a short branch tube 48 passing through a

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 vertical support plate 50 and fixed to the latter, which is supported by the platform 30. The pipe 44 is blocked on the end of the tube 48 by a clamping device 52 with a split ring. One end of a short section of deformable pipe 58 of rubber or the like is extended over the other protruding end of the branch tube 48 and is secured thereto by a clamp 60, and The other end of this short section of flexible conduit 58 is secured around the posterior end of the fill tube 12 by a clamp 62.



   The backing plate 50 has a vertical bore 64 which communicates at its top with a pressurized air inlet duct 66 connected to a suitable solenoid-controlled valve (which will be described below) which connects a source of pressurized air just before the bag 14 is removed from the filling tube 12 at the bore 64-The latter communicates at its base with the interior 54 of the branch tube 480 As can be seen However, the application of air pressure to the interior of the tube has a blowing effect which cleans the fill tube 12 of any material remaining in the latter at the end of a bag fill operation.



   The flow of the powder material from hopper 29 to fill tube 12 is controlled by flow control devices supported by frame platform 30, and generally indicated at 70 and 72 (shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 4) The flow control device 70 may consist of an air cylinder 74 having a piston (not shown) movable horizontally in the latter and intended to push and remove a transverse piston rod 76. In in the retracted position, the piston rod 76 only weakly engages the deformable pipe 44 which is in its normal or expanded state. In its pushed position, the piston rod 76 occupies the position shown by the dashes in Figure 4, in which it almost completely flattens the pipe 44.

   Sufficient space is then left in the flexible conduit 44 to allow only a very low flow of material through it, which provides a charge in small amounts.



  An electromagnetic valve (which will be described hereinafter) controls the movement of the piston in the air cylinder 74 in a known manner.



   The other flow control device 72 is mounted on the opposite side of the line 44 and has a similar air cylinder 78 with a piston (not shown) movable therein under the control of a solenoid valve. magnet (which will be described below). The piston contained in the cylinder 78 is connected to a transverse piston rod 80 which is movable from a retracted position in which it comes in slight contact with the pipe 44 to an extended position (shown by dashed lines in Figure 4) in which it partially flattens line 44. When both piston rods 76 and 80 are in their fully pushed position, line 44 is completely flattened, so that no amount of material cannot be loaded by the latter from the hopper.



   The weight of the filling tube 12 and the bag 14 connected thereto during a bag filling operation is supported by a suitable weighing device, generally indicated at 82 (Figure 3). This weighing device comprises a balancing beam 84 extending through an orifice formed at the bottom of the support plate 50 and which pivots on a knife 86 carried by a suitable base 88. The latter is supported by the inner wall. 90 of a support column assembly indicated at 92. The support plate 50 forms a rear wall of the support column assembly.

   The latter has a pair of horizontally spaced apart sidewalls, 94-94, extending upward from the aforementioned bottom wall 90, and the posterior end of the tube. filling 12 is located between the side walls 94-94.

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   A weight limiting switch 101 is supported below the posterior end of the beam 84 (see Figure-3). Limiter switch 101 may be supported in any suitable manner for vertical adjustment on the vertical leg of an angle bar 104 to frame 29. Limiter switch 101 has a vertical pin 106 for operating the frame. switch, spring biased outward and held in a lowered open-contact position by the beam until a given chosen weight is applied to the front end of the beam 84. The posterior end of the flail is then raised to a position in which a series of contacts (which will be described below) is closed by the stud 106.

   It will be appreciated that the weight by which the limit switch is released can be adjusted by varying the vertical position of the limit switch 101 with respect to the beam 84 for a given weight supported by the latter.
The front end of beam 84 bears the weight of a vertically extending slide plate 108 resting on a knife 109. Plate 108 is guided for vertical movement by guide slots 110-110 respectively. - Tually formed on the inner face of side walls 94-94 of the support column assembly 92. The fill tube 12 passes through the slide plate 108 and is carried by the latter.



   The filling tube 12 is surrounded in front of the sliding plate
108 by an annular housing 113 having a rear wall 115 (figure'3) bolted or screwed to the sliding plate 108 and a front wall 117 having a large circular orifice 118 through which the filling tube
12 extends. The annular casing 113 ... has at its top an orifice 120 to which is connected a flexible pipe 122 ... leading to a vacuum source which, through the orifice 118 of the casing, sucks up the dust which may s '' escape from bag 14 when it is being filled
Fill tube 12 extends into a horizontally extending port 124 formed in the top of bag 14 (Figure 3).

   The bag shown in Figure 3 is a conventional type bag for containing powdery materials such as carbon black, etc., and has a paper sleeve 126 extending horizontally and defining the opening 124 s'. extending horizontally inside the bag. The filling tube 12 has a pointed anterior end with the point at the top of the filling tube o The bag 14 is suspended from the filling tube o A device for holding the bag, indicated generally at 127, to hold the bag firmly on the filling tube. This bag holding device may include a vertical air cylinder 129 in which a piston (not shown) is supported for vertical movement.

   Cylinder 129 is supported by means of a bracket
131 from the front wall 117 of the annular housing 113. An air duct 133 opens out at the top of the cylinder 129, and the air pressure therein - is regulated by means of a solenoid valve ( which will be described below). To the piston of the latter cylinder is connected a clamping head 134 which, in its extended or lowered position, engages the top wall 14 'of the bag and presses it firmly against the top of the filling tube 12. The latter worse - your can be normally biased upwards by a spring or the like (not shown), and the application of pressure at the top of cylinder 129 forces the piston and therefore the clamping head downwards against the top of the cylinder. bag 14.



   Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 6, in accordance with the present invention, the shaking and lifting apparatus indicated generally at 16 is intended for two purposes. First, it is used to shake the bag 14 during the greater part of the time the bag is being filled. As the bag approaches its total weight, the shaking of the bag 14 is interrupted, so that the weighing device
82 can accurately weigh the contents of the bag. The shaking and lifting device 16 is mounted on a separate frame supporting rollers indicated so

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 general in 136. From the angles of the frame, vertical cylindrical uprights
138 extend upwards.

   Each of the posts is provided with corresponding, vertically spaced horizontal bores 140 for selectively receiving stop studs 142 which project beyond the associated posts 138 near the lower ends thereof. A frame assembly 144 is supported for vertical movement by uprights 138, and includes tubular members 146 interlocking with uprights 138. A horizontal metal plate
148 is supported between the intermediate portions of the tubular members 146, and the plate rests on the head 150 of a rod 152 movable up and down, extending from an air cylinder 154 containing a piston .

   A pressurized air line 156 extends to the base of cylinder 154, and by means of solenoid valves (which will be described hereinafter) air pressure is applied to the line. 156 to lift the piston contained in the cylinder 154, and thereby lift the head 150 from the rod 152. The elevation of the head 150 moves the frame assembly 144 and with it to. the top the connected parts. to the latter.



   Between the upper ends of the tubular elements 146 extends a platform. support 158 on the base of which is mounted an electric motor 160. The shaft of the motor 160 extends above the platform 158 and carries on its end a cam ring 161. The vertical dimension of the The top surface of the cam ring 161 varies around the ring, and a follower 162 which rolls on the top surface of the cam ring extends from a downwardly directed cylindrical portion. 164 of a platform 166. The latter has upwardly extending sidewalls 168-168, and cylindrical extensions 170 with open bases extending downward from the corners of the platform. -shape 166.

   Each of the cylindrical extensions 170 covers the upper ends. open tubular elements 146.



   Platform 166 is resiliently supported by compression springs
172, the upper parts of which are received inside the cylindrical extensions 170, and the lower parts of which are received in the corresponding tubular elements 146. The lower ends of these springs rest on the tops of the associated uprights 138.



   As the motor 160 rotates the cam ring 161, the roller 162 follows the undulations of the upper surface of the cam ring 161 and does. thereby vibrating the platform 166 up and down relative to the frame assembly 144.



   When the rod 152 associated with the cylinder 154 is in its fully retracted or lowered position, the tubular members 146 rest on the stop studs 142 extending from the posts 138. The lowest position of the assembly frame 144 can be adjusted by adjusting the elevation of studs 1420 to allow. the plate 148 which rests on the head 150 of the rod 152 to rest on the latter head, in view of the various set elevations of the frame assembly 144, the plate 148 can be mounted in a set manner on the same. The frame assembly 144 is suitable anyway, so that it can occupy a number of different vertical positions corresponding to the different positions of the stop studs 142.

   According to a variation, one can provide spacer discs which can be mounted on the top of the head 150 on which the plate 148 rests.



   The desired lowest position of frame assembly 144 is determined by the size of bag 14 in use with the machine. It is important that the bottom of the bag 14 does not come into contact with the platform
166 when the frame assembly 144 is in its lowest position.



   When the rod 152 is in its extended or raised position, the platform 166 is raised to a position in which it engages and lifts the bottom of the bag 14, even as the roller 166 rolls over the lower section of the bag. the cameo ring Then, the vibratory movement which is applied to it shakes the bag so as to compact the material it contains during the greater part of the filling period.

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   With particular reference to Figure 1, a switch operating arm 173 extends from one of the tubular members 146 of the frame assembly 1440 In the upper position of the switch assembly. frame 144, the operating arm 173 engages with the operating stud of the switch 175 of the limit switch 177. Filling the bag 14, the operation of 1.1 switch 177 does not perform any useful function . When the filling of the bag is about to end, the shaking and lifting apparatus 16 is lowered, so that the bottom of the bag 14 no longer touches the platform 166, which allows the apparatus. weighing tif to accurately weigh the contents of the bag.

   However, as soon as the bag is filled, the limit switch 101 associated with the weighing device 82 is actuated, and the clamping disc 134 is lifted to detach the bag from the filling tube. Also, in a manner which will be described below. -after, the frame assembly 144 is lifted a second time.

   When the frame assembly reaches the top of its path for this second time, the operating arm 173 of the switch again actuates the limit switch 177, and this time the switch operates to initiate a movement. of the pusher device 18 which pushes the bag 14 out of the platform 166, while the weight of the bag 14 is removed from the filling tube
The bag pushing apparatus 18 may consist of a cylinder 180 supported by a platform 181 of the frame 31. The cylinder contains a horizontally movable piston (not shown). Hydraulic lines 181-181 extending to opposite ends of cylinder 180 control the reciprocating motion of the piston and an arm 182 connected to the latter.

   The end of arm 182 carries a pusher plate 184 which, in its fully extended position, occupies the position shown by dashes in Figure 1, in which bag 114 is pushed completely away from fill tube 12 and the platform 166 on the conveyor 20.



   Conveyor 20 may also be supported by roller frame 136 which carries the shaking and lifting apparatus 16. Conveyor 20 includes a support frame 187 carrying a number of horizontally oriented rollers 189, including the upper ends extend in an inclined plane from the anterior end of the platform 166 at the highest position of the frame assembly 144 at the lowest point at the high side of an inclined platform 190 of the weighing scale 22. The elevation of the support frame 187 is preferably vertically adjustable, so that the conveyor 20 can be used with bags of different length.

   As noted above, as the length of the bag varies, the elevation of platform 166 in its raised position will vary accordingly.



   A limit switch 191, sometimes referred to as a completed bag switch, extends the travel path of the bags at the forward end of conveyor 20 so that it is actuated when a bag leaves the conveyor and passes through the station. check 22. As will be seen, the operation of the switch 191 allows the machine to start a new bag filling cycle, which is initiated by the operator placing a new bag on the filling tube. 12, and either by depressing a push-button for starting the switch, or by interrupting the light beam of a photocell.

   As soon as a new filling cycle begins, the operator checks the weight of the previously filled bag then located at the weight checking station 6 and folds the sleeve 126 of the latter inside the bag so as to effectively close this. lasto This should be done substantially during the filling time of a bag.



   During a period beginning with the start of a bag filling operation and ending with the movement of the bag opposite the finished bag limiter switch 191, a red lamp 193 mounted on a panel 194 supported by the frame 31 is on. The above-mentioned switch may be supported by panel 194, the switch being indicated as 196. After the bag has passed the limit switch 191, a green light 195 located on

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 panel 194 is on and the red lamp is off. As soon as a new bag filling cycle begins, the red lamp 193 is turned on again and the green lamp is turned off again.



   Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 7, the checking station 6 comprises the aforementioned weighing scale 22. The weighing scale can be supported by a frame 198 carrying rollers, having a support post 200. carrying a weight indicating head 202 comprising an indicating needle 204 movable on a graduated scale 206. The weighing scale further comprises a platform 208 which is connected to the weighing mechanism (not shown) and which supports the weight to be measured. Platform 208 supports inclined platform 190 on which are mounted rollers 212 whose upper ends extend in a plane which is a continuation of the inclined plane of the tops of rollers 189 of conveyor 20.

   The elevation of the frame 210 supporting the rollers is variable anyway suitable for the same reasons that the frame 187 of the conveyor 20 is adjustable in height.



   At the lower or front end of the inclined platform 190, a stopper plate 216, supported for vertical movement, acts as a bag stopper. The bag admitted to the checking station is carried by the rollers 212 to the lower end of the inclined platform 190 so as to press against the stop plate 216. The latter has a neck-shaped part. 218 directed downwardly (Figure 7), qi is supported for vertical sliding movement by a suitable guide piece 220. A bar 221 supported away from the end of the platform 190 and below. the latter forms a guide slot for the movement of the plate 216.

   The stop plate is moved up and down by a device including an operating rod 222 which pivots between its ends on a pivot bracket 2240 One end of the rod 222 is pivotally attached to the neck 218 of the stopper. the stop plate 216 and the other end is fixed to the end of the operating rod 226 connected to a piston (not shown) movable vertically in a cylinder 228. Air ducts 230-230 extend up to at opposite ends of cylinder 228 and are connected to solenoid operated valves (to be described below) which control the movement of the piston within cylinder 228.

   As will be seen, after the completion of a bag-filling operation, the last-mentioned solenoid-controlled valve is actuated to raise rod 226, and thereby lower stop plate. 216 below the level of the platform 190, so that the bag then located at the checking station is evacuated under the effect of gravity towards the evacuation station 8.



   When a bag of the sleeve type is used, it is sufficient that the discharge station 8 comprises the apparatus shown by solid lines in FIG. 1. This comprises an inclined frame 233 carrying rollers, residing qua - Be vertical uprights 235 at its angles and supporting an inclined platform 237 carrying rollers forming a continuation of the inclined platform 190 of the balance. The height of the platform 237 is therefore vertically adjustable. A fixed stopper wall 239 extends upwardly from the lower anterior end of the platform 237 to retain the bag which rolls there onto the platform.

   The previously mentioned bag discharge device 24 is supported on one side of the platform 237 by a console plate 242 or the like attached to the platform 237. The console plate 242 carries a cylinder 244 in it. which is mounted a horizontally movable piston (not shown). Air lines 245-245 extend to the opposite ends of cylinder 244 and are controlled by appropriate solenoid valves (to be described hereinafter) which move the piston in the cylinder. - dre 244 following a back and forth movement.

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   A push rod 246 is connected to the piston at one end and carries a piston plate 248 at the other end. Some time before lowering the stop plate 216 to the weight check station 6, the piston contained in the cylinder 244 is moved in a direction which brings the piston plate 248 against the bag 14 at the discharge station to push it onto the aforementioned conveyor belt 26 which passes through the hole formed between the two vertical support posts 235 of the frame 2330
The control circuits for controlling the aforementioned solenoid valves will now be described with reference to the electrical and air circuit diagram of Figures 10a and 10b.

   However, before describing this circuit in detail, it may be useful to review the various operations to be carried out by the control circuit, and the succession of operations of the various parts of the machine. These operations are as follows: (a) At the start of a bag filling cycle, when the switch 196 (Figure 1) is actuated, the control circuit: (1) performs the lowering of the clamping head 134 ( FIG. 3) of the bag holding device 127 against the top of the bag 14 which has been slid over the filling tube 12; (2) applies air pressure to the air pressure chamber 38 located at the base of the hopper 29;

   (3) causes the extension of the plunger plate 248 which pushes the bag to the discharge station on the conveyor 26; (4) turns on the red light 193 and turns off the green light 1950 (b) Five seconds after the start of the bag-filling cycle, the shaker and lifter 16 is lifted into position so that the bottom of the bag @ comes into engagement with the vibrating platform 166 and vibrates to compact the pulverulent material which is being loaded therein.



   (c) Ten seconds after the start of the bag filling cycle, the electromagnets are actuated which (1) lower the shaking and lifting apparatus 16 to enable the weighing device to weigh accurately the contents of the bag; (2) lower the stop plate 216 at the weight check station 6 to discharge the bag 14 to the discharge station 8; (3) cause the flow piston rod 76 to extend in small amounts to partially deform the deformable conduit 44.



   (c) When the bag receives its total weight of material, electromagnets are actuated which (1) effect the movement of the stop piston rod 80 which completely deforms the pipe 44; (2) turn off the air pressure in the air pressure chamber 38 at the base of the hopper; (3) lift the shaking and lifting device 16 to remove weight from the bag 14 from the filling tube; (4) remove the clamp head 134 to remove the bag from the filling tube;

   (5) lift stop plate 216 at the weight check station; and (6) prepare a circuit associated with the limit switch 177 intended for operation.

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 (d) When the shaker and hoist 16 is in its fully raised position and the operating arm 173 actuates the limit switch 177, an electromagnet is actuated which performs the forward movement. of the pusher plate 184 which pushes the bag out of the platform 166 of the shaker and hoist 16 and onto the conveyor 20.



   (e) When the bag passes the completed bag limiter switch 191, the machine is ready for a new bag filling cycle, and the red light 193 is off and the green light 195 is on.



   In the diagram of Figures 10a and 10b, the contacts of the various relays shown are in their normal positions, that is to say the positions in which the associated relays are de-energized.



   The primary energy source for energizing the various relays and electromagnets may be an AC or DC current source available on conductors 250 and 252, the latter being grounded. Conductor 250 extends to switch 196. The latter has a pushbutton pushbutton normally open switch 254 and a pushbutton "trip" switch 256. 'normally closed.



  When the close pushbutton switch 254 is depressed, a circuit is closed which extends from conductor 250 through temporarily closed pushbutton switch 254, conductor 257, normally closed contacts. N 8 of an R-1 control relay and conductor 258 leading to the R-2 'coil of an R-2 relay. The energization of the relay R-2 causes the closing of the normally open contacts N 1 of the latter which constitute the holding contacts which connect the coil R-2 'to the conductor 250 by a circuit comprising the conductor 260, the normally closed contacts N 7 of relay R-1, conductor 262, normally closed contacts N 2 of weight limiter switch 101, and conductor 264 leading to normally closed pushbutton switch 256 connected to conductor 250.



   The voltage applied to the coil R-2 'is also applied through a main branch conductor 258' and by a conductor 266 at one end of an S-1 electromagnet whose other end is put. to earth through a common grounding conductor 267. The solenoid S-1 controls a valve V-1 which, upon energizing the solenoid 6-1, connects a pressurized air line 268 to the top of the air cylinder 229, which lowers the piston contained in the cylinder 129 of the bag holder to bring the clamp head 234 against the top of the bag 14. The Air line 268 has a shutoff valve 268a for disconnecting the line from a main line of the air distributor 268b connected to the outlet of an air compressor (not shown).

   Line 268 also featured a pressure regulator 268ao
The common conductor 266 supplying the electromagnet S-1 is also connected to one end of the electromagnets S-5 and S-6, the other ends of which are connected to the common ground conductor 267. The energization of the solenoid S-5 opens a valve V-5 which connects a pressurized air line 268c to the air chamber 38 located at the base of the hopper 29.



   Line 268c is connected to distributor line 268b via a pressure regulator 268d and a shut-off valve 268d 'Excitation of solenoid S-6 closes valve V- 6, which is a normally open valve, for disconnecting the air line 268 from the air cylinder 78 which, by means of a spring or other suitable device (not shown) effects the withdrawal of the piston rod stop 80.



   When energizing relay R-2, another branch circuit is energized which extends from the main branch conductor 258 'by an auxiliary branch conductor 258 ", the normally closed contacts N 2 of a relay R-3, and a 265 conductor leading to the small flow electromagnet

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 S-4 quantities which is grounded through a common grounding conductor 2670 Excitation of the S-4 solenoid closes a normally open valve V-4 by disconnecting the line ' of pressurized air 268 from the air cylinder 274 of flow in small quantities which, by means of a suitable spring or the like in the cylinder, withdraws the piston rod 760
Simultaneously with the excitation of relay R-2,

   the R-4 'coil of an R-4 five second delayed action relay is energized by connecting one end of that coil to conductor 258. The other end of the coil is grounded. Five seconds after coil R-4 'is energized, its N 1 series of normally closed contacts opens, and its N 2 series of normally open contacts closes.



   Before the expiration of the five second interval, a branch circuit is energized through the N 1 series of normally closed contacts of relay R-4 which can be traced from these contacts through a conductor. 269 leading to the S-11 and S-12 electromagnets which are grounded through the common ground conductor 267. Excitation of the S-11 electromagnet opens a normally closed valve V-11 which connects the pressurized air line 268 to the end of cylinder 244 to push the cylinder plate 248 which pushes the bag to the discharge station on the conveyor 26.

   The energization of the other s-11 electromagnet closes a normally open valve V-12 located at the other end of the last-mentioned cylinder 244 to disconnect the pressurized air line 268 from the latter, releasing it. thus singing the pressure at this last end of the cylinder to effect the desired forward movement of the support plate 248, together with the application of pressure at the other end of the cylinder.



   The excitation of the relay R-2 also causes the excitation of the red 1930 lamp. The excitation circuit for this last lamp can be traced from the ground conductor 252 through the conductor 271, the lamp 193, conductor 271 ', contacts? 3 normally open, but then closed of relay R-2, conductor 260, and the N 1 series of normally open, but then closed contacts of this latter relay which leads to energized conductor 258 'When the red lamp 193 is energized, the green lamp 195 is off.

   The circuit for driving the green lamp 195 can be traced from the ground conductor 252 through the conductor 273, the green lamp 195, the conductor 273 ', the N 2 series of normally closed contacts of the relay R-1, lead 275, normally closed contacts 277 of the completed bag limiter switch 191, lead 279, and the N 2 series of normally closed but then open contacts of relay R-2 leading to lead 250 on. passing through the normally closed switch 256 to trigger pushbutton
Five seconds after the start of the bag filling cycle, the aforementioned five second delay relay R-4 acts to open its N 1 series of normally closed contacts, and closes its series? 2 normally open contacts.

   Closing the N 2 series of normally open contacts closes and energizes a circuit extending from the energized conductor 258 through the last N 2 series of contacts and conductor 281 to the R-5 'coil of a second. R-5 five-second delayed-action relay which activates ten seconds after the start of the bag filling cycle. The actuation of the five second delay relay R-4 also energizes an R-6 relay through a circuit extending from the energized conductor 258, and passing through the N 2 series. then closed contacts of the delayed action relay R-4, the conductor 283, the series of normally closed contacts N 1 of the relay R-1, the conductor 283 ', the series N 1 of the normally closed contacts of the relay R-5 and conductor 283 "to ground coil R-6 'of relay R-6.

   Relay R-6 operates immediately to close its N 1 series of normally open contacts and opens its N 2 series of normally closed contacts.

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   Closing the N 1 series of contacts establishes an excitation circuit extending to the side that is not energized. to the earth of the relay coil R-6 'passing through this last series N 1 of contacts and conductor 285 to an S-9 electromagnet earthed through the common earthing conductor 267. The excitation of the solenoid S-9 opens the normally closed valve V-9 to connect the pressurized air line 268 to the base of the vertical air cylinder 154 to lift the shaker and lift apparatus. lifting 16 against the bottom of the bag 140 As indicated above, the shaking of the bag 14 is caused by the rolling of the roller 162 on the cam ring 161 intended to vibrate the bag.



   The opening of the N 2 series of normally closed contacts of relay R-6 does not give rise to any control function, since the conductor 287 connected to this last contact extends to the N 5 series which is now open. normally open contacts of relay R-1.



   Five seconds after the activation of the five-second delayed action relay R-4, which is ten seconds after the start of the bag filling cycle, the R-5 relay activates to open the N 1 series of standard contacts. - partially closed. Opening contacts N 1 opens the excitation circuit going to coil R-6 'of relay R-6. The resulting immediate opening of the N 1 series of the normally open contacts of this latter relay de-energizes the S-9 solenoid to close the V-9 valve which interrupts the pressurized air from the bottom of the cylinder. air 154 controlling the elevation of the shaking and lifting apparatus 16, causing the latter to be lowered to allow the weighing apparatus to accurately measure the weight of the contents of the bag.

   Closing the N 2 series of normally closed contacts of relay R-6 has no effect on the circuit, since conductor 287 connected to it is de-energized through the N 5 series of normal contacts. incorrectly open relay R-1. When these latter N contacts 5 close, this prepares the pusher 18 to operate when the shaking and lifting mechanism 16 is raised again, in order to bring the operating arm 173 thereof. against the limit switch 177. The closing of the limit switch 177 during the first lifting of the lifting and lifting device has no effect because of this last series N 5 of normally open contacts.



   Closing the N 2 series of contacts of the R-5 delayed action relay ten seconds after the start of the bag-filling cycle, closes a drive circuit for the R-3 'coil of the R-3 relay. This excitation circuit can be traced from this last coil passing through conductor 288, the N 2 series of then closed contacts of relay R-5, and a conductor 288 'to energized branch conductor 258 ". This opens the series. N 2 of the normally closed contacts of relay R-3 to cut the conductor 265 leading to the solenoid S-4 which controls the valve V-4.

   De-energizing solenoid S-4 opens valve V-4 to apply air pressure to flow valve 76 in small amounts which pushes piston rod 76 to partially deform line 44, thus ensuring a significant reduction in the flow of material in the filling tube. This allows for more precise weighing.



   Closing the N 2 series of normally open contacts of relay R-5 closes a circuit extending from the energized branch conductor 258 ", and passing through this last N 2 series of control contact, a conductor 289, and a S-10 electromagnet grounded through the grounded conductor 267. The S-10 electromagnet controls a normally closed valve which is opened upon energization of the electromagnet. S-10 to apply pressure to the base of air cylinder 228, which raises arm 222 (Figure 7) and lowers flap 216 to discharge the bag at the checking station to the discharge station.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 15>

 



   When the weight of the contents of the bag reaches the desired value, the weight limiting switch 101 is triggered, which causes the closure of its N 1 series of contacts and 1 opening of its N 2 series of contacts. The opening of the series? 2 of the contacts of the limit switch 101 opens or de-energizes the conductors 262 and 260 mounted in series extending through the series N 7 from the contacts of the relay R-1 to the holding contacts N 1 of the relay R-2. The holding circuit of relay R-2 is thus cut, which de-energizes the latter relay. The conductor 258 'associated with the interrupted circuit described above is also de-energized, which causes the de-energization of the electromagnets S-1, S-5 and S-6 associated with the conductor 258'.

   Conductor 258 which is connected to conductor 258 'is also de-energized, and thus immediately de-energizes and activates relay R-4 to which it is connected. De-energizing relay R-4 also de-energizes immediately and activates relay R-5, expected that the N 2 series of R-4 contacts opens. De-energization of the solenoid S-1 closes the valve V-1 which lifts the clamping disc 134 from the bag holder. to detach the bag from the fill tube. De-energizing the S-5 solenoid closes the V-5 valve to shut off the air pressure from the pressurized air chamber 38 at the base of the hopper 29.

   De-energizing the S-6 solenoid opens the normally open valve V-6 which applies pressure to one end of the stop air cylinder 78, which pushes the piston rod 80 so as to fully deform. driving 44.



   When the R-5 relay is de-energized, its series? 2 of contacts opens, as indicated above, so as to de-energize the conductor 289 extending to the electromagnet S-10. De-energizing the S-10 solenoid closes the normally closed valve V-10, releasing the air pressure from the air cylinder 228 controlling the movement of the shutter 216.

   At this point, the piston contained in the cylinder 228 drops, thus lifting the flap 216 into its stop position of the bag.
The de-energization of relay R-2 and the resulting closing of its N 4 series of normally closed contacts establishes an energizing circuit for the R-1 coil of the R-1 relay extending from this last coil through one conductor 292, the N 4 series of contacts of relay R-2, one conductor
294, series N 1 of the then closed contacts of the weight limiter switch
101, and a conductor 264, extending to the normally closed stop pushbutton switch 256 connected to conductor 250. By energizing the relay coil R-1 ',

   a holding circuit for relay R-1 is established which extends from conductor 292 through the series? 3 of relay R-1 contacts, conductor 275, normally closed contacts 277 of the bag limit switch terminated, conductor 279, series N 2 of relay R-2 normally closed contacts and conductor 279 'to the trip pushbutton switch 256 connected to the current conductor 2500 This relay holding circuit Rl is necessary since, as soon as the bag is detached from the filling tube, the series N 1 of the contacts of the The weight limiter switch 101 opens, thus cutting off the excitation circuit previously mentioned for. relay R-1.



   The excitation of the relay R-1 also causes the opening of the series
N 1 of its normally closed contacts. Opening these contacts has no effect, as they extend to the coil of the R-5 delayed action relay which is already de-energized by the opening of the series? 2 contacts of relay R-4o
When the R-1 relay is excited, the series? 2 of its normally closed contacts opens a circuit mounted in series with the green lamp 195 to keep this lamp off until the current cycle of filling and handling of the bag is completed,

   and the series? 4 of the normally open contacts is closed to keep the red lamp 193 lit through the excitation circuit previously traced for the latter o Similarly, the series
N 5 of the normally open contacts of relay R-l, closes to energize a

 <Desc / Clms Page number 16>

 An electromagnet circuit extending from the then energized conductor 292 through the last mentioned contacts, conductor 287, the N 2 series of normally closed contacts of the de-energized relay of relay R-6, conductor 285, and the grounded S-9 solenoid, controlling the V-9 valve.

   Excitation of the solenoid S-9, as previously indicated, causes the opening of the normally closed valve V-9 which applies air pressure to the base of cylinder 194, which raises the shaking and lifting apparatus 16 to bring its platform 166 against the bottom of bag 14, which takes the weight of the bag off the fill tube. When the shaker and hoist is lifted to its highest position, its switch operating arm 173 closes limit switch 177 to close a circuit to the S-7 solenoids. , and S-8 controlling the air pressure from the end of cylinder 180 which controls thrust plate 184.

   This excitation circuit can be traced from the upper ends of the electromagnets S-7 and S-8 which respectively control the normally open and normally closed air valves V-7 and V-8 through the through conductor 302, limit switch 177, and then energized conductor 297. The energization of electromagnets S-7 and S-8 applies pressurized air to the left side of the unit. air cylinder 180 which causes the push plate 184 to advance which pushes bag 14 loosely held on the fill tube away from plate 166 on the carrier.



   A blow-off electromagnet S-2 is energized simultaneously with electromagnets S-7 and S-8, whereas electromagnet S-2 is connected to the same conductor 302 to which the last electromagnets are connected. This closes a normally open valve V-2, which normally connects the pressurized air line, 268c to the left end of a valve actuated air cylinder 303, having a spring loaded piston valve 303. towards the left.

   When pressurized air is applied to the left end of cylinder 303, the piston valve is pushed to the right to uncover a port 304 leading to a pressurized air accumulation tank 3050 La pressure builds up in the tank up to a given air pressure under the control of a pressure regulator 3060 When the solenoid S-2 is energized the valve V-2 is closed, after which the Spring loaded piston valve 303 'is pushed to the left of port 304 so that pressurized air in reservoir 305 is applied through port 307 formed in the right end of the port. cylinder 304 at the base of the filling tube 12,

   which blows any material remaining in the latter into the mouth of the bag 14 as it is being pushed out of the fill tube.



   The energization of relay R-1 also opens the N 7 and 8 series of normally closed contacts of the latter, which respectively opens a circuit connected in series with the N 1 series of the holding contacts of the R-2 relay and opens conductor 256 mounted in series with interlock pushbutton switch 254 to prevent the start of a new fill cycle until relay R-1 is de-energized when the interrupt is opened - limiters for finished bags 191.



   The finished bag limit switch is temporarily opened when a bag passes from the conveyor 20 to the weighing station 6 of the machine. This cuts off a hold circuit going to relay coil R-1 ', de-energizing it. Therefore, this closes the N series 7 and 8 of the contacts of the latter relay to prepare the machine for a new operating cycle, when the closing push-button 254 is lowered.



   The filling of a bag can be stopped at any time by depressing the stop pushbutton of switch 266, which causes the holding contacts of relay R-2 to open.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 17>

 



   As previously stated, instead of having a push button type interlock switch to initiate a bag filling operation, such operation can be performed automatically by means of a photocell control circuit. For this purpose, referring now more particularly to FIG. 11, a light source 310 may be mounted in any suitable manner on the frame 31 on one side of the filling tube 12 and below the latter so that its light beam is blocked by a bag 14 suspended from the filling tube.

   A photocell 311 is supported by the frame 31 on the opposite side of the fill tube 12 and below the latter so that the photocell is in the path of the light rays from the source 310 when the filling tube is bagless. When a bag is introduced over the filling tube 12 the light beam from the light source 310 is interrupted by the bag, and this produces a sudden change in the output of the photocell, which change is amplified by an amplifier. 312 AC current to generate a signal which temporarily energizes a start relay. 313. The latter presents a series of contacts 314 which close momentarily during the temporary energization of the relay 313.

   Contacts 314 take the place of push-button start switch 254 in the circuit diagram of Figures 10a and 10b.



   In another aspect of the invention, an alternative bag is used which eliminates the sleeve 126 for closure purposes and provides an adhesive application apparatus 315 (see Figure 12) and a closure device. hermetic 316 intended to close 1 opening of the filling of the bag. Preferably, the glue application apparatus and the hermetic closure apparatus are arranged at the discharge station 8 of the machine. The sizing and sealing apparatus are supported by an arm 318 extending from a support post 320 suitably mounted on the outer end of the frame 233 at the discharge station of the machine. . The arm 318 extends rearwardly over the discharge station.



   The glue application apparatus may consist of a rotating type electromagnet 322 which is energized when a bag 14 'is transported to the discharge station. For this purpose, a switch li is provided at the discharge station. - miter 323 which is actuated by the bag. A U-shaped glue application tube 324 is mounted on the electromagnet frame for rotary motion between a position (Figures 13-15) in which the end of the tube 324 extends into the fill port 124 'of a modified bag 14' during the energized state of the electromagnet and a position (Figure 12) in which the tube is brought out of the way. bag during the de-energized state of the electromagnet.



   The fill opening 124 'of the bag 14 extends horizontally and is formed by a pair of opposing deformable wall portions 326-328. The end of the tube 324 has a series of nozzle holes 329 through which the glue can be forced under pressure, generally radially outward, so that the glue is applied to the inner surfaces of the opposing wall portions 326. and 328 of the bag 14 '. A conduit 324 'which is in communication with the inner end of the tube 324 extends to a glue flow control valve 329, controlled by an electromagnet 330. The valve and the electromagnet. magnet are mounted on a bracket 331 attached to the arm 318. A conduit 333 connects the valve 329 to a high pressure glue storage reservoir 335, supported by a bracket 334 attached to the arm 318.

   When the glue application tube 324 is introduced into the opening 124 'of the bag, an arm 336 carried by the frame of the rotating electromagnet comes into contact with a switch 338 mounted on the housing. the electromagnet, which energizes the electromagnet 330 to open the valve 329 which admits glue into the nozzles 329 at the end of the glue application tube 324. The control circuit of the electromagnet 322 is such that the tube 324 remains in the orifice only for a period of time sufficient to discharge the glue.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 18>

 



   When the glue application tube is withdrawn from the opening 124 'of the bag, the hermetic closure device 316 is activated. The latter may consist of a pressure plate 340 mounted for vertical movement on a rod 342 connected to a piston (not shown) contained in an air cylinder 344. Air ducts extend to the ends. of cylinder 344 and are controlled by an electromagnet actuated valve (not shown). As soon as the glue application tube 324 is removed from the bag 14 ', air pressure is admitted into the cylinder 344 to force the pressure plate 330 down against the top of the bag (Figures 16 and 17). so as to bring the top wall 326 of the bag 14 'against the bottom wall 328, so that the glue can fix the two parts to each other.

   The pressure plate 340 is only lowered for a moment, and after it is raised, the aforementioned bag pushing apparatus 24 is actuated to push the bag 14 'out of the discharge station on the conveyor 26.



   The control circuit which controls the succession of glue application and bag closing operations described above is shown in figure 18. The limit switch 323, the contacts of which are normally open, is connected between the current conductor 250 and a small motor 350 connected to the ground conductor 252. The motor 350 is also connected to the current conductor 250 by an alternating branch comprising a series of normally closed contacts 354 which are provisionally opened once at during each revolution of the engine by a cam protrusion 356 'of a cam 356 controlled by the motor 350. The latter also drives cams 358,360 and 362 having respective cam protrusions 358', 360 'and 362'.

   These cam protrusions occupy different peripheral positions on these cams, so that the cams are successively active to close the respective contacts 358 ", 360" and 362 ". The cams 358, 360 and 362 make one revolution for each revolution of the cam 356. The contacts 358 "are connected between the current conductor 250 and the coil of the electromagnet 322 connected to the ground conductor 252. The contacts 360" are connected between the current conductor 250 and an electro- earthed magnet 364 which controls a valve (not shown) which applies pressurized air to either the upper or lower duct of the air cylinder 334 controlling the raising or lowering of the plate. pusher 340.



  Contacts 362 "are connected between current conductor 250 and a grounded electromagnet 366 which controls a valve (not shown) controlling the admission of pressurized air into air cylinder 244. of the bag evacuation device 24.



   The control circuit also includes the limit switch 338 actuated by the arm 336 carried by the armature of the electromagnet 322. The contacts of the limit switch 338 are connected between the current conductor 250 and the electromagnet. magnet 330 which is connected to the ground conductor 252. The electromagnet 330, as explained above, controls the glue inlet valve 329.

   The electromagnet 322, as explained above, controls the movement of the adhesive application tube 3240
When the motor 350 is energized by closing the limiter switch 323, the cam 358 closes the contacts 358 "to excite the electromagnet 322 in order to bring the tube 324 into the opening 124 'of the bag, When the armature of the electromagnet 322 reaches the position which closes the aforementioned limit switch 338, the electromagnet 330 is energized. This opens the glue inlet valve 329 which admits the glue into the glue. glue application tube 3240 As contacts 358 "leave cam projection 358 ', electromagnet 322 is de-energized, causing tube 324 to withdraw from port 124' of the bag.



   Then, the protrusion 360 'of the cam 360 closes the' contacts 360 'to close a circuit which energizes an electromagnet 364 which controls a valve (not shown) which applies pressure to the upper air line leading from the cylinder to the cylinder. air 344 so as to lower the push plate 340 to close the bag port.

   When the cam projection 360 'leaves the contacts 360 ", the electro-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 19>

 magnet 364 is de-energized, which causes the operation of the associated valve; which admits pressurized air in the lower duct to lift the push plate 3400
Then, the protrusion 362 'of the cam 362 closes the contacts 362 "to close a circuit going to the electromagnet 366, which admits pressurized air into the posterior air line 245 of the cylinder 244. (figure 7) to cause the plunger to move the push plate 248 forward and push the bag out of the conveyor o When the bag is pushed out of the discharge station, limit switch 323 opens o However,

   the motor 350 is always energized through the contacts 354 which only open when the cam 356 reaches its starting position, in which its projection 356 'separates the contacts 354 and stops an operating cycle of the motor o The motor is then de-energized and remains de-energized until the next bag is admitted to the discharge station, after which the limit switch 323 mounted in series with the motor 350 is closed.


    

Claims (1)

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, and is capable of receiving various variants falling within the scope and spirit of the invention. Automatic filling and weighing machine for handling a pulverulent material, the machine comprising a deformable supply line, an open-ended filling tube connected at one end to said line and intended to admit material into a container or bag to be filled with powder material, and a weighing device intended to receive the weight of the container when it is filled by the filling tube, a machine characterized by the following points separately or in combinations: 1. It comprises a first flow adjustment device located on one side of the deformable and movable pipe from a first position in which the deformable pipe is in the relatively undeformed state to a second position in which it partially deforms the latter to providing small amounts of flow of the powder material through the line, a second flow control device located on the opposite side of the deformable line and movable from a first position to a second stop position in which it completely deforms the pipe to interrupt the flow of the pulverulent material, a device for actuating the first material adjustment device at the second position of the latter when the bag has received most but not all of the quantity of material it is to contain, and a device controlled by the weighing device for actuating the second flow regulating device from the first to the second stop position when the bag has reached the total weight 2. It comprises a horizontally extending filling tube connected at one end to the supply line and intended to extend into an orifice provided horizontally in the top of a container to be filled with the powder material, a device for closing the line in front of the filling tube when the bag has been substantially filled, a source of pressurized air, an air line extending from the source of pressurized air and communicating with the filler tube downstream of the point where the line is closed, a normally closed valve intended to open and close the air line, and a device intended to open the valve after the closing of the pipe in order to connect the source of pressurized air to the filling tube which discharges into the bag the powder material remaining in the filling tube. 3. Said machine comprises a device for automatically removing the container from the filling tube when it has been filled, and a device. <Desc / Clms Page number 20> tif intended to open the valve after the closing of the line and before the removal of the bag from the filler tube to connect the source of pressurized air to the filler tube which forces the powder material remaining in the bag back into the bag. the filling tube. 4. It comprises a deformable pipe connected by one end to the base of a hopper and a clamping device intended to hold the bag on the filling tube, while the tube enters the opening of the bag, so that this the latter is suspended from the filling tube, a device intended to discharge the pulverulent material contained in the hopper under the influence of pressurized air via the deformable pipe in the filling tube, and a device controlled by the Weighing device to automatically loosen the bag clamp, after filling the bag, to detach the bag from the filling tube. 5. Said machine comprises a shaking device intended to shake the bag while it is suspended from the filling tube during its filling to compact the pulverulent material which it contains, a device intended to lift the shaking device against the bag. bottom of the bag suspended from the filling tube when the bag is being filled to shake the latter and to lower the shaker device away from the bag before the bag reaches full weight to allow the device weighing device to weigh it accurately, and to subsequently lift the shaker a second time against the bottom of the bag to lift it from the filling tube after the bag has been filled, a device for detaching the bag from the filling tube after it has been filled, and a device for removing the bag from the filling tube after lifting the shaking device for the second time. 6. The machine comprises a frame carrying the shaking device, the frame being mounted to be moved between a lowered position in which the shaking device is away from the bag supported by the filling tube, allowing the weighing device weigh the bag accurately, and an elevated position in which the shaker engages and supports the bottom of the bag to remove the weight of the bag from the filling tube and to allow the bag to settle. be removed from the latter after loosening the hold-down device, a device for moving the frame into the raised position when the bag is being filled to allow the shaker device to shake the bag, a device for moving the frame to the lowered position before the bag fills, a device for moving the frame back to the raised position to lift the bag away from the filling tube when the bag has been filled to the desired weight, a control circuit for operating the bag removing device, and an electric limit switch for actuating the frame in its raised position to actuate the control circuit for operating the bag removal device, the control device comprising a preparation switch for preparing the bag removal device. control so that the limit switch operates only when the bag has been filled to the desired weight. 7. Said machine comprises a device for effecting the movement of the frame in the lowered position after a given period of time from the start of a filling operation and before the bag is filled, a device sensitive to the pressure. A weighing device for effecting movement of the frame back into the raised position, the control circuit comprising a preparation switch responsive to the weighing device for preparing the control circuit for operation of the limiter switch only when the bag has been filled to the desired weight. 8. Said machine comprises a delayed action device, a device responsive to the delayed action device and the weighing device for lifting the shaking device against the bottom of the bag, and for lowering it and <Desc / Clms Page number 21> move the shaker away from the bag before it reaches its full weight in order to allow the weighing device to weigh it accurately a given time interval after the start of the filling operation, and to lift subsequently the shaking device a second time against the bottom of the bag, and a control device responsive to the elevation of the shaker against the bottom of the bag and responsive to the weighing device for actuating the bag removing device to release it from the filling tube after the shaker device. was raised for the second time 9. Said machine comprises a cycle initiator device intended to close the bag holder, the cycle initiator device comprising a photocell control device having a light beam located in the path of the bag. displacement of the bag mounted on the filling tube, and which is made active when the light beam is interrupted, and a device for automatically removing the bag from the machine after the bag has been filled 10. Said machine comprises a hopper for containing a supply of powder material, an open end filling tube connected to the hopper and for extending into a bag to be filled with the powder material. , a cycle initiating device for connecting the source of pressurized air to the hopper for discharging the powder material into the filling tube, and a device for disconnecting the source of pressurized air from the hopper to stop the delivery of the powder material into the filling tube after the bag has been filled. 11. As an automatic machine for filling and hermetically sealing bags which are closed on all sides including the top and bottom walls, except for a filling hole disposed horizontally at the top of the bag formed by the opposing deformable walls of the bag. material, said machine comprises a device intended to admit a pre-determined quantity of pulverulent material through the filling tube into the bag, a device intended to automatically separate the filling tube and the bag after filling the latter, a device intended , after separating the filling tube from the bag, automatically transporting the bag to a sealing and discharge station, an automatic adhesive application device located at the closing and discharge station, for automatically applying a quick-drying adhesive to the inner surface of at least one of the opposing deformable walls, when the bag is advanced to the closing and discharging station, the automatic device for applying the deformable. adhesive comprising an adhesive application tube supported for movement between a resting position and an operating position in which the application tube extends into the fill port in a position allowing it to apply adhesive material to at least one of the opposing deformable walls of the bag, a control device responsive to the movement of a bag at the closure and discharge station to momentarily move the end of the tube d '' application of the rest position to the active position in the filling opening of the bag, and for effecting the application of the adhesive material via the application tube and on said at least deformable wall, a hermetic closure device for folding down the walls facing each other from the filling opening of the bag to reunite them after the application of the adhesive material, the deformable walls being thus sealed together to close the filling orifice, and a bag evacuation device located at the automatic closing station to evacuate the bag from the closing station after the hermetic closing operation. 12. As an automatic bag filling and conveying machine, it includes a bag filling station and a checking station, a valve located at the filling station to adjust the flow of material in the filling tube, a first control device intended, when <Desc / Clms Page number 22> is actuated from a first position in a second position for initiating the bag filling cycle, to actuate the bag holder in its bag holder position to initiate the flow of material in the filling tube, a priming device intended to engage the first control device in the second position, a second control device actuated from a first active position to a second rest position when the bag is filled to return the first control device to its first position and prevent it from operating without its second position to effect the iron - close the valve and release the bag from its holding device, a device intended to deposit the bag at the checking station after having detached it from its holding device, a device sensitive to the position of the bag which indicates the passage of a bag through the checking station, and a device connecting the device sensitive to the position of the bag to the second control device to return it to its first active position in order to release the first control device to operate in its second priming position. 'a bag filling cycle when a bag is transported from the filling station to the checking station. 13. Said machine comprises an inclined platform at the inspection station, a normally closed flap at the lower end of the platform for retaining a bag lying on the inclined platform, a conveyor extending from it. 'a point located in the vicinity of the filling station at the checking station for transporting the bags under the effect of gravity to said platform, a second control device capable of being actuated after a given time interval at from the start of operation of the first control device to open the normally closed shutter and allow movement of the previously filled bag from the checking station, the time interval being at least sufficient to allow the operator to check the bag at the checking station and being shorter than the time period necessary for filling the bag then at the filling station and for transport it to the checking station, a third control device activated. from a first active position to a second rest position when the bag is filled to return the first control device to its first position and to prevent it from operating in its second position, to close the valve and disengage the bag from its holding device, a device located at the filling station for discharging the bag located there on the conveyor when the bag has been detached from the holder, a device intended to deposit the bag at the filling station verification after its removal from the filling station, and a device connecting the device sensitive to the position of the bag to the third control device in order to return the latter to its first active position, to allow the first controller to operate in its second bag fill cycle initiation position when a bag is transported from the fill station to the check station. 14. Said machine comprises a weighing scale having a weighing platform at the weight checking station, to enable an operator to visually check the weight of the filled bags admitted on the platform with an inclined conveyor. 'extending from a point in the vicinity of the filling station to the checking station for transporting the bags on the weighing scale platform. Said machine comprises a sensitive locking device m device sensitive to the position of the bag to normally prevent the return of the first control device to its second position for initiating the fill cycle when a bag is transported to the filling station. verification. 16. It comprises an evacuation device for evacuating the bag from the checking station to the evacuation station after checking the bag, and a third control device operable at an interval. <Desc / Clms Page number 23> of time given, after the start of operation of the first control device to effect the evacuation of a bag checked at the checking station to the evacuation station by the evacuation device in order to allow a newly filled bag to go to the checking station, the time interval being at least sufficient to allow an operator to check the weight of the bag on the platform of the weighing scale. 17. It comprises a fourth control device intended to actuate the evacuation device before the bag located at the checking station is transported to the evacuation station, a device sensitive to the position of the bag located at the disposal. the end of the transport device which indicates the passage of a bag on the platform of the weighing scale at the checking station, and a locking device sensitive to the device sensitive to the position of the bag to normally prevent the first controller to be returned to its second fill cycle initiation position until a filled bag is transported to the testing station. 18. Said machine comprises a second control device with delayed action capable of being actuated at a given time interval after the start of operation of the first control device to open the normally closed shutter, in order to allow passage. from a previously filled bag to the discharge station, a fourth control device actuated from a first active position in a second active position by the weighing device when the bag is filled, in order to return the first control in its first position and prevent it from operating in its position for initiating the filling cycle in order to close the valve and release the bag from the holder, and a device connecting the device responsive to the position of the bag to the fourth control device to return the latter to its first active position to allow the first control device to operate in its second cycle initiation position when bag is transported from the filling station to the checking station.