US1919370A

US1919370A - Apparatus for packaging candies or the like

Info

Publication number: US1919370A
Application number: US512790A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph M Hutchinson
Original assignee: E J BRACH AND SONS
Current assignee: E J BRACH AND SONS
Priority date: 1931-02-02
Filing date: 1931-02-02
Publication date: 1933-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 1950-07-25

Description

y 1933- J.IM. HUTCHINSON 1,919,370

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet l Jose vi ,Jf.

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y 1933. J. M. HUTCHINSON 1,919,370

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'QQQQQQQIIII 45M JM July 25, 1933.

J. M. HUTCHINSON APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 1933- J. M. HUTCHINSONI 1,919,370

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 a Sheets-Sheet 4 I! 'l Ul I H M- m a??? July 25, 1933. J. M. HUTCHINSON ,37

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1933- J. M. HUTCHINSON 1,919,370

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 1933. J. M. HUTCAHINSON 1,919,370

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 mniinw v July 25, 1933. J. M. HUTCHINSON 19,

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CANDIES OR iHE LIKE Filed Feb. 2, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I a? 86 JJ-- L I'd 3- a9 5 I Q n i I I I r I .---l:} I. T llllllI.

Patented July 25, 1933 Ultll'lhl? Ka i rarer JOSEPH 'M. HUTCI-IINSON, OF GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOE '10 E. JfBB-AGH. & SONS/OF CHICAGO, ILL-11101. 5, A CUREORATIUJBT T1 ILLINQIS AEIE'ABAT'US F631 IPACKAGI Application filed. February 2, 1931.

This invention relates to apparatus for packaging candies or the like. Among the, objects of the invention are the provision of apparatus by means of which the operators may position bags or similar containers which are thereafter brought to a location for charging of candies, or the like, such as spiced gumdrops; the provision of means to receive a plurality of separate charges for each bag; the provision of means to discharge such charges into the bags; the provision of means to support the bags during charging; the provision of means thereafter to permit their deposit in receptacles for subsequent removal; the provision of means to expedite the re moval of the bag containers to a desired collection place; and the provision of screeningmeans initially to screen the candies, or the like, to remove loose particles or dust which may be adhering thereto.

Other objects reside in the mechanisms and combinations and sub-combinations of ele ments hereinafter described and illustrated in the drawings.

In general. my new apparatus comprises means for the deposit and distribution of objccts (such as spiced gumdrops) with sep-' arete receiving compartments, each holding approximately the normal charge of said objects. Bag holding members are provided which are moved to a bag placing position wherein the cellophane bags. or the like, may be readily placed after which they are moved to receiving position, means being provided to prevent their displacement during movement and additional means frictionally to grip them in such position. Means are alsoprovid-ed to release the charges of candies, or the like, from the compartments wheretrom they drop into the bags. The bags then or during the charging fall upon supporting members which may subsequently be released to permit the dropping of the and the contents into receiving boxes or compartments mounted upon a roller traclr from which, after the operation of a detent member, they may be moved to a desired position.

Other objects will bemade more fully ap parent and disclosed in the following specifi- NG CAINDIES OF THE LIKE Serial No. 512,790.

cation and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodymg my inventlon; I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, parts thereof being broken away;

3 is an end elevation viewed from the discharge end of the apparatus;

Fig. at is a. vertical section along the line 4e of Fig. 1, showing thebag receiving members in position for the'placing of the bags; I

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the compartments charged with candy, or the like, and the bags and holding members positioned for receipt of the same;

Fig. 6 is a vertical fragmentary section along the line 6-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section along the line 77 of'Fig. 6; 70

Fig. 8 is a vertical section along the line 88 of Fig. 7 V p Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation along the line 99 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a side elevation drawn to enlarged scale of the stop means and trackway Fig. 11 is a detail in vertical section along the line 1010 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 illustrates in perspective a typical package, following the thereof;

Fig: 13 is a side elevation of one of the bag holding units drawn to an enlarged scale showing a bag in position thereon;

Fig. 1a is a'planview of the structure illustrated in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section along the line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section of a modified mounting utilized for some of the bag holding units to provide for their relative depression for access to the adjacent units during charging with the bags, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, for example;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section along theline 1818 of Fig. 3, a portion of the handle being shown in elevation;

filling and tying an: LLU

Fig. 19 is a vertical section along the line l9-19 of Fig. 5, a portion of the structure being broken away; and

Fig. 20 is a vertical section along the line 20-20 of Fig. 1.

Like numerals refer throughout the drawings.

The apparatus in the embodiment illustrated comprises a receiving bin provided with an inclined bottom 25a mounted upon suitable supporting structure including the legs 26. 27. A gate 25-6 is provided at the front thereof having a hinged lower portion 25-0 which may be swung outwardly for discharge of the contents of the bin. Also the entire gate 25?) may he slid vertically out of the bin, if desired. In front of the bin 25 is the receiving table, as I term it, generally, having a short horizontal portion 28 immediately in front of the gate 25-h. Sides 529 and an end 30 are provided to define the limits of the table. Spaced bottom portions 30C6 are provided (see Fig. 20) having angle blocks 31 at the longitudinal corners, and extending from the top of the angle blocks 31 downwardly to the inner edge of each bottom portion is aforaminous or perforated plate 32 spaced from the underlying bottom between its sides. These screens may be readily lifted and removed for access to the underlying surfaces for the removal of screenings there.

Between the bottom portions are compart ments 35 (see Fig. 4) defined by the longitudinal strip 36 and cross strips or partitions These compartments are open at the bottom and provided with inclined inner side walls, generally indicated by numerals 38, leading to the bottom discharge openings of the discharge compartments which are there y made smaller than the upper openings. I find it desirable to form the compartments so they will hold adesired charge when levelled off after charging with the candies.

.A pair of oppositely swinging closures. in-

to like elements cheated by numerals L0, 41, is provided at the lower open end of each of the compartments (see Figs. 41,? and 8, for example). The compartments are illustrated as being arranged in two rows longitudinally of the table, and each pair of parallel closures 4O mounted upon a rock shaft l3, while each pair of parallel closures 41 is mounted upon a similar rock sh aft These rock shafts are journaled intermediate their extremities in a partition 4:6 running longitudinally of the table, and shown as imbedded or received in the central compartment partition 36 and extending downwardly therefrom, as illustrated in F igsyfi and 7, for example. Adja cent their extremities the rock shafts are journaled in parallel plates or strips 47 at each side of the table, being provided with are provided spaced which may be deposited spaced collars 48at either side of one of the plates 47 to prevent axial shifting movement. The rock shafts l3 areprovided with off-set portions l3-a located above the main axis of the shaft, while parallel rock shafts ll are provided each with an oil-set extremit 1" located below the main axis. la sniftable plate 4-9 is provided. atone side of the compartments 85, as illustratedin F i 6 and 7. This plate is formed of a a ir spaced strips 49-e3 l-9-7) connected intervals by the gussets 4:9-c. Between s h gussets are mounted supporting studs generally indi cated by numeral 50 with collars or washers 50a to guide and support the spaced strips lli--64 and l-9Z while preventing their lateral displacement. In the upper strip 49--a vertical slots 49-(Z in which enter the shaft ends 43-a while siiui-' lar slots -il96 provider. in the lower strip 49Z to receive all such shaft The strip l-9i) is extended rearwardlv and is pivotally attached to the lower end of the lever 51 which in turn is pivoted intermed to its extremities at to a bifurc. to studs 51- o are carried by th shaft to co-act with inclined surfaces :2a of the block 52 to limit the movement of the lever 50 in either direction. Shining of the lever 50 will operate throup i. the plate 49 to reel; the shafts 43. l i and move the

closure members

40, 41 to and from position, cl osing the bottom openings of the compartments 35, as will be apparent.

i The table is supported upon suitable legs or boxes 55 adjacent the corners, and transverse and longi udinal frame members 56. 57,58 are provided, as il ustrated n the drzuvings, for stability and r idity.

Located beneath the cmnpartnients at either side of thepartition 16 are pivoted platform members each attached to a rock shaft 61 suitably journaled at or near its ends near the bearing plates 68 (see Figs. eand 19), one end of each shaft being extended beyond its bearing plate through the cross frame member 58 for engagement by an operating handle (see Fig. Stop members 70 are provided. one for each of the handles 65, there being a shoulder arranged '1 vertical gain to engage and stop the handle a 'movement when the platform members 60 are in the position illustrated in Fig. 4:. for example. The arrangement which permits outward and inward movement of the handle {35, is described below in onnection with the op erating mechanism for the bag holders. It will be noted that the rock shafts til are located atthe outer sides of the openings normally closed by the platform members (30, so that the latter when open fern). h th tral partition 46 a guide way for the filled bags in their further travel (see Fig. 5, for example, where the suppoi n'ien'ibers 64) are illustrated in dotted lines in bag releasing ends ii-E a.

position, the supporting members when in such position extending down to a point adj acent to the bag receiving boxes hereinafter described) Underlying and spaced from the platform members 60 are the transversely arranged parallel rollers 72, the axial portions 72-a of which are ournaled in spaced channel beams 7% to form a traclrway upon which are placed receiving boxes (see Figs. 2 and 3). The upper flanges of these channels are machined at their inner edges. These boxes are shown as each accommodating three bags or packages, the boxes being positioned and advanced in pairs. as illustrated in Fig. 5.

At the front end of the table projecting between a pair of rolls 72 is a pair of stop fingers pivotally attached to a cross rod 86 to which is also pivotally attached a pair of radius strips 87' pivoted at their other extremities at 87-a. A connecting rod 89extends downwardly from and is secured'to the rod 86, bein pivotally attached at its lower end to a crank arm 90 carried by the shaft 91 to which is also attached the oscillatable lever 92 having a pedal or treadle portion 92-a under which is located a stop angle 95. A stud 97 depends from a cross strip 100 extending between the channel bars 74. Extending between and secured to the radius arms 87 is a cross strip 101 apertured loosely to accommodate the stud 97. A coiled compression spring 103 is mounted on the stud 97 beneath the cross strip 101, being adjustable by means of a nut 97-a mounted upon the stud 97. The arrangement is such that downward movement of the lever 92 is yieldingly resisted by the spring 108. The ends of the stop fingers 85 project slightly above the plane of the upper surface of the roller 72, as illustrated in Fig. 10, and serve normally to prevent movement of the boxes 80 out from beneath the compartments 35. If the pedal 92-a be depressed, however, sufficient movement is imparted to the fingers 85 which are loosely guided by the adjacent rollers to depress them out of the path of the boxes, and an operator or assistant may then easily and quickly move any number of boxesoutwardly along the trackway formed by the rollers while additional uncharged boxes are moved into charging position for the next cycle of operations.

The partition 16, it will be noted, isextended downwardly almost 'to the upper ends of the boxes 80 (see Figs. 3 and 1, for example). At each side of the table underlying the bottom portions 30-(t thereof is a pair of shafts one at each side of the machine. At the front or charging end of the table each of the shafts is provided with an outwardly projecting arm 120-a, the outer end of which is pivotally attached to the connecting link 121 which has its lower end pivotally attached to an angle 122 carried by a counterpose described hereinafter.

weight 123 loosely mounted in guides 12 1 to permit vertical movement. Mounted upon the shafts 120 are a plurality of bag holding units, generally indicated by numeral 125 (see Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, for example). Each of these units is formed of-two'relatively movable sections, the actuating section, as I will term it for. convenience, comprising the arm 126 having an apertured portion mounted on the shaft 120 and pinned thereto by the taper pin 127, for example (see Figs. 14 and 15). The arm 126 when in filling position extends downwardly from the shaft 120 and then outwardly substantially horizontally terminating in an upwardly inclined portion 126-64 with which is integrally formed the rectangular mouth 126-?) from which depend a pair of spaced corner members 126-0 of angular cross section. A front wall 1266Z connects these corner members 126-0 at their upper portions, as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. Extending'outwardly and downwardly from the arm 126 when in the position illustrated in Fig. 15, is the divergent stop portion or arm 126-6 rounded at its'outer surface andarranged for the pur- The actuated portion of each unit comprises a pair of spaced arms 128 one at each side of the arm 126, terminating at one end in apertured portions 128-66 loosely fitting the shaft 120 (see Fig. 13). Extending between and integrally formed with the arms 128 is the bridge portion 128-0 which under- 2 lies and is spaced from the portion 126-6 when in filling position. At the outer ends of the arms 128'are provided downwardly extending corner members128-d inalignmentwith the corner members 126-0 substantially to define a rectangle representing 1 the limits of an expanded bag or container. Extending between and integrally formed with thecorner portions 128-(Z is the wall 128-6 (see Fig. 15), which is slight-lyinclined rearwardly and extended about the plane of the arms 128 terminating in: a beveled or taperedportion 128-7 underlying one side of the box-like mouth 126-7), the construction of the two complementary sections of each unit defining a nearly closed mouth for passage and guidance of candies, orthe like, being deposited in the bags. At the front of the machine is provided a pair ofoperating levers 130, each attached at its curing of the'levers 130m the embodiment illustrated is through the medium of a block 131 secured by screws, or the like, to the lever andmounted upon the shaft 120. Thisblock lower end to one of the shafts 120. This se- 131 is provided with the slot 131-a in which extend the ends of the stud 133 threaded through the shaft 120 to project somewhat at each side. The slot 131-a permits a tilting movement of they lever and block 131 relative to the shaft 120', while insuring rotation of the shaft through the stud 133 when the lever 130 is rotated. A leaf spring 135 has its lower end secured to the end of the shaft 120, being held against a stop collar 137 by a washer 138 and screw 139. The leaf 135 I is thus spaced from the lever 130 at its lower end but is inclined toward said lever and into contact at the other end bymeans of the compressing screw 142 and washer 142- a, so that it constantly asserts a pressure against the lever 130 to maintain it in the position shown in Fig. 18, for example, wherein it normally will encounter the shoulder 145a of the stop'member 145 (see Fig. 3). The spring 135 permits outward tilting or axial movement of the lever 130 to clear this stop member, as will be obvious, the inner portion of the stop collar 137 being cut away to accommodate this movement.

Vhen the lever is swung to its vertical position illustrated in Fig. 3, it has passed by the shoulder 145a into a recess in the stop member 145 formed thereby (see Fig. 1) and will be held there in what'I term bag charging position. In this position the bag holding units are inverted and lie adjacent the side of the table for placing the bags thereon. In this position the relative movement of the sections of each unit has brought the corner portions 126-0 and 128(Z into closer relation, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to render easy the placing of the bags thereon by the operators. The bridge portion 128-0 is picked up by arm 126 during the movement of the holder to this position.

Bag holding pockets 150 are provided along the sides of the table for the convenience of'the operators and in proximity to the bagholding units when 1n position for reception of the bags.

After charging of the bags upon the holders, the lever 130 is moved outwardly to clear the shoulder 145a, after which itmay be moved outwardly and downwardly to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, for example, there being a second stop member 152 similar to the stop member 145 at each side to receive and similarly hold the levers 130 in bag filling position. During this movement the relative movement of the sections of each bag holding unit has caused the wall portion 128@ to move against the stop arm 126e frictionally to grip the bag or bags, as illustrated in. Fig. 15, for example.

To make it more convenient and easy for the operators to change the bags. upon the bag holders, certain of the'bag holder units are provided with the arms 126:r as illustrated in Fig. 17, such arms dillering from the arms 126 of the other units only in that segmental opposed recesses 126-g are provided in the shaft engaging portion, and through the shaft and these recesses extends a bolt 160. This construction permits limited relative movement of these arms 126-w with respect to the ar1ns126 as the bag hold-v in g units are moved to inverted or bag charging position, shown in Fig. 3. This results in these certain bag holding units being out of alignment with and lower than the other units in the same group. I have illustrated every third unit as being thus constructed in the embodiment illustrated, which, it is apparent, will permit the operator more readily to mount the bags on all the units, as will be apparent. For the same purpose I increase the space between certain pairs of bag holder units, as 'is illustrated in Fig. 2, and the'corresponding partitions 37 of the compartments 35 are also made thicker to conform with this arrangement. I I

As stated before, the levers 65 are con structed and mounted upon the shafts 61 in a manner similar to the mounting and construction of the levers 130.

vUnderlying the bag holders and adjacent thepath of travel of the outer ends thereof, are the curved aprons 162 secured at their outer ends to a longitudinal beam 163, and secured to cross plates 164 at or intermediate the extremities (see Figs. 2 and 5, for example), these aprons, being of substantially arcuate convex construction, prevent slipping of the bags from the bag holders during travel. from bag charging position toward filling position until the bags are gripped between stop arms 126e and the wall portions 128-e, as described above.

At each side of the table I find it convenient to place an elevated platform 170 upon which the operators may stand so as to be able readily to reach over thetable to assist in moving the articles into the compartments 35.

In the operation of the apparatus described and illustrated, the articles or commodity to be packaged, as for example, spiced gumdrops or small hard candies, may be deposited in the bin 25, as illustrated in Fig. 2, or they may be deposited directly along and upon the screen plates 32 if so desired. In the former event the gate 25.Z is operated to permit discharge of the contents ofthe bin along and upon the'screens 32, which effect a screening of dust or small particles which may be commingled with or lodged upon the surfaces of the articles. I The screenings collect upon the upper surface of the table bottom -portions .30-a'and may be removed from time to time as necessary. The levers 130 having been or being actuated to swing the bag holder units to inverted or bag charging position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, for example, the operators at the side of the apparatus place the inverted bags'of cellophane, or other material, upon these holders, this placement being rendered easy by the relative adjacence of the sections described above. This operation may be conducted while the compartments 35 are being charged with the candies, or other articles, as illustrated in Fig. 5, it being understood, of course,.that the closures 40 and ll are in closing position as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8.

During this placement of the bags upon the bag holders, the levers 130 are in vertical position held by the stop members 145 as illustrated in 3. c i r The levers 130 are then releasedfrom the stop members 1&5, as described above, and rotated outwardly and downwardly into the dot-ted line position, illustrated in Fi 5, where the bag holding units and the bags are in filling position ready to receive the charges ofcandy, or other articles, in the compartments 35. As described above the levers 130 in that position are engaged by the stops 152 and held against reverse movement.

The lever is then actuated to move the closures t-O and ll to open position, where upon the contents of the compartments 35 Wlll discharge into the bags located therebeneath. As the weight of momentum of the charge delivered into the bags increases they will be released from frictional grip between the wall portions 128@ and thestop arms 126e, and will drop to positionupon the supporting members 60. This diminishes the amount of subsequent fall which the bags and their contents receive.

Following the completion of the bag filling operation, the levers are released from the stop members and then swung to vertical position into engagement with the stop members 180 (see Fig. 3), and the bags with their contents are permitted to drop into the receivin boxes 30 located therebeneath upon the tracn rollers 72. One of the operators may then depress the pedal 92-dagainst the resistance of spring 103, depressing the stop members 85 out of the path of thebcxes 80 when under the influence of gravity or manipulation of an operator filled boxes may be moved along the track out of receiving position to any desired location, other unfilled boxes being shoved into receiving position in lieu thereof preliminary to the next cycle of operations.

The weight of the bag holding units is substantially counterbalanced by the counterweights so that operation is rendered easy and smooth.

It will be apparent that modification and departure from the embodiment of my invention described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be restricted to the form shown and described, but only to the invention as set forth in theclaims, properly interpreted. lVhat I claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described a plurality of bag holders, a shaft carrying saidbag holding members and rotatable to move the same from filling position into inverted bag charging position, and-a counter weight operatively associated with said shaft to substantially counterbalance said bag holders. 2. An apparatus of the class described having charging openings, means to hold bags beneath said openings for filling, a traclrway located beneath said bag holding means, bag receiving members movably positioned on said track and means movable into and out of position preventing movement of said members out of bag receiving position, said trackway including a plurality of spaced rollers, said stop means including a member movable upwardly and downwardly between a pair of said rollers into and out of the patl of said members. J i 3. An apparatus of the class described havlng charging openings, means to hold bags beneath said openings for filling, a trackway located beneath said bag holding means, bag receiving members movably positioned on said track, means movable into and out of position preventing movement of said mem-' bers out of bag receiving position, said last named means including a stop member movable into and out of the path of travel of said members, and means to actuate said stop member including a foot pedaland mechanism operatively connected with said means to said stop member. v

4:. An apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable shaft, a bag holder unit movable therewith, said unit comprising a pair of complementary sections forming an open mouth, one of said sections being provided witha gripping portion and the other having aportion movable there-against when in filling position to grip a bag carried by said unit. i

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable shaft, a bag holder unit movable therewith, said unit comprising a pair of complementary sect1ons formlng an 'open' mouth, one of said sections being provided with a stop arm having a. contacting surface, the other of said sections being pro vided with a portion movable there-against to-grip a bag carried by said unit.

6. In an apparatus of the class described a rotatable shaft, a plurality of bag holder units carried thereby and movable therewith, certain of said units being connected to said shaft for movement relative to the other of said units.

7. In an apparatus of the class described a rotatableshaft, a plurality of bag holder units carried thereby and movable therewith, certain of said units being connected to said shaft for movement relative to the other of said units, all of said units being secured. to said shaft in such wise as to be in substantial alignment when in filling position.

' 8. In an apparatus of the class described a shaft, a bag holder unit carried thereby and comprising a pair of complementary sections, one of said sections havingan arm proj ecting therefrom and mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, the other of said sections being provided with an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, said sections being provided with coacting means to permit limited relative movement but otherwise to effect joint movement with said shaft.

9. In an apparatus of the class described means for positioning and holding a bag during filling thereof comprising a bag holder nit comprising complementary sectitons, one section having an open mouth and a pair of depending corner portions, and another section having complementary corner portions and a wall connecting the same located beneath and forming a continuation of a portion of said mouth when in filling position.

10. In an apparatus of the class described a bag holder unit comprising relatively movable coniplementary sections, one of said sections being provided with a stop arm having a contactable surface, another of said sections being provided with a wall portion contactable with said surface.

11. In an apparatus of the class described a bag holder unit comprising complementary sections, one of said sections being provided with an arm, the other of said sections-being provided with spaced arms, one at either side of said first named arm, and means connee-ting said spaced arms said means underlying said first arm when in filling position.

12. In an apparatus of the class described a bag holder unit comprising complementary sections, one of said sections being provided with an arm, the other of saidsectionsbeing provided with spaced arms, one at either side of said first named arm, means connecting said spaced arms, said means underlying said first arm when in'filling position, and a shaft, said first arm engaging and being secured to said shaft for rotation therewith.

13. In an apparatus of the class described a bag holder unit comprising complementary sect-ions, one of said sections being provided with an arm, the other of said sections being provided with spaced arms, one at either side of said first named arm, means connecting said spaced arms, said means underlying said first arm when in filling position, and shaft, said first arm engaging and being secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, said spaced arms being engaged by said shaft and mounted for rotation relative thereto.

14. In an apparatus of the class described a bag holder unit'coinprising' complementary sections, one of said sections being provided with an arm, the other of said sections being provided with spaced arms, one at either side of said first named arm, means connecting said spaced arms, said means underlying-said first arm when in filling position, a shaft, said first arm engaging and being secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, said spaced arms being engaged by said shaft and mounted for rotation relative thereto, and a pin securing said first arm to said shaft, said arm being recessed adjacent said pin to permit limited rotative movement of said arm with'respect to said shaft.

15.v Inan apparatus of the class described a rotatable shaft, a bag holder unit carried thereby, an operating lever operatively attached to said shaft for movement of said shaft and unit to and from filling position, and means to engage said lever when in bag filling position to prevent accidental movement of said unit away from filling position.

16. In an apparatus of the class described a rotatable shaft, a bag holderunit carried thereby, a lever operatively attached to said shaft, and means to engage said lever when in bag filling position, said means comprising a stop member, said lever being mounted on said shaft for limited movement axially thereof.

17. In an apparatus of the class described a rotatable shaft, a bag holder unit carried thereby, a lever operatively attached to said shaft. means to engage said lever when in bag filling position. said means comprising a stop member, said lever being mounted on said shaft for limited movement axially thereof, and means urging said lever toward one position of said limited relative movement.

18. An apparatus of the class described including charging openings, closures for said openings, means toactuate said closures, said means comprising a reciprocable operating member having a plurality of slots, rock shafts carrying said closures and provided with offset portions engaging said slots.

19. An'apparatus of the class described comprising a. table provided with charging openings, bag holder units movable to and from filling position beneath said openings, supporting members located beneath said bag holders when in filling position, bag receiving members located beneath said supporting means in bag receiving position, means to actuate said supporting members to permit the drop of bags supported thereon into said bag receiving members, a track located beneath and supporting said bag receiving members, and meansfmovable into and out of the path of travel of said bag receiving members to prevent or permit movement of said members upon said track.

20. An apparatus of the class described comprising a table having charging openings, a shaft, a plurality of bag holder units provided with arms engaging said shaft, means to actuate said shaft to move said bag holder units to filling position beneath said openings and therefrom to inverted position adjacent the side of said table for charging table provided with openings therein, (:10-

sures for said openings movable t0 and from closing position, swing said bag holders to a position beneath and in alignment With said openings for fillmg and from said position to inverted bagv charging position adjacent the side of said table.

JOSEPH M. HUTCHINSON.

bag holders and means to Y