US2065158A - Machine for bagging potatoes or the like - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1936. H. c. STOCKDALE 2,065,158

MACHINE FOR BAGGING POTATOES OR THE LIKE Filed March 10, 1935 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 22, 1936 STATES MACHINE FOR BAGGING POTATOES OR THE L IKE Harry G. Stockdale, Ravenna, Ohio, assignor to Food Machinery Corporation, San Jose, Calif a corporation of Delaware Application March 10,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for bagging fruits or vegetables but is particularly adapted to the bagging of potatoes.

The requirements for successful potato bagging machines are more exacting than at first thought might be supposed. Present machines are either so high in price and so complicated that growers and shippers must have a vast volume of product to handle to make the investment profitable, or they are not entirely satisfactory from structural considerations.

A successful potato bagger must be easily portable so that it can be quickly placed into operative position with any type of grading or cleaning machine and must be capable of handling the product as fast as it comes from such machines. The means for holding the bags must be simple and effective and must be capable of taking substantially all sizes of bags, that is size of openings, means must be provided to keep the stream of potatoes moving almost continuously so there is no clogging of the cleaning or grading machines, the bag holding devices must be so connected to the apparatus that the bags may be placed and removed after filling with the least effort and manipulation by the operators, the manner of positioning and holding the bags must be such that the stream of swiftly moving potatoes are not projected against any hard objects to bruise or mutilate their skins and the bags must be capable of filling as rapidly as flow of potatoes will permit.

The bagger disclosed by this application is a complete easily portable unit; it has means for diverting the stream of potatoes into two separate paths so there is a continuous flow into a positioned bag; it has means for holding the bags tightly and the mouths stretched so the full opening is available for the entrance of the stream of potatoes; it has means for clamping the bags in filling position without in any manner piercing the bag fabric or causing it to tear or mutilate; it has means for automatically releasing the filled bags from the holding devices when a filled bag is to be removed; it has no holding devices on the front side of the bags Where the potatoes strike when they roll down the chute so there is no bruising or mutilation of the falling potatoes; there are two bag holders on each unit apparatus so that While one bag is filling the operator can remove a filled bag and place an empty bag thus giving continuous operation and thereby the maximum daily output.

It is therefor an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for bagging potatoes or any rollable articles wherein at least two bags are available on the apparatus in alternate relation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for bagging potatoes or the 1933, Serial No. 660,295

like that will be a complete operative unit and easily portable so it may be instantly attached or placed in position to receive product from any type of potato handling device.

It is also an object to provide a potato bagging device having means for diverting a stream of potatoes alternately into two separate paths with a positioned bag in position at all times to receive a continuous flow of potatoes.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a potato bagging machine or the like having means for clamping the bags in position without in any manner piercing the fabric of the bags or mutilating it in any manner.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a potato bagging machine or the like having means for automatically releasing the bags from the holding devices to facilitate the movements of the operator and thereby add to the elficiency of the device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a potato bagging device having bag holding devices that will not bruise or mutilate the potatoes as they drop from the filling chute into the bags.

With such objects in view as well as other advantages which may be inherent in the invention consisting in the parts and combinations constituting the same, it is understood that the several necessary elements and combinations as set forth in the claims may be varied in their arrangement and placement without departing from the scope and nature of the invention.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown, somewhat diagrammatically, in the accompanying drawing means and mechanism for placing the invention in the preferred form, without limiting the improvements to the particular construction shown to illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus showing one bag in position to receive the stream of potatoes.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the bag clamping devices.

In this view the open sides of the clamping tubes are shown in disconnected relation, the tube 9 in position to enter tube 8.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of the opposite clamping device, being the one shown in the rear of Figure 2 and clearly shows the clamping tubes assembled and the inner tube projecting rearwardly to dislodge the back top edge of the bag when the clamps are turned to the positi n of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a further detail of a bag clamping device.

Figure 6 is also a detail of a bag clamping device showing a bag in position and the manner of clamping the bag and holding it in position.

Figure 7 is a plan of the rails on which the shanks of clamping members 8 are secured and show a series of holes to permit of lateral adjustment of the bag holders to compensate for large and small mouth bags.

In the drawing I represents generally the frame work of the machine, which as shown is made of wood but of course may be made of metal if desired without in any manner changing or afiecting the operation or utility. 2 is the chute or runway down which the stream of potatoes slides as it is directed into the positioned bag. 3 is :a bag in position to receive the potatoes sliding down the runway 2. 4 represents the inside bag holders and 5 the outside bag holders. ii is a pivoted sweep board movable across the runway 2 so as to direct the stream of potatoes into either of the positioned bags.

Figs. 4, 3, 5 and 6 show clearly the construction and operation of the bag holders. These views may represent the holders 5.

The frame work of the holder comprises a casting l having the circular member 8 and a telescopic circular member 9. The member a is preferably made of a thin walled steel tubing so that it will spring sufiiciently to clamp the bag tightly and still not tear or mutilate it. The tube 9 carries a rod IE) extending through an inclined slot 1 l in the tubular portion 8. The inclined slot 5 l acting to move the tube 9 axially of the tube 8 when the handle W is moved. The bag holders 4 and 5 are set in an inclined position relative to a horizontal plane so that the front and side of the bag is elevated to surely catch the speeding potatoes as they fall from the end of the chute 2.

The operation of the device would be substantially as follows:

The outer end of the chute 2 is so made that it will align with substantially any kind of delivery device from any potato handling equipment. A bag isplaced around the back ends of the tubular members 8 and the edges of the bag drawn into the slots l2 formed by the tubes 8 and 9 when the handles are positioned horizontal. If the bag opening is substantially the same as the area defined by the holders it will just fit around the front ends of the holders 8 and 9 and be substantially taut. If, however the bag opening is larger then the bag is stretched tightly across the back and sides and the surplus drawn across the front ends of the holders 8 and 9 and stretched flat across the end and tucked into the slot l2 and the bag is then clamped in this position by turning the handles it] from the horizontal to the vertical, or substantially vertical and the inner tube 9 will be drawn toward the front side of the bag due to the handle moving in the inclined slot M. This turning of the handles it will clamp the edges of the bagin substantially the manner shown in Fig. 6. The positioned bag is now ready to receive bag holders and secures the bag in the same manner as described. About this time the first bag will be filled when theoperator willquickly swing the chute board 6 into its other position to change the direction of flow of the stream of potatoes.

While this bag is filling he removes the filled bag and replaces it with an empty one.

Bags weighing in the neighborhood of 100 pounds or over are quite heavy to handle all day long and since the bags must be securely fastened to the bag holders during the filling operation they cannot be moved about very much in detaching them from the holders. Here is where the axial movement of the inner clamping tube 9 becomes efiective and useful. As the operator moves the handles H] to the horizontal position the axial sliding of the tube 9 in the tube 8 tends to push the back side of the bag away from the end of the tube 8 and thus release it from its clamped position so that the operator has only to pull the edges out of the slots 52 sideways when the bag is free for removal.

The elevation of the outside holders relative to the inside holders lifts the outer side and front edge of the bag high enough so the potatoes will not jump over the top, and since there is no supporting means across the front of the bag there is nothing to bruise the potatoes.

In placing the bags onrthe clamping holders it is not always necessary that the bags be clamped on both sides. If the bag edge is drawn into one of the slots i2 and then into the other and the front slack stretched across the front and tucked into the other slot 12 and clamped in this slot l2 the bag will be held for all ordinary use, this simply reduces somewhat the movements the operator has to go through in clamping and unclamping the bags as they are placed and removed, since in this manner of manipulation only one clamping handle it need be moved, the other slot i 2 remains constantly open as in Fig. 5.

The bag clamping device is so secure and firm that it will hold bags suspended when filled when the bags are too short to reach the fioor and there will be no slightest tearing or mutilation of the bag fabric.

The small vertical space occupied by the bag clamps, and their upward inclination lifts them above the line of the stream of potatoes so that the potatoes strike against the bag under the clamps and their blow is thus cushioned by the flexible bag material which reduces the possibility of bruise or mutilation.

Throughout the specification potatoes and the like have been referred to but applicant wants it understood that many other material such as cereals, fruits of various kinds and in fact any material that will roll or slide down an inclined chute may be bagged by -the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be covered by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for filling bags comprising means for supporting a bag including a pair of telescopic sleeves with registering longitudinal slots for the reception of an edge of an open end bag, one of said sleeves being fixed, means for imparting rotary movement to the inner sleeve and at the same time imparting axial movement thereto while clamping a bag placed therein, the reverse movement of said inner sleeve pushing said bag out of engagement with said fixed sleeve.

2. A bag holder comprising means forsupporting the bag including apair of telescopic sleeves with registering longitudinal slots for the recept1on of the edges of an open bag, the outer of said sleeves being fixed, means to impart axial and rotational movements to the inner sleeve, while clamping a bag between or removing a clamped bag from between peripheral surfaces of said sleeves, including an inclined slot in the outer sleeve and a rod carried by the inner sleeve and extending through the slot.

3. In a bag filling machine, a supporting frame work, a pair of spaced and fixed tubular arms for supporting a bag by its top edges secured to said frame work, each arm being provided along its outer side with a longitudinal slot extending entirely therethrough for receiving the edge of a bag inserted therein, a slot in the said arm, an opensided rotatable sleeve telescoped within each arm and coacting with said arms for engaging and holding the edges of a bag inserted in said slots, and a handle secured to the inner sleeve and extending through said slot for rotating said open sided inner sleeves within said arms to force the inserted edges of the bag between the peripheral surfaces of said arms and sleeves to securely clamp the said edges in position.

4. In a bag filling machine, a pair of nonrotatable bag holding arms circular in cross section and having oppositely disposed longitudinal slots in the walls thereof, a hollow tube in each arm of lesser diameter than the inner diameter of said arms and being rotatable therein and having a longitudinal slot therein for registration with the slot in an arm so that the top edges of a bag may be inserted within the registered slots and extend within the inner rotatable tube or sleeve, means for rotating the said rotatable tubes to bring the edges of the slots in overlapping relation and thereby clamp the inserted edges of the bag between peripheral surfaces of said tubes and arms.

5. In a bagging machine, a supporting frame work, a pair of spaced bag holding arms secured to said frame work, for supporting opposite edges of a bag to be filled, each of said arms comprising a hollow tube with an inner rotatable sleeve, one telescoping within the other, a longitudinal opening in each arm and inner sleeve adapted when in registration to admit the edges of a bag, a slot in the outer tube and a pin riding in said slot and secured to the inner sleeve for rotating the inner sleeve to bring the edges of the slots in overlapping relation and thereby clamp the edges of the bag between peripheral surfaces of said arms and sleeves.

6. In a bag filling machine, a fixed arm for supporting an edge of a bag comprising a hollow sleeve provided with a longitudinal slot therethrough for receiving the edge of a bag, a hollow tube rotatably telescoped within the sleeve and also provided with a longitudinal slot for registration with the slot in the sleeve, means for turning the tube to overlap opposed edges of said tube and sleeve to clamp the edge of a bag between the tube and the sleeve whereby to hold it firmly in place, and a second arm provided with a longitudinal slot for supporting the opposite edge of the bag.

7. In an apparatus for holding bags a tubular bag clamping means for holding the top edge of a bag, said clamping means comprising two telescopic members one of which is rotatable, longitudinal openings in said members that register when relative rotation is imparted to said telescopic members, a slot and pin connection between said telescopic members for imparting relative rotation therebetween for forcing the edges of the bag between peripheral surfaces of said telescopic members to securely clamp them therebetween, said slot and pin connection being arranged to give axial movement between said telescopic members when said pin is moved in the slot, as well as giving relative rotation thereto.

8. A clamping arm for bag holding devices comprising an outer sleeve-like clamping member having a longitudinal slot therein, and an inner clamping member arranged within the outer clamping member and provided with a slot for registering with the slot in the outer clamping member to receive the edge of a bag inserted therein, one of said clamping members being rotatable to move its slot out of registration with the other whereby to wedge the edge of said bag between adjacent peripheral surfaces of said clamping members.

9. In a bag holding device, a support, a laterally projecting clamping arm carried by said support comprising an outer sleeve-like clamping member having a longitudinal slot therein, and an inner clamping member arranged within the outer clamping member and provided with a slot for registration with the slot in the outer clamping member to receive the edge of a bag inserted therein, one of said clamping members being rotatable to move its slot out of registration with the other whereby to wedge the edge of said bag between adjacent peripheral surfaces of said clamping members, and means for supporting the opposite edge of the bag.

10. In a bag holding device, a support, a laterally projecting clamping arm carried by said support comprising an outer sleeve-like clamping member and an inner clamping member arranged therewithin, one of said clamping members being fixed to said support and having a longitudinal slot extending along its side, and the other clamping member being rotatable and provided with a slot for registration with the slot in the fixed clamping member to receive the edge of a bag inserted therein, means for turning said rotatable clamping member to move its slot out of registration with the other whereby to wedge the edge of said bag between adjacent peripheral surfaces of said clamping members, and means mounted in spaced relation to said clamping arm to the side opposite the slot in said fixed clamping member for supporting the opposite edge of said bag.

11. In a bag holding device, a support, a laterally projecting clamping arm carried by said support comprising an outer sleeve like clamping member and an inner clamping member arranged therewithin, one of said clamping members being fixed to said support and having a longitudinal slot extending along its side, and

the other clamping member being rotatable and provided with a slot for registration with the slot in the fixed clamping member to receive the edge of a bag inserted therein, means for tuming said rotatable clamping member to move its slot out of registration with the other whereby to Wedge the edge of said bag between adjacent peripheral surfaces of said clamping members, means for imparting axial movement to said rotatable clamping member when it is turned to move an end thereof back and forth beyond the corresponding end of the fixed clamping member, and means for supporting the opposite edge of the bag.

HARRY C. STOCKDALE.

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