US2333571A - Packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2, 1943.

J. Hom. E1- Al.

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed nay 25, 1940 11 sheds-sheet 1v ATTOR YS Nov. 2, 1.943.- J. Hom. Erm."

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PACKAGING MAGHINE Filed nay 25, 1940 1J, sheets-sheet s Il 20a ATTO EYS J. HOHL. ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Fn'ed nay 25A. 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 l f5' 295 `soo fgy 600 a0 I 282 I d u 2a Jag. 116'` ,eso 2a: G ggg ToRNEYs Nov. 2, 1943, J. Hol-n.. Erm. 2,333,571

PACKAGNG MACHINE Filedllay 25, 1940 1l Sheets-Sheet l1 INVENTORS jera'ng,

AT 0" NEYS when a bag is missing.

Patented Nov. 2, 1943 `UNITED STATES Pari-:NT or FICE j A PACKAGING MACHINE John Hohl, Olav Bjerlnl, and Charlton P.

Whittier, Toledo, Ohio, and Eino E. Lakso Fitchburg, Mass.. assignors to Owens-Illinois Glass Company. a corporation of Ohio Application May 25, 1940, Serial No. 337,262 iiciaim's. (ci. 226-61) vOur invention relates to apparatus for packaging commodities including materials such as oil or other liquids, and materials in pulverized,

. cartons, iilling the bags, sealing them, and there- Aafter sealing the cartons.

Our invention relates particularly to means for opening the mouth of a bag after it has been placed within the carton, means for blowing air into the bag for expanding it prior to the iilling operation, means for introducing a measured quantity of a commodity such as oil or other liquid into the expanded bag, blowing means for dissipating any foam resulting from the iilling opthe discharge of a liquid from the filling nozzle An object of our invention is to provide novel and improved mechanism for eliecting these operations ina reliable and eiiicient manner.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the principles of our invention Fig. 2 is a partial top plan view of the two turrets;

Fig. 3 is a Vertical section through the machine base, showing the Geneva drive, the main cam shaft and associated gearing, the section being taken at the line 3-3 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is a section at the line 4-4 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of the base of the machine, showing the main driving mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of vacuum mechanism for opening the bags preparatory to the filling operation;

Figs. 7 and 8 are sections at the lines 'l--l and l-B respectively on Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the iilling turret;

Figs. 10, 11, 12 and '13 are sections at the correspondingly designated lines on Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a section at the line |4-I4 on Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a part-sectional front elevation of a iilling nozzle and associated mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a section at the line' IS-IB on Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is a section at the line H-Il on Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a section at the linev l8-I8 on Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic chart indicating the various steps in the operation of the machine.

The machine as herein illustrated is particu"- larly designed and adapted for packaging a liquid such as oil and will be described in detail as used for this purpose although it will be understood that it may be used for packaging other materials. General construction Referring particularly to Fligai, a and 19, th machine comprises `a turret I, herein referred to as the intermittent turret, which is intermittently rotated step by step and a turret F, herein referred to.as the filling turret, which is rotated continuously. The turrets are mounted side'by side Vfor rotation about vertical axes, being supported on themachine base 50. 'The intermittent turret carries an annular series of bag'holding units (the machine as herein shown comprising 12 such units), each of which is brought to the 12 stations designated a to l'inclusive (Fig. 19) by the step rotation of the turret.

A stack of cartons C is held in a magazine -5I near the station a and as each unit of the iritrmittent turret is brought to said station, a car'- ton istransferred from the magazine to the turret. The carton as it enters the pocket at station a is squared up, that is, opened to rectangular form.

' At station b a iiexible, collapsed bag B is drawn station c, it is transferred to the iilling turret F which comprises an annular series of bag filling units, herein shown as four in number. Asthe carton with the lbag therein rotates with the filling turret, the mouth of the' bag is opened and the bag itself is blown out to the walls ofthe carton. A measured charge of oilsupplied through a pump 53 (Fig. 1) is then introduced into the bag, after which a jetl of air blows down the foam formed duringthe filling operation.

Following this, the filled package is transferred back to the intermittent turret at station d. As

the carton advances step by step with the turret I, folding and sealing operations take place. As

these form no part of the invention herein claimed, they are not disclosed in detail.l

Driving mechanism Referring vparticularly to Figs. 1, 3, 'v4 and 5,y

prises a worm (Fig. 3) which drives a worm wheel 6| within a gear case 62. The worm wheel 6| is keyed to the main cam shaft 63 and rotates it continuously. The cam shaft operates through bevel gears 64 and 65 to rotate a vertical shaft 66 which operates a Geneva drive. The latter is of conventional construction and includes a driving element 6.1 4which .is keyed to theqshaft 66 and operates-during each rotation to engage 'a radial slot in `the Geneva gear 68 and impart a step rotation to said gear and the shaft 69 to which the gear is keyed. A gear pinion 10 (Figs. 3 and 5) on the shaft 69 drives a gear 1| keyed to the hub 12 of the intermittent turret I, thereby rotating the turret step by step about astationary tubular column 12'L supported on .themachine base. 1

Motion is transmitted from the shaft 66 (Figs. `3 and for rotating the filling turret continuously,

through a train of gears including a pinion 13v keyed to the shaft 66, a gear 14 running in mesh with'the pinion 13, and a ring gear 15 on' the turret F. l

` Filling turret yThe general construction of the filling turret will be understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 9 to 12. The turret is mounted on ball bearings 200 (Fig. 9) for continuous rotation about a stationary' tubular column 20| rising from the machine-base 50. The turret includes'a cylindrical housing comprising an upper section 202 and a lower section 203 of somewhat smaller diameter integral therewith. A plate 204 forms the top of the housing. A spider plate 205 at the top of the turret is attached to the upper ends of an annular seriesof posts or rods 206 'fixed to and rising from the cover plate 204.

Extending upwardly through the tubular column 20|v is yan oil pipe 201'forming part of a pipe line 208 (Fig. 1) extending from the pump 53 for conducting oil to the filling heads.V An oil distributing head 209 (Fig. 9) is mounted to rotate with the turret. Pipes 2|0 lead from `the distributing head to the`filling heads and are periodically brought into communication with the oil pipe 201 through a port opening 2 I I.

Attached to the center column 20| are cam plates 2|2, 2|3 and 2|4 formed with cam tracks or cams for effecting various operations as set forth hereinafter. The cam plate 2|2 is formed witha cam track 2|! on its under face for operatingpairs of arms 2|6 (Fig. 10) for folding in the bottom end flaps of the cartons as hereinafterset forth. The cam plate 2|2 is formed on its upper face with a cam track 2|1 for operating radial slides 2 I8 with pusher devices 32| for transferring the filled bags and cartons to the intermittent turret. The cam plate 2|3 is formed on its under surface with a cam track 2|8 (Figs. 9,

Il?)I which operates arms 220 in the form of bell cranks pivoted at 22| on a plate 222 between the sections 202 and 203 of the turret housing. The arms 220 are formed with plates 223, each of which forms one side or Wing of a package-holding pocket, the other side of which comprises a plate 224 having a fixed mounting -on the housing section 202.

Attached to the upper face of the cam plate 2 I3 vis a cam ring 225 forming a cam track on which run cam rolls 226 on slides 221 which carry suction yheads 228 comprised in the means for opening the mouths of the bags prior to the filling operation. The cam plateA 2|3 is also formed on its upper face with a cam track L229 (Figs. 9 and 13)' which operates mechanism as hereinafter deswung back to grp the package.

ries'fou'r'filling units and 1s, continuously rotated at such speed that each unit receives an empty package, comprising a carton witha bag therein, from the intermittent turret for each step rotation of the latter, four such packages being filled on the filling turret during each complete rotation thereof.

Transfer of empty package to filling turret bag) to station c. While the turret is at rest in this position the package is transferred and loaded on the continuously rotating filling turret. This transfer is effected by mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Such mechanism includes a transfer arm or bracket 232 fixed to a short vertical rock shaft 233 journalled in a bracket 234 on the machine base. Means for rocking the 4transfer' ar'm comprises a cam track 235 (Fig. 5) formed in the upper'face of the continuously rotating `gear 14. A rock arm 236 is mounted on the machine base to swing on a pivot 231. The arm carries a cam roll 238 running in the cam track 235. A link 239 connects the free end of the arm with a rock arm 240 fixed to the lower end of the rock shaft 233. The transfer arm 232 is provided lwith means including fingers 24| and a bottom plate 243 to support the package during the transfer. l

While the turret is at rest the cam 235 operates to swing the transfer arm about the axis of the shaft 233, thereby carrying the package to the filling turret. During this transfer the package is prevented from being thrown out of position by centrifugal force by means of an arc-shaped guide bar 244 (Fig. 2).

the plate 224 engages the side of the carton just after the, transfer arm completes its transfer movement. Immediately after this the swinging plate or wing 223, which during the transfer is in its open position to receive the package, is At the same time the transfer arm 232 is returned to position for receiving the next package. The return movement of the transfer arm takes place during the indexing of the turret I so that the pocket P from which the package has been removed is carried out of the Way before the transfer arm is returned.

Opening the bag Immediately after the package has been transferred to the filling turret,'the mouth of the bag is opened by mechanism now to be described, to permit the filling nozzle to be inserted. Referring to Figs. 2 and 6 to 8, such mechanism is carried on a stationary plate 246 on which is mounted a suction head 241 adapted to be oscillated in an arcuate path concentric with the axis of the filling turret. The suction heads 228 on the lling turret are adapted to be brought in line with the head 241 by the rotation of the turret.

The suctionhead 241 is formed on a slide block 248 mounted to slide on an arc-shaped guide rail 249 formed on the plate 246, said rail being concentric with the turret. A dog 250 pivoted to the slide block 248 projects into the path of arms 25| (Figs. 6 and 12) said arms being mounted on the rotating turret and individual to the filling units. A spring-actuated boss 252 holds the dog 250 in the path of the arms 25|. When the rotation of the turret brings a suction head 228 to the dotted line position (Fig. 6) itis in substantial alignment with the suction head 241, with the upper end of an empty bag between the suction cups 2288L and 241 carried by said heads. The arm 25| now engages the dog 25|) and thereby causes the head 248 to travel with the turret until arrested by a stop 253 engaging an abutment 254 on the slide block.y The continued movement of the turret causes the arm 25| to swing the dog 250 about its pivot, forcing the spring boss 252 inwardly against the tension of its spring until the dog is disengaged from the arm 25|. The slide block 248 is then returned by a rock arm 255 pivoted at 256 to the plate 246 and held under tension by a coil spring 251. The free end of said arm is slotted to engage a pin 258 on'the slide block.

suction line including a pipe 260 leading to -a source of vacuum (not shown). After the suction heads have been brought into register with the bag therebetween, suction is applied to the head 241 so that the opposite sides of the bag are gripped by the suction cups. In this-connection it is to be 4noted that suctionhas been applied previously to the head 228 for holding the bag while being advanced to the Fig. 6 position. During the forward travel of the slide block 248, the suction head 228 is drawn inwardly by means of its cam 225, thereby opening the bag to a certain extent. In order to release the suction head 241 and permit the bag to continue its travel beyond the opening station, a relief valve' 26| is provided in the suction line leading to the head 241. 'I'his valve is carried on a bell crank lever 262 fulcrumed on the pin 258.` A coil spring 263 holds the valve closed. A stop 264 on the plate 246 extends into the path of the bell crank 262 and is so positioned that it will engage the bell crank and open the relief valve just before the slide block 248 is arrested by the4 stop 253. This opening of the relief valve breaks the vacuum and thus releases the vacuum head 241 from the bag, allowing the latter to continue its travel while the slide block 248 returns.

i After the operation of the suction heads. which opens the bag part way, it is opened further and held open independently of said heads by the following mechanism. Referring to Figs. 9 and 12 to 14, the cam 229 actuates a vertical rack bar 265 which carries a roll 265a running on the cam. 'Ihe rack bar is formed with rack teeth engaging a pinion 266 on a shaft 261. Rack bars 268 and 269 are mounted for reciprocating movement lengthwise in guideways formed in an arm 210 which is fulcrumed to rock about the axis of the spreader ngers 21| and 21|* to enter the mouth of the partly opened bag, open it further to receive the filling nozzle, and hold it open. The forward ends of the fingers 21| and 21| are extended downwardly to enter the bag. The upper fingers are bowed as shown inFlgs. 12 and l5 to permit entrance of the filling nozzle.

The arm 210 carrying the rack bars is held in an upwardly and outwardly inclined position as shown in Fig. 9 at the left-hand side of the turret. After the suction heads open the bag as above described, the cam 229 operates to move the rack bar 265 upwardly. The initial upward movement of the rack bar swings the arm 210 downwardly to horizontal position between the vacuum heads,y thereby causing the fingers 21| and 21|to enter the open end of the bag. Continued upward movement of the rack bar 265 then operates to slide the bars 266 and 269 in the arm 216, the upper bar moving outwardly and the lower bar inwardly, thereby'spreading the fingers 21| and 21| as shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 9. The bag is held open in this manner until after 'it has been filled. The vacuum v heads 226, 241 may operateto partly open the mouth of the bag, and after this initial opening the fingers 21| and 21|n are brought into operation for further expanding or fully opening the draw the bag opening device.

shaft 261. Said rack bars engage the upper and lower sides Vrespectively of the pinion 266 and are mouthv of the bag to receive the filling nozzle.

After the bag has been filled and the nozzle withdrawn, the rack bar 265 is lowered to with- This lowering of the rack bar is effected by a pair of springs 212 (Fig. 14) attached at their upper ends to a crossarm 213 on the upper end of the rack bar 265, said springs serving to maintain the cam roll in engagement at all times with the cam. When the rack bar 265 moves downward it first moves the arms 269 and 210 lengthwise to draw the fingers 21| and 21| together and thereafter swings the arm 210 upward to clear the bag.

'Expanding and flling'the bag After the mouth of the bag has been opened, the filling nozzle is introduced and air blown through the nozzle to expand the bag prior to the introduction of the oil. When the bagis expanded, there is a slight air pressure built up therein which operates a safety mechanism for,

four bag-filling units on the filling turret.. each comprising a head or casting 214vmounted for up and down movement on a pair of the posts 206. This head is formed with a cylinder 216 to the lower end of which is attached a nozzle 211. Extending-longitudinally through the cylinder 216 and projecting downward into the nozzle is a tubular plunger jor rod 218 movableup and down in the cylinder and serving as a valve for shutting olf the flow of oil through the nozzle and also serving as a conduit through which air is blown into the bag for expanding it preliminary to the lling operation. The plunger has a screw-threaded connection at its upper end with.a head-piece 219, the latter also having a connection Vwith-a pipe 280 which forms part of an air line extending through the headpiece 219 to the plunger 218. A bellows 28| is connected at its lower end to the head 219. The

upper end ofl the bellows comprises a plate 282 formed with a tubular extension 283 projecting downward within a tubular extension 284 of the head 219. The bellows is held under compression by a coil spring 285 extending into the tubular extension 283. A guide post 286 fixed to the head 219, and extending downwardlyv therefrom has sliding contact with the head 214.

The bellows 28| is actuated by air pressure built up in the bag and operates through the following mechanism to control the admission of oil to the bag. Mounted on the filling head is a bracket 281 (Figs. 15, 17) in which is journalled a rock shaft 288. A rock arm 289 fixed to the shaft carries a cam roll 290 which runs on the cam 23|. A lever 29| is fulcrumed on the shaft 288 and has one end 292 bifurcated to straddle the plunger rod 218 and engage beneath the head 219. A rock arm 293 is fixed to the rock shaft 288 and extends upwardly therefrom. A lever 294 is pivoted on the upper end of the arm 293 and is formed at its upper end with a lug 295 which overhangs the bellows. The lower arm of the lever 294 serves as a latch to engage a recess 298 at the end of the lever 29|. The rock arm 293 is formed with an extension 291 with a stop lug 298 thereon to engage beneath the lever 29|. A light coil tension spring 299 is connected between the extension 291 and the lever 29|.

. The operation of the safety mechanism just described is as follows:

When the filling nozzle has been projected into the open mouth of the bag, air under pressure is admitted through the air line 280 and tubular plunger 218 to the bag, thereby expanding the latter and at the same time applying air pressure within the bellows 28|. The expansive force oi the air in the bellows causes the plate 282 toA bear against the lug 295, thereby holding the latch lever 294 in engagement with the lever 29|. As the turret rotates, the cam roll 290 rides along the inclined cam 23| so that the arm 289,'shaft 288 and arm 293 are rocked in a clockwise direction (Fig. and operate through the latch lever 294 to rock the lever 29|, thereby lifting the plunger head 219 and valve plunger 218. The lower tapered end 218' of the valve plunger, which serves as a valve, is thus lifted away -from the tapered wall of the nozzle 211 to permit a charge of oil to be introduced into the bag.

If there is no bag in position on the nozzle when the air valve is opened, there will be no pressure built up in the bellows. The latch lever 294 therefore will not operatively engage the lever 29| but will be carried outwardly beyond the latter by the movement of the arm 293 when the shaft 288 is rocked. As the spring 299 is too weak to rock the lever 29| and lift the plunger head, the plunger remains in its lowered position so that the valve 218 remains closed, preventing oil from being discharged through the filling nozzle.

As there is a possibility that the initial puff of air supplied to the plunger 218 would operate the bellows and cause the latch lever 294 to be held in operative position, the following additional safety means is provided. A boss 300 on the upper end of the lever 294 is carried beneath a guard rail 30| (Fig. 2) as the filling nozzle approaches the filling position, thereby preventing the bellows from moving the latch lever to operative position. As said lever moves beyond the guard rail 30| before the expansion of the bag is completed, it does not `prevent the bellows from functioning as a safety means.

After the bag has been expanded in the manner above described a measured quantity of oil is forced through the filling nozzle into the bag, the oil being conveyed from the pump 53 through the line 208 (Fig. `1) and pipe 201 vr(Fig. 9) to the distributing head 209 which admits the oil to 'the pipe 2 I0 individual to the filling head to which mitting the plunger 218 to be lowered by a coil spring 304 within the oil cylinder 213. A coil spring 305 holds the cam roll 290 on its cam. While the bag is being filled, the package is gripped between the plates 223, 224 (Fig. 11). The cam 2|9 is shapedto prevent any substantial gripping pressure of said plates on the carton while the bag'is being inflated-beforel the oil is introduced, thereby permitting the carton to float and adjust itself to the bag as the latter is expanded. This prevents the bag from being torn or pulled oil the lling nozzle while being expanded.

After a bag has been filled and before the filling nozzle has been withdrawn therefrom, a puff of air is supplied through the valve plunger 218 for the purpose of blowing off or dissipating the foam Vwhich sometimes accumulates on the oil in the bag as a result of the lling operation. The supply of air for this purpose may be controlled by a non-rotating disk valve 308 (Figs. 2 and 9) mounted above the rotating distributing head 209. The air is transmitted through an air line 301 (Fig. 2) to the valve 306 and thence to the pipe 280 leading to the blowing head. The air for expanding the bag is conftrolled in a similar manner by the valve 306, the air being conveyed to said valve through an air pressure pipe 308 (Fig. 2). The vacuum line 309 leading to the suction heads 228 for opening the mouths of the bags also extends to the valve 306. It will be noted thatthe pipe lines 301, 308 and 309 are at different radial distances from the center of the valve, permitting the flow of air through said lines to be controlled independently through the distributing head 209 in a conventional manner.

While the bag is being expanded prior to the filling operation the bottom of the bag is squared or flattened by the following mechanism,

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, supports 3|0 for engagement with the bottoms of the bags are carried on arms 3|| projecting outward from vertical slides or posts 3| 2 adapted to move up and down in slideways 3| 3 formed on the housing 203. Hinged to the support 3|0 is a pair of wings 3|4 which .extend outward horizontally in the plane of the support 3|0 and are free to be swung upwardly in a manner presently to be described. An inclined cam track 3|5 (Figs. 1 and 9) mounted on the machine base is positioned to engage a cam roll 3|8 on each slide 3|2 and thereby lift the support 3|0, as shown at the right in Fig. 9, into the lower open end of the carton and thereby engage the bottom of the bag which is being blown and cause it to be squared up or flattened. Thereafter the arms 2|8 (Figs. 9 and 10) associated with the slide which has just been lifted are swung inward by the cam 2|5 to a position in which their free ends extend beneath the wings 3| 4 as shown at the right in Fig. 10. The arms' 2|6 as they swing inward engage the bottom end flaps on the narrow panels of the carton and fold them inwardly beneath the bag.

After the bag has been filled, the slide 312 runs off its lifting cam l I 6' and is positively moved downward by a stationary cam 3 i 1 (Fig. 9) which engages the upper side of a pin 3| 8 on the slide bar. As the support SIU is thus moved downward, the wings 3|4 swing upwardly about their pivots, permitting them to be carried below the arms 2|6, leaving the bag supported on said arms.

As the filled bag advances with the rotating turret, it is carried over a stationary supporting plate 3|9. The arms 2I6 are then spread apart by the cam 2l5. As the carton rides along the support 3I9 the bottom flap, which is extending downward from the outer side of the carton, moves alongthe outer edge of the plate 3I9 and passes between said plate' and a supporting plate 320. The inner edge of the plate 320 is of such contour that it gradually folds said outer flap inwardly, the plate then forming a bottom support for the carton. Thereafter the carton is transferred back to the intermittent turret and the package completed and discharged from the machine. l

. Pumping mechanism The pump 53 is driven from the main cam shaft 63 (Fig. 3,) through driving mechanism including a sprocket wheel 460 on said shaft, a sprocket chain 46| (Fig. l) and a sprocket wheel 462 keyed to a shaft 463 which carries an eccentrick 464. The piston rod 465 of the pump is connected to the lower end of a. lever 466 pivotally connected to an adjusting block 461 adjustable up and down in the lever by means of a hand wheel 468. A connecting rod 469 connects the lever 466 with the eccentric 464. A link 416 connects the block 461 with -a bracket 41| on the machine frame. A cam 412 on the shaft 463- engages a cam roll 413 on the valvestem of the pump valve 414.

The continuous rotation of the shaft 463 operates to reciprocate the piston of the pump 53, causing it during each stroke to force a measured charge of' oil through the oil line 208 and the nozzle at the filling station, thereby introducing a means for rotating said carrier about an axis, bag

cess pressure when the valve in the lling nozzle is held closed as occurs when a package is missing at the filling station. 'I'he amount ofoil in a charge may be adjustably regulated by the hand wheel 468.

Modifications may be resorted to within theV spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim: l

1. Packaging mechanism comprising va bag holding device, a traveling support on which said device is mounted and by which the bag is carried forward in a predetermined path, and means for opening the mouth of the bag, said means including a gripping device carried with the traveling support arranged to engage one side of the bag, a second gripping device mounted separately from said traveling support and arranged toengage the opposite side of the bag, means for causing said second device to travel with the bag vthrough a predetermined distance while said devices grip the bag, means for then releasing said second gripping device and stopping its travel p with-the bag while the said support continues its opening means including suction heads, one said head mounted to rotate with said carrier, the other head mounted separately from the carrier and movable in an arc concentric with said axis, and means for causing said second head to travel with the rst head through a predetermined arc.

3. Packaging apparatus comprising, in combi' nation, a device for holding a collapsed bag, a

- carrier on which said holding device is mounted,

means for rotating said carrier about an axis, bag opening means including suction heads, one said head mounted to rotate with said carrier, the

other head mounted separately'from the carrier and ymovable in an arc 4concentric with said axis, means for causing said second head to travel with the first head through a predetermined arc, means for applying suction within said heads while traveling through said arc, and means for drawing said heads apart during said travel for opening the mouth of the bag.

4. The combination of a turret, means for rotating it, a holdingdevice on the turret for holding a collapsed bag, means for opening the mouth of the bag comprising a suction head carried on the turret and arranged to engage one side of the bag adjacent the mouth thereof, a second suction head mounted independently of the turret for oscillation in an arc concentric with the turret, said second head being arranged to engage the bag opposite said rst head when the latter is brought to a predetermined position by the rotation of the turret, means to connect said second head for movement with the turret while said heads are in engagement with the bag, means for applying suction to said heads while traveling with the bag, and means for moving said heads away from each other in av direction transverse to their direction of travel with the bag for opening the mouth of the bag.

5. 'Ihe combination of a turret, means for rotating it about a vertical axis, a bag holder thereon, a, suction head on the turret. a second suction head, a stationary support on which said second head is mounted for movement in an arc concentric with said axis, an arm on the turret arranged to engage said second head and cause it to travel v with the turret through a predetermined arc, automatic meansA for releasing said second head, and spring means for returning it.

6. Packaging apparatus comprising a turret, means for rotating it, a bag holding device on the turret, means foropening the mouth of the '1. Packaging mechanism comprising a bagholding device, a traveling support on which said device is mounted, and means for opening the mouth of the bag, said means including a gripping device carried with the traveling support gripping device mounted separately from said traveling support and arranged to engage the opposite side of the bag, means :tor causing said second device to travel with the bag through a predetermined distance while said devices grip the bag, and means for moving said devices apart while traveling with the bag and thereby opening the mouth of the bag, each said gripping device comprising a suction cup, means 'for applying suction within said cups, and means for breaking the suction and, releasing the cups.

8. A bag filling machine comprising in combination means for supporting a collapsed bag having an open upper end, a nozzle, means operable automatically to periodically move the nozzle relative to the bag supporting means to an operative position in which the nozzle is projected into the open end of the bag, means for expanding the bag and building up a pressure therein, means for supplying a liquid through the nozzle into the bag, a valve in the nozzle controlling said supply, and means operable by the pressure built up within the bag for opening said valve.

9. A bag filling machine comprising in combination a bag filling unit, means for presenting bags in succession to said unit, the latter including a nozzle, means providing with said nozzle a line through which liquid is conveyed to the bags, a valve in said line, means for closing the valve and thereby closing said line, means for introducing the nozzle into the open end of a bag, means for building up a pressure within the bag, automatic mechanism for opening the valve after the nozzle has entered a bag, and means controlling said valve opening mechanism and actuated by said pressure to render said mechanism operative, said last mentioned means being operable to prevent the opening of said valve before said pressure has been built up within the bag.

l0. A bag lling machine comprising in com bination a traveling support, a bag illling unit carried on said support, means for presenting bags in succession to said unit, the said unit including a nozzle, automatic means for introducing the nozzle into the lopen end of a bag, means providing with the nozzle a line through which liquid is conveyed to the bag, means for blowing air through the nozzle into the bag and expanding the bag, means for then flowing a measured quantity of liquid through said line into the expanded bag, a stationary cam, a valve in said line controlling the flow of said liquid through the nozzle, mechanism providingoperating connections between said cam and the valve and operaarranged to engage one side of the bag, a second 11. Bag filling apparatusv comprising a'nozzle. means for blowing air through the nozzle into a collapsed bag for expanding the bag and building up an air pressure therein, a valve in the nozzle.

mechanism for operating the valve, a bellows actuated by said air pressure and controlling the operation of said mechanism, and means for flowing liquid throughthe open valve into the container.

12. The combination of means providing a support for a collapsed bag, a filling nozzle mounted for up and down movement relative to said support, means for lowering the nozzle and thereby projecting it into the open end of the bag, a tubular plunger extending downward into the nozzle and movable up and down within the nozzle, the lower end of the plunger being arranged to seat on the inner walls of the nozzle and close the latter when the plunger is lowered, means for blowing air through the plunger into a bag on the nozzle and thereby expanding the bag and building up a pressure therein, an expansible bellows, means providing communication between the plunger and bellows for transmitting said air pressure to the bellows, mechanism controlled by said bellows for lifting the plunger, and means for supplying a liquid through the nozzle into the bag while the plunger is lifted.

13. Packaging apparatus comprising means for supporting a collapsed bag in upright position, a

lling nozzle spaced above the bag, means for' opening the mouth of the bag comprising fingers, means to project said fingers into the mouth of the bag, means for then spreading said fingers to open said mouth, and means-brought into operation after said spreading of the iingers to project the nozzle from ,said rst mentioned position downward between said fingers and into the mouth of the bag while the latter is held open by 40 said iingers.

14. Bag filling apparatus comprising a nozzle, means for introducing the nozzle into the open upper end of a collapsed bag, means for blowing air through the nozzle into the bag for expanding it, means for flattening and squaring the bottom end of the bag while the bag is being expanded, including a bottom support directly beneath and spaced below the nozzle and bag, means for lifting said support into position to engage the bottom of the bag concurrently with said expanding of the bag, arms for supporting the bag, means for moving said arms into .position beneath and close to the .said bottom support, and means for thereafter withdrawing the bottom support downward and leaving the expanded bag supported on said arms.

f JOHN HOHL.

OLAV BJERING. CHARLTON P. WHITTIER.

EINO E. LAKSO.

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