US2539389A - Sealing head mechanism for closing and sealing bags and containers - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 17, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO ATTORN EYS Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL 2,539,389 SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 17, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lmmllllllw wi'll.

2,539,389 G AND 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSIN SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS 1'7, 194'? Jan. 30, 1951 Filed Dec.

Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 70 SOURCE OF COMPRESSED Al? INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 30, 1951 SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS August E. Almgren, Hillside, and John P. Jakob,

Roselle, N. 3., assignors to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 17, 1947, Serial'No. 792,122

. -11 Claims.

This invention relates to a sealing head mechanism for folding and sealing flexible containers such as filled paper bags and has particular reference to the folding of a marginal edge portion of a bag in such a manner as to provide corner pleats. Reference is here made to our copending United States applications Serial Number 792,123, filed December 17, 1947, on Bag Sealing Machine; Serial Number 792,124, filed December 17, 1947, on Bag Sealing Machine; and Serial Number 792,125, filed December 1'7, 1947, for Method of Sealing Bags.

An object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for folding and sealing the open end of a bag or container filled with articles such as cans by folding or turning-in corner sections, of the marginal edge portion of the bag independently of adjacent side sections thereby forming lapping folds at the corners which are sealed easily during the folding operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a mechanism of the character described, of aplurality of elements for turning or foldingin sections of the marginal edge portion at the corners of the bag in advance of the remaining intermediate or side sections to form overlapping folds or pleats on the turned-in corners of the bag and to seal the turned-in sections onto an inserted board or bag end member.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a bag closing and sealing mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the upper open end of a bag filled with cans preparatory to being sealed;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the bag closed and sealed;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating a corner of the bag and showing how the marginal corner'and marginal side sections are folded into sealing position;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pleated corner fold taken substantially along the line li in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of a sealing head used in the mechanism shown in Fig. '1;

'. Fig. 9 is an elevationalview of the sealing head 2 shown in position for s filled bag,- with parts shown in section;

Fig; 10 is a schematic view showing the details of a piping assembly joining air valves for operating the folding elements in the sealing head; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the valves shown in Fig. 10.

As an exemplary embodiment of the invention the drawings show a sealing head mechanism for closing and sealing a bag or flexible container A (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) of rectangular configuration and preferably made of'fibre, which is filled with cans B. The cans are packed in layers with a division or separator sheet between each layer. The top layer of cans is covered with a flat sheet or closure member'D having a band of adhesive or glue E on its top surface (Fig. 2) adjacent but in spaced relation to its outer periphery. An upper marginal edge portion C of the bag extends above the end member D and is folded inwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coated end member for sealing the bag.

In folding the marginal edge portion C of the flexible bag down against the closure member D, corner sections F of the marginal edge portion C, are first folded inwardly and downwardly against the closure member D (as shown in Fig. 4). intermediate or side sections G are folded inwardly and downwardly against the closure member as shown in Fig. 5. This progressive folding of the marginal edge portion C forms corner pleats J, K which overlap the corner sections F as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and thus provide a smooth, well formed and secure corner structure. Thereafter these folded edge portions C of the bag are clamped tightly against the end member D for fully creasing the pleats J, K and for effecting proper contact of the folded portions with the adhesive on the end member. This completes the sealing of the bag.

A preferred form of sealing head mechanism for folding and sealing the marginal edge portion C of a filled bag A includes a rectangular shaped hollow sealing head frame 22 (Figs. 1 and 8).

which issecured to a support arm 23 of a vertically movableslide 24, carried on a frame 25 which constitutes themain frame of the machine. The sealing head frame 22 preferably is movable relative to and away from a filled bag A to be sealed, the bag being located beneath the head frame on a platform 26 mounted on the upper end of a stem 21' carried in a bearing 28 formed a e eeeh rem i e e frame 1 ealing the open end of a While the folded corners are held in place,

as shown in Fig. 9, for a sealing operation, the upper marginal edge portion C of the bag-is-sur rounded and guided to maintainiit inanguprightposition and thereby prevent its being crushed. For this purpose an outwardly tapered orfiared',

rectangular shaped apron or'guide 29 is carried on the head frame 22 and hangsdown below the frame and telescopes over the end of the bag as the frame moves into sealingposition; Itiswhen the head frame 22 is in this sealing position that.

the marginal edge portion C of the bag is folded inwardly and downwardly against the end member D as hereinbefore exp ained.

Folding of the bag corners Finto'place is effected'by a plurality of hingeable triangular shaped corner foldingelement's 32' which are located one at each corner of thehead frame 22. These corner folding elements are mounted on pivot pins 33- (Figs. a, Band 6) carried in spaced lugs 34 formed on the head frame 221 The foding face of each element preferably carries a cushion 39 Qfrubber or other resilient material. The folding'elements 32 areactuated' by bracket arms-35 which extend outwardly from each of the elements and which arepivotall'y connected by links 36 to the lower-ends of rods-31 having pistons 38 which operate in corner actuatingvalves'til (Figs.

l0'and 11). There is'one'of these valves 39 at each corner'of the head frame-22.

The upper and lower" ends of all the valves 39 arein communication with upperand lower air' pipes 4!}, 4| (seeFigs: 10 and 11) having'connecting pipes 42, 43 which' are communicable with any suitable source of compressed air. A control valve may be connected with the pipes 42, 43'to' control the entrancezofairinto the pipes 4!], 4 I if desired;

When compressed air is admitted into the upper pipe- 48, it forces the pistons 38 down in their valves-39 and thus'through the-links 36 rock the corner folding elements 32 into'a vertical position. This is the normal position of the folding elements. The lower' pipe"- 4| acts as a vent pipe during this movement of the pistons 38. When compressed'air'is introduced-"into the lower pipe 4!, the upper pipe 42 serves as avent pipe and thus the pistons 33- are forced upwardly in their valves 39 and this movement of the pistons rocks the corner folding e ements 32 downwardlytd perform a corner foldingoperation.

Folding of the side sections G ofthe-marginali edge portion C of the'bagiseffected by hingeable side folding'elementsrfl (Figs; 4, 5, 6,8 and9'). There are four of these side folding elements located along the sidesof the head frame 22 intermediate its corners;

which areconnected bylinks-S'l to'the'lowerends ofv piston; rods 58 (Ffig: 10) having pistons which operate in*va1ve'sB2 which are-similar to the-- Each element isformerr witha pair of spaced lugs48" which are mounted. on pivotpins 52 carried in brackets 53; secured. to: the-sealing headframe-ZZl The folding face of.

valves 39. There is one of these valves 62 for each side folding element 41.

The upper and lower ends of all the valves 62 are in communication with upper and lower air pipes 63, 64 (Fig. 10) having connecting pipes 85, fifi'which are communicableiwith any suitable source of compressed air: A control valve may be connected with the pipes 65, 68 to control the entrance of air into the pipes 63, 64, if desired.

When compressed air is admitted into the upper pipe E3, it forces down the pistons of the valves 62 and thus through the links 57 rocks the side folding elements 4'1. into a vertical position. This is'the normal position of the side folding elements.

' The lower pipe 64" acts as a vent pipe during this movement of the pistons. When compressed air is introduced-into. the lower pipe 64, the upper pipe serves as a vent pipe and thus the pistonsare' forced upwardly in their valves 62. This movement of the pistons rocks the side folding elements 47 downwardly tov perform a side folding operation.

In operation, while the-sealing: headframe 22 moves. downward onto a filled bag A as an incldent to sealing the bag, the corner folding elements 32 and the: side folding elements 41 are disposedin'vertical or retracted position. When the. head frame is insealing position, with the marginal. edge portion C. of. thebag extending up into the.frame,.the cornerportionsF arefirst folded inwardly against the inserted closure mem-- ber D by an inward and djownwardarcuate movementrof. the. corner folding. elements. 32. acting in unisonas shown .in Fig. 4.

Immediately following: the: folding-in actionof the; corner folding elements; 32 the side foldin elements, are swung inwardly. anddownwardly to, fold. the sidesections G. of the. marginal edge portion. C down againstv the. closuremember D. as shownin Fig. 5 and.this actioniormsthe over-- lapping. pleats J ,.K, previously referred to. In timed. relationto themovementbf. the side folding elements. the corner. folding elements 32- release their..hold on the: foldedein. corner por l tions'. F and, are; lifted, or; swung. upwardly into; a. position. as best illustrated in; Fig. 6. while-the side folding elements. remaininposition and:

to hold the folded sectionsF and G against the,

closure member Dsuntil. these parts. are fully bonded together.

If desired, this holding action may be effected independently of the.- folding elements.

through a sealing pad 65 which is movable into position within the rectangular space defined by the inner edges of the corner folding elements 32 and sidefeldingelements il (Fig.8). The sealing pad presses the inner. marginaledges of theside. corner, and overlapped portions G, and

F against the top insertedwall member D to bond.

these container partstogether.

The sealing pad 68 iscarried the sealing head frame 22 on a" pair of spaced and parallel vertical rods 52 secured in bosses 53 formed on the pad. Rods T2 are vertically slidable in bear ings i i formedon. abraclget-lfi; secured to the sealing head frame 22 and" above the pad. The

sealing ad 68 is normally held in a raised position by springs 76 which surround the rods 12 and which are interposed between each bearing 14, and locknuts EH secured to the upper end'of the rods.

The pad 68 may be lowered manually by a hand crank 1'! for bringing the pad into sealing position against the top of the bag. The hand crank 11 is carried on the outer end of a horizontal shaft 78 carried in a pair of spaced bearings 59 in the bracket 15. This shaft carries a pair of cams 82 which operate against cam rollers 83 mounted on pivot pins 84 carried in bosses 85 formed on the upper face of the pad 58. The lower 'face of the sealing pad is provided with a cushioned facing 88 formed of rubber or other resilient material.

When the sealing pad 63 is moved down onto the bag, it is held there for a predetermined period of time, depending upon the'type and setting time of the adhesive being used, thus insuring a proper bonding of the container parts together.

Following ,the sealing of the bag as explained above, the corner folding elements 32 and the side forming elements 4"! are rocked upwardly simultaneously, preparatory to lifting the sealing pad 68 from the sealed bag. After removal of the sealing pad 68, the sealing head frame 22 is lifted from the sealed bag. This completes the cycle of operations of the mechanism.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described bein merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members for containers, the combination of a frame for surrounding the open end of a tubular member, corner folding elements carried in saidframe for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of said member, and side folding elements carried in said frame for folding-in the remaining side sections of said marginal edge portion against said turned in corner sections in overlapping relation thereto.

2. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members for containers, the combination of a frame for surrounding the open end of a tubular member, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the tubular member, side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion to form corner pleats therein, and means for operating said corner folding elements and said side folding elements in timed relation.

3. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head frame for surrounding the open end ofa filled bag to be sealed, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-incorner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag and for pressing said sections against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member inserted into said bag, side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding-in side sections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and said inserted closure member said adhesive lying between said sections and said closure member for sealing the bag, and fluid actuated means for independently operating said corner folding elements and said side folding elements.

4. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members for containers, the combination of a frame for surrounding the open end of a tubular member, an apron in said frame for guiding a marginal edge portion of the open end of the tubular member into said frame, corner folding elements carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of said marginal edge portion, and side folding elements carried in said frame for folding-in side sections of said marginal edge portion to form corner pleats therein.

5. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a support for a filled bag to be sealed, a sealing head frame movable into position for surrounding the open end of said bag, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member inserted into the bag, and side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and said closure member to form corner pleats and to seal the bag.

6. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head member for surrounding the open end of a filled bag for sealing, a support member for supporting a filled bag to be sealed, one of said members being movable relative to the other for effecting the sealing, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said sealing head member for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member in the bag, and side folding elements pivotally carried in said sealing head member for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and said closure member to form corner pleats and to seal the bag.

'7. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head frame movable into position for surrounding the open end of said bag, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member in said bag, means for operating said corner folding elements, side folding elements pivotally carried in said unit for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and said closure member in said bag, and means for operating said side folding elements independently of said corner folding elements to effect the sealing of the bag.

8. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head frame for surrounding the open end of a filled bag to be sealed, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion. of the open end of the bag against a closure-f. member having adhesive applied to an area thereof, side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against said closure member, a sealing pad cooperating with said corner folding elements and said side folding elements for sealing the bag, and means for independently operating said corner folding elements, said side folding elements and said sealing pad.

9. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head frame movable into position for surrounding the open. end of a filled bag, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member in the. bag for producing corner pleats and securing the corner sections to the closure member, fluid pressure means for. operating said corner folding elements, side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and for securing said side sections to said closure member, fluid pressure means for operating said side folding elements, said fluid pressure means also operating to retract said corner and side folding elements for a repetition of their operation.

10. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or other container filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head frame.

sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member in the bag to produce corner pleats and to secure said corner sections to said closure member, fluid operated pistons for actuating said corner folding elements, side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and said closure member to secure said side sections to said closure member, and fluid operated pistons for actuating said side folding elements.

11. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members for containers, the combination comprising a frame surrounding the open end of a tubular member, triangular corner folding and pressing elements and side folding elements movably mounted in said frame, means for moving said triangular corner folding elements against corner sections of a marginal edge portion of said open end of the tubular member for turning in said corner sections, means for moving said side folding elements against said side sections of said marginal edge portion for turning in said side sections and forming pleats overlapping said corner. sections,said first mentioned means being oper-. able subsequently for retracting said triangular corner f oldin and pressing elements and for moving them inwardly a second time to press and crease said pleats overlapping said corner sections.

AUGUST E. ALMGREN. JOHN P. J AKOB.

No references cited.

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