US2590081A - Bag sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,031

BAG SEALING "MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 8 Sheets- Sheet 1 f9 INVENTOS ATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,081

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 4x INVENTORS x M ATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,081

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS BY ATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 3 BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN EIAL 2,590,031

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 mum lllllllllll llllllll" NJIIWM A ATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,081

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 79 J j4 85 #4 MM; 1/; 15

ATTO NEYS March 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL BAG SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 X g g ANE'YS Patented Mar. 25, 1952 BAG SEALING MACHINE August E. Almgren, Hillside, and John P. Jakob, Roselle, N. J., assignors to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application-December 17, 1947, Serial No. 792,123

11 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a machine for sealing filled paper bags and other flexible containers and has particular reference to devices for receiving a filled bag and for turning it into and through predetermined positions incidental to effecting the sealing of the bag and its discharge from the machine. This is a companion application to our copending United States applications Serial Number 792,122, filed December 17, 1947, on Sealing Head Mechanism for Closing and Sealing Bags and Containers; Serial Number 792,124, filed December, 17, 1947, on Bag Sealing Machine; and Serial Number 792,125, filed December 17, 1947, on Method of Sealing Bags.

In the usual factory method of can making, empty cans immediately upon manufacture are packed into large paper bags or other suitable flexible, containers for protection against contamination during shipment and storage. The cans are placed inthe bags manually or by machine and in either case are arranged in orderly rows and layers so that a substantially firm and solid package results when the bag is filled and closed. i

In packing the cans into the bag, it has been found that for best results, the bag should be held in a horizontal or slightly inclined position from the horizontal so that the cans may be handled horizontally or substantially so. However,

in this horizontal filling position the bag is difiicult to seal. For this reason, the big when filled usually is turned into an upright position for sealing. The filled bag is handled manually for effecting these operations.

The instant invention contemplates the provision of a machine for automatically handling and sealing the filled bag.

An object of the invention is the provision of a single station machine for sealing filled bags or other flexible containers which machine is of simple and economical construction and is well adapted to quickly turna filled bag through a plurality of working positions incidental to positioning the bag for sealing and for handling the sealed bag during its discharge from the machine.

Another object is the provision of such a simple machine wherein a bag sealing mechanism may be readilyincorporated in the machine so that sealing of thebag as well as handling it may be effected in the same machine, thereby eliminating unnecessary transfers and extra handling of the bag. v 7

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 elevation of a bag closing and sealing machine embodying the present invention; with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the lower portion of the machine with parts shown in a diiierent position and with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the lower portion of the machine as viewed from the left in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the machine illustrated in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the upper open end of a bag filled with cans preparatory to being sealed in the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the bag closed and sealed;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are enlarged perspective views showing a corner of a bag and illustrating how the marginal corner and marginal side section are folded into sealing position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pleated corner fold taken substantially along the line Ill-l0 inFig. 6;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged top plan view of a sealing head mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l2l2 in Fig. 11 and showing the sealing head in position for sealing the open end of a filled bag, with parts broken away;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of machine control devices located at-the upper right hand corner of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and parts in section;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the control devices shown in Fig. 13 the view being taken substantially along the line I 4-l 4 in that figure, and including an electric wiring diagram;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I 5-l 5 in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing the control devices and showing a pipin diagram for fluid operated devices for actuating the sealing head mechanism, with parts broken away;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of a plurality of fluid slide valves included in the control devices shown in Fig. 16 with parts broken away; and r or riveted Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of a plurality of the fluid operated devices shown in Fig. 16, with parts broken away.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate a sealing machine arranged to receive a bag or flexible container A (Fig. 5) filled with empty cans B, for sealing. The bag is received in a position slightly inclined to the horizontal (Fig. 2), which is the filling position ordinarily used in can packing practice as hereinbefore mentioned, and is first turned into an upright position and is then sealed. Following this sealing operation the sealed bag is rotated into an angular position for discharge from the machine.

The bag A preferably is made of fibre material and in general is of a rectangular configuration as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. When the bag is filled with cans, a marginal edge portion C of the bag extends beyond the top layer of cans a distance sufficient to permit folding of this portion inwardly against a flat sheet or closure member D for completely closing and sealing the bag. The closure member is inserted manually after the bag is filled. This closure member is provided with a band of adhesive or glue E on its outer surface, adjacent but in spaced relation to its outer periphery, for securing the folded portion of the bag to the closure member.

'In the machine, a filled bag A to besealed is received from any suitable source of supply, in a rectangular shaped, sheet metal carrier or cradle 2|. (Figs. land 2 having a bottom 22, fixed side and back walls 23; 24 respectively, a hingeable side wall 25, and ahingeable front wall 26. The top of the cradle is open. The hingeablei side wall 25 and front wall 26 are connected by hinges 21 to the bottom 22 to permit outward movement of these walls to expand the open end or mouth of thecradle to facilitate reception of armed has A.

The front wall 26 may be retained in .a partially 'open position as shown in Fig.2 or may be locked in a closed position as shown in Fig. 1. When in a partially open position it is held by a pair of latch members "29. The inner ends of these members are connected to the cradle 2| by large headed button s'iil which extend through elongatedslotstz in the members and are welded to the side wal1's23, 25 of the cradle. The outer ends of the members are formed with notches 34 which 'a're engageable with pins 35 secured in the front wall 2'6 of the cradle. Stop pins 36 on the'side wanszs, 25 on both sides of the-latch'members limit the swinging movementof the members.

Lockingof the front wall 26 in a closed positionis eifected preferably by a manually operable handle SB (Fig. 2) which is mounted on a pivot pin 39 secured to the cradle side wall 23. The handle is formed with a hook 4| for engagement over a pin 42 secured in the front wall 25. The

'handlealso carries a pivotally mounted arm it which is backed up by a spring 44 on the handle and which is operable against a movable element of an electric switch d6 mounted on the cradle side wall 23. The switch is used for starting the machine-when thecradle front wall 26 is closed as willfbe more fully explained hereinafter.

The cradle 2| is rotatable for turning a received' bagA intoa plurality of positions for rcceivingjsalin'g and discharging the bag A as hereinbefore mentioned. For this purpose the cradle 2| is mounted on a U-shaped yoke or bracket 5| (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 which is secured to the bottom of the cradle. The upright legs of the yoke extend up adjacent the side walls of the cradle. One leg is secured to the fixed side wall 23. The other leg which is disposed adjacent the side wall 25 is spaced away from the wall to permit opening of this wall and serves as a stop for limiting the travel of the wall.

' The upper ends of the yoke 5| carry pivot pins 52 which are rotatably mounted in the upper ends of a U-shaped support bracket 53 disposed adjacent the yoke'5l. The support bracket 53 is mounted on the outer ends of a pair of spaced and parallel movable rails 54 which at their inner ends and intermediate their ends are pivotally carried on two pairs of parallelogram links 55. The upper ends of the four links are carried on pivot pins 51 secured in a frame 58 having a base plate 59 and which constitutes the main frame of the machine.

The cradle 2| is connected to the frame 58 by a curved tilting or actuating link 6|. One end of the link is mounted on a pivot pin '62 secured in the frame. The opposite end of the link is mounted. on a pivot pin 63 secured in a lug 6 which extends down from the bottom of the cradle adjacent its front wall 26.

The rails 54 are shifted through an outward stroke and'a return stroke for tilting or rotating the crade 2| into desired positions as will be explained hereinafter. For this purpose the rails carry a cross-shaft 66 having an arm 61, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to a piston rod 68 carrying a piston operating in a cylinder 69 bolted to the base 59 of the main frame 58. Compressed air or other suitable fluid is introduced into the cylinder by way of tubes 1|, 12 which are connected to the cylinder at each end thereof and which communicatewith the interior of the cylinder.

The fluid tubes 1|, 12 lead to and are connected into a controlvalve 13 (Figs. 16 and 11) having a bore 14 containing a slideable valve plunger 15. The ends of the plunger extend beyond the valve 13 and are formed with longitudinal vent channels 16, 11 which communicate with the outside atmosphere. Intermediate its ends the plunger is formed with an annular channel 18 which at all times communicates with an inlet tube 19 secured in the valve 13. This inlet tube leads to a suitable supply of compressed air or other fluid.

The normal'position of the valve plunger 15 in its valve 13 is shown in Fig. 1'1. In this position the lower end of the plunger blocks off communication between the tube 1| and the inlet tube 19 and vents the tube 1| and the cylinder 69 on one side of the piston, to the outside atmosphere by way of the plunger vent 16. The tube 12 is in communication with the inlet pipe 19 and. therefore is conveying fluid under pressure to the cylinder on the opposite side of the piston. The vent 11 is out of register with the tube 12.

The plunger 15 is yieldably retained in this normal position by a spring 8| which is interposed between the outer end of the plunger and a retaining strap 82 secured to the valve. This spring presses the inner end of the plunger against a rotatable edge cam 85 which constitutes a member of a control mechanism 86. The cam is mounted on a normally stationary sleeve 81 (Fig. 14) carried on a continuously rotating shaft 88 journaled in a plurality of bearings 89 formed on a control bracket 9| secured to the main frame 58 at its upper end.

The shaft 88 is rotated by a worm wheel 92 rotating drive member 91.

which meshes with a worm 93 carried on a continuously rotating drive shaft 94 journaled in a bearing 95 formed on the controlbracket 9 I. The drive shaft is'rotated in any suitable manner. The worm wheel 92 is formed with the outer shell or driving member 91 of a conventional one revolution clutch which surrounds a normally stationary driven member 98 formed on the cam sleeve 81. The driving member is formed with a driving. notch 99 (Fig. which is adapted to be engaged by a dog IIlI located in a recess I02 in the driven member 98 and pivotally mounted in the member. The dog is backed up by a spring barrel I93'1ocated in the driven member 98.

The clutch dog IOI is normally held within the recess I02 of the driven member 98 by an upright flapper I95 mounted on a pivot pin I06 carried in lugs I01 formed on the control bracket 9 I. The lower end of the flapper is pivotally connected to a movable element III of a normally de-energized electric solenoid H2 bolted to the control bracket 9i. The solenoid is connected by wires II4, I I5 respectively to the cradle handle switch 46 and to a source of electric current such as a generator I I6 (see wiring diagram in Fig. 14) The generator and the switch are connected by a wire I I1.

At the beginning of a cycle of operation of the machine with the parts of the machine thus far explained in their normal positions, the cradle support rails 54 are in an extended position similar to that shown in Fig. 2 and the cradle 2| is in a nearly horizontal position'with its front wall 26 engaged by the latches 29 as shown in Fig. 2.

The front wall 26 and the hinged side wall are open. It is in this position of the cradle that a filled bag A is inserted into it, the bag resting .on the open front wall 26. The bag may be inserted manually or by a machine that fills the -.bag, as the case may be.

wall is locked shut. With these two movable walls of the cradle locked shut the bag A within the cradle is confined against displacement.

Locking of the front wall 26 of the cradle in a closed position requires rotation of the handle 38. During this rotation of the handle, its arm 43 pushes the movable element of the electric switch 46 andthus closes the switch. This is only a momentary action, the arm 43 immediately snapping past the switch element 45 as shown in Fig. 1 and thereby releasing it to again open the switch. The switch is thus closed only on 'a locking movement of the handle so that it cannot again be closed when the handle is shifted to open the cradle.

The momentary closing of the switch 46 temporarily energizes the solenoid I I2 of the control mechanism 86 and this shifts the flapper I95 of the one revolution" clutch, to one side of the dos I8 I. and thus releases the dog. The released dog is. forced outwardly by its Spring barrel I83 and thus engages in thenotch 99 of the constantly This engagement of the dog with the notch connects the drive member 91 to the driven member 98 for one revolution 'of the clutchand thus rotates the cam 85 through one revolution. During this revolution of the clutch, the solenoid becomes de-energized and thus pushes the flapper back into position to reengage the dog and withdraw it from the notch at the end of the one revolution. .The driven member 98, its sleeve 81, and the cam carried thereon stop rotating immediately and thus terminates the one cycle of operation of the machine.

During the rotation of the cam 85, it shifts the valve plunger I5 (Fig. 17) to cut off communication between the tube I2 and the inlet tube I9 and to bring the tube II into communication with the inlet tube. The tube I2 is also vented by the vent II, and the vent I6 is cut off. This permits fluid from the inlet tube I9 to flow through the tube II and into the cylinder 69 in front of its piston and thereby push the piston toward the outer end of the cylinder (toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2).

This movement of the piston swings the cradle support rails 54 on their links 55 and thus draws them inwardly and downwardly into the position shown in-Fig. 1. During this movement of the rails, the'curvecl link SI attached to the cradle, pivots or rotates the cradle 2| on its pivot pins 52 into the upright position shown in Fig. l. The filled bag A is now in an upright position with its open top end uppermost and ready for sealing. The fluid acting against the piston in the cylinder 69 keeps the cradle in this position during the sealing operation. This positionng of the bag requires only a portion of the one revolution cycle of the machine, the remaining portions being devoted to sealing and discharging the bag.

Sealing of the bag is effected preferably by a vertically movable sealing head I2I (Figs. 1, l1 and 12) which is disposed in a position directly above the uprighted cradle 2| and the bag A contained therein. The head includes a hollow rectangular shaped head frame I22 which is supported on a pair of spaced and parallel support links I23 and an actuating lever I24. The links and the lever form a parallelogram system of support which maintains the head in a level posi'tion while permitting vertical travel.

The outer ends of the support links I23 are mounted on trunnions I25 formed on an inverted U-shaped. bracket I26 which is secured to the head frame I22 .and'which extends across the top of the frame. The inner ends of the links are mounted on pivot pins I2! secured in the machine frame 58.

The outer end of the actuating lever I24 is mounted on a pivot pin I29 carried in a pair of spaced upright lugs -|3I formed on the frame bracket I26. Intermediate its ends the lever is mounted on a pivot pin I32 carried in spaced upright lugs I33 formed on the machine frame 58.

Vertical movement of the sealing head IZI is eifected by the actuating lever I24. For this purpose the lever extends back through an opening I34 in the machine frame, and at this end carries a link I35 which is pivotally'connected to a piston rod I36 having a piston which operates Within a vertically disposed cylinder I31 secured to the machine frame58. The ends of the cylinder are connected by tubes I4I, I42 to a Valve I43 (Fig. 16) which is similar to the valve I3 and which is connected to the fluid inlet tube I9. This valve I43 is located adjacent the valve 13 andis actuated by an edge cam I44 mounted adjacent the cam 85 on the cam sleeve 81, to connect the tubes I4I, I42 alternately with the inlet tube 19.

Hence when the cam sleeve 81 rotates through its one revolution cycle, as hereinbefore explained, it rotates the cam I44 in time with the cam 85 and thus during this cycle and at the proper time, actuates the valve I43 to admit fluid into the lower end of the cylinder I31 and to vent its upper end. This fluid pushes the piston and the rod I36 upwardly and thus rocks the actuating lever I24 on its pivot I32. Rocking of the lever I24 moves the sealing head I2I down on top of the open end of the bag as shown in Fig. 12.

Downward travel of the sealing head I-ZI is limited'by an adjustable set screw I45 (Fig. 1) which is'threadedly secured in a lug 146 on themachine frame58 and which .is engageable againste boss I4'I formed on the actuating lever I24. This screw locates the head in a proper position on the bag. A tapered hood I48 (Figs. '1 and i2) secured to the bottom of the head frame I22 guides the upstanding marginal edge portion C of the bag A into the head as the latter moves down over it for the sealing operation and thereby prevents crushing or distortion of this portion of the bag. After the sealing operation the head IZI is raised to its normal elevated position as shown in Fig. l, by the action of the cam I44 on its valve I43, permitting fluid to enter the cylinder I3'I through the tube I742 whileventing the tube I4I.

While the sealing head I2I is in sealing position on the open end of the bag A. it folds the upstanding marginal edge portion C of the bag inwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coated portions of the closure member D and thus seals the bag. This folding operation preferably is effected in two stages, a corner folding stage and a side folding stage, to produce a neat appearing fold as best shown in Fig. 6.

Folding of the corners of the upstanding marginal edge portion is brought about by four triangular shaped corner folding elements II (Figsfll, 8, 9 and 11) which are-located one at each corner of the head frame I22 and which are normally in an upright position. These elements are mounted on pivot pins I5 2 carried in pairs of spaced lugs I53 which project downwardly from the inside of the head frame at its corners. Each folding element is formed with a spair of spaced actuating arms I55 which. are :pivotally connected to the lower end of a link I56. The upper end of the link is connected .to ,apiston rod I51 (Figs. 16 and 18) having a piston I58 which operates in a cylinder I59. There are .four of these cylinders and they are locatedone at each corner of the head frame I22 and are secured to the frame as shown in Fig. 18.

All four of the corner cylinders I59 (Fig. 16)

. are connected at their upper ends to andare in communication with a fluid supply pipe- IBI having a lead pipe I62 connected by a flexible tube I63 to a valve I54 which is similar to the valve 'I3 (Fig. 17) and whichv is located adjacent the valve I43.

.The lower endsof the cylinders I59 are connectedby and arein communication with a fluid, supply pipe I65 having a lead pipe I66 connected by aflexible tube I61 to the valve I64. The valve I64 like the other valves I3. I43 is con- .nected to the fluid inlet tube I9 and is operated to bring the supply pipes I6I, I66 alternately ;=into communication with the inlet tube I9. Ac-

as shown in Fig. 16 and is rotated by this:s leeve Hence during the one revolution cycle of the earn sleeve 81, as hereinbefore expla ed, the ed e earn I68 actuates the valve I64 to permit fluid from the main inlet tube I9 to fiow through the lower supply pipe I65 whileventing the' upper supply pipe I6 I and to enter all of the corner cylinders I59 simultaneously, below the pistons I58, This fluid pushes the pistonsup and there-. by simultaneously rocks all'of the corner folding elements I5I inwardly and downwardly against the corners of the upstanding marginaledge portionC of the bag to be sealed, as bestshown in Fig.7.

This action of the corner folding elements I5I -folds the corners of the marginal edge portion C inwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coated portion of the closure member Din the top of the bag. The corner elements I.5I hold these corner sections in this folded Dosition while the side portions of the marginal edge portion C are folded inwardly in'a similar manner as will now be explained.

The side portions of the marginal edge portion C .are folded into place bya plurality of side folding elements I'II which are normally disposed in an upright position. These side fold,- ing elements III are located inside the head frame I22 and extend along the sides of the bag A to be sealed, from one corner element I5 l to the other. Each side folding element I'II is formed with, a pair of spaced lugs I12 carried in a bracket.II.4 secured to the inner face of the head frame I22.

The side folding elements I'II. are hinged toward and away from the bag A to be sealed by arms I16 which are. secured to the folding e 1ements, There isone arm foreach foldingelement. The outer end of .e ach arm I16 is Divo ally connected tov an upright link'. I Illthefupper end of which is pivotally connected to a piston rod I16 of a cylinder I19 (see Fig. 16) carried onthe head frame I22. There is. onecylinder I19. for .each folding element. Thesecylinders aresirnilar in construction and operation tofthe corne1yfolding.cylinders I59 shown in Fig 18.

The upper ends of .all of the side folding cylinders I19 are connected by and are in com- .m nic i i h afl i u pl m e m (P a l6.

ha a ea p p 182. onn c ed b a flexib tube I83 to a valve I84 which is similar to t h e valve I3 (Fig.1?) and which is located adjacent the valve I64. The lower ends of the cylinders I19 are connected by and are'in communication w th av fl d, s pply p pe .85.. .har a ead P p I85 connected by a flexible tubeIBfI to the valve I84. The. valve I84 like the ot er teem. I43. I64, is connected to the fluid inletitube l9 and is o er t in hQ- 1 PP1 -QiP 1, I8 t t y nto communica ion w th the inl tube I9. Actuation ofthe valve. M34 is brou h aboutby an edge cam I68. which is mounted on the. ca sleeve 81 adia ntthc. orner. fold n element. actuating cam I68 .as shown inlfig 1 6 and is rotated by this sleeve.

Hence during the one revolution cycle of the cam sleeve 81, as hereinbefore explained, the edge cam I88 actuates the valve I84 to permit. fluid from the inlet tube I9 to fiow through the lower supply pipe I85, while venting the upper supply pipe I8I, and to enter all of the side folding. cylinders I19 simultaneously, below the pistons in the cylinders. This fluid pushes the pistons up and thereby simultaneously rocks allot the side din el ment 111 inwardly. and downwardly aga n pstandin mar inal ed e rtion 0 of the bag to be sealed, as best shown inFig. 8. This action ofqthe side folding elements III folds the sides of the marginal edge portion C inwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coated portion of the closure member D in the top of the bag.

While the side folding elements I! I. temporarily hold down the folded over side portions of the marginal edge portion 0, the corner folding elements are quickly lifted as shown in Fig. 9 to release their hold on the folded over corners of the edge portion C. This permits the folded over side portions, adjacent the corner portions to overlap the corner portions as shown in Fig. 9. The corner elements |5| are immediately pressed down again to crease these overlapping sections of the side portions to provide a neat appearing corner 'fold as best shown in Fig. 10. This action of the corner folding elements is brought about by the cam I68 during its operation of the valve While the folded over sections of marginal edge portion C of the bag are temporarily held in place by the corner folding elements I5| and the side folding elements I 1|, the inner edges of this portion are pressed down against the closure member D to complete the sealing of the bag. This is brought about by a rectangular shaped sealing pad I9I (Figs. 11 and 12) which is disposed in the sealing head |2I and which is of proper proportions to fit within the outline defined by the inner edges of the closed corner and side folding elements I5I, Ill respectively.

The sealing pad I9| is normally held in suspension within the head by a pair of vertical spaced and parallel rods I92 (Figs. 11 and 12). The lower ends of the rods are secured in bosses I93 formed on the pad. These rods extend up through a pair of slide bearings I94 formed in the bracket I26 and at their upper ends carry locknuts I95 threadedly secured thereto. Compression springs I96 surrounding the rods and interposed between the slide bearings I94 and the locknuts I95, retain the sealing pad in yieldable suspension.

The sealing pad |9| is moved down into engagement with the bag A, by a pair of edge cams I98 which operate against a pair of Spaced C rollers I99 carried in lugs 20I formed on the sealing pad. The cams are mounted on a crossshaft 202, the ends of which are carried in bearings 203 formed'in the upright portions of the bracket I26. The shaft is oscillated at the proper time by an arm 205 (see also Fig. 1) which is mounted on the shaft. The outer end of the arm is connected by a link 206 to a piston rod 207 having a piston operating in a sealing pad air cylinder 208 which is secured to the bracket I26 and which is similar to the cylinder I59 shown in Fig. 18..

The upper end of the cylinder 208 is in communication with and is connected by a, flexible tube 2 to a valve 2I2 (Fig. 16) which is similar to the valve I3 shown in Fig. 17 and which is disposed adjacent the valve I84. The lower end of the cylinder 208 is in communication with and is connected by a flexible tube 2 l3 to the valve 2 I2. The valve like the other valves I3, I43, I64, I84 is connected to the fluid inlet tube I9 and is oper ated to bring the tubes 2| I, 2|3 alternatelyinto communication with the inlet tube I9. Actuation of the valve 2 I 2 is brought about by an edge cam 2I5 which is mounted on the cam sleeve 8! adjacent the side folding element actuating cam I88 as shown in Fig. 16 and is rotated by the sleeve.

Hence during the one revolution cycle of the cam sleeve 87, as hereinbefore explained, the edge cam 2I5 actuates the valve 2I2 to permit fluid from the inlet tube 19 to flow through the upper flexible tube 2, while venting the lower tube 2I3, to lower'the sealing pad |9| into sealing position on top of the bag as hereinbefore explained. The pad is pressed down tightly to effectthe sealing operation and is then lifted along with the head I2| to permit discharge of the sealed bag. The corner and the side folding elements I5I, III are also'hinged into an upright position in readiness for the next bag. This raising of the pad, the head, and the folding elements is effected by their cams 2I5, I44, I68, IBB'and.

their respective valves 2I2, I43, I64, I84 to permit the flow of fluid in the opposite direction, into the cylinders connected with these valves.

When the head |2I is clear of the sealed bag, the cradle 2| is tilted forward into the inclined position shown in Fig. 2 to permit the removal of the bag. This removal of the bag may be effected manually. Tilting of the cradle 2| is effected by its cam 85 as the cam sleeve 8! approaches the end of its one revolution cycle. The cam actuates its valve 13 to open communication between the fluid supply tube I2 and the inlet tube I9 While venting the tube II by way of the vent 16 (Fig. 17) in the valve plunger I5. Fluid thereby flows into the cylinder 69 in back of its piston and thus pushes the cradle support bars 54 outwardly. This movement of the bars tilts the cradle. The cradle is held in this tilted position by a stop member 2| 8 which is secured to the bracket 53' and which engages against the bracket 5| (Fig. 2).

Upon tilting of the cradle into position for removal of the sealed bag, the flapper (Fig. 15) of the one revolution clutch, engages the driving dog I0| and presses it back into its recess I02 of the clutch driven member 98 and this releases this member from the driving member 91. The cam sleeve 8! thereupon stops rotating. This completes the cycle of operation of the machine.

When the cradle 2| is in position for removal of the bag, the handle 38 is shifted to unlock the front wall 26, and the latches 29 are lifted to release them from their pins 35. The front wall 26 thereupon falls into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and permits the sealed bag to fall out of the cradle.

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 being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a movable support, a cradle carried on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, said cradle having a movable side wall expandable to receive and contractible to hold a bag in said cradle, means operable against said cradle through the movement of said support for shifting said cradle into different positions including positions for receiving, sealing and discharging said fllled bag, actuat- 11 ing means for moving said support, locking means on said cradle for locking said movable wall in contracted position, and starting means engaged by said locking means when the wall is moved into contracted bag holding position for starting said actuatingmeans.

2.. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a frame, a support movably mounted on said frame, a cradle pivotally carried on said support for receiving and holding a filled ba to be sealed, and a tilting link having one end connected with said cradle and having its opposite end movably anchored to said frame for tilting said cradle into different positions including bag receiving, sealing and discharging positions through the movement of said support.

3. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a frame, a plurality of parallelogram links pivotally carried on said frame, a movable support member carried on said parallelogram links, a cradle pivotally mounted on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, and a tilting link connecting with said cradle and said frame for tilting said cradle with the movement of said support member into a plurality of positions including bag receiving, sealing and discharging positions.

4. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filling with articles, the combination of a frame, a support movably mounted on said frame, a cradle pivotally carried on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, a tilting link connecting with said cradle and said frame, means operable against said cradle through the movement of said support and under control of said tilting link for shifting said cradle into various positions including positions for receiving, sealing and discharging said filled bag, and actuating means for shifting said movable support into positions determined by the required positions of said cradle.

5. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a movable support, a cradle carried on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, means operable against said cradle through the movement of said support for shifting said cradle into various positions including positions for receiving, sealing and discharging said filled bag, a support actuatin cylinder having a fluid actuated member for shifting said movable support into positions determined by the required positions of said cradle, a sealing. head unit comprising folding and sealing elements. movable relative to the open end of a bag in said cradle for sealing the bag when the cradle is in its sealing position, sealing head actuating cylinders having fluid actuated membars for moving said sealing head unit into sealing position on said bag and for operating said folding and sealing elements, and control mechanism for timing the operations of said support actuating cylinder and said sealing head actuating cylinders.

6. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a cradle having a bottom, side and end walls and an open top, one of said end walls and one of said side walls being connected hingedly' to said bottom and movable outwardly to expand said open top to facilitate the reception of a filled bag into said cradle and for the dis.-

charge of the bag from said cradle after it is sealed, said hinged side and endgualls also being movable inwardly to engage the filled bag and to hold it .in desired shape while it is being sealed, devices carried on said cradle for locking said hinged side and end walls in closed position, a movable support for said cradle, and means operable against said cradle through the movement of saidsupport for shifting said cradle into various positions including positions for receiving, sealing and discharging the filled bag.

7. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination, of a cradle having an open top and a plurality of movable walls, said movable walls, being expandable to facilitate the reception and discharge of a filled bag into and out of said cradle, said walls also being contractable to engage a filled bag and to hold it while it is being sealed, a movable support for said cradle, means for moving said support through a cycle of operation, tilting means connecting with said cradle and actuated by said support to swing said cradle into different positions including positions for receiving, sealing and discharging the filled bag, and devices carried on said cradle for simultaneously locking the movable walls of the cradle .in contracted position and for starting the cycle of operation of the means for moving said support.

8. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a frame, a movable support mounted on said frame, a cradle pivotally carried on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag, means for moving said support, means operable against said cradle through the movement of said support for shifting said cradle into various positions including angularly disposed receiving and discharging positions and an upright sealing position, a plurality of parallelogram links pivotally carried on said frame and a sealing head unit carried on said parallelogram links and movable longitudinally relative to said cradle when the latter is in upright position for sealing the bag held in said cradle.

9. In a machine for sealing a bag or flexible container filled with articles, the combination of a frame, two sets of parallelogram links pivotally carried on said frame, a movable support carried on one set of said parallelogram links, a cradle pivotally carried on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag, means for moving said support, a tilting link connecting with said cradle and said frame for tilting said cradle with the movement of said support member into various positions including angularly disposed receiving and discharging positions and an upright sealing position, a sealing head unit carried on the other of said sets of parallelogram links and movable longitudinally relative to said cradle when the latter is in upright position for sealing the bag held in said cradle, and means controlling the actuation of said sealing head unit and the means for moving said support for synchronizing their cycles of operation.

10. A machine for sealing a filled bag or other flexible container, comprising a fixed frame having a support movably mounted thereon, a cradle tiltably mounted on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag, means for moving said support in opposite directions respectively for receiving and sealing said bag, actuating means connecting said cradle to said frame and cooperating with said moving means to tilt the cradle into bag receiving position when said support is moved in one direction and into bag sealing position when the support is moved in the opposite direction, a sealing head movably mounted on said frame, and means for moving said head into sealing engagement with said bag when the cradle is in sealing position.

11. A machine for sealing a filled bag or other flexible container, comprising a fixed frame having a support movably mounted thereon, a cradle tiltably mounted on said support for receiving and holding a filled bag, means for moving said support in opposite directions respectively for receiving and discharging said bag and for holding and sealing said bag, actuating means connecting said cradle to said frame and cooperating with said moving means to tilt the cradle into bag receiving and discharging position when said support is moved in one direction and into bag holding and sealing position when the support is moved in the opposite direction, a sealing head movably mounted on said frame, and means for moving said head into sealing engagement with said bag when the cradle is in bag holding and Sealing position.

AUGUST E. ALMGREN.

JOHN P. JAKOB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNI'IED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,989,471 Belcher Jan. 29, 1935 2,027,434 Jurgens et al Jan. ll, 1936

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