US2733040A

US2733040A - Bag filling machine

Info

Publication number: US2733040A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1956-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 1973-01-31

Description

Jan. 31, 1956. E. M. LAU

BAG FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 Jan. 31, 1956 E. M. LAU

BAG FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 I l I l Jan. 31, 1956 L 2,733,040

BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 u 2 WM o/ yjw w i 1.1K? 9 5% g r 27 E. M. LAU

BAG FILLING MACHINE mm s Jan. 31, 1956 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 E. M. LAU

Jan. 31, 1956 BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1953 United States Patent BAG FILLING MACHINE Erwin M. Lau, Dolton, Ill., assignor to Black Products Co., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application February 5, 1953, Serial No. 335,221

15 Claims. (Cl. 249-58) This invention relates to bag filling machines of the automatic cut off type.

In machines of this type, it has been proposed to suspend the bag from the filling spout, and the filling spout is designed to form a part of a weighing beam. When a predetermined amount of material has been fed into the bag, the movement of the beam cuts off the filling operation.

When this type of mechanism is used with an auger fed type of machine, in which the auger is journaled in fixed centers, it is necessary to provide a clearance between the auger and the filling spout in order to accommodate the control movement of the spout. This arrangement is very unsatisfactory when used in connection with powdered material for the reason that the powdered material, due to its tendency to back up into the tube, and for other reasons, will become packed against the inner surface of the filling spout. This packed powdered material thus impedes the free movement of the filling spout with respect to the auger and results in inaccurate weighing.

Furthermore, this arrangement has additional disadvantages, even when applied to machines which do not embody an auger feed, for the reason that the location of the bag on the filling spout, as well as variations in the distribution of the material within the bag, will tend to vary the length of the lever arm of the cut off mechanism, thus affecting the weighing operation.

Also, as the bag becomes filled, the material itself exerts a back pressure in the direction of the spout axis which impedes the free action of the weighing beam.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag filling machine in which the bag may be suspended from the filling spout, and which overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In this connection, I provide a double spout, the inner spout being fixedly mounted with respect to the hopper, or the auger, and the outer spout being mounted for relative movement with respect to the inner spout. The bag is hung on the outer spout; thus, the movement of the same will not be affected by conditions within the spout. More particularly, according to the present invention, a flexible seal is provided between the two spouts which prevents material from hacking into the space between the two; hence, free movement of the outer spout will not be impeded. This arrangement permits the use of minimum operating clearance between the auger and the inner spout, with the result that packing is eliminated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spout assembly which is mounted for movement only in one direction, a substantially vertical direction, to the end that the force that actuates the cut off mechanism is applied in one direction only, thus eliminating the elfect of any back pressure.

Still another object is to provide a spout assembly which is mounted in such a way as to eliminate what may be termed as the lever arm effect, to the end that 2,733,040 Patented Jan. 31, 1956 variations in the position of the bag on the spout will not affect the accuracy of the weighing operation. In this connection, the spout assembly includes a floating frame, and the invention provides a novel arrangement for supporting the floating frame for substantially frictionless movement in a vertical direction.

Still a further object is to provide, in an auger type machine of the type indicated, improved means for mounting and driving the auger, and which permits the same to be easily removed and replaced.

Qther objects, features, and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

With reference now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed horizontal section taken along line 44 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the machine taken along line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lling spout, showing the seal;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detailed vertical section taken along line -8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 99 of Fig. 5, showing the relationship of the floating frame to the adjacent parts;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken along line 1010 of Fig. 9 showing the diamond point supporting means for the floating frame;

Fig. ll is a perspective view of the floating frame itself;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the weighing beam, taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 5, and showing the weight regulating device;

Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged elevational view showing the weight regulating device in greater detail,

Fig. 15 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 5 showing the fulcrum for the beam in greater detail, and

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the forces acting on the floating assembly.

With reference now to Figs. 1 to 3, and 5, which show the general organization of the machine, the reference numeral 20 designates generally a suitable framework which supports a hopper 21 having a neck portion 22. A spout 23 projects forwardly from the neck portion, and an auger 24 is disposed within the spout for feeding either granular or powdered material from the hopper 21, through the spout, and into the bag which surrounds the spout. The auger is provided with a shank portion 25, which extends rearwardly through a bearing 26 located in the back wall of the neck portion 22. A motor 27 is suitably mounted in the lower part of the frame for driving the auger.

The spout 23 comprises two separate members, an internal spout 29, which is fixedly mounted, and an external spout 30 which is carried on a floating frame 31, shown in Fig. 11. The

elements

30 and 31 thus comprise an external spout assembly. The bag is hung on the external spout 30. The external spout and the floating frame react on a beam assembly 32 which is shown in Fig. 12, the beam assembly being supported on a fulcrum 33 as shown in Figs. 5 and 15. i

The floating frame is supported, or partially supported by two brackets 34 which are mounted on and project forwardly from the front plate 35 of the neck portion 22, as shown in Fig. 4. A pair of vertically disposed spaced rails 36 are secured to each bracket 34. The floating frame 31 is generally H-shaped, and comprises a pair of vertically disposed rails 37 together with a transverse apertured web 38, the external spout 30 being mounted on the web. Each of the

rails

36 and 37 is provided with oppositely disposed V-shaped notches 39, as shown in Figs. and 11. Each rail 37 is thus disposed between a pair of rails 36, and is maintained in spaced relationship therewith by spacer points 40. The arrangement with respect to one pair of spacer points is shown in Fig. 10; this same arrangement obtains at each of the four corners of the floating frame 31 to the end that the frame is confined between the four rails 36 against forward and back movement, and also against transverse movement. The spacer points permit movement only in the vertical direction.

These spacer points are elongate elements having a diamond-shaped cross section, and preferably are formed of hardened steel. Thus, each spacer point provides two point edges which are received in the oppositely disposed notches 39. The angle of the point edges is somewhat less than the angle between the walls of the notches, thereby permitting vertical motion of a limited extent. For instance, in the present arrangement, the angle of the point edges is approxmaitely 60, whereas the notch angle is approximately 90, thus permitting rotation of the spacer points through on either side of centered position shown in Fig. 10. The limited extent of this vertical movement does not result in any appreciable shortening of the horizontal distance between the point edges of a given spacer point with the result that the lateral play of the floating frame is inconsequential. In other words, all lateral components are taken up by the spacer points, and the only force transmitted by the floating frame'to the beam assembly 32 is a vertical force, the lever arm of which is constant.

Furthermore, the point edges act as knife edges to provide substantially frictionless movement.

Suitably secured to the inner surfaces of the rails 37 are blocks 41, which are also formed with notches 42. These notches may be similar in shape and dimension to notches 39, as shown in Fig. 5. The upper surface of the beam assembly 32 is provided with two pads 43 which are also notched. Spacer points 44 are disposed within the notched portions of the blocks 41 and the pads 43 to provide a substantially frictionless bearing means for transmitting the vertical force from the floating frame to the beam.

Thus, when the bag 45, as shown in Fig. l, is suspended from the external spout 30, the only force that is transmitted to the beam is a vertical force which is applied by the spacer points 44.

The beam assembly comprises a rectangular frame 46, shown in Fig. 12, which, in addition to the pads 43, is also provided with notched pads 47 which engage the fulcrum 33. A screw 43 is iournaled in the front and rear transverse members of the frame 46, and is provided with a crank 49 at its upper end.

The operation of the automatic cut off is regulated by means of shifting a weight 50 along the length of the beam assembly. The weight is suspended from the screw 48 by means of a rod 51 which terminates in a hook 52, the diameter of the rod stock from which the hook is made being substantially equal to the thread contour as shown in Fig. 14. Thus, by turning the crank 49, the beam may be set for balancing any desired weight of material in the bag 45.

Stop means are provided to limit the throw of the beam, as shown in Figs. 5 and 13. The frame work includes a transverse member 53 from which a second transverse member 54 is suspended by means of pillars or shoulder bolts 55. Two pairs of set screws 56 are threaded through the

members

53 and 54, each pairproviding an upper and lower stop for one of the longitudinal members of the frame 46. Thus, the total vertical displacement of the floating frame 31 may be limited to the end that damage to the spacer points 40 and the notches 39 may be avoided.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 13, a bearing 60 is mounted on transverse member 53. A sleeve 61 is rotatably journaled in bearing 69, and at its front end, in bearing 26. Rearwardly of bearing 60, a pulley 62 is mounted on the sleeve so that the sleeve may be driven from motor 27 by means of one or more belts 63. A brake drum 64 is also carried by the sleeve 61. The shank portion 25 of the auger 24 extends into sleeve 61, and is provided with a suitable slabbed portion which is engaged by set screws 65. Thus, an arrangement is provided in which the auger can readily be removed from the machine without disturbing the relationship of the driving elements, and the bearings therefor.

The bearing 26 is provided with a suitable seal 66 to prevent entry of the powder or other material delivered into the bearing. The desired concentricity of the auger with respect to the sleeve may be obtained by providing a very close fit between these parts. Furthermore, the substantial length of the shank portion 25 contributes to the stability of this cantilevered auger mounting.

Suitable braking mechanism, generally indicated by reference numeral 67, may be provided for instantaneous cutoff of the feed. This mechanism may include brake shoes 68 which engage the brake drum 64-, as shown in Figs. 3 and 13, together with suitable electromagnetic means 69 for actuating the same.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 9, a suitable switch 70, such as a microswitch, may be disposed immediately below the front end of the beam assembly 32. For instance, the switch may be mounted on one of the brackets 34 by means of a suitable L-shaped support 71. Thus, when the amount of material in the bag 45 reaches the limit as determined by the setting of the weight 50, downward movement of the beam assembly 32 will depress the plunger of switch 70, to open the motor circuit, and to actuate the braking mechanism 67, thereby causing instantaneous cut off of the feed.

The fulcrum 33 is in the form of a transverse bar 72 which, as shown in Figs. 9 and 13, is suitably bolted to the lower portions of brackets 34. The bar is cut away at either end to provide aiigned knife edges which form the fulcrum 33. As indicated above, the fulcrum engages the beam assembly at the notched pads 47. i

The bag is supported solely by the external spout 30 and the floating frame 31; thus, no vertical force is imposed upon the internal spout 2.9 which is rigidly mounted with respect to the front plate 35 of the neck portion of the hopper. A seal 75 is provided to seal. the space between the internal and external spouts to prevent the entry therein of material being fed. The seal 75 is in the form of a short length of rubber tubing which is folded back upon itself in the manner shown in Fig. 6. In order that one end of the tubing which forms the seal may be suitably secured to the external spout, the latter is constructed in the form of a composite member comprising an inner tube 76, and an outer tube 78. The inner tube extends into the aperture 77 formed in the web 38. Both the inner and outer tubes are provided with flanges, so that they may be secured to the web portion 38 by means of screws 79.

The outer surface of the inner tube 76 is recessed as at 80 to receive one end of the short length of tubing which forms the seal. Thus, this end of the seal may be clamped between the inner and

outer tubes

76 and 78. The other end of the tube may be clamped to the internal spout 29 by means of a clamping ring 81. Thus an extremely flexible seal is provided which will not materially affect the action of the balanced beam.

By forming the external spout from two concentric members, it will be seen that assembly is facilitated. For

instance, the tube is first clamped to the internal spout and then doubled back upon itself and then laid in the recess 80 to which it may be temporarily secured by a small amount of rubber cement. This is done after the floating frame has been positioned between the rails 36. Then the outer tube 78 is slid over the inner tube to cause the end of the seal to be securely gripped, and the outer tube is secured in its final position by means of screws 79.

The operation of the bag weighing machine has been pointed out in detail in connection with the description of its various parts and sub-assernblies. To summarize the operation, let it be assumed that it is desired to fill a bag with one hundred pounds of a powdered material. First the crank 49 is turned to bring the weight 59 into its one hundred pound position. The latter position can be indicated by suitable calibrations formed in the thread of the screw 48, or a suitable position can be found by hanging an empty bag and a one hundred pound weight on the external spout, and then turning the screw 48 until the beam assembly is balanced.

- It is assumed that the hopper has been filled with the proper quantity of material. An empty bag is then placed on the spout 23, the entire weight of the bag being carried by the external spout 39. Then the motor 27 is turned on by a suitable switch. At this time, the front end of the beam, the floating frame and the external spout are in an up position, the exact position of the parts being determined by the positions of the lower set screws 56 of each pair. Operation of the motor drives the auger 24 to feed the material outwardly and downwardly into the bag 45. As soon as the weight of the material in the bag reaches one hundred pounds, the external spout 30 which heretofore has been maintained in its up position by the weight i will move downwardly, thereby actuating the switch 7% to shut off the 'motor and energize the braking mechanism 67. Thus,

the feed is instantaneously cut off. The bag 45 can then be removed and an empty bag substituted and the operation repeated.

If it is desired to exchange or replace the auger, this can readily be done by loosening the set screws 65, and removing the auger in a forward direction. The rear end of the sleeve 61 is open so that the auger may be driven out, if necessary.

The seal 75 prevents entry of any material into the space between the internal and external spouts, and this particular type of seal has been found to be sufliciently flexible as to not affect the sensitivity or accuracy of the weighing mechanism. The set screws 56 permit the beam to be adjusted so that there will always be a clearance between the external and internal spouts, thereby permitting unimpeded movement of the external spout.

The operation of the floating frame is illustrated in the force diagram of Fig. 16. The weight of the bag 45 is represented by vector 84, and the upward force exerted by the beam assembly 32 is represented by vector 85. Since these forces are parallel and offset from each other, they form a couple which exerts a torque on the floating frame.

The vectors S2 and 83 represent the reactive force exerted on the floating frame by the spacer points 40 at the upper front surface of the frame, and by the spacer points 40 at the lower rear surface of the frame. The remaining spacer points exert no reactive force but merely assist in maintaining the frame in position. Thus, the vectors 82 and 83 represent what could be termed a reactive couple which counteracts the torque exerted by the force couple 8485.

The effect is the same as if the entire weight of the bag and contents were applied to the balance beam at the point represented by the notches in pad 43. This eliminates the lever arm effect of the location of the bag on the spout.

Thus, the floating frame construction, together with the spacer points, provides a frictionless and an exceedingly sensitive action which is not affected by the position of the bag on the spout.

The terms floating frame or floating assembly as used herein, designate a force transmitting member which is mounted in such a manner that it is free for movement in one direction, such as the vertical direction, but which is supported in such a manner that a reactive couple is exerted thereon which balances the torque produced by the vertical forces acting thereon to the end that the only force transmitted thereby is the force which acts in the direction of freedom of movement.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the construction shown without departing from the spirit of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, an anger for removing material from the hopper, drive means for said auger, and control means for said drive means, the combination of horizontally extending spout means including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, said internal spout being mounted on said hopper and communicating therewith, and said auger extending horizontally from said hopper into said internal spout, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout disposed substantially concentrically with said internal spout and surrounding the same in radially spaced relationship, and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, means for supporting said floating frame for movement in. a substantially vertical direction whereby said external spout will move relatively to said internal spout in a radial direction, sealing means closing off the annular space between said internal spout and said external spout, and means for exerting a substantially constant upwardly vertical force on said frame, said control means being actuated by the movement of said floating frame whereby the increasing weight of a bag and contents suspended from said external spout will cause movement of said external spout assembly to render said drive means inoperative.

2. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, an auger for removing material from the hopper, drive means for said auger, and control means for said drive means, the combination of horizontally extending spout means including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, said internal spout being mounted on said hopper and communicating therewith, and said auger being rigidly mounted and extending from said hopper into said internal spout, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout disposed substantially concentrically with said internal spout and surrounding the same in radially spaced relationship, and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, means for supporting said floating frame for movement in a substantially vertical direction whereby said external spout will move relatively to said internal spout in a radial direction, and a flexible seal closing off the annular space between said internal spout and said external spout, said control means being actuated by the movement of said floating frame.

3. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 2 in which said flexible seal comprises a short length of flexible tubing doubled back upon itself, one end of said tubing being secured to said internal spout, and the other end being secured to said external spout.

4. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 3 in which said external spout is a composite member comprising inner and outer tubular members, said inner tubular member being of a length co-extensive to said internal spout, and being provided with an external recessed portion to accommodate the end of said tubing, and said outer tubular member having a bag contacting portion which extends beyond said inner tubular member, and which confines said tubing end within said recessed portion.

5. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, a balance beam, a fulcrum therefor, an auger for removing material from the hopper, driving means for said auger, and control means for rendering said drive means inoperative, the combination of spout means including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, said internal spout being mounted on said hopper and communicating therewith, and said auger extending from said hopper into said internal spout, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout disposed substantially concentrically with said internal spout, and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, means for supporting said floating frame for movement in a substantially vertical direction whereby said external spout can move relatively to said internal spout, and sealing means closing off the space between said internal spout and said external spout whereby the material fed by said auger cannot back up into the space between said internal and external spouts to impede free movement of said external spout, said floating frame being disposed above said balance beam for engagement therewith, and said control means being actuated by downward movement of said floating frame.

6. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim including stop means for regulating the throw of said beam so that the movement of said external spout with respect to said internal spout can be limited.

7. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 5 having a supporting framework, a sleeve rotatably journaled in said framework, and a pulley on said sleeve, said drive means including a belt cooperating with said pulley in driving relationship, said auger being provided with a shank extending through the rear wall of said hopper and being received within said sleeve, and means detachably securing said auger to said sleeve in non-rotatable relationship, whereby said auger may be removed from said hopper through said internal spout.

8. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, a balance beam, a fulcrum therefor, an auger for removing material from the hopper, driving means for said auger, and control means for rendering said drive means inoperative, the combination of spout means including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, said internal spout being mounted on said hopper and communicating therewith, and said auger extending from said hopper into said internal spout, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout disposed substantially concentrically with said internal spout, and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, means for supporting said floating frame for movement in a substantially vertical direction whereby said external spout can -i move relatively to said internal spout, a flexible seal closing off the space between said internal spout and said external spout, said floating frame being disposed above said balance beam for engagement therewith, said control means being actuated by downward movement of said floating frame, and said balance beam including supporting means, a screw rotatably journaled in said supporting means, a weight carried by said screw, and means for rotating said screw to shift the position of said weight whereby the force exerted by said beam upon said floating frame can be regulated.

9. In a bag filling machine of the automatic cut-off type having a bag support, the combination of means responsive to the weight of a bag suspended from said bag support, means for exerting a substantially constant upward force on said weight responsive means at a point horizontally off-set from the center of gravity of said bag, said weight responsive means comprising a floating assembly including said bag support and a substantially vertically disposed frame, said constant force exerting means reacting against said frame, and frame supporting'means providing a reactive couple for reacting against the force couple provided by the weight of said bag and by said constant force exerting means on said floating assembly, said supporting means comprising a first fixed reaction support disposed opposite the upper front surface of said frame, and a second fixed reaction support disposed opposite the lower rear surface of said frame, said reaction supports being provided with transversely extending notches, and said frame being pro vided with transversely extending notches oppositely disposed from said reaction support notches, and spacer points disposed in each of said cooperating pairs of notches for taking up the horizontal forces developed by the force couple actington said floating assembly, said spacer points providing knife edges for substantially frictionless movement of said frame in a vertical direction.

10. In a bag filling machine of the automatic cut-off type having a bag support and a balance beam, the combination of means for transmitting the weight of a bag suspended from said. bag support to said balance beam at a point horizontally off-set from the center of gravity of said bag, said means comprising a floating assembly including said bag support and a substantially vertically disposed frame, said balance beam reacting against said frame, and frame supporting means providing a reactive couple for reacting against the force couple provided by the weight of said bag and by said balance beam on said floating assembly, said supporting means comprising a first fixed reaction support disposed opposite the upper front surface of said frame, and a second fixed reaction support disposed opposite the lower rear surface of said frame, said reaction supports being provided with transversely extending notches, and said frame being provided with transversely extending notches oppositely disposed from said reaction support notches, and spacer points disposed in each of sad cooperating pairs of notches for taking up the horizontal forces developed by the force couple acting on said floating assembly, said spacer points providing knife edges for substantially frictionless movement of said frame in a vertical direction.

11. In a bag filling machine of the automatic cut-off type having a filling spout, the combination of means responsive to the weight of a bag suspended from said bag support, means for exerting a substantially constant upward force on said weight responsive means atta point horizontally off-set from the center of gravity of said bag, said weight responsive means comprising a floating assembly including said spout and a substantially vertically disposed frame, said constant force exerting means reacting against said frame, and frame supporting means providinga reactive couple for reacting against the force couple provided by the weight of said bag and by said constant force exerting means on said floating assembly, said supporting means comprising a first fixed reaction support disposed opposite the upper front surface of said frame, and a second fixed reaction support disposed opposite the lower rear surface of said frame, sm'd reaction supports being provided with transversely extending notches, and said frame being provided with transversely extending notches oppositely disposed from said reaction support notches, and means disposed in each of said cooperating pairs of notches for taking up the horizontal forces developed by the force couple acting on said floating assembly.

12. A bag filling machine comprising a supporting framework, a hopper carried thereby, spout means including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, said internal spout communicating with said hopper, an anger disposed within said internal spout and extending into said hopper, and having a shank portion extending rearwardly through the rear wall of said hopper, a fulcrum on said supporting frame, a balance'beam cooperating with said fulcrum, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout surrounding said internal spout in spaced relationship and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, said floating frame including marginal portions having substantially vertically disposed surfaces facing frontwardly and rearwardly, supporting means for said frame providing substantially vertically disposed supporting surfaces disposed frontwardly and rearwardly of first mentioned surfaces, said frame surfaces and said supporting surfaces each being provided with oppositely disposed horizontally extending notches, spacer points disposed within said notches and maintaining said marginal portions in a position in which they are disposed between said supporting surfaces and spaced therefrom, and providing knife edges for substantially frictionless vertical movement of of said frame.

13. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 12 in which notches are substantially 90 degree notches, and in which said spacer points are of diamond shaped cross section providing knife edges of substantially 60 degrees.

14. A bag filling machine comprising a supporting framework, a hopper carried thereby, spout means including an internal spout and an external spout assern bly, said internal spout communicating with said hopper, an anger disposed within said internal spout and extending into said hopper, and having a shank portion extending rearwardly through the rear wall of said hopper, a fulcrum on said supporting frame, a balance beam cooperating with said fulcrum, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout surrounding said internal spout in spaced relationship and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, said floating frame including marginal portions, supporting means for said frame including two pairs of rails disposed frontwardly and rearwardly of said marginal portions, said rails and said marginal portions each being provided with oppositely disposed horizontally extending notches, spacer points disposed within said notches and maintaining said marginal portions in a position in which they are disposed between said rails and spaced therefrom, and providing knife edges for substantially frictionless vertical movement of said frame with respect to said rails, said frame being disposed above said balance beam, said frame and said balance beam being provided with horizontally extending oppositely disposed notches, and spacer points disposed in said notches to provide a substantially frictionless connection between said frame and said balance beam.

15. A bag filling machine comprising a supporting framework, a hopper carried thereby, spout means ineluding an internal spout and an external spout assembly, said internal spout communicating with said hopper, an auger disposed within said internal spout and extending into said hopper, and having a shank portion extending rearwardly through the rear wall of said hopper, a fulcrum on said supporting frame, a balance beam cooperating with said fulcrum, said external spout assembly comprising an external spout surrounding said internal spout in spaced relationship and a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, said floating frame including marginal portions, supporting means for said frame including two pairs of rails disposed frontwardly and rearwardly of said marginal portions, said rails and said marginal portions each being provided with oppositely disposed horizontally extending notches, spacer points disposed within said notches and maintaining said marginal portions in a position in which they are disposed between said rails and spaced therefrom, and providing knife edges for substantially frictionless vertical movement of said frame with respect to said rails, said frame being disposed above said balance beam, said frame and said balance beam being provided with horizontally extending oppositely disposed notches, spacer points disposed in said notches to provide a substantially frictionless connection between said frame and said balance beam, means for driving said auger, means actuated by the downward movement of said frame for rendering said auger driving means inoperative, and a weight for said balance beam for maintaining said floating frame in an up position, whereby the weight of the contents of a bag suspended from said external spout will be transmitted by said frame to said balance beam and cause downward movement of said external spout assembly to actuate said control means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 643,102 Bates Feb. 13, 1900 804,833 Dickmann Nov. 21, 1905 1,856,904 Campbell May 3, 1932 2,373,649 Broome Apr. 17, 1945 2,603,443 Miller July 15, 1952