US2753097A

US2753097A - Bag feeding and filling machines

Info

Publication number: US2753097A
Application number: US236526A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold V Kindseth; Leslie A Steinberg; Albert A Hagstrom
Original assignee: Bemis Brothers Bag Co
Current assignee: Bemis Brothers Bag Co
Priority date: 1951-07-13
Filing date: 1951-07-13
Publication date: 1956-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-03

Description

y 3, 1956 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES Filed July 13, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

H ZEsuE ASTE/NaERG ALBE TAJ7'AG5TROM A T TOR/VS Yd July 3, 1956- H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES 6 'ALBERTAJ/AGSTMM ATTORNEY;

July 3, 1956 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,7

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES Filed July 13, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 l5 fi V 2 f INVENTOR. HAROLD M MNDJE TH BY [ESL/E AJTE/NBERG /1L8ERTA.//AGJTROM fig L L l A TTORNE K3 y 1956 H. v. KINDSEFH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES 1,4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 13, 1951 y 3, 1956 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 13, 1951 JNVENTOR. l/A/POLD I Jfl/VDJETH ALBERT .HAGSTIPOM who WM F/G'6 flT-roRA/E Y6 J ly 3, 1956 H. v. KINDSETH ETAL BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 13. 1951 INVENTOR. fi/wow M/f/NOJETH (an /E A JTE/NBERG ALB ERTA. HAGSTROM A7- TORNE Y6 y 3, 1955 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES INVEN TOR.

HAROLD KK/NDJETH (1:191 15 AJTE/NBERG A1. BERTAhAGsTwA/J 47- TO E Ya July 3, 1 6 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,7 3,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES Filed July 15 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. fiA/POL 0 [Of/N055 TH BY AESL/E/kJ/Z/NBERG FIG. 9 LBET GJTROM ATTORNEYJ July 3, 1956 Filed July 13, 1951 H. V. KINDSETH ET AL BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES 14 Sheets-Sheet l0 2 JNVEN TOR.

fin/P040 M/f/NDSE TH Ir 9 BY lEsL IE AJTE/NBERG PALBERTA-flAGSTROM ATTORNEK:

14 Sheets-Sheet ll ET AL H. v. KINDSETH BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES HAGsTRoM INVENTOR.

1501 lsAJrfl/vafifics AL BERT/4. M

ATTORNEY:

#49010 V. K/NDsETH 6&4

7 6 w o 9 2 2 v B p 2 z B 9 z 3 3 2 l 3 Z 9 4 H 2 VIII July 3, 1956 Filed July 13 195] July 3, 1956 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES Filed July 15, 195] 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 a f 38 E --9 INVENTOR. m flARow k/f/NDSETH BY ESL/E Adm/Masks ALBER AJ'IAGSTROM #7622 M M 147' "raR/vEYs y 3, 1956 H v. KINDSETH ETAL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed July 13, 1951 TW A l 82 as INVENTOR. M09010 k/f/NDJETI/ ESL 15A .STE/NBERG VLMQ LBERr/I .HAGSTROM WW ATTORNEY:

y 3, 1956 H. v. KINDSETH ET AL 2,753,097

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES Filed July 13, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet l4 ScAL E FEED HOPPER Jupm. Y C/Rcu/ 7' 236 CONTROL Box 235 244 /05 IN VEN TOR.

flARaL 0 M/fA/DJETH BY LEsz/EA, TEINBERG G ALBERTA. AGSTROM ATToRA/EK:

2,753,097 BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINES Harold V. Kindseth, Leslie A. Steinberg, and Albert A. Hagstrom, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors to Bemis Bro. Bag Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Missouri Application July 13, 1951, Serial No. 236,526 17 Claims. (Cl. 22649) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in bag feeding and filling machines of the general character disclosed in the patent to Daniel Belcher et al., No. 2,343,879, granted March 13, 1944.

An important object of the present invention resides in the provision of a machine of this general type which is capable of feeding and filling small cellophane bags without damaging the bags, and whereby such operation may be performed in a highly eflicient and expeditious manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hopper or magazine for supporting the empty bags in fiatwise relation, and particularly in the pivotal mounting of the magazine, whereby a slight downward tilting movement is imparted to the magazine each time a bag is withdrawn therefrom, thereby to relieve the walls of the lowermost bag of excessive strains when withdrawn from the bottom of the hopper by the bag gripping members.

A further object is to provide improved means for partially opening the mouth or top of the lowermost bag in the magazine to facilitate entry of the bag gripping member therein.

A further object resides in the unique construction and operation of the means for partially opening each bag top prior to withdrawing the bags from the magazine, and in means provided in conjunction therewith for momentarily directing a high velocity air jet into the bag mouth to expand it whereby the bag top gripping means may readily enter the bag mouth to grip the bottom wall thereof.

A further object is to provide in a machine of this general type, a pair of spaced fingers for engaging the leading edge of the flattened bottom of each bag and fold the bag bottom upon itself, thereby to facilitate expanding the lower portion of the bag body when a charge of material is subsequently delivered into the empty bag.

A further object is to provide means for automatically preventing the delivery of material into the bag filling tube, should a bag not be properly positioned thereon to receive such charge.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated gate in the bottom of the weighing hopper which is normally closed when the machine is at rest, and a normally open circuit-closing switch being carried by the filling tube and having an actuating member positioned in the path of a wall of a bag top to be fitted onto the lower end of the filling tube, said switch actuating member being so arranged that when the top of a bag to be filled is properly positioned upon and secured to the filling tube, said switchactuating member is actuated to close an electric circuit to the gate operating means, whereby said gate is automatically opened to permit the weighing hopper to dump its full charge into the empty bag supported on the filling spout.

A further object resides in the unique construction and United States Patent operation of the means for automatically opening and closing the bottom of the filling spout, and whereby the filling spout serves to fully expand the bag mouth and support the bag thereon in position to receive a measured charge from the weighing hopper.

Other objects of the invention reside in the unique construction and operation of the various operating mechanisms of the machine, whereby the machine is substantially automatic in operation; in the construc tion of the filling spout which comprises complemental members which normally are collapsed to close the bottom of the filling spout; in the embodiment of one of said members of a pair of bag wall gripping jaws for securing a bag in position upon the lower end of the filling spout over a suitable receiving or conveying means onto which each filled bag is deposited, when it has received its full charge; in the embodiment of an electric control switch in one of said jaws engageable by the bag top to control the delivery of material into each bag; and in the simple construction and orientation of the various mechanisms of the machine whereby it readily lends itself for use in packaging various products in small flexible walled containers such as cellophane and paper bags, in a highly efiicient and expeditious manner.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a bag feeding and filling machine embodying the invention, one of the bag filling mechanisms being omitted;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 19, showing a filled bag suspended from the filling spout;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view similar to Figure 2, partially broken away, showing the means for partially opening the top of the lowermost bag in the magazine to permit free entry of one of the bag top grippers into the open bag top;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 25, showing the bag top grippers engaged with a wall of a bag top preparatory to withdrawing a bag from the magazine;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the parts actuated to withdraw the bag from the magazine, and also showing the fingers for breaking or folding the bag bottoms about to engage a bag bottom;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing the operating means for the bag top opener;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view showing the means for engaging the upwardly folded portion of a satchel bottom of a bag and folding it into fiatwise relation with the remaining portion of the bag bottom;

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the bag bottom folded upon itself;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 99 of Figure 12;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on the line 1010 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the means for opening the bag top as the bag approaches the closed lower end of the filling spout;

Figure 12 is a View showing the lower end of the filling spout entering the open bag top, and also showing the operating means for actuating the bag top grippers;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing the latch for retaining the movable bag top gripping jaw in open position;

Figure 14 is: a view similar to Figure 13, showing the latch actuated to release the jaw;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view showing the bag top gripping jaws on the filling spout in closed position;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view showing the means for swinging the lower end of the filling spout from bag receiving to bag supp rt ng position, and also for opening the lower end of the spout to permit its contents to enter h a Figure 17 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 17-47 of Figure 19, with some of the parts omitted, showing the mechanically operated finger and pneumatic means for partially opening the mouth of each bag before it iswithdrawn from the magazine;

Figure 18 is a detail sectional view on of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine withsome of the parts omitted;

Figure 20 is a sectional plan view on the line 2il20 of Figure 19, showing the bottom construction of the magazine;

Figure 21 is a view showing a portion of the rear of the machinewith some of the parts omitted;

Figure 22 is a detail sectional view on the line 22-22 of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is anenlarged detail sectional view showing the means for automatically preventing delivery of material into the filling spout from the weighing hopper, in the event. the open-bag top is not properly engaged with the filling spout, or should the filling spout fail to receive a Figure 24 is a detail sectional view on the line 24-24 of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a detail view partially in section, showing the means for gripping and feeding the empty bags from the magazine to the filling spout;

Figure 26 is a vertical sectional view of the portion of the machine shown in Figure 25 taken on the line 26-2-6 ofFigure 2;

Figure 27 is a detail sectional view on the line 27-27 of Figure 21;

Figure 28 is a wiring diagram showing the means providedfor automatically preventing delivery of material into the filling spoutif the bag to be filled is not properly secured to the filling spout; and v Figure 29 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections betweenthe dual micro-switches for controlling the delivery of material to the filling spout.

the line 18-48 Supporting structure In: the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, there is illustrated in Figure l, for purposes of disclosure, a bag feeding and filling machine comprising a supporting frame which, in some respects, is similar to the framegof the machine shown in the above mentioned patent. The present machine comprises side frame members, generally designated by the numeral 2, each comprising a lower section 3 and an upper section 4, shown secured together by suitable bolts 5. An intermediate frame member, generally designated by the numeral 6, is supported on a pedestal like device 7 ofa horizontal frame member 8 having its ends suitably secured to the: upper portion of the lower frame sections 3. An upper cross member 9 has its ends suitably secured to the upper ends of the frame sections 4 and cooperates with the horizontal frame member 8 to provide a very rugged structure for supportingthe various operating mechanisms of the machine, subsequently to be described.

Bag supporting means A-feature of the present invention residesingthe means provided for supporting the empty; bags, whereby the machine readily lends itself for handling cellophane bags as well as paper bags. The machine, as shown in Figure 1, comprises two bag feeding and filling units or mechanisms which operate alternately. As the two bag feeding and filling units are substantially identical in construction, but one need be described in detail.

The empty bags are supported in a magazine, generally designated by the numeral 11, comprising

side walls

12 and 13 pivotally supported on a shaft 14 mounted in the rear portion of the

upper frame sections

4 and 6, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 20.

Theside walls

12 and 13 are laterally adjustable to vary the spacing therebetween to adapt the machine for bags of different sizes. To thus laterally adjust the side walls of the magazine, T-shaped supporting members, generally designated by the

numerals

15 and 16, are pivotally connected to the

side walls

12 and 13, respectively, by shouldered studs 17 having reduced terminals received in threaded engagement with the

walls

12 and 13, as best'illustrated in Figure 20. Spaced guide rods 18 are secured at one end to the supporting member 15 and extend laterally therefrom and have their opposite end portions slidably received in suitable guides 19 provided in the intermediate frame member 6, as best illustrated in Figure 20.

Similar guide rods 21 are secured at one end to the supporting member '16 of the magazine wall 13, and have their outer end portions similarly slidably supported in guides 22 provided in the upper section 4 of the side'frame member 2. Suitable means, such as set screws 23, are shown received in threaded engagement with the

guides

19 and 22, respectively, for locking the guide rods in adjusted positions therein, as will be understood by reference to Figure 20.

The supporting

members

15 and 16 are each provided with a T-shaped head 24 having arcuately formed peripheries 25 which are longitudinally grooved,-as shown at 26, adapted to receive tongues 27 provided on'a pair of spaced brackets 28 secured to the

side walls

12 and 13 of the magazine, as shown in Figures 3 and 20. The studs 17, it will be noted by reference to Figures 2 and 3, are received in slots 29 provided in the supporting

members

15 and 16, whereby the side walls of the magazine are adapted for relative swinging movement in vertical planes with respect to the supporting

members

15 and 16.

The bottom of the magazine 11 is shown formed by inwardly extending plates 31-32 having their outer edge portions detachably and adjustably secured to the lower edges of the

magazine walls

12 and 13 by such means as screws, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 20. The plate elements are slotted, as shown at 30, for receiving the screws. and whereby the plate elements may readily be adjusted to vary the spacing between their inner edges 33 inaccordance with the type of bagbodies to be handled. The inner marginal edge portions of the plate elements 3132 are provided with forwardly projecting reduced extensions 40v which have their terminals down- Wardly curved to facilitate guiding the bag bodies out of the bottom of the magazine with a minimum of resistance and to avoid damage thereto, particularly cellophane bags, which are relatively more pliable and frail than conventional paper bags.

When the magazine is to be utilized for supporting paper bags, the,

bottom plate elements

31 and 32 are reversed from the position shown in Figure 20, as indicated by the dotted lines in. said figure, whereby the reduced resilient end portions .0 are; rearwardly' directed and the notched portions 50 of the plate elements are forwardly directed. To thus. reverse the

plate elements

31 and 32, plate element 31 is secured to magazine wall 13 and plate member 32' to wall member 12.

Upwardly; and forwardly extending plate elements 34 are adjustably secured to the

magazine side walls

12 and 13, as shown in Figures 4 and 20, and cooperate :to retainthe empty bags in position; in the magazinee' Suitable wing bolts 35 may be utilized for securing the back wall plates 34 in adjusted-position whereby the magazine is adapted for supporting bags of various sizes. The adjusting screws 35 are slidable in longitudinally extending slots 37 provided in the side walls of the magazine, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3. 4 and 5.

The magazine is normally positioned, as shown in Figure 3, and is adapted to be tilted downwardly to the position shown in Figures 2 and 4, when the lowermost bag in the magazine is withdrawn therefrom. To prevent the empty bags from dropping out of the front end of the magazine, inwardly extending plate elements 38 are secured to the front edges of the

side walls

12 and 13 and extend inwardly, as shown in Figure 20, whereby the top ends of the bags engage said inwardly extending plates, as shown in Figure 3, thereby to prevent the empty bags in the magazine from accidentally dropping therefrom during the operation of the machine.

Means for partially opening bag mouth To make certain that the bag gripping means, subsequently to be described, may readily enter each bag mouth, means is provided for partially opening the mouth of the lowermost bag in the magazine. Such means is clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 17, 18 and 19, and comprises an elongated blade 39 having its inner end portion 41 bent upwardly, as best illustrated in Figure 17. The blade 39 is shown secured to a rock shaft 42 having one end rotatably supported in a bearing provided in the intermediate frame section 6, and its opposite end similarly supported in the outer frame section 4, as will be understood by reference to Figure 19. Shaft 42 is mounted for rocking movement to swing the blade 39 from its inoperative position, shown in Figure 2, to bag mouth opening position, shown in Figures 3 and 17.

Simultaneously, as the upturned terminal 41 of blade 39 engages the top wall of the lowermost bag in the magazine, a jet of high velocity air is directed into the partially open bag top from a nozzle 43, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 17. The nozzle 43 is secured to the rock shaft 42 by a clamping block 44, which also serves to secure the bag top wall engaging blade 39 to shaft 42. See Figure 18. Air may be supplied to the nozzle 43 by a conduit 45 having one end connected to a suitable fitting 46 provided with a control valve 47, which is automatically operated in timed relation to the machine by suitable means, not shown. Valve 47 has a conduit 48 leading therefrom to a source of air supply, not shown in the drawings.

The means provided for operating rock shaft 42 is best illustrated in Figure 6, and comprises an arm 49 having one end secured to shaft 42 and its opposite end pivotally connected to one end of a link 51. The opposite end of link 51 is shown connected to one end of a lever 52 having its opposite end pivoted to the machine frame, as shown at 53 in Figure 6. A roller 54 is mounted on lever 52 intermediate its ends and engages the periphery of a cam 55 non-rotatably secured to a main operating shaft 56 driven from a counter-shaft 57 by a chain drive 58. The counter-shaft may be driven from a motor 59 by a V-belt drive 61, including drive pulleys 62 and driven pulleys 63, the latter preferably embodying suitable clutch means, not shown. A hand wheel 64 is secured to the countershaft 57 whereby the machine may be manually operated to facilitate checking and timing the various mechanisms thereof. Roller 54 is retained in engagement with cam 55 by a suitable spring 60, shown in Figure 6.

Bag feeding means The bag feeding means is best illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, l2 and 15, and comprises a bag wall gripping member 65 laterally extending from a head 66 secured to one end of an elongated tubular member 67. Member 67 is suitably supported inv a bearing 68, pivotally supported between the ;end...walls...69 and 7.1 of a rotary member 72 by opposed trunnions 70, shown in Figure 25 Member 72 will hereinafter be referred to as the bag feeding drum. A segmental plate 73 is suitably secured to the

end walls

69 and 71 of the drum, whereby said plate and end walls cooperate to provide, in effect, an integral unit.

End walls

69 and 71 are shown provided with suitable hubs 74 bored to receive the main operating shaft 56, and to which they are suitably keyed, as shown in Figure 26.

The lower end of the tubular member 67 is pivotally connected to one end of an arm, generally designated by the numeral 75, by means of a coupling member 76, which, as best shown in Figure 11, is split and is secured to the tubular member 67, by a suitable clamping screw 77.

The pivotal connection between arm 75 and coupling member 76 is shown comprising a pin 78 fixed to the coupling member by such means as a set screw 79, shown in Figure 11. Arm 75 preferably comprises two like members 81 having spaced hubs 82 mounted on a shaft 83 supported in

bearings

84 and 85 provided respectively in the

side wall

69 and 71 of drum 72. Arm members 81 are tied together by a suitable connecting web 86, shown in Figures 5 and 25. A forked element 87 is secured to shaft 83 by a pin 88, and is located between the hubs 82 of arm members 81, as shown in Figure 25. The spaced legs of member 87 have set screws 89 and 91 mounted therein which engage opposite sides of web 86 and serve to lock arm members 81 of arm 75 to the forked element 87 for direct movement therewith. Hubs 82 of arm 81 are adapted for relative rotation on shaft 83 by manipulation of set screws 89 and 91, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 5.

A spring 93 has one end secured to one of the arm members 81 of arm 75 and has its opposite end anchored to drum 72, as indicated at 94 in Figure 5, whereby arm 75 is constantly urged in one direction, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 5. A suitable crank arm 95 is secured on one end of shaft 83 and carries a roller 96 which peripherally engages a cam, generally designated by numeral 97. Cam 97 is fixed with respect to the main frame of the machine, and is secured to one of the side frame members 4 by brackets 90, as shown in Figure 25.

It will thus be noted that tubular member 67 is carried by drum 72 and rotates therewith as a unit. For each revolution of drum 72, tubular member 67 oscillates about the axis of its trunnions 70, as a result of roller 96 of crank arm 95 engaging the periphery of cam 97. The contour of cam 97 is such that as the gripper plate 65 approaches the partially open mouth of the lowermost bag in the magazine, said plate is moved outwardly to a position where it may readily enter the open mouth of the bag, as indicated in Figure 3. At this point in its cycle of operation, the magazine is still in an elevated position. The magazine, as hereinbefore stated, is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of shaft 14.

To impart pivotal movement to the magazine, an arm 98 has one end secured to shaft 14 and carries a roller 99 at its outer end which peripherally engages a cam, generally designated by the numeral 101, shown in Figure 3. Cam 101 is secured to the main shaft 56 and is rotatable therewith. It has a low spot 102 in its periphery into which roller 99 of arm 98 is shown about to enter, when the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 3. When roller 99 enters low spot 102 of cam 101, the magazine is tilted from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figures 2 and 4, and simultaneously tubular member 67 is actuated to move the lower wall of the bag top into gripping engagement with a plurality of resiliently mounted bag top engaging elements 103, shown in Figure 4. The resiliently mounted gripper elements 103 are carried by drum 72 which also carries the gripping plate 65 of the tubular member 67. 1

Thus, as the drum continues to rotate from the position shown in" Figure 4, the lowermost bag in the magazine is'withdrawn therefrom and advances towards the bag filling means, as shown in'Figures and 12. When the bag top" reaches the position shown in Figure 12, roller 96 of arm 95 engages a low spot 1194 in the periphery of cam 97, whereby a slight movement is imparted to the tubular member 67' to cause its bag top gripping plate 65 to release the bag top. At substantially the same moment, the open bag top passes onto the closed lower end of a filling spout, generally designated by the numeral 105. Before the gripper plate 65 releases the bag top, the bag top is openedor expanded to receive the filling spout 105, as shown in Figure 11.

This is accomplished by a member 106 pivoted at 107 to the head 66 of the tubular member 67. An actuating rod 108 has one end connected by a link to the pivoted'element 106, as shown in Figure 11, and is slidably supported in suitable guides Within the tubular member 67. The upper end of rod 108, when viewed, as shown in Figure 11, has a head 111 secured thereto between which and the upper end of member 67, a suitable spring 112 is interposed. Spring 112 constantly urges the rod in an upward direction to move the bag top expander 106m its normal or closed position.

When the bag top reaches the position shown in Figures 11 and 12, rod 108 is actuated to cause the bag top expander 166 to fully expand the bag mouth, as shown in Figure ll. This is effected by an arm 113 mounted on a pivot pin or bolt 114 carried by drum '72. Arm 113 has a crank 115 secured thereto which carries a roller 116 at its outer end adapted to engage a fixed cam 117, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 11. Roller 116 engages fixed cam 117 when the bag top is about to receive the lower end of filling spout 195, whereby the bag mouth expander 106 is actuated to permit the filling spout to freely enter the bag mouth. As soon as the filling spout has sufficiently entered the bag mouth, roller 116 drops off cam 117, and at substantially the same instant member 196 and gripper plate 65 are moved out of the bag top.

However, before gripper plate 65 releases its grip on the bag wall 118, complemental gripping elements, subsequently to be described, grip the lower bag wall 122, as shown in Figures 15 and 23, and support the empty bag body in position on the filling tube preparatory to receiving a charge. Cam 117 is rotatively adjustable on cam 97, as indicated at 100 in Figure 11. Arm 115 is normally held against a stop 110 on drum 72 by a spring 120, as shown in Figure 4. Arm 113 carries an adjusting screw 113 at its outer end for engaging head 111 of rod 1%.

To facilitate the withdrawal of the empty bags from the bottom of the magazine, it is essential that the forward bottom end of the magazine be positioned in proximity to the segmental plate or wall '73 of drum 72;. Means is therefore provided for relatively adjusting the position of the open forward end of the magazine with respect to tne periphery of drum 72. Such means is shown in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 20, and comprises a pair of like

arms

123 and 124, non-rotatably secured to shaft 14 adjacent to the

side walls

12 and 13, respectively, of the magazine. Studs 125 are secured to the magazine walls and extend outwardly therefrom and are received in vertically disposed elongated apertures 126 provided in

arms

123 and 124. The studs 125 may be secured to their respective magazine walls by suitable brackets 127, fixed to said walls by such means as bolts 128.

Adjusting screws 129 are shown received in threaded engagement with the lower webs 131 of

arms

123 and 124, whereby the adjusting screws may be vertically adjusted in said arms thereby to relatively adjust the position of the lower forward end of the magazine with respect to the periphery of the drum 72. This results because

arms

123 and 124 are secured to shaft 14 in fixed relation to arm 98, whereby the weight of the forward end of the magazine is supported on the heads of the adjusting screws -129', as will readily be-understood by ref- Means for breaking bag bottom Themachine herein disclosed is designed more particularly for handling fiat cellophane or paper bags having conventional satchel bottoms, as shown at S in Figure 19. The bottoms of the empty bags are normally disposed in fiatwise relation to their respective bag bodies to facilitate stacking the empty bags and to economize in storage space. The empty bags are stacked in the magazine in fiatwise relation, one upon another, in the manner in which the bags are usually stacked in storage.

To facilitate filling the bag bodies, means is provided for breaking or folding the flat-bottom of each bag longitudinally upon itself in order that the bottom of the bag will fill out to its proper shape and maximum capacity, when a charge of material is subsequently delivered into the bag. The means provided for thus breaking or folding the bag bottoms is best illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 20, and comprises a pair of spaced resiliently mounted fingers, generally designated by numeral 132. Each finger comprises a rod 133 slidable in guides 134- and 135 provided in suitable supporting members 136 mounted for relative rotation upon a shaft 137 fixedly supported in

split hubs

138 and 139 of the machine frame, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20.

Each bag bottom engaging finger is shown provided with a flat head 141 which are disposed in a common plane and are adapted to engage each bag bottom, as the bags are successively withdrawn from the magazine. See Figure 5. Fingers 132 are mounted for both axial and rotative movements and are normally restrained from such movements by spring means. As best illustrated in Figure 10, a collar 142 is secured to each rod 133 and has 21 depending element 143 mounted to travel in slots 144 provided in the bottoms of the lower tubular portions of their respective supporting members 136. A spring 145 is coiled about each rod 13 within their tubular guide portions, and are disposed between the collars 142 and the bottoms of the bores 146 of the lower tubular portions of members 136, whereby the fingers 132 are normally resiliently retained in their forward positions, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Secured to shaft 137 between members 136 is a spring supporting bracket 147 comprising a forwardly extending ledge or shelf 148 in which is mounted a pair of spring actuated bolts 149, best illustrated in Figure 19. These bolts, it will be noted, have their lower ends received in apertures provided in shelf 148, and each has a spring coiled thereabout which are seated upon the shelf 148 and have their upper ends engaged with the heads of bolts 149. Suitable nuts 151 are received in threaded engagement with the lower ends of the bolts for retaining them in position on shelf 148, and also whereby the tension in the springs may be varied. The supporting members 136 for the bag bottom engaging fingers 132 are shown provided with opposed arms 153, which have their outer ends extending inwardly over the heads of the spring pressed bolts 149 and cooperate with said bolts to provide resilient stops for retaining fingers 132 in their normal forwardly extending positions, shown in Figures 3, 9, 12 and 20.

Also secured to shaft 137 are two

collars

154 and 155, each having a reduced portion 156 adapted to be inserted in the adjacent ends of tubular housings 157. The opposite ends of said housings are supported on re duced cylindrical extensions 158 provided on the outer faces of the supporting members 136 for the fingers 132, as best shown in Figure 9. Suitable torsion springs 159 are coiled about shaft 137 within the housings 157 and have their opposed terminals bent outwardly in opposite directions and received in apertures provided, respectively, in collars 154-and and the-supporting member 136'.

Collars

154 and 155 are'shown adjustably mounted 9 on shaft 137, and are so adjusted relative to one another that fingers 132 are disposed in a common plane and are free to yield in a downward direction when engaged by a bag bottom, as shown in Figure 7.

Secured to bracket 147 is one end of a flat plate or shield 161, the lower end of which normally substantially engages the periphery of a roller 162, yieldably mounted in the lower ends of depending arms 163 having their upper ends fixed to shaft 137. In the drawings arms 163 are shown provided with split hubs for receiving shaft 137, and are secured thereto by manipulation of suitable clamping screws 164. See Figures 6 and 19.

Roller 162 is mounted upon a shaft 165 having its terminals received in elongated openings or slots 166 provided in the lower ends of arms 163. Spring elements 167 are provided in the elongated openings 166 and engage shaft 165 to constantly urge roller 162 in a direction towards drum 72.

When the machine is in operation, the bags are successively withdrawn from the bottom of the magazine by the

gripping elements

65 and 103. As each bag is withdrawn from the magazine, the segmental plate 73 of the drum rotates simultaneously with the bag top

gripping elements

65 and 103, as hereinbefore stated, so that the lower portion of the bag body is supported on the drum as the flat bottom of the bag approaches the bag breaking or folding fingers 132. In Figure a bag bottom is shown approaching the bag folding fingers 132. When the bag bottom engages fingers 132, the leading half of the bag bottom is partially folded upwardly, as shown in Figure 7, and as the drum continues its rotary movement, the bottom folding fingers 132 recede in their guides 136 as the bag bottom reaches the position shown in Figure 7. In this position it will be noted the leading half of the bag bottom has been upwardly folded by fingers 132.

As the bag bottom travels from the position shown in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 8, the fingers complete the folding of the bag bottom, and the bottom then engages the spring-mounted pressure roller 162 which presses the leading half of the folded bag bottom firmly against the trailing half thereof, whereby the bag bottom will retain substantially such shape as it advances from the position shown in Figure 8 to that shown in Figure 12. The shield or guide plate 161 may also serve to prevent the free or upper wall of the bag top from impinging against roller 162 as it passes thereby. A guide plate 168 may be provided below the drum 72 to guide the bags in their course, as they are fed from the magazine to the bag filling means, next to be described. See Figure 12.

Bag filling mechanism Another feature of the invention resides in the unique construction of the filling spout and its operating means, whereby each bag is firmly gripped and retained on the bag filling spout until it has received its full charge. The bag filling spout and its operating mechanism is best illustrated in Figures 2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 27, and comprises filling spout 105, hereinbefore referred to.

The filling spout, as best illustrated in Figures 22 and 27, comprises

complemental wall members

169 and 171, which constitute opposed walls of the spout and are mounted for relative pivotal movement about the axis of a shaft 172. Spout member 169 is provided at its upper end with spaced hubs 173 bored to receive shaft 172. Hubs 173 are preferably provided with suitable bushings 174. A suitable torsion spring 175 has one end anchored to wall member 169 and its opposite end to shaft 172, as indicated at 176. This spring constantly urges wall member 169 in a direction towards wall member 171.

Wall member 171 is similarly provided with spaced

hubs

177 and 178 mounted respectively on cylindrical extensions provided on

sleeves

179 and 181, respectively. The sleeves are fixed to the spaced hubs of the wall member 171 by suitable screws 182, as shown in Figure 22, whereby the wall member 171 and

sleeves

179 and 181 become, in effect, an integral unit which is adapted for relative rotation upon shaft 172. A collar 183 is secured to shaft 172 adjacent to sleeve 181 and a similar collar 184 is secured to the shaft adjacent to a member 185 mounted between collar 184 and the adjacent end of sleeve 179.

Means is provided for swinging the filling spout from its normal bag receiving or closed position, shown in Figures 11 and 12, to its open bag filling position, shown in Figures 2 and 16. Such means consists of an arm 186 mounted on sleeve 181 in fixed relation thereto, as shown in Figures 16 and 22. To thus secure arm 186 to sleeve 181, arm 186 preferably has a split hub carrying a clamping screw 187, whereby the arm may be relatively adjusted on sleeve 181.

The means provided for thus actuating the filling spout is best illustrated in Figure 16, and comprises a grooved cam 188 secured to the main operating shaft 56. Cam 188 has a groove 189 for receiving a roller 191 secured to an operating arm 192 having one end pivotally connected to arm 186 and its opposite end forked to receive the main operating shaft 56, as clearly illustrated in Figure 16. In Figures 2 and 16, the filling spout is shown positioned to receive a charge from a weighing bucket 193, diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 28. The high portion of cam groove 189 comprises approximately two thirds of the circumference of the cam, and during the time the roller is engaged with this portion of the cam the filling spout is retained in its open position, shown in Figure 16. When the low portion of cam groove 189 engages roller 191, the filling spout is swung inwardly from its open operative position shown in Figures 2 and 16, to its closed bag receiving position, shown in Figures 11 and 12.

Spring 175, as hereinbefore stated, normally urges spout member 169 in a direction towards wall member 171, but when the filling spout is swung outwardly to its open position, as shown in Figure 16, wall member 169 engages a stop 194 carried by a bracket 195 secured to a portion 196 of the machine frame. Stop 194 is yieldable, and comprises a head 197 secured to one end of a rod 198 slidable in a guide 199 adjustably mounted in a split hub 201 of bracket 195. A spring 202 is interposed between the head 197 and the adjacent end of guide 199, and constantly urges the head 197 towards a laterally extending lug 203 provided on wall member 169.

Main spout member 171 is shown provided at its upper end with a hopper-like intake 170 adapted to receive a porous tubular member of a suitable textile material 204, having its upper end secured to a discharge hopper 205, shown in Figures 2 and 28. Carried by the main wall member 171 of the filling spout is a movable clamping jaw 206 adapted to cooperate with a complemental jaw or pad 207 fixed to the lower end of wall member 171 of the filling spout, as illustrated in Figures 11, 23 and 27. The movable jaw 206 constitutes a portion of a housing 208, subsequently to be described, having split hubs 209 at its upper end by which it is fixedly secured to a shaft 211 mounted in suitable bearings 212 provided in a bracket 210 secured to the upper portion of the main wall member 171 of filling tube 105. See Figure 21.

Latchz'ng means for movable jaw 206 A crank arm 213 is secured to one end of shaft 211 and has one end of a link 214 pivotally connected thereto. The opposite end of link 214 is pivotally connected to one end of an arm 215 provided on member 185, shown in Figure 22. Member is mounted for relative rotary movement on shaft 172 and has fixed thereto a relatively shorter arm 216, as shown in Figures 13, 14 and 22. A

latch member 217 is pivoted at 218 toarm 216, and has one end adapted to engage a notch 219 provided on the periphery of an annular member 221 adjustably secured to sleeve 179' by a clamping screw 222. A spring 223 has one end received in a socket 224 in the arm 216 and has its opposite end engaging latch member 217 to constantly urge it into locking engagement with the notch 219 in member 221.

A rod-like arm 225 has one end fixed to shaft 172 and has one end of a spring 226 secured to its outer ofi'set end, as clearly illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15. The opposite end of spring 226 is connected to an extension 227 on arm 213, as shown at 228 in Figure 11. Spring 226 constantly tends to swing the movable jaw 206 into bag gripping engagement with the fixed jaw 207, but is restrained from so doing when latch 217 is engaged with notch 219.

N bagn0 material mechanism Means is provided for automatically preventing the delivery of material into the filling spout 105 in the event the filling spout fails to receive a bag, or should the bag be improperly secured thereto. Such means is best illustrated in Figures 23, 24, 28 and 29, and comprises a pair of push button type switches 229 of conventional design, mounted within the housing 208 in spaced relation, as illustrated in Figures 24, and 29. Housing 208 has a detachable cover 231 whereby access may readily be had to switches 229.

The switches are mounted within the housing 208 with their push buttons 232 received in openings 233 provided in the wall 234, which constitutes the jaw 206, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 23. It will also be noted by reference to Figure 11 that the push buttons 232 project beyond the gripping surface of jaw 206, whereby when a bag top is gripped between

jaws

206 and 207 of the filling spout, as shown in Figures 2 and 15, the push buttons are depressed or actuated by the bag wall, thereby to close an electric circuit 235 shown comprising

wires

236 and 237, as illustrated in Figure 28.

Wire 236 electrically connects switches 229 to one end of a solenoid coil 238, and a wire 239 connects the other end of solenoid 238 to a wire 241 of a supply circuit 242. Switches 229 are connected in series by a wire 243, and wire 237 has one end connected with a control element contained in a suitable control box, generally designated by the numeral 244. A wire 245 connects the other side of the control element in box 244 to conductor 246 of the main supply circuit 242, as clearly illustrated in the wiring diagram.

Solenoid 238 has a plunger 247 connected to one arm of a bell crank 248 by a link 249. The other arm of hell crank 243 is operativey connected to a slide valve 251 which is normally closed to shut off flow of material through the discharge opening 252 of the weighing bucket 193. When the solenoid is deenergized as a result of the circuit being open in the housing 208, its plunger 247 drops to the position shown in Figure 28, and thereby retains the slide valve or gate 251 in closed position to prevent discharge of material from the weighing bucket 193.

A suitable dribbler, generally designated by the numeral 253, is mounted to dribble material into the weighing bucket to bring the weight of its contents up to full measure, before the slide valve or gate 251 is opened to permit the contents of the weighing bucket to be dumped into the discharge hopper 205, and thence into and through the filling spout 105 into the bag supported on the lower end of the filling spout. Dribbler 253 is arranged to re-' ceive material from a leg 254 of a scale feed hopper 255 which, as indicated in Figure'28, has a second leg 256 for delivering a short-weight charge into the weighing hopper 193, as is well knownin the art.

Operation In the operation of the novel bag feeding and filling.

machine herein disclosed, a supply of bags is placed in the magazine 11 with the flattened bottoms of the bags facing upwardly, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. The machine, as hereinbefore stated, is particularly designed for handling small bags having satchel bottoms, as indicated in Figure 19, but it is to be understood that it may be utilized for feeding and filling other types of bags capable of being stacked in flatwise relation, as herein disclosed.

After the hopper 11 has been supplied with a stack of empty bags, the machine is set into motion whereby the bag top opening finger 39-41 is actuated and enters the mouth of the lowermost bag in the magazine through the usual thumb cut T in the lower bag wall, as shown in Figure 17. Simultaneously, a jet of high velocity air is directed into the partially open bag top to further open said top and thus permit the bag wall gripping member 65 to enter the bag mouth, as illustrated in Figure 3. The bag opening finger 39--41 is actuated by cam 55 secured to the main operating shaft 56, as will be understood by reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The bag' top gripping member 65 is actuated by arm and crank arm which carries roller 96 for engaging cam 97, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 11. Immediately following entry of the bag top gripping member 65 into the bag mouth, the yieldable bag gripping elements 103 are advanced to the position shown in Figure 4, by rotation of drum '72, whereby jaw 65 will engage the lower bag wall and press it into gripping engagement with the resilient elements 103, as shown.

As the drum 72 continues in its rotation, the lowermost bag is Withdrawn from the magazine, as shown in Figure 5, and during such Withdrawal of the bag, the leading edge of its flattened bottom engages the bottom breaking fingers 132, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. As the bag bottom advances from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 7, fingers 132 engage and fold the leading edge of the bag bottom over the trailing portion thereof, as shown in Figure 8, and the folded bag bottom then engages roller 162 which resiliently presses it against the periphery of drum '72 so that the bag bottom will retain its folded condition, when the bag is conveyed from the position shown in Figure 8 to that shownin Figure 12.

The filling spout is in its closed inclined position shown in Figures ll and 12, as the bag top

gripping elements

65 and 103 deliver the empty bag thereto. At substantially the instant the bag top reaches the closed end of the filling spout, as shown in Figure 12, the bag top spreader 1% is actuated by crank arm 113, as a result of roller 116 engaging the high point of cam 117, whereby the bag top is fully expanded, as best illustrated in Figure ll, so that it may readily be slipped over the lower closed end of the filling spout. When the filling spout is in the position shown in Figures 11 and 12, jaw 296 is in its open position whereby the lower wall 122 or" the bag top may readily enter between

jaws

225 and 207. When the bag top reaches substantially the position shown in Figures 11 and 12, roller 96 of crank arm 95 engages the drop off 104 of cam 97. This causes the bag top gripper 65 to release the bag top and simultaneously latch 217 is actuated to release the movable jaw 206 of the filling spout, whereupon said jaw is moved into gripping engagement with the bag wall as shown in Figure 2 and 15, by the action of spring 226.

The means provided for thus actuating latch 217 to release jaw 206 is best illustrated in Figure 12, and comprises an arm 257 secured to a shaft 253 rotatably supported in suitable bearings provided in the machine frame. A second arm 259 is also secured to shaft 258 and has a roller 261 at its outer end adapted to be engaged by a small cam 262 secured to cam 183, as shown in Figures 16 and 2 1. Cam roller 261 is normally slightly spaced