US2866484A - Apparatus for filling bags - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 30, 1958 B. w. RosE 2,866,484

APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS Filed Nov. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BOYD W. ROSE ATTORNEY Dec. so, 195s B. w. ROSE 2,866,484

APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS Filed NOV. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 III 89 3 8l :67 o., 86 I3 l 47 l] |lI l 4559 52 58 ||l H1 x INVENTOR BOYD W. ROSE BY ffm ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1958 B. w. RosE 2,866,484

APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS Filed Nov. l, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR BOYD Vl. ROSE Y A@ i AMM/m,

ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1958 B. w. ROSE APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. l, 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FR FILLING BAGS Boyd W. Rose, Riverside, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1955, Serial No. 544,179

17 Claims. (Cl. 141-83) This invention appertains to an apparatus for filling bags with fiuids or iiuidized solids and more particularly relates to an improved mechanism for supporting and sealing a bag while it is being lled and for releasing the bag after it is filled.

The bag filling apparatus of this invention is an irnprovement in apparatus of the type in which powdered or granular material is aerated and fiuidized to facilitate the delivery thereof into porous bags. In order to fill bags of this type a filling spout, which communicates with the supply tank, is inserted in the inlet passage of the bag and is clamped therein permitting fiuidized material to flow through the spout and into the bag. During the filling operation the bottom of the bag rests upon a support structure which carries most ofthe weight of the bag and material contained therein. After the bag has been filled, the bag is released and allowed to fall free of the filling apparatus. Bag filling apparatus of this type is more fully disclosed in the United States Patent to Paul C. Aust, No. 2,795,389, dated June 1l,` i957.

Certain filling and discharging difficulties have been encountered in the use of apparatus of this type. It has been found that quite frequently a bag is successfully filled by the apparatus, but after being released so that it may fall free from the machine, the bag hangs up on the filling spout. The operator must thereafter manually, and usually with considerable difiiculty, remove the bag from the spout. Another difficulty encountered with existing apparatus of this type results from the fact that pressure builds up within the bag and forces some of the powdered material to flow between the wall of the l bag inlet passage and the filling spout of the mechanism to the outer atmosphere. This results in very disagreeable working conditions and a loss of material.

it is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a bag filling apparatus which will automatically and dependably release bags, when filled, to thereafter allow them to fall free of the apparatus,

Another object is to provide an improved bag sealing device for a bag filling and discharging apparatus.

Another object is to provide a bag filling apparatus adapted to efficiently support and seal a bag while it is being filled.

Another object is to provide an improved control system for a bag filling and discharging apparatus, said sys-v tem being adapted to cooperatively control the functions of holding and sealing a bag while being filled and to thereafter cooperatively and automatically control the functions of stopping the flow of material into the bag and releasing the bag so that it may fall free of the bag filling apparatus.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of a bag filling apparatus embodying the invention.

assetti Patented Dec. 30, 1958 Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a lower portion of the bag filling apparatus of Fig. 1 with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the bag filling apparatus of Fig. l, with parts broken away and other parts shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along the lines 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the pneumatic control system used with the bag filling apparatus ot Fig. 1.

In the bag tillingand discharging apparatus of this invention, a bag B (Fig. 5) is placed on a bag support unit 11 which is, in turn, mounted on a scale 12. The bag B is of the type wherein the material enters the bag through a generally tubular portion V that is `known as a bag valve. in order to fill the bag B, a filling spout 13, which is in communication with a supply tank 14, is inserted within the valve V of the bag B and is clamped in this position against a stationary clamping structure 16. A. fiuidized material contained in the supply tank 14 is then directed into the bag B through the filling spout 13. in order to prevent a portion of the fluidized material flowing into the bag from escaping between the valve V and the filling spout 13, a pneumatic bag seal 17 is provided which, when inflated, seals this opening. As the bag B is being filled, the bag and its contents are continuously weighed by the scale 12. When a desired weight of material is reached, the scale automatically activates a pneumatic control system 1S whereby to close a valve mechanism 19 which stops the fiow of material into the bag B. immediately thereafter, the bag seal is deliated and the filling spout is swung away from the clamping structure. Due to the fact that the weight of the bag is disposed on the support structure 11 in an ofi-center position and to the fact that the upper end of the bag is released from the spout 13, the filled bag swings outwardly and falls free of the apparatus.

More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention comprises the supply tank 14 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted on the upper portion of a frame structure 21.` The tank 14 is arranged to receive a supply of powdered or granular material into which air, or any other suitable fiuidizing agent, is introduced through a conduit 22 (Fig. 5) which communicates with the bottom of the tank 14. The air aerates or liuidizes the material contained within the tank 14 to thereby facilitate the ability of the material to flow, and to prevent the formation and dispersal of an excessive amount of dust during the bag filling operation.

The scale l2 (Figs. 1 and 3) comprises two substantially parallel beams 23 and 24 which are integrally connected by a rear bight section 26 (Fig. 3) extending between their ends, and by a transverse member 27 disposed between the beams adjacent their midpoint. Each beam 23 and 24 of the scale 12 is mounted to pivot on a knife edge 25S which projects upwardly from a cross member 29 of the frame structure 21 to contact the associated scale beam substantially at its midpoint. A heavy counterweight 31 is pivotally secured to each of the beams 23 and 24 adjacent the rear end thereof to counterbalance the major portion of weight applied on the scale by the weight of a filled bag. A horizontal bar 32 is secured to and extends between the vmidpoint of the transverse member 27 and the bight section 26, and has a light counterweight 33 slidably mounted thereon. rthe counterweight 33 may be selectively positioned along the bar 32 to adapt the scale for use with bags of different capacities. The rearward end of the bight section 26 is provided with a limiting device 34 which swings between upper and lower limits provided by a Ushaped bracket 36 mounted on the frame structure 21. The limiting device 34 prevents excessive vertical movement 3 of the scale 12. The forward end of each of the beams 23 and 2d (Fig. l) of the scale 12 is provided with a knife edge 37 whichis pivotally engaged in a suitable mating portionV near the outer end of one of the arms of a horizontally extending yoke 38 which is, in turn,

secured to a vertical support column 39 of the bag sup-4 port unit lill. Thus the bag support unit 11 is pivotally supported by the scale 12 through the rigid yoke 38.

As will be pointed out presently, the filling spout 13 and a bag cradle assembly 41 (Fig. l) are pivotally mounted on the vertical column 39 of the Abag support unit l1 and thebag clamping structure 16 is rigidly secured on the column. Accordingly, as the bag B is being filled, the entire unit 11 including the filling spout 13, the cradle assembly 41, the bag clamping structure i6, and the column 39 move downwardly to activate the scale 12.

The bag cradle 41 (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a twopiece vertically extending channel 42 which is arranged to be adjustably lengthened in a vertical direction and is provided atits upper end with a concavely formed bag back rest d3. A horizontally disposed, forwardly directed angle member i4 is secured, as by welding, to each side face of the 'channel d2 near its lower end. Mounted for horizontal adjustment between the two angle members d4, by means of bolts 46 extending through slots 47 provided in the angle members, are two similar earshaped seats 48 and i9 which have convex support surfaces upon which a bag rests during the filling operation.

The cradle assembly 41 is pivotally mounted on a f bracket S1 (Fig. 1) which is secured to and projects outwardly from a lower portion of the vertical column 39. The bracket 51 comprises two parallel, horizontal channel membersv'?. (Fig. 2), which are secured to a face plate 53 and project forwardly beneath the angle members 44. The face plate 53 lies against the forward face of the column 39 and 'has tabs`54 (Fig. 1) bent at 90 to contact the side surfaces of the column 39 to prevent shifting of the face plate 53 relative to the column 39. A strap 56 is arranged to lie against the rear face and both sides of the column 39 and has a stud 57 secured on each side thereof to project forwardly through suitable apertures provided in the face plate 53. Nuts 58 are threaded on the ends of the studs 57 to lfirmly secure the bracket 51 to the column 39. Two axially aligned pivot pins 59 (Fig. 2) are provided and are so arranged that one pivot pin 59 extends through one of the channel members 52, of the angle members 44, one of the earshapd elements i8 or 49, and one of `the two spaced horizontal Vsupport members 4d, while the other pin 59 extends through the other of the above mentioned parts to mount the bag cradle assembly i1 pivotally in relation to the vrvertial column 39. It should be noted that the pivot pins 59 (Fig. 5) are horizontally" spaced from the vertical column 39 a 'distance substantially less than the distance between the column 39 and the center of gravity, indicated generally at 6i. in Fig. 5, of a lilled bag B supported on the cradle assembly 41. Thus, when the uriner end of the bag B yis released, the weight of the bag will tilt the cradle assembly 41 in a counterclockwise 'n direction r(Fig. 3) to thereafter permit the bag to fall free from thecradle 41.

T o prevent excessive pivoting of the bag support cradle All, an abutment arm 62 (Fig. 3) is secured to the lower end of the channel 42 and projects downwardly and forwardly therefrom. When the cradle assembly dit is swung in'a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) the abutmerit arm '62 will'swing counterclockwise (Fig. 3) and will contact thelower horizontal edge of the face plate 53, thus preventingy further pivoting of the cradle 4i. A tensionfspring 63 (Fig. 2) is positioned between each angle `member '44 and each channel member 52k and has an upper erid secured to one of the angle members dd and a lower end secured to the face plate 53 whereby 4 to return the cradle 41 to the' pio'sitionshownA in* Fig. 3* after the filled bag has fallen from the cradle.

lt will be apparent that during the filling operation the lower end of the bag support unit 11 (Fig. 3) will tend to swing inwardly toward the frame structure 21. Accordingly, a buffer link 64 is pivotally interposed between the lowerportion of the vertical column 39 and a bracket d6, which is rigidly attached to the frame 21, to prevent excessive pivoting of thecolumn 39 during the bag filling and discharging operation while permitting free downward movement of the column.

rl`he bag clamping structure 16 is secured on the upper forward face of the column 39, which is forwardlybent as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The structure 16 comprises an upwardly-opening channel bracket 67 (Fig. 1) which projects outwardly from the face of the column 39, on which it is mounted by bolts 68, one only being shown. A pneumatic bag clamping'cylinder' 69 is mounted on the upper surface of the bracket `67 and has its plunger'l (Fig. 4) extending rearwardlythrongh a suitablek opening 7;?. provided in the column 39. A stationary clampelement 73 is mounted on the lower end ofa downwardly projecting stud 7/i,whic`n extends through av slot 76 provided in the bottom face `of the channel bracket 67 and is locked on the channel by nuts 77. With vthis arrangement, the stationary clamp element 73 may be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to allow the stationary clamping element 73 to be fixed in the most desirable positionfor cooperation with the illing spout i3 which `acts as the movable clamping-element.

The filling spout 13 (Figs. l and 4) comprises a rigid iilling tube 7d which is secured to and extends through a rigid lcoll-ar 79 positioned adjacent the inlet end of tire spout, The collar k'79 is, in turn, rigidly secured to a bracket lll 'by any suitable means', such as welding. The terminal end 82 of the filling spout 13 has `a downwardly curved upper surface whichv permits the bag .te be easily released therefrom after the bag has been filled. The lower portion of the terminal end 32 of the iilling tube '73 has an 4opening 83, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, to allow fluids or -fluidized solids to be discharged from the tube iii into the bag B. The bracket 8l (Fig. 3)-, on. which the filling spout 13 is mounted, is pivotally mounted on the column 39 by means of bolts 8d (Figs. l and 3), only one being shown, which extend through suitably apertured bosses d6, one of which is rigidly secured on each sideiof the bracket' A81. Thev pivoted positionof the bracket' El is controlled -by the-'plunger 71- (Fig. 4) of the bag cramping cylindery 69. When the plunger 71 is actuated, it contacts a bar 37, which` extends transversely through slots in the side walls of .the column 39-at1d which is secured within a pair Vof spaced bosses 89 (Fig. l) welded on the upper side surfaces ofthe bracket dit in alignment with the slots dii.

When air under pressure is directed into the bag clamping cylinder 69, the plunger 7'1`(`Fig. 4) is pushed out of its cylinder and contacts the bar S7 lto pivot the bracket till on the bolts 8d whereby the filling spout i3 is swung upwardly into the bag clamping positionl shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Thus, a bag placed over the filling spout i3 will be lirmly locked 'between the spout and the clamping element 73. When air is released from the cylinder 69, the filling spout i3 is allowed to pivot away from the element 73 by gravity to therebyv assume the downwardly inclined bag-releasing position shown in Fig. 4.

rl`hc bag seal 17 (Fig. 4) which is made of a llexible, resilient material, such as rubber, is generally tubular in shape and is fitted over the iilling'tube 7S. Near its rearmost end, the seal 17 is securely clamped on thc collar 79 by a circular clamp 91. The forward end ot the bag seal lits over the filling tube 78 and terminates immediately rearward of the discharge opening The forward lportion 92 of the bag seal 1'7 is slightly' thicker in longitudinal cross section than the main 'body 93 of the seal 17 and is Aprovided with a beveledA outer edge 9d in order that the inlet valve V of the `bag B may be easily g slid over .the bag seal. An annular inner lip 96 of the bag seal 17 extends rearwardly from the forward portion 92`thereof and has an inner surface 97 which contacts the outer surface of the rigid filling tube 78 and an outer surface 98 of slightly larger diameter. A ring-like space 99 is provided between th-e internal diameter of a portion of the main body 93 and the outside diameter of the annular lip 96. A suitable air supply conduit 101 is Isecured to `and extends within the bag seal 17 to direct air under pressure into the bag seal 17 to cause the annular lip 96 to be forced into an airtight seal around the lling tube 78 and to cause the body 93 of the bag seal 17 to increase in diameter and contact the surfaces of the bag valve V placed therearound to thereby seal the inside of the bag from the atmosphere. Upon release of air pressure, the bag seal 17 collapses and returns to the position shown in Fig. 3.

A flexible tube 102 (Figs. 3 and 4) is connected between the lling spout '13 and the supply tank 14, to allow uids or uidized solids to flow from the supply tank 14 to the filling spout 13. The tube 102 is connected to the rearward portion of the filling tube 78 by ya clamp 103. The rear end of the tube 102 is connected tothe tank 14 by any suitable means, such as by mating anges 104 and 106 (Fig. l).

The valve mechanism 19 (Fig. l) is of the type described in the Letters Patent of Neil S. Stafford, et al., Patent No. 2,770,439, issued November 13, 1956. Since the valve mechanism is not a part of the present invention it will not now be described in detail. In general, the valve mechanism 19 comprises an air motor 111 mounted on an angle bracket 112 which is, in turn, -mounted to the forward portion of the frame 21, An upper pinch bar 113 (Fig. 5) and a lower pinch bar 114 are positioned, respectively, above and below the exible tube 102 leading to the spout 13 and are connected by a suitable linkage 116 (Figs. l and 3) which is supported by the angle bracket 112 and is connected to the piston rod 117 (Fig. 5) of the air motor 111. When air is introduced below th-e piston 118 (Fig. 5) of the air 4motor 111, the upper pinch bar 113 and lower pinch bar 114 `are moved away from each other to the position shown in Figures 3 and 5, allowing the llexible tube 102 to open and the fluids o-r uidized solids contained in the tank 114 to ow through the tube 102 into the bag B. When air is introduced above the piston 118, the upper bar 113 and lower bar 114 are forced together to pinch -the tube 102, as best sh-own in Fig. 4, and thus stop the flow of uids or lluidized solids from the tank :14 into the tilling spout 13.

The pneumatic control system 18, which yautomatically and cooperatively controls the bag lling and discharging operation is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5. Although other gases may be used as a pneumatic operating medium, air is the preferred gas and, therefore, in the description of the control system 18 to follow, air will be referred to as the operating medium.

Air is introduced into the control system 18 from a suitable high pressure source (not shown) through a conduit 130 and, `after passing through a lter 131, the air is divided into three separate portions. One portion of the air flows through a conduit 133 to a pressure regulator 134 and then through the conduit 22 and into the material supply tank 14 to thereby iluidize the material contained therein. The regulator 134 is set at a predetermined pressure found most desir-able to lluidize the particular material to be filled into bags.

Another portion of the air flows from the filter 131 through conduits 135 and 136 and to a low pressure regulator 137 which is set at approximately 5 p. s. i. The low pressure air ows from the regulator 137 through a conduit 138 to a three-way valve 139 which comprises an outer housing 141 within which a spool 142 is positioned for vertical movement. The spool 142 may be upwardly urged by a spring 143 or downwardly urged by a high pressure source of air entering the housing 141 at the top thereof through a conduit 144, as will be more completely described later. An inlet port 146, an outlet port 147, and a vent 148 are so located in the housing 141 of the three-way valve 139 that when the spool 142 is in the upper position of Fig. 5, the inlet port 146 and outlet port 147 are in communication and, when the spool 142 is iu the lower position, the vent 148 and the outlet port 147 are in communication while the inlet port 146 is closed. The conduit 101, which delivers air under pressure to the bag seal 17, is connected to the outlet port 147. Thus, when the three-way valve 139 is positioned as shown in Fig. 5, the low pressure air ows trom the low pressure regulator 137, through the conduit 138, through the inlet port 146 and out the outlet port 147 of the three-way valve 139, through the conduit 101, and into the bag seal 17 to thereby inflate the seal 17 causing it to expand against the valve V of the bag B. When high pressure air is introduced to the top of the three-way valve 139, thereby forcing the spool 142 downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5, air is allowed to bleed from the bag seal 17 through the conduit 101, into the outlet port 147 and out the vent 148 of the three-way valve 139 to thereby allow the bag seal 17 to deiiate.

Another portion of air from the filter 131 flows to a high pressure regulator 151 through the conduits 135 and 152 and thereafter flows through a conduit 154 to a lubricator 155. A conduit 156 introduces the high pressure air to a master valve 157 whichy is mounted on top of the air motor 111 as best shown in Fig. l.

The master valve 157 (Fig. 5) comprises a housing 158 having a cylindrical chamber 159 and a distribution chamber 161. A spool 162, having an annular groove 163 around its midpoint, is slidably mounted within the cylindrical chamber 159 of the housing 158. A small air passageway 164 is provided in the surface of the spool 162 extending longitudinally thereon to thereby allow air to flow to each end of the cylindrical chamber 159 of the housing 158. High pressure air from the conduit 156 enters the master valve 157 through an inlet port 166 and then ilows to each end of the cylindrical chamber 159 as previously mentioned. From the chamber 159 air flows through a slot 167 provided in an inner wall 168 of the housing 158 and thereafter into the distribution chamber 161. A slide valve 169 is sildably mounted within the distribution chamber 161 and is connected to the spool 162 by means of an arm 171, which extends through the slot 167 and is received within the annular groove 163 of the spool 162 for movement therewith. In order to be assured of a supply of air at each end of the cylindrical chamber 159, the spool 162 is prevented from contacting the ends of the chamber 159 due to the fact that the arm 171 contacts the end walls of the slot 167 before the spool reaches the end of the chamber 159. The slide valve 169 is provided with two internal chambers 172 and 173 which are sealed from the high pressure air within' the distribution chamber 161. n order to provide flow passages between adjacent ports, the chambers 172 and 173 are arranged to overlap different ports provided in the housing 158. When the master valve 157 is positioned as shown in Fig. 5, a port 176 is in direct communication by means of the chamber 173 with a vent 177; a second vent 178 is in communication with the chamber 172; and a port 179 is in communication with the distribution chamber 161 and the high pressure air contained therein. When the spool 162 and the attached slide valve 169 are moved to the left (Fig. 5), the port 1,76 is opened to the high pressure air contained within the distribution chamber 161, and the port 179 is in communication with the vent 178 through the chamber 172.

The master valve 157 is of the type in which a temporary unbalance of the air pressure on the ends of the spool 162 will cause the spool and attached slide valve clamping cylinder 61.

169 to Ashift p`osition 4inlthe housing. This.unbalanced conditionis achieved by normally closed 'Switches which are in.the form of spring loadedair bleeder valves'disposed in air conduits which communicate with each end of the cylindrical chamber 159. When one 'of the switches is held in an open position 'for a short time, a small amount of air willbleedfrom one side of the cylindrical chamber 159 causing theabove-mention'ed unbalanced air pressure and thereby causing the spool 162 to be shifted to thelow pressureend.

The above-mentioned switches comprise a manually operated start switch- 181, aV manually operated stop switch 152'and a scale actuated switch 1&3. Thestart switch 181 is conveniently positioned' atthe front ofthe machine on .the right side of the .'master valve 157 (Fig. l) with which it is in communication through a conduit 131i. Similarly the stop switchv 182 is positioned 'at the front of the machine'onthe'left yside ofthemaster valve 157 (Fig. l) and is infconnnunication-withthe left kend of the cylindrical chamber 1590i rtherrnaster `valve 157 through a conduitV 185. TheV scale actuated 'switch-183 (Fig. 3) is Amounted-on' the upper forward portion of the .frame structure 21 adjacent the vupper end of a lever arm 137 which is secured to and projects upwardly from the cross member 27 of the scale 12. An adjustment bolt 188 is threadedly received adjacent the upper end of the lever arm 1857 and isy positioned to contact and actuate the scale switchV 133 when `the scale 13 is pivoted counterclockwise (Fig. 3) by the weight of a bag which has received a desired quantity of material. The scale actuated switch 183 (Fig.y 5) 'is connected in parallel with the stop switch 182 by the conduit 189.

Thus, when the start switch 181 (Fig. 5) is momentarily actuated, the spool 162 and attached slide valve 169 are forced to slide to the right into the yposition shown in Fig. 5 allowing air to i'low through the port 176, through the chamber 173 and out the'vent 177, andalso allowing high pressure air contained in the distribution chamber 161 to ilow out the port 179. When either the stop switch 132 or the scale actuated switch 183 is momentarily actuated, the fspool 162 `and the attached slide valve 169 slide to the left (Fig. 5) thereby opening the port 176 to high pressureair contained within the distri'- bution chamber 161 and allowing air to flow from the port 179, through the chamber' 172'and out the vent 17S to the outer atmosphere. v

The port 179 of the master valve 157 isV connected by la conduit191-to the-air motor 111at a point located below the pistonM-S. --Anotherlconduit192 connects the port 176 and l.the airY motor 111. at a point above the piston11. Thus, with 4the spool 162 of the master valve 157 positionedat .the right Ahand end of the chamber 15h as shownv in Fig. 5, high pressure air ilows through the conduit' 191, raises the pistonlllt and opens the valve mechanism 19. At 'the same time, the air in the upper portion of the 'air-motor cylinder is vented through the conduit the chamber 173, and the vent 177. When the spool of the master valve 157 is positioned at the left hand end of the chamber'159, high pressure air (lows through the conduit 192 to the top of the air motor 111 -to force the piston'ltl downwardly to close the `valve mechanism 19. ln this case, the lower portion of the ,air motor cylinder is vented through the conduit 191,

the chamber 172, and the vent 178.

A conduit 193 is connected to the conduit 191 to allow air to ow to -a needle valve 19ft^and to a lay-pass check valve 19S which are connected in parallel. T he by-pass ycheck valve 195 ailows air to rapidly flow to the left as yviewed inFig. 5 but prevents air `from iiowing Vin the opposite direction. A conduit 196 communicates tle needle valve 19d and luy-pass check valve 195 with the Thus, when the master valve 157 is positioned as -shownin Fig. y5, air rapidly flows from the conduit 193,-through the needlevalve 194 and yluy-pass check valve 195, through the conduit 196, and

ti l) intothe bagclamping cylinder 69 to thereby rapidly pivot the' filling spout 13y intofafb'ag clamping position. Upon shifting therspool 162 of the master valve 157 to' the left (Fig. 5), air is allowed' to slowly escape'from the bag clamping'cylind'er 69, through the conduit 196, andthe needle Valve -194 and into the Valve chamber 172 where it is' vented to the' atmosphere through theport 17S. Thus, withthe above arrangement, the iilling'spout 13 is rapidly pivoted to'the bag 'clampingpositionbut is slowly pivoted away from the bag clamping position into the bag releasing position.

As previously mentioned, the spool 142 of the threeway valve 139 isurged to its upper position'in the house ing 141'bya1spring 143 and is movedtoits lower position by high pressure air entering through #conduit 1544. lnorder to control the-positionof the spool-142 'within the three-way valve 139, the aforementioned Yconduit '192, which is connected t'o Zthe porti 176-' of the rnaster'va'lve 157,'is connected "byfafbrahch 'conduit w'-toa'needle valve 198landaby-pass checkv vali/e199. Air may tiow through the'by-pass'check'valve'199 to the leftas shown in Fig'. 5 but is prevented from flowing in the "opposite direction. `The needle valve 198and by-pass check valve 199 are connected` to the previously described three-way valve 139 by the conduit 144. When the Spedi-1.62 of the master valve 157 ispositionedat the right as shown in Fig. 5, air 'in the conduit 144 is vented throughthe chamber 173 and the vent 177. This Aallows the spool 142 of the three-way valve 139 to rapidly move upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5 to-'open the conduit 1151 leading to the bag seal 17 to'inflate the seal with low pressure air. 'Upon actuating the'master valve 157 so that the spool 162, isfpositioned to the left (Fig. '5), air will flow from the master valve1'57 through the port 176, slowly through the" needle valve'198, through the conduit 144 and into the three-way valve 139 to thereby slowly move the spooli142 downwardly'to shut oli the' supply lol? lowpressure air to the bag seal 17 andv to allow the 'air contained in the seal to escape tothe atmosphere through the-vent 148 as previouslydescribed.

At the beginning of'a bag iilling cycle, the apparatus is positionedas vshown in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the cradle assembly 41 ispositioned with the ear-shaped seats 48 and 49 substantially horizontal sol that the bottom of a bag may beplaced thereupon; the filling vspout 13 is pivoted downwardly away `from the 'stationary clamping clement 73;' the lbag seal'17 is dellated lso that' the valve of a bag may lie easily placed thereover; and the valve mechanism 19 vis in its closed position therebypreventingr the fluids or lluidized solids contained in the tank 1d from passing into thellingspout 13. 'The' start switchlt is then momentarily actuated' causing' the spool 1626i: the master' valve 157 to a'ssume'thepo'sition shown in Fig. 5.

High pressure air then llows to the bagclanip cylinder 69 through conduit 196 to thereby pivot the-filling spout upwardly into vthe bag clamping positionas shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Simultaneously, air flows-to the lower side of the pistonof the air'motor 111 through conduit 191 to open the valve mechanism 19 'and' ailow fluidized material to flow into the bag B. Also, high pressure air is allowed to bleed from the space above thespool l142 of the'three-way valve 139, permittingvthe spool 142th move upwardly and open the low pressure air line to the bag seal 17toinate the bag seal. When the bag B is filled to the desired weight, the scale 12 is pivoted counterclocltwisetFig. 5) therebyactuating the scale-switch 183 and causing the spool 162, of the master valve 157 to be shifted to the left.

A portion of the high pressure air is then `directed through conduit 192 to the top of vthe cylinderfof the air Vmotor 111 to thereby `rapicllyfclose the valve mechanism 19, stopping the flow of iluidized material into the bag-B. vA secondportion of high pressure air-slowly flows into the'three-way valve 139 through conduit 144 to force spool 142 downwardly to establish communication between the conduit 1.61 and the vent 148 whereby to bleed air from the bag seal T7. Also, the bag clamping cylinder 69 is vented through the conduit 196, needle valve 194, conduit 193, chamber 172 and vent 178 permitting the filling spout to snr/ing downwardly to an inclined position wherein the bag may slide off the spout. The delayed deflation on the bag seal 17 and release of the bag clamping cylinder 659 allows time for material within the filling spout f3 to drain into the bag B.

After the bag has been filled and released from the spout 13, the weight of the bag acting through the offset center of 'gravity pivots the entire bag support cradle 41, in:luding the back rest 43, forwardly so that the bag may then fall free from the cradle onto a conveyor or any other suitable means provided to remove the bag from the area.

In the above-described bag filling and discharging apparatus, the novel pivotal mounting of the filling spout provides means for dependably releasing a bag from the spout thereby eliminating the possibility of the bag hanging up on the spout. Furthermore, the pivotal movement of the spout provides effective means of clamping a bag thereon when being filled. The novel iniiatable bag seal, heretofore unused on apparatus of this type, prevents the loss of material during the bag filling operation and provides greatly improved working conditions for the operator.

While the apparatus of this invention has been described in connection with the filling of bags of the type having generally tubular inlet valves in the upper portion of the bag, it will be understood that the apparatus may be used to fill, not only bags of this type, but any bag in which the inlet opening is in the'upper portion of the bag. Accordingly, in the following claims the term bag valve is used in a generic sense to indicate that portion of a bag which is immediately adjacent to and surrounds the bag inlet opening.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the present invention and the manner in which the` same is to be used, what is claimed as new and desired to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for filling a bag of the type which has an inlet valve at the upper end, the combination of a bag support seat mounted for pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal bag supporting position to a i valve of the bag is clamped between said stationary `clamp and said filling spout to a downwardly inclined bag releasing position removed from said clamp elemen, valve means operatively connected to said filling spout for opening and closing the fiow passage through said spout, and control means operatively connected to said actuating means and to said valve means and arranged to consecutively cause a rapid closing of said valve means to stop the flow of material thro-ugh the spout and a slow downward pivotal movement of said filling spout into the bag releasing position.

2. In an apparatus for filling a bag having an inlet valve at its upper end, the combination of a bag support ,seat arranged to receive the bottom of a bag to be filled,

Cit

a filling spout disposed above the bag support seat and arranged to be received within a tubular inlet valve at the upper end of a bag disposed 0n said support seat, an inflatable sealing member encircling said filling spout and arranged to be inflated into sealed contact between said spout and the inner surface of the bag valve, means mounting said filling spout for pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal bag filling position to a downwardly inclined bag releasing position, fluid pressure means operable to infiate said bag seal, and control means operatively connected to said seal and to said filling spout mounting means and arranged to retard the deation of said seal and retard the pivotal movement of said filling spout into the bag releasing position to assure completion of the emptying of the spout prior to the release of the bag from the filling spout.

3. In an apparatus for filling a bag of the type which has a tubular inlet valve at the upper end, the combination of a bag support seat mounted for pivotal movement from a Substantially horizontal bag supporting position to a downwardly inclined bag discharge position, a filling spout disposed above said lbag support seat and arranged to have the tubular inlet valve of a bag positioned thereover when said seat is in bag supporting position, a tubular inatable bag seal disposed around Said filling spout between said spout and said inlet valve and arranged to be expanded into Sealed contact against the inner surface of the inlet valve, a stationary clamp mounted above and closely adjacent said filling spout, means pivotally mounting said filling spout for upward movement from a downwardly inclined bag releasing position to a substantially horizontal bag clamping position wherein the tubular valve of the bag is clamped between r said stationary clamp and said filling spout, and control means operatively connected to said bag seal and to said filling spout mounting means for rapidly inflating said seal and rapidly pivoting said filling spout into bag clamping position, and thereafter causing slow pivotal movement of said filling spout into bag releasing position to effect draining of material from the spout prior to the release of the bag from the lling spout, and causing slow deflation of said seal to maintain dust sealing engagement with the bag until filling is completed.

4. In an apparatus for filling a bag of the type which has an inlet valve adjacent its upper end, the combination of a scale, a support member pivotally mounted on the beam of the scale, a bag support seat pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end of said support member and projecting outwardly therefrom to receive the bottom of a bag to be filled, said seat being arranged to be pivoted from a substantially horizontal position to a downwardly inclined bag releasing position, a filling spout pivotally mounted on said support member adjacent the upper end thereof and extending outwardly from said support member above said support seat and arranged to have the inlet valve of the bag disposed thereover, and means operably connected to said spout for swinging said spout from a substantially horizontal bag filling position to a downwardly inclined bagrelease position, said filling spout and said support member being arranged to pivot independently of each other to the bag releasing position.

5. In an apparatus for filling a bag having a tubular inlet valve, a filling spout receivable within the tubular inlet valve of a bag, an inflatable bag sealing element disposed on said spout between said spout and the inner surface of the tubular inlet valve of the bag, said element comprising a flexible resilient tubular body clamped at one end to the outer surface of said spout, and an annular inturned lip formed on the other end of said body and projecting internally of the body toward said one end of said body vand arranged to lie close against the outer surface of said spout, and means for directing l. 1 air under pressureinto thespacebetwen said spout and said tubular body. Y j

6. In an apparatus for filling av bag of the type which has a tubular inletvalve adjacent its upper end,I the combination of a bag support seat adapted to receive lin supportingrelation the bottom of a bag to 'be illed,/a filling spout disposed over said support seat and rarranged to be received within the inlet valve of a bag'on said'jseat, an inflatable bag seal disposed on the filling spout Ibetwecn the spout and the valve and arranged to contact the inner surfaces of the tubular bag valve upon being inated, a conduit for directing duid under Ipressure-to said seal to inflate the seal, a first yalve arranged to control How ofl'uid through said conduit,'m`eans pivotally mounting said filling spout for movementfrom a substantially horizontal'position to a downwardly' inclined position, power means operably connected toV said p ivotal mounting means, a conduit for directing pressurized luid to said 'power means, a second valve in the con, duit 'to said power means forfcontrolling the energization and deenergiza't'ion of said powernmeans, and control means operatively connectedto said first and second valves'and arranged toactuate said valves to one setting toeliect a substantially simultaneous -upward pivoting movement of said spout yto a substantially horizontal bag filling position and an ination ofthe bag-seal into Sealing contact against the bag valve, said control means also being arranged to actuate said valves to a second setting to bleed fluid from said bag seal and tofbleed--air from 'said power means to allow the filling spout to pivot to a downwardly inclined bag releasing position.

7. In an apparatus for filling bags with fluids or fluidized solids the *combination of a column, a filling `spout pivotally mounted on said column and projecting outwardly therefrom and arranged to be received within the inlet valve of a bag, a clamping element secured to said column and disposed directly above said filling spout, an actuating mechanism for pivoting said spout, a pneumatic power Cylinder mounted on said clamping structure and operatively associated with said actuating mechanism to pivot said filling spout upwardlytoward said clamping structure when subjected to pneumatic pressure whereby to clamp the inlet valve lof a bag on said spout between said Aspout and said clampingelement, and control means associated with said power cylinder and arranged'to direct air to said cylinder to eiect the upward movement of said spout to bag clamping position, and arranged to bleed air from said power-cylinder to allow said spout'to gravitate away from said `clamping element.

` 8. ln an apparatus for filling a bag h aving an inlet opening adjacent the upper end of the bag, the combination of a bag support seat arranged to receive the bottom of a bag to be lled, a iilling spout disposed above the bag support seat and arranged to be received within the inlet'opening at the upper end of a hagenl said seat, supporting means pivotally mounting said "filling spout for pivotal movement from a substantially 'hori- Vzontal bag filling position to a downwardly inclined'bag Areleasing position, a `control valve disposed at the inlet end of said spout and arranged to control iiow' of material into the spout, actuating means arranged to move said valve between a position stopping ow of material into said'spout to a position permitting the flow of material into said spout, power cylinders operatively connected to said spout mounting means and to said valve actuating means, conduit -means Iarranged to communicate each power cylinder with a source of Huid under pressure, a master valve disposed in said conduit means and arranged to control iiow -of uid through said conduit means, and control means loperably connected `to said master valve and arranged to move 'saidfmaster valve to one setting wherein vthe power cylinder connected to said control valve actuating means is energized 12 to open said -con'trolvalve and allow material to flow into the `filling spout and wherein the power cylinder connected to said "spout mounting means is energizedto pivot said spout'to said substantially horizontal bag iil1- ing position.

9. In an apparatus for filling a bag vof the type that has an inletvalve at the upper end thereof, the combination of a scale having a pivotal balance beam, a support structure pivotally mounted on the balance beam of said scale, a stationary clamp mounted Von said support structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, a lling spout pivotally mounted on the support structure below said stationary clamp, said spout being arranged to be received within the valve of a |bag to be iilled andto f be pivoted from an upper position closely adjacent said vspout to said upper bag clamping position and arranged upon being deenergized to permit said spout to pivot to said bag release position, a iiuid pressure system for supplying iluid under pressure to said power means, a control member in said system and disposed to be actuated by said balance beam after a predetermined pivotal movement of the beam to deenergize said power means whereby said filling spout is pivoted away from the stationary clamp into the bag releasing positionto thereafter allow the bag to fall free of the lilling'spout.

10. In an apparatus for filling a bag of the type which has a tubular inlet valve adjacent its upper end, the combination of a support structure, a stationary clamping element projecting outwardly from said stru-cture,'a filling spout` mounted on said support structure for pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal bag tilling position closely adjacent to and below said clamping element to a downwardly inclined bag release position, said spout being receivable within the tubular inlet valve 0f the bag, an actuating linkage connected to saidpivotal spout for pivoting the same, power means arranged to actuate said linkage when energized, an intiatablev bag seal disposed closely around said spout between-'said spout and the inner surface of the tubular inletfbag valve on said spout, said seal being arranged upon 'being inated to sealingly contact the inner surface of thefinlet valve and when deflated tobe loosely disposedminfthe valve, a conduit for supplying air under pressure to said inflatable seal, a valve in said conduit arranged-tobe moved between open and closed positions to control-'fthe ow ofair through the conduit, contro-l means `operatively associated with said power means and with-said Valve and arranged to open said valve and energize said powerY means to substantially simultaneously inate said Ibag seal and swing said spout upwardly to bag filling position to clamp the bag between the spout and said clamping element.

1l. An apparatus according to claim l0 wherein said control means is operatively associated with said'power means and with said valve to dee'nergize said power means and close said valve to substantially simultaneous- 1y pivotsaid spout to the downwardly inclinedbagro lease position and release pressurized air from said'bag seal.

12. in an apparatus for iilling a bag of the type which has a tubular inlet valve adjacent the upper end of the bag, the combination of a vertical support member,`a bagseat secured to the lower end of said support member and projecting outwardly therefrom to receivethe bottom of abag to be filled, a filling spout pivotally mounted on said vertical support member directly above said bag seat and'adapted to -be received within the tubular inletvalve of a bag on said seat, an actuating linkage connected to said spout and arranged upon being actuated to pivot said spout between a downwardly inclined position and a substantially horizontal bag filling position, a first power cylinder operatively connected to said actuating linkage, a flexible conduit communicating with the inlet end of said filling spout for directing material into said spout, a pincher valve mechanism operatively associated with said flexible conduit, a lever system connected to said pincher valve and arranged upon being actuated to move the valve from a closed position in flow restricting pinching engagement with said flexible conduit to an open position wherein the valve is substantially disengaged from said flexible co-nduit, a generally tubular iniiatable bag seal disposed around said filling spout between said spout and the inner surface of the tubular inlet valve of the lbag, a conduit communicating said bag seal with a source of pressurized fluid, a flow control valve disposed in said conduit and movable between open and closed positions to control flow of fluid through the conduit, and control means operatively associated with said spout actuating linkage, said pincher valve lever system, and said flow control Valve and arranged to actuate said linkage, said lever system and said valve to predetermined positions to effect the substantially simultaneous upward swinging of said spout to the bag filling position, the movement of said pincher valve to open position, and the inflation of said bag seal.

13. A bag filling apparatus comprising a support structure, a supply tank mounted on said support structure on the upper portion thereof, a scale mounted on the support structure disposed below said supply tank and having a balance beam projecting forwardly from said support structure, a vertically extending column pivotally mounted on said balance beam, a pivotal guide linkage connected between said column and said support structure and arranged to limit lateral movement of said column, a bracket mounted for vertical adjustment on the lower portion of said column and projecting forwardly therefrom, a support seat pivotally mounted on said bracket for pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal position to a position inclined downwardly in a direction away from said column, a vertically adjustable member mounted on said seat and disposed adjacent said column and projecting upwardly from said seat, a back rest secured on the upper portion of said vertically adjustable member, a filling spout bracket pivotally mounted at its lower end on said column adjacent the upper end thereof, a bar at the upper end of said filling spout bracket and having its axis parallel to the pivotal axis of said filling spout bracket, a filling spout mounted on said filling spout bracket and projecting forwardly therefrom over said bag support seat, a stationary clamping structure adjustably mounted on the upper portion of said column and disposed immediately adjacent and above said filling spout, a pneumatic power cylinder mounted on said clamping structure and disposed adjacent the bar at the upper end of said bracket, a plunger movable in said cylinder and arranged to be forced outwardly of the cylinder when the cylinder is energized to contact said bracket bar and pivot said spout to a position adjacent said stationary clamping structure, a fiexible tube connected between said supply tank and said filling spout whereby to direct material from said supply tank into said filling spout, a pincher valve mounted on said support structure adjacent the upper end thereof and including pinching elements disposed above and below said flexible tube, said valve being arranged when actuated to collapse said tube to block the fiow of material therethrough, and pneumatic means associated with said pincher valve and said pneumatic power cylinder for directing pressurized air to said valve and to said power cylinder.

14. In an apparatus for filling a bag of the type having an inlet opening adjacent the upper end, the combination of a bag support seat mounted for pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal bag supporting position to a downwardly inclined bag discharge position and arranged to receive the bottom of a bag to bev filled, a bag back rest rigid with and positioned above said seat and arranged to engage the upper portion of a bag supported on said seat and for maintaining the bag in a Vertical position, a filling spout disposed above the bag support seat and said bag back rest and arranged to be received within the inlet opening of a bag disposed on said seat, clamp means mounted adjacent to and above said filling spout for clamping the bag against said spout, and means for releasing said bag from said bag clamping means, said bag support seat being arranged to pivot to the bag discharge position simultaneously with the release of said bag from the filling spout whereby said bag back rest is caused to pivotally .sweep past said filling spout to aid in the withdrawal of the filling spout from within the bag inlet opening.

15. In an apparatus for filling a bag of the type having an inlet opening adjacent the upper end, the combination of a bag support seat mounted for pivotal movement fro-m a substantially horizontal bag supporting position to a downwardly inclined bag discharge position and arranged to receive the bottom surface of a bag to Ibe filled, a bag back rest rigid with and positioned above said seat and arranged to engage the upper portion of a bag supported on said seat, a filling spout disposed above the bag support seat and said bag back rest and arranged to be received within the inlet opening at the upper end of a bag disposed on said seat, a stationary clamp member mounted above the filling spout, and means pivotally mounting said filling spout for movement from a downwardly inclined bag releasing position to a substantially horizontal bag clamping position closely adjacent said clamp member whereby the portion of the bag above said inlet opening is clamped between said stationary clamp and said filling spout, said .bag support seat being arranged to pivot to the bag discharge position simultaneously as said filling spout is pivoted to the bag releasing position whereby said bag back rest is caused to sweep past said filling spout to aid in the withdrawal of the filling spout from within the bag inlet opening.

16. In an apparatus for filling bags with liuids or fluidized solids the combination of a column, a filling spout pivotally mounted on said column and projecting outwardly therefrom and arranged to be received within the inlet valve of a bag, a clamping element secured to said column and disposed directly above said filling spout, an actuating mechanism for pivoting said spout, power means supported by said column and operatlvely associated with said actuating mechanism to pivot said filling spout upwardly toward said clamping structure when actuated whereby to clamp the inlet valve of a bag on said spout between said spout and said clampmg element, and control means associated with said power means and arranged to actuate said power means to effect the rapid upward movement of said spout to bag clamping position, and thereafter arranged to deactivate said power means to allow said spout to slowly gravitate away from said clamping element.

17. In an apparatus for filling a Ibag having an inlet opening adjacent its upper end, the combination of a bag support seat arranged toreceive in supporting relation the bottom of a bag to be filled, means mounting said seat for pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal bag supporting position to a downwardly inclined bag discharge position, a filling spout disposed above the bag support seat and arranged to be received within the inlet opening at the upper end of a bag disposed on said seat, clamping means disposed above and closely adjacent said flling spout, means pivotally mounting said filling spout for movement from a substantially horizongeef-5,484

l tal bag filling and clamping position toa downwardly inclined bag releasing position, and control means operatively connected to said spout mounting means and arranged to release said spout for downward pivoting movement prior to the downward pivoting movement of said bag support seat.

Referen'ces'Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Peterson Aug. 11, r1931 Carter June 27, 1950 Carter Oct. 11, 1955

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