US3485421A - Method and apparatus for turning and lining bags - Google Patents

Description

R. J- BROWN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS Filed April 10, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROY J. BROWN ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FORTURNING AND LINING BAGS Dec. 23, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1968 INVENTOR. ROY J. BROWN ATTORNEY R- J. BRQWN Dec. 23, 1969 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 10, 1968 FIG.6

ATTORN EY Dec. 23. 1969 R. J. naw 3,485,421

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS Filed April 10, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 (9 INVENTOR.

E ROY J. BROWN ATTO R N EY Dec. 23, 1969 J. a owN 3,485,421

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS Filed April 10, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY Wmb/M ATTORNEY United States Patent U.S. Cl. 22340 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus and method is provided which receives a first bay having a closed end an an open end and which is initially turned inside out and reverses this outer first bag so that it is turned right side in and substantially simultaneously with the reversing process lines the outer first bag by inserting a second bag within the first bag.

Apparatus includes a table on which are supported a plurality of outer bags turned inside out and a supporting finger structure on which an individual bag is mounted so that the open end thereof is distended. An elongated ram generally extending in the same direction as the bag in its supported position is arranged to engage one side of the bag adjacent its open end and by relative movement with respect to the support structure turn the outer bag right side in. The ram is provided with a gripping head adapted to grip the closed end of a liner or second bag and carry it into the interior of the outer bag during the turning process.

Prior to completion of the turning process spray heads are activated to deposit a coating of adhesive on an inside surface portion of the outer bag so that when it is reversed and turned right side in, the adhesive will form a bond between the inner and outer bags. Upon completion of the turning and insertion process, a discharge mechanism in the form of a plurality of rapidly rotating belts is arranged to receive and discharge the bag-in-bag assembly. Conventional means are utilized in conjunction with the discharge mechanism to receive the completed bag-in-bag assemblies and stack them on a suitable conveyor.

Background of invention Bags of various types and sizes are used for many different purposes. Thus, bags fabricated from fabric have been utilized for the purpose of bagging many types of products, including foodstuffs, where exposure to the ambient atmosphere is desirable or at least not detrimental. Such fabric bags have been found to be resilient and strong, and relatively economical to manufacture. In proportion totheir weight, such fabric bags have a definite advantage in terms of strength over other types of bags.

For commodities that are sensitive to moisture and light, bags have been fabricated from other materials such as polyethylene sheet, a synthetic resinous material sold under the trademark Mylar, and have been manufactured either transparent or more or less opaque. The disadvantage with this type bag when used by itself is that its strength characteristics leave much to be desired in that tension imposed on unions between separate layers of the bag tend to rupture the bag and sharp points on commodities bagged tend to puncture the bags. These disadvantages have been obviated to some extent by inserting such synthetic resinous bags within fabric bags, but such insertion process has ordinarily required hand operations that are costly in labor and time. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for producing a bag-in-bag assembly.

3,485,421 Patented Dec. 23, 1969 "ice For ease and economy of manufacture, fabric bags are normally manufactured by laying a folded piece or strip of fabric together and sewing the peripheral edges thereof, leaving one peripheral edge unsewed to form the open end of the bag. As thus sewn, it is obvious that the bag is in an inside-out condition. The problem, therefore, exists of reversing the bag or turning it so that the bag is right side out, in which latter condition the portion of the material beyond the stitching around the peripheral edges lies inside the bag, thus providing a neat and finished appearance to the fabric bag. A machine for automatically effecting such turning of fabric bags is illustrated and described in United States Patent No. 2,295,940. However, efficient automatic machinery for effecting the insertion of one bag within another while substantially simultaneously turning the outside bag so that it is right side in its not believed to exist, and such a machine is useful in many industries. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which automatically reverses inside-out fabric bags and substantially simultaneously inserts a second bag into the first bag to form an imprevious liner therewithin.

Just as fabric bags are economically fabricated from a folded strip of farbric laid one upon the other and approporiately stitched, so bags fabricated from impervious synthetic resinous films are also manufactured so that a series of bags are connected end-to-endl with appropriate perforations positioned to permit tearing of one bag from the next adjacent bag by the mere application of tension to the perforated section of the bag. Such bags are normally arranged into a continuous roll which when supported upon a convenient mandrel permits removal of one or more bags at will. It is therefore a still further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for feeding impervious type bags arranged in a continuous strip and supported in the form of a roll into fabric type bags initially arranged with the inside out, with insertion of the impervious bag proceeding simultaneous with the reversal of the fabric bag.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be obvious from the following description and the drawings. It is to be understood however that the invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated and described, as it may be embodied in different forms within the scope of the appended claims.

Summary of invention In terms of broad inclusion, the method and apparatus for turning and lining bags includes a housing including a framework to support driving mechanisms, a structure for supporting a stack of inside-out oriented fabric bags, a mechanical back-turning mechanism including support fingers for supporting a fabric bag with its open end distended, and a ram movable in a predetermined timed sequence to impinge against the supported fabric bag so as to draw the closed end of the bag through the distended open end thereof, means on the ram including gripper heads for gripping and carrying a second bag into the fabric bag simultaneous with reversal of the fabric bag so as to form a bag-in-bag assembly, a bag-discharging mechanism including means for receiving the bag-inbag assembly from the ram, and an automatic stacking mechanism for delivery and orientation of the completed bags upon an appropriate conveyor.

Brief description of drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the complete apparatus upon which completed bag-in-bag assemblies are stacked.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a gripping head.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the gripping heads illustrated in FIG. 2 taken in the plane indicated by the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the manner of attachment of the outer bag, and the relationship of the ram head and impervious bag with respect to the distended open end of the outer bag just prior to initiation of the bag turning and lining process.

' FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the ram advanced approximately midway during the turning and lining process.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the relationship between the outer bag, the inner bag and the ram that carries the inner bag into the outer bag upon completion of the turning and the lining process.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus that includes the drive mechanism, the outer housing being broken away to disclose the underlying structure and to reduce the overall length.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plane view illustrating the ram assembly in retracted position.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic view in side elevation of a modified delivery mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary schematic view in plan of the modified delivery mechanism illustrated in FIG. 11.

Description of preferred embodiment In terms of greater detail, the method and apparatus of the invention comprises a housing designated generally by the numeral 2, including a main portion 3, and a rearwardly extending portion 4. The main housing portion is porvided with side walls 6 and 7, joined at their forward edges by front wall 8, and joined at their rear edges by rear wall 9. The upper ends of the side, front and rear walls are closed by top wall sections 12 and 13, the wall portion 12 being substantially horizontal and parallel with respect to the supporting surface on which the machine is mounted, while the wall section 13 is inclined with respect to the horizontal and forms a continuation of top wall portion of the rearwardly extending housing portion 4.

The apparatus is provided with a bag-turning mechanism designated generally by the numeral 16, including a bag-holding mechanism designated generaly by the numeral 17, and an elongated ram assembly designated generally by the numeral 18. In FIG. 2, the ram heads are shown in extended position in dash lines.

Adjacent the right-hand end of the ram as illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 2, is appropriately positioned a bag delivery mechanism designated generally by the numeral 19, which functions to receive the bag from the ram after the bag-in-bag assembly has been completed, and deliver the completed bag to a discharge mechanism designated generally by the numeral 21, including a fiyrod mechanism hereinafter explained in greater detail and a conveyor structure designated generally by the numeral 22 and upon which the completed bags are stacked.

The bag-turning mechanism, including the bag-holding device and ram, together with the bag delivery mechanism and discharge mechanism, operate in timed sequence and are driven by an appropriate drive mechanism here designated generally by the numeral 23 (see FIG. 9) and enclosed within the main portion 3 of the support housmg.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag-turning mechanism 16 is provided with a pair of spaced fingers or bag supporting plates 26 over which the open end of a bag 27 is distended. Appropriate mechanism within a support frame 28 effects raising and lowering of the spaced plates 26 in a predetermined timed relation to operation of the ram 18 nd he drive mech nism 23 to permit application of the open end of the fabric bag over the spaced plates when in raised position. As the plates 26 are translated to their lower position as illustrated in FIG. 1, they move outwardly to impose tension on the open end of the bag to effect a distended condition thereof. To accommodate bags of different width, or to increase or decrease the tension imposed on the bags, the bag-turning mechanism may be adjusted through manipulation of a handle 29 seen in FIG. 2.

Mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on the housing extension 4, and more specifically supported on the top surface 13 thereof, is the ram assembly designated generally by the numeral 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the ram assembly 18 includes front and rear bearing blocks 32 and 33, respectively, rigidly fixed to top wall 13. The bearing blocks are positioned adjacent opposite ends of the top wall, and are interconnected to each other by an elongated slide shaft 34 that functions as a suport and slide journal for a cross-head 35.

The cross'head 35 is tubular in cross-section and fits snugly around the slide shaft 34 in the manner of a sleeve. At each opposite end the cross-head sleeve is provided with oppositely extending cam extensions 36 and 37, respectively. The cam extension 36 is positioned to actuate a micro-switch 38 when the cross-head sleeve is in its rearmost position, while the cam extension 37 actuates a micro-switch 39 when the cross-head sleeve is in its forwardmost position. Micro-switches 38 and 39 control the performance of certain functions as will hereinafter be explained.

Forming an integral part of the cross-head sleeve is a tubular bearing member 41, the central axis of which extends perpendicular to the axis of the cross-head sleeve. The tubular bearing member supports a cross-shaft that extends transversely across the top wall 13 On the opposite sides of the tubular bearing member in stub shaft portions 43 and 44. It will thus be seen that as the cross-head sleeve reciprocates along the shaft 34, it carries the cross shaft with it for cooperation with related structure in a manner to be explained.

In addition to supporting shaft 34, bearing blocks 32 and 33 also support spindles 46 and 47, respectively, the outer ends of which are rotatably supported in appropriate bearings 48. Between the centrally disposed bearing blocks 32 and 33, the opposite ends of the spindles are threaded in an opposite sense, as shown Threadedly engaging and supporting on spindle 46 on opposite sides of bearing blocks 33 are rear journal blocks 49 and 51, pivotally connected to and supporting the associated ends 52 and 53 of a pair of laterally spaced guide rods 54 and 56, respectively.

The opposite ends of guide rods 54 and 56 are fixed rigidly to clevises 57 and 58, respectively, which are in turn pivotally connected, respectively, to front journal blocks 59 and 61 threadedly engaging and supported on the spindle 47, which, like spindle 46, is threaded in an opposite sense on opposite sides of bearing block 32. Handles 62 and 63 are provided to effect selective rotation of the spindles 46 and 47, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 10, it will be seen that rotation of handles 62 or 63 to effect rotation of spindles 46 and 47 will effect equal and corresponding lateral translation of the bearing blocks 49-51 and 59-61. Such independent lateral translation is of course useful in varying the angular disposition of each of guide rods 54 and 56, with respect to the centrally disposed slide shaft 34.

Slidably supported on guide rods 54 and 56 are ram guide sleeves 66 and 67, respectively, each of which is provided with a vertically extending pivot pin 68 upon which are journaled sleeve-like journal bearings 69 and 71, slidably engaging stub shaft portions 43 and 44, respectively.

From the foregoing it will be clear that as the handles 62 and 63 are manipulated to vary the angular disposition of guide rods 54 and 56 with respect to slide shaft 34, the pivotal interconnection between journal bearings 69- 71 and ram guide sleeves 66 and 67 is maintained for all selected positions. Concomitantly, as the ram guide sleeves are reciprocated on their respective guide rods by recipro cation of the cross-head, the ram guide sleeves are permitted to move toward and away from the slide shaft 34 because of the slidable interconnection of journal sleeves 6971 on stub shaft portions 43-44.

Fixed to the forward ends of ram guide sleeves 66 and 67 are ram support plates 72, each of which supports a separate ram structure, each designated generally by the numeral 73. Each ram structure includes a pair of spaced parallel rods 74 fixed at one end on the ram support plate and extending forwardly therefrom in cantilever fashion. At their free ends spaced rods 74 are rigidly secured to a ram head 76.

Since the rods 74 and ram head 76 are carried by the ram guide sleeves, they reciprocate with the ram guide sleeves between a retracted position (FIG. 6) and a fully extended position (FIG. 8). To lend a measure of support to the ram structure during such reciprocation, the rods 74 pass through a box-like bracket 77 mounted on each of the forward bearing blocks 5961. Each of the brackets is provided with a roller 78 impinging against one of the associated rods 74 so as to function as a rotatable abutment or guide.

As shown best in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the ram head is adapted to impinge upon the bag 27 in the manner illust ated in FIG. 1, to project the bottom side of the bag through the open end thereof held in distended position by the spaced plates 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ram head comprises a rigid body section 81 along one edge of which is rotatably journaled a gripping thumb 82. Pivotal rotation of the gripping thumb is effected by longitudinal displacement of an appropriate actuating rod 83 disposed between the longitudinally extending spaced rods 74. The actuating rod is preferably controlled through a solenoid 84 mounted on plate 72, and energized by actuating of micro-switch 38 to clamp the thumb in the position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this position of the thumb, when the ram head is fully retracted, the thumb will have gripped a polyethylene bag (FIGS. 1, 7 and 8) to effect insertion of the polyethylene bag inside the outer fabric bag.

As seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, appropriate longitudinal displacement of the control rod 83 will effect rotation of the gripping thumb to bring the gripping thumb into or out of gripping relation upon the edge portion of a polyethylene or other impervious type bag 86 positioned thereunder. With the impervious type bag gripped by the gripping thumb, it is clear that actuation of the ram assem bly to effect longitudinal displacement of the ram heads to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 will effect turning of the outer bag 27 right side in, and will draw the impervious bag gripped by the gripping thumb along with the ram heads.

In the operation of the machine the closed end of the impervious type inner bag or liner 86, which may conveniently be fabricated from polyethylene film, is attached or positioned under the gripping thumb 82 by an operator at an appropriate time in relation to the position of the ram head. In general, the polyethylene liner is first gripped by the gripping thumb, and then a fabric bag is mounted on the spaced plates 26. This relationship of the fabric bag when mounted on the plates, the ram heads, and the impervious bag is illustrated best in FIG. 6 with the parts in position just prior to activation of the ram assembly to effect turning of the first or outer bag 27 and insertion of the impervious bag 86 or liner thereinto. I

For proper orientation of the outside or fabric bag on the spaced plates 26, it is desirable that a supporting surface be provided which will suport the fabric bag in extended form as illustrated best in FIGS. 1 and 6.

For this purpose, a hollow framework having a top surface 91 is provided upon which each fabric bag 27 may be laid while the open end thereof is being placed upon the speed plates 26. The framework is preferably in the form of an elongated hollow channel the interior 92 of which provides a passageway through which may be drawn the impervious bag 86. As previously discussed, the impervious bag is preferably one of a series of interconnected polyethylene bags which are adapted to be drawn through the passageway 92 after passing over a guide pulley 93 (FIG. 1) positioned on the framework so as to change the direction of the series of polyethylene bags from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

From the guide pulley 93, a series of polyethylene bags extend downwardly into a hollow container 94 in which a number of bags are loosely contained, and from which they are withdrawn by tension applied to the end of the series of bags by the gripping thumb 82. A quantity of the polyethylene bags are deposited in the container 94 from a roll 96 appropriately supported on a pair of rollers 97 and 98. The roller 98 may appropriately be connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) which may selectively be operated to deposit :a number of bags within the container.

It will thus be seen that activation of the driving mechanism 23 illustrated best in FIG. 9, will effect longitudinal translation of the ram assembly 18 with the ram head 76 on the end thereof and to which, through the use of gripping thumb 82, the first of a series of impervious polyethylene bags is attached. Preferably, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 10, there are a pair of ram heads spaced so that the polyethylene bag may be gripped at each opposite corner and drawn evenly into the outer bag. Once activated, the ram progresses forwardly, imposing tension on the polyethylene bag and pulling the series of bags forwardly through the passageway 92, and simul taneously causes the lower reach or side 10 1 of the outer or fabric bag to be drawn inwardly through the open end of the bag as illustrated best in FIG. 7. At the same time, the end of the bag that lies extended upon the surface 91 moves forwardly toward the bag-turning mechanism by virtue of the fact that the side 101 of the bag is being projected forwardly toward the bag delivery mechanism 19.

Referring to FIG. 9, the ram is projected forwardly through the utilization of appropriate linkage extending between the cross-head 35 and a gear quadrant 102 mounted on shaft 103 appropriately reciprocated in oposite directions in predetermined timed sequence by a rack 104. The rack in turn is pivotally mounted on a flywheel 106 journaled on a shaft 107, with rotation of the flywheel being effected by an appropriate drive means such as an electric motor (not shown).

Rotation of the flywheel 106 also elfects raising and lowering of the spaced plates 26 through appropriate linkage 108, 109, 112 and 113, as shown best in FIG. 9. Likewise, link 114 pivoted at one end on the quadrant 102 and at its other end pivotally connected to a crank lever 116 which in turn is fixedly attached to a shaft 117, effects rotation of cam plate 118 which controls displacement of cam follower 119. The cam follower is preferably diamond-shaped, with one apex pivoted as at 1.21, andtan adjacent apex supporting cam roller 122. The cam roller 122 operates on cam surface 123. and displacement of the cam follower effects longitudinal displace ment of the connecting rod 124 connected to the apex of the cam follower opposite apex 121. Pivotal movement of the cam follower is resiliently restricted by the compression spring 126.

It is desirable that the spaced plates 26 impose a predetermined amount of tension upon a bag placed thereon to retain the open end of the bag in distended condition. The link 114, cam plate 118, cam follower 119, cam roller 122 and connecting rod 124 cooperate one with the other to insure that the tension may be adjusted appropriately to accommodate bags of different Width. To this end, the upper end of the connecting rod 124 is pivoted intermediate the ends of an indexing quadrant 127. One of the quadrant is provided with a stub shaft 128 and the other end is provided with a series of apertures 12'9 bearing in sequence the indices 130 constituting the numerals 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

The apertures are adapted to receive a pin 131 fixed in the end of a plunger 132, the other end of which extends into a tube 133. A spring (not shown) contained within the tube impinges against the plunger to produce a rotative moment about the upper end of the connecting rod, and thus exert more or less pressure against a tension beam 134 adapted to move up 'and down within a slot 136 formed in frame 28. The tension beam controls the amount of tension to be applied to a bag of any given width.

Adjustment of the mechanism is effected with a fabric bag draped upon the spaced plates 26 when the plates are in their lowermost position. To effect adjustment, the handle 29 is rotated until the plates 26 hold the open end of the bag in distended position and until a pad 137 on the tension beam just touches the stub shaft 128. The length of the connecting rod 124 is then adjusted by appropriate adjustment of a threaded member 138 until all of the apertures 130 lie equidistant from the pivot point 139 of tube 133.

With the parts adjusted as described, tension on a given bag may be increased or decreased by pivotal move ment of the tube 133 to place the indexing pin 131 in an aperture 130 having a smaller or larger index number. When increased tension is required, as for heavier bags, the pin is set in a higher numbered aperture. For very light bags, requiring less tension, the pin is set in a lower numbered aperture. The index pin should preferably be set in the lowest numbered aperture that will provide the minimum tension required to just prevent the bag from slipping off the spaced plates 26 before the bag is fully turned.

Fabric bags are manufactured in different lengths. For instance, bags may be manufactured having a length of 26, 30, 36, 40 and 45 inches. In order to accommodate bags of these different lengths, and in order to insure that the open end of the bag draped over the spaced plates 26 is released by release of the tension holding the plates 26 in distended position just prior to or coincident with the ram head reaching its outermost position, the cam plate 118 is provided with a plurality of embossed indices as indicated, designating the different lengths of bags noted. Thus, in the illustration, with the cam set opposite the numeral 40, the mechanism is set to handle bags having a length of 40 inches, and the tension on spaced plates 26 will be released by the tension beam 134 just prior to or coincident with the ram head reaching the end of its travel. In this manner, the open end of the bag Will slide off the spaced plates freely instead of being pulled therefrom under tension with the attendant danger of ripping or shredding the open end of the bag. This position of the parts is illustrated best in FIG. 8.

To insure that the liner or impervious second bag 86 remains in proper position within the outer bag 27, means are provided on the apparatus for depositing a layer of adhesive on the inside surface of the outer bag before the outer bag is released by the spaced plates 26. For this purpose, as illustrated best in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of spray heads 141 are mounted on opposite sides of the open end of the bag as it lies draped on the spaced plates 26. The spray heads are connected by suitable conduits (not shown) to a supply of adhesive, and activation of the spray heads is timed to occur just prior to withdrawal of the draped open end of the bag from the spaced plates 26.

It will of course be understood that the bag-turning process is a continuous process, and the elapsed time between substantially complete turning of the outer bag 27, as illustrated in FIG. 8, and withdrawal of the turnedback open edges of bag is only a matter of a few seconds. During this extremely short interval the spray heads are activated to deposit a predetermined amount of adhesive on the inner surface of the bag adjacent its open end so that when the bag is completely turned the adhesivecoated surface of the outer bag lies next adjacent the polyethylene liner contained therewithin.

Inasmuch as the polyethylene or other impervious liners constitute bags the opposite ends of which are connected in a continuous series, bag gripping means 142 are provided associated with the passageway 92 and the polyethylene bags moving therethrough to grip the polyethylene strip of bags so as to impose tension on an appropriate line of perforations defining the extremities of one bag from the next adjacent bag. The bag gripper mechanism 142 is likewise adapted to be operated in timed sequence with application of the adhesive so that complete turning of the outer bag and removal of the open end thereof from spaced plates 26 and separation of the inserted bag from the next succeeding bag occur substantially simultaneously. Any suitable linkage (not shown) may be connected to the bag gripping mechanism to effect actuation thereof.

In the present instance the gripper head 142 is movably disposed on a shaft 143 adapted to move upwardly in response to abutment by a projecting lug 144 on the cross-head 35. In this manner, inasmuch as the length of the ram assembly is fixed, and since the extent of Iongitudinal displacement thereof is also fixed, a predetermined displacement of the ram assembly will effect upward movement of the gripping head 142 to lock the strip of polyethylene bags against further movement.

If desired, the parts may be proportioned so that the griping head retains the strip of polyethylene bags gripped while the bag delivery mechanism removes the completed bag-in-bag assembly from the ram assembly. In this aspect of the invention, it may be desirable that the polyethylene bag gripper assembly retain the strip of polyethylene bags gripped While the delivery mechanism imposes tension on the bag-in-bag assembly to effect separation of the inner bag from the next succeeding bag.

With the ram assembly at its outermost position as indicated in dash lines in FIG. 2, the delivery mechanism 19 is arranged to frictionally engage the surfaces of the outer bag and draw the completed bag-in-bag assembly from the ram assembly and carry the bag downwardly into position for the flyrod assembly 21 to deposit the completed bag-in-bag assembly on conveyor 22.

In general, and in the interest of brevity, the delivery mechanism 19 may be similar to the corresponding mechanism illustrated and described in United States Patent 2,295,940. In the instant apparatus, as shown best in FIG. 9, means have been added to the delivery mechanism to effect a counting function as completed bag-in-bag assemblies are drawn through the delivery mechanism. For this purpose, a beam 146 is provided pivoted at one end on the frame 28 and at its other end pivoted to the actuating arm 147 of a counter 148.

Axial displacement of the beam and consequent pivotal move-ment of the actuating arm of the counter is effected by pivotal movement of a lever 149' in response to rotative movement of cam plate 118. As shown best in FIG. 9, rotation of the cam plate effects transverse pivotal movement of lever 149 about a pivot point 151. Such pivotal movement results in the upper free end of the lever 149 abutting lug 152 fixed on beam 146. Thus, with every actuation of the ram assembly to produce a bag-in-bag assembly, and the subsequent drawing of the bag-in-bag assembly through the delivery mechanism 19, the counter will be actuated and record the fact that a bag-in-bag assembly has been completed and drawn through the apparatus.

In some circumstances it may be desirable to draw a specific number of bags through the delivery mechanism before the flyrod mechanism 21 is activated. When this is the case, the delivery mechanism 19 is provided with a ratchet 153 provided with a channel 154 cooperating with the actuating button 156 of a micro-switch 157. The ratchet is driven by a pawl 158 arranged to engage appropriate teeth on the ratchet and advance the ratchet wheel a predetermined increment every time a bag is drawn through the delivery mechanism. The channel 154 is proportioned in length to permit the passage of a predetermined number of bags before the micro-switch is actuated. Such actuation of the micro-switch may be utilized through an appropriate cable 159 to activate the flyrod assembly 21 and conveyor 22.

As indicated above, the delivery mechanism 19 may be of a type corresponding to the delivery mechanism illustrated in Patent 2,295,940, or it may be of modified design as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, to be explained hereinafter in greater detail. The delivery mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9 includes pulleys 161 and 162 over which is trained an endless belt 163. One reach of the endless belt is caused to impinge upon the outer periphery of a second endless belt 164 trained around a main drive pulley 166 driven by pulley 167, which in turn is driven from an appropriate motor pulley not shown. A suitable fixed framework 168 supports the pulley and belt assembly.

The closed end of the bag-in-bag assembly is delivered by the ram head into the bight between the endless belts 163 and 164 until frictional engagement of the belts on opposite sides of the bag-in-bag assembly cause the bag-inbag assembly to be drawn between the belts and E of the ram assembly. Continued rotation of the belts carry the bag-in-bag assembly through the delivery mechanism and deposit the bag-in-bag assembly on the fiyrod assembly 21. Tension of the main belt connecting the drive motor with pulley 167 is adjusted through adjustment mechanism 169 in the manner taught in United States Patent 2,295,940.

In the embodiment of the delivery mechanism illustrated schematically in FIGS. 11 and 12, the use of endless belts has been dispensed with in favor of a pair of primary take-off rollers 171 and 172, secured for rotation with shafts 173 and 174 which are appropriately journaled on framework 168. The primary take-ofi rollers work in conjunction with two spaced pairs 176 and 177 of secondary take-.oif rollers 178-179 and 181-182, respectively. The pairs of secondary rollers 176 and 177 are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the top surface 12 of the apparatus, supported on drive shafts 183 and 184, while the pair of primaiy rollers are positioned midway between the opposite sides as shown.

' In relation to the secondary rollers, it will be noted that the primary rollers are positioned to engage a bag-ln-oag assembly midway between its sides, while the secondary rollers grip the bag-in-bag assembly along its side portions. In point of time, the primary rollers engage the bag-in-bag assembly prior to its engagement by the secondary rollers.

To drive the delivery mechanism, a motor (not shown) drives pulley 186 on primary roller 172 through belt 187. The drive speed of the motor and peripheral velocity of the roller 172 are selected to match velocity of advancement of the bag-in-bag assembly by the ram, thus insuring a wrinkle-free bag-in-bag assembly. It will thus be seen that when the closed end of the bag-in-bag assembly is presented to the secondary pairs of rollers 176 and 177, the bag-in-bag assembly will be fully engaged by the primary roller and will be presented to the secondary roller in a flat condition.

The pairs of secondary rollers are smaller in diameter than the primary rollers, yet the secondary rollers must revolve at a rate compatible with the rate of advancement of the bag-in-bag assembly to insure a wrinkle-free bag-inbag assembly. The pairs of secondary rollers are driven at the proper speed and in the proper direction by a belt 188 extending around pulley 189 on shaft 184. Primary drive roller 171 is driven in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 11, by frictional engagement with the periphery of primray roller 172. To enhance such frictional drive, the primary rollers may be knurled or provided with a tire formed fom a mateial having enhanced frictional characteristics. Secondary rollers 179 and 182 are driven, in the same manner, by frictional engagement of their adjacent peripheral surfaces with the driving secondary rollers 178-181. From the secondary rollers the completed bag-in-bag assemblies are deposited as before on appropriate fiyrod means 21 working in conjunction with the conveyor 22.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a method and apparatus is provided which quickly and economically produces a bag-in-bag assembly in which the inner bag or impervious liner for the outer bag is adhesively retained within the outer bag. In most instances, the outer bag will be formed from an appropriate woven fabric. To a greater extent, all of the functions of the machine are carried out in a timed sequence, with the only functions to be performed by an operator being the placement of the polyethylene bag under the gripping thumb 82, and placement of the open end of the outer fabric bag on the spaced plates 26. With the machine in continuous operation, the operator then times his movements with the timing sequence of the machine so that the entire operation is carried out without interruption.

The details of the structure described can be modified from that specifically shown and described herein, and, accordingly, the foregoing description is not to be construed in a limiting sense, and the actual scope of the invention is to be in accordance with the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim as new and wish to protect by letters Patent is:

I claim:

1. In apparatus for turning a first bag normally having open and closed ends and inside and outside surfaces that are initially oriented so that the inside surface is out and the outside surface is in while simultaneously inserting a second bag into the first bag, the combination comprising:

(a) means for holding the first bag so that the open end thereof is distended;

(b) means for projecting the closed end of the first bag through the open end thereof while the open is held distended so as to turn the bag right side out; and

(0) means for inserting a second bag into the first bag simultaneous with projection of the closed end of the first bag through the open end thereof to produce a bag-in-bag assembly.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided for applying adhesive to an inside surface portion of the first bag in timed relation to said means for projecting the closed end of the first bag through the open end thereof so that when the second bag is fully inserted in the first bag a portion of the second bag is placed in contact with the adhesive.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided to remove the bag-in-bag assembly from the first bag holding means in timed relation to completion of said bag-in-bag assembly.

4. The combination according to claim 1, in which said means for inserting the second bag into the first bag includes a grip head operable to grip the closed end of the second bag and place it in association with the closed end of the first bag after the closed end of the first bag has been projected through the open and distended end thereof.

5. The combination according to claim 1, in which said means for projecting the closed end of the first bag through the open end thereof includes an elongated rain having a head thereon adapted to project through the bag holding means and carry the closed end of the first bag therethrough, and said means for inserting the second bag into the first bag includes a grip head operable to grip the closed end of the second bag and carry it through the open end of the first bag.

6. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided to support the first bag in extended position prior to projection of the closed end through the open end thereof, and means are provided to support the second bag in extended position in juxtaposition to the first bag.

7. The combination according to claim 1, in which said second bag is fabricated from a synthetic resinous material, and means are provided to support a plurality of such bags and feed said bags sequentially in timed relation to completion of a bag-in-bag assembly.

8. The combination according to claim 1, in which power means are provided operatively connected to the bag holding means and bag projecting means to selectively efiect timed operation thereof.

9. The combination according to claim 3, in which said means for removing the bag-in-bag assembly from the first bag holding means includes a pair of primary take-off rollers and two pairs of secondary take-off rollers adapted to successively grip the bag-in-bag assembly upon completion thereof.

10. The combination according to claim 3, in which said means for removing the bag-in-bag assembly from the first bag holding means comprises a delivery mechanism including a pair of endless belts having contiguous surface areas moving in unison and forming a bight to grip the bag-in-bag assembly upon completion thereof.

11. The combination according to claim 4, in which a pair of said grip heads are provided spaced apart adjacent opposite corners of said second bag.

12. The combination according to claim 4, in which said second bag is one of the series of joined bags, each bag havng its open end joined to the closed end of the succeeding bag and adapted to be severed by application of tension therebetween, and means operable to selectively grip a succeeding bag in timed relation to completion of the bag-in-bag assembly to impose tension on the union between the bag being inserted and the succeeding bag to effect separation of said bags.

13. The combination according to claim 5, in which said ram head and grip head are both carried on said elongated ram, and drive means are provided to continually reciprocate the ram from a retracted position in which said grip heads grip said second bag to an extended position in which said ram heads turn the first bag right side out and said grip heads release the second bag.

14. The combination according to claim 7, in which said support and feed means for said plurality of synthetic resinous second bags includes a frame for rotatably supporting a roll of such material, a hollow container into which a predetermined number of said second bags may be deposited from said roll thereof, and a means including a hollow channel for supporting a first and second bag in extended juxtaposed position.

15. The combination according to claim 9, in which said primary rollers are arranged to grip the bag-in-bag assembly intermediate its side edges and said secondary rollers are arranged to grip the bag-in-bag assembly adjacent its side edges, said primary and secondary rollers being proportioned and arranged to uniformly propel the bag-in-bag assembly.

16. The method of producing a bag-in-bag assembly comprising the steps of (a) supporting a first bag turned inside out so that its open end is distended;

(b) supporting a second bag by its closed end in juxtaposition to the first bag; and

(c) effecting relative movement of the second bag with respect to the first bag whereby the second bag impinges against the first bag and causes the closed ends of both bags to be drawn through the open end of the first bag so that the first bag is turned right side out and the second bag lies disposed within the first bag.

17. The method according to claim 16, including the further step of applying adhesive to an inside surface portion of the first bag before the first bag is turned right side out.

18. The method according to claim .16, including the further step of applying tension to said second bag just prior to termination of said relative movement between bags whereby the open ends of both bags are placed in juxtaposition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner H. A. KILBY, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 938, 36.01, 35

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