US3755984A

US3755984A - Semi-automatic bagging machine

Info

Publication number: US3755984A
Application number: US00242445A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Vanderpool
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-04-10
Filing date: 1972-04-10
Publication date: 1973-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-04
Also published as: DE2317970B2; GB1420359A; IT982744B; DE2317970C3; JPS4948484A; FR2179873A1; FR2179873B1; CA1000249A; DE2317970A1

Abstract

Apparatus for assisting an operator in applying bags, closed at the sides and one end, to items such as garments on hangers which are preferably automatically fed to and removed from the apparatus. The bags are formed from material supplied in continuous, tubular form by transversely sealing the material at a desired location and severing it near the seal, thereby closing the top of one bag and leaving an open end of the continuous material for the bottom of the next bag. The bagging material is manually drawn over a garment on a hanger supported at the upper end of a pole. The operation is more efficient than conventional manual garment bagging by making the top of the pole laterally movable to three distinct positions for loading, bagging and discharging the hanger-held garments.

Description

United States Patent Vanderpool Sept. 4, 1973 1 SEMI-AUTOMATIC BAGGING MACHINE Primary ExaminerRobert L. Spruill [76] Inventor: Charles C. Vanderpool, RD. 1, Attorney-Charles McGuire Waverly, NY. 14892 [22] Filed: Apr. 10, 1972 7] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 242,445

14 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENIEN 4 sum 02 ur12 PATENTEU SEP 4 I975 sum oanr12 PATENTEUSEP 4am 3.755984 srm new 12 I 7 i I PATENTEB E 4 sum oaur12 minnow 4% 3.755384 sum use; 12

PAIENTEMEP 4am 3.755384 sum 11 or 12 FIG. 23

FIG. 24

SEMI-AUTOMATIC BAGGING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus useful in the application of individual bags, formed from material supplied in the form of a continuous, tubular web, to garments on hangers in a continuous sequence. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus of this character which is semi-automatic in nature, requiring an operator to draw the open end of the material over the garments, but performing other functions in an automatic manner to increase the efficiency of the bagging operation.

It is a common practice to package newly manufactured, as well as dry cleaned or laundered garments and other articles in bags closed at the top and sides, and open at the bottom, with the end of a wire hanger, or the like, on which the garment is supported extending through an opening in the top edge of the bag. The bagging material is usually a transparent plastic to allow the article to be seen while still being protectively packaged.'Clear polyethylene, for example, is commercially available for this purpose in various thicknesses, widths and lengths in tubular form, folded flat and supplied in rolls.

141,882, discloses fully automatic apparatus for applying bags to garments in a continuous sequence. That is, the bagging material is taken from a supply roll and drawn over a garment, sealed and cut to form an individual bag of the proper length, and another garment moved into position for bagging, all in a fully automatic manner. The apparatus is capable of bagging garments at a much faster rate than a single operator using prior, conventional apparatus and techniques, thus providing distinct labor and cost savings in a short period if used to a reasonably full portion of its capacity. Fully automatic bagging apparatus would not be economically feasible, however, in applications having only intermittent need for its capabilities.

The present invention seeks to fill the gap between the slower and more burdensome means of garment bagging previously used and the fully automatic apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned copending application. An operator is required for drawing the bagging material over the garment, but the apparatus of the invention provides manyautomatic features which greatly speed up the procedure over prior manual systems. The same bagging material is used with the present invention as with the automatic apparatus, or in other conventional applications, i.e., a clear polyethylene in a continuous double layer, closed at the sides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically, the apparatus includes a garment support pole movable in response to push button actuation, or the like, under operator control, between three distinct positions of at least the end thereof on which the garment hanger is supported. In one position (designated the loading" position), the hanger is placed on the pole, preferably by automatic feeding means. In the next position (the bagging position), the pole is disposed with the end supporting the hanger directly under means holding the leading end of the bagging material in an open condition. While the pole is in the bagging position the operator manually draws the leading end of the bagging material over the garment, stopping when it is in the desired position relative to the length of the garment. The operator then actuates an electrical switch, preferably comprising safety interlock means, to cause movement of mechanism which seals and cuts the web of bagging material to form an individual bag for the garment then in the bagging position, also forming a new leading end, held in an open condition, of the tubular web. The pole is then moved to the third, or discharge, position where the bagged garment and hanger are removed, also preferably by automatic ejection means. From the discharge position, the pole is returned to the loading position and the cycle is repeated.

In the disclosed embodiment, a single pole is provided and mounted for movement to each of the three positions in sequence. As disclosed, the pole is pivotally mounted near the lower end and is vertically disposed in the bagging position, being tilted in one direction from the vertical for loading and in the opposite direction for discharge. The mechanism for effecting the sealing and cutting operation, as well as for opening the leading end of the tubular web, may be essentially the same as the corresponding mechanism disclosed in the referenced application on the automatic apparatus. In the present invention, however, actuation of such mechanism is not automatic but rather is under the operators control. Safety interlock means are provided to effectively prevent inadvertent actuation of the mechanism.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide semi-automatic apparatus for providing bags, closed at the sides and one end, from a continuous supply of tubular material and placing the bags over articles to be covered in a continuous sequence, wherein the material is manually drawn over the articles and other mechanism assisting in the operation is manually actuated.

Another object is to provide semi-automatic garment bagging apparatus including means for increasing the number of garments a single operator can bag per unit of time.

Still another object is to provide, in semi-automatic garment bagging apparatus having power driven cutting and heat sealing means, novel safety features for preventing operator injury due to inadvertent or careless actuation of the power driven means.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment, showing the garment support pole in each of its three positions;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side and rear elevational views, respectively, of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the base portion being shown in section in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, front view of the pole mounting and movement mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; a

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of mechanism associated with the web cutting operation;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation, with portions broken away, of the face of the movable web-engaging bar, as seen from the line 77 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the stationary, webengaging face which opposes the face shown in FIG. 7, as seen from the line 88 of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 9-1 1 are sectional side elevations of the mechanism for sealing and cutting the web, showing the sequence of operation thereof;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an alternate construction of the mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views of an alternate construction of the knife blade mechanism, shown in the retracted and extended positions, respectively;

FIG. 15 is a sectional side elevation of the FIGS. 13-14 knife blade embodiment, showing also the elements between which the knife blade is mounted;

FIGS. 16a and 16b are fragments of the cam elements which move one of the knife blades laterally as it is advanced and retracted;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a suggested embodiment of an automatic loader mechanism incorporated in the invention;

FIGS. 18-20 are a series of side elevational views of the loader mechanism of FIG. 17, showing the sequence of operation thereof;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the automatic ejector mechanism incorporated in the invention, shown in the lowermost position;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 21 shown in the uppermost position;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are front and top views, respectively, of the ejector mechanism; and

FIG. 25 is an electrical schematic showing electrical operation of the system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus of the invention is intended for operation with conventional bagging material, such as transparent polyethylene, commonly used to form temporary, disposable bags for covering garments. Such material is commercially available in the form of a continuous, tubular web, i.e., an elongated double layer, closed at the sides, folded flat and supplied in rolls. The sides may or may not have pleats or gussets, and some rolls intended for strictly manual bagging operations are pre-sealed and perforated at constant intervals along their length, thus requiring no sealing or cutting to form the individual bags. The present invention is suitable for use with virtually any commercially available, heat-sensitive bagging material, except that there is never a need for the more expensive, pre-sealed, perforated material since the apparatus of the invention includes means for sealing and cutting the web at any desired location. Any desired thickness or width, up to a maximum limit, of bagging material may be used with the apparatus of the invention.

In FIGS. 1-3 a preferred construction is shown from the front, side and rear. The apparatus is divided generally into base portion 20, frame 22, web-engaging section 24, automatic loader 26, automatic ejector 28 and garment support pole 30. Base 20 is closed on the top and sides, open on the bottom, and of sufficient height to accommodate the lower end of pole 30, as shown in the broken-away portion of FIG. 2, and other mechanism described later in more detail. The base is perfera- 5 bly metal, but may be made of wood or other such materials if economy is of primary importance.

Frame 22 is affixed to and supported on base 20, and provides means for holding and guiding the bagging material, as well as for supporting various other elements of the apparatus. A pair of bracket supports 32 are fixedly attached to a rear portion of frame 22 and serve to support a spindle or axle 34 of a roll of bagging material 36. The material passes over guides 38 and downwardly with the leading end engaged by a pair of opposing faces of web-engaging section 24.

Pole is pivotally mounted by means of pin 40 on mounting plate 42, affixed to base 20 and extending through a slot in the top thereof. The pole is movable about its pivotal mounting between three distinct positions. In FIG. 1 pole 30 is shown in solid lines in a vertical position, directly under web-engaging section 24 and the leading end of bagging material 36. This is the position of the pole when the material is pulled over a garment supported thereon, and is hereafter referred to as the bagging position. Pole 30 is rotated in opposite directions from the bagging position to the positions shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1; the position indicated by reference numeral 30! is designated the loading position, and that numbered 30" the discharge position. Rod 43 extends from frame 22 and holds arm 45 in a position to be contacted by pole 30 in the loading position, thereby insuring that the end of the pole will be in the exact position required for receiving a hanger fed to it by apparatus 26. A control box having front panel 44 is attached to one side of frame 22 and holds the manually

engagable portions

46, 47, 48 and 49 of electrical switches having circuit functions described later. A second control box having front panel 50 is attached to the opposite side of the front of frame 22 and supports manually

engageable portions

52 and 53 of other electrical switches. Vacuum motor 54 is supported adjacent the top of frame 22 and

vacuum hoses

56 and 58 extend therefrom to connections with later described vacuum faces of web-engaging section 24. Apparatus 59, shown in FIG. 2 only, is illustrated in a general manner to indicate the presence and preferred location of elements such as electrical and pneumatic regulating and control members such as valves, transformers, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower end of pole 30 extends into base 20 and is pivotally attached by pin 60 to reciprocating piston rod 62 of air cylinder 64. To allow for lateral movement of rod 62 as the lower end of pole 30 moves in its arcuate path, cylinder 64 is pivotally attached, as indicated by reference numeral 66, to base 20. Thus, inward movement of rod 62, from the position shown in FIG. 4, by appropriate actuation of an electrically operated valve (described later) is effective to move pole 30 to the loading position. Outward movement is likewise effective to move the pole to the discharge position.

Latch bar 68 is pivotally mounted on block 70, affixed to mounting plate 42, and includes stop 72 extending through slot 74 in plate 42. Solenoid 76 is supported on bracket 78, extending from plate 42, and attached by link 80 to latch bar 68. The bottom of pole 30 may be moved to the right as seen in FIG. 4 (moving the pole to the loading position) with latch bar 68 in the engaged position, as shown. However, before the pole can be moved to the discharge position, solenoid 76 must be actuated to withdraw stop 72 from the path of the bottom of the pole. Also shown in FIG. 4 are a pair of

microswitches

82 and 84, supported on plate 42 and having contacts movable by the lower end of pole 30 as it reaches the opposite ends of its travel. The limits of travel of pole 30 may be defined by the inner and outer limits of travel of rod 62, or fixed stops (not shown) may be provided in the path of pole 30. The manner of actuating cylinder 64 and solenoid 76 to effect movement of pole 30 in the desired manner will be described later.

In FIG. 6 the actuating mechanism of web-engaging section 24 is shown. Spaced upper sections of frame 22 support previously-mentioned web guide 38 and actuator rod 86, connected by linkage 88 to pneumatic cylinder 90. The upper end of linkage 88 is keyed to rod 86 to effect reciprocal rotation thereof in response to extension and retraction of cylinder 90, which is pivotally mounted on rod 92 extending fixedly from frame 22. A pair of

arms

94 and 96 are fixedly mounted on opposite ends of actuator rod 86 for rotation therewith. A second pair of

arms

98 and 100 are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of frame 22, parallel with

arms

94 and 96, respectively.

Arms

94 and 96 are pivotally attached to

connector bars

102 and 104, respectively, and threaded studs extend from the ends of

arms

98 and 100 through elongated slots in the respective connector bars. Stud 106 extends through slot 108 in bar 102 and is biased toward one end of the slot by spring 110, a like arrangement being provided on the opposite side.

Bar 112 includes end portions extending loosely through

vertical slots

114 and 116 in the end of

connector bars

102 and 104. Knife blade 118, having sawtoothed cutting edge 120, is fixedly attached to bar 112 and extends through a space between hollow vacuum bar 122 and laminator support bar 124, both of which are supported between

connector bars

102 and 104.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the faces of the movable and stationary elements, respectively, between which the web is engaged, are shown. Upper face 126 of movable vacuum bar 122 includes a plurality of small openings 127 communicating with the hollow interior of the vacuum bar which is connected through tube 58 to vacuum motor 54. Plate 128 is mounted on a plurality of pins 130, extending "from the plate through laminator support bar 124 (see FIGS. 9-11). Plate 128 is biased away from bar 124 by springs 131, pins 130 being retained by removable cotter pins 133. Openings 132 in plate 128 are in registration with two sets of conical prongs 134 fixedly mounted on laminator support bar 124. The prongs of each set extend from a common base of electrically conducting material and individually comprise a conducting core covered with a non-conductive, non-stick coating, preferably of Teflon, or the like. Each set of prongs is connected by wires 136 to an electrical supply and are thereby heated to a temperature sufficient to effect a seal of two layers of material 36. For a clear showing of at least a portion of all pertinent elements, a portion of plate 128 is broken away so that only one set of openings 132 and prongs 134 are shown. It will be readily understood, however, that both the prongs and openings are duplicated on each side of the movable element. By removing cotter pins 133, plate 128 may be easily dismounted, providing access to prongs 134 for cleaning, repair, etc.

The stationary web-engaging element is shown in FIG. 8. Upper face 138 thereof includes openings 140 communicating with the interior of hollow vacuum bar 132 which is connected to vacuum motor 54 by tube 56. The construction and function are identical to that of vacuum bar 122 of the movable element. Lower face 144 of the stationary element is formed of a resilient material, such as sponge rubber, and is spaced from upper face 138 to define open slot 146 therebetween in registration with knife blade 118. Elongated slots 148 in lower face 144 on the stationary element are in registration with the two sets of prongs on the movable element.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the sequence of operations of the web-engaging elements. As the elements are shown in FIG. 9, cylinder (see FIG. 6) is retracted and the movable element is spaced by the maximum amount from the stationary element. In this position, the operator may draw the bagging material 36 down over a garment supported in the bagging position. Material 36 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9 in its initial position, i.e. with the leading end held open by the faces of vacuum bars 122 and 132, and in solid. lines as it appears after being grasped by the operator and pulled down over the garment. When the material has been pulled down to the desired length the operator pushes both

buttons

48 and 53, thereby actuating the valve controlling the air supply to cylinder 90. Simultaneous actuation of both

buttons

48 and 53 obviously requires the use of both hands. Although actuation could be effected just as easily, by actuation of a single button, or other such mechanism, an actuating means requiring the use of both hands is provided to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent actuation, thereby reducing potential accidents.

Referring again to FIG. 6, as cylinder 90 is extended, actuator rod 86 is rotated. This rotation is imparted to

arms

94 and 96, thereby moving the other elements of the linkage and bringing the movable web-engaging element into contact with the stationary element with material 36 engaged therebetween, as shown in FIG. 10. Plate 128 is moved toward support bar 124, against the bias of springs 130, by continued movement after material 36 has been engaged between the plate and lower face 144 of the stationary element. Prongs 134 extend through holes 132 and through the bagging material and into slots 148 in the lower face of the stationary element, as shown in FIG. 10. The heat of the prongs is sufficient to effect a seal of the baggine mate rial in the areas of contact. The limit of movement of the movable element is defined by contact of

faces

126 and 138 of the movable and stationary vacuum bars, respectively, with material 36 engaged therebetween. Continued extension of cylinder 90, after the movable element has reached the limit of its travel, will continue to rotate

arms

94 and 96, but arms 98 and cannot rotate further in this direction. Thus, as connector bar 102 continues to move, stud 106 rides along slot 108 and spring will be elongated. The same action will take place with respect to connector bar 104 and the elements on the other side of the linkage. Connector bars 102 and 104 will continue to move bar 112, and knife blade 118, until cutting edge has moved through material 36. Arcuate movement of

connector bars

102 and 104 while knife blade 118 is constrained member 152, affixed by bracket 154 to vacuum bar 132, opposes the forward edge of plate 150 so that material 36 is engaged therebetween when the movable and stationary elements come together. Thus, material 36 is securely engaged both above and below the point where it is severed, thereby insuring that the material cannot slip when engaged by knife edge 120.

After the material is sealed and cut, cylinder 90 reverses its motion and is again retracted to move the movable web-engaging element back into spaced relation with the stationary element, as shown in FIG. 9. The operator then pulls the severed portion of the material, now in the form of an individual bag, the remaining few inches down over the garment so that the sealed areas (closed end of the bag) engage the top of the garment. The garment hanger and top of pole 30 may extend out of the bag through the unsealed portion at the center, in the region between two sets of prongs. The operator then actuates push button 46 and the garment pole moves to the discharge position for the removal of the bagged garment. When the pole arrives at the discharge position and actuates switch 82 (FIG. 4) automatic ejector 28 will remove the bagged garment from the pole and actuate mechanism to reverse cylinder 64, thereby moving pole 30 to the loading position to pick up 'a new garment. When automatic loader 26 places a new garment on pole 30 it will automatically move back to the bagging position and stop, ready for the new leading end of material 36 to be pulled down over the garment.

The vacuum applied to the opposite sides of the new leading end of material 36 will move the end to an open condition, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9, when the web-engaging elements are moved apart. The entire process is then repeated for the new, unbagged garment on pole 30, and each subsequent garment.

Turning now to FIG. 12, an alternate construction for the actuating elements of the web-engaging section is shown. Common reference numerals are used for elements common to both the earlier described and the present embodiment. Guides 38 for material 36 are again supported on frame 22, as are a pair of horizontally disposed, linear tracks, one of which is seen in the sectional view of FIG. 12 and designated by reference numeral 156. Slider bar 158 is movably supported by track 156, and fixed stud 160 extends from one side of the bar. Slotted end 162 of arm 164 engages stud 160 to effect sliding movement of bar 158 along track 156 as arm 164 is rotated.

Air cylinder 90 is again pivotally mounted at its lower end. Rod 166 is connected to link 168 which, together with arm 164, is keyed to shaft-170. Thus, extension and retraction of cylinder 90, through rod 166 and link 168, serves to rotate shaft 170 which in turn rotates arm 164, thereby effecting reciprocal movement of slider bar 158. The movable web-engaging element is mounted on bar 158, and the corresponding bar on the opposite side, in the same manner as it was mounted between

bars

102 and 104 in the previous embodiment. In the present embodiment, however, there is no need to support the ends of the knife bar in slots to accommodate arcuate movement of the mounting bars as the knife blade moves linearly since in the present embodiment the slider bars also move linearly. Appropriate, spring biased means would be provided, as in the previous embodiment, for allowing relative movement between movable vacuum and laminator support bars and the slider bar so that knife blade 112 can continue to advance after the vacuum and laminator support bars have reached the limit of their travel. If desirable or necessary, to prevent binding, and the like, arms 164 may be provided on both sides to engage studs on both slider bars. Alternatively, stud may be a rod extending between the two slider bars and engaged by arm 164 at the center, in which case shaft would also extend between opposite sides of frame 22.

An alternate construction of the severing mechanism is shown in FIGS. 13-16. In this embodiment a pair of superposed and relatively movable knife blades are provided, each having a saw-toothed cutting edge. Lower blade 172 is again secured to support bar 112, as in the previous embodiment, and upper blade 174 is placed loosely thereon with pins 176 on the lower blade extending through slots 178 in the upper blade.

Elements

180 and 182 are fixedly secured adjacent the side edges of

blades

172 and 174, and include extending

portions

184 and 186, respectively. As best seen in FIGS. 16a and 16b,

portions

184 and 186 extend only from the upper surfaces of

elements

180 and 182, thereby extending over the upper surface of lower blade 172 and lying adjacent the side edges of upper blade 174.

Notches

188 and 190 are formed in the opposite side edges of blade 174 to cooperate with

portions

184 and 186 as cam elements to effect reciprocal, lateral movement of blade 174.

As seen in FIG. 15, vacuum bar 122 and laminator support bar 124 are arranged a proper distance apart to accommodate the elements of the cutting mechanism therebetween. The cutting edges of the two blades are tapered toward one another and are flush across the points. Bar 1 12 is mounted as before at each end on the movable support bars, or the like, with means for overtravel to allow for movement of the blades after the vacuum bar and laminator support have reached the limit of their travel. The blades are shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 in the retracted position, and in FIG. 14 in the extended position, as they would appear when cutting through the bagging material.

Elements

180 and 182 are fixed with respect to the vacuum and laminator support bars and are therefore held stationary after the bagging material has been engaged between the faces of the movable and stationary vacuum bars. Continued travel of the means supporting bar 112

moves blades

172 and 174 forwardly to cut through the bagging material. As the blades move, the right edge (as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14) of blade 174 engages portion 186 of element 182. Continued forward movement of the blades moves blade 174 to the left, sliding across blade 172, to the position shown in FIG. 14 when the blades are fully extended. As the blades are retracted, contact of the edge of notch 188 with portion 184 of element 180 will move blade 174 back to the position of FIG. 13. The sickle blade action of the present embodiment of the web severing mechanism, while somewhat more complex and expensive than the first embodiment, provides a better, more reliable cutting action.

Details of one embodiment of automatic loader 26 are shown in FIGS. 17-20. A number of different embodiments of automatic loading apparatus, including that set forth herein, are disclosed in Applicants copending US. application Ser. No. 242,695, filed of even date herewith. Any such embodiments are suitable for incorporation with the present invention as well as with the bagging apparatus disclosed in Applicants previously filed application Ser. No. 141,882.

Mounting bracket 192 is fixedly supported in the.

proper position by arm 194 (FIG. 1) extending from frame 22. Welded or otherwise affixed to the lower side of bracket 192 is curved channel 196 which supports along its other edge hanger support rod 198. Fragments of a plurality of hangers 200, carrying the garments to be bagged, are shown supported on rod 198. End portion 202 of rod 198 is positioned closely adjacent the upper end of garment support pole 30 when the latter is in the loading position. The relative position is such that a hanger sliding off of end portion 202 will be placed on pole 30. Rod 198 is disposed in a downwardly sloping position toward end portion 202 so that hangers placed on the rod are carried by gravity toward end 202.

The mechanism for feeding hangers 200 one at a time to the garment pole comprises a pair of reciprocating rods and associated apparatus for moving them in proper sequence. Rod 204 has an end portion adapted to be placed in blocking relation to hangers 200, as shown in FIG. 18, thereby preventing any hangers from sliding off end portion 202. Rod 204 passes loosely through an opening in bracket 192, and is attached to element 206, having slotted opening 208.

Rocker arm 210 is pivotally supported on the end of rod 212, extending fixedly from bracket 192. Screw 214 extends loosely through slot 208 in element 206 and is secured to rocker arm 210. Actuating arm 216 is pivotally secured to rocker arm 210 and is movable in response to actuation of a solenoid, now shown in FIGS. 17-20 but shown schematically and described more fully as to operation in FIG. 25.

Rod 218 extends loosely through an opening in bracket 192 and extends through an enlarged opening in rocker arm 210. Spur portion 220 likewise extends through bracket 192, thus preventing rotation of rod 218. Spring 222 is compressed between fixed ring 224 on rod 218 and bushing 226, which is thereby urged against the rocker arm. Rod 218 is retained on rocker arm 210 by nuts 228.

The elements are shown in the initial position, prior to actuation of the solenoid, in FIG. 18. Rod 204 bears against rod 198, preventing hangers 200 from sliding further down the rod. Upon actuation of the solenoid, arm 216 is moved upward, thereby rotating rocker arm 210 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 18-20. Initial rotation moves rod 218 in a downward direction, but rod 204 does not move upward until screw 214 reaches the top of slot 208. The elements are shown in FIG. 19 in an intermediate position of rotation of arm 210. It will be noted that

rods

204 and 218 are spaced by approximately the diameter of one of hangers 200. Also, the end of rod 218 which moves down to engage rod 198 is tapered, thus facilitating movement thereof between two adjacent hangers.

Continued rotation of rocker arm 210 will bring the tip of rod 218 into contact with rod 198 and will then cause upward movement of rod 204. As rod 204 is being moved upward, spring 222 is compressed. As seen in FIG. 20, as rod 204 is raised to allow a hanger to slide off rod 198, rod 218 blocks the path of the other hangers.

When the solenoid is deactuated the sequence of movement is reversed. As rocker arm 210 is rotated counterclockwise rod 218 remains in engagement with rod 198 as spring 222 expands. In the meantime, screw 214 has traveled back to the lower end of slot 208 and rod 204 is moved back into engagement with rod 198. When rod 218 is raised back to the position of FIG. 18, hangers 200 may slide as far as rod 204, bu no further. Hangers carrying garments to be bagged may thus be fed one at a time, at proper intervals, to the bagging apparatus in response to actuation and deactuation of a solenoid, electrical operation of which is described later.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-24, a suggested embodiment of the structure and operation of the mechanism for removing bagged garments from garment pole 30, indicated generally in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 28, is shown. Movement of vertically disposed air cylinder. 230 is controlled by actuation of a solenoid valve, as disclosed in connection with FIG. 25. Cylinder rod 232 carries support 234 to which box-like element 236 is affixed. Shaft 238 extends through opposite sides of element 236 and is keyed to pinion 240. Rack 242 engages pinion 240, as best seen in FIG. 23, and extends through an opening in the top of element 236. Shaft 244 is connected to the lower end of rack 242 and extends loosely through an opening in the bottom of element 236. Spring 246 is compressed between the bottom of element 236 and fixed ring 248 at the top of shaft 244. Thus, rack 242 is normally held by spring 246 at the upper limit of its movements defined by stop 250 on the lower end of shaft 244.

Pickup member 252 is attached to a portion of shaft 238 and includes a horizontally disposed edge, having groove 254 therein, and edge 256 which is sloped with respect to the horizontal. When garment pole 30' is moved to the discharge position, groove 254 of pickup member 252 is located directly under the hooked end of hanger 200 on the garment pole. Upon upward movement of rod 232 of cylinder 230, member 252 engages and lifts hanger 200 and the bagged garment supported thereon. The elements are shown in FIG. 21 just as the hanger has been picked up and lifted a very short distance. Cylinder 230 continues to extend rod 232 until the top of rack 242 contacts a fixed stop which includes switch 258 on arm 260, as shown in FIG. 22, extending from frame 22 or some other convenient location. Switch 258 will be shown schematically and its function described later. A small amount of additional travel while rack 242 is held stationary will rotate pinion 240, and thereby shaft 238 and pickup member 252. The amount of additional travel of the cylinder while rack 242 is held stationary is that required to rotate shaft 238 by 180', and is defined by fixed stop 261 on rack 242 contacting the top of element 236, as shown in FIG. 22, Thus, at the uppermost limit of travel of cylinder 230, the elements are in the position of FIG. 22, with edge 256 of member 252 on top. Hanger 200 can then slide off member 252 and onto one end of rod 262, positioned adjacent the tip of member 252 at the top of its travel. The travel of cylinder 230 is sufficient, of course, to remove the bottom of the garment bag from the top of garment pole 30. The hangers may slide down rod 262 to further automatic handling or conveying apparatus, or may accumulate on racks, or the like, for further manual handling.

Referring now to FIG. 25, all electrically operated portions of the apparatus are shown in schematic form. The power supply, indicated in the drawing as l 15 volts AC is connected through appropriate fuses 264 to one or more transformers such as that indicated by reference numeral 266 to change the line voltage as required for the components used. The same reference numerals are used to designate portions shown schematically in FIG. 25 as are used to designate the same portions shown physically in other figures. In addition to the electrical power supply, a compressed air supply at approximately 40-60 p.s.i. is required.

The operator first closes switch 46 and allows a sufficient time for the heat seal elements to warm up. In the meantime, the operator may place a supply of garments on hangers on rod 198 of automatic loader 26, making sure that the hangers are not crossed or tangled. Switch 47 is then manually closed to start vacuum unit 54 and the leading end of the bagging material is opened and one side applied against the opposing faces of the two vacuum bars.

Garment pole 30 is assumed for purposes of explanation to be initially in the bagging position, and the operator manually presses the button on panel 50 to close switch 52. This supplies power to the four-way solenoid valve controlling air supply to cylinder 64. The valve is indicated in FIG. 25 by reference numeral 268 and the power supplied through switch 52 actuates the valve to cause inward movement of the cylinder, thereby moving pole 30 to the loading position. When pole 30 reaches the loading position the lower end thereof contacts and closes switch 84, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby supplying power to coil 270 of the solenoid which moves arm 216 (FIGS. 17-20) to allow a hanger to be transferred to the garment pole. Closing of switch 84 likewise actuates electronic timer 272 which is adjustable to allow control of the time interval for which garment pole 30 will remain in the loading position.

Upon expiration of the time interval set on timer 272, contacts 274 are closed to supply power to four-way valve 268, this time actuating the valve 268, this time actuating the valve to move cylinder 64 outwardly. When the lower end of pole 30 contacts stop 72 of latch bar 68 the pole will be stopped in the bagging position. The operator may now reach up with both hands grasp the open end of bagging material 36, and pull it down over the garment. After the material is manually pulled down the desired distance the operator simultaneouslypresses the two push-buttons which actuate switches 48 and 53 to supply power to valve 276 controlling the air supply to cylinder 90 (FIG. 6). Power supplied through

switches

48 and 53 actuates the valve to cause inward movement of the cylinder, thereby moving the movable web-engaging element toward the stationary element and sealing and cutting the material in the manner previously described.

One of the two series-connected switches, in the illustrated embodiment switch 48, is a double pole type having normally closed and normally open contacts. Relay 278 is in an actuated condition with its normally open contacts closed prior to operator actuation of

switches

48 and 50. The normally closed contacts of switch 48 provide a holding circuit for relay 278. While the contacts of relay 278 are closed, power is provided to three-way air valve 280 which is interposed in the air line between the pressure supply and the side of fourway valve 276 controlling the air supply for the outward stroke of cylinder 64. The power supplied through relay 278 holds valve 280 open; thus, when the relay is deactuated by movement of switch 48 to the normally open contacts, valve 280 is closed, cutting off the air supply through valve 276 to cylinder 64. Garment pole 30 will then be standing in the vertical (bagging) position without air pressure on the pole pivot cylinder.

Movement of the swing bar (FIG. 6) or slide bar (FIG. 12) mechanism to the full extent of its inward travel to seal and cut the material in the manner described, closes the contacts of switch 282. This supplies power to actuate valve 276 to supply air pressure moving cylinder in the inward direction, thereby moving the web-engaging elements back into spaced relation. The new leading end formed when the web is cut will be opened by the vacuum faces and the individual bag formed by the sealing and cutting operation is released. The bag may now be manually pulled down the few remaining inches over the garment with the top of pole 30 and hanger 200 extending through the unsealed area of the material which was between the two sets of heated prongs.

The operator now presses switch 49 on panel 44. This switch has two sets of normally open contacts, closure of one set supplying power to actuate solenoid 76 (see also FIG. 5) and of the other set providing actuating current to the coil of relay 278. Actuation of solenoid 76 removes stop 72 from the path of the lower end of pole 30 and actuation of relay 278 again opens valve 280 to provide air pressure through valve 276 for moving cylinder 64 in the outward direction. The provision of relay 278 and valve 280 prevents the more severe shock which would occur in moving pole 30 to the discharge position if constant air pressure were supplied tending to move cylinder 64 to the outward or extended position.

When pole 30 arrives at the discharge position the lower end actuates switch 82 (see also FIG. 4), closing the contacts thereof and providing power to actuate air valve 284 which controls the supply of air pressure to cylinder 230 (FIGS. 21-24). The cylinder rod will thus move upward, removing the hanger and bagged garment from the end of pole 30, until it reaches the upper limit of its travel. When the top of rack 242 contacts switch 258, power is again supplied to valve 268 to move it in the direction providing air pressure to move cylinder 64 in the inward direction. Pole 30 will then be rotated all the way from the discharge to the loading position. Initial movement of pole 30 will release switch 82, thereby deactuating valve 284 and removing air pressure from cylinder 230, allowing pickup member 252 to return to the lower position.

Movement of pole 30 to the loading position will again close switch 84, actuating garment feeder solenoid 270 and timer 272. The pole will then automatically return to the bagging position and the cycle is repeated. It will be noted that switches 46 and 47 are turned on when use of the apparatus begins and do not thereafter require actuation. Switch 52 is also actuated only once, to effect initial movement of pole 30 to the loading position; thereafter the pole is automatically moved from the discharge back to the loading position. Thus, the only repeated operations required of the operator are pulling the bagging material down over the garment in the bagging position, simultaneously actuating switches 48 and 53, and actuating switch 49. The timing of each cycle is under the operators control, thereby allowing the operator to work at a desired pace, but the automation of the handling of the garments and the cutting and sealing of the .bagging material greatly increases the number of garments which a single operator can bag per unit of time.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for sequentially forming individual bags, closed at the sides and one end and open at the other end, from a continuous, tubular web of material and for assisting in sequential application of such bags to a succession of garments supported on hangers, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

a. support means having an upper portion for receiving and holding a hanger with a garment thereon;

b. means operable to move at least said upper portion of said support means sequentially through at least three laterally distinct positions;

0. means engaging and holding open the leading end of the tubular web in an initial position above one of said positions of said upper portion;

d. guide means establishing the path of the web from a supply location through said initial position as the leading end is drawn downwardly therefrom; and

e. means selectively operable to effect a transverse seal between the sides of the tubular web and to sever the web adjacent the seal, thereby forming an individual bag and a new leading end of the web.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a pole which is substantially vertically disposed at least in said one position of said upper portion.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said pole is pivotally mounted at a lower portion for movement of said upper portion through said three positions, the other two being on opposite sides of said one position.

4. The invention according to claim 3 and further including means for placing a hanger on said pole when the latter is on one side of said one position, and means for removing said hanger from said pole when the latter is one the other side of said one position.

5. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said pole is movable by a cylinder connected thereto below the pivotal mounting thereof.

6. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said pole is movable from said one position to another position in response to operator actuation, and thereafter movable automatically to the last position and back to said one position.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said selectively operable means comprise a pair of relatively movable units between which said web is constrained by said guide means to pass, and which move into engagement with one another with said web therebetween upon actuation of said selectively operable means.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said selectively operable means are actuated by simultaneous manual engagement of a pair of members spaced sufficiently to require the use of both hands for such simultaneous engagement.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said pair of members comprise the manually engagable portions of electrical switches.

10. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means selectively operable to sever the web comprises a pair of superposed knife edges movable through the plane of the web, to effect severing thereof, and simultaneously movable laterally with respect to one another in sickle blade fashion.

11. Semi-automatic apparatus for applying plastic bags to individual garments on hangers in a continuous sequence, the bags being formed by said apparatus from a continuous tubular web of plastic material, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

' a. a pole having a notched upper end for receiving a garment hanger;

b. means mounting said pole for movement between first, second and third laterally distinct positions of said upper end; i

c. loader means operable to automatically feed a single hanger from a supply thereof for engagement on said upper end when said pole is in said first position;

d. guide means establishing the path of the web from a supply position to a position of the loading end above said second position of said pole, whereby said web may be drawn downwardly over a garment suspendedon a hanger on said upper end when said pole is in said second position;

e. ejection means operable to automatically remove a hanger from said one end when said pole is in said third position; and

f. manually engagable switch means operable to move said pole from said second to said third position.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said ejector means are automatically operable in response to said pole reaching said third position, and further including means for moving said pole from said third to said first position in response to movement of said ejector means to remove a hanger from said one end.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said loader means are automatically operable in response to said pole reaching said first position, and further including means for moving said pole from said first to tions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for sequentially forming individual bags, closed at the sides and one end and open at the other end, from a continuous, tubular web of material and for assisting in sequential application of such bags to a succession of garments supported on hangers, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. support means having an upper portion for receiving and holding a hanger with a garment thereon; b. means operable to move at least said upper portion of said support means sequentially through at least three laterally distinct positions; c. means engaging and holding open the leading end of the tubular web in an initial position Above one of said positions of said upper portion; d. guide means establishing the path of the web from a supply location through said initial position as the leading end is drawn downwardly therefrom; and e. means selectively operable to effect a transverse seal between the sides of the tubular web and to sever the web adjacent the seal, thereby forming an individual bag and a new leading end of the web.

11. Semi-automatic apparatus for applying plastic bags to individual garments on hangers in a continuous sequence, the bags being formed by said apparatus from a continuous tubular web of plastic material, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. a pole having a notched upper end for receiving a garment hanger; b. means mounting said pole for movement between first, second and third laterally distinct positions of said upper end; c. loader means operable to automatically feed a single hanger from a supply thereof for engagement on said upper end when said pole is in said first position; d. guide means establishing the path of the web from a supply position to a position of the loading end above said second position of said pole, whereby said web may be drawn downwardly over a garment suspended on a hanger on said upper end when said pole is in said second position; e. ejection means operable to automatically remove a hanger from said one end when said pole is in said third position; and f. manually engagable switch means operable to move said pole from said second to said third position.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said loader means are automatically operable in response to said pole reaching said fiRst position, and further including means for moving said pole from said first to said second position upon expiration of a predetermined time interval after reaching said first position.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said pole is pivotally mounted near its lower end for movement between said three positions, said pole being vertical in said second position and rotated in opposite directions from said second to said first and third positions.