US3789573A

US3789573A - Automatic bagging machine

Info

Publication number: US3789573A
Application number: US00291969A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Crabb
Original assignee: LOBEE PUMP Mfg CO
Current assignee: AG PAK INC A NY CORP
Priority date: 1972-09-25
Filing date: 1972-09-25
Publication date: 1974-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-05

Abstract

An automatic bagging machine for produce or the like includes bag feeding, holding and tying devices and an electro-pneumatic control system for actuating and deactuating such devices in timed sequence wherein the bag feeding device feeds and partially opens each empty bag in series, the bag tying device ties each filled bag, and the bag holding devices enters, spreads and clamps each bag fully open for the bag filling operation, closes and swings each filled bag to the tying device for the tying operation, exits from and releases each tied filled bag and returns to the bag holding device for entering the next empty bag in series. In combination with an automatic weighing machine, the two machines are especially adapted to operate together and thereby form an automatic weighing and bagging system, with each machine controlling the operation of the other.

Description

o i :l .W. Unite- Sates t 1 1 9 Crabb [4 1 Feb. 5, 1974 AUTOMATIC BAGGING MAC Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee [75] Inventor: Jasper R. Crabb, Yakima, Wash.

[73] Assignee: Lobee Pump and Manufacturing [57] ABSCT 1 An automatic bagging machine for produce or the like [22] Filed; Sept 25, 1972 includes bag feeding, holding and tying devices and an electro-pneumatic control system for actuating and PP N05 291,969 deactuating such devices in timed sequence wherein Related US Application Data the bag feeding device feeds and partially opens each empty bag in series, the bag tying device ties each [63] 58:32:3 of 1970 filled bag, and the bag holding devices enters, spreads I and clamps each bag fully open for the bag filling [52] Us. CL 53/55 53/59 W 53/63 operation, closes and swings each filled bag to the 90 33/198 A tying device for the tying operation, exits from and re- [51] Int Cl." B65b 43/30 B6513 37/12 B65b 57/04 leases each tied filled bag and returns to the bag hold- 58] Field of Search 53/55 W 63 190 ing device for entering the next empty bag in series. In n combination with an automatic weighing machine, the [56] References Cited two machines are especially adapted to operate together and thereby form an automatic weighing and UNITED STATES PATENTS bagging system, with each machine controlling the Kindseth W operation of the other 3,498,020 3/1970 Eppenberger 53/55 44 Claims, 52 Drawing Figures IOS :;:1*i l to 2 PATENIEDFEB 5 974 3.789573 sum UlOF 14 PATENIED 3.789.573

sum 030F 14 PATENTED FEB 5 I974 sum as or 14 PAIENTEBFEB 51914 I .Sum mar 14 PATENIED FEB 5 I974 SHEET lEUF 14 AUTOMATIC nAoorNo MACHINE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is related to my prior copending application Ser. No. 230,163, filed Feb. 28, 1972, now Pat. No. 3,731,454, issued May 8, 1973 for Automatic Bagging Machine, and constituting a continuation of Ser. No. 078,672, filed Oct. 7, 1970, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art weighing and bagging of produce usually involves separate weighing, bag filling and bag closing operations performed by separate machines which are not inter-controlled, thereby requiring the use of at least one operator for the weighing and bag filling operations, who then manually transfers the filled bags to a bag closing machine. The weighing and bag filling operations normally are performed at one machine, such as disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,889,130 and 2,889,131,

with an operator being required to manually assist in the weighing operation and to manually manipulate a scoop on the weighing machine to initiate the bag filling operation, whereupon the operator then manually transfers the filled bag to a separate bag tying machine, such as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,369,573.

More recently, I have invented an automatic bagging machine especially adapted for use in combination with an automatic weighing machine, wherein the operations ofeach machine are inter-controlled, such as disclosed and claimed in my patented copending application noted above. While such prior invention of mine produces an efficient and effective automatic bagging machine in combination with an automatic weighing machine, the operations of both such bagging machine and weighing machine are different from those of the present invention in the following respects. First, the bag feeding device of my prior bagging machine is actuated to move upwardly to place a partially opened empty bag on the bag holding device, with such movement actuating a switch in the electrical control system for actuating the bag spreading mechanism which then deactuates the bag feeding device, whereupon the latter actuates both the leading and trailing bag clamping mechanisms. In addition, the bag feeding device employs continuously applied air pressure plus a surge from the exhaust of the spreader air motor control valve to partially open the bag prior to fitting the partially open end thereof over the spades of the bag spreading mechanism.

Next, at the same time as the bag is fully spread on the spades of the bag spreading mechanism, the trailing spade is moved under bag tension to close a switch actuating the tripping mechanism in the weighing machine for the bag filling operation. This tripping mechanism is tied in pneumatically with the bagging machine to actuate a switch after a suitable time delay sufficient to permit entry of the produce into the bag, such delay being incorporated in a valve on the bagging machine to simultaneously actuate the bag swinging mechanism to swing the filled bag into the tying device and deactuate the bag spreading mechanism to close the bag as it moves into the tying device.

If a bag is not engaged over the spades, the spreading mechanism opens a normally closed safety switch in circuit with the weigher gate control switch to prevent tripping of the weigher gate, even if the bag feeding device later causes actuation of the clamping mechanisms and pivoting of the trailing spade to close the aforesaid weigher gate control switch. Thus, both machine cycles are interrupted until the operator corrects the malfunction.-

Further, as the closed filled bag is swung into the tying device, the leading clamp arm on the bag swinging device actuates a switch which initiates the bag tying operation by momentarily actuating a packer arm mechanism, which controls the actuation of the tape feeding device and the tape twisting mechanism. After a time delay built into the air valve actuating the packer arm mechanism, the latter retracts upon completion of the tying operation and actuates a switch which simultaneously deactuates both the clamping and swinging mechanisms to release the tied filled bag and return the bag holding device to the starting position. At this point, the bag holding device reactuates the bag feeding device for a repeat cycle.

In contrast, in the present invention, the bag feeding device is stationary or passive and does not control, but is controlled by the spreading mechanism to employ intermittent suction as needed to partially open the bag to be filled. Furthermore, unlike my prior apparatus, there is no need to shut down the operation of the automatic bagging machine in order to replenish the supply of bags, as this can be done while the machine is operating. In addition, the bag holding device includes not only bag spreading, clamping and swinging mechanisms, but also a rocking or lifting mechanism which, at the start of the cycle, lowers the collapsed spades into the partially open leading bag on the bag feeding device, rather than have such bag feeding device rock upwardly to fit the bag up over the spades, as in my prior invention.

Further, when the bag holding device is rocked downwardly into the partially open bag, it actuates a switch which simultaneously actuates the leading clamp mechanism and the bag spreading mechanism to fully open and partially clamp the bag and strip it from the bag feeding device. Actuation of the spreading mechanism shuts off the suction because it no longer is needed.

in addition, the leading clamp arm also carries a switch which is only actuated should a bag properly be hung on the leading spade for sending an electrical signal to the electrical control circuitry of the weighing machine for tripping the gate and releasing a previously weighed load of produce. If no bag is mounted on the leading spade or improperly mounted thereon, this switch carried on the leading clamp arm will not close, and hence the gate of the weighing machine will not trip until the bagging machine is recycled, thereby effectively preventing spilling of produce on the floor.

Furthermore, as soon as the leading bag spreader arm and bag stretched on the spades pull the trailing spreader arm away from the bag feeding device, the

previously actuated switch controlling the spreading movement is reversed or deactuated to actuate the trailing clamp mechanism which positively secures both sides of the bag for the bag filling operation and makes ready the circuit containing the switch on the leading clamp arm for sending the electrical signal to the weigher for tripping the gate and providing the previously weighed load of produce. However, should no bag be on the spades or not hung on the trailing spade, the trailing spreader arm will not move away from the bag feeding device, thereby preventing deactuation of the spreader control switch and actuation of the trailing clamp structure. Hence, the circuit containing the switch on the leading clamp arm will not be be completed, so that even if such leading clamp control switch is closed by the leading side of the bag on the leading spade when the leading clamp arm is actuated, no signal to the weighing machine will be sent and the gate will not trip, to prevent spilling of the produce.

Assuming that a properly spread bag is on the spades, actuation of the trailing clamp mechanism completes the circuit through the previously closed switch on the leading clamp arm, sending a signal to the weighing machine for tripping the gate and releasing the produce to the delivery conveyor for the bag filling operation. The weigher electrical control circuitry contains a time delay relay which, after a predetermined period of time sufficient for the produce to clear the tripped gate, not only deenergizes the gate solenoid to recycle the weigher, but also transmits a signal actuating a time delay relay in the bagger electrical control circuitry. Thus, following a preset period of time sufficient for the produce to enter and settle in the bag, this latter time delay relay simultaneously actuates the bag swinging mechanism, to swing the bag into the tying device, and deactuates the bag spreading mechanism to close the bag, which remains clamped on the spades, and to reinstate the suction for the next bag. Hence, the intercontrol between the two machines for recycling the weigher and continuing the bagger cycle in the present invention is electrical, no pneumatic inter-control being employed.

While the present invention also incorporates a switch which momentarily actuates the packer arm mechanism of the tying device as the bag is swung into such device, the switch has been relocated from the bag holding device to the bag tying device so that such switch is actuated directly by the bag itself, and the bag spreading mechanism is provided with a further switch which must be closed by deactuation of the spreader mechanism before the tying device can begin the tying operation. Thus, if any produce is lodged between the spades preventing complete closure of the bag, the tying device will not operate until this situation is corrected.

While the operation of the tying device in my present invention is similar to that in my prior apparatus, the release of the bag by deactuation of the bag clamping, spreading and rocking mechanisms is controlled in a different manner so as to depend directly upon completion of the bag tying operation rather than upon retraction of the bag packer mechanism. Thus, the normally closed circuit unlatching switch is momentarily opened by the tying mechanism upon completion of its operation, rather than made dependent upon the throttled exhaust of the valve controlling the return stroke of the packer arm mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, having thus outlined the various differences between the present invention and those of the prior art, it is a primary object herein to provide a new and improved automatic bagging machine which feeds, opens, enters and holds the open bags for the bag filling operation, upon completion of which such machine closes, ties and exits from and releases the filled bags and recycles. To this end, such automatic bagging machine includes support means, bag feeding means mounted on such support means, bag tying means mounted on such support means in opposed space relationship to such feeding means, bag holding means mounted on such support means between such feeding and tying means and including rocking means, spreading means, clamping means and swinging means, and an electrical control system for actuating and deactuating such feeding, holding and tying means in timed sequence, such electrical control system including rocker control means energized and latched by such holding means when moved to such feeding means by such swinging means to actuate such rocking means to insert such spreading means into an empty bag partially opened by such feeding means, one clamp control means energized and latched by such actuated rocking means to actuate one of such clamping means to clamp one side of the empty bag on one of such spreading means, spreader control means simultaneously energized by such actuated rocking means to actuate such spreading means to spread open and remove the empty bag from such feeding means, another clamp control means energized and latched by such actuated spreading means to actuate the other of such clamping means to clamp the other side of the empty bag on the other of such spreading means prior to the bag filling operation, closer control means responsive to completion of the bag filling operation, with such closer control means being energized and latched to deenergize such spreader control means to deactuate such spreading means while both of such clamping means remain actuated to collapse and close such filled bag following such bag filling operation, swinger control means simultaneously energized by such latched closer control means to actuate such swinging means to move such rocking, spreading, and clamping means to such tying means, tyer control means energized upon such holding means reaching such tying means to actuate such tying means to tie the closed and filled bag, and recycle control means deenergized by such tying means when the bag is tied to simultaneously unlatch such rocker, one and other clamp, and closer control means, thereby deactuating such rocking means to remove such spreading means from the tied bag, deactuating and opening both of such clamping means to release the tied bag, and deactuating such swinging means to move such holding means from such tying means to such feeding means for reenergizing and latching such rocker control means.

termined weight of material to fill the open empty bag,

weighing means including conveyor means for delivering the predetermined weight of material to such chute means, movable gate means for restraining the material in such weighing means until such predetermined weight is reached, and electrical control means in circuit with such enabling control means, for automatically determining such predetermined weight of material, for actuating such gatemeans upon such predetermined weight of material being reached and upon being enabled by such enabling control means to deliver the weighed material to such chute means, and for simultaneously deactuating such gate means and energizing such time delay means upon such delivery to recycle the weighing operation without awaiting completion of the bag filling operation, but with such energized time delay relay means being self-latched and simultaneously energizing such swinger control means to actuate such swinging means and deenergizing such spreader control means to deactuate such spreading means only upon completion of such bag filling operation following delivery of such predetermined weight of material into the open bag.

Another primary object ofthe invention is to provide such combination ofautomatic weighing and bagging machines wherein the latter controls initiation of the bag filling operation even to the point of preventing the former from delivering the predetermined weight of material until an open bag is stretched and clamped in proper position on the spreading means and ready to receive the material. To this end, energizing and latching of the other clamp control means by the actuated spreading means upon such bag being properly hung and spread open thereon, energizes such enabling control means, which has been enabled by actuation of such one clamping means, to enable the electrical control means of the automatic weighing machine to actuate such gate means. On the other hand, if the bag is not properly hung on such one spreading means the enabling control means will not become enabled by actuation of such one clamping means and therefore will not be energized by energizing and latching of such other clamp control means to prevent enabling of the electrical control means of the automatic weighing machine and actuation of such gate means. Likewise, if the bag is not hung on both spreading means, such other clamp control means will not be energized and latched, notwithstanding actuation of such one clamping means and such spreading means, thereby preventing energization of such enabling control means and enabling of such electrical control means of the auto matic weighing machine to actuate such gate means.

.Other objects are to provide such automatic bagging machine wherein: such bag feeding device permits replenishing of the bag supply while the machine is operating and only employs bag opening suction when needed; such bag holding device enters the bag to spread the same open and exits from the bag to release the same, partially clamps the bag during such spreading action, controls the duration of suction applied by the bag feeding device, the actuation of the weigher electrical control system for tripping the gate, and the actuation of the tying device; and such bag tying device controls the continued operation of the bag holding device for completion of the bagging cycle including exit from and release of the bag and return to the bag feeding device for the next cycle.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a horizontal section or top plan view taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 2 to show an automatic produce weighing machine having its lower left end arranged in operative relationship with an automatic bagging machine constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention and containing an open bag (dotted lines) in position for the bag filling operation, but illustrated schematically in block diagram form, the right, left, top and bottom sides of which are hereinafter referred to leading, trailing, front and rear respectively.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section tkane on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to show the weighing machine in greater detail, with the block diagram of the bagging machine and bag being shown in broken lines to better illustrate the delivery end structure of the weighing machine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the trailing side of the overall bagging machine taken along line 3-3 of FIG. I to show the supporting framework, the bag feeding device (on the left), and the bag holding device (above and extending to the right of the bag feeding device), and the bag tying device (below the bag holding device).

FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to show the relationship between the bag tying device (at the top) and the bag feeding and holding devices (at the bottom).

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 through the base structure of the supporting framework.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the bag tying device of FIG. 4, but with covering structure removed to show structural details of the packer arm mechanism (on the left), the tape feeding mechanism (on the right) and the tape twisting mechanism (therebelow), with the packer arm being shown in its inoperative position in solid lines and in its operative position in dotted lines.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6 to show the structure of the twister head of the tape twisting mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6 to show further structural details of the tape feeding and packer arm mechanisms.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 6 to show further structural details of the tape feeding, twisting and packer arm mechanisms.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 6 to show further structural details of the tape twisting and feeding mechanisms.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal section take on line 11-11 of FIG. 8 to show details of the air switch actuated by the packer arm piston rod crank member of the packer arm mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 3 and illustrating in greater detail the wicket supporting a stack of bags and the suction frame of the bag feeding device, with suction being applied to partially open the leading bag.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 3 to show structural details of the wicket and the front one of the two suction nozzles on the blower frame, with bag opening suction applied.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 3 to show further structural details of the suction nozzles and wicket, with bag opening suction applied.

FIG. 15 is' a further enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14 to show further structural details of the front one of the two suction nozzles.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 3 to show structural details of the blower housing and flapper valve mounted on the suction frame.

FIG. 17 is a vertical section taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 16 to show further structural details of the blower housing and suction frame and their connecting openmg.

FIG. 18 is a further enlarged vertical section taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 16 to show further structural details of the flapper valve and blower housing, particularly the valve seat and closure member.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 4 and with parts broken away to show structural details of the vertical pivotal mountings of the bag swinging mechanism (below) and of the leading bag spreader arm (above), each forming a part of the bag holding device.

FIG. 20 is a horizontal fragmentary section taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 19 to show structural details of the pivotal mountings of both the leading and trailing bag spreader arms and the movement limiting stops for the latter.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 21-21 of FIG. 19 to show structural details of the horizontal pivotal mounting (on the left) for vertical rocking or oscillation of the bag swinging mechanism and (at the right) of the leading (right) and trailing (left) vertical pivotal mountings for the swinger air motor.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 22-22 of FIG. 4 through the central portions of the bag spreading spades in the collapsed position, and illustrating the bag clamping mechanisms in the open position.

FIG. 23 is a left end elevational view taken on line 23-23 of FIG. to show the trailing bag clamping mechanism in closed or clamped position, and the produce deflector plate and guide roller mounted on the trailing spade structure.

FIG. 24 is a right end elevational view taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 25 to show the leading bag clamping mechanism in closed or clamped position.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 25-25 of FIG. 4 to show the spades collapsed and the clamps closed for holding a closed filled bag, with the produce deflector plate shown in phantom.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 26-26 of FIG. 4 and illustrating the mounting of two limit switches on the supporting framework, with a bracket on the trailing spreader arm (in solid lines) closing the upper switch to lower the spades into an open empty bag and (in dotted lines) closing the lower switch to simultaneously actuate the leading clamp and the spreader arms, while shutting off the suction.

FIGS. 27-50 are a series of diagrammatic views on a reduced scale illustrating the various positions of the bag holding device relative to the bag feeding and tying devices during the sequence of operations in a complete cycle of the automatic bagging machine.

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate respectively in top plan, trailing end elevation and front elevation the positions of the bag feeding, holding and tying devices at the start of a cycle, with the bag holding device having been rocked upwardly and swung back from the tying device to position the spades above and between the suction frame and wicket structure of the bag feeding device prior to entry into a partially opened bag on the latter.

FIGS. 30-32 similarly illustrate these devices when the bag holding device and the spades thereon are rocked downwardly into the partially open bag on the wicket structure.

FIGS. 33-35 similarly illustrate these devices during actuation of the leading spreader arm and clamp arm to spread and clamp the leading side of the bag on the leading spade, with the suction shut off.

FIGS. 36-38 similarly illustrate these devices after the leading spreader arm has been actuated, the trailing clamp arm closed and the bag fully spread open and stripped from the wicket structure through the suction frame of the bag feeding device, prior to the bag filling operation.

FIGS. 39-41 similarly show these devices in the same position, but with the spread open and clamped bag receiving a load of produce during the bag filling operation (the bag feeding device being omitted from FIG. 41).

FIGS. 42-44 similarly illustrate these devices with the spreader arm, spades and clamp arms collapsed to close the filled bag and with the suction reapplied (FIG. 42) to partially open the next empty bag (the bag feeding device being omitted from FIG. 44).

FIGS. 45-47 similarly show these devices with the bag holding device and closed, filled bag thereon swung into the tying device (the bag feeding device being omitted from FIG. 47).

FIGS. 48-50 similarly show these devices near the end of a cycle following the bag tying operation, with the clamps open, the collapsed spreader arms rocked upwardly and the tied bag released from the tying and holding devices, just prior to swinging of the bag holding device back to the starting position of FIGS. 27-29 (the bag feeding device being omitted from FIG. 50).

FIG. 51 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical control system for the automatic bagging machine and the cooperating parts of the weigher electrical control system.

FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic control system for the automatic bagging machine and the connection to the weigher pneumatic gate control circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Introduction Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic bagging machine constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally designated at B and is shown diagramatically in operative relationship with an automatic produce weighing machine generally indicated at W. In the operative relationship shown, each machine is particularly adapted for joint inter-controlled operation with the other, and this is the preferred arrangement. However, it is to be understood that each machine may be operated independently. For example, weighing machine W may be used to fill bags with produce directly by being equipped with a discharge scoop (not shown) over which the open empty bags are manually positioned for the bag filling operation, such as disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,889,130 and 2,889,131. Likewise, automatic bagging machine B could be employed with those patented weighing machines or any other suitable weighing machine for the bag filling operation.

Weighing Machine While the precise details of weighing machine W, per se, are not necessary to an understanding of the present invention, a brief general description of the structure and operation thereof will be given in view of its adaptation for use with automatic bagging machine B. Hence, as shown in FIGS. l and 2, weighing machine W includes an upwardly inclined produce supply hopper 2, a fast feed housing 4, a weighing compartment 6 and a discharge housing 8, all arranged in sequence from right to left. The delivery end of feed housing 4 is suitably mounted on the upper end of a box-like support cabinet 10 having depending legs 12, with the cantilever entrance end of housing 4 being supported by one or more inclined struts 14 extending from cabinet 10. The upper delivery end of supply hopper 2 is suitably supported at the upper entrance end of feed housing 4 in communication therewith, while the lower end of hopper 2 is supported by one or more inclined struts 16 extending outwardly from cabinet 10. Weighing compartment 6 is suitably supported for vertical movement with respect to cabinet 10 on a member 18 which constitutes the commodity outrider of a suitable beam type weighing mechanism (not shown), but which may be the same as or similar to the weighing mechanisms disclosed in the above weigher patents. Next, discharge chute or housing 8 is arranged transversely at the outer end of weighing compartment 6 and is suitably supported to incline downwardly and outwardly to one side from the delivery end of weighing compartment 6 by frame work including depending legs (not shown) supported by one or more cantilever beams 20 and inclined struts 22 projecting from the left end of cabinet 10. As will be evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, both ends of feed housing 4 and weighing compartment 6 are open, with their adjacent ends in communication with each other, while the entrance end of housing 41 communicates with the open upper delivery end of hopper 2 and the delivery end of weighing compartment 6 communicates with an opening in the upper adjacent side of discharge chut 8, all for the proper feeding, weighing and discharging of the produce. However, while both hopper 2 and feed housing 4 are stationary,

as is discharge chute 8, weighing compartment 6 is arranged to move vertically with respect to both housing 4- and chute 8 by reason of its mounting on member 118 and its associated weighing mechanism.

A power driven supply conveyor 24 is suitably arranged in hopper 2 for feeding the produce upwardly over a baffle plate 26 into feed housing 4 containing a power driven, fast feed conveyor 28 and a vibratory platform 31). Most of the produce is deposited on conveyor 28, while a minor portion thereof is deposited on platform 30. As the produce is fed from conveyor 28 to a power driven weighing conveyor 32 suitably mounted in weighing compartment 6, the weighing compartment descends until slightly under the desired weight is reached, at which time fast feed conveyor 28 is stopped, while the vibratory plate 30 is actuated to bring the weight to the predetermined amount desired, by dribbling produce to weighing conveyor 32 in small amounts, at which time it also stops.

As will be evident from FIG. ll, weighing conveyor 32 includes a plurality of transversely spaced belts 34 which are arranged close enough together to prevent the produce from falling therethrough, but far enough apart to permit the hook members 38 of a multiple hook gate mechanism 36 to extend upwardly above conveyor 32 and restrain the produce from entering discharge housing 8 until weighing compartment 6 is up to weight. Once this occurs, gate 36 is tripped or dropped to a position below conveyor 32 in any suitable manner so that the produce can enter discharge housing 8 and be deposited on a power driven conveyor 39 suitably mounted therein for filling open bag 12 in bagging machine B.

This may be accomplished by a lever or crank 46 having its lower end fixed to a common transverse shaft 41 rotatably mounted in compartment 6 and fixed to the rear ends of hook members 38, with its upper end operatively connected to the piston of a two-way air motor 42 suitably mounted on the outside of compartment 6 and operated through

fluid lines

44, 416 by a solenoid-actuated four-way air valve 48 applied through a line 50 connected a suitable compressed air source (not shown, but which could the same as that for the bagging machine) such as by tee 63 etc., F IG. 52. As will be evident from FIG. 2, during the power stroke of motor 42 the compressed air flows through line 50, valve 48 and line 4 to the right end of motor 42 with line 46 being connected to exhaust, thereby causing its piston rod to extend to the left and pivot lever 0 to drop hook members 38 of gate 36 below conveyor 32. During the exhaust or return stroke of motor 42, the flow is reversed to return lever 40 and hook members 38 of gate 36 to the upper restraining position shown.

This action of gate 36 is controlled in any suitable manner so that gate 36 will remain tripped or depressed until all of the produce on weighing conveyor 32 has been fed to discharge housing 8 and conveyor 39. Preferably, this is accomplished by the aforesaid weighing mechanism 118, etc. which, when the desired weight is reached, 'actuates an electrical control system (not shown, except for those components cooperating with the electrical control system of bagging machine B, and which are schematically illustrated herein in FIG. 51 as part of such bagger electrical control system for simplicity and convenience). This weigher electrical control system not only controls the starting and stopping

Claims

1. An automatic bagging machine comprising support means, bag feeding means mounted on said support means, bag tying means mounted on said support means in opposed spaced relationship to said feeding means, bag holding means mounted on said support means between said feeding means and tying means and including rocking means, spreading means, clamping means and swinging means, and an electrical control system for actuating and deactuating said feeding, holding and tying means in timed sequence, said electrical control system including rocker control means energized and latched by said holding means when moved to said feeding means by said swinging means to actuate said rocking means to insert said spreading means into an empty bag partially opened by said feeding means, one clamp control means energized and latched by said actuated rocking means to actuate one of said clamping means to clamp one side of the empty bag on one of said spreading means, spreader control means simultaneously energized by said actuated rocking means to actuate said spreading means to spread open and remove the empty bag from said feeding means, another clamp control means energized and latched by said actuated spreadIng means to actuate the other of said clamping means to clamp the other side of the empty bag on the other of said spreading means prior to the bag filling operation, closer control means responsive to completion of the bag filling operation, with said closer control means being energized and latched to deenergize said spreader control means to deactuate said spreading means while both of said clamping means remain actuated to collapse and close the filled bag following the bag filling operation, swinger control means simultaneously energized by said latched closer control means to actuate said swinging means to move said rocking, spreading and clamping means to said tying means, tyer control means energized upon said holding means reaching said tying means to actuate said tying means to tie the closed and filled bag, and recycle control means deenergized by said tying means when the bag is tied to simultaneously unlatch said rocker, one and other clamp, and closer control means and deenergize said swinger control means, thereby deactuating said rocking means to remove said spreading means from the tied bag, deactuating and opening both of said clamping means to release the tied bag, and deactuating said swinging means to move said holding means from said tying means to said feeding means for reenergizing and latching said rocker control means.

2. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 in combination with a weighing machine including chute means for delivering a predetermined weight of material to fill the open empty bag, weighing means including conveyor means for delivering said predetermined weight of material to said chute means, movable gate means for restraining said material in said weighing means until said predetermined weight is reached, and electrical control means for actuating said gate means upon said predetermined weight of material being reached to deliver the same to said chute means, for deactuating said gate means, and for energizing said closer control means upon such delivery.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said electrical control system of said automatic bagging machine includes enabling control means enabled by said actuated one clamping means upon the bag being hung properly on said one spreading means, and energized by said latched other clamp control means upon the bag being hung on both of said spreading means, to enable said electrical control means of said weighing machine to actuate said gate means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said one spreading means include means preventing enabling of said enabling control means by said actuated one clamping means if the bag is not hung properly on said actuated one spreading means, and said other spreading means include means preventing energizing and latching of said other clamp control means if the bag is not hung on both of said spreading means, thereby preventing energizing of said enabling control means and enabling of said electrical control means of said weighing machine to actuate said gate means.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said electrical control means of said weighing machine automatically determines said predetermined weight of material and includes fail safe relay means energized and latched by said energized enabling control means for actuating said gate means, weigher time delay relay means energized by said latched fail safe relay means and self-latched upon delivery of such predetermined weight of material for deactuating said gate means to recycle the weighing operation without awaiting completion of the bag filling operation, and for simultaneously energizing said closer control means.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said closer control means include holding relay means energized and latched by said latched weigher time delay relay means to unlatch said fail safe relay means which unlatches said weigher time delay relay means, and bagger time delay relay means energized simultaneously with said holding relay means by said latched weigher tIme delay relay means, maintained energized by said latched holding relay means following unlatching of said weigher time delay relay means and self-latched upon completion of the bag filling operation for simultaneously deenergizing said spreader control means and energizing said swinger control means.

7. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said feeding means include suction means on said support means, and wicket means on said suction means supporting an empty bag partially opened by said suction means, and said rocking means are mounted on said swinging means for movement toward said feeding means to insert said deactuated spreading means into the partially open bag between said wicket means and suction means and for opposite movement to remove said deactuated spreading means from the tied bag.

8. The automatic bagging machine of claim 7 wherein said rocker control means include normally open switch means closed by said holding means when moved to said feeding means by said deactuated swinging means, solenoid means energized by said closed switch means for moving said rocking means toward said feeding means to insert said deactuated spreading means into the partially opened bag between said wicket means and suction means, and relay means energized and latched by said closed switch means to maintain said solenoid means energized until said relay means are unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

9. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said one clamping means include one clamp arm means mounted on said one spreading means for movement toward said one spreading means to clamp one side of the empty bag thereon and away from said one spreading means to release said one side of the filled bag therefrom.

10. The automatic bagging machine of claim 9 wherein said one clamp control means include switch means actuated by said actuated rocking means, solenoid means energized by said actuated switch means for moving said one clamp arm means toward said one spreading means to clamp said one side of the empty bag thereon, and relay means energized and latched by said actuated switch means to maintain said solenoid means energized until said relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

11. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said one and other spreading means include one and other spreader arm means mounted on said rocking means for relative movement apart to spread open and remove the empty bag from said feeding means and together while both of said clamping means remain actuated to collapse and close the filled bag.

12. The automatic bagging machine of claim 11 wherein said spreader control means include switch means actuated by said actuated rocking means, solenoid means energized by said actuated switch means for moving said one and other spreader arm means relatively apart to spread open and remove the empty bag from said feeding means, and relay means energized and latched by said actuated switch means to maintain said solenoid means energized until said solenoid means is deenergized by said latched closer control means.

13. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said other clamping means include other clamp arm means mounted on said other spreading means for movement toward said other spreading means to clamp the other side of the empty bag thereon and away from said other spreading means to release the other side of the filled bag therefrom.

14. The automatic bagging machine of claim 13 wherein said other clamp control means include switch means deactuated by said actuated spreading means, solenoid means energized by said deactuated switch means for moving said other clamping means toward said other spreading means to clamp the other side of the empty bag thereon, and relay means energized and latched by said deactuated switch means to maintain said solenoid means energized until said relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

15. The automatic bagging mAchine of claim 1 wherein said one and other spreading means include one and other spreader arm means mounted on said rocking means for relative movement apart to spread open and remove the bag from said feeding means and together while both of said clamping means remain actuated to collapse and close the filled bag.

16. The automatic bagging machine of claim 15 wherein said closer control means include relay means energized and latched in response to completion of the bag filling operation, and said spreader control means include solenoid means deenergized by said latched relay means for moving said one and other spreader arm means relatively together.

17. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said swinging means are mounted on said support means for movement between said feeding means and tying means, said rocking means are mounted on said swinging means, said spreading means are mounted on said rocking means, and said clamping means are mounted on said spreading means.

18. The automatic bagging machine of claim 17 wherein said closer control means include relay means energized and latched in response to completion of the bag filling operation, and said swinger control means include solenoid means energized by said latched relay means for moving said swinging, rocking, spreading and clamping means from said feeding means to said tying means, with said solenoid means remaining energized until said relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

19. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said tyer control means include normally open switch means closed upon said holding means reaching said tying means, and solenoid means energized by said closed switch means for actuating said tying means.

20. The automatic bagging machine of claim 19 wherein said recycle control means include normally closed switch means in circuit with said latched rocker, one and other clamp, and closer control means and opened by said tying means when the bag is tied for simultaneously unlatching said rocker, one and other clamp, and closer control means.

21. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said electrical control system includes enabling control means enabled by said actuated one clamping means upon the empty bag being hung properly on said one spreading means, and energized by said latched other clamp control means upon the empty bag being hung on both of said spreading means, to permit energizing of said closer control means.

22. The automatic bagging machine of claim 21 wherein one spreading means include means preventing enabling of said enabling control means by said actuated one clamping means if the empty bag is not hung properly on said one spreading means, and said other spreading means include means preventing energizing and latching of said other clamp control means if the empty bag is not hung on both of said spreading means, thereby preventing energizing of said enabling control means.

23. The automatic bagging machine of claim 21 wherein said closer control means include holding relay means energized and latched by said energized enabling control means, and time delay means energized simultaneously with said holding relay means by said energized enabling control means, maintained energized by said latched holding relay means and self-latched upon completion of the bag filling operation for simultaneously deenergizing said spreader control means and energizing said swinger control means.

24. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said electrical control system includes disabling control means in circuit with said tyer control means, deenergized by failure of said spreading means to deactuate upon deenergizing of said spreader control means because of material becoming lodged between said one and other spreading means, and preventing energizing of said tyer control means.

25. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said feeding means include upright open suction means on said support meAns, and wicket means on said suction means and suspending the trailing sides of an upright stack of empty bags, with the leading side of the leading bag being partially opened by said suction means.

26. The automatic bagging machine of claim 25 wherein said feeding means include follower means removably mounted on said wicket means for feeding the bags one by one to said suction means and for replenishing the bag supply during operation of said bagging machine.

27. The automatic bagging machine of claim 25 wherein said suction means are actuated by said deactuated spreading means prior to the initial bag filling operation and following each subsequent bag filling operation, and deactuated by said actuated spreading means prior to each bag filling operation, to provide suction only when needed to partially open each leading empty bag on said feeding means for entry by said deactuated spreading means.

28. The automatic bagging machine of claim 25 wherein said rocking means include rocker plate means pivotally mounted on said swinging means for vertical movement downwardly toward said feeding means upon energizing of said rocker control means and for vertical movement upwardly upon deenergizing of said rocker control means, fluid motor means operatively associated with said rocker plate means and said swinging means, and rocker valve means operatively associated with said rocker motor means and rocker control means, and said one and other spreading means include respectively leading and trailing spreader arm means pivotally mounted at their rear ends on said rocker means and terminating at their front ends in depending leading and trailing spade means, for horizontal movement relatively apart to separate said spade means and spread open the empty leading bag and together to collapse said spade means for closing the filled bag and for entering the partially opened leading bag.

29. The automatic bagging machine of claim 28 wherein said rocker control means include normally open rocker switch means on said support means and closed by said trailing spreader arm means, rocker solenoid means energized by said closed rocker switch means and actuating said valve means which actuates said motor means which moves said rocker plate means downwardly to insert said collapsed leading and trailing spade means of said deactuated spreading means into the partially open upper end of the leading bag between said wicket means and suction means, and rocker relay means energized and latched by said closed rocker switch means to maintain said rocker solenoid means latched following opening of said rocker switch means by said trailing spreader arm means upon energizing of said other clamp control means by said actuated spreading means and until said rocker relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

30. The automatic bagging machine of claim 29 wherein said one clamping means include leading clamp arm means pivotally mounted at its upper end on said leading spade means and terminating at its lower end in leading clamp means for vertical movement downwardly and inwardly toward said leading spade means to clamp the leading side of the empty leading bag thereon and upwardly and outwardly from said leading spade means to release the leading side of the closed filled bag therefrom, fluid leading clamp motor means operatively associated with said leading spade and clamp arm means, and leading clamp valve means operatively associated with said leading clamp motor means and one clamp control means.

31. The automatic bagging machine of claim 30 wherein said one clamp control means include normally deactuated, two-way switch means on said support means and actuated by said trailing spreader arm means, leading clamp solenoid means energized by said actuated two-way switch means and actuating said leading clamp valve means which actuates said leading clamp motor means which moves said leading clamp means downwardly and inwardly to clamp the leading side of the empty leading bag on said leading spade means, and leading clamp relay means energized and latched by said actuated two-way switch means to enable said other clamp control means and maintain said leading clamp solenoid means energized following deactuation of said two-way switch by said trailing spreader arm means upon energizing of said other clamp control means by said actuated spreading means.

32. The automatic bagging machine of claim 31 wherein said one and other spreading means include fluid spreader motor means operatively associated with said leading and trailing spreader arm means for moving said leading spreader arm means apart from and toward said trailing spreader arm means to collapse and separate said spade means respectively, and spreader valve means operatively associated with said spreader motor means and said spreader control means.

33. The automatic bagging machine of claim 32 wherein said spreader motor means is pivotally connected at its leading end to said leading spreader arm means and at its trailing end to said rocker means, said rocker means include front and rear stop means, and said trailing spreader arm means include flange means engageable with said front stop means when said spreading means are deactuated to ensure entry of said collapsed spade means into the partially opened upper end of the empty leading bag between said wicket means and suction means, and engageable with said rear stop means when said spreading means are actuated to permit limited movement of said trailing spreader arm means with said leading spreader arm means under bag tension to remove the empty bag from said wicket means through said open suction means, and said holding means includes resilient means operatively associated with said trailing spreader arm means and rocker means and normally biasing said flange means into engagement with said front stop means.

34. The automatic bagging machine of claim 32 wherein said spreader control means include said deactuated two-way switch means, spreader solenoid means enabled by said unlatched closer control means, energized by said deactuated two-way switch means and actuating said spreader valve means which simultaneously deactuates said suction means and actuates said spreader motor means which moves said leading spreader arm means apart from said trailing spreader arm means to spread open the empty leading bag, with said trailing spreader arm means being pulled along with said leading spreader arm means under bag tension to remove the empty leading bag from said wicket means through said open suction means and to deactuate said two-way switch means, and said energized and latched leading clamp relay means maintaining said spreader solenoid means energized following said deactuation of said two-way switch means until deenergized by said latched closer control means.

35. The automatic bagging machine of claim 34 wherein said other clamping means include trailing clamp arm means pivotally mounted at its upper end on said trailing spade means and terminating at its lower end in clamp means for vertical movement downwardly and inwardly toward said trailing spade means to clamp the trailing side of the empty bag thereon and upwardly and outwardly from said trailing spade means to release the trailing side of the closed filled bag therefrom, fluid trailing clamp motor means operatively associated with said trailing spade and clamp arm means, and trailing clamp valve means operatively associated with said trailing clamp motor means and said other clamp control means.

36. The automatic bagging machine of claim 35 wherein said other clamp control means include said two-way switch means, trailing clamp solenoid means enabled by said latched leading clamp relay means, energized by said deactuated two-way switch means and actuating said trailing clamp valve means which actuates said trailing clamp motor means which moves said trailing clamp means downwardly and inwardly to clamp the trailing side of the empty bag against said trailing spade mEans, and trailing clamp relay means enabled by said latched leading clamp relay means and energized by said deactuated two-way switch means to maintain said trailing clamp solenoid means energized until said trailing clamp relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

37. The automatic bagging machine of claim 36 wherein said closer control means include holding relay means energized and latched in response to the bag filling operation, and time delay relay means energized simultaneously with and maintained energized by said latched holding relay means and self-lathced upon completion of the bag filling operation to simultaneously energize said swinger control means and deenergize said spreader solenoid means which reverses said spreader valve means which deactuates said spreader motor means which pivots said leading spreader arm means toward said trailing spreader arm means, while said leading and trailing clamping means remain actuated to collapse and close the filled bag.

38. The automatic bagging machine of claim 37 wherein said swinging means include swinger plate means pivotally mounted on said support means for horizontally moving said rocking, spreading and clamping means between said feeding means and tying means, fluid swinger motor means operatively associated with said support means and swinger plate means, and swinger valve means operatively associated with said swinger motor means and swinger control means.

39. The automatic bagging machine of claim 38 wherein said swinger control means include swinger solenoid means energized by said latched time delay relay means and actuating said swinger valve means which actuate said swinger motor means which move said swinger plate means, rocking means, spreading means and clamping means from said feeding means to said tying means, and said latched time delay relay means maintains said swinger solenoid means energized until said time delay relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.

40. The automatic bagging machine of claim 39 wherein said tying means include housing means having throat means, packer means mounted on said housing means for movement between operative and inoperative positions to gather the closed filled bag in said throat means and loop tape around such gathered bag in said operative position, tape feeding means on said housing means and actuated by said packer means in one of said positions to feed the tape to said packer means, tape cutting means on said housing means and operatively associated with said packer means in said operative position to cut the looped tape, and tape twisting means actuated by said packer means in said operative position to twist the cut looped tape and tie the gathered bag.

41. The automatic bagging machine of claim 40 wherein said tyer control means include normally open tyer switch means on said housing means and momentarily closed by the closed filled bag entering said throat means, and tyer solenoid means momentarily energized by said closed tyer switch means for momentarily actuating said packer means to said operative position for the bag tying operation.

42. The automatic bagging machine of claim 41 wherein said recycle control means include normally closed recycle switch means on said housing means, in circuit with said rocker, leading and trailing clamp, holding, and time delay relay means, and momentarily opened by one of said packer means and tape twisting means when the bag is tied to simultaneously unlatch said rocker, leading and trailing clamp, holding and time delay relay means, thereby deenergizing said rocker solenoid means which reverses said rocker valve means which deactuates said rocker motor means to pivot said rocking means upwardly and remove said collapsed spade means from the tied bag, deenergizing said leading and trailing clamp solenoid means which reverse said leading and trailing clamp valve means which deactuate said leading and trailing clamp motor means which pivot said leading and traiLing clamp arm means upwardly and outwardly and release the tied bag, and deenergizing said swinger solenoid means which reverses said swinger valve means which deactuates said swinger motor means which pivots said holding means back from said tying means to said feeding means for reclosing said rocker switch means.

43. The automatic bagging machine of claim 42 wherein said electrical control system includes enabling control means including normally open enabling switch means on said leading clamp arm means, closed upon clamping movement of said leading clamp arm means by engagement with the leading side of the empty bag when hung properly on said leading spade means, and energized by said latched leading clamp relay means upon the empty bag being hung on both of said leading and trailing spade means, to permit energizing of said holding relay means.

44. The automatic bagging machine of claim 43 wherein said leading spade means include opening means receiving and preventing closing of said enabling switch means if the empty bag is not hung properly on said leading spade means to cover said opening means, and said trailing spreader arm means include bracket means engaging and maintaining said two-way switch means actuated to prevent deactuation thereof if the empty bag is not hung on both of said leading and trailing spade means, thereby preventing energizing and latching of said trailing clamp relay means and energizing of said enabling switch means, notwithstanding closing thereof.

45. The automatic bagging machine of claim 44 wherein said electrical control system includes disabling control means including disabling switch means on one of said leading and trailing spreader arm means, in circuit with said tyer switch means and tyer solenoid means, opened by disengagement between said leading and trailing spreader arm means upon actuation of said spreader motor means, and prevented from closing by failure of said leading spreader arm means to collapse said spade means and close the filled bag upon deactuation of said spreader motor means because of material becoming lodged between said leading and trailing spade means during the bag filling operation, thereby preventing energizing of said tyer solenoid means and actuation of said packer means notwithstanding later closing of said tyer switch means by the bag.