US3579959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic grocery bag filling apparatus with inner and outer tray
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-08-27
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically filling grocery bags with items purchased by a customer in a supermarket or the like including a tray in which the items are placed as they are registered on the checkout cash register, a bag holder on which an opened grocery bag is placed with the bag holder being movable into a position for telescopically receiving the tray while, the items are discharged from the tray into the grocery bag together with a conveyor structure for removing the grocery bag from the grocery bag holder and storing in an accessible position. In one embodiment of the invention, the tray is supported within a drawer structure which is actuated by a mechanism to first elevate the drawer into an inclined position in aligned relation to the grocery bag bag and then inserting the tray from the drawer into the grocery bag, releasing the items into the bag and then retracting the tray and returning the tray and drawer to its normal position for placing subsequent items in the tray.
Inventors
- 👤 Gaspar Robert Bossetta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B67/00; B65B67/02; B65B67/04; A; A47; A47F; A47F10/00; A47F10/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A bag filling apparatus comprising bag holding means for supporting an open bag in an inclined position, a tray means of a size to telescopically enter and exit from the bag for receiving items to be placed in the bag, means moving said tray means into an inclined position into the open bag supported by the bag holding means, said tray means including means to release the items therein when the tray means enters the bag on the bag holding means, and means movably supporting said bag when on the bag holding means and moving the bag with the items therein away from holding means to enable a subsequent open bag to be placed on the bag holding means, said tray means being an open top rectangular tray having rollers journaled between the sidewalls thereof to form a bottom to enable items to move out of the tray when the tray is inclined, said means on the tray means for releasing the items including a pivotal front gate, said pivotal front gate being pivotally connected to the tray at the lower front edge thereof, spring means biasing the gate to closed position, and releasable latch means retaining the gate in closed position, said bag holding means including an open frame defining the open end of the bag and receiving the tray therethrough, a pair of partial sidewall members connected to the frame for supporting the sidewalls of the bag, and means on said partial sidewalls for engaging the latch means for the front gate for releasing the same when the tray enters the bag holding means and bag a predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A bag filling apparatus comprising bag holding means for supporting an open bag in an inclined position, a tray means of a size to telescopically enter and exit from the bag for receiving items to be placed in the bag, means moving said tray means into an inclined position into the open bag supported by the bag holding means, said tray means including means to release the items therein when the tray means enters the bag on the bag holding means, and means movably supporting said bag when on the bag holding means and moving the bag with the items therein away from holding means to enable a subsequent open bag to be placed on the bag holding means, said tray means being an open top rectangular tray having rollers journaled between the sidewalls thereof to form a bottom to enable items to move out of the tray when the tray is inclined, said means on the tray means for releasing the items including a pivotal front gate, said pivotal front gate being pivotally connected to the tray at the lower front edge thereof, spring means biasing the gate to closed position, and releasable latch means retaining the gate in closed position, said bag holding means including an open frame defining the open end of the bag and receiving the tray therethrough, a pair of partial sidewall members connected to the frame for supporting the sidewalls of the bag, and means on said partial sidewalls for engaging the latch means for the front gate for releasing the same when the tray enters the bag holding means and bag a predetermined distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 together with spring hinge means supporting said bag holding means for pivotal movement from an inoperatIve upwardly inclined position for receiving an open grocery bag thereon to a downwardly inclined operative position in alignment with the tray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting and moving the filled grocery bag includes an endless conveyor belt having an inclined portion underlying and supporting the grocery bag when positioned in operative downwardly inclined position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said conveyor belt includes a laterally extending supporting flap thereon which underlies a portion of the bottom of the bag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes a storage conveyor comprising a horizontally disposed conveyor belt receiving grocery bags from the supporting flap for storing the bags in vertical position alongside of each other, and a vertical wall surface forming a stop for limiting movement of the filled bags on the horizontal conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a bag filling apparatus, a tray having dimensional characteristics enabling the tray and a bag to be telescopically related, means on said tray for releasably retaining material thereon to enable release of the material when the tray and bag are telescopically related, and means in the bottom of said tray for movably supporting the material to facilitate movement of the material out of the tray when the retaining means is released, a bag holder including an open frame receiving the mouth of an open bag, means supporting said frame for alignment with said tray, and means on said bag holder for releasing said retaining means when the tray and bag on the bag holder are telescopically related.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a bag filling apparatus, a tray having dimensional characteristics enabling the tray and a bag to be telescopically related, means on said tray for releasably retaining material thereon to enable release of the material when the tray and bag are telescopically related, and means in the bottom of said tray for movably supporting the material to facilitate movement of the material out of the tray when the retaining means is released, a bag holder including an open frame receiving the mouth of an open bag, means supporting said frame for alignment with said tray, and means on said bag holder for releasing said retaining means when the tray and bag on the bag holder are telescopically related.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said supporting means for the bag holder supports the bag in downwardly inclined position, and means moving said tray into and out of a bag on the bag holder when in downwardly inclined position for gravity discharge of material from the tray into the bag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a bag filling apparatus, a tray having dimensional characteristics enabling the tray and a bag to be telescopically related, means on said tray for releasably retaining material thereon to enable release of the material when the tray and bag are telescopically related, and means in the bottom of said tray for movably supporting the material to facilitate movement of the material out of the tray when the retaining means is released, said means in the bottom of said tray including a relatively smooth surface on which material may slide, said means on said tray for releasably retaining material thereon including a pivotally supported door, latch means releasably retaining the door in closed position and being released automatically when inserted into the bag, said tray being reciprocally supported in a drawer for longitudinal reciprocation, means connected with the drawer for elevating it into alignment with a bag.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a bag filling apparatus, a tray having dimensional characteristics enabling the tray and a bag to be telescopically related, means on said tray for releasably retaining material thereon to enable release of the material when the tray and bag are telescopically related, and means in the bottom of said tray for movably supporting the material to facilitate movement of the material out of the tray when the retaining means is released, said means in the bottom of said tray including a relatively smooth surface on which material may slide, said means on said tray for releasably retaining material thereon including a pivotally supported door, latch means releasably retaining the door in closed position and being released automatically when inserted into the bag, said tray being reciprocally supported in a drawer for longitudinal reciprocation, means connected with the drawer for elevating it into alignment with a bag.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein a lift arm is connected to said drawer adjacent one end thereof, means supporting the other end of the drawer for rocking movement about a horizontal axis whereby the drawer and tray may be oriented in inclined relation for alignment with a bag.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for elevating the drawer and tray includes a pair of lift arms, a pair of actuating arms attached to the tray and extending alongside of the lift arms, means pivotally and slidably interconnecting the lift arms and actuating arms for moving the tray inwardly and outwardly of the drawer when the actuating arms are oscillated, and drive chain means connected to said actuating arms to cause elevation thereof and oscillatory movement thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said actuating arms is releasably connected to the lift arm for elevating the lift arm during initial movement of the actuating arm after which the actuating arm is detached from the lift arm to move the tray inwardly and outwardly of the drawer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
The structure aS defined in claim 11 wherein said lift arm is slidable in a pivotally supported sleeve and includes a pair of notches engaging the ends of the sleeve for locking the lift arm in elevated position, spring-biased means engaging the sleeve for urging it into locking engagement with the notches in the lift arm to retain the lift arm elevated while the actuating arm for the tray is being pivoted, and means interconnecting the actuating arm and lift arm to release the latch means for the lift arm when the actuating arms return to a position alongside of the lift arms so that they may also move vertically.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a bag filling apparatus, a drawer and tray assembly including an inner tray telescopically received in an open ended drawer, means interconnecting the drawer and tray for guiding the tray during its movement in relation to the drawer, lift means connected with one end of the tray to elevate the tray into a position in alignment with a bag, and means connected to the tray for moving the tray longitudinally of the drawer to telescope the tray into a bag and retract the tray back into the drawer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a bag filling apparatus, a drawer and tray assembly including an inner tray telescopically received in an open ended drawer, means interconnecting the drawer and tray for guiding the tray during its movement in relation to the drawer, lift means connected with one end of the tray to elevate the tray into a position in alignment with a bag, and means connected to the tray for moving the tray longitudinally of the drawer to telescope the tray into a bag and retract the tray back into the drawer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
The structure as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for elevating one end of the drawer and reciprocating said tray includes an endless chain having a vertical portion and an inclined portion, an actuating arm attached to the chain for movement vertically and in an inclined path for actuating the tray, and a lift arm interconnecting the drawer and the actuating arm for initial elevation of one end of the drawer along with the actuating arm, and latch means retaining the lift arms in elevated position while the actuating arm is being pivoted for insertion and retraction of the tray.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
168 words
A bag filling apparatus comprising bag holding means for supporting an open bag in an inclined position, tray means of a size to telescopically enter and exit from the bag for receiving items to be placed in the bag, means moving said tray means into an inclined position into the open bag supported by the bag holding means, said tray means including means to release the items therein when the tray means enters the bag on the bag holding means a predetermined distance, said bag holding means including a frame means defining the open end of the bag, and means on said frame means for actuating said release means on the tray means, and means supporting the bottom of the bag when the bag is on the bag holding means in an inclined position with the closed end of the bag below the open end, said bag bottom supporting means being movable for removing the bag off the bag holding means due to the weight of items therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
168 words
A bag filling apparatus comprising bag holding means for supporting an open bag in an inclined position, tray means of a size to telescopically enter and exit from the bag for receiving items to be placed in the bag, means moving said tray means into an inclined position into the open bag supported by the bag holding means, said tray means including means to release the items therein when the tray means enters the bag on the bag holding means a predetermined distance, said bag holding means including a frame means defining the open end of the bag, and means on said frame means for actuating said release means on the tray means, and means supporting the bottom of the bag when the bag is on the bag holding means in an inclined position with the closed end of the bag below the open end, said bag bottom supporting means being movable for removing the bag off the bag holding means due to the weight of items therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |