Packaging apparatus

Claim 2

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags, comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. tongue means extending over the stack of closed bags; c. said vacuum shoe means being positioned near the end of the bag to be opened; d. means for mounting said vacuum shoe means for reciprocating movement in a manner to open a bag; e. means responsive to vacuum engagement with a bag by said vacuum shoe means for reciprocating said vacuum shoe means with the big engaged thereby; and, f. said vacuum shoe means raising one wall of the bag to be opened in the reciprocating movement to ride the one wall of the bag over said tongue means whereupon the opened bag has said tongue means within the open bag.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, including: a. a first conductive member fixed relative to the stack of closed bags; b. a second conductive member slidably mounted relative to said first member; c. said vacuum shoe means cooperative with said first and second members to provide a vacuum flow path closed on engagement with the bag of the stack; and, d. said second member being drawn away from the engaged bag on continued vacuum flow in cooperation with said first member.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1, including: a. a closed member having a chamber therein and a face presented to the bag to be opened, said face having opening means therein which admits air to said closed member and which is adapTed to be closed off by a bag engaged by said closed member; b. said closed means comprising a portion of said vacuum shoe means; c. vacuum flow apparatus communicating with said closed member for drawing air through said opening means; d. said means responsive to vacuum engagement with a bag incorporating the chamber of said closed member which is decreased in volume on closure of said opening means and which increases on airflow through said opening means.

Claim 5

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. a first hollow elongate member connected to said vacuum shoe means; c. a second hollow elongate member open at one end for slidingly receiving said first hollow elongate member for reciprocating movement in said second hollow elongate member; d. means for supporting said second elongate member in a position such that said first hollow elongate member reciprocates toward a stack of closed bags to carry said vacuum shoe means in proximity thereof; e. said second hollow elongate member including means permitting connection to a source of vacuum flow; f. said first and second hollow elongate members fitting together with a degree of clearance permitting vacuum leakage therebetween; g. A first surface defining at least partially a guiding means for a product to be packaged in an open bag; h. a support means for supporting the stack of closed bags; and, i. means for positioning the stack of closed bags on said support means at a location so that the open bag of the stack is cooperative with said first surface for receiving the product to be packaged.

Claim 6

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. a first hollow elongate member connected to said vacuum shoe means; c. a second hollow elongate member open at one end for slidingly receiving said first hollow elongate member for reciprocating movement in said second hollow elongate member; d. means for supporting said second elongate member in a position such that said first hollow elongate member reciprocates toward a stack of closed bags to carry said vacuum shoe means in proximity thereof; e. said second hollow elongate member including means permitting connection to a source of vacuum flow; f. said first and second hollow elongate members fitting together with a degree of clearance permitting vacuum leakage therebetween; g. A first surface defining at least partially a guiding means for a product to be packaged in an open bag; h. a support means for supporting the stack of closed bags; and, i. means for positioning the stack of closed bags on said support means at a location so that the open bag of the stack is cooperative with said first surface for receiving the product to be packaged.

Claim 7

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. a first hollow elongate member connected to said vacuum shoe means; c. a second hollow elongate member open at one end for slidingly receiving said first hollow elongate member for reciprocating movement in said second hollow elongate member; d. means for supporting said second elongate member in a position such that said first hollow elongate member reciprocates toward a stack of closed bags to carry said vacuum shoe means in proximity thereof; e. said second hollow elongate member including means permitting connection to a source of vacuum flow; f. said first and second hollow elongate members fitting together with a degree of clearance permitting vacuum leakage therebetween; g. a first surface defining at least partially a guiding means for a product to be packaged in an open bag; and, h. tongue means cooperative with said first surface for guiding the product in the open bag.

Claim 8

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. a first hollow elongate member connected to said vacuum shoe means; c. a second hollow elongate member open at one end for slidingly receiving said first hollow elongate member for reciprocating movement in said second hollow elongate member; d. means for supporting said second elongate member in a position such that said first hollow elongate member reciprocates toward a stack of closed bags to carry said vacuum shoe means in proximity thereof; e. said second hollow elongate member including means permitting connection to a source of vacuum flow; f. said first and second hollow elongate members fitting together with a degree of clearance permitting vacuum leakage therebetween; g. a first surface defining at least partially a guiding means for a product to be packaged in an open bag; and, h. tongue means cooperative with said first surface for guiding the product in the open bag.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 5, including means for positioning said tongue means above one wall of the open bag and within the open mouth thereof.

Claim 10

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. a first hollow elongate member connected to said vacuum shoe means; c. a second hollow elongate member open at one end for slidingly receiving said first hollow elongate member for reciprocating movement in said second hollow elongate member; d. means for supporting said second elongate member in a position such that said first hollow elongate member reciprocates toward a stack of closed bags to carry said vacuum shoe means in proximity thereof; e. said second hollow elongate member including means permitting connection to a source of vacuum flow; f. said first and second hollow elongate members fitting together with a degree of clearance permitting vacuum leakage therebetween; g. said vacuum shoe means including a closed body having a first flat face adapted to be presented to the stack of closed bags and a plurality of openings are formed therein; and, h. a second platelike meMber extending at an angle with respect to said first face, said second platelike member also including a plurality of openings therein and adapted to be contacted against a different portion of the stack of closed bags and being communicated with the vacuum shoe.

Claim 11

Bag-handling apparatus for cooperation with a stack of closed bags comprising: a. vacuum shoe means adapted to be contacted against a bag; b. a first hollow elongate member connected to said vacuum shoe means; c. a second hollow elongate member open at one end for slidingly receiving said first hollow elongate member for reciprocating movement in said second hollow elongate member; d. means for supporting said second elongate member in a position such that said first hollow elongate member reciprocates toward a stack of closed bags to carry said vacuum shoe means in proximity thereof; e. said second hollow elongate member including means permitting connection to a source of vacuum flow; f. said first and second hollow elongate members fitting together with a degree of clearance permitting vacuum leakage therebetween; g. said vacuum shoe means including a closed body having a first flat face adapted to be presented to the stack of closed bags and a plurality of openings are formed therein; and, h. a second platelike meMber extending at an angle with respect to said first face, said second platelike member also including a plurality of openings therein and adapted to be contacted against a different portion of the stack of closed bags and being communicated with the vacuum shoe.