US3699746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements
Assignee: PLASTIC FILMS Inc A CORP OF OH
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Filing: 1971-04-09
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-04-09
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein improved design enables the apparatus to receive the bag elements from a folded pile. This allows the use of bag elements almost totally separated from each other whereby after filling the bag elements can be easily parted, as, for example, by a gentle pulling action. Accordingly, a cutting station to part the bags after filling can be eliminated from the apparatus. Other beneficial features of the invention include the employment of a mandrel to initially mount and align the connected bag elements in the apparatus such that the possibility of fouling the same by misfeeding the bags thereto is minimized, and an intermittently operated filling station which works in combination with a continuously run sealer or closing station to facilitate the pulling apart of the connected bag elements after fill operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Oliver R Titchenal
- 👤 William A Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B61/00; B65B61/04; B65B43/00; B65B43/12; B65B43/123; B65B43/26; B65B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for filling a chain of successively connected bag elements wherEin each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, and two sides, said sides being closed except at their uppermost extent, thereby forming an open ended tunnel located at the top end of each of said bag elements, said tunnels being aligned, said apparatus comprising: a. a guide means comprising a mandrel about which the tunnel portion of said bag elements is fed, said mandrel being disposed to slidingly engage the underside of said closed top portions successively for aligning said chain of bag elements in said apparatus in a curtain and rod like fashion, b. means to form the tunnel of each bag element into freely spreadable flaps by dividing said tunnel along an uninterrupted path extending in the longitudinal direction, said dividing means being located downwardly of the forwardmost end of said mandrel, c. means located downwardly of said dividing means and cooperable therewith for plowing apart the spreadable flaps formed by said dividing means, and d. filling means cooperable with said plowing means for filling a product into each bag element through the fill openings thereof, respectively, defined between said plowed apart flaps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for filling a chain of successively connected bag elements wherEin each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, and two sides, said sides being closed except at their uppermost extent, thereby forming an open ended tunnel located at the top end of each of said bag elements, said tunnels being aligned, said apparatus comprising: a. a guide means comprising a mandrel about which the tunnel portion of said bag elements is fed, said mandrel being disposed to slidingly engage the underside of said closed top portions successively for aligning said chain of bag elements in said apparatus in a curtain and rod like fashion, b. means to form the tunnel of each bag element into freely spreadable flaps by dividing said tunnel along an uninterrupted path extending in the longitudinal direction, said dividing means being located downwardly of the forwardmost end of said mandrel, c. means located downwardly of said dividing means and cooperable therewith for plowing apart the spreadable flaps formed by said dividing means, and d. filling means cooperable with said plowing means for filling a product into each bag element through the fill openings thereof, respectively, defined between said plowed apart flaps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means to close the fill openings of said filled bag element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein lines of preferential separation exist between said bag elements, said apparatus including means to separate filled bag elements from said chain and direct the same individually or in select groups to said closing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes means to intermittently arrest the forward motion of said chain of bag elements to assist said separating means to separate said filled bag elements from said chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes means to operate said filling means intermittently, and means to grip said chain and hold the chain firmly accompanying filling of said bag elements to assist said separating means to separate a previously filled bag element from said claim.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes means to operate said separating means continuously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said apparatus includes means to operate said separating means continuously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dividing means comprises a stationary slitting means located downwardly of the leading edge of said mandrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means to grip a select region of said bag elements along the top end thereof and forward said bag elements to said filling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said gripping means comprises a first pair of continuous belts which grip between them said bag elements, said belts being disposed to sliding pass on opposite side portions of said filling means, whereby said flaps are firmly held underneath said belts and against said opposite side portions respectively, to assist filling said bag elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said bag elements are of a general type adapted to be separated along preferential lines of separation, said apparatus including means to separate filled bags from said chain along said preferential lines of separation and direct filled bags to means for closing the filled bags.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said separating means comprises a second pair of belts adapted to grip between them said bags along a select region thereof adjacent said flaps, said second pair of belts being located behind said filling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including means to operate said second pair of belts continuously, and means to operate the first pair of belts intermittently, whereby accompanying stoppage of said first pair of belts, said second pair of belts assists to separate filled bag elements individually of in select groups from said chain.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
In apparatus of a type including filling means and useable for handling and filling material wherein the rEsulting product is a filled receptacle, the material including a loop comprising the substantially closed top portion of said material, said closed top portion being adapted to be parted to permit filling through the area between the parted edges thereof, the improvement which comprises, a mandrel for receiving said material by entering said loop and slidably engaging said closed top portion, means for forwarding said material from said mandrel to the filling means, means for dividing said closed top portion into freely spreadable flaps at a location intermediate of the forward end of said mandrel and said filling means, means to plow apart said flaps as the same approach the filling means, the lower extent of said filling means being disposed so that said plowed apart flaps pass about opposite side portions, respectively, thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
151 words
In apparatus of a type including filling means and useable for handling and filling material wherein the rEsulting product is a filled receptacle, the material including a loop comprising the substantially closed top portion of said material, said closed top portion being adapted to be parted to permit filling through the area between the parted edges thereof, the improvement which comprises, a mandrel for receiving said material by entering said loop and slidably engaging said closed top portion, means for forwarding said material from said mandrel to the filling means, means for dividing said closed top portion into freely spreadable flaps at a location intermediate of the forward end of said mandrel and said filling means, means to plow apart said flaps as the same approach the filling means, the lower extent of said filling means being disposed so that said plowed apart flaps pass about opposite side portions, respectively, thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 including means to firmly hold said flaps against said opposite side portions, respectively, to assist filling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said forwarding means comprises movable belts which grip between them a select region of said material along said closed top portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said belts firmly pass about said opposite side portions, respectively, and comprise means to hold said flaps against said opposite side portions to assist filling.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein lines of preferential separation exist between said bag elements, said apparatus including means cooperative with said belts to separate filled bag elements from said chain, and means to forward the separated bag elements to means for closing the filled bag elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements, said chain being generally of a type defining a longitudinally extending tunnel of narrower width than the transverse width of said chain and located generally along the top longitudinal edge portion thereof, said apparatus comprising in cooperative combination: guide means comprising a mandrel for receiving said chain by entering said tunnel, gripping means for receiving said chain from said mandrel and forwarding the chain to a filling means, said gripping means selectively engaging said chain in a region adjacent and along the top end thereof, means located forward of said filling means for dividing said tunnel along an uninterrupted path extending in the longitudinal direction, and into freely spreadable flaps between which said bag elements can be filled, and means for spreading apart said flaps to a product receiving position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements, said chain being generally of a type defining a longitudinally extending tunnel of narrower width than the transverse width of said chain and located generally along the top longitudinal edge portion thereof, said apparatus comprising in cooperative combination: guide means comprising a mandrel for receiving said chain by entering said tunnel, gripping means for receiving said chain from said mandrel and forwarding the chain to a filling means, said gripping means selectively engaging said chain in a region adjacent and along the top end thereof, means located forward of said filling means for dividing said tunnel along an uninterrupted path extending in the longitudinal direction, and into freely spreadable flaps between which said bag elements can be filled, and means for spreading apart said flaps to a product receiving position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said gripping means comprise a pair of opposed continuous belts which grip between them said bag elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said belts are disposed to slidingly pass on opposite side portions, respectively, of said filling means, whereby said flaps are firmly held underneath said belts and against said side portions, respectively, to assist filling said bag elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said bag elements are of a general type adapted to be separated along preferential lines of separation, said apparatus including means to separate filled bags from said chain and forward said filled bags individually or in select groups to means for closing the filled bags.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said separating means comprises a second pair of belts adapted to grip between them said bags along a select region thereof adjacent said flaps, said second pair of belts being located behind said filling means.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
250 words
An apparatus for the continuous feeding of a chain of flexible bag elements being initially in a compact supply form in which the individual bag elements are largely disconnected except for at least a flexible loop portion at the uppermost part of the chain providing a relatively narrow tension bearing zone running lengthwise of the chain, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. a feeding device including an elongated element insertable in tHe loop portion for supporting a portion of the chain and for leaving successive connected bag elements in aligned fashion, generally along the longitudinal feed path, b. means which lie in the feed path for dividing the top of the loop portion into freely spreadable flaps, c. means to plow apart said flaps sufficiently to cause each bag element to open for filling, at least partially, and d. gripping means for imparting longitudinal movement to the chain engageable with the loop portion on opposite sides of said plowing means and maintaining the separated sides of the flexible loop portion in substantially continuous, conforming contact with the plowing means while the bag elements are in an opened condition, and said gripping means being cooperable with said elongated element for developing a controlled tension in said tension bearing zone causing successive portions of the chain to be pulled from the compact supply into the longitudinal feed path whereby the weaker connections between individual bag elements are largely maintained as the chain is being fed and the bag elements open for filling.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
250 words
An apparatus for the continuous feeding of a chain of flexible bag elements being initially in a compact supply form in which the individual bag elements are largely disconnected except for at least a flexible loop portion at the uppermost part of the chain providing a relatively narrow tension bearing zone running lengthwise of the chain, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. a feeding device including an elongated element insertable in tHe loop portion for supporting a portion of the chain and for leaving successive connected bag elements in aligned fashion, generally along the longitudinal feed path, b. means which lie in the feed path for dividing the top of the loop portion into freely spreadable flaps, c. means to plow apart said flaps sufficiently to cause each bag element to open for filling, at least partially, and d. gripping means for imparting longitudinal movement to the chain engageable with the loop portion on opposite sides of said plowing means and maintaining the separated sides of the flexible loop portion in substantially continuous, conforming contact with the plowing means while the bag elements are in an opened condition, and said gripping means being cooperable with said elongated element for developing a controlled tension in said tension bearing zone causing successive portions of the chain to be pulled from the compact supply into the longitudinal feed path whereby the weaker connections between individual bag elements are largely maintained as the chain is being fed and the bag elements open for filling.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein filling means are provided for handling and filling material said filling means positioned so as to communicate with the interior of each bag element when in the opened condition and where the resulting product is a filled bag element, the plowing means comprising a hollow member having a flared cross section, the narrowest part of which lies in the feed path and said filling means arranged to discharge material through the plowing means and into the bag elements while they are held open.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
310 words
An apparatus for the continuous feeding of a chain of flexible bag elements being initially in a folded supply form in which the individual bag elements are largely disconnected in a continuous Z-like stacking array except for at least a flexible loop portion at the uppermost part of the chain providing a relatively narrow tension band running lengthwise of the chain, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a. a relatively narrow mandrel at least in length equal to the width of one bag element adapted to be inserted in the loop portion at the leading end of the chain for supporting a portion of the chain and for leading successive connected bag elements from the folded supply into a generally longitudinal feed path aligned with said mandrel, b. means for dividing said loop portion into freely spreadable flaps, c. plowing means having a diverging-converging cross-section, the narrowest diverging and converging parts thereof lying in the feed path and extending downwardly within the flexible loop portion a distance sufficient to cause each bag element successively to open for filling, at least partially, and d. a pair of continuous belts positioned on opposite sides of said plowing means adapted to be driven for imparting longitudinal movement to the chain and engageable with the loop portion on opposite sides of said plowing means and maintaining the separated sides of the flexible loop portion in substantially continuous, conforming contact with the diverging-converging cross-section of said plowing means, and said pair of belts cooperable with said mandrel during the feeding of the chain for developing a control tension in said tension band causing successive portions of the chain to be pulled from the folded supply and into the longitudinal feed path whereby individual bag elements in the chain may be almost completely severed in the folded supply form, yet be fed and individually opened for filling.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
310 words
An apparatus for the continuous feeding of a chain of flexible bag elements being initially in a folded supply form in which the individual bag elements are largely disconnected in a continuous Z-like stacking array except for at least a flexible loop portion at the uppermost part of the chain providing a relatively narrow tension band running lengthwise of the chain, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a. a relatively narrow mandrel at least in length equal to the width of one bag element adapted to be inserted in the loop portion at the leading end of the chain for supporting a portion of the chain and for leading successive connected bag elements from the folded supply into a generally longitudinal feed path aligned with said mandrel, b. means for dividing said loop portion into freely spreadable flaps, c. plowing means having a diverging-converging cross-section, the narrowest diverging and converging parts thereof lying in the feed path and extending downwardly within the flexible loop portion a distance sufficient to cause each bag element successively to open for filling, at least partially, and d. a pair of continuous belts positioned on opposite sides of said plowing means adapted to be driven for imparting longitudinal movement to the chain and engageable with the loop portion on opposite sides of said plowing means and maintaining the separated sides of the flexible loop portion in substantially continuous, conforming contact with the diverging-converging cross-section of said plowing means, and said pair of belts cooperable with said mandrel during the feeding of the chain for developing a control tension in said tension band causing successive portions of the chain to be pulled from the folded supply and into the longitudinal feed path whereby individual bag elements in the chain may be almost completely severed in the folded supply form, yet be fed and individually opened for filling.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 26 comprising in addition conveyor means adapted to support filled bag elements in the chain and extending below said plowing means and movable longitudinally in unison with the chain whereby the weight of individual filled bag elements is taken by the conveyor means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
109 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 comprising in addition sealing means positioned on opposiTe sides of the longitudinal feed path engageable with the sides of the flexible loop portion downstream of the plowing means for sealing successive filled bag elements along a longitudinal sealing line near the lower end of the flexible loop portion and isolating said tension band to a region above said sealing line, and trimming means engageable above the sealing line for trimming off said isolated portion of the tension band whereby the sealed bag elements will become severed from the chain automatically downstream of the trimming means when support for the bag elements is removed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |