US3700387A — Vacuum bagging machine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 295 words

A package closing and sealing machine comprising an elongate support frame, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame with an upper run thereof supported for travel in a generally horizontal plane and forming a traveling table for supporting and advancing filled bags positioned thereon with the mouth ends extending at a side of said upper run, a head supporting endless conveyor mounted on said support frame for travel in a path extending along the side of said package supporting conveyor, a plurality of head assemblies mounted on said head supporting conveyor, means for driving said conveyors intermittently and in synchronism so as to advance said head assemblies intermittently to successive stations spaced along said conveyors, each of said head assemblies having a vacuum applying nozzle assembly over an end of which the mouth portion of a bag is adapted to be positioned, means at a loading station for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly so as to gather the same about the nozzle assembly, means on each of said head assemblies for clamping the gathered bag material onto the nozzle assembly so as to close the mouth of the bag about a high vacuum portion of said nozzle assembly, means for applying a high vacuum through said nozzle assembly to evacuate the body of the bag as it is advanced to successive stations, means for retracting said high vacuum portion of said nozzle assembly so as to allow a gathered portion of the mouth of the evacuated bag to contract and form a neck for receiving a metal clip at a clip applying station, and means at said clip applying station for applying a wire clip to said neck forming portion to seal the vacuumized bag and complete the package.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 295 words

A package closing and sealing machine comprising an elongate support frame, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame with an upper run thereof supported for travel in a generally horizontal plane and forming a traveling table for supporting and advancing filled bags positioned thereon with the mouth ends extending at a side of said upper run, a head supporting endless conveyor mounted on said support frame for travel in a path extending along the side of said package supporting conveyor, a plurality of head assemblies mounted on said head supporting conveyor, means for driving said conveyors intermittently and in synchronism so as to advance said head assemblies intermittently to successive stations spaced along said conveyors, each of said head assemblies having a vacuum applying nozzle assembly over an end of which the mouth portion of a bag is adapted to be positioned, means at a loading station for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly so as to gather the same about the nozzle assembly, means on each of said head assemblies for clamping the gathered bag material onto the nozzle assembly so as to close the mouth of the bag about a high vacuum portion of said nozzle assembly, means for applying a high vacuum through said nozzle assembly to evacuate the body of the bag as it is advanced to successive stations, means for retracting said high vacuum portion of said nozzle assembly so as to allow a gathered portion of the mouth of the evacuated bag to contract and form a neck for receiving a metal clip at a clip applying station, and means at said clip applying station for applying a wire clip to said neck forming portion to seal the vacuumized bag and complete the package.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filled bag supporting conveyor comprises a traveling belt of substantial width disposed along the front of said support frame.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for driving said conveyors comprises a motor driven main drive shaft, a single revolution clutch connecting said motor and said main drive shaft and manually operated switch means for actuating said clutch.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 56 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly at said loading station comprises a reciprocably mounted means for separably connecting a vacuum line to said nozzle assembly when each successive head assembly is positioned at said loading station.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 56 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said head assembly has a vacuum port and said reciprocably mounted means at said loading station comprises a manifold which connects with said vacuum port in one position thereof and which has a flexible conduit connecting with a motor operated vacuum pump.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 60 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said head assemblies comprises a bell nozzle with a bag supporting outer surface and a passage forming bore connecting with a low vacuum maniFold member and a high vacuum nozzle assembly mounted in said manifold member and extending in the bore of said bell nozzle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 141 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said head assemblies comprises a hollow vacuum manifold member with a bell nozzle mounted in an open end thereof and with a vacuum port for connecting to a vacuum line, an elongate tubular vacuum nozzle assembly mounted at one end in a wall of said manifold member which is disposed opposite said open end, said tubular nozzle assembly having a tube extending in fixed relation in the bore of said bell nozzle and having an end portion projecting outside of said bell nozzle and closure arms mounted on said head assembly which are adapted to be moved to a closed position on said projecting end portion to clamp a bag mouth thereon when the bag mouth is telescoped over the free end of said bell nozzle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 47 words

A package closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said closure arms are pivotally mounted and cam means is provided which is operative to swing said arms to a closed position prior to advance from the loading station to the next succeeding station.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 285 words

A package closing and sealing machine comprising an elongate support frame, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame with an upper run thereof disposed for travel in a generally horizontal plane and forming a traveling table for supporting filled bags thereon with the mouth ends extending at a side of said upper run, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame for travel in a path extending along the side of said package supporting conveyor and having a plurality of vacuum head assemblies mounted in spaced relation thereon, means for driving said conveyor intermittently and in synchronism so as to enable said head assemblies to be advanced intermittently to successive stations spaced along said conveyors, each of said head assemblies having a vacuum applying nozzle assembly on which the mouth portion of a bag is adapted to be positioned, means at one of said stations, which constitutes a loading station, for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly, means on each said head assembly for clamping the gathered bag material onto the nozzle assembly so as to close the mouth of the bag about a portion of said nozzle assembly, means connected to said nozzle assembly portion for applying a high vacuum to evacuate the body of the bag as it is advanced to successive stations, means for retracting said nozzle assembly portion so as to allow a gathered portion of the bag mouth to contract and form a neck for receiving a closing and sealing clip at a clip applying station, and means at said clip applying station for applying and clinching a clip on said neck forming portion so as to seal the vacuumized bag and complete the package.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 285 words

A package closing and sealing machine comprising an elongate support frame, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame with an upper run thereof disposed for travel in a generally horizontal plane and forming a traveling table for supporting filled bags thereon with the mouth ends extending at a side of said upper run, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame for travel in a path extending along the side of said package supporting conveyor and having a plurality of vacuum head assemblies mounted in spaced relation thereon, means for driving said conveyor intermittently and in synchronism so as to enable said head assemblies to be advanced intermittently to successive stations spaced along said conveyors, each of said head assemblies having a vacuum applying nozzle assembly on which the mouth portion of a bag is adapted to be positioned, means at one of said stations, which constitutes a loading station, for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly, means on each said head assembly for clamping the gathered bag material onto the nozzle assembly so as to close the mouth of the bag about a portion of said nozzle assembly, means connected to said nozzle assembly portion for applying a high vacuum to evacuate the body of the bag as it is advanced to successive stations, means for retracting said nozzle assembly portion so as to allow a gathered portion of the bag mouth to contract and form a neck for receiving a closing and sealing clip at a clip applying station, and means at said clip applying station for applying and clinching a clip on said neck forming portion so as to seal the vacuumized bag and complete the package.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 296 words

A bag closing and sealing machine comprising an elongate support frame, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame with an upper run thereof arranged to travel in a generally horizontal plane and forming a table for supporting filled bags thereon with the mouth ends extending at a side of said upper run, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame for travel in a path extending along one side of said package supporting conveyor and having a plurality of vacuum head assemblies mounted in spaced relation thereon, means for driving said conveyors in the same direction and in synchronism so as to enable said head assemblies to be advanced to successive work stations spaced along said conveyors, each of said head assemblies having a vacuum applying nozzle assembly which is adapted to receive the mouth portion of a bag, means at one of said stations, which constitutes a loading station, for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly, means on each said head assembly for clamping the gathered bag material onto the end portion of the nozzle assembly so as to close the mouth of the bag about said end portion of said nozzle asSembly, means connected to said nozzle assembly for applying a high vacuum to evacuate the body of the bag as it is advanced to successive work stations, means for withdrawing said nozzle assembly end portion from the bag mouth so as to allow a gathered portion of the bag mouth to close on itself and form a neck for receiving a wire closing and sealing clip at a clip applying station, and means at said clip applying station for securing a clip on said neck forming portion so as to seal the vacuumized bag and complete the package.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 296 words

A bag closing and sealing machine comprising an elongate support frame, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame with an upper run thereof arranged to travel in a generally horizontal plane and forming a table for supporting filled bags thereon with the mouth ends extending at a side of said upper run, an endless conveyor mounted on said support frame for travel in a path extending along one side of said package supporting conveyor and having a plurality of vacuum head assemblies mounted in spaced relation thereon, means for driving said conveyors in the same direction and in synchronism so as to enable said head assemblies to be advanced to successive work stations spaced along said conveyors, each of said head assemblies having a vacuum applying nozzle assembly which is adapted to receive the mouth portion of a bag, means at one of said stations, which constitutes a loading station, for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly, means on each said head assembly for clamping the gathered bag material onto the end portion of the nozzle assembly so as to close the mouth of the bag about said end portion of said nozzle asSembly, means connected to said nozzle assembly for applying a high vacuum to evacuate the body of the bag as it is advanced to successive work stations, means for withdrawing said nozzle assembly end portion from the bag mouth so as to allow a gathered portion of the bag mouth to close on itself and form a neck for receiving a wire closing and sealing clip at a clip applying station, and means at said clip applying station for securing a clip on said neck forming portion so as to seal the vacuumized bag and complete the package.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 79 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said conveyor for supporting the filled bags comprises an endless belt member mounted on spaced end supporting pulleys with an upper run thereof traveling in a generally horizontal plane and said means for driving said conveyors comprises a power driven shaft with a connection to said end support pulleys which includes a single revolution clutch operative to advance the head assemblies intermittently from station to station.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 89 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein means is provided at said clip applying station for withdrawing said nozzle end portion from the bag mouth as the head approaches said clip applying station so as to enable the gathered portion of the bag mouth to collapse and wherein means is provided at said clip applying station for severing the collapsed material at a point beyond the point where the sealing clip is secured in the direction of the mouth end of the bag.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 53 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 12 and means adjacent said clip applying station for releasing the bag mouth clamping means so as to free the waste material which is severed from the bag end for removal from the head and suction means for removing said waste material.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for drawing the bag mouth material down onto the nozzle assembly comprises vacuum means with a manifold movably mounted adjacent the loading station for temporary connection with a head assembly when said head assembly is positioned at said loading station.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 56 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for applying a high vacuum to evacuate the body of the bag comprises a manifold having a rotatable member, a conduit connecting said manifold and each of said head assemblies and conduit means extending from said manifold to a vacuum source.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 46 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said manifold and said vacuum source are arranged to apply successive separate high vacuum sources to each said head assembly as said head assemblies advance to succeeding work stations from said loading station.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 201 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said vacuum head assemblies each comprise a platen with means for attaching the same to said endless conveyor, a generally cylindrical manifold mounted on said platen having an open forward end facing in the direction of said table forming conveyor run with the opposite end closed by a back wall and having a top opening for separable connection with a vacuum line when positioned at said loading station, a hollow exterior nozzle member mounted at the forward end of said manifold, an elongate tube member having one end mounted in an opening in the back wall of said manifold and extending through said manifold with portions spaced from the inside wall of said exterior nozzle member so as to form a passageway therebetween and with its free end projecting beyond the free end of said exterior nozzle member, a cylindrical vacuum nozzle member slidably mounted in said housing with a connection to a vacuum line at its rear end and with the free end thereof open so as to apply a vacuum to a bag when the mouth thereof is clamped on the free end of said housing.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 172 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said vacuum head assemblies eaCh comprise a platen having means for attachment to said endless conveyor, a generally cylindrical manifold mounted on said platen with an open forward end facing in the direction of said table forming run and the opposite end closed by a back wall, said manifold having an opening for connection with a vacuum line when positioned at said loading station, a hollow exterior nozzle member seated in the forward end of said manifold, an elongate hollow tube forming a housing mounted at one end in an opening in said back wall and extending in said manifold with a free end projecting beyond the free end of said exterior nozzle member, an elongate nozzle assembly mounted in said housing, and clamp means operative to close on a bag mouth when the latter is telescoped over the end of said exterior nozzle member so as to clamp the bag mouth on the free end of said housing.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 77 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein said nozzle assembly is reciprocably mounted in said housing and means is provided adjacent said loading station for projecting the free end of said elongate nozzle assembly into a bag when the bag mouth is telescoped over said exterior nozzle member and wherein means is provided adjacent said clip applying station for withdrawing the free end of said elongate nozzle assembly from said bag.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 196 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said vacuum head assemblies each comprise a platen having means for attachment to said endless conveyor, a generally cylindrical manifold mounted on said platen having an open forward end facing in the direction of said table forming conveyor run with the opposite end closed by an apertured back wall and having a top opening for separable connection with a vacuum line at said loading station, a hollow exterior nozzle member at the forward end of said manifold, an elongate tubular member forming a housing having one end mounted in an aperture in the back wall of said manifold and extending through said manifold with its exterior surface spaced from the inside wall of said exterior nozzle member and with its free end projecting beyond the free end of said exterior nozzle member, a cylindrical vacuum nozzle member slidably mounted in said housing with a connection to a vacuum line at its rear end and with openings at the free end thereof so as to apply a vacuum to a bag when the mouth thereof is clamped on the free end of said housing.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 62 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein means is provided for sensing the presence of a bag as each vacuum head approaches the clip applying station and means for preventing operation of said means for securing a clip on said bag neck forming portion which is operative in response to the operation of said sensing means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 169 words

A vacuum head for evacuating and closing bags in a vacuum bagging operation which comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body member forming a vacuum manifold with a forward end open and a back wall closing the opposite end, said manifold having a peripheral opening adapted for connection with a vacuum line, a hollow exterior nozzle forming member mounted in the open end of said manifold, an elongate tube mounted at one end in an aperture in the back wall of said manifold and extending into said exterior nozzle member, a cylindrical nozzle member slidably mounted in said tube and having a connection with a vacuum line, said cylindrical nozzle member having a free end with openings therein and being of a length to enable the free end thereof to extend a distance beyond the free end of said exterior nozzle so as to project into a bag when the mouth of the bag is telescoped onto said exterior nozzle and said cylindrical nozzle member is extended in said tube.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 169 words

A vacuum head for evacuating and closing bags in a vacuum bagging operation which comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body member forming a vacuum manifold with a forward end open and a back wall closing the opposite end, said manifold having a peripheral opening adapted for connection with a vacuum line, a hollow exterior nozzle forming member mounted in the open end of said manifold, an elongate tube mounted at one end in an aperture in the back wall of said manifold and extending into said exterior nozzle member, a cylindrical nozzle member slidably mounted in said tube and having a connection with a vacuum line, said cylindrical nozzle member having a free end with openings therein and being of a length to enable the free end thereof to extend a distance beyond the free end of said exterior nozzle so as to project into a bag when the mouth of the bag is telescoped onto said exterior nozzle and said cylindrical nozzle member is extended in said tube.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 72 words

A vacuum head as set forth in claim 22 wherein said elongate tube has its free end extending a predetermined distance beyond the free end of said exterior nozzle member, and closure arms mounted on said head which are movable to a closed position Where they clamp the bag mouth on the extended end of said elongate tube so as to close the bag mouth for evacuation through said cylindrical nozzle member.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 41 words

A vacuum head as set forth in claim 23 wherein said closure arms are pivotally mounted on said head and connected by gear segments for movement between an open and a closed position and cam means for operating said clamp arms.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 47 words

A vacuum head as set forth in claim 23 wherein said cylindrical nozzle member has a free end portion which is perforated to form a proboscis for insertion into a bag which has its mouth telescoped over a free end portion of said exterior nozzle forming member.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 136 words

A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a horizontally disposed conveyor for supporting thereon without adjustment and in random succession bags varying in length and width, means for supporting a plurality of vacuum nozzles along one side of said horizontally disposed conveyor for travel therewith, means associated with said vacuum nozzle for rapidly clamping mouth portions of the bags thereon so as to enable fast loading, means for advancing said horizontally disposed conveyor and said nozzles through a plurality of work stations, said nozzles having vacuum means connected thereto and being constructed and operated to allow evacuation of the bags by gradual migration of air along the film wrinkles, and clip applying means operative at a final work station for applying closing and sealing clips to collapsed neck portions of bags of varying width without adjustment.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 136 words

A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a horizontally disposed conveyor for supporting thereon without adjustment and in random succession bags varying in length and width, means for supporting a plurality of vacuum nozzles along one side of said horizontally disposed conveyor for travel therewith, means associated with said vacuum nozzle for rapidly clamping mouth portions of the bags thereon so as to enable fast loading, means for advancing said horizontally disposed conveyor and said nozzles through a plurality of work stations, said nozzles having vacuum means connected thereto and being constructed and operated to allow evacuation of the bags by gradual migration of air along the film wrinkles, and clip applying means operative at a final work station for applying closing and sealing clips to collapsed neck portions of bags of varying width without adjustment.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 48 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 26 wherein said vacuum nozzles are connected to separate vacuum sources at a plurality of successive work stations so as to insure evacuation of the associated bag when the vacuum source at a work station is ineffective.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 151 words

A vacuum head for evacuating and closing bags in a vacuum bagging operation which comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body member, a cylindrical nozzle member slidably mounted in said cylindrical body member and having a connection with a vacuum line, said cylindrical nozzle member having a free end with openings therein and being of a length to enable the free end thereof to extend a distance beyond the free end of said cylindrical body member so as to project into a bag when the mouth of the bag is telescoped onto said cylindrical body member and said cylindrical nozzle member is extended, and closure arms hingedly mounted at the free end of said cylindrical body member which are movable to a closed position where they clamp the bag mouth on the end of said cylindrical body member so as to close the bag mouth for evacuation through said cylindrical nozzle member.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 151 words

A vacuum head for evacuating and closing bags in a vacuum bagging operation which comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body member, a cylindrical nozzle member slidably mounted in said cylindrical body member and having a connection with a vacuum line, said cylindrical nozzle member having a free end with openings therein and being of a length to enable the free end thereof to extend a distance beyond the free end of said cylindrical body member so as to project into a bag when the mouth of the bag is telescoped onto said cylindrical body member and said cylindrical nozzle member is extended, and closure arms hingedly mounted at the free end of said cylindrical body member which are movable to a closed position where they clamp the bag mouth on the end of said cylindrical body member so as to close the bag mouth for evacuation through said cylindrical nozzle member.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 45 words

A vacuum head as set forth in claim 28 wherein said closure arms are pivotally mounted on said head and connected by gear segments for movement between an open and a closed position and means for turning said gear segments to operate said clamp arms.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 46 words

A vacuum head as set forth in claim 28 wherein said cylindrical nozzle member has a free end portion which is perforated to form a proboscis for insertion into a bag which has its mouth telescoped over a free end portion of said cylindrical body member.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 192 words

A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a horizontally disposed conveyor for supporting thereon in random succession bags varying in length and width, means for supporting a plurality of vacuum nozzles for travel along one side of said horizontally disposed conveyor, each of said nozzles including an exterior tubular member and an interior tubular member which is slidable in said exterior tubular member and which has a perforated end portion forming a proboscis for insertion into a bag when the mouth thereof is telescoped over a free end portion of said exterior tubular member, means associated with said vacuum nozzles for clamping mouth portions of the bags thereon which comprises a pair of co-operating clamp arm members mounted for movement into clamping engagement with said bag mouth wheN telescoped on said exterior tubular member, means for advancing said horizontally disposed conveyor and said nozzles through a plurality of work stations, said nozzles each having vacuum means connected thereto and being constructed and operated to cause evacuation of the bag through said proboscis, and said proboscis being retractible to permit collapse of the bag mouth for application of a closing and sealing clip.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 192 words

A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a horizontally disposed conveyor for supporting thereon in random succession bags varying in length and width, means for supporting a plurality of vacuum nozzles for travel along one side of said horizontally disposed conveyor, each of said nozzles including an exterior tubular member and an interior tubular member which is slidable in said exterior tubular member and which has a perforated end portion forming a proboscis for insertion into a bag when the mouth thereof is telescoped over a free end portion of said exterior tubular member, means associated with said vacuum nozzles for clamping mouth portions of the bags thereon which comprises a pair of co-operating clamp arm members mounted for movement into clamping engagement with said bag mouth wheN telescoped on said exterior tubular member, means for advancing said horizontally disposed conveyor and said nozzles through a plurality of work stations, said nozzles each having vacuum means connected thereto and being constructed and operated to cause evacuation of the bag through said proboscis, and said proboscis being retractible to permit collapse of the bag mouth for application of a closing and sealing clip.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 39 words

A bag closing and sealing machine as set forth in claim 31 wherein said clamp arm members have opposed recessed faces which close on said bag mouth and resilient pad members mounted in the recesses in said opposed faces.

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

Vacuum bagging machine

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