US3774370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Merchandise bagging device and method
Assignee: Speedcheck Systems Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-08
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-06-08
Abstract
Abstract The bagging apparatus can be used in supermarkets, department stores, etc. to increase the speed at which merchandise can be checked out of the store without having to hire a separate employee to bag the merchandise. The check-out employee places the merchandise in a horizontal receptacle. When the receptacle is full, a bag is slipped over the receptacle. Then, a button is pushed and the bagging device automatically withdraws the receptacle from the bag horizontally, and the bag with its merchandise then supported by a transfer platform just below. The transfer platform has a relatively short upwardly-extending flange. The transfer platform is rotated so as to turn the bag upright. The flange has dimensions such that it supports the bag and prevents it from falling off of the platform until the bag is transferred onto a moving conveyor belt. The conveyor belt pulls the bag and maintains the bag upright. The platform then returns upwardly to its initial horizontal position. The receptacle then is returned to its initial position and is ready for use in filling another bag. The full bags are accumulated on the conveyor until removed by the customer. The retraction and return of the receptacle, and the movement of the transfer platform from horizontal to vertical and back again are controlled by a single cam having two followers on opposite sides, one follower operating the transfer platform and the other operating the receptacle. The cam is shaped so that each cam portion serves a dual purpose and synchronizes correctly the operation of the various components with respect to one another.
Inventors
- 👤 S Fried
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:11
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/042; A47F9/043; B; B65; B65B; B65B39/00; B65B39/007; B65B5/00; B65B5/06; B65B5/067; B65B67/00; B65B67/02; B65B67/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In a grocery bagging machine, a horizontally-aligned receptacle having a bottom wall, two upright side walls and an open end shaped to receive a bag thereover, means from horizontally moving said receptacle from a first groceryreceiving position to a second position which is at least the length of one bag distant from said first position, means for holding the groceries and bag while said receptacle is moving from said first to said second position so as to completely withdraw said receptacle from a bag encircling said groceries and said end of said receptacle, a pivotably-mounted platform immediately below said bottom wall of said receptacle, mEans for rotating said platform to upright and discharge a loaded bag therefrom onto a surface beneath said platform, and means for rotating said platform back to its original position, and returning said receptacle back to its first position for receipt of further groceries, an input conveyor system for moving groceries to a bagging station, said receptacle being under said input conveyor when in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a grocery bagging machine, a horizontally-aligned receptacle having a bottom wall, two upright side walls and an open end shaped to receive a bag thereover, means from horizontally moving said receptacle from a first groceryreceiving position to a second position which is at least the length of one bag distant from said first position, means for holding the groceries and bag while said receptacle is moving from said first to said second position so as to completely withdraw said receptacle from a bag encircling said groceries and said end of said receptacle, a pivotably-mounted platform immediately below said bottom wall of said receptacle, mEans for rotating said platform to upright and discharge a loaded bag therefrom onto a surface beneath said platform, and means for rotating said platform back to its original position, and returning said receptacle back to its first position for receipt of further groceries, an input conveyor system for moving groceries to a bagging station, said receptacle being under said input conveyor when in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said platform has angular sections forming an essentially curved surface for cradling a bag when lying on its side on the platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including switch means actuated by movement of said platform for starting said drive means during movement of the platform to an upright position, and for stopping said drive means during return of said platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a merchandise bagging machine including a retractable receptacle and a platform for receiving the bag when separated from said receptacle, the improvement comprising motive means for retracting and returning said receptacle and tipping and returning said platform to move said bag to an upright position, said motive means including a single cam and two followers, one follower being connected to said receptacle, and the other to said platform, said cam having an indented portion opposed by a portion of substantially constant radius greater than that of said indented portion, said followers being located opposite one another with respect to said cam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a merchandise bagging machine including a retractable receptacle and a platform for receiving the bag when separated from said receptacle, the improvement comprising motive means for retracting and returning said receptacle and tipping and returning said platform to move said bag to an upright position, said motive means including a single cam and two followers, one follower being connected to said receptacle, and the other to said platform, said cam having an indented portion opposed by a portion of substantially constant radius greater than that of said indented portion, said followers being located opposite one another with respect to said cam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 including drive means for driving said cam through one revolution upon receipt of a start signal, and a dynamic brake for stopping said cam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a merchandise bagging machine including a retractable receptacle and a platform for receiving the bag when separated from said receptacle, motive means for retracting and returning said receptacle and tipping and returning said platform to move said bag to an upright position, said motive means including cam means having a single cam with a first portion of relatively small radius and another portion of relatively larger radius, and followers and linkages for following the surface of said cam and retracting said receptacle, turning and returning said platform, and restoring said receptacle to its initial position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a merchandise bagging machine including a retractable receptacle and a platform for receiving the bag when separated from said receptacle, motive means for retracting and returning said receptacle and tipping and returning said platform to move said bag to an upright position, said motive means including cam means having a single cam with a first portion of relatively small radius and another portion of relatively larger radius, and followers and linkages for following the surface of said cam and retracting said receptacle, turning and returning said platform, and restoring said receptacle to its initial position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 in which said platform is rotatably mounted for tipping and returning, said linkages including a crank arm and a push-rod pivoted to said crank arm, said cam follower being coupled to a push-rod and said crank arm being secured to rotate said platform, and a lever with a longitudinal slot in one end, pivotably mounted at the other end, with a second cam follower mounted between the ends of said lever, and a pin on said receptacle slidably engaging said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 including springs connected to pull upon said followers and hold them against the surface of said cam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as in claim 1 in which said surface is the surface of a conveyor belt to carry the loaded grocery bag to a bag storage station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine as in claim 9 in which said platform has a short flange at one end to hold said bag against slipping off during the first part of its rotation, but then is allowed to tilt and fall of gently onto said conveyor surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said flange extends upwardly from said platform by a distance less than the distance between said platform and the receptacle bottom so as to allow the wall of a bag to pass between said platform and said flange when the bag is being drawn over the receptacle.
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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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |