US3782069A — Bag closing machine with fluidic control system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 660 words

An automatic bag closing machine for bags moving along a path wherein tape from a tape reel is folded over the open ends of successively arriving bags and then stitched to the bags to close the bags and the tape is clipped adjacent leading and trailing edges of each bag, the machine using a shop supply of pressurized air comprising: a sewing head adjacent said path positioned to stitch the tape to each successively arriving bag as it moves along said path; a motor for driving said sewing head; a wholly fluidic control system including a fluidic logic network, a fluidic clutch interface valve and fluidic brake interface valve, each said interface valve constructed to transmit pressurized air through the valve when the valve is opened by a fluidic command signal delivered to said valve and to otherwise prevent fluid flow therethrough, each said interface valve being connected in fluid flow relationship with said fluidic logic network so as to be opened when a command signal is received by each said valve from said logic network; a pneumatically actuated clutch linking said motor and said sewing head to transmit driving energy from said motor to said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship with said clutch interface valve to receive pressurized air from said clutch interface valve when said clutch interface valve is open; a pneumatically actuated brake positioned to stop operation of said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship to said brake interface valve to receive pressurized air from said brake valve when said brake valve is open; a pneumatically actuated, tape clipper assembly located along said path, including a knife to sever the tape joining successfively stitched bags, the tape clipper assembly being connected in fluid flow relationship with the said wholly fluidic control system; a fluidic bag detection apparatus, said detection apparatus connected in fluid flow relationship to said fluidic logic circuit of said fluidic control system and having a first sensor positioned to detect a bag along said path at a first predetermined distance upstream of the knife, a second sensor positioned at a second predetermined distance upstream of the knife and a third sensor positioned at a fIrst predetermined distance downstream of the knife, each said sensor providing a signal when a bag is detected at any of said predetermined distances; and said fluidic logic network including a plurality of pressure sensitive fluidic switches and fluidic or circuits, said switches operatively connected to receive signals from said sensors and in response thereto fluidically actuate a plurality of said fluidic or circuits to fluidically open said clutch interface valve thereby engaging said clutch when a bag is detected by said first sensor at said first predetermined distance upstream and thereafter retaining said clutch interface valve in an open condition until the bag passes said third sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, thereby maintaining the sewing head in operation while the bag is detected by said third sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically actuating said tape clipper assembly in response to a said pressure sensitive switch receiving a signal from said second sensor when a bag is detected at said second predetermined distance upstream so as to sever the tape extending in a downstream direction from the leading edge of the bag to control tape length, a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically actuating said tape clipper assembly in response to a said pressure sensitive switch receiving a signal from said detection apparatus when the bag is no longer detected by said third sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream from said knife, thereby severing the tape adjacent the trailing edge of the bag to separate the taped and stitched bag from a successive bag, and a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically opening said brake interface valve to engage the brake in response to no bag being detected by said sensors.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 660 words

An automatic bag closing machine for bags moving along a path wherein tape from a tape reel is folded over the open ends of successively arriving bags and then stitched to the bags to close the bags and the tape is clipped adjacent leading and trailing edges of each bag, the machine using a shop supply of pressurized air comprising: a sewing head adjacent said path positioned to stitch the tape to each successively arriving bag as it moves along said path; a motor for driving said sewing head; a wholly fluidic control system including a fluidic logic network, a fluidic clutch interface valve and fluidic brake interface valve, each said interface valve constructed to transmit pressurized air through the valve when the valve is opened by a fluidic command signal delivered to said valve and to otherwise prevent fluid flow therethrough, each said interface valve being connected in fluid flow relationship with said fluidic logic network so as to be opened when a command signal is received by each said valve from said logic network; a pneumatically actuated clutch linking said motor and said sewing head to transmit driving energy from said motor to said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship with said clutch interface valve to receive pressurized air from said clutch interface valve when said clutch interface valve is open; a pneumatically actuated brake positioned to stop operation of said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship to said brake interface valve to receive pressurized air from said brake valve when said brake valve is open; a pneumatically actuated, tape clipper assembly located along said path, including a knife to sever the tape joining successfively stitched bags, the tape clipper assembly being connected in fluid flow relationship with the said wholly fluidic control system; a fluidic bag detection apparatus, said detection apparatus connected in fluid flow relationship to said fluidic logic circuit of said fluidic control system and having a first sensor positioned to detect a bag along said path at a first predetermined distance upstream of the knife, a second sensor positioned at a second predetermined distance upstream of the knife and a third sensor positioned at a fIrst predetermined distance downstream of the knife, each said sensor providing a signal when a bag is detected at any of said predetermined distances; and said fluidic logic network including a plurality of pressure sensitive fluidic switches and fluidic or circuits, said switches operatively connected to receive signals from said sensors and in response thereto fluidically actuate a plurality of said fluidic or circuits to fluidically open said clutch interface valve thereby engaging said clutch when a bag is detected by said first sensor at said first predetermined distance upstream and thereafter retaining said clutch interface valve in an open condition until the bag passes said third sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, thereby maintaining the sewing head in operation while the bag is detected by said third sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically actuating said tape clipper assembly in response to a said pressure sensitive switch receiving a signal from said second sensor when a bag is detected at said second predetermined distance upstream so as to sever the tape extending in a downstream direction from the leading edge of the bag to control tape length, a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically actuating said tape clipper assembly in response to a said pressure sensitive switch receiving a signal from said detection apparatus when the bag is no longer detected by said third sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream from said knife, thereby severing the tape adjacent the trailing edge of the bag to separate the taped and stitched bag from a successive bag, and a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically opening said brake interface valve to engage the brake in response to no bag being detected by said sensors.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 79 words

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said fluidic control system includes a pressure regulator operatively connected to the source of pressurized air to provide air at reduced pressure for said fluidic logic network, and and each said plurality of pressure sensitive fluidic switch has a control channel connected in fluid flow relationship to said fluidic bag detection apparatus and an inlet channel connected in fluid flow relationship to said pressure regulator to receive air at reduced pressure therefrom.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 61 words

The combination according to claim 1 wherein each said fluidic or circuit and said pressure-sensitive fluidic switch has a primary outlet channel and a secondary outlet channel, each said secondary outlet channel of said switches exhausting to the atmosphere and each said primary outlet channel of said switches being connected in fluid flow relationship to one of said fluidic or circuits.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 285 words

The machine according to claim 1 wherein said tape clipper assembly further includes: first and second fluidic interface valves, each said interface valve constructed to transmit pressurized air through the valve when the valve is opened by a fluidic command signal delivered to said valve and to otherwise prevent fluid flow therethrough, each said interface valve being connected in fluid flow relationship with said fluidic logic network so as to be opened when a command signal is received by each said valve from said logic network; first and second pistons; a housing including first and second piston cylinders slideably mounting said first and second pistons, respectively, said first and second cylinders connected in fluid flow relationship to said first and second interface valves, respectively, to deliver pressurized air to said cylinders from said valves; a crankshaft rotatably mounted in said housing for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis; a crank fixedly mounted on said crankshaft for movement with said crankshaft; first and second connecting rods pivotally mounted to said crank and to said first and second pistons, respectively, said rods transmitting longitudinal sliding piston movement along said cylinder to said crank to produce limited rotational movement of said crank and crankshaft about said crankshaft axis; a knife shaft rotatably mounted in said housing for movement about its longitudinal axis, said knife shaft mechanically coupled to said crank for reciprocating swinging rotation about its longitudinal axis in response to rotation of said crank and crankshaft about said crankshaft axis; and said knife being mounted adjacent an end of said knife shaft, exterior to said housing, and positioned to swing across said path as said knife shaft reciprocatingly rotates thereby severing the tape extending from a bag.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 290 words

An automatic bag closing machine using a supply of pressurized air in which open top bags move along a path and have tape folded over their open tops and attached thereto for closure, the tape interconnecting successive bags and the continuous tape thereafter being severed to separate one bag from the next comprising: means for attaching the tape to each bag wherein the tape is folded over the open top of each bag and attached to the bag; a pneumatically actuated tape clipper assembly including a knife positioned to sever the otherwise continuous length of tape interconnecting successively closed bags; a fluidic bag detection apparatus located along said path including a first sensor positioned to detect a bag at a predetermined distance from said knife, said apparatus producing a signal on detection; a wholly fluidic control system connected in fluid flow relationship between said sensor and said clipper assembly to receive said signal, said fluidic control system including a fluidic logic network and a first interface valve constructed to permit flow of pressurized air therethrough when actuated by said fluidic logic network and otherwise to prevent air flow therethrough, said first interface valve connected in fluid flow relationship between the source of pressurized air and said tape clipper assembly and also connected to said fluidic logic network to permit flow of pressurized air through said first valve to said tape clipper assembly when said first valve is opened by said fluidic logic network, actuating said tape clipper assembly to sever the tape interconnecting successive bags, said fluidic logic network being responsive to a signal from said detection apparatus to open said first interface valve when a bag is detected at the predetermined distance from said knife by said first sensor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 290 words

An automatic bag closing machine using a supply of pressurized air in which open top bags move along a path and have tape folded over their open tops and attached thereto for closure, the tape interconnecting successive bags and the continuous tape thereafter being severed to separate one bag from the next comprising: means for attaching the tape to each bag wherein the tape is folded over the open top of each bag and attached to the bag; a pneumatically actuated tape clipper assembly including a knife positioned to sever the otherwise continuous length of tape interconnecting successively closed bags; a fluidic bag detection apparatus located along said path including a first sensor positioned to detect a bag at a predetermined distance from said knife, said apparatus producing a signal on detection; a wholly fluidic control system connected in fluid flow relationship between said sensor and said clipper assembly to receive said signal, said fluidic control system including a fluidic logic network and a first interface valve constructed to permit flow of pressurized air therethrough when actuated by said fluidic logic network and otherwise to prevent air flow therethrough, said first interface valve connected in fluid flow relationship between the source of pressurized air and said tape clipper assembly and also connected to said fluidic logic network to permit flow of pressurized air through said first valve to said tape clipper assembly when said first valve is opened by said fluidic logic network, actuating said tape clipper assembly to sever the tape interconnecting successive bags, said fluidic logic network being responsive to a signal from said detection apparatus to open said first interface valve when a bag is detected at the predetermined distance from said knife by said first sensor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 166 words

The bag closing machine according to claim 5 wherein said bag detection apparatus has a second sensor positioned to detect a bag at a second predetermined distance from said knife to produce a signal on detection of a bag at said second predetermined distance, and said fluidic control system includes a second interface valve constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough when fluidically actuated by said fluidic logic network and to otherwise prevent fluid flow therethrough, said second interface valve connected in fluid flow relationship between said tape clipper assembly and the source of pressurized air to said second interface valve to energize said second valve, and connected in fluid flow relationship to said fluidic logic network, said fluidic logic network fluidically opening said second interface valve, in response to said logic network receiving a signal from said detection apparatus that a bag is detected by said second sensor at said second predetermined distance, thereby energizing said tape clipper assembly with pressurized air and severing the tape.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 206 words

The machine according to claim 6 wherein said tape clipper assembly includes first and second pneumatic pistons connected in fluid flow relationship to the downstream side of said first and second interface valves, respectively, to receive pressurized air from said valves and said knife is swingably mounted along said path of the bags to swing across said path from the starting position clear of said path and return to the starting position in response To a said piston being extended by pressurized air from a said interface valve when a said interface valve is opened by said fluidic logic network, said pistons being mechanically coupled to said knife such that a stroke by said first piston in a single direction swings said knife across said path of the bag and returns it to starting position, said second piston then assuming a cocked position from which it can, when actuated by pressurized air from said second interface valve, deliver a stroke to swing said knife across said path and return it to starting position, said first and second pistons operating alternately as said first and second interface valves, respectively, are opened by said fluidic control system, thereby severing the tape extending from the edges of each bag.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 197 words

The bag closing machine according to claim 7 wherein said tape clipper assembly further includes: a housing including first and second piston cylinders slideably mounting said first and second pistons, respectively, and connected in fluid flow relationship to said first and second interface valves, to respectively, receive pressurized air from said valves; a crankshaft rotatably mounted in said housing for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis; a crank fixed to said crankshaft for movement with said crankshaft; first and second connecting rods pivotally mounted to said crank and to said first and second pistons, respectively, said rods transmitting longitudinal piston movement to said crank to produce limited rotational movement of said crank and crankshaft about said crankshaft axis; a knife shaft rotatably mounted in said housing for movement about is longitudinal axis, said knife shaft mechanically coupled to said crank for reciprocating swinging rotation about said knife shaft longitudinal axis in response to rotation of said crank and crankshaft about said crankshaft axis, said knife being mounted adjacent an end of said knife shaft exterior to said housing and swinging across said path as said knife shafe reciprocatingly rotates thereby severing the tape extending from a bag.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 69 words

The bag closing machine according to claim 8 and further including a knife drive lever fixed to said knife shaft and having a bifurcated cam extending outwardly therefrom and a drive link with an end pivotally mounted to said crank and the remaining end pivotally mounted to said bifurcated cam, said drive link transmitting movement from said crank to said knife drive lever to reciprocatingly rotate said knife shaft.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 438 words

An automatic bag closing machine for bags moving along a path, the machine using a shop supply of pressurized air comprising: a sewing head adjacent said path positioned to stitch closed each successively arriving bag as it moves along said path; a motor for driving said sewing head; a wholly fluidic control system including a fluidic logic network and a clutch interface valve and brake interface valve, each said interface valve constructed to transmit pressurized air through the valve when the valve is opened by a fluidic command signal delivered to said valve and to otherwise prevent fluid flow therethrough, each said interface valve being connected in fluid flow relationship with said fluidic logic network so as to be opened when a command signal is received by each said valve from said logic network; a pneumatically actuated clutch linking said motor and said sewing head to transmit driving energy from said motor to said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship with said clutch interface valve to receive pressurized air from said clutch valve when said clutch valve is open; a pneumatically actuated brake positioned to stop operation of said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship to said brake interface valve to receive pressurized air from said brake valve when said brake valve is open; a fluidic bag detection apparatus, said detection apparatus connected in fluid flow relationship to said fluidic logic cIrcuit of said fluidic control system and have a first sensor positioned to detect a bag along said path at a first predetermined distance upstream of said sewing head and a second sensor positioned at a first predetermined distance downstream of said sewing head, each said sensor providing a signal when a bag is detected at any of said predetermined distances; and said fluidic logic network including a plurality of pressure sensitive fluidic switches and fluidic or circuits, said switches operatively connected to receive signals from said sensors and in response thereto fluidically actuate a plurality of said fluidic or circuits to fluidically open the clutch interface valve thereby engaging said clutch when a bag is detected by said first sensor at said first predetermined distance upstream and thereafter retaining said clutch interface valve in an open condition until the bag passes said second sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, thereby maintaining the sewing head in operation while the bag is detected by said second sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically opening said brake interface valve to engage said brake in response to no bag being detected by said first and second sensors.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 438 words

An automatic bag closing machine for bags moving along a path, the machine using a shop supply of pressurized air comprising: a sewing head adjacent said path positioned to stitch closed each successively arriving bag as it moves along said path; a motor for driving said sewing head; a wholly fluidic control system including a fluidic logic network and a clutch interface valve and brake interface valve, each said interface valve constructed to transmit pressurized air through the valve when the valve is opened by a fluidic command signal delivered to said valve and to otherwise prevent fluid flow therethrough, each said interface valve being connected in fluid flow relationship with said fluidic logic network so as to be opened when a command signal is received by each said valve from said logic network; a pneumatically actuated clutch linking said motor and said sewing head to transmit driving energy from said motor to said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship with said clutch interface valve to receive pressurized air from said clutch valve when said clutch valve is open; a pneumatically actuated brake positioned to stop operation of said sewing head and connected in fluid flow relationship to said brake interface valve to receive pressurized air from said brake valve when said brake valve is open; a fluidic bag detection apparatus, said detection apparatus connected in fluid flow relationship to said fluidic logic cIrcuit of said fluidic control system and have a first sensor positioned to detect a bag along said path at a first predetermined distance upstream of said sewing head and a second sensor positioned at a first predetermined distance downstream of said sewing head, each said sensor providing a signal when a bag is detected at any of said predetermined distances; and said fluidic logic network including a plurality of pressure sensitive fluidic switches and fluidic or circuits, said switches operatively connected to receive signals from said sensors and in response thereto fluidically actuate a plurality of said fluidic or circuits to fluidically open the clutch interface valve thereby engaging said clutch when a bag is detected by said first sensor at said first predetermined distance upstream and thereafter retaining said clutch interface valve in an open condition until the bag passes said second sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, thereby maintaining the sewing head in operation while the bag is detected by said second sensor at said first predetermined distance downstream, a plurality of said fluidic or circuits fluidically opening said brake interface valve to engage said brake in response to no bag being detected by said first and second sensors.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-12-31	1977-07-02	1978-01-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-12-31	1981-07-02	1982-01-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-12-31	1985-07-02	1986-01-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Bag closing machine with fluidic control system

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