US3789574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging machine
Assignee: GENERAL FILMS Inc
•
Filing: 1971-04-12
•
Granted: 1974-02-05
•
Expires: 1991-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A machine for filling and sealing each bag in a web of bags on a continuous, non-intermittent basis. The web of bags is formed with the bag side seams extending from the centerfold bottom of the web of the bags to a point short of the top to provide a pair of continuous free upper edges. This permits the bags to be opened by a plow-like device which spreads the free upper edges as the bags are fed into the machine and directs them onto closely spaced teeth carried by a pair of parallel, endless carrier chains. Adjustably spaced, side support belts and a vertically adjustable center belt are also provided to support the bags as they are carried through the machine by the carrier chains. An endless track having one branch extending coextensively with a portion of the bags'' path through the machine carries a series of transfer cans which pick up a desired amount of the product to be packaged from a hopper and transfer it into the bags as they continue to move through the machine with a continuous, non-interrupted motion. After filling the bags the cans are recycled to pick up another charge, while the free edges of the filled bags are sealed and trimmed of excess bag material above the seal.
Inventors
- 👤 R Weikert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B39/00; B65B39/14; B65B43/00; B65B43/12; B65B43/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. rotatable hopper means moving at substantially the same speed as said bag engaging means, f. a plurality of transfer cans, g. means for cycling said transfer cans between said hopper means and said bags in said downstream run at a speed substantially the same as the rotational speed of said hopper means and the speed of said bag engaging means, h. nozzles insertable into said bags as said bags and nozzles move along said downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, i. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, j. a plurality of uniformly spaced, downwardly projecting valves on said hopper openable through contact with said transfer cans, and k. means for moving said transfer cans upwardly into contact with said valves and thereafter downwardly a distance sufficient to insert said nozzles into said bags.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. rotatable hopper means moving at substantially the same speed as said bag engaging means, f. a plurality of transfer cans, g. means for cycling said transfer cans between said hopper means and said bags in said downstream run at a speed substantially the same as the rotational speed of said hopper means and the speed of said bag engaging means, h. nozzles insertable into said bags as said bags and nozzles move along said downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, i. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, j. a plurality of uniformly spaced, downwardly projecting valves on said hopper openable through contact with said transfer cans, and k. means for moving said transfer cans upwardly into contact with said valves and thereafter downwardly a distance sufficient to insert said nozzles into said bags.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. means for raising and lowering said center belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. means for raising and lowering said center belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said depositing means further includes: a. means defining a track having a downstream branch coincident with said downstream run, an upstream branch extending in sapced parallel relationship to said downstream branch and return branches interconnecting said Upstream and downstream branches, and b. means for transporting said transfer cans about said track with a continuous, nonintermittent motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for moving said transfer cans upwardly and downwardly comprises: a. camming surface having upper sections coincident with said return branches of said track, a lower section coincident with a medial portion of said downstream branch of said track and transition sections interconnecting said upper and lower sections, b. carriers mounted on and movable along said track, c. means attaching said transfer cans to said carriers, and d. cam followers on said carriers in engagement with said camming surface, whereby movement of said carriers along said tracks causes said transfer cans to move upwardly into opening engagement with said hopper valves and downwardly with said nozzles inserted into said bags.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: a. selectively operable valves on said nozzles for controlling flow from said transfer cans, b. means for opening said nozzle valves as said nozzles are inserted into said bags, and c. means for closing said nozzle valves as said nozzles are withdrawn from said bags.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said valves comprise: a. means defining cam surfaces formed in aid nozzles extending angularly with respect to the axes thereof, b. closed end valve sleeves slidably engaging said nozzles, c. means defining outlets through the walls of said valve sleeves, and d. cam means mounted on said sleeves in engagement with said cam surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a. outwardly projecting ears mounted on said valve sleeves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a. means for detecting the presence or absence of a bag at a point adjacent said nozzle valve opening means, and b. means for activating or deactivating said nozzle valve opening means in response to the detection of the presence or absence, respectively, of a bag by said detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. meanss for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. a pair of side belts each trains about spaced apart vertically extending rollers and defining opposed, vertically extending side belt reaches on opposite sides of said center belt reach.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. meanss for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. a pair of side belts each trains about spaced apart vertically extending rollers and defining opposed, vertically extending side belt reaches on opposite sides of said center belt reach.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a. means for varying the spacing between said side belt reaches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
171 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means including a pair of bottom plate members positioned in spaced apart relationship to receive said free upper edges therebetween and a flat, substantially triangularly shaped top plate member positioned in overlying relationship to said bottom plate members and adapted to be received between said free upper edges, c. means for continuously engaging sAid web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, and f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
171 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means including a pair of bottom plate members positioned in spaced apart relationship to receive said free upper edges therebetween and a flat, substantially triangularly shaped top plate member positioned in overlying relationship to said bottom plate members and adapted to be received between said free upper edges, c. means for continuously engaging sAid web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, and f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a. a bracket member pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from said bottom plate member, b. means mounting said top plate member on said bracket member, and c. rollers rotatably mounted on said bracket member and cooperating with said engaging means to direct said free edges into engagement therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
189 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. a plurality of transfer cans moving in synchronism with said engaging means and having nozzles insertable into said bags for depositing charges of material into said bags as said bags and said nozzles move along said downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, f. a hopper having a plurality of uniformly spaced, downwardly projecting valves openable through contact with said transfer cans, g. means for moving said transfer cans upwardly into contact with said valves and thereafter downwardly a distance sufficient to insert said nozzles into said bags, and h. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
189 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. a plurality of transfer cans moving in synchronism with said engaging means and having nozzles insertable into said bags for depositing charges of material into said bags as said bags and said nozzles move along said downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, f. a hopper having a plurality of uniformly spaced, downwardly projecting valves openable through contact with said transfer cans, g. means for moving said transfer cans upwardly into contact with said valves and thereafter downwardly a distance sufficient to insert said nozzles into said bags, and h. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said depositing means further includes: a. means defining a track having a downstream branch coincident with said downstream run, an upstream branch extending in spaced parallel relationship to said downstream branch and return branches interconnecting said upstream and downstream branches, and b. means for transporting said transfer cans about said track with a continuous, nonintermittent motion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for moving said transfer cans upwardly and downwardly comprises: a. camming surface having upper sections coincident with said return branches of said track, a lower section coincident with a medial portion of said downstream branch of said track and transition sections interconnecting said upper and lower sections, b. carriers mounted on and movable along said track, c. means attaching said transfer cans to said carriers, and d. cam followers on said carriers in engagement with said camming surface, whereby movement of said carriers along said tracks causes said transfer cans to move upwardly into opening engagement with said hopper valves and downwardly with said nozzles inserted into said bags.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a. selectivelyy operable valves on said nozzles for controlling flow from said transfer cans, b. means for opening said nozzle valves as said nozzles are inserted into said bags, and c. means for closing said nozzle valves as said nozzles are withdrawn from said bags.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said valves comprises: a. means defining cam surfaces formed in said nozzles extending angularly with respect to the axes thereof, b. closed end valve sleeves slidably engaging said nozzles, c. means defining outlets through he walls of said valve sleeves, and d. cam means mounted on said sleeves in engagement with said cam surfacEs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: a. outwardly projecting ears mounted on said valve sleeves.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a. means for detecting the presence or absence of a bag at a point adjacent said nozzle valve opening means, and b. means for activating or deactivating said nozzle valve opening means in response to the detection of the presence or absence, respectively, of a bag by said detecting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
184 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. a pair of endless chains each trained about a pair of spaced sprockets and defining downstream reaches for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. each of said chains having a plurality of upwardly projecting, bag engaging teeth, e. means overlying said upwardly projecting teeth on said downstream reaches of said chains for maintaining said free edges of said web of bags in engagement with said teeth, f. means for moving said bag engaging teeth along a downstream run with aa continuous, nonintermittent motion, g. means moving in synchronism with said bas engaging teeth for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, and h. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
184 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. a pair of endless chains each trained about a pair of spaced sprockets and defining downstream reaches for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. each of said chains having a plurality of upwardly projecting, bag engaging teeth, e. means overlying said upwardly projecting teeth on said downstream reaches of said chains for maintaining said free edges of said web of bags in engagement with said teeth, f. means for moving said bag engaging teeth along a downstream run with aa continuous, nonintermittent motion, g. means moving in synchronism with said bas engaging teeth for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, and h. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
155 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. means for raising and lowering said center belt.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
155 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. means for raising and lowering said center belt.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
176 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. a pair of side belts each trained about spaced apart vertically extending rollers and defining opposed, vertically extending side belt reaches on opposite sides of said center belt reach.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
176 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, d. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, e. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, f. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges, g. an endless center belt trained about spaced rollers and defining a horizontally extending center belt reach coincident with said downstream run, and h. a pair of side belts each trained about spaced apart vertically extending rollers and defining opposed, vertically extending side belt reaches on opposite sides of said center belt reach.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a. means for varying the spacing between said side belt reaches.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
176 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality Of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. a pair of bottom plate members positioned in spaced apart relationship to receive said free upper edges therebetween, c. a flat, substantially triangularly shaped top plate member positioned in overlying relationship to said bottom plate members and adapted to be received between said free upper edges, d. said plate members comprising spreading means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, e. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, f. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, g. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, and h. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
176 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality Of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. a pair of bottom plate members positioned in spaced apart relationship to receive said free upper edges therebetween, c. a flat, substantially triangularly shaped top plate member positioned in overlying relationship to said bottom plate members and adapted to be received between said free upper edges, d. said plate members comprising spreading means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, e. means for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spread apart by said spreading means, f. means for moving said bag engaging means along a downstream run with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, g. means moving in synchronism with said engaging means for depositing charges of material into said bags as they move along said downstream run, and h. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising: a. a bracket member pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from said bottom plate member, b. means mounting said top plate member on said bracket member, and c. rollers rotatably mounted on said bracket member and cooperating with said engaging means to direct said free edges into engagement therewith.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
224 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. a pair of endless chains each trained about a pair of spaced sprockets and defining downstream reaches of said chains, d. a plurality of upwardly projecting, bag engaging teeth mounted on said chains for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spaced apart by said spreading means, e. means overlying said upwardly projecting teeth on said downstream reaches of said chain for maintaining said free edges of said web of bags in engagement with said teeth, f. means for moving said chains along a downstream run coincident with said downstream reaches of said chains with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, g. rotatable hopper means moving at substantially the same speed as said chains, h. a plurality of transfer cans, i. means for cycling said transfer cans between said hopper means and said bags in said downstream run at a speed substantially the same as the rotational speed of said hopper means and the speed of said chains, and j. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
224 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a. means for holding a supply of an elongated web formed of a plurality of interconnected bags having continuous free upper edges, b. means for continuously spreading apart said free upper edges of said web as it is withdrawn from said holding means, c. a pair of endless chains each trained about a pair of spaced sprockets and defining downstream reaches of said chains, d. a plurality of upwardly projecting, bag engaging teeth mounted on said chains for continuously engaging said web along said free edges thereof as said edges are spaced apart by said spreading means, e. means overlying said upwardly projecting teeth on said downstream reaches of said chain for maintaining said free edges of said web of bags in engagement with said teeth, f. means for moving said chains along a downstream run coincident with said downstream reaches of said chains with a continuous, nonintermittent motion, g. rotatable hopper means moving at substantially the same speed as said chains, h. a plurality of transfer cans, i. means for cycling said transfer cans between said hopper means and said bags in said downstream run at a speed substantially the same as the rotational speed of said hopper means and the speed of said chains, and j. means positioned downstream of said downstream run for sealing said free upper edges.
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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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |