US3817017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bag construction and method for filling the same
Assignee: PLASTIC FILMS Inc A CORP OF OH
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Filing: 1973-04-17
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1993-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A bag construction embodied in a chain of connected bag elements and an efficient method for filling the same. In novel feeding and mounting concepts, the chain of bag elements is preferably fed to the filling apparatus from a folded pile, and is initially received by a mandrel which mounts the same in a curtain-and-rodlike fashion by means of a loop located along the top end of each bag. In the chain, the bag elements are substantially separated from one another such that their complete separation after filling can be easily achieved, as for example, by a gentle pulling action. In specific bag constructions, loading or filling through gusseted sections of the bag elements is made possible through novel gusset designs and filling methods, and scrap minimized, for example, by thinning strategic portions of the bag elements which later are customarily trimmed therefrom following sealing operations.
Inventors
- 👤 O Titchenal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:13
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/12; B65B43/123; B65B43/26; B65B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends and two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top end of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising the steps of: a. feeding the tunnel portions of said bag elements about an elongated mandrel member to mount said bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion; b. parting said tunnel portions in the longitudinal direction to form a fill opening for each bag element located between the two closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of the tunnel portion; c. plowing open said parted edges; and d. thereafter depositing a product in each bag element through the fill opening thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends and two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top end of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising the steps of: a. feeding the tunnel portions of said bag elements about an elongated mandrel member to mount said bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion; b. parting said tunnel portions in the longitudinal direction to form a fill opening for each bag element located between the two closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of the tunnel portion; c. plowing open said parted edges; and d. thereafter depositing a product in each bag element through the fill opening thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of intermittently feeding said bag elements about said elongated mandrel member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of feeding said chain of connected bag elements to said elongated mandrel member from a folded pile, said folded pile comprising connected bag elements positioned one on top of the other in a continuous Z-like stacking arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of vibrating said bag elements during the step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements thereby permitting a more complete fill.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of individually filling each of said chain connected bag elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of trimming a portion of said parted tunnel portion edges after introducing said fill product in said bag elements, thereby further weakening the connection between said chain connected bag elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 including the step of placing said filled chain connected bag elements in a position resulting in said chain connected bag elements breaking apart from each other by their own weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of sealing said elements after said fill product is introduced into said bag elements.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent, whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top end of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising the steps of: a. intermittently feeding the tunnel portions of said bag elements about an elongated mandrel member to mount said bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion; b. moving said chain of connected bag elements to a product filling station; c. parting said tunnel portions in the longitudinal direction to form a fill opening, for each bag element, located between the two closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of said tunnel portion; d. plowing open said parted edges; and e. activating said product filling station thereby depositing a fill product in said bag elements while said bag elements are intermittently positioned adjacent said product filling station.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent, whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top end of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising the steps of: a. intermittently feeding the tunnel portions of said bag elements about an elongated mandrel member to mount said bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion; b. moving said chain of connected bag elements to a product filling station; c. parting said tunnel portions in the longitudinal direction to form a fill opening, for each bag element, located between the two closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of said tunnel portion; d. plowing open said parted edges; and e. activating said product filling station thereby depositing a fill product in said bag elements while said bag elements are intermittently positioned adjacent said product filling station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of feeding said chain of connected bag elements to said elongated mandrel from a folded pile of connected bag elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of feeding said chain of connected bag elements to said elongated mandrel from a fan folded pile of connected bag elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of feeding said chain of connected bag elements from an endless pile of connected bag elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of vibrating each of said bag elements during the step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of vibrating each of said bag elements after the step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14 including the step of placing said filled bag elements in a position resulting in said connected bag elements breaking apart from each other by their own weight.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of individually filling a chain of connected bag elements, wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising the steps of: a. intermittently feeding the tunnel portions of said chain of bag elements about an elongated mandrel member to longitudinally mount said connected bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion; b. moving said mounted chain of connected bag elements to a product filling station; c. parting said tunnel portions in a longitudinal direction to form a fill opening for each bag element, located between the two closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of said tunnel portion; d. plowing open said parted edges; e. activating said product filling station and depositing a product fill singularly in each of said bag elements while said bag element is intermittently positioned adjacent said product filling station; f. vibrating said bag elements; g. conveying said filled bag elements to a position resulting in said connected bag elements separating from each other by their own weight; and h. sealing said bag elements.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of individually filling a chain of connected bag elements, wherein each bag element normally includes closed bottom and top ends, two sides, said sides closed except at their uppermost extent whereby an open ended tunnel portion is formed at the top of each bag element, said tunnel portions being aligned, said method comprising the steps of: a. intermittently feeding the tunnel portions of said chain of bag elements about an elongated mandrel member to longitudinally mount said connected bag elements in a curtain-and-rod-like fashion; b. moving said mounted chain of connected bag elements to a product filling station; c. parting said tunnel portions in a longitudinal direction to form a fill opening for each bag element, located between the two closed sides thereof and the two parted edges of said tunnel portion; d. plowing open said parted edges; e. activating said product filling station and depositing a product fill singularly in each of said bag elements while said bag element is intermittently positioned adjacent said product filling station; f. vibrating said bag elements; g. conveying said filled bag elements to a position resulting in said connected bag elements separating from each other by their own weight; and h. sealing said bag elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 including the method of claim 9 including the step of vibrating each of said bag elements during the step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 including the method of claim 9 including the step of vibrating each of said bag elements after the step of introducing a fill product in said bag elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |