Patent US3897674A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3897674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bagging machine
Assignee: COMPTEX Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-02
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A bagging machine for automatically covering a loaded pallet with a bag formed from a tubing of material such as heat-shrink fiber. The tubing is fed by drive rollers to a pair of inclined vacuum belt units which open the tubing and pass it downward to gathering arm assemblies. The tubing is collected on the gathering arm assemblies until the appropriate length of bag has been fed by the drive rollers. A cut-and-seal mechanism then cuts the tubing and seals the end of the bag. The belt units complete the feeding of the bag onto the gathering arm assemblies and the assemblies are lowered over the loaded pallet. The bagging machine also includes means for automatically centering the loaded pallet under the belt units.
Inventors
- 👤 David M Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B9/00; B65B9/10; B65B9/13; B65B9/135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A bagging machine for covering a load with a bag formed from a tubing of stock material comprising: means for feeding the tubing to a work area for receiving the tubing; vacuum belt means for gripping the tubing, said belt means spreading the tubing to an open position and directing the tubing downward; gathering arm means for collecting the tubing, said gathering arm means receiving tubing from said vacuum belt means as the tubing is directed downward; means for severing the tubing and forming the bag therefrom, the bag being collected on said gathering arm means; and means for lowering said gathering arm means over the load to cover the load with the bag collected on said gathering arm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A bagging machine for covering a load with a bag formed from a tubing of stock material comprising: means for feeding the tubing to a work area for receiving the tubing; vacuum belt means for gripping the tubing, said belt means spreading the tubing to an open position and directing the tubing downward; gathering arm means for collecting the tubing, said gathering arm means receiving tubing from said vacuum belt means as the tubing is directed downward; means for severing the tubing and forming the bag therefrom, the bag being collected on said gathering arm means; and means for lowering said gathering arm means over the load to cover the load with the bag collected on said gathering arm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said vacuum belt means includes means for sequeNtially supplying vacuum to said belt means along the extent thereof as the tubing travels along the belt means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bagging machine of claim 2 wherein said vacuum belt means include a plurality of chambers over the extent thereof, said chambers being selectively isolatable from one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bagging machine of claim 3 wherein the plurality of chambers have apertures therein and said means for sequentially supplying vacuum includes valve means associated with the apertures in the chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The bagging means of claim 4 wherein said valve means includes a shaft disposed along the chambers in the belt means, and valve blades disposed along said shaft at angularly offset locations, said valve blades being configured to cover the apertures in the chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The bagging machine of claim 4 wherein said plurality of chambers includes a group of central chambers with apertures coupling the central chambers one to the other and a group of side chambers with apertures coupling a side chamber to a central chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 further including: second means for feeding a second tubing of stock material to the work area, said second tubing having a diameter different from the diameter of the first mentioned tubing; and means for selecting one of the first and second tubings in response to the dimensions of the load to be covered with the bag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bagging machine of claim 7 wherein the selecting means includes means for sensing a dimension of the load and means for determining the tubing having the appropriate diameter for the load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bagging machine of claim 8 wherein the determining means includes a cam follower assembly, a cam rail indicative of the dimension of the load, and cams disposed on the cam rail, said cams controlling the selection of the tubing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 further including: second means for feeding a second tubing of stock material to the work area, and means for selecting either the first mentioned means for feeding a tubing or the second means for feeding a second tubing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein the gathering arm means includes means for retaining the bag collected on the gathering arm means as the gathering arm means is lowered along the load to be covered.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 wherein the gathering arm means includes an upright extending upward toward the vacuum belt means, and a roller disposed on the upright for engaging the vacuum belt means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bagging machine of claim 12 wherein the gathering arm means further includes means for retracting the upright outward to draw the collected bag taut on the gathering arm means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bagging machine of claim 13 wherein the gathering arm means includes means for retaining the bag collected on the gathering arm means when the upright is in a retracted position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bagging machine of claim 14 wherein the retaining means includes a plate for engaging the upright and biasing means for urging the plate toward the upright when the upright is in a retracted position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 further including means for centering the load to be covered with a bag beneath the vacuum belt means, said centering means centering the load along both the length and width thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The bagging machine of claim 16 wherein the centering means includes a trolley, means for moving the trolley to align the longitudinal center line of the trolley and the load, and means for transferring the load onto the trolley to a position with the lateral center line of the trolley and the load aligned.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bagging machine of claim 1 further including bag length means for sensing the size of the load and controlling the length of tubing fed by the feeding means in relation to the size of the load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bagging machine of claim 18 wherein said bag length means includes means for sensing one-half the width of the load to be bagged and means for sensIng the vertical extent of the load to be bagged.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bagging machine of claim 19 further including means for centering the load to be bagged beneath the vacuum belt means, said centering means centering the load along the length and width thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bagging machine of claim 20 wherein the means for sensing one-half the width of the load to be bagged is coupled to said centering means to receive a signal indicative of the width of the load, said width of load signal being produced during the centering of the load along its width.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
A bagging machine for covering a load with a bag formed from a tubing of stock material comprising: means for feeding the tubing to a work area for receiving the tubing; inclined vacuum means for gripping the tubing, said inclined vacuum means spreading the tubing to an open position and directing the tubing downward; gathering arm means for collecting the tubing, said gathering arm means receiving tubing from said inclined vacuum means as the tubing is directed downward; means for severing the tubing and forming the bag therefrom, the bag being collected on said gathering arm means; and means for lowering said gathering arm means over the load to cover the load with the bag collected on said gathering arm means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
121 words
A bagging machine for covering a load with a bag formed from a tubing of stock material comprising: means for feeding the tubing to a work area for receiving the tubing; inclined vacuum means for gripping the tubing, said inclined vacuum means spreading the tubing to an open position and directing the tubing downward; gathering arm means for collecting the tubing, said gathering arm means receiving tubing from said inclined vacuum means as the tubing is directed downward; means for severing the tubing and forming the bag therefrom, the bag being collected on said gathering arm means; and means for lowering said gathering arm means over the load to cover the load with the bag collected on said gathering arm means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bagging machine of claim 22 wherein the gathering arm means includes an upright extending upward toward the inclined vacuum means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bagging machine of claim 23 wherein the gathering arm means further includes means for retracting the upright outward to draw the collected bag taut on the gathering arm means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bagging machine of claim 24 wherein the gathering arm means includes means for retaining the bag collected on the gathering arm means when the upright is in a retracted position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
105 words
A bagging machine for covering a load with a bag formed from a tubing of stock material comprising: means for feeding the tubing to a work area for receiving the tubing; vacuum means for gripping the tubing, and spreading the tubing to an open position; gathering arm means for collecting the tubing, said gathering arm means receiving tubing from said vacuum means; means for severing the tubing and forming the bag therefrom, the bag being collected on said gathering arm means; and means for lowering said gathering arm means over the load to cover the load with the bag collected on said gathering arm means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
105 words
A bagging machine for covering a load with a bag formed from a tubing of stock material comprising: means for feeding the tubing to a work area for receiving the tubing; vacuum means for gripping the tubing, and spreading the tubing to an open position; gathering arm means for collecting the tubing, said gathering arm means receiving tubing from said vacuum means; means for severing the tubing and forming the bag therefrom, the bag being collected on said gathering arm means; and means for lowering said gathering arm means over the load to cover the load with the bag collected on said gathering arm means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bagging machine of claim 26 wherein the gathering arm means includes an upright extending upward toward said vacuum means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bagging machine of claim 27 wherein the gathering arm means further includes means for retracting the gathering arm means outward to draw the collected bag taut on the gathering arm means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bagging machine of claim 28 wherein the gathering arm means includes means for retaining the bag collected on the gathering arm means when the upright is in a retracted position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3707064A
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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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |