Bag filling and sealing machine and method for handling bags
First Claim
1. A method for filling and sealing a bag with a material, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an empty collapsed bag on a bag holder;
(b) removing the bag from the bag holder with a funnel assembly;
(c) opening the bag with the funnel assembly;
(d) filling the bag with material through the funnel assembly;
(e) grasping the opposed top edges of the bag with a pair of grabber arms;
(f) pulling the grasped top edges of the bag apart;
(g) delivering the bag to a sealing apparatus; and
(h) sealing the bag.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bag filling and sealing machine includes a bag holder, a bag opening and filling station, and a sealing station. The bag holder holds wicketed bags in a manner that allows the bags to be easily torn from the holder. A funnel assembly successively opens each bag, tears the bag from the bag holder, fills the bag with material, and releases the bag to a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages the sides of the bag while the bag is attached to a funnel assembly and later pulls the sides of the bag away from each other so that the top of the bag is closed and ready to seal when the bag is delivered to a sealing apparatus. The grabber assembly moves in a manner so as to minimize the lost height when moving from the filling station to the sealing station.
145 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for filling and sealing a bag with a material, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an empty collapsed bag on a bag holder;
(b) removing the bag from the bag holder with a funnel assembly;
(c) opening the bag with the funnel assembly;
(d) filling the bag with material through the funnel assembly;
(e) grasping the opposed top edges of the bag with a pair of grabber arms;
(f) pulling the grasped top edges of the bag apart;
(g) delivering the bag to a sealing apparatus; and
(h) sealing the bag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for filling and sealing a bag with a material, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an empty collapsed bag on a bag holder;
(b) removing the bag from the bag holder with a funnel assembly;
(c) opening the bag with the funnel assembly;
(d) filling the bag with material through the funnel assembly;
(e) delivering the bag to a sealing apparatus; and
sealing the bag. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of filling a bag with a material and sealing a bag;
- the method comprising the steps of;
(a) providing an empty collapsed bag on a bag holder;
(b) opening the bag;
(c) filling the bag with material;
(d) grasping the opposed top edges of the bag with a pair of grabber arms;
(e) pulling the grasped top edges of the bag apart;
(f) delivering the bag to a sealing apparatus; and
(g) sealing the bag;
wherein step (f) includes the steps of providing a pair of finger assemblies and moving the finger assemblies up, over, and down over the top edges of the bag. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
- the method comprising the steps of;
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24. A method for filling and sealing a bag with a material, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an empty collapsed bag on a bag holder;
(b) removing the bag from the bag holder with a funnel assembly;
(c) filling the bag with material through the funnel assembly; and
(d) sealing the bag. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of filling a bag with a material and sealing a bag;
- the method comprising the steps of;
(a) providing an empty collapsed bag on a bag holder;
(b) filling the bag with material;
(c) grasping the opposed top edges of the bag with a pair of finger assemblies that move inwardly and down to grasp the top edges of the bag, the motion being with respect to the bag;
(d) delivering the bag to a sealing apparatus; and
(e) sealing the bag. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
- the method comprising the steps of;
Specification