Mobile bag filling system

• US 6,978,812 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anna Collins
• Original Assignee: Joe Summerville
• Inventors: Summerville, Joe
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US10/921,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 141/114, 141/166, 141/231, 141/256, 141313-316, 141/392, 414/523, 198/300, 198/312
• US Class Current: 141/316
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/06 by gravity flow
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 15/24 in tandem
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 41/008 frames mounted on wheels or caterpillar for movement on rail tracks B65G41/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/28 Piling or unpiling loose materials in bulk, e.g. coal, manure, timber, not otherwise provided for by soil-shifting or like equipment E02F
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/46 using screw conveyors

Abstract

A mobile bag filling system for filling bags with fluent matter, such as sand, and comprises a hopper, a flume, and first and second conveyor systems. The hopper receives the fluent matter from a source and an auger within the hopper moves the fluent matter onto the first conveyor system and transfers the fluent matter from the hopper up a ramping section to the flume. The flume directs the fluent matter into at least one holding receptacle, or sandbag. The second conveyor system receives the sandbag after it has received the fluent matter and moves the sandbag sufficiently to one side of the flumes to allow a user to fill another sandbag. The mobile bag filling system may also include a sandbag docking station configured to receive the sandbag after the sandbag has received the fluent matter and disconnected from the flume. The sandbag docking station and the second conveyor system are positioned such that when the sandbag is pushed toward the second conveyor system, the sandbag falls onto the second conveyor system. A string clamp automatically seals the sandbags.

Claims

1. A mobile bag filling system for filling bags with fluent matter, comprising:

a hopper configured to receive the fluent matter from a source;

an auger coupled to the hopper, the auger configured to move the fluent matter;

a flume opposite the hopper, the flume configured to direct the fluent matter into a holding receptacle;

a first conveyor system having a first end that is positioned to receive the fluent matter from the auger, and configured to move the fluent matter from the hopper to the flume;

a holding receptacle docking station, configured to receive the holding receptacle after the holding receptacle has received the fluent matter and disconnected from the flume; and

a second conveyor system positioned opposite the hopper, and configured to receive the holding receptacle after it has received the fluent matter and move the holding receptacle sufficiently to one side of the flume to allow a user to fill another holding receptacle, wherein the holding receptacle docking station and the second conveyor system are positioned such that when the holding receptacle is pushed toward the second conveyor system, the holding receptacle falls onto the second conveyor system.

2. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, wherein the second conveyor comprises a conveyor belt.

3. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, wherein the first conveyor system comprises a multiplicity of holes configured to allow water to escape the first conveyor system.

4. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, further comprising a portable conveyor configured to transport the holding receptacle from the second conveyor system away from the mobile bag filling system.

5. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 4, further comprising a storage means for storing the portable conveyor on the mobile bag filling system.

6. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of telescoping, rotating light systems coupled to the conveyor system.

7. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of storage areas.

8. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, further comprising a self leveling stabilizer support jack extending from the mobile bag filling system and configured to stabilize and level the mobile bag filling system.

9. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 1, wherein the flume further comprises string clamps configured to hold draw strings on the sandbags such that when the sandbag drops, the string clamps draw the sandbag closed to seal the fluent matter within.

10. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 9, wherein the string clamps comprise at least one flange protruding from the flume and the drawstrings friction fit into the flange.

11. A mobile bag filling system for filling bags with fluent matter, comprising:

a hopper configured to receive the fluent matter from a source, and positioned at a first end of the mobile bag filling system;

a directing member positioned at a second end of the mobile bag filling system, and configured to direct the fluent matter into at least one holding receptacle;

a first conveyor system, configured to move the fluent matter from the hopper to the directing member; and

a second conveyor system positioned proximate the second end and under the directing member, wherein the second conveyor system is configured to catch and support the holding receptacle upon release from the directing member.

12. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, wherein the second conveyor includes a conveyor belt.

13. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, wherein the first conveyor system comprises a multiplicity of holes configured to permit water to escape from the first conveyor system.

14. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, further comprising a portable conveyor configured to transport the holding receptacle from the second conveyor system away from the mobile bag filling system.

15. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 14, further comprising a storage means for storing the portable conveyor on the mobile bag filling system.

16. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of telescoping, rotating light systems coupled to the conveyor system.

17. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of storage areas.

18. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, further comprising a stabilizer support jack extending from the mobile bag filling system and configured to stabilize the mobile bag filling system.

19. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 11, wherein the flume further comprises string clamps configured to hold draw strings on the sandbags such that when the sandbag drops, the string clamps draw the sandbag closed to seal the fluent matter within.

20. The mobile bag filling system according to claim 19, wherein the string clamps comprise at least one flange protruding from the flume and the drawstrings friction fit into the flange.