GB1097842A - Method and apparatus for packaging bags - Google Patents

Abstract

1,097,842. Packaging machines; rotary elevator. J. SALOMON. Sept. 16, 1966 [Sept. 21, 1965], No. 40243/65. Headings B8A and B8 [Also in Division B6] Bags 34 and spacer elements 36 are received in the open-topped pockets of a rotatable star wheel 10 (Fig. 1), which delivers them on to a radially extending guide 16 to align the bags for subsequent packaging. The pockets of the star wheel are defined by wings 14, preferably comprising curved spaced-apart elements (15) (Fig. 2, not shown), extending from an inner rim 13 positioned between two side flanges 12. As described, a tea bag 34 is rotated in the pocket of the star wheel 10 until it is removed by fingers 17 of the guide 16, on to which it is pushed against the previously deposited bags by the curved elements (15) of the succeeding wing 14. A spacer element 36 is inserted between each group of bags by releasing a spacer into a pocket of the wheel 10 from a shoot 26 by pivoting a gate (28) (Fig. 3, not shown). An open box 37 is lowered over the group by an operator and the package folded up as it moves along the guide 16, whereupon the completed package 38 is removed and the spacer 36 moved on its way back to the shoot 26. The spacers may be included in the package and may comprise two lightly adhered sheets (40, 41) (Fig. 4, not shown) so that one sheet is contained in each end of the package when the sides of the container 37 are lowered between the sheets. The bags may be pre-wrapped prior to placing in the box 37. The bags may be moved along the guide 16 by conveyer means and may be passed over a transparent, heat shrinkable film, which is folded up, longitudinally heat sealed, transversely heat sealed to the spacers and severed to form individual packages. The guide 16 may be vertically disposed, the bags being clamped by the wings 14 during rotation of the star wheel 10. The vertical guide may include a vibrator to evenly distribute the contents of the bags.