US2156561A - Method and apparatus for packaging - Google Patents

Description

May 2, 1939.

A. J. CORDREY ET AL Filed Feb. 10, 1938 Z14-\ Z/Z 15 Sheets-Shae 1 A TTORNEY) May 2, 1939.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Filed Feb. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheec 2 A TTORNEYY A. J. CORDREY ET AL 2,156,561

May 2, 19

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Filed Feb. 10, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 m VEN T0 R May 2, 1939. J CORDREY ET AL 2,156,561

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Filed Feb. 10, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR i i? 5% i TTOR/VE YJ Ma y 2, 1939. A. J. COF'QDREY ET AL ,1 6,561

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Filed Feb. 10, 1938 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 11v VENTOR fi/WA/ d -60/EDAZFY B Y #791 w/v A/qq Nae May 2, 1939.

A. J. CORDREY ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING l3 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 Ye M un a V W M N T M5 W M y 1939- A. J. CORDREY ET AL 2,156,561

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Filed Feb. 10, 1938 13 Sheet-Sheet 12 as W 66 5 [I 7 1939- A. J. CORDREY ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Feb. 10, 1938 Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES.

,P'A'riz'Nr OFFICE 7 2,156,561 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Alnion J. Cordrey and Melvin Wagner, Chicago,

Ill., assignors to The Liquid Carbonic Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application February 10, 1938, Serial No. 189,834

50 Claims.

This inventiorz relates to packaging machines and methods of packaging materials, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for packaging materials which are preferably sealed in their containers.

would otherwise cause oxidation or deterioration of the contents.

Another object is to provide a packaging machine, wherein comminuted materials are fed into a container while a gas is likewise being forced into the container to displace the air therefrom,

after which'the filling entrance of the container is closed automatically and sealed by the application of heat.

Another object" is to provide a'packaging machine, wherein means is provided for the filling of a bag-like container with material to be packaged while a gas is fed into the container near the bottom thereof to displace the air from the container, whereupon the mouth of the container is closed by elements which, while eifecting this closure, also force out much of the remaining gas at the top of the container and thereafter seal the closed container by means of heat, whereupon the sealed mouthof the bag-like container is pressed down and folded over.

Another object is to provide a packaging machine, wherein cartons are caused to be moved successively through filling, sealing and tucking stations, the carton on its arrival at the filling station being provided with a bag-like container which is simultaneously filled with the material to be packaged while a gas is forced into the container to drive out the air. After the carton and container have thus been assembled and filled, means is provided for moving the carton and container to the sealing station, where the mouth of the bag is automatically spread apart in order to force the remaining air and gas from the bag, and sealing elements are brought into engagement with the bag adjacent its mouth in order to seal the mouth. Means is then provided for moving the carton and. the sealed bag to the tucking station, where the sealed mouth of the bag is pressed downwardly into the carton, and

the endfiaps of the carton moved inwardly to hold ing the sealing elements of Figure '7 in, their the bag taut in it's depressed position until the side flaps are moved inwardly to permanently maintain this closure.

Another object is to provide a method of packaging materials consisting in forcing a gas into the container to displace the air while the container is being filled with the material so as to prevent the subsequent oxidationor deterioration of the material arising from the presence of air 5 in the container.

Another object is to provide a method of packaging materials, wherein the mouth of the container is spread apart prior to its beingsealed so as to expel the major portion of the gases remaining in the top of the container, and then,- sealing the mouth of the containerwhile it is so spread apart.

Anotherobject is to aging materials comprising inserting a bag-like container in a carton or similar outer inclosure,

filling the container with the material to be packaged while forcing a gas therein so as to expel the air from the container, and then distending the mouth of the container to expel the; gas remaining at the top of the container, and there-- after sealing the thus distended mouth by bringing the opposite edges of the container together under the influence of heat.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging machine of this invention, showing the bag holder in its raised position prior to placingof a bag thereon. p

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 1, but showing the bag holder and bag half lowered into the carton.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the packaging machine shown in Figuresl and 2, but showing t the bag completely lowered into the carton in position for filling the bag with the packaged material while introducing a gas for expelling the air.

Figure 4 is a general perspective view of the packaging machine, showing its relationship with the conveying mechanism and other machinery with which the packagingv machine may be used,

' a bag being in position upon the bag holder;

provide a method of pack- Figure 5 is a side elevation of, the -filling portion of the packaging machine. A.

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the filling portions of the machine shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is aside elevation of the sealing portion of. the machine with the sealing elements open. 7

Figure 8 is an'enlarged fragmentary view showtion'of the machine shown in'Figures '7 and 8.

' from the carton while the a movable tongue holds delivered to the Figure 11 is a front elevation of the tucking portion of the packaging machine.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the tucking portion of the machine shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the tucking portion of the machine shown in Figures 11 and 12.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic cross section of the filling portion of the machine, showing the bag holder rest prior'to the application 01' the bag.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14, but with the bag holder and bag at the instant of entering the container.

Figure 16 is a view similar. to'Flgures 14 and 15, but showing the bag holder and bag at their lowest point of travel.

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figures 14 to 16, but showing the bag holder being withdrawn bag is being filled and gas is being introduced.

Figure 18 is a view showing the filled bag and container in position for sealing. I

Figure 19 is-a diagrammatic view showing the mouth of the bag distended by the mechanical fingers prior to its being sealed.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic cross section at right angles to Figures 14 to 19, showing the sealing elements moving into their sealing position while closing the mouth of the bag;

Figure 21 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figures 14 to 19, showing the top of the bag pressed downwardly while an end flap is being forced inwardly to tuck the bag top within the carton mouth. f Figure 22 is a diagram showingthe operating cycle in the filling portion of the machine.

Figure 23 is a diagram similar to Figure 22, but showing the operating cycle in the sealing portion of the machine.

Figure 24 is a view similar to Figures 22 and 23, but showing the operating cycle in the tucking portion of the machine.

Figure 25 is a diagrammatic view, similar to Figure 21, but showing a further stage in which down both end fiaps of the carton as the latter moves to the sealing station. General arrangement In general, the packaging machine of this in vention' consists of a conveyor which moves a carton step-by-step successively through a plurality of stations, the three concerned with the present invention being a filling station, a sealing station and a tucking station. Av carton bottom sealing station at the back-of the machine pre- -.cedes the filling station, but forms no part of the presentinvention. :fI'he portion ofthe machine at the filling station is provided with a bag holder, upon which a bag is placed by the operator while the bag holder projects forwardly at an angle. The bag holder isthen retracted automatically to a vertical position. Previously, the material to be packaged has been placed in a hopper in the upper part ofthe filling portion of the machine, "where it is automatically meas-- ured out and a charge oi predetermined weight bag holder. The bag holder and bag then are moved downwardly by automatic mechanism so that the bag enters the carton, which by-this time, has arrived beneath the bag holder and halted.

As the bag holder descends a gas is introduced into the bag and flushes out the air in the bag. This gas is preferably of a non-oxidizingnature relatively to the material being packaged. For packaging coffee carbon dioxide gas has been found suitable as its presence is not detrimental to the coffee, as is the case with air. The gas starts flowing at any desired instant, such as after the bag holdenhas reached its vertical position and until the bag is just entering the carton. As the bag holder descends into the carton the material is dropped into the bag while the gas is still flowing. The fiow of coffee and gasmay conveniently commence at substantially the same time.

Meanwhile, the bag holder parts have spread apart (Figure 5), thereby forming the bag to fit the carton while still coming down. When the bag holder reaches the bottom position it dwells there for a short time, such as one and a half seconds, and then is moved upwardly, with the gas and material still flowing. When the bag holder has traveled upwardly about one-half of the-height of the carton, the gas is automatically cut off but the materialcontinues to fiow tuntil its fills the bag.

The conveying mechanism then comes into play to move the filled bag and carton to the sealing station, where two fingers descend into the mouth of the bag and move outwardly to distend it. This distending operation assists in forcing the gases from the space at the topof the bag, and at the same time prepares the bag for sealing. When. the fingers have spread the mouth of the bag 'prior to sealing it, the end flaps of'the carton'are out in a straight line (Figure 19). The fingers are then mechanically withdrawn while electrically heated sealing elements move into engagement with the opposite sides of the bag at its mouth, sealing the top of the bag tightly .together by heat-fusing its opposite edges.

The conveying 'mechanism now resumes its motion and conveys the carton and sealed bag to the tucking station. Here the sealed top of the bag is pressed downwardly and tucked inwardly' by mechanism moving an arm which forces one of the end flaps of the carton inwardly and downwardly while the tucking member is' being withdrawn with a wiping motion. After this occurs, a second arm moves over and tucks down the other end flap, whereupon the convey-- ingmechanism again comes into operation, and conveys the carton outwardly beneath the second arm while the first arm moves away, thereby holding down both end flaps of the carton. This completes the tucking operation and-places the carton in position for the sealing of the carton Conveying mechanism Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 4 shows the entire machine, together with other mechanism forming no part of the present invention. Figure 4, however, shows the relationship of the machine to this other mechanism, and

it is being filled with material.

the conveyor chains 29 and 30.

is inserted for that purpose. In Figure 4 empty cartons are conveyed to the packaging machine upon a belt conveyor I and the filled cartons conveyed from the machine upon a belt conveyor The packaging machine is supported upon a base l2, having uprights |3 upon which the subframe l4 of the machine is supported. The mechanism shown beneath the subframe |4 forms no part of the present invention other than to drive not only the filling, sealing and tucking portions of the packaging machine, but also the remaining portions not included in the present invention.

A motor l5, mounted upon the uprights |3, carries. a pulley I6 with a belt driving a pulley |8 upon a shaft I9. The latter carries an eccentric with a surrounding collar 2|, connected to a tamping rod 22 which operates against a spring 23 to tamp the bottom of the carton while The tamping member 24, mounted on the rod 22, moves up and down under the influence of the eccentric 20, and taps or jars the machine so that the material in the carton is caused to settle down more evenly therein and become more solidly packed. The tamping mechanism is supported upon a frame '25 depending from the subframe M, and is connected to a rectangular frame 26 immediately over the motor I5.

Mounted at opposite ends of the subframe M are pairs of spaced upper and lower sprockets 21 and 26, carrying upper and lower conveyor chains 29 and 36, respectively, (Figure 4). The sprockets are mounted upon shafts 3| and 32, journalled in the subframe l4 and rotated intermittently by mechanism not shown in detail. Secured to the conveyor chains 29 and 3|) are upper and lower conveying members 23 having arms 34 projecting therefrom for receiving and conveying cartons 35, placed therein. The conveying members 33 are slotted to permit the adjustment of the arms 34 to different sizes of cartons 35.

Mounted on the base I2 (Figure 4) is a main cam housing I containing main cams which are driven to impart step-by-step motions to various parts of the machine. This cam mechanism in its details forms no part of the present invention, but drives a shaft 2 rising from the housing to operate the drive shaft 4| through bevel gearing at M (Figure 2). Rising from the housing I (Figure 4) are other shafts 3 and 4, respectively operating a carton bottom sealer on the back of the machine, and a carton top scaler on the front I of the machine. The first sealer precedes and the last sealer follows the mechanism units of the present invention, and are thus outside the present invention. Depending from the main cam housing is a shaft 5 which drives shafts 6 and i, carrying sprockets 8, interconnected by the sprocket chain 9, this mechanism, in turn, driving the vertical shaft 32 which drives the righthand conveyor sprockets 21 and 28. In this manner a step-by-step motion is imparted to the conveyor chains 29 and which convey the cartons 35 from station to station. I 3

.A rail 36 extends above the subframe l4, the outer portion of which serves as a guide for-the sides of the cartons 35 to keep them properly positioned in the conveyor pockets as the cartons 35 are-moved in an orbital path step-by-step by Mounted upon the subframe l4 and spaced thereabove is a base 31, upon which the major elements of the machine are supported. i I

Filling mechanism The filling portion of the machine (Figures 1 to 6) consists of a vertical frame 38 mounted upon the base 31 and rising upwardly therefrom. Supported forwardly on the frame 38 are guide members 39, which serve to guide the vertical reciprocation of the bag holder, as subsequently described. The frame'38 is provided with cross members 46, in which is journalled a drive shaft 4|. The drive shaft 4| is driven by bevel gearing at 4| (Figure 2) from the shaft and extends longitudinally through the filling, sealing and tucking portions of the machine, and is supported at its opposite end by a bearing bracket 42 (Figure 4) rising upwardly from the base 31.

Mounted on the drive shaft 4| is a disc (Figure 5), provided with a cam groove 44 on its inner face (Figure 3). The cam groove 44 serves to receive aroller 45 mounted upon a threaded stud 46, secured by a nut 41 (Figure 6) to a link 48. The latter is provided with a slotted portion 49 (Figure 5) through which the drive shaft 4| passes. The rearward end of the link 48 is pivotally connected, as at 56, to an arm 5| mounted ally connected to a shaft 55. Depending downwardly from the shaft are links 56, the lower ends of which loosely pivot upon a rod 57, mounted upon the bag holder carriage 58. The bag holder carriage 58 extends between the vertical guide members-39 (Figure 1) and reciprocates vertically under the guidance of these guide members. The forward side of the bag holder carriage 58' is provided with a'rod'59, similar to and parallel with the rod 51.

Mounted upon the bag holder carriage 58 are pivot pins 60 (Figure 5), holder 6| is pivotally mounted. The bag holder 6| carries arms 62, terminating at their upper ends in rollers (not shown), which engage vertical cam grooves 63 on the inner walls of the guide members 39 (Figure 3). The upper portions of the cam grooves 63 are directed rearwardly, as at 64, (Figure 3) so that when the bag holder 6| is raised the rollers on the ends of the arms 62 will move rearwardly, tilting the lower portion 65 of the bag holder forwardly around its pivot pins 60. The lower portion 65 of the bag holder 6| is provided with a downupon which-the bag framework 66 has relatively movable parts 66 and 66", which move apart to shape the bag to the carton 35 as the bag-holding frame 66 descends; The bag holder 6| likewise carries a gas discharge pipe 68, the lower end of which terminates near the lower end of the frame 66, and the upper end of which is connected to a pipe 69, which serves to convey gas to the discharge pipe 68." The air displaced by this gas escapes through the open top of the bag. The bag holder. 6| is likewise provided with an auxiliary gas connection plug 10, through which gas may be introduced independently for experimental or testing from the valve 12 is a valve rod 13 (Figures 5 up and down the top of the frame screws I85 and I86.

attached a flexible pipe.

ing'8I is a cross shaft 82, upon latter is journall ed upon .the

and 6) adapted to be engaged by the lower edge -of the arm 14 (Figure 5). The, rearward end of the arm 14 is pivoted, as at 15, upon the support 16 (Figure 6), and its forward end carries a roller 11 (Figure 5) which engages the lower edge of a cam 18. The valve 12 is likewise provided with an inlet connection 18, to which is 88 leading to the pressure-reducing and regulating valve 8|, attached to the end. cap 82 of a gas cylinder 88. A pressure gauge 84 serves to indicate the pressure ofv the gas being blown into the bag I68 through the line 68 leading thereto from the cylinder 88. The cam 18 serves to operate the valve-operating arm 14 to move the valve rod 18 and operate the gas valve 12, in accordance with a predetermined cycle of operations, as hereinafter explained. Similarly, the rotation of the disc 48 serves to move the roller 45 and arm 48 in and out, thereby moving the arm 54 up and down in an angular path so as to use the bag holder 6| to move ong its guide members 88, in accordance with a predetermined cycle of operations. The counter-shaft 52 also carries an arm 85 to which are attached the lower ends of springs 86 (Figure 1), the upper ends of which are anchored to the cross rod 81 extending across 88. The springs 86 serve to urge the arm 85 upwardly and consequently urge. the arm 48 inwardly. a,

Mounted in the upper part of the frame88 is an auxiliary frame 88 (Figure 5) ,which serves to support a motor 88 for driving the feeding and measuring portion of the apparatus. The material to be packaged, such as coflee, is placed in a hopper 88, at the top of the filling portion of the machine (Figure 5), and passes downwardlyinto a housing 8| secured to the auxiliary frame 88 on its forward side. Journalled in this houswhich is mounted a rotary measuring element 88, operated by a sprocket 84 (Figure 6) and a sprocket chain 85 from a drive sprocket 86 upon a shaft' 81. The forward side of the carries a pulley 88, from the pulley I88 housing 8| (Figure 5) and which isdriven bya belt 88 on the motor shaft I 8|.

=Mounted upon the top of the iframe 88 is a bracket I82'having upper and lower arms I88 and I 84, respectively provided-with limiting stop "These stopscrews I85 and I86 serve to limit the reciprocation of a yokeshaped lever I81 which is pivotally mounted, asat I88, upon the bracket I82. The rearward end of the lever I 81jis engaged by a U-shaped'yoke I88, to which is attached a hook II8 terminating in a weight III (Figures 5 and 6). The upper,' rearward portion of thelever I81 is provided with an L-shaped member II2'having a threaded portion II8, upon which is mounted. a threaded weight II4. By rotating the lattef the eflect of the weight III upon the lever I81 may be varied. Mounted between the forward ends of the yokeshaped lever I81 upon the 'pivot pins is a container or bucket II6.

When the scale'bucket II6 becomes loaded with its predetermined weight, it falls by overcoming the counterweights III. In falling it lowers rod I22 (Figure 6), which engages a dog I28, whereupon the latter disengages a friction clutch .I24. The opening of this clutch disengageskthe feeder roll inside the feeder roll house ing I24 so that no more coffee is dumped into the bucket. This feeder roll is a grooved roll inside the housing I24, which roll is operated by the threaded into a slotted bar gaging the lower side ered into the carton 85.

holder 6|.

spring clip 61'and remains in the carton .85. As

that the coffee falls into the bag IE8 at about the 7 time the bag is half-way into the carton. After the coffee. is dumped in this manner, the counterweights I II raise the scale bucket and the rod I22 releases the dog I28. The rod I41 is now operated by the cams I58 to reengage the friction clutch I24. The friction clutch I24 then again engages and operates the feeder roll to weigh out the next portion of coffee.

The bottom of the bucket H6 is closed by a gate I88, having upwardly extending arms I8I secured to a shaft I82 mounted in the bracket I82. The outer end of theshaft I82 carries an arm I88 (Figure 5), to the outer end of which is pivotally attached, as at I84, the connection I85 of a rod I88, the lower end of which is I81through the slot I88 of which the drive shaft 4| passes. The lower end of the bar I81 carries a pivot stud I88, on which is mounted a. roller I48 engaging the lower edge of a cam I mounted upon the drive coffee or other material into the receiver I42,

from whence ,it passes downwardly into the top of a funnel I44 opening into the bag holder 6|.

. The operation of the measuring apparatus within the housing 8| is regulated by an arm I45, to which is attached a yoke I46 on the upper end of a rod I41 (Figure 4), the lower end of which is threaded into a slotted bar I48, similar in construction to the slotted bar I81 previously described, and similarly carrying a roller I48 enof a cam I58 mounted upon the drive shaft 4| (Figure 6).

The operation of the filling portion of the machine is described hereinafter in detail. To initiate the operation, however, the operator places upon the frame 86 a-bag I88 (Figure 4), ,this bag being held releasably in positionby the spring clip 61. As the drive shaft 4| rotates the motion of the arm 54' causes the bag holder carriage 58 and bag holder 6| to move downwardly. first assuming the, vertical position by reason of the action of the cam grooves 68 (Figure,3). The bag I68 moves downwardly into the carton 85 while the cam 18 operates the gas valve 12 to admit gas through the discharge pipe 68, into the bag, thereby flushing out the bag as it is low- Meanwhile, a measured charge of coffee or other material flows out of the receiver I42, through the funnel I44 and lower portion 65 of the bag I68, filling the bag,-which hasnow reached the bottom of the carton 85.

bag holder 8|, into the The further action .ofthe mechanism, particularly the cam disc 48, raises the arm 54 and with it the bag holder carriage 58 and the bag The bag I68 slips from beneath the the bag holder 6| reaches a position approximately half-way out'of the bag I68 and carton 85, the

cam 18 closes the gas valve 12 and cuts off the further discharge of gas through the discharge pipe 68. When the bag holder M has completely passed out of the bag I60 and carton 35, the conveyor chains 29 and 30 resume their intermittent motion and move the filled carton to a position beneath the sealing portion of the machine, halting at this point. By the same motion a second carton 35 is brought into position beneath the filling portion of the machine. side flaps of the cartons 35 are forced open and downwardly by the flap-opening rods I11 and H8 (Figure 1), the forward ends of which are mounted upon a bar I I9, secured to the frame 38. The rearward ends of'the rods H1 and H8 are connected to a bar I20, secured at its opposite ends to the brackets I2I (Figure 1). The latter are mounted upon the base 31.

Sealing mechanism Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the sealing portion of the machine is mounted upon brackets I6I and I62 (Figure 9), supported upon the base 31 of the machine. The bracket I62 has twin arms and is centrally located between the brackets I6I. Pivot shafts I63 and I64 are arranged at the top and mid-portions of the bracket I62, and serve respectively to pivotally support a pair of parallel links I65 and I66. These parallel links are interconnected by the vertical portions I61 of an inverted T-frame, generally designated I68, and having pivots I69 and I10, respectively, (Figure The cross bar I of the inverted T- frame I68 is provided with bag-spreading fingers I12, in the form of levers.

The bag-spreading fingers I12 are pivotally mounted, as at I13, and on their upper ends carry pins I14 with rollers I arranged to engage vertical fixed cam members I16, having inwardly projecting portions I11 at their lower ends.

The fingers I12 are urged inwardly at their lower ends by springs I18 (Figures 2 and 10) so that the rollers I15 are urged constantly into engagement with the vertical cam members I16. The lower parallel link I66 is in the form of a lever having a roller I19, rotatably mounted at its rearward end (Figure '7). The roller I19 engages the lower edge of a rotary cam I80. As a result of the rotation of the cam I80, the roller I19 moves up and down and causes the inverted T-frame I68 to rise and fall, in accordance with the configura tion of the cam I80. When the T-frame I68 is at the top of its path, the rollers I15 on the fingers I12 engage the upper portions of the vertical cam members I16 and permit the lower ends of the fingers I12 to be urged inwardly toward one another by the springs I18. When the T-frame I68 approaches the lower limit of its travel, however, the rollers I15 engage the projections I11, and the lower ends of the fingers I12 are urged apart, thereby distending the bag which they have meanwhile entered.

The vertical cam members I16 are secured at their upper ends to the portions I8I, which in turn form the upper ends of the brackets I6I. J oumalled in these portions I8I are spaced parallel shafts I82 and I83 (Figures 7 and 9) respectively supporting downwardly depending pairs of arms I84 and I85. Mounted on the shafts I82 and I83 are intermeshing quadrant gears I86 and I81, whereby the shafts I82 and I83 are rotated in opposite directions. This is accomplished by means of an arm I88 mounted on the shaft I82 (Figures '7 and 9), and having a pivot pin I89 to which is secured the forward clevis I90 Meanwhile, the

of a. link I91, the rearward clevis I92 of which is pivotally secured, as at I93, to the upper end of an arm I98, the lower end of which is pivoted on a shaft I95 extending between the brackets I6I. At an intermediate point the arm I94 is provided with a stud pin I96 carrying a roller I91, which engages the lateral edge of a cam I98 mounted upon the drive shaft M. A coil spring I99, secured at its forward end in the hole 200 of the arm I94 and at its rearward end to the bracket I mounted on the base 31, tends to close the arms I84 and I85 and the electrically heated sealing elements 203 and 202 thereon. The spring I99 alsourges the roller I91 into engagement with the cam I98.

The spacing of the sealing elements 202 and 203 is regulated by a pair of stop screws 204 and 205 (Figure 8). The sealing elements 202 are provided with dove-tailing portions consisting of an indentation 206 on the rearward element 202, and a projection 201 on the forward element 203. These portions engage the mouth of the bag and cause it to be securely sealed by reason of the electrical heating elements (not shown) within the sealing elements 202 and 203. The heating elements are connected by the conductors 208, 209 and 2I0 to the junction box 2I I, and interconnected by the conductor 2I2 (Figure 1). The arms I84 and I85 are additionally urged toward one another by the coil springs 2I3 (Figure '1). From the junction box 2 electrical conductors 2 I4 and 2I5 run to any suitable source of current supply for energizing the electrical heating elements of the sealing elements 202 and 203 (Figure 1).

As a. consequence of this construction, when the drive shaft M is rotated, the cam I98 will cause the link I9I to move outward and the spring I99 will cause it to move inward, thereby causing the sealing elements 202 and 203 to approach and recede from one another. The cycle of operations by which the sealing elements 202 and 203 cooperate with the motion of the bag-distending fingers I12 is set forth in detail below. It will be seen, moreover, that as the sealing'elements 202 and 203 approach each other upon arcuate paths they engage the top of the bag near its mouth, and tend to force out such gas as may be remaining in the bag above the material which has been packed therein by the filling mechanism.

Tucking mechanism When the sealing of the bag has been completed by the action of the sealing elements 202 and 203, after the bag-distending fingers I12 have performed their function of distending or elongating the mouth of the bag, the conveyor chains 29 and 80 again start in motion and convey the carton 35 and the now sealed bag I60 to the tucking station (Figures 11, 12 and 13). Here the conveying mechanism halts and the tucking mechanism comes into play. The tucking mechanism (Figures 11, 12 and 13) is mounted upon a frame 220 (Figure 12), on the upper end of which is mounted a pivot shaft 22I. Pivotally mounted upon the latter is an arm 222, intermediately provided with a stud 223 carrying a roller 224. The latter engages the upper edge of a' cam 225, mounted upon the drive shaft 4I.

At its outer end the arm 222 is provided with a pivot pin 226, to which is pivotally attached a plunger 221 having on its lower end a flat pressing member 228. Intermediately the plunger 221 is provided with a pivot pin 229, to which is connected the forward clevis 230 of a link 23I, the

rearward end of which is secured to a slotted bar 232 (Figure 13), through which the drive shaft 4| passes. On its rearward end the slotted bar 232 is provided with a stud 233 carrying a roller 234 engaging the rearward edge of a cam 235, mounted upon the drive shaft 4|. A coil spring 236, secured as at 231, to the slotted bar 232 and at its forward end to the anchorage 233 on the link 23I, urges the roller 234 into engagement with the cam 235 (Figure 13) Similarly, a coil spring 239 (Figure 12), secured at its upper end to the arm 222 and at its lower end to the frame 223, urges the cam roller 224 downwardly into engagement with the cam 225.

Also mounted upon the drive shaft 4| is a cam 243, the rearward edge of which is engaged by v a roller 24| upon a stud 242, mounted on the slotted bar 243 through which the drive shaft 4| passes. The forward end of the slotted bar 243 is connected by the clevis 244 to the pivot pin 245 upon the arm 246. The latter is mounted upon the vertical shaft .241, journalled in the bosses 248 and 249 of the frame 223 (Figure 12).

Mounted on the lower end of the vertical shaft 241 is a tucking arm or tucker 253. A collar 25| on the shaft 241 serves to retain the shaft in a fixed position vertically. I

As a consequence of this construction, when the drive shaft 4| is rotated, the consequent 'rotation of the cam 225 causes the pressing member 228 and plunger 221 to be lowered, thereby pushing the sealed top of the bag I63 downwardly into the carton. As the pressing member 228 is shorter than the sealed mouth of the bag I63 (Figure 13), the ends thereof project and are forced upwardly and inwardly by the downward action of the presser 228 upon the central portion thereof. When the pressing member 223, reaches its lowermost position the tucker 253 moves into engagement with the trailing end flap, and pushes itand the adjacent end of the bag top inwardly and downwardly over the pressing member or tucker 223. At the same time the cam 235'now comes into operation to pull the link 23I and the pressing member 228 rearwardly with a wiping action. Meanwhile, a wedge-shaped tongue 252 is caused to move over the top of the carton 35, pushing the leading end flap and bag top portion downwardly before the pressing member or tucker 228 has moved away from the bag. The tongue 252 then holds down both carton end flaps while the carton 35 is' moved by the conveyor to the top sealing station.

The tapered end of the tongue 252 permits the member 223 to be withdrawn without permitting the end flaps to riseand open.- After the member 223 is withdrawn, the tongue 252 moves completely over the carton'top and its end flaps, holding them tightly down.

Operation of entire machine At the start of operations the machine elements are in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 4. The operator starts the driving mechanism, opens the valve 3t to permit gas, such as carbon "dioxide, to flow into the pipe 83, fills the hopper 44 with the material to be packaged, such as coffee, and places a bag I63 in position upon the bag holder 6| beneath the spring clip 61. Cartons are fed into the pockets between the arms 34 of the conveyer at a loading station at the rear of the machine, and the bottoms are sealed at a bottom sealing station adjacent the cartonloading station, also at the rear of the machine.

The conveying chains 29 and 33 then convey an empty carton. to the filling-station while the rods 1 and H3, by reason of their bent construction, open the side flaps of the carton. The end flaps, however, remain in their vertical positions. The rotation of the drive shaft 4| now causes the cam disc 43 and arm 54 to start the bag holder carriage 58 and bag holder 6| to move downwardly. At this time the bent portions 64 35. The gas'is timed by the cam 13 and valve 12 to commence to flow into the bag I63 while the bag holder frame 66 moves downwardly into the carton 35. When the bag I63 reaches the bottom of the carton, the bag-holding frame 66 dwells there a specified time, such as one and one-half seconds. At any desired point on the upward stroke, such as one-half of the height of the carton, the cam 13 closes the gas valve 12 and cuts off the flow of the gas. Thus, gas flows into the bag from the moment the bag holder frame 66 reaches its vertical position, until it has descended into the carton 35 and the material has filled the bag, the gas flow being cut off only after the bag-holding frame 66 has moved upwardly a part of its stroke.

The bag I63 and carton 35 thus filled with the material, are now moved to the sealing station by the intermittently timed action of the conveyor chains 29 and 33. The carton halts at the sealing station and the cam I33 on the drive shaft 4| causes the inverted T-frame I 63 to be lowered, thereby lowering the bag-distending fingers I12 into the open mouth of the bag I63. As the fingers I12 approach the lowermost limit of their travel, they are moved outwardly by the projections I11 upon the vertical cam members I16 (Figure 10), thereby distending the mouth of the bag in a longitudinal direction and causing the open mouth to assume the shape of a long narrow slit.

The cam I33 now causes the frame I 63 and fingers I12 to be raised, pulling them out of the bag at the same time that the spring I99 causes the sealing elements 232 and 233 to ,move together. The bag-distending fingers by their distending action meanwhile have forced out much of the gas remaining in the mouth of the bag. The arcfiate motion of the sealing elements 232 and 233 toward one another causes much-of the remaining gas to be expelled from the mouth of the bag as the sealing elements 232 and 233 engage the neck of the bag I63. As the sealing elements 232 and 233 reach their positions of nearest approach, as regulated by the screws 234 and 235 (Figure 8), the neck of the bag is tightly compressed between the projection 231' anddepression 236, bringing the opposite inner walls of the bag into contact. The heating elements within the sealing elements 232 and 233 now cause the bag walls to become united and sealed, and the top of the bag assumes the form of a long sealed thin edge.

The cam I 93 now causes the sealing elements 232 and 233 to separate, resuming the position shown in Figure 7, whereupon the conveyor chains 29 and 33 again resume their intermittent motion and convey the carton 35 and sealed bag I60 to the tucking station. At the tucking station the conveyor chains 29 and 30 halt, whereupon the cam 225 on the drive shaft M rotates to lower the arm 222, the plunger 22'! and the pressing member 228 into engagement with the top of the bag I50. The pressing member 228 forces the central portion of the bag top downwardly into the carton, as a. result of which the ends thereof rise.

The cam 240 now comes into operation to bring the tucker 250 into engagement with the trailing end flap of the carton 35, forcing it and the trailing edge of the bag top inwardly and downwardly upon the pressing member 228. Meanwhile, the tongue 252 moves towardthe carton 35 and pushes down the leading end flap and bag top tuck toward the pressing member 228. The cam 235 now comes into operation to pull the link 23 l, plunger 221 and presser 228 rearwardly, withdrawing the presser 228 by a wiping action from beneath. the trailing end fiap of the carton 35. As the cam 235 completes the rearward motion of the pressing member 228, thereby completely withdrawing the pressing member 228 from the mouth of the carton 35, the cam 225 causes the arm 222, plunger 22! and presser 228 to be raised into the position shown in Figure 12.,-At this time the tongue 252 has moved completely over the carton top and holds down the two end flaps tightly, the tapered end of the tongue 252 permitting the pressing member 228 to be withdrawn, but at the same time prevents the end flaps from opening up again.

Meanwhile, the tucker 2'50 is moved rearwardly into its withdrawn postion (Figure 13) by the action of the cam 240. The carton 35 is then moved by the conveyor forwardly from the tucking station, its end flaps still held down by the tongue 252. The side flaps of the carton have meanwhile been held open-by the rods H1 and H8, and continue to be held open until they pass from beneath the ends of the rods, shown in Figure 3. Beyond the ends of the rods I I1 and I I8 the carton passes into further mechanism, shown in Figure 4, and forming no part of the present invention. By this subsequent mechanism the side flaps are moved inwardly and downwardly overthe end flaps as they emerge from beneath the wedge-shaped member 252, and adhesive is applied, and the carton itself is thus sealed.

It will be understood that we desire to comprehend within our invention such modifications as come. within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

1. In a packagingmachine, a filling station, means at said filling station for flushing out a bag with a gas, other than air, means at said filling station for filling the bag with the material to be packaged, a sealing station, means for moving the-b'ag from said filling station to said sealing station, means at said sealing station for sealing the mouth of the bag, a tuck-.

mouth.

2. In a packaging machine, a bag container holder, a bag holder, means for inserting a bag into a container held by said container holder comprising means for moving said bag holder into and out of the bag container, means for flushing out the bag with a gas other than air, and means for filling the bag with the material to be packaged.

3. In a packaging machine, a bag container holder, a bag holder, means for inserting a bag into a container held by said container holder comprising means for moving said bag holder into and out of the bag container, means for flushing out the bag with a gas other than air, and means synchronized with the entry of the bag holder into the bag container for filling the .comprising means for moving said bag holder into and out of the bag container, means for flushing out the bag with a gas other than air, means for filling the bag with the material to be packaged, and means synchronized with the departure of the bag holder from the bag container for cutting off the flow of the flushing gas.

5. In a packaging machine, a bag container holder, a bag holder, means for inserting a bag into a container held by said container holder comprising means for moving said-bag holder into and out of the bag container, means for flushing out the bag with a gas other than air, means synchronized with the entry'of the bag holder into the bag container for filling the bag with the material to be packaged, andmeans synchronized with the departure of the bag holder from the bag container for cutting off the flow of the flushing gas. I

6. In a packaging machine, means for measuring out a predetermined quantity of the material to be packaged, a bag container holder, means for inserting a bag into a container held by said holder comprising a bag holder, means for moving said bag holder into and out of the bag container, means for flushing out the bag with a gas other than air, and means for filling with a gas other than air, means for filling the bag with the measured quantity of material to be packaged, and means synchronized with the, motion of said bag holder for regulating the admission thereto of said measured quantity. of material.

8. In a packaging machine, a frame, a shaft rotatable in said frame, a bag holder, including means for introducing gas into a bag, a gas reservoir connected to said bag holder, a valve interposed between said gas reservoir and said bag holder, andmeans responsive to a predetermined rotation of said shaft for moving said valve to govern the flow of gas from said gas reservoir to said bag holder.

9. In a packaging machine, a frame, a' shaft rotatable in said frame, a bag holder, including means for introducing gas into a bag, a gas reservoir connected to said bag holder, a valve

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