FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bag holding and sealing apparatus, and in particular, but not exclusively to a bag closer or a bag holding and sealing apparatus that can hold a bag open to receive material which can also close and seal the bag while the bag remains held.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an effort to reduce costs many banks are installing deposit collection boxes. A problem with deposits made into a receptacle within the bank or a secure container outside the bank, is that there is some difficulty in proving whether or not a customer deposited the amount they said, or whether some monies deposited have been stolen by staff who manually removed the deposits and placed them into a separate bag, sealed the bag and then arranged for transfer to a money counting facility.

There are a wide variety of bag closers and/or heat sealing arrangements, for closing a variety of different types of bag, more especially plastics bags, or composite bags having a heat sealable region. These however are usually provided as a separate device on a conveyor line, and are generally used in the packaging of goods.

Such bag closers or bag sealers are usually separate from the mechanism which opens a bag or holds a bag in an open position to receive goods. As with the bank deposit scenario, there are a number of other situations where it is preferable to both hold a bag open to receive material and to close the bag and seal the bag prior to removing the bag from the bag holding device. Such situations typically arise where the material is hazardous or has a high value. In such cases it is important to seal the bag to prevent contamination, or to prevent theft or inadvertent loss of material from the bag.

For example, it would be advantageous to seal a bag that is used to collect courier packages prior to the bag being removed from a collection point. The security of the bank deposits and courier packages could be improved if the collection bag could be sealed within the collection point and could be transferred from the collection point to a centralised collection point with the seal intact.

Similarly, safety and/or hygiene could be improved if bags holding waste material could sealed prior to being handled by the person who has to transport or dispose of the waste material.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bag closer or a bag holding and sealing apparatus which will at least go some way towards overcoming one or more of the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a bag closer which can move between two positions, a first position in which the bag closer is positioned to hold a bag in an open position to enable items to be deposited into the bag, and a second position in which the faces of the bag are pulled together and clamped by the bag closer in a closed configuration.

Preferably the bag closer is designed to support a bag or sack in a vertical arrangement, with the bag closer having at least two elements connected together in such a way that the elements can be moved apart to allow a suitable opening to support the bag and receive articles to be deposited therein, and the elements can be moved towards one another to clamp the bag in a closed position. In the case of just two elements it is preferred that they are formed of a springy or resilient material, for example spring steel, so that they are normally biased into the closed position so that their faces contact one another with their ends secured together, but if their ends are pushed towards one another by a ram or other mechanism, then the resilient elements will move apart to form an approximation of a circular opening which can be used to hold the bag in the open position for the reception of deposits. Allowing the ends to move apart will allow the bag to be closed.

Preferably, the elements include heat sealing elements, which can apply sufficient heat to heat seal the bag. Alternatively the other types of closure arrangements can be used, for example ultrasonic welding or the application of sufficient pressure to self adhesive portions of the interior of the bag.

More preferably there are at least four elements, each element being pivotally connected to an adjacent element, so that when the bag closer is in the open position the elements can form a rectangular or square aperture capable of supporting a bag or sack, but when the elements are moved towards one another the rectangular shape will be transformed initially into a diamond shape, and then will form a progressively narrower and narrower parallelogram. And then in their final position the four elements will contact one another to clamp the bag in a closed position, and then sufficient heat is applied to heat seal the bag in that position.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a bag holding and sealing apparatus; the apparatus having a support structure, a bag support frame mounted on the support structure, a support frame actuation means, and a bag sealing means; the bag support frame comprising four pivotally connected frame sections, two of the frame sections being pivotally connected to the support structure; and the support frame actuation means is configured to move the four pivotally connected frame sections of the bag support frame between a first configuration in which the bag support frame holds the neck of a bag in an open configuration, and a second configuration in which the bag support frame holds the neck of the bag in a closed configuration. Optionally the support frame actuation means includes a rotary actuator, however, preferably the support frame actuation means includes a linear actuator.

Optionally the support frame actuation means includes a powered actuator, however preferably the support frame actuation means is manually operated. Preferably two of the bag support frame sections are longer than the other two bag support frame sections.

Preferably the two longer bag support frame sections are on opposite sides of the bag support frame to one another.

Preferably the support frame actuation means includes a first member which is actuated manually or by a powered actuator, and the first member is pivotally connected to a second member which is in turn pivotally connected to the bag support frame.

Preferably the second member is also pivotally connected to a guide means.

Preferably the second member is connected at or adjacent one end to the bag support frame, and the second member is connected at or adjacent its opposite end to the guide means, and the first member is pivotally connected to the second member at a location between the second members connections to the bag support frame and the guide means.

Preferably the guide means is configured such that the second member of the actuation means holds the four pivotally connected frame sections of the bag support frame compressed against one another when the support frame actuation means has moved the four pivotally connected frame sections to the second configuration.

Preferably the frame sections are fitted with magnets to assist in pulling opposing frame sections toward one another, to assist the operation of the bag sealing means.

Preferably the guide means includes a guide slot or a guide rail.

Preferably the two frame sections that are pivotally connected to the support structure are the two longer bag support frame sections.

Preferably the bag sealing means comprises a heat sealing system. Preferably the heat sealing system includes heating elements attached to the inside face of two or more of the bag support frame sections.

Preferably the heating elements are attached to the two longer bag support frame sections.

Preferably the heating elements are covered with a Teflon™ coated liner. Preferably the bag support frame includes bag retention means.

Preferably the apparatus includes a switch which is operated when the bag support frame is moved to the second configuration in which the bag support frame holds the neck of the bag in a closed configuration.

Preferably the switch is adapted to control the operation of the bag sealing means. Optionally the bag holding and sealing apparatus further includes an evacuation system for pumping air or other gases out of a bag prior to sealing the bag.

Preferably the evacuation system includes a retractable nozzle which is used to evacuate air or other gases from the bag, and which is retracted from the bag prior to sealing the bag.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a bank deposit receiving apparatus incorporating at least one bag closer or bag holding and sealing apparatus substantially as specified herein.

In a fourth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a trash collection apparatus incorporating at least one bag closer or bag holding and sealing apparatus substantially as specified herein. Preferably trash collection apparatus includes a trash compaction system.

In a fifth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a postal or courier package receiving apparatus incorporating at least one bag closer or bag holding and sealing apparatus substantially as specified herein.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a bag holding and sealing apparatus shown with a bag support frame of the apparatus in a partly closed configuration, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the bag support frame in a fully closed configuration,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the bag support frame in a fully open configuration,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the bag holding and sealing apparatus showing components of a heat sealing system, and

FIGURE 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a micro-switch used to control the heat sealing system,

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a bag closer or a bag holding and sealing apparatus (11) according to the present invention will now be described. This example relates to a bag holding and sealing apparatus (11) that is designed for use with a cabinet for securely receiving valuable items. It has been designed for use with heat sealable bags, and is capable of receiving bank deposit envelopes, in a secure cabinet situated within or outside the bank.

The cabinet is large enough to receive a plurality of bank deposits typically in sealed envelopes. The heat sealable bags are intended to receive a number of the bank deposit envelopes. Each of the bank deposit envelopes are sealed prior to being deposited, and will generally contain customer information, information about the amount of money deposited, a bar code for tracking purposes, and/or other appropriate indicia.

The bag holding and sealing apparatus (11) has a support structure (13) and a bag support frame (15) mounted on the support structure (13). The support structure in this case is the deck of a pull-out drawer or box that fits within a bank deposit cabinet. The apparatus (11) also includes a support frame actuation means (17) and a bag sealing means (19).

The bag support frame (15) comprises four pivotally connected frame sections (21). Two of the frame sections (21a) are pivotally connected to the support structure (13). Two of the bag support frame sections (21a) are longer than the other two bag support frame sections (21b). The two longer bag support frame sections (21a) are on opposite sides of the bag support frame (15) to one another.

In this example the two frame sections (21) that are pivotally connected to the support structure (15) are the two longer bag support frame sections (21a).

The support frame actuation means (17) is configured to move the four pivotally connected frame sections (21) between a first configuration (as shown in figure 3) in which the bag support frame (15) holds the neck of a bag in an open configuration, and a second configuration (as shown in figure 2) in which the bag support frame (15) holds the neck of the bag in a closed configuration.

In this example the support frame actuation means (17) includes a manually operated linear actuator. The support frame actuation means (17) includes a first member (23) which is actuated manually. The first member (23) has a small tab or handle (25) at one end and is pivotally connected at its other end to a second member (27) which is a short link rod. The first member (23) can be pulled out as shown in figures 1 and 2 to close or partially close the bag support frame (15), or can be pushed in to open the bag support frame (15) as shown in figure 3.

The second member (27) is pivotally connected to the bag support frame (15) and is also pivotally connected to a guide means (29). The second member (27) is connected at or adjacent one end (31) to the bag support frame (15), and is connected at or adjacent its opposite end (33) to the guide means (29). The first member (23) is pivotally connected to the second member (27) at a location on the second member (27) between its connections to the bag support frame (15) and the guide means (29).

In this example the guide means (29) comprises a slot (35) in a part of the support structure (13). The slot (35) runs generally in the direction in which the first member (23) is pulled in and out. The slot (35) is configured such that when the first member (23) is pulled all the way out as shown in figure 2, the second member (27) holds the four pivotally connected frame sections (21) of the bag support frame (15) compressed against one another.

The frame sections (21) can be fitted with magnets (not shown) to assist in pulling opposing frame sections toward one another, to assist the operation of the bag sealing means.

The bag sealing means (19) comprises a heat sealing system. The heat sealing system includes heating elements (37) that are attached to the inside face (39) of two of the bag support frame sections (21). The heating elements are covered with a Teflon™ coated liner. The heating elements are attached to the two longer bag support frame sections (21a). This is advantageous in that it provides an overlap between the end of the heating element (37) on one of the bag support frame sections (21) and the end of the heating element (37) on the opposite bag support frame section (21). The overlap allows the bag to be sealed continuously along its top edge. The bag support frame (15) includes bag retention means in the form of spikes (41) at each corner of the frame (15). A bag is fitted to the apparatus (11) by setting the bag support frame (15) in the partially open configuration as shown in figure 1 and passing the neck of the bag up through the opening in the middle of the frame (15). Then the top edge of the bag can be folded outwards and over the frame (15). While the frame is still partly open the top edge of the bag can be folded over the corners of the frame (15) that are spaced farthest apart. Then the frame (15) can be moved to its closed configuration (second configuration) as shown in figure 2, and then the edge of the bag can be stretched over the corners of the frame (15) that are closest together. The spikes (41) can be used to stop the bag slipping down. Removing the bag is the opposite of this process. When the bag has been fitted, the frame can be moved to its open configuration (first configuration) as shown in figure 3 where the mouth of the bag is a rectangular or almost square opening.

The apparatus (11) also includes a switch (43) which is operated when the bag support frame (15) is moved to the second configuration in which the frame (15) holds the neck of the bag in a closed configuration. A pin (45) extends downwards from one of the frame sections (21) and contacts the switch (43) when the bag support frame (15) is closed. The switch (43) is used to control the operation of the bag sealing means (19), by sending a signal to a microprocessor based controller that controls the timing and the level of current that is used to heat the heating elements (37). As noted earlier, the bag closer or bag holding and sealing apparatus (11) can form a part of a bank deposit receiving apparatus. By providing a bag within the deposit receiving apparatus, which itself can be automatically heat sealed before it is removed from the deposit receiving apparatus, it is possible to minimise the risk of loss of items that have actually been deposited in the deposit receiving apparatus. When it is time to remove the deposited envelopes from the bank deposit receiving apparatus, the bag must first be sealed before access to the bag is allowed by the control system of the bank deposit receiving apparatus. To do this, the tab (25) is pulled and this has the effect of moving the bag support frame (15) to the second or closed configuration as shown in figure 2. In this configuration the top of the bag is stretched tight and in a straight line, sandwiched between the frame sections (21) upon which the heating elements (37) are supported. When the switch (43) is activated by the frame (15) and while the heating elements are pushed against the bag, the elements are turned on for a short time to heat seal the bag. Then a door can be opened to allow access to the bag holding and sealing apparatus (11) and the bag. The tab (25) can then be pushed in a little to allow the top of the bag to be released from the bag support frame (15). At this point the security guard or bank staff member can remove the sealed bag from the bank deposit receiving apparatus.

VARIATIONS

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. The above example describes a bag closer or bag holding and sealing apparatus that forms part of a bank deposit receiving apparatus. Alternatively the bag closer or bag holding and sealing apparatus could be used in a wide number of other applications, for example, in a postal or courier package receiving apparatus, a hygienic waste collection apparatus, a trash collection apparatus, or a video collection system. A trash collection apparatus could also include a trash compaction system.

This type of bag closer is particularly suited to holding a bag in a vertical position enabling items to be dropped into the bag, and then sealed without the person having to touch the contents, can be used in many packaging applications, for the sealing of secure items such as monetary deposits, books, video recordings, postal items, courier envelopes, and many other items where the public are allowed to deposit individual identified items (e.g. a postal envelope) into a deposit receptacle which then needs to be removed for sorting. By being able to seal the item inside a sack inside the receptacle before it is removed by the operator, this removes or reduces the chance of pilfering that might occur between the receptacle and the sorting or counting house.

In addition, this type of bag closer can be used for dealing with needles, sharps, biological or hospital waste, or other items where it is preferable that the operator does not come into contact with the items deposited in the bag.

In the example described above the support frame actuation means includes a manually operated linear actuator. However alternative forms of the invention could use powered actuators, for example electric linear actuators or rotary actuators.

The guide means described above is in the form of a slot, however alternative forms of the invention could use guide means in the form of a guide rail.

A further variation of the bag holding and sealing apparatus could include an evacuation system for pumping air or other gases out of a bag prior to sealing the bag. Such an evacuation system could include a retractable nozzle which is used to evacuate air or other gases from the bag, and which is retracted from the bag prior to sealing the bag. The heat sealing elements, or at least the Teflon™ coated liners over the elements could include a pattern or similar unique signature that could be used to verify that the bag was sealed within the apparatus.

DEFINITIONS Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a bag holding and sealing apparatus which can close and seal a bag that has been used to collect valuable or contaminated items. The bag can be sealed within a cabinet prior to allowing access to the bag. This can help to reduce loss or theft of valuable items, or to prevent contamination from waste products.