This present invention concerns a procedure and en apparatus designed for the positioning of valve bags onto a filler machine spout. The procedure is of the kind where the individual bags are grasped and taken

5 through a process in order to open the valve of the bag, v.-hereafter the valve opening is fitted onto the filling spout, and held in readiness to fill the bag.

Background Art.

There are several ways to position valve bags onto a ID filling machine spout according to prevalent techno- .

Automatic positioning apparatus used so fer first po¬ sitively open the valve portion of the bag, and then place the valve opening over the spout, the letter 15 taking place by either positioning the valve portion of the bag over the spout, or, alternatively, by bringing the filling spout into the valve opening.

One known me nod of positioning bags involves the opening of the valve by means of suction cups, con- 2o tactiπg and grasping the beg along two lines parallel to the edges of the valve.

3y tilting the positions .of the two lines of suction cups in such a manner that the midole part of the top portion forms an upward facing back, the valve is fαr- 25 ced to open, and in the resulting position the bag can be brought into contact with the filling spout.

Another method to open the valve is one where the suction cups are merely used to keep the upper layer of the top portion tight in a certain position, whereupon an insertion member is brought to press 5 against the underlying layer near the valve mouth and thereby tearing the valve open.

Likewise, suction cups have been used in a known apparatus where the bags, in a flat and stretched position, are grasped and kept stationary by sue— o tion cups at the side of the bags. Other, moving suction cups, placed on the valve itself, can then rip open the parts of the valve, giving room for the insertion of the filling spout.

Finally, compressed air can be used to open the 5 valve. The tε.chnique involved here positions the valve portion of the bag tight against a surface, and a nozzle directed at the valve mouth forces it open by means of a high-pressure discharge of air, facilitating the insertion αf the filling spout. o These known methods employed in automatic filling appliances all have a number of drawbacks, which this, present invention tries to avoid. The use of suction cups to keep the bags in position and to open the valve portions of t e Decs necessitates 5 the utmost uniformity of bags and exact positioning if the suction cups are to get a firm grip.

It has proved difficult to ensure with certsi-.ty ε perfect opening of beg valves when using suction cups as folds end similar irregularities, which o may arise when glueing the top portion αf the bag, tend xo reduce the gripping ability of the suction cups, end, in sorπ cases, a firm hold will be quite impossible .

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^■ -"DI-PrOyj

During tne proαucεiαn of bags it sometimes happens that excess application of glue will cause the actual valve opening to jam. Such bags could very well be used if only the valve is forced open before reaching the fil¬ ling spout. The known techniques involving the use of suction cups and compressed air from a nozzle frequently fail to open such bags with glued valves, and the bag will have to be taken out, the otherwise cαntinous and automatic filling will be disturbed, in certain filling o lines causing loss αf materiel, as the absence of a bag with open valve will have the effect that material simp¬ ly pours out jithout control.

It is the purpose of this invention to avoid the draw¬ backs mentioned above, and to delineate a method and 5 an apparatus which will ensure positive, complete, and maximum opening αf the valve, and also a certain and perfect contact with the filling spout.

Disclosure of Invention.

This is achieved by means of a method according to o claim 1, comprising the following steps, a) securing, at least, the top portion of the bag provided with valve, b) inserting an insertion member into the val¬ ve αpeneing to ensure a maximum utilization αf the 5 diameter, c) gripping, by means of a gripping member, the valve of the bag, preferably near the mouth of the still fully open valve, d) withdrawal of the insertion member, α ε) bringing together, by means of the gripping member, the bag and the filling spout, the letter being inserted into the open valve opening.

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^{" ' ""} - ^" A .

It seems quite obvious that the utilization of this method will ensure that even bags with glue in the valve opening will be forced open at the insertion of the insertion member through the mouth of the valve. The sub- 5 sequent gripping by a gripping member round the valve will keep the bag valve at maximum opening and diameter, as the parts of the valve are forced to follow the movements of the gripping member surfaces facing the valve. o Having v.'ithdrawn the insertion member from the valve, the valve can be brought into contact with the filling spout, either by letting the gripping member take the bag to a stationary filling spout, or by inserting a filling spout into the valve opening while the valve 5 is kept stationary.

The apparatus, designed to perform the method in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 end of the. kind where there is a retaining member to retain the top valve portion of the bags at least, and a distention member to stretch o the velve opening, is unique in that it comprises a mobile insertion ernDer with at least one forward wedge-shaped part designed to enter, through a pro¬ gressive movement of the insertion member flush with the retained portion of the bag, into the mouth of the 5 valve, and also in that said insertion member is de¬ signed in such a way that, when fully inserted, it has a cross-section, at least near the edges of the valve, which essentially distends the valve opening, end also a gripping member provided with mobile claws designed o to grip or clasp the distended valve near the edges of αf the valve mouth, which claws when gripping are pro¬ vided with surfaces of a form which, by and large, is similar to the cross-section of the insertion member at the point in question.

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In spite of its simple construction, this apparatus ensure a complete opening of the valves of the bags. The description shows that the valve opening is forced open through insertion of the insertion member, and even if some residual glue should cause the valve to stick together full distention of the opening will be achieved as a result of the fact that, when fully inserted, ^" the insertion member has a cross-section equal to the size of the mouth of a valve when fully open. lo An improved version of the insertion member is achieved if designed, as in claim 3, in the fashion where the insertion member is composed of a number of movable parts which, in one position, together form the pro¬ gressive wedge-shaped portion, and which, in a different lϊ position, form a cross-section constant throughout its length essentially and preferably circular and of a size equal to the exact size αf the fully distende valve opening .

Using the above insertion member, the distention of the

2α valve mouth is effected by first letting the forward wedge-shaped portion of the insertion member progress in through the mouth of the valve. This causes the mouth to stretch and further makes possible the second posi¬ tion of the insertion member where the individual parts 5 of the insertion member change their mutual position in such a way that an overall, extended shape αf the inser¬ tion member is achieved. , i.e. the cross—secxioπ of xne insertion mεmoer is iπcrεasec, xhe i-crεaεs cr- sing the valve opening to positively stretch. O

An especially reconn:--.-ndeble embodiment αf the insertion member is descriced in claim 4, where the insertion mem- oer consists of two elongatecpsrts , both provided with a forwerdly pointec portion and a ZZ ZZ WZ T portion provided

with, at least one part, a hinged connection so that it may be positioned in such a way that the two forward portions form together the progressing portions, or alternatively be positioned in a way where the two insertion parts are essentially parallel, in which second position they form a shape in a size similar to that of a fully distended valve bag opening, and furthermore that the insertion embers are mobile length wise, or at least one insertion part. lo Thus, a simple and effective insertion member is achieved which, when in one position, is able to pe¬ netrate the mouth of the vεlve, and, when in the second position, is able to increase its shape so as to cause the full and complete opening.

15 In the event where the insertion parts are designed, as described in claim 5, in such fashion that the insertion parts take the shape of halved cylindrical shells, pointed forward, and positioned with interfacing concave surfaces, the distention of the valve opening d a will reach the maximum.

Ideally, the gripping claws and the insertion member are designed in such a manπner that the cross—sectiαns of the insertion mtmber when distended, eπα the grip¬ ping claw surfaces against the valve when in the grip¬

25 ping position, are identical to the cross-section of the filling spout. This will ensure the shaping of the the valve opening corresponding to tr a shape of the filling spout, end further ensure a correct feecing of bags onto the spout. O The circular cross-section is especially preferable because it results in maximum opening as well as the optimum stability cf the distended valve.

'.. ^' hen bags ere stacked it a be difficult for the

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insertion member to penetrate properly the valve opening, as the bags are not stretched flat, but arch near the middle. By making the insertion member as e whole pivotable at the rear end round a hcri- 5 zontal shaft lying across the direction of the pro¬ gression, the insertion member will be able to follow the shape of the bag and thereby positively ensure _penetration into the bag valve.

In case the bag valve is completely glued, or if for o some other reason penetration of the insertion member is noτ possible, it would be expeoieπx to -have the bag removed before the apparatus carries out an entirε operation. This is done by providing the insertion member with a sensor to indicate whether the member 5 has penetrated the valve, cr has slipped past. The sensor can be a switch, photoelectric cell, or other known sensor, connected to a device designed to re¬ move the bag. The latter could be an arm provided with suction cups or similar means. Likewise, the o sensor is connected to the plant as a whole, and if there is no pulse from the sensor operations will not continue, but the insertion member will go in position to take another beg. Ideally, the sensor can be a toggle switch built into the upward-facing 5 surface of the insertion member, and in case the insertion member penetrates the valve opening, the switch is activated, or vice—versa.

In order to further enhance the penetretion of the insertion member into the bag valve there may be o a finger, as indicated in claim 12, which finger exerts pressure onto the portion of the bag in front αf the valve, which will cause the valve to open slightly, and at the seme time keep the bag sta-

tionary. For the upper bags αf the stack, the under¬ lying bags will supply the flexibility necessary to open the valve, but the last bags of the stack will need more flexibility than the hard table that form the basis. As indicated in claim 13 it is therefore possible to include a swage or a raised platform with a swage, with or by an elastic material, in such a way as to permit a suppression of the valve mouth. Brief Description of Drawings

One embodiment αf the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view showing part of a beg fitting apparatus carrying out the method according to the invεntion, the part in¬ cluding the actual insertion member; Fig. 2 is an enlarged projection of the indi¬ vidual parts of the insertion member; Fig- 3 shows the gripping member in the process of gripping an already distende bag valve; Fig. 4 shows the bag fitting machine seen from the front, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the transporter/ table immediately below the insertion mem¬ ber.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

A bag fitting apparatus designed xπe spouxs 4 of a filling plant 1 comprising, -v-ou. ;εc

_-. c ^h assis nc ^■ cwn an insertion ern-iεr 2 (fics

:nd 2) end a gripping member 3 (fig. 4).

^" h e in s e rtio n rr.sir er 2 , a s d e mo ns tra t e d in f i c s . 1 a n d

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2, consisting of two parts 5,6, pointed at the for- wardly progressing end, and where one* part 5 pivot- ably connects to a bearing 7 at the rear end. The two parts, εεch taking the shape αf halved cylindri- 5 cal shells with a pointed end and the two cαncave insides feeing each other, are shown in the initial position (full lines) , where the pointed, forward ends of the two parts 5,6 meet to form an aggregate wedge-shaped insertion portion 2. o The mobile insertion portion can be moved by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 8, ountεd be¬ tween the two insertion parts 5,6 into the second position, shown in dot-and-dash lines in fig. 1, where the insεrtion portion are essentially parallel. 5 The insertion portion 2 connects to the piston rod of a horizontally mounted hydraulic αr pneumatic cylinder 9, by means αf which the insertion portion 2 can be made to move horizontally.

Thε entire errεngement mentioned consisting of inser- ° tion portion 2 and the horizontally mounted cylinder 9 will move vertically and can be made to move by means αf the piston rod of a vertically mounted hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder lo.

Thus, the insertion portion 2 is mobile both vertical- 5 ly and horizontally and can be made to take the posi¬ tions indicated on thε drawing, where, likewise, the m tual positions of thε two insertion parts 5,6 are delineεtεd .

The penetration a d distention of a bag is effected in c the following manner: Ξundles of bags 11 are fed to the b a o f it tin : ■ c hi e r. y a trans por ter 12 . Th e e : are guided, inter alia by means of a fence 13 (fig. 4) in order th= ^* he longitudinal direction of the valve

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lo. ^{" ""} corresponds to thε longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and that the mouth of the valve complies with the position of the insertion portion.

A retaining member not shown next grasps the edge of 5 thε valve facing the apparatus, and the wedge-shaped insertion member 2 is progressing forward end into the mou h of the valve, forcing it ope in the process. Thereafter the hydreulic or pneumatic cylinder 8 is activated, so that the movable insertion part 6 lo moves out _. horizontally, thereby distending the valve.

A subsequent activation αf the cylinder lo lifts the dis¬ tended valve bag to a certain height over thε trans¬ porter. In that position, the valve is gripped by the gripping member 3 in the mode hεrεiπaftεr described:

15 The gripping member (cf figs. 3 and 4) consists of an arm 14, connectexi to a carriage 15. By means of rollers 16 end a tensile force not shewn, the carriage can be made to move horizontally along a girder 17, the. ends of which are mounted in bearings not shown. Thus, the

2o girder can be turned round its longitudinal axis through a hydreulic or pneumatic cylinder 18, whose one end connects to the chassis D, and whose other end, via an arm, is connected to the girder 17.

At the end of the arm αf the gripping member 13 a pair 25 of gripping claws 19, 2o are pivαtably mounted, having inside surfaces which, in the gripping position, are of the same shape as the filling spout 4 and as the cross-sectional shape αf the insertion mεmbεr when extended, which latter shape is approximately circular.

- ^,α The gripping claws are made in a material such as sheεt or platε, and εach claw comprises, as shown in fig. 3, two identical parts, kept together by means of a cross- piece 21 and a connecting shaft 23. Thε connecting shaft is pivotebly mounted in the arm 14, so that the claw can rotate.

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To each of the claws a traction bar 24,25 is fitted, thε free ends of which hinge together to thε piston rod of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 26. The cylinder 26 is mounted inside the arm 14 of the 5 gripping member 3 in its longitudinal direction and will, when activated, move the traction bars 24,25 so as to turn the claws 19, o in order that the claws may take a closed, gripping, or open ^~ position.

The gripping member is able to make a tilting ove- lα rnent when activated by the hydraulical or pneumatic cylinder IB, a transverse movemεnt along thε girder 17 by means of a tension device not shown, and a gripping movement with its claws 19, α by means of the cylinder 26.

15 When, as already described, a bag arrives by the trans¬ porter 12 and has been distended and lifted x e in¬ sertion member, the distended valve of the bag 27 is clasped by thε two claws 19, 2o αf the gripping member, whereafter the insertion member withdraws to

2o return to its initial position as shown in fig. 1. [ ext the gripping member is turned by means of the cylinder 18, rotating the girder 17 to a tilted posi¬ tion, as indicated with dot-and-dash lines in fig. 3. In this tilted position, the carriage 15 of thε grip- 5 ping member is made to move along the giro ^' εr oy xne xension force not shown, until the gripping embe is in position with thε filling spouts 4.

The fillin_ spouts are placed under xne girder 17 in such a distance that, when the gripping member now ^G rotates back, the gripping member fits exactly over the filli g spout, fitting onto the spout the dis¬ tended valve of the bao 27.

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A retaining device, consisting of cylinder 23 with a rubber stoppεr ountεd to thε piston rod, is now activatεd so as to keep tight the ^' bag 27 against thε spout 4.

5 By going through thε movements befαrcmεntioned , the gripping membεr next returns to its original posi¬ tion in ordεr to grip a new bag and take it to a new filling spout.

The bags having been fitted, thε materiel in question o pours out to fill the bag, whichis supported by the underlying roll 3o.

When thε bag is full, the- retaining device 28,29 lets go, and, caused by the position of the supporting roll 3o, thε bag will drop outward and cnto a convεyor 5 bεlt below (not shown) .

Thε above description is concerned with a preferred embodiment of an apparatus desigπεd to carry out the method according to this presεπt invention.

Without leaving the original scope of the invention o there will be several alternative embodiments of the apparatus.

One such alternative could be that the girdεr is mounted in a fixed position, and that, in return, the arm of the gripping dεvicε is pivotably mounted 5 on a carriagε or in similar fashion. Dthεr designs and shapes of thε claws and their operating and moving parts are possible, and, still withi xnε scope of the invention, an insertion member ith several moving parts is concεivεblε.

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