US3675790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bag stacking machine
Assignee: A&T Development Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-25
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A stacking machine which deposits upon a pallet individual bags of premixed dry concrete, cement, mortar mixtures and other products as the filled bags issue from a processing machine. The stacking machine, in general, comprises a stationary base, a lift and carriage assembly shiftable vertically and also laterally along the base, with a flipper arm including gripping jaws swinging relative to the carriage. The bags are fed at random to a bag conveyor having a lower receiving end tracked upon the floor and an upper discharge end swiveled to the carriage and disposed above the flipper arm so that the bags may issue from the conveyor to be discharged by the flipper arm. A turntable, carrying a suitable pallet, receives the filled bags from the flipper arm so that a layer of bags having a predetermined pattern may be deposited upon the pallet by the coordinated lateral motions of the carriage, swinging movements of the flipper arm, and rotary indexing movements of the turntable. As each layer of the stack is deposited, the carriage and its arm is shifted upwardly approximately the thickness of one layer of bags, such that successive layers are placed upon one another in order to build up a stack of bags in interlocked relationship. Suitable control apparatus including limit switches program the coordinated movements of the several components until a stack is built up after which the interlocked stack is removed for transport or storage.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur C Avril
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/03; B65G57/035; B65G57/005; B65G57/09; B65G57/10; B65G57/16; B65G57/20; B65G57/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A stacking machine for depositing filled bags of granulated material and similar articles in stack formation, the components of the stacking machine comprising, a lift assembly movable laterally in a generally horizontal plane, a carriage mounted on the lift assembly and movable vertically relative to the lift assembly, a transfer arm having an end portion pivotally connected to the carriage for swinging motion about a horizontal axis from a loading position to a discharge position, bag gripping means mounted on an end portion of the transfer arm for alternately gripping and releasing a bag placed on the bag transfer means, said gripping means comprising jaws pivotally connected to the transfer arm, actuating linkage connected to the jaws for opening and closing the jaws relative to a bag, and operating means connected to the linkage for opening and closing the jaws, thereby to close the jaws and grip a bag resting upon the transfer arm between the jaws in the loading position of the arm and to open the jaws and release the bag when the transfer arm swings to the discharge position; and a turntable disposed adjacent the lift assembly and carriage means in a position to receive a bag gripped by the bag gripping means of the swinging arm, said stacking machine thereby being adapted to deposit said bags in a predetermined stack pattern upon the turntable by the coordinated movements of the said components of the machine and rotary indexing movements of the turntable through successive cycles of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A stacking machine for depositing filled bags of granulated material and similar articles in stack formation, the components of the stacking machine comprising, a lift assembly movable laterally in a generally horizontal plane, a carriage mounted on the lift assembly and movable vertically relative to the lift assembly, a transfer arm having an end portion pivotally connected to the carriage for swinging motion about a horizontal axis from a loading position to a discharge position, bag gripping means mounted on an end portion of the transfer arm for alternately gripping and releasing a bag placed on the bag transfer means, said gripping means comprising jaws pivotally connected to the transfer arm, actuating linkage connected to the jaws for opening and closing the jaws relative to a bag, and operating means connected to the linkage for opening and closing the jaws, thereby to close the jaws and grip a bag resting upon the transfer arm between the jaws in the loading position of the arm and to open the jaws and release the bag when the transfer arm swings to the discharge position; and a turntable disposed adjacent the lift assembly and carriage means in a position to receive a bag gripped by the bag gripping means of the swinging arm, said stacking machine thereby being adapted to deposit said bags in a predetermined stack pattern upon the turntable by the coordinated movements of the said components of the machine and rotary indexing movements of the turntable through successive cycles of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which there is provided a stationary base resting upon a support surface, tracking means mounted upon said lift assembly and the base, the said lift assembly being shiftably carried by said tracking means to provide lateral movements of the lift assembly relative to the base, and relatively movable control means on the base and lift assembly to regulate the lateral movements of the lift assembly in said horizontal plane relative to the base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 including a power device for shifting the carriage and transfer arm vertically relative to the lift assembly, leveling control means, and vertically spaced actuating elements coacting with said leveling control means, said control means and actuating elements relatively mounted on the carriage and lift assembly and regulating operation of the power device for depositing layers of bags one upon another in said stack pattern upon the turntable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 including a device for shifting the carriage and transfer arm vertically relative to the lift assembly, a standard rising from the lift assembly, control means mounted on the carriage, and a series of vertically spaced actuating elements mounted upon said standard, said spaced actuating elements operating the control means and regulating the operation of said device which shifts the carriage and bag transfer means vertically for depositing layers of bags one upon another in said stack pattern upon the turntable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 including control means mounted upon the bag transfer arm in a position to be tripped by a bag resting upon the arm between the jaws, said control means energizing the operating means and causing the jaws to grip the bag when the bag is deposited upon the arm between the jaws.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 incluDing control means mounted upon the bag transfer arm in a position to be tripped by a bag resting upon the arm between the jaws, said control means energizing the operating means and causing the jaws to grip the bag when the bag is deposited upon the arm between the jaws when the transfer arm is in said loading position, and said control means energizing the operating means and causing the jaws to release the bag when the arm swings to said discharge position for deposit of the bag upon the turntable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 in which there is provided a base supporting the lift assembly for lateral movement, said base having means thereon supporting the turntable for rotary indexing movements relative to the base, and means imparting the rotary indexing movements to the turntable in time with the coordinated movements of the said components of the stacking machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 in which there is provided a base supporting the lift assembly for lateral movement, said base having tracking means thereon supporting the turntable for rotary indexing movements relative to the base, means imparting the rotary indexing movements to the turntable, and means locking the turntable in said indexed positions, whereby indexing motion is imparted to the turntable in time with the coordinated movements of the components of the stacking machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 1 in which there is provided a base supporting the lift assembly for lateral movement, said base having tracking means thereon adjacent the lift assembly supporting the turntable for rotary indexing movements relative to the base, a rotary power unit mounted on the base, an indexing arm mounted on the power unit and imparting said indexing movements to the turntable, and locking means for holding the turntable in said indexed positions, whereby indexing movements are imparted to the turntable in time with the coordinated movements of the components of the stacking machine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
258 words
A stacking machine for depositing filled bags of granulated material and similar articles in stack formation, the components of the stacking machine comprising: a lift assembly movable laterally in a generally horizontal plane; a carriage mounted on the lift assembly and movable vertically relative to the lift assembly; bag transfer means having an end portion pivotally connected to the carriage for swinging motion from a generally upright loading position to an inverted discharge position; bag gripping means mounted on an end portion of the bag transfer means for gripping a bag placed on the bag transfer means when said means is in the said generally upright loading position; a turntable disposed adjacent the lift assembly and carriage means in a position to receive a bag gripped by the bag gripping means of the bag transfer means; and an upwardly inclined bag conveyor with power means driving the conveyor, said conveyor having a lower bag receiving portion disposed adjacent the stacking machine, said bag conveyor having an upper bag discharge end connected to the carriage for vertical movement of the upper discharge end with the carriage and bag transfer means, said upper discharge end of the conveyor disposed above the bag transfer means for discharging a bag thereon when said bag transfer means is in said loading position, said stacking machine thereby being adapted to deposit said bags in a predetermined stack pattern upon the turntable by the coordinated movements of the said components of the machine and rotary indexing movements of the turntable through successive cycles of operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
258 words
A stacking machine for depositing filled bags of granulated material and similar articles in stack formation, the components of the stacking machine comprising: a lift assembly movable laterally in a generally horizontal plane; a carriage mounted on the lift assembly and movable vertically relative to the lift assembly; bag transfer means having an end portion pivotally connected to the carriage for swinging motion from a generally upright loading position to an inverted discharge position; bag gripping means mounted on an end portion of the bag transfer means for gripping a bag placed on the bag transfer means when said means is in the said generally upright loading position; a turntable disposed adjacent the lift assembly and carriage means in a position to receive a bag gripped by the bag gripping means of the bag transfer means; and an upwardly inclined bag conveyor with power means driving the conveyor, said conveyor having a lower bag receiving portion disposed adjacent the stacking machine, said bag conveyor having an upper bag discharge end connected to the carriage for vertical movement of the upper discharge end with the carriage and bag transfer means, said upper discharge end of the conveyor disposed above the bag transfer means for discharging a bag thereon when said bag transfer means is in said loading position, said stacking machine thereby being adapted to deposit said bags in a predetermined stack pattern upon the turntable by the coordinated movements of the said components of the machine and rotary indexing movements of the turntable through successive cycles of operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 10 in which there is provided a stationary base resting upon a support surface, said base and said lift assembly having tracking means relatively mounted thereon providing lateral movement of the lift assembly upon the base, and means mounted relatively to said base and lift assembly for impartIng lateral movements of the lift assembly upon the base.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 10 in which the lift assembly includes guide means, the carriage being mounted for vertical motion relative to the guide means for raising and lowering the transfer arm which is pivotally connected to the carriage, stabilizing elements mounted on the lift assembly, stabilizing devices on the carriage connected to the stabilizing elements and coacting therewith for stabilizing the carriage relative to the guide means, and means for shifting the carriage and transfer arm vertically relative to the said guide means for depositing layers of bags one upon another in stack formation upon the turntable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 10 in which the lift assembly includes at least one guide column, the carriage being mounted for vertical motion relative to the guide column for raising and lowering the transfer arm which is pivotally connected to the carriage, the lift assembly having a pair of vertical racks, a cross shaft rotatably journalled in the carriage, and a pair of pinions secured to the cross shaft and meshing with said racks for stabilizing the carriage relative to the guide column, and means for shifting the carriage and transfer arm vertically relative to the said vertical guide members, for depositing layers of bags one upon another in said stack pattern upon the turntable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 10 in which said lower bag receiving portion tracks upon a generally horizontal surface adjacent the stacking machine for movement in a horizontal direction, and said upper bag discharge end being hingedly connected to the carriage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 10 in which said lower bag receiving portion tracks upon a generally horizontal surface adjacent the stacking machine for movement in a horizontal direction, and said upper discharge end being connected to the carriage by swivel means, whereby the upper portion of the conveyor moves vertically with the carriage and bag transfer means and moves laterally with the lift assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
221 words
A stacking machine for depositing bags of granulated material and similar articles in stack formation comprising: a lift assembly mounted for lateral movement in a horizontal path; lift power means imparting said lateral movement to the lift assembly; a carriage mounted on the lift assembly for movement vertically relative to the lift assembly; carriage power means imparting vertical movement to the carriage; a bag transfer arm having one end portion pivotally connected to the carriage for swinging motion from a rearwardly inclined loading to an inverted discharge position; arm power means imparting swinging motion to the bag transfer arm; a pair of normally open bag gripping jaws mounted on the swinging end portion of the bag transfer arm for gripping a bag deposited upon the bag transfer arm between the gripping jaws; jaw power means connected to the bag gripping jaws for opening and closing the jaws; stack receiving means disposed adjacent the lift assembly and carriage in a position to receive a bag gripped by the jaws of the bag transfer arm; and means for energizing, in a predetermined sequence, the lift power means, carriage power means, arm power means, and jaw power means, whereby the movements of said components are coordinated to deposit each bag upon the stack receiving means with the individual bags partially overlapped in stack formation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
221 words
A stacking machine for depositing bags of granulated material and similar articles in stack formation comprising: a lift assembly mounted for lateral movement in a horizontal path; lift power means imparting said lateral movement to the lift assembly; a carriage mounted on the lift assembly for movement vertically relative to the lift assembly; carriage power means imparting vertical movement to the carriage; a bag transfer arm having one end portion pivotally connected to the carriage for swinging motion from a rearwardly inclined loading to an inverted discharge position; arm power means imparting swinging motion to the bag transfer arm; a pair of normally open bag gripping jaws mounted on the swinging end portion of the bag transfer arm for gripping a bag deposited upon the bag transfer arm between the gripping jaws; jaw power means connected to the bag gripping jaws for opening and closing the jaws; stack receiving means disposed adjacent the lift assembly and carriage in a position to receive a bag gripped by the jaws of the bag transfer arm; and means for energizing, in a predetermined sequence, the lift power means, carriage power means, arm power means, and jaw power means, whereby the movements of said components are coordinated to deposit each bag upon the stack receiving means with the individual bags partially overlapped in stack formation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
152 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 16 in which there is provided an upwardly inclined bag conveyor, power means energizing said conveyor, said conveyor having a lower portion disposed upon a surface adjacent the stacking machine, said bag conveyor having an upper discharge end connected to the carriage for vertical movement of the discharge end with the carriage and bag transfer arm, said upper discharge end disposed above the bag transfer means for discharging a baG at random thereon when said bag transfer means is in said rearwardly inclined loading position, whereby the bag is deposited upon the transfer means between the normally open bag gripping jaws, and control means on the arm engageable by the bag for closing the bag gripping jaws, whereby the bag is gripped and said bag transfer arm is swung to the inverted discharge position for depositing the bag upon the said stack receiving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
136 words
A stacking machine as set forth in claim 16 in which there is provided an upwardly inclined bag conveyor, power means energizing said conveyor, said conveyor having a lower portion disposed upon a surface adjacent the stacking machine, said bag conveyor having an upper discharge end connected to the carriage for vertical movement of the discharge end with the carriage and bag transfer arm, said upper discharge end disposed above the bag transfer means for discharging a bag at random thereon when said bag transfer means is in said rearwardly inclined loading position, whereby the bag is deposited upon the transfer means between the normally open bag gripping jaws, and control means on the arm engageable by said bag for closing the bag gripping jaws and for energizing the several power means in said predetermined sequence.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |