Packaging machine

Claim 2

A packaging apparatus for successively receiving and packing a supply of material, such as baked goods, into individual bags taken from a stack of bags dispensed from a bag supply means, including: conveyor means for conveying said material into a packaging station; means for causing each of said bags to become partially opened; engaging means for entering and engaging each of said bags for receiving said material to be packaged; advancing means for advancing said material into the interior of said bags for sealing; means sensing the successive utilization of bags from said stack for replenishing bags being used; support means for holding said bags to be dispensed, as required; restraining means disposed in proximity with respect to said bags, for holding said bags in horizontal alignment with respect to said supply of material being inserted therein; drive means for positioning said support means to allow for the withdrawal of said bags from said stack; cam means for advancing said support means into horizontal alignment with product flow after a product inserted bag has been removed from said stack; and means for advancing a fresh stack of packaging material into said packaging station as the last of said bags is utilized.

Claim 3

A packaging apparatus for receiving and packing a supply of material, such as baked goods into individual bags taken from a stack of bags dispensed from a bag supply means including: conveying means for conveying said material into a packaging station; means for causing said bag to partially open; engaging means for entering and engaging said bags for receiving said material to be packaged, being defined by a pair of cooperatively acting guide means having elongated body portions for entering into partially opened bags to form a passage area for material to be advanced therethrough and into the package interior; said body portions employing upper and lower elements enabling said engaging means to be generally moved both vertically and horizontally; linkage means for pivotally advancing said elongated body portions to initially converge and subsequently diverge; toggle linkage means connecting said upper and lower elements for defining a line of motion by said elements; biasing means connected to each of said body portions for maintaining such portion biased towards the expanded state as said material is caused to enter and fill said package; advancing means for advancing said material through said engaging means into the interior of said bags for sealing; means sensing the successive utilization of bags from said stack to thereby advance fresh packaging material as said bags are being used; and drive means for advancing a fresh stack of packaging material into said packaging station as the last of said bags is used.

Claim 4

A packaging apparatus for receiving and packing a supply of material, such as baked goods into individual bags taken from a stack of bags dispensed from a bag supply means including: conveying means for conveying said material into a packaging station; means for causing said bag to partially open; engaging means for entering and engaging said bags for receiving said material to be packaged, being defined by a pair of cooperatively acting guide means having elongated body portions for entering into partially opened bags to form a passage area for material to be advanced therethrough and into the package interior; said body portions employing upper and lower elements enabling said engaging means to be generally moved both vertically and horizontally; linkage means for pivotally advancing said elongated body portions to initially converge and subsequently diverge; toggle linkage means connecting said upper and lower elements for defining a line of motion by said elements; biasing means connected to each of said body portions for maintaining such portion biased towards the expanded state as said material is caused to enter and fill said package; advancing means for advancing said material through said engaging means into the interior of said bags for sealing; means sensing the successive utilization of bags from said stack to thereby advance fresh packaging material as said bags are being used; and drive means for advancing a fresh stack of packaging material into said packaging station as the last of said bags is used.