Method and apparatus for feeding and advancing popcorn bags from a stack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a simplified mechanism for feeding and advancing popcorn bags or other receptacles for use in food or consumable filling applications, such as microwave popcorn to downstream processing stations. More specifically, the present invention includes the provision of a vacuum to draw a bag into operative association with a moving belt in order to advance the bags from a stack or supply.

1 . A bag feeding device, comprising; 
 a supply of bags being supported by a stop;    at least a first belt, disposed adjacent said supply of bags, said first belt capable of moving to advance at least one bag from said supply of bags;    at least a first vacuum source applied to said supply of bags to move said at least one bag from said bag supply to a first position;    an indicator; and    wherein said at least one vacuum source moves at least said one bag into operative association with said first belt and said indicator detects whether said at least one bag is in said first position.    
     
     
         2 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a second vacuum source is provided and applied to said at least one bag to move said at least one bag from said first position to a second position distinct from said first position.  
     
     
         3 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said stop has at least first and second guides to control said supply of bags.  
     
     
         4 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said first and second guides has resilient assists.  
     
     
         5 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said feeding device is provided with a second belt at a position distinct from said first belt and disposed adjacent said supply of bags.  
     
     
         6 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first belt is disposed beneath said supply of bags.  
     
     
         7 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said second belt is disposed beneath said supply of bags.  
     
     
         8 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said position of said second belt is rearwardly disposed of said first belt.  
     
     
         9 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first belt is perforated.  
     
     
         10 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bag is intended for use with popcorn.  
     
     
         11 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said bag is used for microwave popcorn.  
     
     
         12 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said feeding devices is operated as a closed loop system.  
     
     
         13 . A bag feeding device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first and second vacuum sources apply a vacuum to said at least one bag through said first belt.  
     
     
         14 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line, comprising the steps of; 
 providing a supply of bags, said supply of bags held in position by a stop;    activating a vacuum to pull a bag from said supply;    advancing said bag from said supply to a first position;    sensing said bag in said first position;    rotating a belt to move said bag from said first position to a second position distinct from said first position; and sensing said bag in said second position to determine if said bag has been supplied to the processing line.    
     
     
         15 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line as recited in  claim 14  including a further step of applying a second vacuum to hold said bag to a belt after said bag has reached said first position.  
     
     
         16 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the step of advancing said bag to said first position is done by use of a belt.  
     
     
         17 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line as recited in  claim 14 , wherein advancing of said bag from said first position to said second position is done by using first and second belts.  
     
     
         18 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said bag is a microwave popcorn bag.  
     
     
         19 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said belt is perforated to permit the vacuum to reach said bag.  
     
     
         20 . A method of advancing a bag for a food processing line as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said method is operated in a closed loop system.  
     
     
         21 . A system for supplying popcorn bags to a processing line, comprising; 
 a supply of popcorn bags held in position by a stop;    a first belt disposed adjacent said supply of popcorn bags, said first belt moveable in a first direction;    a second belt disposed adjacent said supply of popcorn bags, said second belt moveable in said first direction, and said second belt positioned in front of said first belt;    a first vacuum source disposed beneath said second belt and adjacent a leading edge of said supply of popcorn bags;    a second vacuum source disposed beneath said second belt and positioned in front of said first vacuum source; and    wherein said first and second belts in cooperation with said first and second vacuum sources move a bag from said supply of popcorn bags from a first position partially within an area covered by said supply of popcorn bags to a second position outside said area covered by said supply of popcorn bags so as to be able to pass said bag to the processing line.