Device for Supplying and/or Filling Bags

Abstract

Supply device for bags, a frame, at least one elongated carrier means for bags that extends in a longitudinal direction and at one end is attached to the frame and of which the opposite end is free, first and second contact means that are disposed on a holder and by means of first transport means are reciprocally movable in a first direction of movement along the carrier, and third contact means that are movably connected to the frame, wherein the first, second and third contact means are suitable for engaging a wall of the bag in a retaining manner, wherein at least in a first direction of movement of the first transport means the first and second contact means have operative directions that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the second and third contact means have operative directions that mutually face each other, wherein the supply device is furthermore provided with second transport means for moving the holder up and down out of and towards the first direction of movement.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
   
   
       45 . Supply device for bags, comprising a frame, at least one elongated carrier for bags that extends in a longitudinal direction and at one end is attached to the frame and of which the opposite end is free, first and second bag engagers that are disposed on a holder that is reciprocally movable according to a first movement path in a first direction of movement along the carrier, wherein the first and second bag engagers are suitable for engaging a wall of the bag, wherein at least in the first direction of movement the first and second bag engagers have operative directions that face away from each other, wherein the holder furthermore is moveable out of and back again into the first movement path. 
   
   
       46 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the extra movement of the holder is up and down with respect to the first direction of movement. 
   
   
       47 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the extra movement of the holder at least partially coincides in time with the movement in the first direction of movement. 
   
   
       48 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , furthermore provided with third bag engagers that are movably connected to the frame, at the free end of the carrier, wherein the second and third bag engagers have operative directions that mutually face each other. 
   
   
       49 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the second bag engagers are adapted for—after their activation—retaining the bag. 
   
   
       50 . Supply device according to  claim 48 , wherein the third bag engagers are reciprocally movable towards and away from the free end of the carrier, particularly in a direction parallel to the first direction of movement. 
   
   
       51 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the holder is movable for movement of a bag from a first position in a store, to a second on-hold position near a filling station, and simultaneous movement of a preceding bag previously placed in the on-hold position to a third, stand-by position for a filling process, and without a bag back again along the carrier. 
   
   
       52 . Supply device according to  claim 51 , wherein the holder in the returning movement of the holder to the first position is movable over a bag placed in the on-hold position. 
   
   
       53 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the first and second bag engagers are adapted for consecutive operation. 
   
   
       54 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the holder is disposed on a swivelling arm, which swivelling arm can be swivelled up and down. 
   
   
       55 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the first bag engagers comprise two contact elements that in a horizontal direction transverse to the first direction of movement are at a first distance from each other. 
   
   
       56 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the second bag engagers comprise two contact elements that in a horizontal direction transverse to the first direction of movement are at a second distance from each other. 
   
   
       57 . Supply device according to  claim 55 , wherein the second bag engagers comprise two contact elements that in a horizontal direction transverse to the first direction of movement are at a second distance from each other, and wherein the first distance is larger than the second distance. 
   
   
       58 . Supply device according to  claim 56 , wherein the carrier comprises two longitudinal rods, which in a horizontal direction transverse to the first direction of movement are at a third distance from each other, wherein the third distance is larger than the second distance and/or the third distance is smaller than the first distance. 
   
   
       59 . Supply device according to  claim 48 , wherein the third bag engagers comprise two contact elements which in a horizontal direction transverse to the first direction of movement are at a fourth distance from each other, wherein the fourth distance substantially corresponds to the second distance. 
   
   
       60 . Supply device according to  claim 51 , wherein the third, stand-by position is situated near the end of the carrier, such that the bag in the first direction of movement is pulled free from the carrier and can be held by the second and by the third bag engagers. 
   
   
       61 . Supply device according to  claim 48 , wherein the second and third bag engagers in the first direction of movement are in line with each other. 
   
   
       62 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein at least one of the first and second bag engagers operate on a vacuum, particularly are designed as suction cups. 
   
   
       63 . Supply device according to  claim 50 , wherein the third bag engagers are adapted for repetitively, when the bag has been brought in the stand-by position, moving towards the second bag engagers and subsequently away from them. 
   
   
       64 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the at least one elongated carrier means/carrier is connected to the frame via a rotatable turret, wherein the turret comprises at least two sets of elongated carrier means/carriers that extend from the circumference at a mutually differing angle. 
   
   
       65 . Supply device according to  claim 64 , wherein the elongated carriers can be folded down. 
   
   
       66 . Filling installation comprising a supply device according to  claim 45  and a bag filling device. 
   
   
       67 . Supply device for bags, comprising a frame, at least one elongated carrier means for bags that extends in a longitudinal direction and at one end is attached to the frame and of which the opposite end is free, first and second contact means that are disposed on a holder and by means of first transport means are reciprocally movable in a first direction of movement along the carrier, and third contact means that are movably connected to the frame, wherein the first, second and third contact means are suitable for engaging a wall of the bag in a retaining manner, wherein at least in the first direction of movement of the first transport means the first and second contact means have operative directions that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction and the second and third contact means have operative directions that mutually face each other, wherein the supply device is furthermore provided with second transport means for moving the holder up and down out of and towards the first direction of movement. 
   
   
       68 . Bag filling device having a frame comprising means for on both sides retaining the bag walls of the bag and spreaders movably connected to the frame for keeping the upper side of the bag open, and stretchers movably connected to the frame for pulling the upper side of the bag taut after filling it. 
   
   
       69 . Bag filling device according to  claim 68 , wherein the stretchers are movable between an inactive position and an active operative position extending in the bag, wherein the spreaders are provided with passages for the stretchers in their movement towards the operative position. 
   
   
       70 . Bag filling device according to  claim 68 , wherein the spreaders comprise flaps, having a surface guiding the filling goods. 
   
   
       71 . Bag filling device according to  claim 69 , wherein the spreaders comprise flaps, and wherein the flaps are provided with a slit as passage for the stretchers. 
   
   
       72 . Bag filling device according to  claims 68 , wherein the stretchers comprise two fingers. 
   
   
       73 . Bag filling device according to  claims 68 , wherein the spreaders and stretchers are rotatable about parallel centre lines, preferably transverse to a vertical centre plane of the bag that contains the longitudinal edges of the bag. 
   
   
       74 . Bag filling device according to  claim 68 , comprising two shafts that are parallel to each other and axially rotatably bearing mounted to the frame, wherein each shaft comprises as least one spreader and wherein the shafts are mutually connected by a drive chain, belt, band or the like, and wherein for at least one shaft a driver is provided for rotation thereof, which movement is transferred via the drive chain etcetera to the other shaft for simultaneous, opposite movement of the shafts. 
   
   
       75 . Bag filling device according to  claim 74 , wherein the chain and the like is attached with one end to the one shaft and with the other end to the other shaft and is partially arranged around the shaft in question. 
   
   
       76 . Bag filling device according to  claim 74 , wherein the driver for the driven shaft comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder that is transverse to said shaft. 
   
   
       77 . Bag filling device according to  claim 68 , wherein the operation means for the stretchers comprise pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, that are preferably vertically positioned. 
   
   
       78 . Bag filling installation comprising a bag filling device according to  claim 68 , further comprising clamps for clamping a filled bag along its upper end, under the stretchers, and after moving back the stretchers out of the bag filling device moving the filled bag to a closing installation. 
   
   
       79 . Filling installation comprising a supply device according to  claim 45  and a bag filling device having a frame comprising means for on both sides retaining the bag walls of the bag and spreaders movably connected to the frame for keeping the upper side of the bag open, and stretchers movably connected to the frame for pulling the upper side of the bag taut after filling it. 
   
   
       80 . Bag filling device having a frame comprising means for on both sides retaining bag walls of the bag and spreaders movably connected to the frame for keeping the upper side of the bag open, further comprising two shafts that are parallel to each other and axially rotatably bearing mounted to the frame, wherein each shaft comprises at least one spreader and wherein the shafts are mutually connected by a drive chain, belt, band or the like, and wherein for at least one shaft a driver is provided for rotation thereof, which movement is transferred via the drive chain etcetera, to the other shaft for simultaneous, opposite movement of the shafts. 
   
   
       81 . Bag filling device according to  claim 80 , wherein the chain and the like is attached with one end to the one shaft and with the other end to the other shaft and is partially arranged around the shaft in question. 
   
   
       82 . Bag filling device according to  claim 80 , wherein the driver for the driven shaft comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder that is transverse to said shaft. 
   
   
       83 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , comprising a holder provided with a flight for pushing against a leading and/or trailing wall of the bag during transport of the bag. 
   
   
       84 . Supply device according to  claim 83 , wherein the flight is movable up and down between an operative position and a retracted out-of-use position. 
   
   
       85 . Supply device according to  claim 83 , wherein the flight comprises a finger or plate for engagement to the wall of the bag. 
   
   
       86 . Supply device according to  claim 83 , wherein the flight is situated opposite the first bag engager. 
   
   
       87 . Supply device according to  claim 48 , wherein the third bag engagers operate on a vacuum, particular are designed as suction cups. 
   
   
       88 . Supply device according to  claim 45 , wherein the first bag engagers are adapted for—after their activation—retaining the bag. 
   
   
       89 . Supply device according to  claim 48 , wherein the third bag engagers are adapted for—after their activation—retaining the bag.