Pouch loading apparatus

Abstract

A pouch loading arrangement is provided. The pouch loading arrangement includes a pouch rack and a plurality of pouches supported by the pouch rack. The pouch rack includes a base, first and second axially spaced apart leg portions extending vertically upward from the base. A first support bar extends axially from the first leg portion toward the second leg portion. The first support bar has a distal end portion bent vertically upward forming a first hook. A first hook finger extends vertically upward from the second leg portion. The plurality of pouches are supported by the first support bar. The hook and hook finger can support a pouch in an open position to facilitate loading of the pouch.

1 . A pouch support rack comprising:
 a base;   a first leg portion extending vertically upward from the base;   a second leg portion extending vertically upward from the base, the second leg portion axially spaced apart from the first leg;   a hook supported by the first leg portion and extending vertically upward; and   a first hook finger extending vertically upward from the second leg portion.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch support rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a first support bar extending axially from the first leg portion toward the second leg portion, the first support bar having a distal end portion bent vertically upward forming the hook. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch support rack of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end portion of the first support bar and the first hook finger extend, at least partially, axially away from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch support rack of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end of the first hook overlaps a first extension portion of the first support bar extending between the distal end portion and the first leg portion. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch support rack of  claim 4 , wherein the first hook forms an angle of between about 35 and 75 degrees relative to the extension portion and the first hook finger forms an angle of between about 120 and 175 degrees relative to the second leg portion. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch support rack of  claim 5 , wherein the first hook finger extends axially away from the first hook. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch support rack of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second leg portions are generally U-shaped wire rods having distal ends attached to the base. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch support rack of  claim 6 , further comprising a second support bar identical to and parallel to the first support bar and further comprising a second hook finger identical to and parallel to the first hook finger. 
     
     
         9 . The pouch support rack of  claim 7 , wherein the distal ends of the U-shaped wire rods are threaded and receive attachment structures threaded therein, the attachment structures extending through the base to secure the first and second leg portions to the base. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch support rack of  claim 8 , wherein the first leg portion has a first height vertically above the base that is greater than a second height of the second leg portion vertically above the base, the distal end portion having a third height vertically above the base that is greater than the first and second heights. 
     
     
         11 . The pouch support rack of  claim 10 , wherein the extension portions of the first and second support bars are generally straight and extend vertically upward from the first leg portion at an angle of between about 91 and 95 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . A pouch loading arrangement comprising:
 a pouch rack including:
 a base; 
 a first leg portion extending vertically upward from the base; 
 a second leg portion extending vertically upward from the base, the second leg portion axially spaced apart from the first leg; 
 a first support bar extending axially from the first leg portion toward the second leg portion, the first support bar having a distal end portion bent vertically upward forming a first hook; and 
 a first hook finger extending vertically upward from the second leg portion; and 
   a plurality of pouches supported by the first support bar.   
     
     
         13 . The pouch loading arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of pouches includes a pair of sheets forming the pouch, wherein the first support bar passes axially through both of the sheets of at least one of the plurality of pouches. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch support rack of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end portion of the first support bar and the first hook finger extend, at least partially, axially away from one another. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch support rack of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end of the first hook overlaps a first extension portion of the first support bar extending between the distal end portion and the first leg portion. 
     
     
         16 . The pouch support rack of  claim 15 , wherein the first hook forms an angle of between about 35 and 75 degrees relative to the extension portion and the first hook finger forms an angle of between about 120 and 175 degrees relative to the second leg portion. 
     
     
         17 . The pouch loading arrangement of  claim 16 , further comprising an open pouch in an open position, wherein one of the sheets of the open pouch is engaged by the first hook and the other one of the sheets is engaged by the first hook finger, the first hook and first hook finger maintaining the pouch in the open position such that the pouch can be loaded with product.