Abstract: An apparatus and method for dislodging a cotton sample from a side surface of a cotton bale includes an air nozzle fluidly connected to a supply of pressurized air. Conveyors and/or a ram transport the bale adjacent the nozzle. A quick release valve in line between the nozzle and the supply of pressurized air is selectively openable for directing a burst of air through the air nozzle to the side surface of the bale and thereby dislodging a cotton sample from the bale side surface. A sample intake opening is located adjacent the bale side surface and below the air nozzle. An air vacuum is fluidly connected to the sample intake opening whereby the dislodged cotton sample is sucked into the intake opening and transported to a sample collection receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for vertically supporting and guiding a web of plastic film horizontally in applications such as in machines that form the plastic film into bags and fill the bags with bulk material. A longitudinally extending gap is provided between proximate edges of first and second plates. The plastic film web is traversed through the gap. A punch mechanism forms protrusions in the web. The protrusions slide atop the plates and prevent the web from falling through the gap as the web traverses through the gap. The protrusions can, for example, be tab cutouts with terminal ends sliding atop the plates and loops formed between slits extending to a crest.

Abstract: In an automated machine that forms a vertically positioned and horizontally traversing web of plastic film into bags and fills the bags with material, after the bags are filled, a pair of gripping fingers clampingly grip and pull the bag upper longitudinal edge portions into a sealing gap between a pair of heat seal bars whereat the bag walls are heat fused together and the bag is sealed closed. A pair of clamp bars below the heat seal bars clampingly engage the bag walls after they are pulled into the gap and prior to heat sealing. The filled bags are linked along their longitudinal edge portions with perforations therebetween. The bags are severed from one another at a perforation when the gripping fingers pull the bag walls into the gap. The gripping fingers are carried on and are moved longitudinally with a pair of belts located vertically above the gap.

Abstract: In an automated machine that forms a vertically positioned and horizontally traversing web of plastic film into bags and fills the bags with material, the apparatus forms the bags sealed side edges as well as aligned perforations whereat the bags are severed from one another after they are filled with material. The web includes a pair of parallel proximate plastic film walls. A vertically positioned heat seal bar is moveable onto the web severing the walls along a separation line and forming the fore and aft sealed side edges of the bags. A perforation knife is aligned with and positioned vertically above the heat seal bar, and is simultaneously moveable onto the web walls with the heat seal bar thereby forming a vertical perforation line at a web longitudinal edge portion. The separation line and perforation line in the web are thereby aligned.

Abstract: In an automated machine that forms a vertically positioned and horizontally traversing web of plastic film into bags, the apparatus opens, fills and closes the bags and provides slack in the bag walls to close the bag. The bag upper longitudinal edge portions are separated at a bag opening and closing assembly for thereby opening and filing a bag with material. While the bag is being filled, the bag is supported on a conveyor. The conveyor is raised vertically toward the opening and closing assembly while the bag is being closed for thereby providing slack in the bag walls. The conveyor horizontally conveys the filled bag under while a gripping and pulling assembly pulls the bag longitudinal portions into a heat sealing assembly whereat the bag walls are fused together and sealed closed. The bag is thereafter conveyed away therefrom and the conveyor is again placed in its lower position.

Abstract: In an automated machine that forms a vertically positioned and horizontally traversing web of plastic film into bags and fills the bags with material, the apparatus maintains tension in the plastic film web and supports and maintains the web horizontally aligned as it traverses through the machine. The apparatus includes upstream and downstream guide rollers. The upstream roller is mounted on an arm which is rotatably biased about a vertical axis and is thereby moveable. The upstream roller has an outer concave perimeter surface and the downstream roller has an outer convex perimeter surface. A longitudinal edge portion of the web extends horizontally from an upstream location, around the upstream roller, to and around the downstream roller and to a downstream location. The web extends vertically below the longitudinal edge portion. A rotational sensor coupled to the arm provides an output signal representative of the location of the arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for vertically supporting and maintaining a web of plastic film horizontally aligned in applications such as machines that form the plastic film into bags and fill them. Separate coplanar consecutively spaced plates are aligned with and extend through a web normal traversing plane. One of the plates has a peak edge extending out of the web normal traversing plane in a first direction, whereas another has a peak edge extending out of the web normal traversing plane in a second opposite direction. The peak edges define an undulating plastic film travel path between a web upstream location and a web downstream location. The web of film is tensioned between the upstream location and the downstream location and travels along the continuous undulating path. The film flexibly bends over the peak edges as a result of the tension and is thereby supported and maintained aligned.

Abstract: In an automated machine that forms a vertically positioned and horizontally traversing web of plastic film into bags and fills the bags with material, the apparatus opens the bags by separating the bag upper longitudinal edge portions. First and second opposing slide gates on opposite sides of the bags normal traversing plane are moveable between closed and open positions. Longitudinal channels on each of the slide gates receive and clampingly grip the bag longitudinal edge portions when the gates are moved away from their closed positions. The bag edge portions are thereby gripped and separated from one another when the gates are opened for thereby opening and filling the bags. While opening the gates, additional longitudinal edge portions are pulled into the apparatus and, while closing the gates, the additional edge portions are pulled out therefrom. The longitudinal edge portions freely traverse through the channels when the gates are closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing preformed bags having an open end and a closed end over an insertion tube for inserting a bale therethrough and into the bag. A plurality of fingers are inserted into the bag open end and are extended for engaging the bag. The fingers and bag opening are traversed to the tube thereby inserting the tube end into the bag opening. The fingers are retracted and removed from the bag. The insertion tube is expanded thereby engaging the interior surface of the bag. Roller drive wheels are placed on the bag over the insertion tube and are rotatably driven and are traversed along the insertion tube for collecting the bag thereon. The roller drive wheels and the plurality of fingers are carried on a common assembly movable along the insertion tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for unfolding folded plastic film having a first side joined to a second side along a longitudinal folded edge for use in forming a packaging tube. The folded film travels through a slot and the folded sides are separated at their respective outer longitudinal edges. The longitudinal left side is conveyed toward and over a guide plate left side edge and then over a left form tube section. The longitudinal right side is conveyed toward and over a guide plate right side edge and then over a right form tube section. The longitudinal middle section including the longitudinal folded edge and part of both the first and second sides adjacent the longitudinal folded edge is conveyed toward and over guide plate angular edges and then onto a carrying surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a loose material that includes a compression chamber. Movement of a first ram discharges the loose material in a compressed state through an outlet port in the compression chamber. A packaging receptacle is positioned proximate the outlet port to receive the compressed material. The packaging receptacle is then moved to a second position where the movement of a second ram ejects the compressed material from the inner volume of the packaging receptacle. The second ram may be alternatively extended into and retracted from the packaging receptacle during ejection of the compressed material. The refilling of the compression chamber for the next cycle may begin prior to the retraction of the second ram from the packaging receptacle. A packaging jacket may be positioned about the packaging receptacle such that the ejection of the compressed material injects the compressed material into the packaging jacket.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus including a receptacle, a ram, a film dispensing assembly and first and second elongate members. The receptacle defines a central axis and has a dispensing end with first and second substantially linear and parallel opposed edges that define an axial limit of the dispensing end. The plastic film material forms a film tube about the receptacle. The first and second elongate members are substantially parallel with the first and second edges. In operation, the ram is extended to eject the batch of material through the dispensing end into the film tube. Retracting the ram forms a partial vacuum within the film tube between the batch of material and the ram. The first and second elongate members compressively engage the film tube between the batch of material and the dispensing end and thereby form folded flaps in the film tube. A method of packaging is also disclosed.