Abstract: A wicket post mounting in a bag stacking machine includes a base unit bolted to a conveyor plate. The base unit includes an upstanding wall with a plurality of machined, vertical post receptacles or openings. Each receptacle is identical to receive and physically support one post in precise accurate relation to a longitudinal location on the station plate of a second post. The spacing of the receptacles and posts is selected to receive bags with spaced holes. A releasable latch pin is secured to each receptacle. The pin projects into an appropriate opening in the post and locks the post in the receptacle. The base unit may include a pair of post mounting bases each having an offset edge wall abutting the station plate to accurately locate the base. Bolts pass through the mounting base into threaded holes in the station. Each base has two spaced receptacles, providing for post spacing of 4, 5 and 6 inches.

Abstract: A draw tape bag forming apparatus includes an edge folder for folding the edges of pliable plastic web to form a hem in the edge. A draw tape is fed into the open hem which is then heat sealed along the inner edge of the hem wall to form a tubular hem. The web is of an indefinite length and moves continuously through the machine. The heat sealed hem is an expanded air-filled type hem. An electrostatic generator unit is mounted downstream of the ballooned hem. The generator unit includes a charging bar mounted in spaced relation to reference ground plate to form a gap with the ballooned hem passing therebetween. The hem is aligned with the bar. A 120 volt power supply is connected to the charging bar and establishes a high voltage along the length of the bar.

Abstract: In a clutch-brake mechanism wherein an input member rotates first in one direction and then in the other, an axially shiftable output member, spline-connected to an output shaft, is clutched to the input member while it rotates in one direction and is declutched and braked while the input member rotates in the opposite direction. The output member has a driven clutch element facing in one axial direction for cooperation with a driving clutch element on the input member and has an oppositely facing braking element cooperating with a relatively stationary braking element which, however, is adjustingly rotatable. All said elements have axially projecting circumferentially spaced teeth for slipless torque transmission. A barrel cam rotating in synchronism with the input member control shifting of the output member through a lever that has a fulcrum, a connection with the output member spaced from the fulcrum, and a cam follower portion engaging the cam.

Abstract: A multipurpose sealing and severing mechanism for a bag machine capable of providing one or more seals in thermosealing wrapping material, and severing or perforating the material adjacent the seal area. The mechanism may readily be adapted to produce side weld bags from longitudinally folded wrapping material; open end first bags from tubular wrapping material; closed end first bags from tubular material; or sheets from single or multiple webs. The mechanism includes a stationary sealing head and a reciprocating sealing head each of which includes a pair of spaced resistance wire heaters with an oscillating cutter or perforator movable therebetweento either completely sever or merely perforate the material.

Abstract: A web of thermosealing material is intermittently advanced by draw rolls between cooperating sealing and severing heads with the downstream end of the web being advanced onto a pick-off conveyor assembly before being stopped. While the web is stationary, one of the sealing heads is moved into pressure engagement with the other head, with the web disposed therebetween, to clamp, sever and seal the web. The web is transversely severed downstream of the seal and after the severing and sealing operation is completed said one head is moved transversely away from the web; and the other hand is momentarily moved downstream relative to the stationary web for stripping the web from said other head prior to the next cycle of operation of the draw rolls.