Abstract: To fill bags, a hopper is used to stored fill material. Bag holders are mounted on a transport mechanism. At one or more operator stations, an operator attaches a bag to one of the bag holders. At one or more fill stations, fill material from the hopper is used to fill a bag attached to a bag holder. A conveyer mechanism conveys the bag, after it has been filled, away from the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the bag holder with the attached bag from an operator station to a fill station. The transport mechanism also transports the bag holder from a fill station to an operator station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a filled sachet are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a downtube for delivering a content into an end portion of a sock, a sealer positioned proximate to the downtube for sealing the sock at a first seal position such that the content is confined between the first seal position and the end portion of the sock, and a separator positioned proximate to the downtube for separating the sealed portion of the sock from the sock.

Abstract: A system and a method for maintaining, transferring and transporting a flexible package. The system includes a manipulating system, preferably a five axis robot, for transferring and displacing the flexible package and a lift-assist platform positioned within a reach of the manipulating system for transporting the package and for supporting a weight of the flexible package. The system may be used more specifically for the transport and transfer of upright flexible packages. The system simplifies the tool supported by the robot, thus allowing use of a smaller robot.

Abstract: The invention comprises using a fabric cut into several pieces which are further assembled together by stitches, the stitches being made using a sewing machine comprising at least two needles (A?, B?) operating in-line one behind the other so that the sewing stitch of the second needle (B?) is made on the threads of the sewing stitch made by the first needle (A?) in order to cover the perforation made by the first needle and so that the perforation made by the second needle (B?) is made through said thread (11), thereby filling said perforation with said thread (11).

Abstract: A tag feeding apparatus for use with a bag-closing and tag-applying sewing machine in order to attach multiple tags to each bag in a sequence of bags delivered to the sewing machine for closing of each bag and simultaneous attachment of the multiple tags by sewing the bag and the multiple tags together along edges of the bag at an opening thereof. A tag spreader of the apparatus is arranged to receive a stack of a plurality of different tags that are distinct from one another and stacked together in a face-to-face grouping and is arranged to displace the different tags relative to one another along faces of the tags to project each tag partially outward from an adjacent tag next thereto in the grouping of tags. The presence of each tag on the closed bag is easily confirmed visually by the projection of one tag outward from the others.

Abstract: A tag feeding apparatus for use with a bag-closing and tag-applying sewing machine in order to attach multiple tags to each bag in a sequence of bags delivered to the sewing machine for closing of each bag and simultaneous attachment of the multiple tags by sewing the bag and the multiple tags together along edges of the bag at an opening thereof. A tag spreader of the apparatus is arranged to receive a stack of a plurality of different tags that are distinct from one another and stacked together in a face-to-face grouping and is arranged to displace the different tags relative to one another along faces of the tags to project each tag partially outward from an adjacent tag next thereto in the grouping of tags. The presence of each tag on the closed bag is easily confirmed visually by the projection of one tag outward from the others.

Abstract: Support members are mounted to move between two separations, respectively less than and greater than the open end of a two-panel cover otherwise seamed together around its edges. Flaps sized to define a desired closure hemm can be in-turned manually along short opposed portions of the panel ends and then positioned over the lesser spaced support members to mount the cover thereon. The support members when at the greater separation will tension the open panel edges and extend the flaps accurately in-folded between the support members. The support members can have a first size defining a large edge opening for receiving a nozzle suited for blowing unwanted materials from between the flaps, and a smaller size for minimally gapping the flaps. A sewing machine can then automatically stitch through the panels and hidden flaps, for closing the cover end edge. Clamps can grip spaced cover locations for added cover support.

Abstract: A looper (2) for single-thread chainstitch sewing machines comprises for the purpose of forming a chainstitch a thread guiding surface (22), which is disposed substantially parallel to the feed path of the looper. A thread driving device (23) and a thread retaining device (24), which is formed as a retaining step (25), render possible the interlinking of a sewing thread (8) with itself. (FIG.

Abstract: A portable, single-thread chain stitch bag closing machine has a movable needle guiding device. A looper mounted so as to be slidable in a feed direction of a workpiece and pivotable transversely to the feed direction is protected against damage or breakage by a needle guide which guides a needle in the feed direction of the workpiece when the looper pivots towards the needle. The needle guide thereby ensures that a point of the looper reliably pivots past the needle, without coming into contact with the needle.

Abstract: A bag closing container device applies a strip of closure tape to a container, and sews stitches through the tape and container walls, as the container is moved past a closure station. A first sensor, located near an encoder disc driven by the container transport motor, generates a signal proportional to the container transport speed. An idler roller frictionally engaged with the closure tape carries an indicator wheel, which generates in a second sensor a signal proportional to the tape speed. The thread used in stitching the containers is wrapped around a detector wheel on its way to the closure station, and is frictionally engaged with the wheel. Wheel rotation generates in a third sensor a signal proportional to thread speed. The device includes a microprocessor which receives the signals as inputs, continually compares container transport speed and thread speed, and generates a thread fault indication if the thread and container speeds deviate from a preselected ratio.

Abstract: An improved self-oiling system for the drive shaft and feed dog assembly of a portable, bag-closing sewing machine utilizes a drive shaft having an internal axial oil channel, an upper radial oil bore which extends from the oil channel to the outer periphery of the shaft to confront the lower main drive shaft bearing, and a lower radial oil passage which extends between the oil channel and the outer periphery of a feed dog eccentric cam which is integral with the lower end of the drive shaft. Oil is supplied to the lower main drive shaft bearing for further downward distribution along the bore, channel and passage to the outer periphery of the feed dog cam which is rotatably received in the feed dog block. An oil passage within the feed dog block delivers oil from the feed dog cam radial oil passage to a slide bearing within the block to lubricate the interface between a guide post and the slide bearing. Annular recesses are provided on the shaft and post to further enhance transfer of oil within the machine.

Abstract: A combined pump and oil reservoir and oil delivery apparatus directs oil to the internal chambers of a portable sewing machine where oil is distributed by pump pressure, gravity flow, capillary action, wicking, misting and movement of machine components. Oil is pumped into a manifold leading to upper and lower main drive shaft bearings and to the needle driving assembly for subsequent dispersion during rotation and reciprocation of machine parts to fling such oil outwardly within the internal chambers to oil machinery both directly and by misting.

Abstract: A portable bag-closing sewing machine is provided with a self-oiling system which includes an oil reservoir connected to the machine and oil-delivery means to direct oil from the reservoir into the inner chambers of the machine where oil is distributed by gravity flow, capillary action and movement of machine components, the oil moving along through the machine components and through a series of channels, troughs, and reservoirs within the housing to distribute oil throughout the machine. During operation, the rotating and reciprocating machine parts fling oil outwardly within the chambers to directly oil machine assemblies and to create a fine mist of oil throughout the chambers so as to further lubricate machine components. Also disclosed is an improved and self-lubricating feed dog assembly and thread chain cutting device.

Abstract: A device or attachment for a bag filling and weighing machine in which filled bags of pliant material and containing discrete articles are transferred from the filling machine to a bag closing means including sewing head means and wherein a filled bag is moved in upright position with the upper end of the bag secured in a bag holder and then released from the bag holder for movement in upright position to the sewing head means. The transfer device includes a pair of endless chains having inboard lays which extend from the vicinity of the release of the bags from the bag holder to the reengagement of the bag by bag closing means. The endless flexible members include pointed elements which penetrate and engage upper wall portions of the bag above the contents thereof and below the bag holder so as to retain and guide upper wall portions of the pliant bag to the bag closing means.

Abstract: A combined pump and oil reservoir and oil delivery apparatus directs oil to the internal chambers of a portable sewing machine where oil is distributed by pump pressure, gravity flow, capillary action, wicking, misting and movement of machine components. Oil is pumped into a manifold leading to upper and lower main drive shaft bearings and to the needle driving assembly for subsequent dispersion during rotation and reciprocation of machine parts to fling such oil outwardly within the internal chambers to oil machinery both directly and by misting.