Abstract: A self-triggering inflatable balloon device. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a cylinder of compressed gas having an actuating valve thereon. The other end of the actuating valve is coupled to a deflated balloon. The cylinder, valve and deflated balloon are secured to the interior of a box having a hinged lid. An actuating member of the valve is coupled to the box lid such that the valve is opened when the box lid is raised. Upon opening of the box lid, therefore, the actuating valve is opened and the balloon is automatically inflated with the gas from the compressed gas cylinder. The device may be given as a gift wrapped present or mailed to a friend, and will produce a surprise when opened.

Abstract: A method for filling and evacuating an inflatable stowage pad, includes connecting the stowage pad to a nozzle apparatus including a handgrip which operates on the principle of a water jet pump for selectively generating a pressure air flow and a suction when connected to a source of compressed air. The stowage pad is selectively filled and evacuated with the nozzle apparatus.

Abstract: A method for filling an FIBC includes causing particulate material to flow from a container under gravity through a filling duct into a liner of the FIBC. The particulate material is caused to adopt a free fall generally laminar flow stream which over substantially all of its length does not contact the wall of the filling duct. Accordingly formed adjacent such stream is an air passage through which passage at least part of air displaced from the interior of the liner by the particulate material can escape without significantly disrupting the flow of particulate material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for filling successive pouches which are interconnected in a continuous web by a tubular top portion. Material is dispensed into the pouches by an elongated filling pipe and a mass flow meter monitors the amount of material dispensed through the filling pipe. The rate at which the web is conveyed along the filling pipe is controlled in response to the measured mass flow of the material whereby the amount of material dispensed into each pouch is accurately controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials for storage in a container. The vacuum fill system in general has a hollow, cylindrical container connected to a plurality of valves, slide gate valves and a vacuum pump in order to create a vacuum when filled with flowable materials that causes the flowable materials to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: A bag detection apparatus (50) for sensing the position and seam integrity of a deformable bag (24) and bag transfer apparatus (53) for gripping and maintaining positive control of the edges (25) of the bag (24) during transfer from a bag filling station to a bag closure station. The bag positioning and seam integrity detecting apparatus (50) includes pneumatic conduits (60-67) mounted on the bag distending assembly (23) of a bag filling apparatus (20) and coupled to pressure switches (68). A controller (101), monitoring increases in pressure at each pressure switch (68), determines the position and condition of the mounted bag (24). The transfer apparatus (52) includes a pair of elongated arms (80) having hook-shaped gripping fingers (82) formed to engage and cooperate with clamping members (83) to grip the bag proximate the upper edge (25). A bag detection method also is provided.

Abstract: A bag filling machine with traversing latch mechanisms. The rear latch mechanisms are movable forwardly towards the front fixed latches to permit the operator of the machine to easily and safely hang the bag loops on the four latches. Thereafter the rear traversing latches are moved to the rear of the machine to open the bag thus allowing it to be filled and later released from the bag latches.

Abstract: A balloon device includes an inner container and an outer container that are movable with respect to each other. The device includes a pressurized gas container mounted in the inner container and a firing mechanism that is operated by slamming the device against a solid surface such as a table top or the like. The firing mechanism punctures the pressurized container and permits gas to escape into the device, and this gas is guided via orifices to the balloon that is sealingly held on the device by an O-ring type element. When the balloon is pressurized to a prescribed pressure, further pressurization of the device will move the inner container and the surface against which the O-ring seats disappears as the inner container moves with respect to the outer container. The balloon is released and sealed as the O-ring is released.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a bag with packs of produce or articles, in which the bag is suspended from a bag clamp and flattened by pairs of opposing lowering plates at spaced intervals down the bag. The packs are assembled in a batch of two or more packs on a platform formed by hinged plates which are swung downwards to deposit each batch in turn in the bag. The packs are supported initially on the wall of the bag covering the uppermost lowering plates, and the pairs of lowering plates are swung downwards in sequence to allow the packs to drop in stages within the bag. The filled bag is released from the bag clamp onto a conveyor which transports the filled bag to a closure device. The wall of the filled bag is supported by a suction head during movement along the conveyor to the closure device.

Abstract: A bulk goods dispenser having a bin for holding the bulk goods which can be removed by a manipulator mounted in a dispensing unit communicating with the interior of the bin, the removed bulk goods being temporarily collected in a chute prior to being dispensed by a trap door into a bag which is attachable to walls of the chute, the walls being provided with holding horns. The trap door is held in a closed position by a spring member until released by a handle. The manipulator has a scoop for moving the bulk goods over a slanting wall in the bin. The bin has a slidable cover which can be locked. The dispenser unit can also be locked to the bin. A false bottom can vary the holding capacity of the bin.

Abstract: A bag filling apparatus attachable to a conveyance comprising a hopper having in connection therewith a plurality of bag filling chutes and including structure to selectively or simultaneously control the openings of the chutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in filling a valve bag eliminates sifting of product during the filling process. A filling nozzle is inserted into the valve of a bag to be filled. A flow of particulate material is provided through the filling nozzle and into the bag. When the bag is full, the flow of particulate material is terminated. A blast of high pressure air is then introduced into the nozzle in order to clear the nozzle of any residual particulate material therein. A low pressure blast of air is introduced between the nozzle and the filling valve to suspend any particles present in the filling valve after the nozzle has been cleared by the high pressure blast. A vacuum is introduced into the nozzle to suck any suspended particles out of the filling valve after the low pressure blast has been introduced. A boot can be inflated around the nozzle to seal the nozzle within the bag valve before filling the bag.

Abstract: A packaging machine useful for packaging fluidized dry, divided, solid material into containers such as valve bags is provided with an isolator section for isolating forces generated in the flow path of the material from a filling and weighing section. The flow path includes a filling spout that extends into the container through a valve formed therein and is sealed in the valve by an inflatable sleeve on the filling spout, the sleeve being so constructed that only that portion that enters the valve is permitted to expand.

Abstract: Bag-filling apparatus comprises gripping means for gripping flat bags adjacent to their top edges and side edges, vacuum cups for engaging the bag on opposite sides near its top edges and for pulling said top edges apart, and a filling pipe, which is provided with filling hopper halves, which are adapted to be pivotally movable about parallel axes by drive means. The filling hopper halves are hinged on respective axes which are transverse to the line which connects the grippers and the spreading members of the filling hopper halves have in cross-section laterally inverted, outwardly protruding or convex shapes the apices of which are disposed on the line which connects the grippers. The arrangement may be such that the end edges and side walls of the filling hopper halves are in sealing contact with each other when the filling hopper halves are in their swung-in position.

Abstract: An air bag system includes a plurality of air bags; a pump for supplying said air bags with air, check valves, each disposed on respective pipes communicating said pump with the air bags; and relief valves, each for discharging the air from respective air bag. The air bag further includes stop valves, each provided between said pump and respective check valves for inflating each air bag independently. The contour of a seat having air bags contained therein may be changed so as to fit an occupant.

Abstract: A filling station for filling pleat-sided bags transports such bags in flat form to a filling position. A plurality of spreading members are disposed adjacent the front and rear faces of the bag, and have claws thereon which engage the opposing interior edges of the bag adjacent its openable mouth. The spreading members adjacent each given side of the bag are moved away from one another in a direction substantially parallel to the planes of the front and rear bag faces, and the spreading members on opposite sides of the bag are moved away from one another in directions transverse to said planes thereby to unfold the pleated side faces of the bag and open the mouth of the bag. A filling funnel disposed outside of the bag is moved into the opened mouth of the bag, and bars disposed adjacent the exterior of the several faces of the bag are moved into engagement with those faces to clamp the faces of the bag to the filling funnel during the filling of the bag.

Abstract: Large capacity sacks are successively suspended from holding devices by their mouths and filled with pourable material through a conduit equipped with a dispensing mechanism. During filling, the sack comes to rest on a support which is part of weighing apparatus for controlling the dispensing mechanism. Before the sack contents have reached a predetermined final weight, the holding devices are lowered to relax the sack wall above the level of the contents, whereupon filling is completed at a trickle rate.

Abstract: A reclosable cross-bottom sack is provided over the cross-bottom with a cover sheet having an incision and lines of weakness. A flattened tubular plastics emptying nipple for the sack is folded and cut at one end to define flaps, extends through the incision and is secured to the sheet by its flaps to lie between the cross-bottom and the cover sheet.

Abstract: An improved bag holder and collector for receiving grass clippings, leaves, etc., in a top hopper for discharge into a collection bag removably mounted below the hopper. The hopper is formed by a pair of downwardly inwardly sloping end walls and a pair of vertical side walls which terminate with a rectangular-shaped horizontal bottom wall. A circular discharge opening is provided in the center of the bottom wall, with the remaining portion of the bottom wall forming a flat shelf area surrounding the opening. A cylindrical collar is mounted beneath the bottom hopper wall concentric with the discharge opening. Clamping ring means removably mounts a collection bag on the collar for receiving the materials discharged through the hopper opening. The hopper is supported between a pair of upstanding end panels having wheels attached to the bottoms thereof for movably supporting the hopper.

Abstract: This device is a red or orange balloon, with white lettering spelling out the word, "HELP", on both sides. The device includes a helium tank with cord retaining means thereon, and a valve device for insertion into a sleeve secured within a fitting on the neck of the balloon, and one end of the cord is secured to the balloon, and the other end is secured to the tank, which will serve as anchor means for the balloon, when the device is in use.

Abstract: An improved filling machine of the type having an expanding fill spout comprising at least two split sleeves pivotally mounted around a circular filling spout. The improved filling machine also contains new and novel automatic means for holding the bag on the fill spout and means for detecting the presence or absence of a bag on the fill spout. The split sleeves and the means for holding the bag on the fill spout are interconnected by means of levers and other mechanical connections for unit operation by at least one power cylinder or other power means. .Iadd.