Abstract: A paper bag bottoming mechanism having a bottoming drum having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall disposed therebetween, a bar affixed to the bottoming drum, the bar having a first end and a second end, a first guide block attached to the first end of the bar and a second guide block attached to the second end of the bar, a first slideable finger attached to the first guide block and a second slideable finger attached to the second guide block, and a first actuating mechanism communicating with the first slideable finger for actuating the first slideable finger and a second actuating mechanism communicating with the second slideable finger for actuating the second slideable finger. Also disclosed is a method for making a using a clampless bar mechanism.

Abstract: A rotatable insertion horn for opening an envelope prior to insertion of documents into the envelope. The insertion horn includes a planar bottom plate having an upstream end, a downstream end and first and second side portions. A side wall is provided that extends upward from the first side portion of the planar bottom plate. The side wall has a downstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the planar bottom plate and an upstream end adjacent to the upstream end of the planar bottom plate wherein a portion of the planar bottom plate extends downstream from the downstream end of the side wall. A top planar plate is provided that extends from the top of the side wall and towards the second side of the bottom plate wherein the top plate is superposed and substantially parallel to the bottom plate.

Abstract: A method of making a factory end for a bag assembly, in which a removable plastic bag will be contained within a protective outer bag, includes steps of providing a tube assembly having a plastic inner tube within an outer tube; sealing one end of the plastic inner tube so as to be closed at said one end; and closing the outer tube about the closed one end of the inner tube in such a manner that no plastic material from said inner tube is permanently affixed to the outer tube, whereby the outer tube may be efficiently recycled or incinerated after it is separated from the inner tube by a consumer. The bag assembly itself is disclosed as a separate aspect of the invention. Methods for making the tube assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for smoothing out and pressing together the free projecting end extending over the filling material of filled sacks, said sacks comprising side walls which are inwardly folded and there being two movable pairs of fingers engaging in the sack in the plane of the opened sack or a plane being parallel to said plane as well as a plane being lateral to said plane, whereby said fingers of each of said pair of fingers are arranged at a distance in the transverse direction of the sack opening and two rods or knives are arranged, said rods or knives being movable against each other and are extendable from the outer side of the sack between the fingers of each pair of fingers engaging in the sack, and, if necessary, on both sides of a closable loading funnel of a sack filling station.

Abstract: A pair of specially designed suction wheels are preferably placed after the glue applicator on a known pinch bottomer bag-making machine. During manufacture, paper bags are guided horizontally through the machine by a conveyor forming part of the machine. With this arrangement, one of the suction wheels is placed under the bag, and the other wheel is placed over the bag in line. As each bag is moved by the conveyor, both suction wheels are brought into motion like a rolling operation. Each wheel has a shaft with a hollow channel going to a suction cup at the periphery of the wheel. The number of suction cups around the circumference of the wheel could be any amount. In a preferred embodiment, there are 12 equally spaced suction cups. A vacuum pump with a hose is connected onto the shaft. The pump draws air through the channel which comes from a suction cup so that, when the bag comes into the vicinity of the suction cup, the cup sticks on the bag layer.

Abstract: This relates to apparatus for effecting the closing of one end of a shirred casing strand. A strand is to be automatically presented to a previously developed closer in alignment therewith and under a preselected pressure. A transfer device is provided for receiving a doffed strand, transferring the strand transversely and then moving the strand longitudinally so that an end of the strand engages the closer. A gripping mechanism is provided which includes a pair of jaws having opposing clamp elements of a generally V-shape or angle cross section. The two jaws are simultaneously movable either together or apart and are urged apart by compression springs. A fluid cylinder actuated linkage urges the jaws towards closed positions. By varying the closing force, the clamp members can be first moved to a preset spacing providing a receptacle into which a doffed strand of a predetermined size may be readily slid.

Abstract: In apparatus for pulling tube ends open to form base squares in the production of large cross-bottom sacks, table plates are disposed parallel to the plane of the pulled open bases and separated from another by a gap through which a tubular web is feedable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the table plates. Suckers at both sides of the web pull the edges of the web end apart. The suckers are secured to carriages which are movable in parallel guides from a position in which they are pushed together to the pulled open position of the base.

Abstract: This relates to apparatus for effecting the closing of one end of a shirred casing strand. A strand is to be automatically presented to a previously developed closer in alignment therewith and under a preselected pressure. A transfer device is provided for receiving a doffed strand, transferring the strand transversely and then moving the strand longitudinally so that an end of the strand engages the closer. A gripping mechanism is provided which includes a pair of jaws having opposing clamp elements of a generally V-shape or angle cross section. The two jaws are simultaneously movable either together or apart and are urged apart by compression springs. A fluid cylinder actuated linkage urges the jaws towards closed positions. By varying the closing force, the clamp members can be first moved to a preset spacing providing a receptacle into which a doffed strand of a predetermined size may be readily slid.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and folding the end of a flattened tubular sheet to define the rectangular base of a bag or sack to be made from the sheet comprises a table having a slot through which the flattened sheet projects, the projection being formed into a bag base by suckers locating the projection in a pre-opened condition and grippers which engage opposed margins of the projection, one of the grippers being fixed and the other being secured to a pivotable arm.

Abstract: Successive pouches severed from the leading end of a continuously moving strip of pouches are picked up by a series of spaced paddle assemblies and are turned from edgewise positions to broadwise positions. Each paddle assembly ducks into the pouch to pick up and turn the pouch and opens the pouch just prior to turning it to a broadwise position. Thereafter, the paddle assemblies release the pouches to carriers which advance the pouches through filling and closing stations. The carriers are more closely spaced than the paddle assemblies and are advanced at a slower rate than the paddle assemblies.