Patent ID: 6050053
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An improved clutch control for a clutch-actuated bag closing head on a bag neck closing apparatus with a bag closing head, including a means for applying a semi-rigid bag closure on a bag neck,rollers for feeding a bag into the means for applying a bag closure,a clutch for completing a closing cycle wherein a closure is applied to a bag neck in said bag closing head, the clutch including an actuating arm rotatably connected to a clutch operating arm, a first stop surface extending from said clutch operating arm, such that upon the bag contacting said clutch actuating arm said operating arm is rotated allowing the clutch to rotate and begin the cycle for the bag closing head, and a clutch lever fixedly attached to said clutch and releasably connected to said operating arm at said first stop surface such that upon rotation of the operating arm, said first stop surface is rotated out of engagement with the clutch lever so that the clutch lever and clutch are released and free to rotate, the improvement comprising:a second stop surface extending from said operating arm so that when said operating arm rotates, said second stop surface interrupts the rotation of said clutch by engaging said clutch lever to stop the cycle of the bag closing head until said clutch actuating arm is released, whereby bags of varying closure widths can be accommodated during the closing cycle.