Patent ID: 8468783
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A pouch-gripping apparatus, comprising: a frame including a vertical mounting surface; a base mounted to said vertical mounting surface; a stationary arm formed integrally with said base, projecting outwardly therefrom in a substantially horizontal plane in perpendicular relation to the plane of said vertical mounting surface; said stationary arm having a distal free end; said distal free end having an “L”-shape; said “L”-shape of said distal free end including a vertically disposed stop wall, said stop wall forming a vertical wall that faces said vertical mounting surface; a second arm rotatably mounted to said stationary arm for pivotal movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis of rotation; a plug secured to a distal free end of said second arm; a recess formed in said distal free end of said second arm to receive said plug; said plug being slightly larger than said recess so that a leading edge of said plug extends in leading relation from said recess; said second arm having a position of repose where said second arm is disposed at an angle relative to said stationary arm; said stationary arm and said second arm having a substantially common length, said plug bearing against said vertically disposed stop wall when said second arm rotates from said position of repose to a position where said second arm is in a substantially horizontal position; whereby a rim of a pouch is positioned in abutting relation to said vertically disposed stop wall when said second arm is in said position of repose; whereby said rim of said pouch is sandwiched between said plug and said vertically disposed stop wall when said second arm is rotated into said substantially horizontal position, said plug and said vertically disposed stop wall exerting pressure on said rim; and whereby said pressure increases as a weight of said pouch increases because said weight causes further rotation of said second arm thereby increasing pressure between said plug and said vertically disposed stop wall.