Patent ID: 6357210
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A case loading machine for positioning at least two flexible bags, having an unstable product therein, in a case and in side-by-side contact with one another; said machine comprising case engaging and displacement means having at least one rigid division wall plate positionable inside said case from an open top end of said case to divide said case into two or more compartments of predetermined size, said case engaging and displacement means holding said case at a loading position with one of said compartments aligned at a bag receiving position, bag engaging and transfer means for placing one of said bags in said one of said compartments aligned at said bag receiving position, said bag engaging and transfer means having compression means to compress said flexible bag and displace said unstable product therein whereby said bag is sized to enter into said one of said compartments, said case engaging and displacement means displacing said case to align said other of said two compartments, sequentially, at said loading position whereby each compartment receives a further bag from said bag engaging and transfer means, and means to feed another case to said case engaging and displacement means, said bag engaging and transfer means being comprised by a bag clamping and transfer mechanism for engaging a filled bag at a bag filling station and transferring said filled bag between a pair of spaced bag engaging and compression transfer plates for engaging a filled bag disposed therebetween and compressing same to size said filled bag, said transfer plates being supported on a horizontally displaceable frame to position same at a bag receiving position and a bag discharge position.