Patent ID: 6705606
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A bag feeder magazine for storing and dispensing bags from a stack thereof, and positionable in a production line, and comprising:a) Support structure supporting an upper endless moving platform traveling in an upward circulatory loop and having a traveling opening selectively registrable with a loading end of said structure as said traveling opening moves downwardly and along a lower length of said loop, the loop providing open side access into the loop for replenishment of a stack of bags to refill the stack from the top of the stack; b) Suction grippers timed to extend upwardly through said traveling opening as said traveling opening registers with the loading end, the suction grippers adhering to a bottom bag of the stack and retracting downwardly to pull an end of the bottom bag through the traveling opening; c) Said moving platform having a stripper separating the bottom bag from the stack as the end of the bag is pulled downwardly by the grippers and as the traveling opening moves away from the loading end; d) A bag receiving table positioned under the endless moving platform and receiving the bag as it is stripped from the stack; e) An indexer for accurately positioning the bag on the bag receiving table; f) A transport mechanism moving the bottom bag, now separated from the stack, from the bag receiving table, to bag filler apparatus; g) Motor means mounted on said support structure below said bag receiving table and operably connected to drive said endless moving platform.