Apparatus and methods for filling bags

Apparatus and methods for filling a bag are provided. The apparatus includes a shovel with an elongate shovel arm, a shovel mouth positioned at a distal end of the shovel arm, and a shovel handle positioned at a proximal end of the shovel arm. The shovel mouth collects and directs fill material into the bag. The shovel handle is inserted into an opening of the bag and grasped by a user toward a bottom portion of the bag and from outside the bag. The apparatus includes an elongate arm rotatably coupled to the shovel arm at a pivot point and extending distally at an angle away from the shovel arm. The elongate arm rotates between an insertion configuration, in which the apparatus has a low profile for easy insertion into a bag, and an operable configuration to hold the bag open during filling.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to apparatus and methods for filling bags, and particularly to filling sand bags.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Flooding resulting from weather, rising water, and natural disasters is a perpetual threat to structures, property, and life, among other things. During times of flooding, or threatened flooding, relief agencies and volunteers mobilize to erect barriers to halt and/or redirect advancing flood waters, for example, to protect structures, property, and life. Time is critical and individuals strive to work quickly to erect barriers to redirect or hold the flood waters at bay. Sandbags are often filled and used to erect temporary barriers.

Sandbags are also used in other situations, such as military operations and combat, to erect temporary barriers.

Traditionally, sandbags have been filled by cooperation of two individuals. A first person holds the bag while a second person uses a traditional shovel to scoop sand or other fill material into a bag. The process to fill bags in this manner is arduous and time consuming as multiple shovels full of material are typically needed to fill a bag. The process is also inefficient because two individuals are required to fill a single bag. Filling bags with a traditional shovel simply is not well suited for situations when moments can mean the difference between successfully containing flood waters or loss of, for example, property and/or life.

Machines developed to improve the process are expensive and in some circumstances impractical or impossible to use. Existing devices developed to improve the efficiency of the process hardly reduce the labor required. These devices require that the material be raised to a height above an opening of the bag to allow the material to fall into the bag, and thus the design of these existing devices is not ergonomic and does not reduce or minimize physical effort and discomfort.

The present disclosure is directed to apparatus and methods for filling bags in an ergonomic and efficient manner. A bagging apparatus in an insertion configuration may be inserted into a sand bag and then moved to an operable configuration that allows the user to use a scooping motion to fill the bag. The bagging apparatus may include two handles and a bagger shovel. The handles and bagger shovel may be configured to be positioned within the bag during filling, which allows the user to simultaneously grasp the bag and the handles. After the bag is filled, the device can easily be removed from the bag with an upward motion, or by applying an upward force.

The disclosed apparatus and methods may enable a single individual to fill a bag with fill material. The bagging apparatus, because it may be positioned inside the bag, or mostly inside the bag, may support a length of the bag during filling. A user may grasp both the bagging apparatus and the bag with both hands during filling. The apparatus and methods may also reduce the height to which the fill material is lifted by a user to fill the bag.

Although the present disclosure is provided with frequent reference to sand bags, bagging as described herein is not limited to sand bags. Other bagging applications are relevant and the disclosed embodiments can be used for other bagging applications and are not limited to sand bagging. For example, fill material is not limited to aggregate, such as sand, gravel, soil, etc., but may also include materials such as grains, seeds, nuts, salt, mulch, compost, and any of a variety of materials that may be put into, stored in, and/or transported in a bag.

Embodiments may be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail.

FIGS. 1-4are various views of a bagging apparatus100, according to one embodiment.FIG. 1is a side view of the bagging apparatus100inserted into a bag10.FIG. 2Ais a side view of the bagging apparatus100in an operable configuration.FIG. 2Bis a side view of the bagging apparatus100in an insertion configuration.FIG. 3is an end view of the bagging apparatus100.FIG. 4is a top view of the bagging apparatus100. The bagging apparatus100may comprise a bagger shovel102and a bagger arm104coupled to and extending from the bagger shovel102.

FIGS. 5-6illustrate a bagger shovel102of a bagging apparatus, according to one embodiment.FIG. 5is side view of the bagger shovel102of a bagging apparatus.FIG. 6is top view of the bagger shovel102of a bagging apparatus.

FIGS. 7-8illustrate a bagger arm104of a bagging apparatus, according to one embodiment.FIG. 7is a side view of the bagger arm104of a bagging apparatus.FIG. 8is a top view of the bagger arm104of a bagging apparatus.

Referring generally and collectively toFIGS. 1-8, the illustrated bagging apparatus100includes a bagger shovel102and an elongate bagger arm104rotatably coupled together by a pin106or other coupling device at a pivot point107. Rotatably coupling the bagger shovel102and the bagger arm104allows the bagger arm104to rotate at the pivot point107relative to the bagger shovel102, between an operable configuration (shown inFIG. 2A) and an insertion configuration (shown inFIG. 2B). In the insertion configuration, the bagger arm104is positioned more proximate to the bagger shovel102than in the operable configuration, thereby enabling easy insertion of the bagging apparatus100into a bag (shown inFIG. 1). The pivot point107is positioned proximate to a middle portion of the bagger shovel102.

The bagger shovel102(shown isolated inFIGS. 5-6) may include a shovel arm108having a shovel mouth110positioned at a first end (e.g., a distal end) and a shovel handle112at a second end (e.g., a proximal end). The shovel arm108may be a rigid elongate shaft having sufficient strength and rigidity to transfer force applied to the shovel handle112to the shovel mouth110. Accordingly, a force applied to the shovel handle112in a direction toward the shovel mouth110may cause the shovel mouth to be propelled in the same direction, for example, to scoop fill material.

The shovel arm108may further include a pivot hole114(shown inFIG. 5) at the pivot point107to receive the pin106or other coupling device to couple the bagger shovel102to the bagger arm104. The pivot hole114may be positioned near the middle of the shovel arm108, between the proximal and distal ends of the shovel arm108. The pin106or other coupling device rotatably couples the bagger arm104to the bagger shovel102. A spacer116may be positioned adjacent to or around the pivot hole114to enhance rotatability of the bagger arm104relative to the bagger shovel102. The pin106is positioned through the pivot hole114and may be secured in place with a retaining clip115. As can be appreciated, in other embodiments the pin106may be substituted for any suitable coupling device or mechanism, such as a rivet, a nut and a bolt, a fixed pin, or a molded pivot point. As can also be appreciated, in other embodiments the pin106may be integral with one of the shovel arm108or the bagger arm104and configured to mate with a pivot hole on the other.

An upper stop118and a lower stop120may be positioned proximate to the pivot hole114and configured to limit a rotational range of the bagger arm104relative to the bagger shovel102. The upper stop118may limit rotation of the bagger arm104away from the bagger shovel102to the operable configuration. The upper stop118is secured to the shovel arm108and is sufficiently rigid such that, when the bagger arm104is in contact with the upper stop118, a force on the bagger arm104in a direction away from the bagger shovel102is transferred to the bagger shovel102. The lower stop120may limit a rotational range of the bagger arm104toward the bagger shovel to the insertion configuration. In the insertion configuration, a gap122(or distance122) between the bagger shovel102and the bagger arm104may allow a user to grasp a handle134of the bagger arm104, as discussed in more detail below.

The shovel mouth110may be configured in the shape of a scoop or similar device. The shovel mouth110may comprise a blade124, a scoop area126(or bottom), and two sides128. The blade124is positioned at a distal end of the shovel mouth (also the leading edge) and may be shaped and configured to contact and gather fill material into the scoop area126. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade124is straight to provide a square point configuration to scoop loose material. The blade124and scoop area126are sized and configured to fit within the bag10being filled and to be positioned proximate to the bag opening12(or mouth). In particular, a width W1of the shovel mouth110is smaller than a width of the opening12of the bag10, so as to allow the shovel mouth110to fit inside the opening12of the bag10. The sides128aid to expand the opening12of the bag10during insertion of the bagging apparatus100into the bag10. The sides128also aid in receiving and directing the fill material scooped into the shovel mouth110toward the bottom of the bag10.

The shovel mouth110, in some embodiments, may include a deflector130positioned at the proximal end of the shovel mouth110. The deflector and may reduce or limit snagging of the bag on the shovel mouth110as the bagging apparatus100is inserted into the bag10. The deflector130is also configured to allow fill material to pass over it during scooping, allowing the fill material to pass toward the bottom of the bag10.

The shovel mouth110in the illustrated embodiment is fixedly coupled to the shovel arm108. As can be appreciated, in other embodiments the shovel mouth108may be removably coupled to the shovel arm108to facilitate easy and convenient storage and/or transport of the bagging apparatus100. Also, as can be appreciated, other configurations of the blade124are possible, such as to provide a round point configuration for digging and loosening material.

The shovel handle112is positioned at the proximal end of the shovel arm108and is configured to be grasped by a hand of a user, from outside (and through) the bag10. Accordingly, the user grasps the shovel handle112and the bag10simultaneously. The shovel handle112may have a width W2that is smaller (potentially much smaller) than the width W1of the shovel mouth110so as to easily lead and guide the bagging apparatus100through the opening12of the bag10and into the bag10during insertion. The shovel handle112is configured to be positioned more toward the bottom of the bag10relative to the shovel mouth.

The bagger arm104may be an elongate shaft configured to be coupled to, and extend away from, the bagger shovel102. The bagger arm104includes a pivot hole136to receive the pin106and form the pivot point107. The bagger arm104is configured to extend distally at an angle A to the shovel arm108from the pivot point107. In other words, the bagger arm104may extend both longitudinally in the direction the bagger shovel102extends (e.g. in a distal direction) and laterally away from the bagger shovel102. In the insertion configuration, the angle A may be relatively small, for example between about five degrees and about thirty degrees. In the operable configuration, the angle A may be larger, for example in the range of about thirty degrees and about one hundred degrees. In some embodiments, the angle A in the operable configuration may be between thirty-five degrees and ninety-five degrees. In some embodiments, the angle A in the operable configuration may be between forty degrees and ninety degrees. In some embodiments, the angle A in the operable configuration may be between forty-five degrees and eighty-five degrees. In some embodiments, the angle A in the operable configuration may be between fifty degrees and eighty degrees. In some embodiments, the angle A in the operable configuration may be between fifty-five degrees and seventy-five degrees. In some embodiments, the angle A in the operable configuration may be between sixty degrees and seventy degrees. In one embodiment, the rotational range of the bagger arm104(i.e., the range of angle A) is approximately forty degrees.

As described, the bagger arm104may be rotatably coupled to the bagger shovel102and rotates between an insertion configuration and an operable configuration. A proximal end132(or proximal portion) of the bagger arm104of the illustrated embodiment is configured to abut against the upper stop118in the operable configuration and to abut against the lower stop120in the insertion configuration. As can be appreciated, in other embodiment, the bagger arm104and/or the stops118,120may be configured differently, such that a proximal portion of the bagger arm104positioned past the pivot point107abuts the lower stop120in the operable configuration and abuts the upper stop118in the insertion configuration.

The bagger arm104may further comprise a bagger arm handle134positioned at a distal end of the bagger arm104. The bagger arm handle134rotates in the gap122. In the insertion configuration, the gap122(or distance122) between the shovel mouth110and the bagger arm handle134is relatively small, perhaps only sufficiently wide to allow a hand of a user to grasp the bagger arm handle134to hold the bagging apparatus100during insertion into the bag10. In the operable configuration, the gap122(or distance122) between the shovel mouth110and the bagger arm handle134is larger so as to prop open the mouth12of the bag10for easy filling. A length L1, between the bagger arm handle134(positioned toward the distal end of the bagging apparatus100) and the shovel handle112(positioned toward the proximal end of the bagging apparatus), is a length of the bag10that is supported by the bagging apparatus during operation (e.g., filling the bag).

The bagging apparatus100may be formed of a rigid plastic material that may be injection molded and/or laser-cut to a desired shape. As can also be appreciated, the bagging apparatus may be formed of any appropriately rigid material, such as a material sufficiently rigid to hold its shape during scooping aggregate material, for example aluminum, other types of metal and/or metal alloy, wood, and fiberglass.

Use of the bagging apparatus100is now described. With the bagging apparatus100in the insertion configuration, the shovel handle112may be inserted into an empty bag (e.g., a sandbag), toward the bottom or bottom portion, or closed end, of the bag10. The shovel handle112, now positioned within the bag10, may be grasped, for example, by a user with one hand from without the bag10, such that a wall of the bag10is positioned in between the shovel handle112and the hand holding (grasping) the shovel handle112. In another embodiment, a mechanical apparatus may grip the shovel handle112.

The deflector130may prevent the bag10from snagging on the shovel mouth110as the bagging apparatus100is inserted into the bag10. The pin assembly, including the pin106, the retaining clip115, and the spacer116, provides a hinge between the shovel arm108and the bagger arm104. The stops118,120restrict the range of motion of the bagger arm104and may allow for easy insertion of the bagging apparatus100into the empty bag10.

The bagger arm handle134may also be positioned inside the bag10, extending from the pivot point107, toward a top portion of the bag to a position at or near the opening of the bag. The bagger arm handle134can be grasped by the user with the other hand at a position proximate the opening12of the bag10. A lip of the bag10at the opening12may be wrapped around the bagger arm handle134to secure the bag10relative to the bagging apparatus. For example, a user may grasp the bagger arm handle134with a portion of the bag10positioned between the user's palm and the handle134. The user's fingers may curl around the handle134and extend into the opening12of the bag10. In other embodiments, a mechanical apparatus may grip the bagger arm handle134, and simultaneously grip a portion of the bag10against the bagger arm handle.

The shovel mouth110is also positioned inside the bag10with the blade124disposed at or proximate the opening12of the bag. In the operable configuration, the shovel mouth110and the bagger arm handle134may provide tension at the bag opening12to hold the bag10open. Rotating the bagger arm handle134about the pivot point107toward the shovel handle112configures the bagging apparatus in the operable configuration, opening the mouth12of the bag10and providing tension to the mouth12of the bag10to limit slippage of the bag10relative to the shovel mouth110during filling. The shovel mouth110is then scooped into aggregate (i.e., fill material, such as sand, gravel, dirt). For example, a user may stoop down and scoop the shovel mouth110into the aggregate. In another example, a machine may scoop the shovel mouth110into the aggregate. The handles112,134provide grip and stability while the movement is executed to thereby fill the empty bag10.

When the bag10is a third to half full, the bag10and bagging apparatus100can be tilted up to a vertical position and the bagging apparatus100can be pulled out of the bag10. The weight of the filled bag10may allow the bagging apparatus100to easily slip out of the bag10(e.g., withdrawing from or through the fill material within the bag10). The bagging apparatus100is removed from the full bag10by pulling on the bagger arm handle134, for example with an upward motion. The low profile of the bagging apparatus100, and narrow profile of the proximal end of the bagging apparatus, reduces drag (through the fill material within the bag10) as the bagging apparatus100is removed from the filled bag10. Using an upward motion to remove the bagging apparatus100may leave the filled bag standing. The bagging apparatus100is again ready for insertion into the next empty bag.

The bagging apparatus may enable the bag to be filled without raising any fill material to a height above the opening12of the bag10. The bag10may be filled in a horizontal, or approximately horizontal, configuration and may be raised to a vertical configuration (e.g., for tying or otherwise closing the bag) without the fill material ever being raised to a vertical height above a vertical height of the opening12of the bag10when the bag is in a vertical (or approximately vertical) configuration or upright orientation greater than approximately 45 degrees vertical from level ground. In some embodiments, the upright orientation may be greater than approximately 60 degrees vertical from level ground. In some embodiments, the upright orientation may be greater than approximately 70 degrees vertical from level ground. In some embodiments, the upright orientation may be greater than approximately 80 degrees vertical from level ground.

When the pivot point107is positioned slightly lower than the line of the handles112,134, pressure inward will push the blade124of the bagger shovel102down (or lower) to facilitate scooping fill material. Also, because the blade124is lower than the handles112,134, the blade124will automatically pull the bag10open when resistance is applied. Tension from the bag10can hold the blade124and handles112,134in place. The bag10may effectively become a part of the bagging apparatus100and of the mechanics of operating the bagging apparatus100.

As can be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. The disclosure contemplates that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed embodiments of the invention. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.