Universal bag spreader apparatus

This invention is a universal bag spreader apparatus utilized to prepare a container member having a baked product therein in a proper condition prior to a bag closing operation. The universal bag spreader apparatus includes 1) a basic support assembly having a main blower and filter assembly connected thereto; 2) an adjustable air discharge assembly connected to the main blower and filter assembly; and 3) a main control assembly to control blower motor operation and air flow volume. The main flower and filter assembly include a power blower assembly operable to receive inlet air through an inlet air filter assembly. The adjustable air discharge assembly includes 1) a primary inlet assembly connected to the main blower and filter assembly to receive inlet air thereto; 2) an intermediate inlet assembly connected to the primary air inlet assembly; 3) a final discharge assembly connected to the intermediate inlet assembly being rotatable about vertical and inclined axes; and 4) an adjustable support arm assembly interconnected to the intermediate inlet assembly and the final discharge assembly having features of infinite adjustability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the packaging industry, particularly but not exclusively in the area of 
the bagging of baked products such as buns, there is a problem of the 
bagged food product not being fully clipped or tied during a bag closing 
operation. What happens is that a portion of the open end of the bagged 
food product has been left unsealed. 
The primary reason for this problem is that the open end of the bagged food 
product has not been put into a form that is most conducive to closing 
before the bagged food product enters into a bag closing machine. 
Present methods being used to prepare the bagged food product before the 
bag closing operation are 1) to use a squirrel cage blower positioned 
above the bagged food product forcing air onto the open end thereof to 
force an open end of the bag downward before the bagged food product 
enters into the bag closing machine; 2) manually pulling an open end of 
the bag down and out by a manual hand operation; and 3) using a suction 
device to pull an open end of the bag down and out. 
These methods have failed to solve the problem because they do not fully 
spread the open end of the bag and flatten it. By spreading the open end 
of the bag and flattening it, the open bag end is reduced to its minimum 
mass. This is particularly important whenever the bagged food product is 
being clipped by the bag closing machine. A connector hole in a clip is 
only so big and if the open bag end is folded back on itself, the 
connector hole in the clip cannot accept this increased bulk. A portion of 
the open bag end will then be left outside of the connector hole in the 
clip. This works much in the way that, if clothing is neatly folded and 
smoothed out, a suitcase can more easily accept the clothes. 
Another reason that the bagged food product is not fully closed is that the 
open bag end has not been spread to its full length before it enters into 
the bag closing machine. The open bag end is of irregular shape and a 
portion of the open bag end will be left outside of the clipped or tied 
end. 
Another reason that the open bag end has not been fully closed is that the 
open bag end has been hit with too much air forcing it downward too much 
and making the open bag end drag before it enters into the bag closing 
machine. 
The squirrel cage blower method does not 1) provide adequate adjustments 
for positioning an air flow for diverse sizes of food product bags; and 2 
provide for variation of air volume to deal with different densities of 
bag material being used. A food product bag which is more dense would 
require a higher volume of air to force the open bag end down than would a 
less dense bag material. If a bag material of low density were hit with a 
high volume of air, the open bag end would drag before entering the bag 
closing machine. 
The manual and suction methods do not adequately achieve the desired form 
of the open bag end before entering the bag closing machine. 
These prior art methods, while not adequately solving the primary problem, 
create a secondary problem being that the closed bag end, or tail as it is 
referred to in the industry, snags on conveyor belts used in baked goods 
production systems on a continuous conveyor assembly. This snagging is 
caused by the tail protruding downward whereby it is frequently caught by 
the conveyor belt. 
This prior art problem is solved by the open bag end being in a spread and 
flattened form when it enters into the bag closing machine. After the 
bagged food product leaves the bag closing machine, the tail of the bagged 
package will be in a generally horizontal position. This greatly decreases 
the chances of it being caught in the conveyor belt and, thereby, 
resulting in damage or loss of the food product. 
An additional problem that is not associated with bag closing but which 
should be solved prior to bag closing is that of excess air in the 
finished bagged product. A finished bagged product with excess air is 
difficult to fit into shipping containers and this can result in food 
product damage or loss. This excess air problem can be solved by expelling 
air out of the bagged food product by means of air forced onto the top of 
the bagged food product which forces air out of an open bag end. 
It is noted that tearing of the open bag end by the bag closing machine 
would be greatly reduced by putting the open end of the bag into a spread 
and flattened form prior to entry into the bag closing machine. 
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a universal bag spreader 
apparatus is utilized with a baked goods production system consisting of 
1) a baking and packaging assembly; 2) a continuous conveyor assembly to 
carry baked food products such as baked buns placed within a container 
member; 3) utilizing the universal bag spreader apparatus of this 
invention to contact the container member to place in a proper position 
for subsequent packaging steps; 4) a bag preparation brush assembly 
operable to contact an outer open end portion of the container member; and 
5) a bag closing assembly to contact and secure an outer flattened portion 
of the container member with a clip or tie member which is standard 
procedure in baked goods production systems. 
The universal bag spreader apparatus includes 1) a basic support assembly 
adapted to be mounted on a support surface; 2) a main blower and filter 
assembly mounted on the basic support assembly; 3) an adjustable air 
discharge assembly connected to the main blower and filter assembly to 
receive air flow therefrom for discharge at an adjusted proper location 
relative to a container member on the continuous conveyor assembly of the 
baked goods production system; and 4) a main control assembly operably 
connected to a) an adjustable air discharge assembly to regulate air flow; 
and b) a power control assembly to provide power to the main blower and 
filter assembly. 
The main blower and filter assembly includes a power blower assembly 
operable to receive air from an inlet air filter assembly. 
The power blower assembly includes a main support assembly secured to the 
basic support assembly and having mounted thereon a motor and blower 
assembly. The motor and blower assembly includes a drive motor member 
operable to drive an output drive shaft connected to a main blower 
assembly. 
The main blower assembly includes a paddle wheel assembly mounted within a 
main blower housing in order to receive inlet air from the inlet air 
filter assembly and direct same for discharge through the adjustable air 
discharge assembly. 
The inlet air filter assembly includes an air filter housing including one 
side discharging air therefrom and three open sides having air filter 
members therein to receive a large quantity of inlet air for cleansing 
before discharge to the adjustable air discharge assembly. 
The adjustable air discharge assembly includes 1) a primary air inlet 
assembly to receive inlet air from the inlet air filter assembly; 2) an 
intermediate inlet assembly to receive and direct air vertically from the 
primary air assembly; 3) a final discharge assembly pivotally connected to 
an upper end of the intermediate assembly having a flexible hose member 
with a discharge nozzle assembly at an outer end thereof; and 4) an 
adjustable support arm assembly interconnected to the intermediate inlet 
assembly and the final discharge assembly to provide vertical and lateral 
support plus numerous adjustable features. 
The adjustable support arm assembly includes 1) a horizontal support arm 
assembly having one end vertically and rotatably adjustably adjusted to 
the intermediate inlet air assembly; 2) a yoke support bracket assembly 
connected to the horizontal support arm assembly; and 3) a support 
discharge tube assembly rotatably connected to the yoke support bracket 
assembly and connected to the final discharge assembly. 
The yoke support bracket assembly is movable axially on the horizontal 
support arm assembly to provide horizontal adjustment relative to a 
vertical tube member of the intermediate inlet assembly. 
The support discharge tube member includes 1) a pivot yoke assembly 
rotatably connected to the yoke support bracket assembly; and 2) a 
discharge tube pivot support and brake assembly connected to the pivot 
yoke assembly and the final discharge assembly. 
The pivot yoke assembly includes a U-shaped main yoke member rotatably 
connected to the yoke support bracket assembly by a yoke connector 
assembly for movement about a vertical axis. The yoke connector assembly 
operates to firmly hold the main yoke member in a selected, adjusted 
position. 
The discharge tube pivot support and brake assembly includes 1) a tube 
pivot support assembly connected to an outer upper end of the main yoke 
member and a discharge tube member of the final discharge assembly; 2) a 
tube brake assembly connected to the tube pivot support assembly and 
operably connected to the discharge tube member; and 3) an air tube 
connector assembly to connect the tube pivot support assembly to the 
discharge tube member to permit relative rotational movement. 
The tube pivot support assembly includes 1) a main bearing member mounted 
about the discharge tube member to permit rotation thereof; 2) spaced 
axially aligned support handle members connected to the main bearing 
member and the main yoke member to control pivotal movement of the 
discharge tube member; 3) a handle connector assembly operable to hold the 
main bearing member and connected handle members in a pivotal adjusted 
position about a horizontal axis; and 4) stop collar members mounted on 
each side of the main bearing member and secured to the discharge tube 
member to prevent lateral movement of the discharge tube member. 
The tube brake assembly operates to hold the discharge tube member in a 
rotational adjusted position about its longitudinal axis. 
The air tube connector assembly connects an upper end of the discharge tube 
member to an elbow member which is connected to a swivel elbow member of 
the final discharge assembly. 
The main control assembly includes a power control assembly and an air flow 
control assembly. The power control assembly includes a control housing 
supplied with power through an inlet power cord and having control members 
thereon. The control members include 1) an on/off switch; 2) a safety fuse 
connected to the inlet power cord; and 3) a pilot light to indicate that 
electrical power is supplied to the main blower and filter assembly. 
The air flow control assembly includes a cable and handle assembly having a 
cable support bracket secured to the intermediate inlet assembly and a 
butterfly valve assembly connected to the discharge tube member on the 
main blower assembly. The cable and handle assembly is provided with a 
handle member connected by a cable member to the butterfly valve assembly. 
The butterfly valve assembly includes a baffle member operable to be 
rotated about a pivot shaft to control air flow through the discharge tube 
member of the main blower assembly. 
Therefore, it is seen that the main control assembly operates to 1) supply 
the electrical power and controls of the motor and blower assembly; and 2) 
control volume of air flow into the adjustable air discharge assembly for 
proper operation of this invention. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
One object of this invention is to provide a universal bag spreader 
apparatus utilizing air flow for spreading and flattening an outer open 
end of a container member, such as a plastic bag, containing food product 
therein prior to a subsequent packaging and shipping operation. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a universal bag spreader 
apparatus operable to utilize air flow with sufficient pressure and volume 
to expel a portion of air contained within a container member having a 
baked product therein for trouble free subsequent packaging operations. 
One other object of this invention is to provide a universal bag spreader 
apparatus including a main blower and filter assembly to provide proper 
air pressure and volume flow through an adjustable air discharge assembly 
having a discharge nozzle to be moved to an infinite number of adjusted 
positions for required air discharges. 
One further object of this invention is to provide a universal bag spreader 
apparatus including a main blower and filter assembly utilizing a power 
blower assembly with a paddle wheel blower structure to create a large 
volume of air flow and operable to receive air through an air filter 
assembly having a large area of filtering surface so that the air is 
thoroughly cleansed before being directed to the container member having a 
baked food product therein for health and sanitary reasons. 
An additional object of this invention is to provide a universal bag 
spreader apparatus used in a baked goods production system including an 
adjustable air discharge assembly having a final discharge assembly 
connected to an adjustable support arm assembly so that a discharge nozzle 
can be adjusted vertically, horizontally, rotatably, and angularly to 
achieve all goals and requirements in an operation of flattening and 
closing an outer open end of the container member having a baked food 
product therein regardless of the type, size, and material of the 
container member or size and type of the machinery used in the baked goods 
production system. 
Still, one other object of this invention is to provide a universal bag 
spreader apparatus which is compact in size; readily assembled and 
disassembled for maintenance purposes; fully adjustable for moving an air 
flow discharge nozzle to any desired height and location for use with a 
baked goods production system; economical to manufacture; and 
substantially maintenance free. 
Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will 
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, 
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific 
embodiments of the universal bag spreader apparatus of this invention, 
such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same 
reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or 
structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is 
not to unduly limit the scope of the invention. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings in detail and, in particular to FIG. 1, a 
universal bag spreader apparatus of this invention, indicated generally at 
12, is utilized in conjunction with a baked goods production system 14. 
The baked goods production system 14 utilizes 1) a bakery and packing 
assembly 20 wherein a product, such as hamburger or hot dog buns, are 
baked to achieve a baked product 16 which is placed in a container member 
18 that may consist of a clear plastic bag of various sizes, shapes, and 
thicknesses; 2) a continuous conveyor assembly 22 to convey the bag 
container member 18 enclosing the baked product 16 on a belt or roller 
conveyor structure; 3) a bag preparation brush assembly 24 operable to 
contact a flattened open end of the container member 18 during a process 
step; and 4) a bag closing assembly (not shown) which receives the 
flattened open end of the container member 18 for closing through the use 
of a plastic type clip member or a flexible tie member and the automatic 
bag closing assembly is well known in the prior art. 
In use with the baked goods production system 14, the universal bag 
spreader apparatus 12 can be placed at various positions along the 
continuous conveyor assembly 22 to meet overall production and packaging 
requirements. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the universal bag spreader 
apparatus 12 is placed adjacent to the continuous conveyor assembly 22 
after the bakery and packaging assembly 20 and before entering the bag 
preparation brush assembly 24 and the bag closing assembly. 
The universal bag spreader apparatus 12 includes 1) a basic support 
assembly 26; 2) a main blower and filter assembly 28 mounted on the basic 
support assembly 26; 3) an adjustable air discharge assembly 30 secured to 
the basic support assembly 26 and operably connected to the main blower 
and filter assembly 28 to receive an air flow therefrom; and 4) a main 
control assembly 32 connected to the adjustable air discharge assembly 30 
and to the main blower and filter assembly 28. 
The basic support assembly 26 includes a main base plate member 34 
preferrably constructed of a sturdy steel sheet material and having spaced 
handle members 36 thereon for ease of grasping, conveying, and moving to a 
desired operational location. 
The main blower and filter assembly 28 include a power blower assembly 38 
interconnected to an inlet air filter assembly 40. The power blower 
assembly 38 includes a main support assembly 42 connected to the main base 
plate member 34 and having a motor and blower assembly 44 mounted thereon. 
The main support assembly 42 includes a support housing member 46 having 
anchor flanges 48 connected thereto and a blower support flange 50. The 
anchor flanges 48 are secured as by nut and bolt members 52 against a top 
surface of the main base plate member 34. The blower support flange 50 is 
secured as by nut and bolt members 52 to the support housing member 46. 
The motor and blower assembly 44 includes a drive motor member 54 operably 
connected to a main blower assembly 56. The drive motor member 54 includes 
1) an output drive shaft 58; 2) a motor support base 60 secured by nut and 
bolt members 52 to the top surface of the support housing member 46; and 
3) a power supply cord 62 to provide the necessary electrical power source 
thereto. 
The drive motor member 54 can be of a variable speed type motor controlled 
through a rheostat to increase and decrease the rotational speed of the 
output drive shaft 58 and, thus, the air flow velocity and volume received 
from the main blower assembly 56. 
The main blower assembly 56 includes a paddle wheel assembly 64 mounted 
within a main blower housing 66 having a discharge tube member 68 
connected thereto. The discharge tube member 68 is provided at an outer 
end with a connector flange 74 secured by anchor members 76 to the 
adjustable air discharge assembly 30. 
The main blower housing 66 is provided with an air inlet hose flange 70 
operable to receive one end of an inlet hose member 72 held thereon by 
screw members 75. The inlet hose member 72 is preferrably constructed of a 
flexible plastic and wire reinforced type. 
The inlet air filter assembly 40 includes 1) an air filter housing 77; 2) a 
plurality of air filter members 78 connected to the air filter housing 77; 
and 3) a filter support bracket 79 interconnected between the air filter 
housing 77 and the adjustable air discharge assembly 30. 
The air filter housing 77 is of a rectangular box shape having a top wall 
80, a bottom wall 82, an air discharge wall 84, and air inlet walls 86. 
The air discharge wall 84 is provided with a hose connector flange 85 
adapted to receive another end of the inlet hose member 72 and held 
thereon by screw members 75. 
The air inlet walls 86 are each provided with a large rectangular opening 
87 to receive respective ones of the air filter members 78 therein in a 
sealed engagement. This requires that all of the inlet air flows through 
the filter medium of the respective air filter members 78 on conveyance to 
the main blower assembly 56. 
The air filter members 78 are provided with an outer metal screen to 
provide rigidity plus protection against tearing from foreign objects. The 
filter medium can be constructed of known types to provide any desired 
degree of particle size filtering and the air filter members 78 can be 
easily removed, cleansed, or replaced as required during periodic 
maintenance. 
The adjustable air discharge assembly 30 includes 1) a primary inlet 
assembly 88 mounted on the main base plate member 34 of the basic support 
assembly 26; 2) an intermediate inlet assembly 90 connected to an upper 
discharge end of the primary inlet assembly 88; 3) a final discharge 
assembly 92 connected to an upper discharge end of the intermediate inlet 
assembly 90; and 4) an adjustable support arm assembly 94 connected to the 
intermediate inlet assembly 90 and to the final discharge assembly 92 to 
provide for multiple adjustment features thereof in a manner to be 
explained. 
The primary inlet assembly 88 includes a base plate member 96 having 
connected and upwardly extended therefrom a conveyor tube member 98 which 
is of a square shape in traverse cross section. The base plate member 96 
is secured as by nut and bolt members 52 to the main base plate member 34 
of the base support assembly 26. 
As noted in FIG. 5, the conveyor tube member 98 has an air inlet opening 99 
surrounded by an anchor flange 101 aligned with a central opening to the 
discharge tube member 68 of the main blower assembly 56. The anchor 
members 76 are operable to provide a sealed interconnection between the 
connector flange 74 and the anchor flange 101. 
The intermediate inlet assembly 90 includes 1) a connector collar 102 
connected in a sealed manner to an upper end of the conveyor tube member 
98; 2) a vertical tube member 104 connected to an upper portion of the 
connector collar 102; and 3) a top connector member 106 secured to the 
upper end of the vertical tube member 104 being of a rotatable 360 degree 
swivel type connector. 
The final discharge assembly 92 includes 1) a flexible hose member 108 held 
as by clamp members 112 to the upper portion of the top connector member 
106; and 2) a discharge nozzle assembly 110 interconnected to the outer 
end of the flexible hose member 108. 
The discharge nozzle assembly 110 includes 1) an elbow member 114 being a 
rotatable 360 degree swivel type connector; 2) a discharge tube member 116 
connected to the outer end of the elbow member 114; and 3) a discharge 
nozzle 118 connected to an outer end of the discharge tube member 116. The 
discharge tube member 116 rotates about its longitudinal axis but is held 
against axial movement as will be explained. 
The vertical tube member 104 is provided with vertically spaced 
circumferential grooves 115 of square shape in transverse cross section 
spaced apart every two (2) inches and having indicator lines 117 placed 
equally between the grooves 115 for reasons to be explained. 
The elbow member 114 includes a non-rotatable section 111 having 
approximately 135 degree angle turn to best operate with the adjustable 
support arm assembly 94 in a manner to be explained. 
It is noted that the discharge nozzle 118 may be of various configurations 
having various sizes and shapes of discharge openings 119 therein such as 
a large opening shown in FIG. 1. A particular discharge nozzle 118 can be 
selected depending on the width and size of the container members 18 
having the baked product 16 therein. Additionally, the size of the 
discharge nozzle 118 and its respective discharge opening 119 depends on 
the container member 18 and the density, strength, and thickness of the 
material from which the container member 18 has been constructed. 
The adjustable support arm assembly 94 includes 1) a horizontal support arm 
assembly 124 connected at one end to the vertical tube member 104; 2) a 
yoke support bracket assembly 126 slidably and adjustably mounted on the 
horizontal support arm assembly 124; and 3) a support discharge tube 
assembly 128 connected to the yoke support bracket assembly 126 and the 
discharge tube member 116 of the discharge nozzle assembly 110 of the 
final discharge assembly 92. 
The horizontal support arm assembly 124 includes a bracket member 130 
having a support collar 132 at one end being of cylindrical shape which is 
mounted about the vertical tube member 104 of the intermediate inlet 
assembly 90 and held in a vertically and rotatably adjusted position 
thereon through the use of a wing bolt 138 mounted within a threaded lug 
member 140. An inner end of the wing bolt 138 is engagable with a 
respective one of the grooves 115 to securely hold the bracket member 130 
in an adjusted position. 
The bracket member 130 has side wall slots 134 in opposed aligned 
relationship and an upper wall slot 136. The side wall slots 134 and upper 
wall slot 136 are operable to receive portions of the pivot support arm 
assembly 126 therein in a manner to be explained. 
The yoke support bracket assembly 126 includes an arm support tube member 
142 placed about and telescopingly movable on the bracket member 130 of 
the horizontal support arm assembly 124. 
The arm support tube member 142 is provided with a top wall 146 integral 
with opposed side walls 147. The top wall 146 includes a connector hole 
148 to connect the support discharge tube assembly 128 thereto. 
The side walls 147 are provided with opposed anchor holes 150 to receive a 
connector wing and nut bolt member 144 therein which is operable to secure 
the arm support tube member 142 in a given adjustable axial location along 
the length of the bracket member 130. 
The support discharge tube assembly 128 includes a pivot yoke assembly 154 
which is rotatably connected to the yoke support bracket assembly 126 and 
to the tube member 114 of the final discharge assembly 92. The pivot yoke 
assembly 154 includes a main yoke member 158 connected to the top wall 146 
of the yoke support bracket assembly 126. 
The main yoke member 158 is of generally U-shape having a base member 162 
integral with inclined, parallel spaced support members 164. The base 
member 162 includes a connector hole 166 to receive a bolt member for 
connection to the arm support tube member 142. 
Upper ends of the inclined support members 164 are provided with aligned 
yoke connector holes 168 for connection to the discharge tube pivot 
support and brake assembly 156 as will be described. 
As noted in FIG. 7, the yoke connector assembly 160 includes 1) a main 
support bolt 170 extended upwardly through the connector hole 148 in the 
arm support tube member 142; 2) a washer member 149 placed over the main 
support bolt 170 against a bolt head section 172 and welded to the top 
wall 146; 3) two washer members 174 separated by neoprene washers 176 are 
placed over the main support bolt 170; 4) the base member 162 is mounted 
with the connector hole 166 receiving the main support bolt 170 
therethrough; and 5) a final washer member 178 and lock nut member 180 is 
placed on the upper end of the main support bolt member 170. 
Adjacent surfaces of a head section of the main support bolt 170 and the 
washer member 149 are welded to the top wall 146 of the arm support tube 
member 142. 
The lock nut member 180 is tightened on the secured rigid main support bolt 
170 and a compression brake situation is achieved by the base member 162 
being sandwiched between the washer member 178 and a neoprene washer 176. 
This braking action allows the main yoke member 158 to be pivoted about a 
vertical axis and held in a given rotational position by the yoke 
connector assembly 160. 
The discharge tube pivot support and brake assembly 156 includes 1) a tube 
pivot support assembly 184 rotatably connected to upper ends of support 
members 164 of the main yoke member 158; 2) a tube brake assembly 186 
connected to the tube pivot support assembly 184 and mounted about the 
discharge tube member 116; and 3) an air tube connector assembly 188. 
The tube pivot support assembly 184 includes 1) a main bearing member 190 
mounted about the discharge tube member 116; 2) axially aligned threaded 
handle members 192 welded to the main bearing member 190; 3) a rear stop 
collar member 191 and a forward stop collar member 193 mounted about the 
discharge tube member 116 on respective opposite sides of the main bearing 
member 190; and 4) a handle connector assembly 194 connected to the 
threaded handle members 192. 
The stop collar members 191, 193 are secured in position by one or more set 
screws 195. The main bearing member 190 has a grease zerk 196 to lubricate 
the rotatable discharge tube member 116. 
As noted in FIG. 9, the handle connector assembly 194 includes 1) a 
plurality of steel washers 198; 2) tubular spacer members 202 mounted 
about respective ones of the support handle members 192; and 3) an 
adjustment nut member 204 connected to outer respective ends of the 
support handle members 192. 
More specifically, two of the steel washers 198 are placed around the 
support members 164 on the respective support handle members 192 with the 
innermost ones welded to the support handle members 192 to act as stops 
for a clamping action. An additional two of the steel washers 198 are 
placed on the respective support handle members 192 between adjacent 
support members 164 and spacer members 202. 
The adjustment nut members 204 are used to achieve the clamping action on 
the support members 164 and regulate the force needed to pivot the main 
bearing member 190 and interconnected discharge tube member 116 about a 
longitudinal axis of the support handle members 192. 
As shown in FIG. 9, the tube brake assembly 186 includes a main brake 
member 206 secured as by welding to a connecting arm member 208. The main 
brake member 206 consists of a clamp ring 210 with outer spaced adjacent 
ends interconnected by a bolt member 212 having a wing nut 215 mounted on 
one end thereof. 
A spacer member 217 is welded to an upper surface of the connecting arm 
member 208 and a lower surface of the main bearing member 190 in the 
assembled condition as noted in FIG. 8. This achieves the rigid connection 
with the air tube connector assembly 188. 
As shown in FIG. 8, the air tube connector assembly 188 includes 1) a 
connector sleeve member 214 having a head section 218 mounted about 
abutting portions of the non-rotatable section 111 of the elbow member 114 
and the discharge tube member 116; and 2) a pair of connector clamps 219 
mounted about the connector sleeve member 214. 
The connector sleeve member 214 is secured by adhesive to adjacent outer 
surfaces of the non-rotatable section 111 and further anchored by the 
connector clamps 219. A grease zerk 216 allows lubrication of the 
rotatable discharge tube member 116. 
Adjacent ends of the connector sleeve member 214 and the discharge tube 
member 116 are provided with respective shoulder sections 220 which 
permits rotation of the discharge tube member 116 but not axial movement 
thereof. 
The main control assembly 32 includes a power control assembly 224 to 
control an electrical power source; and 2) an air flow control assembly 
226 to control the volume of air flow to the adjustable air discharge 
assembly 30. 
The power control assembly 224 includes a control housing 228 mounted on a 
support bracket 230 having an inlet power cord 232 connected thereto to 
supply normally 110 volt AC power. Additionally, the control housing 228 
has a plurality of control buttons 234 thereon which can control 
operations such as 1) "On" and "Off" power supply to the drive motor 
member 54; and 2) a variable motor speed control. 
Inside the control housing 228 is contained a safety fuse member to protect 
the operation of the drive motor member 54 and a pilot light to indicate 
system energization. 
The support bracket 230 is of an adjustable type connected to the control 
housing 228 having an adjustment slot 238 for connection by nut and bolt 
members 236 to an outer surface of the conveyance tube member 98 of the 
primary inlet assembly 88 which allows for vertical movement of the 
control housing 228. 
The air flow control assembly 226 includes 1) a cable and handle assembly 
240 connected to the vertical tube member 104 of the intermediate inlet 
assembly 90 and, at an opposite end, to a butterfly valve assembly 242. 
As noted in FIG. 5, the cable and handle assembly 240 includes a handle 
member 244 connected to a cable member 246 with the handle member 244 
rotatably mounted on a cable support bracket 257 and connected to a 
control support tube 248. 
The control support tube 248 has a threaded connector lug 250 operable to 
receive an anchor bolt 252 therein for securing the entire cable support 
bracket 257 in an adjusted position on the vertical tube member 104. 
The cable member 246 is of a conventional nature having an innermovable 
cable 254 mounted within an outer sleeve 256 which has one end anchored to 
the cable support bracket 257 and another end connected to the butterfly 
valve assembly 242. 
The butterfly valve assembly 242 includes a baffle member 258 connected to 
a pivot shaft 260. The pivot shaft 260, as noted in FIG. 5, is connected 
to a cable connector 262 which is connected to the pivot shaft 260 through 
an outer surface of the discharge tube member 68 of the main blower 
assembly 56. 
A cable anchor member 264 is secured to the discharge tube member 68 and 
includes an anchor section 266 having a sleeve connector clamp 268 
integral therewith. An anchor bolt 270 is operable to secure the sleeve 
connector clamp 268 about an outer end of the outer sleeve 256 of the 
cable member 246. 
It is obvious that pivotal movement of the handle member 244 would operate 
to axially move the inner cable 254 which, in turn, would pivot the cable 
connector 262 and interconnected baffle member 258 to adjustably control 
air flow through the discharge tube member 68 of the main blower assembly 
56. 
USE AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
In the use and operation of the universal bag spreader apparatus 12 of this 
invention as noted in FIG. 1, the baked goods production system 14 is 
operable to bake and initially package a baked product 16 in a container 
member 18 within the baking and packaging assembly 20. 
The container member 18 as initially coming out of the baking and packaging 
assembly 20 contains a lot of air therein as shown by an expanded open end 
19. 
The bagged food product is moved along a support portion of the continuous 
conveyor assembly 22 to a position as shown by the fourth container member 
18 from the right which is in position to be acted on by the universal bag 
spreader apparatus 12. 
On setting up use of the universal bag spreader apparatus 12, it is placed 
at a desired locational position along the continuous conveyor assembly 22 
and, preferrably, just before the bag preparation brush assembly 24 prior 
to the the next process step involving a bag closing assembly (not shown) 
whereupon a container member 18 will have the open bag end thereof secured 
by a clip member, a tie member, or other such fastening means. 
The primary object of the universal bag spreader apparatus 12 of this 
invention is to utilize air flow to place the open bag end of the 
container member 18 in the best condition for subsequent operation through 
the bag closing assembly which is spread out and flattened to a minimum 
height. 
Another objective of this invention is to place the discharge nozzle 118 at 
a proper position relative to the passing of the container members 18 with 
the baked product 16 therein. Various ones of the discharge nozzles 118 
can be selected having a desired shape and size of the discharge opening 
119 depending on the size of the container member 18 and type of material 
from which it is constructed. 
A first step is to move the horizontal support arm assembly 124 and, more 
specifically, the bracket member 130 vertically as noted by arrow 272 on 
loosening the wing bolt 138 in the support collar 132. On reaching a 
selected height of the bracket member 130 indicated by alignment of an 
indicator line 117 with an upper surface of the support collar 132, the 
wing bolt 138 is tightened to place an inner end thereof into a now 
aligned groove 115. The interaction of the wing bolt 138 into the groove 
115 provides a lock feature to prevent non-intentional downward movement 
of the horizontal support arm assembly. 
Prior to locking of the horizontal support arm assembly 124, the bracket 
member 130 through the support collar 132 can be rotated as noted by arrow 
274 as necessary on the vertical tube member 104 to achieve the desired 
axial direction of the bracket member 130 from the vertical tube member 
104. 
As noted in FIG. 6, an outward position of the discharge nozzle 118 
relative to the vertical tube member 104 can be adjusted through use of 
the yoke support bracket assembly 126 which is axially movable on the 
bracket member 130 as noted by arrow 276. On reaching a desired axial 
location, the connector wing nut and bolt member 144 can be tightened to 
secure the arm support tube member 142 to the bracket member 130 as noted 
in FIG. 6. 
Next, an angular direction of the discharge nozzle assembly 110 can be 
adjusted by rotational movement of the main yoke member 158 about the yoke 
connector assembly 160 as shown by arrow 277. A resistance to rotational 
movement of the main yoke member 158 is achieved by the yoke connector 
assembly 160 and, more specifically, by the sandwiched neoprene washers 
176 between the washer members 174. The amount of resistance to rotational 
movement is adjustable by rotation of the lock nut member 180 on the main 
support bolt 170. 
On referring to FIG. 7, the discharge tube member 116 is rotatable as noted 
by arrow 288 through the air tube connector assembly 188 to adjust the air 
discharge angle from the discharge nozzle 118. 
The adjustable tube brake assembly 186 adds resistance to rotation of the 
discharge tube member 116 to hold in an adjusted position. This resistance 
or braking force can be adjusted through the clamp ring 210 and rotation 
of the connector wing nut and bolt 212. 
The final discharge assembly 92 and the discharge nozzle 118 can be pivoted 
vertically about a horizontal axis as noted by arrow 290. This is achieved 
through use of the tube pivot support assembly 184 with the subject 
horizontal axis being that of the aligned support handle members 192. The 
spacer members 202 can be grasped to pivot the discharge tube member 116 
and the adjustment nut members 204 can be tightened on the support handle 
members 192 to hold in an adjusted position. 
Lubrication is available through the grease zerks 196 and 216 to permit 
ease of rotation of the discharge tube member 116 relative to the 
stationary main bearing member 190 and the connector sleeve member 214 of 
the air tube connector assembly 188. 
Next, on reaching the final vertical, lateral, and rotational adjustments 
to place the discharge nozzle 118 in a precision relationship to the 
container member 18 having the baked product 16 therein, the main control 
assembly 32 can be utilized through control buttons 234 to energize the 
power blower assembly 38 and, more specfically, to energize the main 
blower assembly 56. 
This pulls intake air through the air filter members 78 of the inlet air 
filter assembly 40 to supply inlet pressure air through the inlet hose 
member 72 to the discharge tube member 68. This filter, pressure air is 
conveyed through the primary inlet assembly 88, the intermediate inlet 
assembly 90, and the final discharge assembly 92 for subsequent discharge 
through the discharge nozzle 118. 
The large size of the air filter members 78 provides for inlet air to enter 
in an unrestricted manner for conveyance through the inlet hose member 72 
into the main blower assembly 56 without any back pressure. The use of the 
paddle wheel assembly 64 as a source of air supply has proven very 
effective in achieving a large volume of air flow therethrough. 
At this point, it is obvious that the main control assembly 32 and, more 
specifically, the air flow control assembly 226, can be operated as noted 
in FIG. 5 to control the volume of air flow through the dicharge tube 
member 68 into the primary inlet assembly 88. 
More specifically, the cable member 254 can be operable through the handle 
member 244 as noted by arrow 284 in order to move the baffle member 258 
with its pivot shaft 260 as noted by arrow 286 to various angles within 
the inner cavity of the discharge tube member 68. This movement of the 
baffle member 258 will tend to increase or decrease the size of an air 
flow channel within the discharge tube member 68 to precisely control the 
air flow which is an important adjustment feature of this invention. 
It is obvious from the invention that the motor and blower assembly 44 
could be mounted in an out-of-the-way location, provided with 
soundproofing if so desired, and still convey the air achieved therefrom 
through a flexible inlet hose member 72 to be connected to the primary 
inlet assembly 88 or conveyance tube member 98 to supply the necessary air 
flow thereto. Additionally, the power control assembly 224 could be 
mounted in a different remote location if so desired. 
The universal bag spreader apparatus of this invention provides a means of 
achieving an adjustable air flow and volume which can be directed through 
a discharge nozzle in a precise manner against the top and open end of a 
container member operable to 1) first contact and drive out any air 
contained with the container member through the open end thereof; and 2) 
force an outer open end of the air evacuated container member into a 
flattened condition for a subsequent bag closing operation, thus placing 
in the best condition for attaching a clip member and tie member thereto. 
The universal bag spreader apparatus of this invention is compact in 
construction; economical to operate; fully adjustable in placing a 
discharge nozzle relative to a container member provided with an inlet air 
filter assembly to assure that only cleansed air is directed toward the 
baked product within a container member; and substantially maintenance 
free. 
While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred 
specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood this description is 
intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which 
is defined by the following claims: