Patent ID: 7628391

Claim:
A taped bag feeder for supplying an assembly of imbricated bags having one or more tape strands removably attached thereto comprising: (a) a housing having an upstream end, a down stream end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, said longitudinal axis defining a drive path; (b) a drive mechanism operatively connected to a first shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, and an axis of rotation, and a second shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, and an axis of rotation; (c) a first reel disposed on said first end of said first shaft which rotates about an axis of rotation in parallel with said axis of rotation of said first shaft, and a second reel disposed on said first end of said second shaft which rotates about an axis of rotation in parallel with said axis of rotation of said second shaft; (d) wherein said first and second reels are each positioned on a face of said housing and oriented in a plane spaced from and parallel to said longitudinal axis; and (e) wherein said drive mechanism imparts rotation to said first and second reels through said first and second shafts such that said first and second reels receive and wind said tape strands upon said reels in the same direction of rotation, and advance said assembly of imbricated bags along said drive path from said upstream end to said downstream end, wherein said drive mechanism comprises a ratchet shaft, a differential unit and a pneumatic cylinder; wherein said ratchet shaft has a first end and an opposing second end and disposed between said first shaft and said second shaft such that said first shaft is operationally connected to said second shaft by means of said ratchet shaft; wherein said differential unit positioned between said second end of said first shaft and a first end of a third shaft; wherein said first and third shafts are operationally connected to said differential unit and along a longitudinal axis therethrough; wherein said differential unit is configured to maintain a substantially equal torque loading on said first shaft and said second shaft; wherein said pneumatic cylinder is pivotally connected adjacent to said first end of said ratchet shaft such that said pneumatic cylinder imparts rotational motion to said ratchet shaft.