Automatic bagger with intelligent programmable controller

Abstract

An automatic bagging system and method of operation having an intelligent programmable controller is described. Articles are discharged, one at a time, at a rapid rate into compartments of an article receiving housing and are then discharged in a bag. The article receiving housing has hinge gates for guiding the articles in respective ones of the compartments. A detector detects the position of articles being discharged into the article receiving housing and sends article detection signals to a controller. The controller has a programmable processor in which is inputted article loading time lapse data for each of the compartments. The system continuously loads articles into the article receiving housing and retains a first article during the discharge operation of the housing. The controller also operates the hinge gates after a delay of the time lapse data and in synchronism with the article detection signals. The controller controls the speed of an infeed conveyor, the number of articles to be placed in each of the compartments, the discharge thereof, the operation of the hinge gates and the operation of the holding device to support the first article during the discharge mode and controlling the rate of placement of articles on the infeed conveyor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an automatic bagging system and method which is provided with an intelligent programmable controller thereby simplifying the mechanical construction of the bagging system and increasing the speed of operation thereof. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Reference is made to our U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,196 which is considered to be the closest prior art. As disclosed therein articles, such as pouches, are discharged within an article receiving housing which has three compartments and two hinge gates to direct the pouches into each of the compartments in a sequential operation. Mechanical switches are associated with each of the compartments whereby to detect that an article has entered into the compartment. These presence detecting switches have switch arms which project into the compartments and are depressed by a pouch entering the compartment. Support elements are also associated with the exterior ones of the compartments to hold an article be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an automatic bagging system and method which utilize an intelligent programmable controller which does not require the use of detecting switches associated with the compartments and which is capable of operating the entire system in synchronism without requiring mechanical adjustment by a technician but by inputting command data within the processor of the controller.

Problems solved by technology

This means that a change in the article being bagged necessitates a readjustment of these parameters and this is a time-consuming job.

These mechanical parts also require periodic servicing due to malfunctions and wear.

Because of these various mechanical parts, there is also a speed restriction on the loading of the article receiving housing and the system is not easily converted to handle different products or to place more than one article in a compartment.

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