# US 2014/0360140 A1 · Apparatus and method for placing bags over insertion tube in bale enveloping apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360140 A1 - Document ID: US20140360140A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/912,399 - Filed: 2013-06-07 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-07 - Assignees: Rethceif Enterprises, LLC - Inventors: Chris Allen Honegger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360140A1 ## CPC - B65B 27/125: {and wrapping or bagging} - B65B 39/06: adapted to support containers or wrappers - B65B 43/30: by grippers engaging opposed walls, e.g. suction-operated - B65B 7/04: by tucking-in mouth portion to form two flaps and subsequently folding-down - B65B 39/02: Expansible or contractible nozzles, funnels, or guides - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract An apparatus for placing preformed bags having an open end and a closed end over an insertion tube for inserting a bale therethrough and into the bag. A plurality of fingers are inserted into the bag open end and are extended for engaging the bag. The fingers and bag opening are traversed to the tube thereby inserting the tube end into the bag opening. The fingers are retracted and removed from the bag. The insertion tube is expanded thereby engaging the interior surface of the bag. Roller drive wheels are placed on the bag over the insertion tube and are rotatably driven and are traversed along the insertion tube for collecting the bag thereon. The roller drive wheels and the plurality of fingers are carried on a common assembly movable along the insertion tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In an apparatus for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, an apparatus for placing the bags over an insertion tube comprising: a plurality of fingers, said fingers being moveable between said open bag and over the insertion tube and being selectively retractable and extendable; and, a plurality of roller drive wheels, said roller drive wheels being rotatable and moveable in and out of engagement with the insertion tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more fingers are secured and extend from a first rotatable shaft and one of more fingers are secured to and extend from a second rotatable shaft, whereby said first and second shafts are selectively rotated for selectively retracting and extending said fingers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more roller drive wheels are mounted on a first selectively rotatable shaft and one or more roller drive wheels are selectively mounted on a second selectively rotatable shaft, said rotatable shafts also being selectively moveable for placing the wheels mounted thereon in and out of engagement with the insertion tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said roller drive wheels are also moveable along the insertion tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers and said roller drive wheels are carried on a common assembly which is moveable along the insertion tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the insertion tube comprises a pair of tube sections, said tube sections selectively moveable between retracted and expanded positions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers each include a rubber tip whereby the interior bag surface is frictionally engaged. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more fingers are secured and extend from a first rotatable shaft and one of more fingers are secured to and extend from a second rotatable shaft, whereby said first and second shafts are selectively rotated for selectively retracting and extending said fingers; wherein one or more roller drive wheels are mounted on a first selectively rotatable shaft and one or more roller drive wheels are selectively mounted on a second selectively rotatable shaft, said rotatable shafts also being selectively moveable for placing the wheels mounted thereon in and out of engagement with the insertion tube; and, wherein said roller drive wheels are also moveable along the insertion tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the insertion tube comprises a pair of tube sections, said tube sections selectively moveable between retracted and expanded positions. ### Claim 10 In an apparatus for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, an apparatus for placing the bags over an insertion tube comprising: a plurality of fingers, said fingers being moveable between said open bag and over the insertion tube and being selectively retractable and extendable; and, a plurality of frictional engagement members, said frictional engagement members being moveable along the insertion tube and being moveable in and out of engagement with the insertion tube. ### Claim 11 In a method for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, a method of placing a bag over an insertion tube whereby a bale can be inserted into the bag, said method of placing a bag over the insertion tube comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of fingers into said bag through said open end; extending said fingers and engaging the bag; traversing said fingers relative to the insertion tube and inserting the insertion tube into said bag opening; retracting said fingers; and, removing said fingers from inside said bag and leaving the bag on said insertion tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising, after the step of removing, placing a plurality of roller drive wheels on said bag and sandwiching the bag between the insertion tube and each of said wheels, and rotatably driving said wheels thereby slidingly collecting said bag on said insertion tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising, prior to said step of placing, expanding and locating said insertion tube in close proximity to the interior surface of the bag. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising inserting a bale through said insertion tube and into the bag thereby removing the bag from the insertion tube and enveloping the bale. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising expanding and locating said insertion tube in close proximity to the interior surface of the bag. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising, after the step of removing, placing a plurality of frictional engagement members on said bag and sandwiching the bag between the insertion tube and each of said members, and traversing said members along said insertion tube thereby slidingly collecting said bag on said insertion tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising: prior to said step of placing, expanding and locating said insertion tube in close proximity to the interior surface of the bag; and, inserting a bale through said insertion tube and into the bag thereby removing the bag from the insertion tube and enveloping the bale. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising, after the step of removing, placing a plurality of roller drive wheels on said bag and sandwiching the bag between the insertion tube and each of said wheels, and traversing said wheels along said insertion tube and rotatably driving said wheels thereby slidingly collecting said bag on said insertion tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising, prior to said step of placing, expanding and locating said insertion tube in close proximity to the interior surface of the bag. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising inserting a bale through said insertion tube and into the bag thereby removing the bag from the insertion tube and enveloping the bale.