Filled bag handling and storage apparatus

In combination, bag storage means including at least one storage bay, and bag handling apparatus for receiving filled bag elements at a packaging station, or the like, and automatically delivering and depositing said bag in said storage bay, said bag handling apparatus, comprising, stationary guide means extending from said packaging station in a first direction, a carriage assembly movable along said guide means both toward and away from said packaging station, and first drive means operably associated with said carriage assembly for effecting said movement, said carriage assembly comprising a lower frame unit engaged upon said stationary guide means and movable therealong upon operation of said first drive means, and a upper frame unit supported on said lower frame unit for relative movement in a second direction, generally transverse to the direction of movement of said lower frame unit along said guide means, and a second drive means for effecting movement of said upper frame unit relative to said lower frame unit in said second direction, a trough member pivotally mounted to said upper frame unit for movement between a generally horizontal position for receiving a filled bag from said packaging station, and a generally vertical position for depositing filled bags in said storage bay, said storage bay including at least one bay having a open end, filled bag engaging means mounted adjacent said end, said storage bay being disposed adjacent to, but, spaced from said guide means and being elongate in said second directions, such that upon disposition of a filled bag in said trough, said first drive means can be operated to move said carriage assembly along said guide means into alignment with the open end of said storage bay, and thereafter said second drive means can be operated to move said upper frame unit relative to said lower frame unit in said second direction to dispose said trough and an associated filled bag interiorly of the open end of said storage bay, such that upon operation of said second drive means to withdraw said trough from said storage bay, said filled bag engaging means will maintain said bag within said storage bay.