Bag zipper actuator
AssigneeUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc.
InventorSteven Lew Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for providing a zippered bag in an open configuration to allow its filling with packages or other like items. The apparatus includes an automatic bag zipping feature, and is resettable by depression of a foot pedal by an operator. The bag is maintained in its "open" position by a pair of flaps, which when open tend to hold the bag mouth open, but when closed no longer interfere with the bag mouth, such that a pull arm can pull the bag mouth into a closed position, and a zip arm can zip the mouth closed. The zip and pull arms are transported by a weight falling under the influence of gravity, which can be reset manually by an operator.
Claims15
An apparatus for filling a bag with at least one package, said bag having a substantially elongate reclosable mouth having a first mouth end and a second mouth end, said apparatus itself comprising:
- an apparatus frame;
- means operably associated with said frame for holding said bag open to allow package loading through said bag mouth;
- means operably associated with said frame for closing said bag mouth after at least one package is inside said bag;
- and
- bag mouth traversing and closing means operably associated but movable relative to said frame for traversing said mouth of said bag from its first to its second end along a path substantially parallel to said elongate reclosable mouth while said bag is supported by said frame, such that said mouth of said bag is at least partially closed and such that said package is contained within said bag.
An apparatus for filling a bag with at least one package, said bag having a substantially elongate reclosable zippered mouth having a first mouth end and a second mouth end and including a zip head mechanism, said apparatus itself comprising;
- an apparatus frame;
- bag support means for at least partially supporting the weight of said bag;
- bag mouth holding means operably associated with said frame for holding said bag open to allow package loading through said bag mouth;
- means operably associated with said frame for closing said bag mouth after at least one package is inside said bag;
- and
- zip head transport means operably associated but movable relative to said frame for releasably engaging and transporting said zip head along a first direction such that said zip head traverses said mouth of said bag from its first end and towards its second end, and consequently at least partially closing said zippered mouth of said bag such that said package is contained within said bag.
A method of filling a reclosable bag having an elongate zippered mouth having a first and a second end and a traversable zip mechanism for opening and closing said bag, said method comprising the steps of:
- supporting said bag such that said mouth of said bag is directed generally upwardly and is open sufficient to introduce packages therein, said support being provided at first and second locations proximate said first and second mouth ends, and said support also being provided at least one location intermediate said first and second ends for maintaining said bag mouth in said open state;
- placing at least one package within said bag through said open mouth;
- withdrawing said intermediate support of said bag mouth;
- moving said first and second mouth ends outwardly such that said zippered bag opening tends to close;
- and
- urging said zip mechanism along a path substantially parallel to said elongate zippered mouth while said bag is substantially stationary such that said mouth is at least partially closed and said package is contained within said bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.