Automatic can lid bag sealer

An automated apparatus for closing the open, unfilled end of a substantially filled sleeve container, said apparatus comprising:

• an automated arm having at least one end, said end including first and second opposing pinchers, said pinchers movable between a grasping position and an open positions said automated arm movable between an extended position where said pinchers can grasp the open, unfilled end of said sleeve container, and a resting position, along a first pneumatic slide, said automated arm including a cylinder for generating back and forth movement of a rod in said arm, said rod having a first and second end, the first end of said rod being attached to said cylinder;
• and a linkage attached between the second end of said rod and said pinchers, said linkage translating the movement of said rod to open and close said pinchers;
• said automated arm being capable of rotational and translational movement in the extended position when said pinchers have grasped the open, unfilled end of said sleeve, said rotational movement of the automated arm causing the open, unfilled end of the sleeve container to roll up in a sealed position, said automated arm being movable between said resting position and said extended position along a first pneumatic slide, and said automated arm being movable translationally toward the filled portion of the sleeve along a second pneumatic slides;
• and
• two opposing pleat compression members, each pleat compression member being positioned on either side of said sleeve container, each pleat compression member being movable between a contact position and a resting position, each pleat compression member having a contact end that exerts pressure upon the open, unfilled end of the sleeve container prior to said unfilled portion being grasped by said pinchers, said pressure facilitating grasping of said sleeve by said pinchers.

An apparatus for filling and closing a sleeve container having an open end comprising:

• a horn, said horn comprising a curved outer surface that can fit within the open end of said sleeve to maintain the sleeve in an open position during loading, and an inner surface that serves as a conduit for product entering the sleeve;
• a spring clamp adjacent to said horn, said spring clamp movable between a compressed position and an operative position where said spring clamp presses against said sleeve mounted on said horn during filling;
• a loading rod for pushing a predetermined amount of product through the conduit of said horn and into said sleeve;
• a sleeve trough adjacent to said horn, said sleeve trough supporting said sleeve adjacent to an automated arm;
• said automated arm having at least one end, said end including opposing pinchers,
• said automated arm being movable between an extended position, which allows said arm to contact the open end of said sleeve container in said sleeve trough, and a resting position,
• said automated arm being capable of rotation in the extended position when said pinchers have grasped the open end of said sleeve, said rotation of the automated arm causing the unfilled end of the sleeve container to roll up in a sealed position;
• and two opposing pleat compression members, each pleat compression member being positioned on either side of said sleeve container, each pleat compression member being movable between a contact position and a resting position, each pleat compression member having a contact end that exerts pressure upon the open, unfilled end of the sleeve container prior to said unfilled portion being grasped by said pinchers, said pressure facilitating grasping of said sleeve by said pinchers.

A method of closing the open, unfilled end of a substantially filled sleeve container comprising the steps of:

• positioning the substantially filled sleeve container in a predetermined location adjacent to an automated sleeve closing apparatus comprising an arm having at least one end, said end including opposing pinchers;
• grasping the open, unfilled end of the sleeve container with said pinchers;
• rotating said arm at least 180 degrees;
• and
• releasing said sleeve from said pinchers.

A method for filling and closing a sleeve container comprising the steps of:

• positioning the open end of the sleeve container around a horn, said horn comprising a curved outer surface that can fit within the open end of the sleeve to maintain the sleeve in an open position during loading, and an inner surface that serves as a conduit for product entering the sleeve;
• feeding product into the sleeve by pushing a predetermined amount of product with a sleeve feeder through the conduit of the horn until the product contacts the rear end of the sleeve, causing said sleeve to disengage from said horn and said spring clasp;
• moving said sleeve containing said product to a predetermined location adjacent to an automated arm having at least one end, said end including opposing pinchers;
• grasping the open end of the sleeve container with said pinchers;
• moving the arm translationally toward the filled portion of the sleeve while simultaneously rolling up the unfilled portion of the sleeve;
• and
• ceasing translational and rotational movement after rolling up at least enough of the unfilled portion of the sleeve to achieve closure.