Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A MODULAR CASSETTE FOR A BAGGING MACHINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to bagging
machines, and more specifically to a cassette for use
with a bagging machine that is capable of compressing at
least one item prior to the item being inserted into a
bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In packaging plants, bagging machines are commonly
used to insert items such as products to be packaged into
a bag. The efficiency of such bagging machines is judged
primarily based on the ratio of its operating time to its
down time, and based on the amount of wasted products it
produces. Therefore, it is desirable to have a machine
that has very little down time and that is able to
successfully bag most of the products it processes. As
such, the efficiency of the bagging machine depends
heavily on the functioning of the cassette. The cassette
is the part of the bagging machine that includes a
chamber for receiving the products prior to being bagged,
and for guiding the products into the bag. The cassette
is one of the parts of the bagging machine that is likely
to produce waste and downtime, since it is the part that
has to transfer the products from the conveyor belt to
the bag. Moreover, the cassette often needs to be changed
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in order to accommodate different products or different
amounts of products. Every time the cassette needs to be
changed, the bagging machine must stop operation, which
creates inefficiency in the production line.
A first type of prior art cassette is made of a
rigid frame that defines a chamber having a base wall,
two opposing side-walls and a top wall comprising a slit
along the direction of travel of the products. These four
1a walls define a tube-like chamber that has an entrance and
an exit. In use, the items to be bagged are inserted into
the chamber through the entrance and are then pushed
through the exit into a bag. The chamber tapers from its
entrance to its exit such that the two opposing side-
walls are closer together at the exit than at the
entrance. The purpose of this taper is to cause the items
to compress as they travel through the exit. However, a
deficiency with this type of cassette is that the
compressive force that is applied to the items as they
2o travel through the exit has the effect of causing the
items to spring back towards the entrance. This often
causes a clog in the machinery thereby causing the
machinery to cease operation.
A further type of prior art cassette, which is shown
in Figure 1, includes a top plate, two opposing side
plates and a base plate that define a chamber. The top
plate and the base plate are rigidly connected to the
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bagging machine via a plurality of bolts and screws. The
two opposing side plates are connected to the bagging
machine separately from the top plate and base plate, and
are connected to an actuator that is able to move the two
opposing side plates towards and away from each other.
The two opposing side plates are connected to the
actuator via a plurality of bolts and screws. As such, a
deficiency with this cassette is that it takes a
machinery operator far too long to un-tighten the screws,
to set the components in position and re-tighten all the
screws. Therefore, the process of removing the top plate,
the two opposing side plates, and the base plate, in
order to maintain, clean and change the cassette is very
inefficient.
As can be seen based on the above description of the
prior art, there is a need in the industry for a cassette
or the components of a cassette that alleviate, at least
in part, the deficiencies associated with the existing
cassettes.
SUi~RY OF THE INVENTION
As embodied and broadly described herein, the
present invention provides a module for forming at least
a portion of a compression chamber for a bagging
machine. The compression chamber is adapted for
compressing at least one item prior to the item or items
being inserted into a bag. The compression chamber has a
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bottom transverse wall, a top transverse wall and two
side walls opposing each other. The bagging machine has
an actuator for displacing one of the side walls towards
the other side wall in order to compress the item or
items contained in the compression chamber.
The module has a side plate for forming at least a
portion of the first side wall of the compression
chamber, a transverse plate connected to the side plate
l0 to form at least a portion of one of the transverse
walls of the compression chamber. The module is suitable
for connecting to the actuator such that the actuator
can impart movement to the side plate and to the
transverse plate in unison.
As further embodied and broadly described herein,
the present invention provides a set of modules that are
assemblable to form at least a portion of a compression
chamber for a bagging machine. The compression chamber
2o is adapted to compress an item or items prior to the
items being inserted into a bag. The compression chamber
has a bottom transverse wall, a top transverse wall and
two side walls opposing each other. The bagging machine
includes an actuator for displacing one of the two side
walls of the compression chamber toward the other side
wall in order to compress the item or items in the
compression chamber.
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The set of modules comprises a first module that
has a side plate that forms at least a portion of the
first side wall of the chamber, and a transverse plate
connected to the side plate to form at least a portion
of one of the transverse walls of the chamber. The
module is suitable for connection to the actuator such
that the actuator can impart movement to the side plate
and to the transverse plate in unison.
l0 The set of modules further includes a second
module. The second module has a side plate that forms at
least a portion of the second side wall of the chamber
and a transverse plate connected to the side plate to
form at least a portion of one of the transverse walls
of the chamber.
As further embodied and broadly described herein,
the present invention provides a bagging machine that
has a chamber that is adapted to hold an item or items
2o prior to the items being inserted into a bag. The
chamber has an interior surface, an exterior surface and
a releasable component that defines at least a portion
of the chamber. The releasable component is movably
mounted to the bagging machine between a first position
and a second position via a quick-connect fastener. The
quick-connect fastener is operative to move between a
release position and a lock position, wherein in the
release position, the releasable component is movable
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from the first position to the second position in order
to expose at least a portion of the interior surface of
the chamber. And in the lock position, the component is
prevented from moving to the second position.
The bagging machine further includes a loader to
drive the at least item or items into the chamber and an
ejector to push the item or items from the chamber into
a bag.
As still further embodied and broadly described
herein, the present invention provides a bagging machine
with a support structure that includes a first locating
member. The bagging machine further includes a chamber
15 that is adapted to hold at least one item prior to the
item or items being inserted into a bag. The chamber has
an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a
releasable component that defines at least a portion of
the chamber. The releasable component is movably mounted
2o to the bagging machine between a first position and a
second position. In the first position, the releasable
component forms at least a portion of the chamber. In
the second position the releasable component exposes at
least a portion of the interior surface of the chamber.
The releasable component has a second locating member.
The first and the second locating members are engageable
in at least one predetermined position that determines a
spatial position of the releasable component in the
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bagging machine when the releasable component is in the
first position. When the releasable component is moved
from the first position to the second position the first
locating member and the second locating member are
disengaged. When the releasable component is moved from
the second position to the first position the first
locating member and the second locating member are
engaged such as to acquire the predetermined position.
The first and second locating members are such that the
1o repeated movement of the releasable component from the
second position to the first position places the
releasable component consistently at the spatial
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of the specific examples of
implementation of the present invention is provided
hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings, in
2o which:
Figure 1 shows a prior art cassette for use within
a bagging machine for bagging sanitary products;
Figure 2 shows an overall representation of the
components of a bagging machine for bagging sanitary
products in accordance with a specific example of
implementation of the present invention;
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Figure 3a shows a cassette for receiving a single
row of items in accordance with a specific example of
implementation of the present invention;
Figure 3b shows a cassette for receiving a double
row of items in accordance with a specific example of
implementation of the present invention;
to Figure 4 shows a frontal perspective view of a
first module of a compressible chamber in accordance
with a specific example of implementation of the present
invention;
Figure 5 shows a back perspective view of the first
module shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a transverse
module for use with the compressible chamber shown in
2o Figure 3a;
Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of a first
segmented transverse module for use with the
compressible chamber shown in Figure 3b;
Figure 8 shows a back perspective view of the first
segmented transverse module shown in Figure 7;
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Figure 9 shows a back perspective view of the first
module shown in Figure 4 positioned above its respective
quick-connect fastener in accordance with a specific
example of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 10 shows a front perspective view of the
first segmented transverse module shown in Figure 8
positioned above its respective quick-connect fastener
in accordance with a specific example of implementation
l0 of the present invention;
Figure 11 shows a back perspective view of the
first segmented transverse module shown in Figure 8
positioned above its respective quick-connect fastener
in accordance with a specific example of implementation
of the present invention;
Figure 12a shows a quick-connect fastener in the
release position in accordance with a specific example
of implementation;
Figure 12b shows the quick-connect fastener of
figure lla in the lock position;
Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the quick-
connect fastener of figure 11;
Figure 14a shows an expanded view of a slot of a
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locking mechanism in accordance with a first specific
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 14b shows an expanded view of a slot of a
locking mechanism in accordance with a second specific
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 14c shows an expanded view of a slot of a
locking mechanism in accordance with a third specific
to embodiment of the invention;
Figure 15 shows a front perspective view of half of
the compressible chamber shown in Figure 3b.
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly
understood that the description and drawings are only
for purposes of illustration and as an aid to
understanding, and are not intended to be a definition
of the limits of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Shown in Figure 2 is an overall representation of a
bagging machine 10 in accordance with a specific
embodiment of the present invention. It is to be
appreciated that bagging machine 10 can be used to bag
any type of item such as a product, or any quantity of
products. For example, the product can be a single item,
such as a pillow, or a plurality of items, such as a
load of sanitary napkins.
For the specific purposes of this description, the
bagging machine 10 is adapted to be used for bagging
sanitary products. It will be appreciated, however, that
bagging machines in accordance with the present
invention are in no way limited to this function.
As can be seen in Figure 2, bagging machine 10
includes a conveyor belt 12 for transporting a load of
2o sanitary products 28 towards cassette 20. Cassette 20
includes a set of modules that define a chamber for
receiving the products to be bagged. As such, when the
sanitary products 28 are within close proximity to
cassette 20, a loader 14 pushes them into the chamber of
cassette 20 through entrance 30. Once the sanitary
products 28 are within the chamber of cassette 20, an
ejector 18, which is attached to a drive belt 16, pushes
sanitary products 28 through the exit 32 of the chamber
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into a bag 22. A sealer device 24 then seals the open
end of bag 22, and bag 22 moves onto a second conveyor
belt 26 such that it may be carried towards a new
destination.
As shown in Figure 3, cassette 20 further includes
quick-connect fasteners 62 for connecting the set of
modules that define the chamber to the bagging machine
10. As such, for the purposes of this application, the
1o term "cassette" will refer to the combination of the
chamber formed of the set of modules, and the quick-
connect fasteners that fasten the set of modules to
bagging machine 10.
Shown in Figure 3a is a cassette 20 for receiving a
single row of sanitary products (not shown), and shown
in Figure 3b is a cassette 40 for receiving a double row
of sanitary products (not shown). Both cassettes 20 and
40 include a chamber having an interior surface 21 and
an exterior surface 23, formed of a set of modules . The
chambers of both cassettes have a top transverse wall, a
bottom transverse wall, and first and second opposite
side walls. In the specific examples of implementation
shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the walls of the chambers
are formed by a set of modules, which will be described
below.
Both cassettes 20 and 40 include a first module 42
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and a second module 48. Second module 48 is a mirror
image of first module 42, and as such only first module
42 will be described herein. It should be appreciated
that all the parts of first module 42 described herein
are also found in second module 48.
First module 42 can best be seen in Figures 4 and
5. In the specific example of implementation shown,
first module 42 includes a side plate 46, a transverse
to plate 44, and a support bar 50, which is attached to a
connection plate 52. Included within connection plate 52
is an attachment slot 88. As shown in Figure 5, side
plate 46 is connected to support bar 50 by a plurality
of bolts 54, and transverse plate 44 is connected to
side plate 46 using a plurality of bolts 56. It should
be understood, however, that the plates can be connected
using any means known in the art, or alternatively can
be formed integrally. It should be understood that
although side plate 46 is preferably planar, other
2o shapes are within the scope of the invention.
Transverse plate 44 projects from side plate 46,
such that when the first module 42 and the second module
48 are mounted to the bagging machine 10, their
respective transverse plates 44 project towards each
other.
As shown in Figure 3a, side plate 46 of first
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module 42 forms a first side wall of the chamber of
cassette 20. Although in the specific example of
implementation shown, side plate 46 forms all of the
first side wall of the chamber, it should be appreciated
that a side plate 46 that forms only a portion of the
first side wall of the chamber is also within the scope
of the invention. The side plate 46 of the second module
48 forms the second side wall of the chamber of cassette
20.
to
Depending on the orientation of the first and
second modules 42, 48 within the cassettes 20, 40, their
transverse plates 44 are able to form at least a portion
of one of the top transverse wall or the bottom
transverse wall of the chamber. As can be seen in
Figures 3a and 3b, the transverse plate 44 of the first
module 42 forms a portion of the top transverse wall of
the chamber of cassettes 20 and 40. In the specific
embodiment shown, the combination of the transverse
plate 44 of the first module 42 and the transverse plate
44 of the second module 48 form the complete top
transverse wall of the chamber. However, it should be
appreciated that it is within the scope of the invention
for the transverse plates 44 of the first and second
modules 42, 48 to form only a portion of the top
transverse wall of the chamber, or alternatively only a
portion of the bottom transverse wall of the chamber.
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The chambers of cassettes 20 and 40 can be of a
fixed volume, such that all the modules that form the
chamber are stationary and do not move, or
alternatively, the chambers can be compressible such
that the modules are movable in relation to each other
in order to vary the volume of the chamber. In the case
where the chamber is of a fixed volume, the modules are
mounted directly to bagging machine 10, and in the case
where the chamber is compressible, at least one of the
l0 modules is mounted to an actuator that is operable to
impart movement to the module. In a preferred
embodiment, both first module 42 and second module 48
are mounted to actuators that are able to impart
movement, in unison, to both the side plate 46 and the
transverse plate 44, of the first and second modules 42,
48, respectively. More specifically, the movement
imparted by the actuator, or actuators, causes the first
and second modules 42, 48 to move towards and away from
each other, relatively. As the modules move towards each
other, any products contained within the compressible
chamber will be compressed.
In the specific embodiments shown, the transverse
plates 44 of the first and second modules 42, 48 include
an entrance end portion 58 and an exit end portion 60.
The entrance end portion 58 and exit end portion 60 can
be formed integrally with transverse plate 44 or
alternatively can be separate plates that are connected
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to transverse plate 44 through any means known in the
art . Entrance end portion 58 is positioned such that it
extends away from the opposing transverse wall of the
chamber, and exit end portion 60 is positioned such that
it extends towards the opposing transverse wall of the
chamber. As such, entrance end portion 58 acts to funnel
the products into the chamber, and exit end portion 60
acts to further compress the products as they exit the
chamber.
to
Shown in Figures 3a and 6 is a transverse module 64
for use with cassette 20, which as mentioned above, is
adapted to receive a single row of products. Transverse
module 64 includes a flat plate 66 and two attachment
plates 68. The two attachment plates 68 each include two
attachment slots 142 and two positioning projections
144. Flat plate 66 is adapted to be positioned within
cassette 20 such that it sits opposite the transverse
plate 44 of the first and second modules 42, 48. In the
specific example of implementation shown in Figure 3a,
flat plate 66 forms the bottom transverse wall of the
chamber.
Shown in Figure 3b is a first segmented transverse
module 70 and a second segmented transverse module 72,
for use with cassette 40, which as mentioned above, is
adapted to receive a double row of products. First
segmented transverse module 70 is a mirror image of
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second segmented transverse module 72 and as such only
first segmented transverse module 70 will be described
herein. In the specific example of implementation shown
in Figure 3b, the combination of the flat plate portions
74 of the first and second segmented transverse modules
70 and 72, form the middle transverse wall of the
chamber. Positioned below first and second segmented
transverse modules 70 and 72, is a lower plate 75. In
the specific example of implementation shown, lower
1o plate 75 forms the bottom transverse wall of the chamber
of cassette 40.
First segmented transverse module 70 can best be
seen in Figures 7 and 8. First segmented transverse
module 70 includes a flat plate portion 74 and one
attachment plate 68 identical to those found in
transverse module 64. Attachment plate 68 includes two
attachment slots 142 and two positioning projections
144, which will be described in more detail further on
2o in the specification. The flat plate portion 74 of the
first segmented transverse module 70 and the flat plate
portion 74 of the second segmented transverse module 72
are positioned within cassette 40 to sit opposite
transverse plate 44 of the first and second modules 42,
48.
At least one of the first and second modules 42, 48
and the transverse module 64 of cassette 20 is
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releasably connected to bagging machine 10 via a quick-
connect fastener 62. In the preferred example of
implementation shown in Figure 3a, all the modules are
releasably connected to bagging machine 10, or to an
actuator as described above, via quick-connect fasteners
62. Similarly, at least ane of the first and second
modules 42, 48 and the first and second segmented
transverse modules 70, 72 of cassette 40 is releasably
connected to bagging machine 10 via a quick-connect
fastener 62. In the preferred example of implementation
shown in Figure 3b, all the modules are releasably
connected to bagging machine 10 or to an actuator, via
quick-connect fasteners 62.
For the purposes of this description, the term
"quick-connect fastener" refers to a fastening device
that has a predetermined number of operative positions.
In a specific example of implementation, the quick-
connect fastener has two predetermined operative
2o positions, namely a lock position and a release
position. Alternatively, more than two predetermined
positions can be provided such as multiple lock
positions providing increasing levels of clamping force.
In contrast to a bolt and nut arrangement that provides
a continuous range of positions, a quick-connect
fastener according to the present invention does not
provide such a continuous range, but instead provides a
finite predetermined number of positions.
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As can be seen in Figure 9 the first module 42 is
releasably connected to bagging machine 10 at its
connection plate 52. Although not shown, second module
48 is also releasably connected to bagging machine 10 at
its connection plate 52. As can be seen in Figures 10
and 11, the first segmented transverse module 70 is
releasably connected to bagging machine 10 at its
attachment plate 68. Although not shown, second
to segmented transverse module 72 is also connected to
bagging machine 10 at its attachment plate 68. It should
be noted that transverse module 64 includes attachment
plates 68 that are identical to the attachment plates 68
of the first and second segmented transverse modules 70
and 72, and as such, transverse module 64 is also
releasably connected to bagging machine 10 at its
attachment plates 68.
The quick-connect fasteners 62 enable each
2o releasably connected module to be movably mounted to
bagging machine 10 between a first position and a second
position. In the first position, the releasably
connected module is fixedly attached to bagging machine
10, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b, such that it cannot
be moved to the second position. And, in the second
position, the releasably connected module is completely
detached from bagging machine 10, as shown in Figures 9,
10 and 11. It should be understood that in the second
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position, the releasably connected module may not be
completely detached from the bagging machine 10, but
instead may simply be in a position different from the
first position wherein the interior surface 21 of the
chamber is exposed.
When the quick-connect fastener 62 is in the
release position, its respective releasably connected
module is movable between its first position and its
1o second position, and when the quick-connect fastener 62
is in the lock position, its respective releasably
connected module is securely fastened in the first
position such that it is prevented from moving to the
second position.
In the specific example of implementation shown in
Figure 9, the quick-connect fastener 62 includes a base
member 78, a shaft 80, a hand-operated actuator 82 and a
locking mechanism 84.
The construction of quick-connect fastener 62, in
accordance with a specific example of implementation
will be described below with reference to Figures 12a,
12b and 13. In the specific example of implementation
shown, base member 78 is formed as a plate that defines
a first abutment 86, which is located on the side of the
plate that is farthest away from the hand-operated
actuator 82. As will be described further on, the first
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abutment 86 is adapted to contact a first surface of a
releasable component that is to be fastened by the
quick-connect fastener 62. Base member 78 further
includes a recessed area 90 in the region of the first
abutment 86 in order to help align the component with
the base member 78. As can be seen in Figure 13, at the
base of the recessed area 90 is a ledge-like protrusion
that acts as a stop 92. Stop 92 helps to position a
releasable component in a predetermined position. As
1o such, stop 92 defines a first locating member that is
engageable with the releasable component in at least one
predetermined position in order to determine a spatial
position for the releasable component in relation to the
bagging machine. Although the first locating member is
located within the base member 78 of the quick connect
fastener, it should be understood that the first
locating member can be any part of the bagging machine
to which a releasable component can be attached.
Although only one predetermined position is shown in
2o Figure 13, more than one predetermined position, each
one defining a different spatial position for the
releasable component, can be included within the bagging
machine without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
In the specific example of implementation shown,
shaft 80 is of a generally cylindrical shape and has a
longitudinal axis. As shown in Figures 12a and 12b,
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attached to a first end of shaft 80 is a hand-operated
actuator 82 that is shaped as a lever 94 with a ball-
shaped grip 96. It should be understood that hand-
operated actuator 82 may be of any shape, size or
configuration that enables a user to cause shaft 80 and
base member 78 to move in relation to each other. As
shown in Figure 13, shaft 80 is keyed to lever 94 via a
pin 98.
l0 A second abutment 100 is attached to the end of
shaft 80 opposite the end of shaft 80 that is attached
to hand-operated actuator 82. In the specific example of
implementation shown, second abutment 100 is formed
integrally with shaft 80, however, it is within the
scope of the invention for second abutment 100 to be a
separate part that is removably attached to shaft 80. As
will be described further on, second abutment 100 is
adapted to contact a second surface of the component
that is to be fastened. As such, the component will be
clamped between first abutment 86 and second abutment
100.
Positioned around shaft 80 near second abutment 100
is a resilient element 102 comprising the combination of
two bevel washers 104, and a washer 106. The combination
of these washers 104, 106 enables the first abutment 86
and the second abutment 100 to clamp the removable
component very tightly. The benefit of forming the
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resilient element 102 out of the combination of two
bevel washers 104 and a washer 106 is that this
combination of washers 104, 106 occupies a very small
amount of space. If space is not a concern, other types
of resilient elements, such as coil springs around shaft
80, or blocks of rubber could be used. It should be
understood that resilient elements of any shape and size
can be used without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
It will be noticed that the resilient element 102
is positioned close to the second abutment 100, and is
kept in place by a snap ring 108. The snap ring 108
keeps the resilient element 102 close to second abutment
100 so that when shaft 80 is in the release position, as
shown in Figure 12a, there is always a space between
first abutment 86 and resilient element 102 that can
receive the component to be fastened. It should,
however, be understood that a quick-connect fastener
2o with a resilient element positioned near the base member
78 is also within the scope of the invention, as is a
quick-connect fastener with no resilient element at all.
Alternatively, the resilient element may not be on the
quick-connect fastener at all, but may be carried by the
component to be fastened instead.
In the specific example of implementation shown,
locking mechanism 84 is positioned on the same side of
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base member 78 as hand-operated actuator 82, and
comprises two mating parts. The first mating part is a
pin 110, and the second mating part is a shaft-receiving
member 112. Shaft-receiving member 112 has a
longitudinal axis and is attached to base member 78 via
a plurality of screws 114. It will be appreciated by a
person of skill in the art that shaft-receiving member
112 can be attached to base member 78 using any other
means known in the art, or alternatively can be formed
to integrally with base member 78.
Shaft-receiving member 112 has a peripheral wall
116 with an exterior surface and an interior surface.
The interior surface defines a shaft-receiving channel
118 for receiving shaft 80. In the specific embodiment
shown, shaft-receiving member 112 is of a cylindrical
shape, with a large cylindrical portion 120 and a
smaller cylindrical portion 122. Although shaft-
receiving member 112 is shown as being of a cylindrical
2o shape, it should be understood that shaft-receiving
member 122 may be of any other suitable shape.
Base member 78 also includes a shaft-receiving
channel 118 (shown in Figure 13) such that shaft 80 may
extend through both base member 78 and shaft-receiving
member 112, and move freely within the shaft-receiving
channel 118.
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Included in the peripheral wall 116 of shaft-
receiving member 112 is at least one slot 124 for
receiving pin 110. Shaft-receiving member 118 includes
two slots 124, positioned angularly around the smaller
cylindrical portion 122, and positioned opposite each
other. Slots 124 can extend all the way through the
peripheral wall 116 of the shaft-receiving member 112
from the interior surface to the exterior surface, as
shown in the Figures, or alternatively, slots 124 may be
l0 blind slots that do nc~t extend all the way through
peripheral wall 116.
As can be seen in Figure 13, pin 110 fits within a
cross-drilled hole 126 of shaft 80, such that it extends
through shaft 80 on both sides. When quick-connect
fastener 62 is fully assembled, pin 110 fits within the
respective opposing slots 124 of the shaft-receiving
member 112 such that it is able to move freely within
slots 124. Pin 110 further acts to prevent shaft 80 from
sliding out of shaft-receiving channel 118, since when
pin 110 is inserted within hole 126 of shaft 80, and
slots 124 of the shaft-receiving member 112, shaft 80 is
held within shaft-receiving channel 118.
The manner in which shaft 80 and base member 78
move in relation to each other in order to fasten a
component between first abutment 86 and second abutment
100, will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10,
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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11, 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b and 14c.
In the specific example of implementation shown,
base member 78 is a fixed part, and shaft 80 is moveable
in relation to base member 78 in response to movement of
hand-operated actuator 82. It should be understood,
however, that this relationship may be reversed and
shaft 80 may be fixed and base member 78 may be movable.
to As explained above, when quick-connect fastener 62
is assembled, pin 110 is adapted to move within slots
124 of shaft-receiving member 118. As such, slots 124
define the range of motion available to shaft 80.
Figure 14a shows a single slot 124 in accordance
with a first embodiment of the invention. Slot 124 has a
first end and a second end. The first and second ends
define two stops that indicate two predetermined
operative positions, namely a lock position and a
release position. These two predetermined operative
positions provide the operator with positive feedback as
to when pin 110 has reached the lock position and the
release position. The slot extends from the first end to
the second end in both an angular direction and a
direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft-
receiving member 112. This means that when pin 110 moves
within slot 124, it is forced to move both angularly
with relation to shaft-receiving member 112, as well as
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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in a direction along the longitudinal axis of shaft 80.
Preferably, as shaft 80 is angularly displaced, the slot
124 forces shaft 80 to move in a direction along its
longitudinal axis.
Figure 14b shows a slot 128 in accordance with a
second embodiment of the invention. Slot 128 is similar
to slot 124 in that it has a first end and a second end
and extend in both an angular direction and a direction
l0 along the longitudinal axis of the shaft-receiving
member 112 from the first end to the second end.
However, slot 128 further includes an extension 130 that
is positioned transversely to the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the shaft 80. As such, as pin 110
moves within extension 130, shaft 80 is able to be
angularly displaced, but is prevented from being
displaced in a direction along its longitudinal axis.
Figure 14c shows a slot 132 in accordance with a
2o third embodiment of the invention. Slot 132 is also
similar to slot 124 for the same reasons as slot 128.
However, it further includes both an extension 130 that
is positioned transversely to the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the shaft 80, and an extension 134
that is positioned parallel to the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the shaft 80. As pin 110 moves
within extension 134, shaft 80 is able to move in a
direction along its longitudinal axis, but is prevented
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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from moving angularly. Furthermore, slot 132 defines
three stops that indicate three predetermined operative
positions, namely a release position and two lock
positions. The first lock position is at the end of
extension 130 and the second lock position is at the end
of extension 134. Instead of having multiple stops, the
locking mechanism can include a detente mechanism that
acts to maintain pin 110 within the various multiple
lock positions as the quick-connect fastener is
l0 tightened.
For clarity, Figures 14a through 14c show pins 110
within slots 124, 128 and 132 in both the lock position
and the release position. Pins 110 shown in the release
position are illustrated by solid lines, and pins 110
shown in the lock position are illustrated by dotted
lines. The first and second ends of the slots 124, 128
and 132 help to provide the user with positive feedback
as to when the lock position or the release position has
been reached. More specifically, when the user has
displaced the shaft 80 such that pin 110 is stopped at
the first end of the slot, the user will know that the
quick-connect fastener 62 is in the release position.
And, when the user has displaced the shaft 80 such that
pin 110 is stopped at the second end of the slot, the
user will know that the quick-connect fastener 62 is in
the lock position. Furthermore, when pin 110 is in the
second end indicating that the quick-connect fastener is
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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in the lock position, a specific amount of force will be
applied to the fastened component that will be the same
whenever the quick-connect fastener is in the lock
position.
It will be appreciated that extension 130 of slot
128, and extensions 130 and 134 of slot 132 provide the
advantage of helping to maintain pin 110 within the lock
position.
to
Referring back to figure 12a, the quick-connect
fastener is shown in the release position. When pin 110
(not shown in Figure 12a) is positioned in the release
position within slots 124, there is a spacing "X"
between first abutment 86 and second abutment 100. As
hand-operated actuator 82 is rotated, pin 110 moves
angularly from the release position towards the lock
position, thereby causing shaft 80 to move along its
longitudinal axis in a direction that causes the second
2o abutment 100 to move towards the first abutment 86. As
such, when pin 110 is in the lock position, as shown in
Figure 12b, there is a spacing "Y" between first
abutment 86 and second abutment 100 that is less than
spacing "X".
Referring back to Figure 9, a quick-connect
fastener 62 is shown with a first module 42 that is
about to be clamped to base member 78. A single quick-
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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connect fastener 62 is sufficient to fasten first module
42 to bagging machine 10, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b.
As mentioned above, first module 42 includes an
attachment slot 88 within connection plate 52.
Attachment slot 88 is adapted to be able to slide over
shaft 80 of the quick-connect fastener.
Referring to Figures 10 and 11, two quick-connect
fasteners 62 are shown with a first segmented transverse
1o module 70 that is about to be connected to base members
78. For stability, there is a link bar 146 positioned
between the two quick-connect fasteners 62. As mentioned
above, first segmented transverse module 70 includes two
attachment slots 142 within attachment plates 68.
Attachment slots 142 are adapted to slide over the
shafts 80 (not shown in Figure 10 and 11) of the two
quick-connect fasteners 62. In addition, there are two
positioning projections 144 that are adapted to
correspond to two grooves 148 within base member 78. The
2o positioning projections 144 help to position first
segmented transverse module 70 into a position to be
fastened. It should be understood that attachment plates
68 of transverse module 64 also include the attachment
slots 142 and positioning projections 144 as described
above .
The operation of a quick-connect fastener 62 will
be described below using first module 42 as an example
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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of a component. As mentioned above, first module 42
includes a connection plate 52 with an attachment slot
88 formed therein. Connection plate 52 is adapted to
slide within recessed area 90 of base member 78 such
that attachment slot 88 is positioned over shaft 80 and
connection plate 52 is positioned between first abutment
86 and second abutment 100.
In order to secure first module 42 to base member
78 a user must firstly ensure that pin 110 is in the
release position such that there is a large enough
spacing between the first abutment 86 and the second
abutment 100 to receive the connection plate 52. If the
spacing between the two abutments is not large enough,
the user must simply move hand-operated actuator 82 such
that pin 110 moves into the release position. Secondly,
the user must slide the connection plate 52 within
recessed area 90 such that attachment slot 88 fits over
shaft 80 of quick-connect fastener 62. Recessed area 90
acts as a guide which can be engaged by connection plate
52 in order to position connection plate 52 between
first abutment 86 and second abutment 100. In this
position, the base of connection plate 52 defines a
second locating member and engages stop 92, which as
described above defines a first locating member. As
such, when the first locating member and the second
locating member engage each other in a predetermined
position, module 42 is positioned in a certain spatial
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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position in relation to the bagging machine. The first
and second locating members, namely stop 92 and the base
of connection plate 52, cause module 52 to be
consistently placed at the same spatial position each
time module 52 is connected to the bagging machine.
Furthermore, stop 92 helps to prevent connection plate
52 from rotating about the longitudinal axis of shaft 80
prior to being fastened. Finally, the user moves hand-
operated actuator 82 such that shaft 80 rotates about
to its longitudinal axis and pin 110 moves into the lock
position.
As hand-operated actuator 82 is being moved and pin
110 moves angularly into the lock position, shaft 80
moves along its longitudinal axis in a direction that
causes the second abutment 100 to move towards the first
abutment 86, thereby clamping connection plate 52
between the first abutment 86 and the second abutment
100.
In the specific example of implementation shown, as
second abutment 100 moves towards first abutment 86, the
resilient element 102 comes into contact with connection
plate 52 of first module 42, and begins to compress. The
compression of resilient element 102 helps to securely
first module 42 to base member 78.
It should be noticed that the quick-connect
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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fastener 62 of the present invention provides the
advantage that once pin 110 has been moved into the
locked position, quick-connect fastener 62 applies the
same amount of force to the connected component
regardless of the strength of the person who fastened
it.
As can be seen in Figures 15, 3a and 3b, both
cassettes 20 and 40 include two lower side plates 76
to which are mounted to the same base members 78 as the
first and second modules 42, 48 respectively. As such,
when movement is imparted to the first and second
modules 42, 48 by actuators, the movement is also
imparted to the lower side plates 76. Lower side plates
76 may be permanently fixed to the base member or
alternatively may be attached to the base member by
quick-connect fasteners 62 as described above.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3a, the operation of
2o cassette 20 will be described. Firstly, sanitary
products 28 approach cassette 20 on conveyor belt 12.
The flat plate 66 is positioned flush with the conveyor
belt 12 such that the sanitary products 28 can be pushed
into the entrance 30 of the compression chamber by a
loader 14. Once inside, the actuator causes first module
42 to move towards second module 48, or alternatively,
the actuators cause first module 42 and second module 48
to move towards each other, thereby causing the sanitary
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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products 28 within the compression chamber to compress.
At this stage, ejector 18 travels through the
compression chamber by passing through slot 79 formed
between transverse plates 44, and pushes the compressed
products through exit 32 into a bag 22. Flat plate 66
does not move throughout this process. The dimensions
and range of motion of transverse plates 44 are such
that there is no interference with ejector 18 as ejector
18 moves through slot 79.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3b, the operation of
cassette 40 will be described. Firstly, an initial load
of sanitary products 28 approaches cassette 40 on
conveyor belt 12. The flat plate portions 74 of first
and second segmented transverse modules 70, 72 are
positioned flush with the conveyor belt 12 such that the
initial load of sanitary products 28 can be pushed into
the entrance 30 of the compressible chamber by a loader
14. Once inside, the cassette 40 moves upwards such that
the lower plate 75 is flush with the conveyor belt 12
and the loader 14 pushes a subsequent load of sanitary
products 28 into the lower entrance 30. At this stage,
an actuator causes first module 42 and its respective
lower side plate 76 to move towards second module 48 and
the other lower side plate 76, or alternatively, the
actuators cause first module 42 and second module 48 and
their respective lower side plates 76 respectively to
move towards each other, thereby r_ausing the products
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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within the compression chamber to compress. At this
stage, a dual ejector (not shown) travels through the
compression chamber by passing through slot 79 formed
between transverse plates 44, and through slot 81 formed
between flat plate portions 74, and pushes the
compressed products through exit 32 into a bag 22. Flat
plate portions 74 do not move towards each other
throughout this process. It should be understood that in
an alternative embodiment, the lower level of the
to compression chamber may be filled first, and the upper
level of the compression chamber may be filled second.
The dimensions and range of motion of transverse plates
44 and flat plate portions 74 are such that there is no
interference with ejector 18 as ejector 18 moves through
slots 79 and 81.
As mentioned above, in the preferred example of
implementation of both cassettes 20 and 40, all the
modules that form the compression chamber are releasably
connected. As such, cassette 20, as shown in Figure 3a,
can be converted into cassette 40 as shown in Figure 3b,
simply by removing first and second modules 42, 48 and
transverse module 64, and replacing transverse module 64
with first and second segmented transverse modules 70,
72 and reinserting first and second modules 42, 48. As
such, depending on the set of modules being used,
bagging machine 10 can be configured as cassette 20 in
order to process a single row of sanitary products, or
CA 02396470 2002-07-31
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as cassette 40 in order to process a double row of
sanitary products.
Advantageously, the quick-connect fasteners 62
enable the set of modules of the cassettes to be changed
quickly and easily thereby reducing the amount of down
time experienced by the bagging machine 10.
Although various embodiments have been illustrated,
l0 this was for the purpose of describing, but not
limiting, the invention. Various modifications will
become apparent to those skilled in the art and are
within the scope of this invention, which is defined
more particularly by the attached claims.
