The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 01, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1998
Irvan Pazdernik, Alexandria, MN (US);
Jerry Dahlheimer, Alexandria, MN (US);
Douglas Machine Limited Liability Company, Alexandria, MN (US);
Abstract
A system (10) for processing pliable, sealed bags (16) includes an inlet section (176) for transferring the bags (16) onto a lower conveyor (152) with the lower end being downstream of the bag upper end and allowing product not contained by the bags (16) to fall through the inlet section (176). The bags (16) on the lower conveyor (152) pass beneath an overhead conveyor (194), with product being dispersed inside of the bag (16) as the result of the rotation of a conditioning roller (168) engaging and flexing the belting (158) of the lower conveyor (152). The endless carrier of the overhead conveyor (194) is deflected by first and second support plates (216, 220) slideably received in flexible guides (212). The first support plates (216) places pressure on the bags (16) to force air out of improperly sealed bags (16) while the movement of the second support plates (220) is detected to determine whether the bags (16) are within a tolerable thickness.