US2334256A - Method of and apparatus for making bags - Google Patents

Description

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BAGS Filed March 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l INV ENT OR.

caw m Nofv. l, 1943. L. B. EATQN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BAGS Filed March 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. @8m-q i6, i943. L. B. EATON METHOD OF' AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BAGS Filed March 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 patented Non idg, lidi@ ist PIE'EHD @F AND S MTAKNG BAGS Lewis E. Eaton, Quincy, Masa, assigner to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited,

l@ Ciaims.

This invention relates to a method of and to apparatus for making bags, and particularly tea bags.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction of bag making machine for forming, filling and closing containera of the envelope type, and, in which provision is made for incorporating a handle comprising a string and a tag in each bag during the manufacture thereof in a novel, economical and superior manner,

A further object of the invention is to provide a novei and improved method of producing individual lled and closed bags of the envelope type wherein a handle comprising a string and a tag may be attached to each bag during the process of a manufacture thereof in an eicient, economical, rapid, and practical manner.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the bag making machine and in the method, and in the various structures, arrangements, and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly dened in the claims at the end of this specication.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. l is a somewhat diagrammatic view in side elevation of a tea bagging machine embodying the present invention, some of the parts being shown in crosssection; Fig. 2 is a view in iront elevation and partly in cross-section as viewed from the line illi2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan View detail of the tag feeding and attaching mechanism shown in Fig, i; Figs. 4- and 5 are enlarged detail views in side and front elevations respectively of a string clamping and supporting unit to be referred to; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional detail taken on the line fri-t of Fig, 4 illustrating the string severing blade; and Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views showing the parts in dierent positions of operation and illustrating the present method of attaching a handle comprising a string and tag to each bag during the manufacture thereof.

In general the present invention contemplates a method of and apparatus for making individual bags, such as tea bags, from an elongated web or strip of bag forming material, and in which provision is made for incorporating a handle comprising a string and a tag to each bag during the production thereof.

l'n the illustrated embodiment of the invention, provision is made for folding the web longitudinally and for intermittently advancing the web a predetermined distance each cycle of operation of the machine into operative position to the heat sealing mechanism. The heat sealing mechanism preferably comprises a pair of cooperating L-shaped members arranged to seal the web along a transverse zone and along an adjacent longitudinal zone to form a bag section unsealed along one transverse zone through which the tea or other commodity may be introduced. Thereafter the web or strip is again advanced a distance of one bag section whereupon a succeeding lsealing operation is arranged to seal the open transverse side of the irst bag section and to partially form a second bag, thus forming a series of connected bag sections in strip form during successive sealing operations.

In accordance with the present invention, provision is made for attaching a handle comprising a string and a tag to each bag during the process of manufacturing the bags, as above described, by mechanism including means for inserting a portion of a continuous length of string between the open edge of the elongated web and in operative position to be engaged by the sealing members to seal the inserted string portion between the sides of the web during the sealing operation. Mechanism is also provided for attaching tags to the lengths of string extending from such sealed portions of the web.

In accordance with the present method, the string is inserted between the open edge of the strip to be sealed therein in a manner such that one inserting operation provides a length oi string extending from adjacent corners of a pair of connected bag sections. In practice, the continuous length of string is inserted into the open edge of the web at a point adjacent alternate transverse sealed portions or Zones of the web, and, the strand or loop of string extending from one sealed portion to the next is provided with two tags so that upon subsequent severance of a bag section from the strip, and severance of the strand of string between the two tags attached thereto, each bag is provided With its individual string and tag. An important advantage of the herein described method, in addition to the expedience effected in providing two connected bag sections with strings and tags in one operation, resides in the fact that the inserting mechanism is enabled to operate at one half the rate of speed of the relatively rapidly moving and intermittently operated strip feeding and bag sealing mechanisms, thus allowing ampie time for extending the strand from one sealed portion, attaching the tags thereto, and again inserting the continuous'lcngth of string into the open edge of the web without reducing the normal rate of speed of the bag making machine,

Since the present invention resides more particularly in the string and tag attaching mechanisms as incorporated in a bag forming, fllling and sealing machine of the intermittently oper ated type for producing envelope type bags in strip form, the bag forming, filling, and sealing mechanism may comprise any usual or preferred mechanisms now provided on existing bag making machines, and, such mechanisms have been herein illustrated and are hereinafter described with sufficient particularity to enable the present invention to be understood.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, the present bag forming and filling machine is provided with web withdrawing mechanism, indicated generally at lil, arranged to withdraw a predetermined length of web or bag forming material I2 from a supply roll I 4 thereof. The bag forming material I2, preferably comprising a porous fibrous material containing a thermoplastic, pressure responsive, binding material, is then advanced past bag forming means which may comprise an elongated hollow member or lling tube I5, V-shaped in cross section, over which the web is drawn to fold the web longitudinally along a medial line and to bring together the two halves of the web preparatory to forming a strip of connected bags. As herein shown the bag forming web may be drawn over the member I6 by gripping and advancing mechanism, indicated generally at I8, and which is operative to advance the strip one bag length each cycle of operation of the machine and to present the strip in operative relation to bag sealing mechanism 20.

'I'he bag sealing mechanism may comprise a pair of cooperating horizontally reciprocal L- shaped sealing members 2I, 23 one or both of which may be heated and which are arranged to simultaneously seal the strip along a transverse zone 22 and an adjacent longitudinal zone 24 during each sealing operation to form a succession of connected bag sections, closed on one side by the folded edge 25. and heat sealed along successive zones 22, 24. Upon sealing a bag section along the transverse and longitudinal zones as above described, provision is made for introducing a predetermined amount of the commodity, such as tea, through the open edge of the web and between the fold of a partially formed bag section. The bag filling mechanism, indicated generally at 2S, is operative to deposite successive charges of the commodity into successive bag sections in timed relation to the operation of the strip advancing and heat sealing mechanism.

As herein shown, the `lling mechanism includes the hollow forming and filling tube I6, having one end extending into a bag section, a feed hopper 3B provided with a reciprocating plate 32 having an opening 34 which, in operation is arranged to be moved into a position to present the opening 3d into alignment with the lower end of the feed hopper 30 to receive a charge of tea and to be thereafter moved to present the opening over the funnel portion I1 of the tube I6 into which the measured quantity of tea falls by gravity.

In the operation of the machine, the open top of a bag which has been provided with a charge of the commodity during one cycle of operation, is closed during a succeeding sealing operation. Thereupon, the strip is intermittently advanced to bag severing mechanism, indicated generally at 28, which operates to sever the strip through successive transverse sealed portions to form individual filled and sealed bags.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for incorporating a handle comprising a string and tag to each bag during the formation of the bags in strip form, as above described. As herein shown, and in accordance with the present method, a continuous length of string til is unwound from a roll 42 thereof and led through a hollow shaft M, upon which an inserting member or arm 6 is mounted, and thence through an opening 48 extending through the inserting member 46. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, provision is made for rocking the inserting member 46 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to present a portion of the strand of string leading therefrom, between the sides of the web or strip and in operative position to be engaged by upper ends of the vertical legs of the L-shaped sealing members 2 i, 23, which correspond to the portion of the web which the transverse or horizontal legs of the L-shaped sealing members will engage upon a subsequent sealing operation after the web has been advanced 'a distance of one bag length. After the string portion has been sealed in and the strip has been moved one bag length as described, the member B6 is rocked to the full line position illustrated in Fig. 1 to present the length of string leading from the sealed portion into operative position to tagging mechanism indicated generally at 50, adapted to attach a pair of spaced apart tags to the strand thus supported. At this time. the string is arranged to be grasped at a point in the stretch of string between the spaced tags by a pair of clamping jaws 52, 54 forming one of a plurality of such clamping units, 56, carried by and movable with an intermittently operated chain 58. As herein shown, the chain 58 is arranged to run over sprockets 60, 62 which are suitably formed to accommodate the links of the chain between the several clamping units 56. The chain 58 is arranged to be intermittently operated in timed relation to the movement of the web feeding mechanism I8 through connections including a pawl and ratchet drive 6d, the pawl carrier 65 being rocked by a link 68 through connections to a cam, not shown.

It will be observed that the rst sealing operation to partially form a bag section merely seals the portion 10 of the inserted string .into the longitudinal edge of the strip. During subsequent movement of the strip, the unsealed portion of the inserted string follows along the inner vertical edge 72 of the seal formed by the portion of the L extending beyond the sealed string and then assumes an angular position while being extended to the tagging mechanism as shown in Fig. 1. At this time, a second sealing operation which provides the transverse and longitudinal seams for closing one bag section and partially forming a second bag section, also operates to seal the remainder of the inserted portion of the string into the web. Since the sealed in string portion occurs at the transverse seal connecting a pair of bag sections and extends angularly therefrom through adjacent longitudinal seams, the lengths of string extending from adjacent corners of the bag sections provide individual strings for each bag upon subsequent severance as will be described.

From the description thus far it will be seen that the inserted string has been completely sealed into the strip adjacent a transverse sealed portion and that the strand of string leading therefrom has been provided with a pairv of tags and the string has been grasped by a clamping unit E at a point between the attached tags. The strip is now moved a second bag length and simultaneously therewith, the clamping unit 5S is moved one bag length along with the strip. Thereupon, the inserting member i6 is again rocked into operative position to present the string into position to be again sealed into the web at a point two bag lengths distant from the previous sealed in portion, the diierent positions of the parts and the sequence of operation being more clearly indicated in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus, it will be observed that the strip is moved two bag lengths for each inserting movement of the member [i6 to provide two lengths of string each extending respectively from adjacent corners of a pair of connected bag sections.

As illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the inserting member d6 is arranged to be rocked to present the continuous length of string into predetermined position with relation to the sealing and tagging mechanisms by a cam it, mounted on a vertical cam shaft 7S, and through connections including a cam lever 'i8 provided with a cam roll 8U, a link 82 and a lever 86S fast on the hollow shaft @Il upon which the inserting member i6 is mounted. A suitable spring, not shown, may be provided to retain the cam roll 80 in cooperating engagement with its cam lll. The cam 'M is designed to operate the inserting member 4B in timed relation to the operation of the strip advancing, sealing, and tagging mechanisms to perform the operations as above described.

It will be observed that the feeding of the string is effected by movement of the inserting member it@ and the clamping units 56. During the backward or retracting movement of the member Mi, the string is held in the sealed portion of the web so that upon movement of the web one bag length and retracting of the inserting member, the string is unwound from the roll 02. Thereafter, the string is engaged by the clamping unit 56 and upon downward movement of the latter and forward or inserting movement of the member d6, the string is again unwound from the roll ft2, the string passing through the hollow shaft it and 'opening 48 in the member d6 as above described.

Suitable frictional means not shown may be provided on the roll M to maintain the string relatively taut and to prevent an overdraft of the string from the roll during the unwinding movement.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the tag attaching mechanism 5G includes provision for feeding two strips of tags forwardly to present the endmost tags into operative position to the strand of string to which they are to be attached, for severing the endmost tags, and for stapling the tags to the string. As heren shown, the strips a@ of tags are unwound from rolls 88 thereof and led through suitable guides 90, 92 and onto a reciprocative supporting and feeding plate Qt., The plate 9d is arranged to slide horizontally in a grooved supporting member 96 through connections including a closed cam 98, mountedon a vertical shaft 00, a lever |02 provided with cam roll it, and a link |06 pivotally connected to the underside of the feeding plate Ell. As best shown in Fig. 3, the strips are fed forwardly with the plate 94 by the provision of flat spring members Hi8 by the plate and provided with points I lli arranged to engage the notched portions H2 along the edges of the connected tags. In operation, during the retracting movement of the plate. the spring members itt may ride over the notches and come to rest in a succeeding pair of notches to be fed forwardly during a succeeding forward movement ci. the plate. In order to retain the strips in their forward position and to prevent retracting movement with the plate, a pair of stationary spring members llt are provided which engage successive notches l l2 in the tags as they are fed forwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The forward movement of the slide plate 9G presents the endmost tags in operative position with the relation to the strand of string being supported between the sealed portion of the web and the end of the retracted inserting member 456, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. At this time the stapling heads H6, H8 which may comprise any usual and preferred form of stapling mechanism, may be operated to attach the tags to the string thus supported. As herein shown, the dual stapling heads are carried by the plate 965 and supported in a bracket l2!) pivotally mounted at E22. In operation, the bracket l2@ is rocked upwardly by a spring i213 during the inoperative period of the stapling mechanism so as to provide clearance for the member to be rocked to present the strand of String over the tags. Thereafter, the dual stapling unit is rocked downwardly by a cam operated connection E26, continued movement of which operates the stapling mechanism through the linkage |28 in a well known manner. Simultaneously with the stapllng operation, the tag severing mechanism, comprising a vertically reciprocated blade 83D, is operated to sever the endmost tags from the strip. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the blade is reciprocated by a closed cam l32, fast on the cam shaft m0, through connections including a cam lever i3d, roller tt, link l33 and bell crank lill). One arm M2 of the bell crank is slotted as shown to receive a roller IM supported in the upper end of the shear blade ISB so that in operation, rocking movement of the bell crank will effect vertical reciprocation of the blade |30. y

From the description thus far it will be observed that the strand of string extending from the web and supported by the member d6 in its retracted position, is provided with a pair of tags spaced a short distance apart. At this time the jaws 52, 5B of an adjacent clamping unit 56, are arranged to close upon and grip the string at a point between the two tags. As best shown in Fig. 5, the string engaging faces of the jaws are cut at an angle to conform to the angular position of the string presented thereto. As illustrated in detail in Fig. 4, the upper jaw 52 is attached to the link M6 of the clamping unit by a bolt |48 so that the jaw 52 is relatively stationary while the lower jaw 5d is pivotally mounted at l5!) in the upper jaw. A rod |52 slidably mounted in the link M6 is provided with a coil spring |54 which bears against the jaw 5d to normally hold itin its closed position. The other end of the rod l52 is provided with a pair of rollers i56 which are arranged to cooperate with vertical cam faces l58 provided in a horizontally reciprocal bracket i60 slidably mounted in guideways H62. In operation. the bracket |60 is in its forward position when the clamping unit is moved into operative position to the string so that the rolls ISS do not engage the cam faces l58 atthis time, the jaws remaining in their closed position. Thereupon, the bracket |60 is retracted, the cam faces engage the rolls 656 and operate to pull the lower jaw open to receive the string. The bracket |60 is then moved forward to permit the lower jaw to yieldingly close upon the string as above described. The bracket it@ is arranged to be reciprocated in timed relation to the sequence of operations above described by a cam |64, fast on the cam shaft 1E, and through connections including a cam lever |65, roller ii and link |10, a suitable spring, not shown, operating to hold the roller |61 in cooperative engagement with its cam.

In the operation of the machine, after the tags have been attached to the strand and the string gripped by the jaws as above described, the tag feeding and supporting plate 9@ is retracted thus leaving the tags suspended from the strand as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The clamping units are then intermittently advanced with the strip of connected bag sections, as previously described, to present the endmost bag section into operative relation to the severing mechanism 28 where the endmost bag section is severed through the center of the transverse sealed portion 22 by the shear blades |12, |14. At this time provision is made for severing the strand between the tags and held by the clamping jaws E52, |54 so as to provide each bag with its individual string and tag. As illustrated in Figs. 4, and 6, a blade member |15 is arranged to be reciprocated in a slot |18 provided in the clamping jaws to perform the string severing operation. The cutting blade |15 is formed on the end of a rod |80 slidingly mounted in the link |46, a coil spring |82 being arranged to normally hold the blade out in its inoperative position. The outward movement may be limited by a pin |84 extending from the rod |80 and engageable with the link |1136. The outer end of the rod is provided with a rounded cam engaging surface |86, and, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the end |86 is arranged to engage a cam surface |81 carried by a bracket |50', which, similar to the above described bracket |60, is arranged to be horizontally reciprocated from the full to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, during the movement of the clamping unit, the bracket |60 'rs disposed in its forward or dotted line position to present the cam surface |01 in the path of the end |86 to effect movement of the blade and severance of the string. Thereafter, the bracket |60 is retracted to eiect opening of the jaws, in the manner above described, to release the severed end of the string Whereupon the severed bag section with its individual string and tag is permitted to drop by gravity onto a delivery belt |90.

The operations of handling the string, attaching the tag and attaching the string to the bag may be summarized as follows: Assuming that the parts are in the position, diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 7, with the string inserted at a transverse portion and extended into operative position with relation to the tagging mechanism 50 and to a string clamping unit 56, the tagging mechanism is now operated to attach a pair of tags to the extended strand of string and the clamping jaws 52, 561 are closed upon the string whereupon the tagging mechanism is retracted and the strip together with the clamping unit 56 is advanced a distance of one bag length, to present the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 8. In this position, the string inserting member i6 is moved to move a portion of the string into the open edge of the strip to be sealed. Thereupon the strip and the clamping units 56 are advanced another bag length to again present the parts in the position shown in Fig. '7, the member i6 being rocked to present the new strand of string extending from the sealed in portion, into operative position to be provided with a pair of tags.

It will be observed that the distance between clamping units 56 is equal to the length of two bag sections and that during successive operations of the apparatus as above described, a plurality of loops is formed each provided with a pair of tags and extended from a sealed in portion to a clamping unit and then to a second sealed in portion located a distance of two bag lengths from the first sealed in portion. It Will also be observed that the sealed in portions occur at a point adjacent alternate transverse sealed portions of the strip so that upon severance of the bag sections from the strip at the transverse sealed portions and severance of the strand between adjacent tags, an, individual string and tag is provided for each bag. Thus, a single inserting operation provides a handle comprising a string and tag for each of a pair of adjacent bags thereby enabling the strip advancing and sealing operations to be performed at their normal, relatively rapid rate of speed.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. In a method of producing bags each provided with a handle comprising a string and tag, the steps comprising folding a web of bag forming material longitudinally to form a strip open at one edge, sealing the strip along spaced transverse zones and along the open edge to form a series of connected bag sections, depositing charges of the commodity into successive bag sections, introducing portions of a length of string into the open edge of the strip adjacent alternate of said transverse zones immediately prior to the sealing operation, then sealing the open edge to seal such string portions into the strip and to form successive strands extending between said alternate transverse sealed zones, attaching a pair of tags to each strand, severing the bag sections through said transverse Zones and severing the strand between said tags to form indvidual bags each provided with a string and tag.

2. In a method of producing individual iilled and closed bags each having a handle comprising a string and tag, the steps comprising folding a web of bag forming material longitudinally, sealing opposed portions of the web to form a series of connected bag sections, filling the bag sections with a commodity, introducing portions of a. length of string at spaced intervals along and between unsealed portions of the strip prior to the sealing operation, then sealing the strip to seal such string portions into the strip, said string portions being inserted at a point in the strip to provide lengths of string extending from adjacent corners of successive pairs of bag sections, continuations of said lengths forming strands between successive sealed portions, attaching a pair of tags to each strand, and severing the strip to form individual bag sections and severing the strands between said tags.

3. In a method of making bags each having a handle comprising a string and a tag, the steps comprising folding a web of bag forming material longitudinally to form a web open at one edge, introducing portions of a length of string into the open edge of the strip at intervals correassente sponding to two bag sections, sealing the strip transversely and longitudinally to form a series of connected bag sections and to seal said string portions therein, depositing a commodity into successive bag sections prior to completion of the sealing operation, said string portions being sealed at a point in the strip to provide lengths of strinfT extending from adjacent corners of successive pairs of bag sections, continuations of said lengths forming strands between said sealed in portions, attaching a pair of tags to each strand, severing the strip to form individual bag sections and severing the strands between said tags.

4. in a, method of making bags of the envelope type each having a handle comprising a string and tag, the steps comprising folding a web oi bag forming material longitudinally to form a strip open at one edge, sealing the web throughout two zones, one Zone extending transversely of the web and the other zone extending longitudinally of the web adjacent the open edge to partially form a bag section, depositing a charge of a commodity into the bag section, introducing a portion of a length of string between the open edge prior to the sealing operation whereby to seal the string portion therein, advancing the strip one bag length and again sealing the strip to close the rst bag section and to partially form a second bag section while extending the inserted string portion to form a strand, attaching a pair of tags to the strand, advancing the strip a second bag length, introducing a portion of the extended strand into the open edge of the web Aand performing another sealing operation, said inserted portions occurring adjacent alternate of said transverse sealed zones and providing strands extending from adjacent corners of alternate pairs of bags, and thereafter severing the bag sections through said transverse zones and severing the strands between said tags to form individual bags each provided with its individual string and tag.

5. In a bag making machine of the type adapted to form individual lled and closed bags from a web of bag forming material, in combination, means for sealing opposed portions of the web at spaced transverse areas and along a longitudinal edge to form a series of connected bag sections, means for filling said bag sections during formation thereof, and means for associating a handle comprising a string and tag for each bag comprising means for introducing portions of a length of string7 between the opposed portions of the bag material prior to the sealing operation to seal the string portions therebetween, said string portions being inserted at a point adjacent alternate in at spaced intervals in the web corresponding to two bag sections, the lengths of string extending irom said inserted portions passing through adjacent corners of a pair of connected bag sections and forming strands leading from one sealed in portion to the next, means for attaching a pair of tags to each strand, means for severing the strip to form individual bag sections, and means for severing said strands be tween the tags.

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for sealing opposed portions of a longitudinally folded web to form a series of connected bag sections, means for filling said bag sections during formation thereof, means for introducing portions of a length of string between opposed portions of the web prior to the sealing operation to seal such portions therein at spaced intervals corresponding to two bag sections in the web, means for extending the string between inserting operations to form elongated strands, the lengths or string leading from each inserted portion passing through adjacent corners of a pair of connected bag sections, means for attaching a pair of tags to each strand, means for severing the strip to form individual bag sections, and means for severing said strands between said pair of tags to form individual handles for each bag.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for forming a web of bag making material into the form of a strip closed at one edge and open at the opposite edge, means for sealing opposed portions of the strip throughout two zones simultaneously, one zone extending transversely of the web and the other zone extending longitudinally along the open edge to form a bag section open at one side, means for n lling said bag sections during formation thereof,

transverse sealed areas to form strands extending therebetween, means for attaching a pair of tags to said strands, means for severing the strip through successive transverse sealed portions, and means for severing each strand between the pair of tags.

6. In a bag making machine of the character described, in combination, means for supporting a longitudinally folded strip of bag forming material. bag sealing means for forming a series of connected bag sections in the web, means for lilllng said bag sections during formation thereof, and means for providing each bag with a handle comprising a string and tag during the formation of the bag comprising string inserting means operative to insert portions of a length of string between opposed portions of the web prior to the sealing operations to seal such portions theremeans for advancing the web one bag length to present the strip in operative position for a second sealing operation to close the first bag section and to partially form a second bag section, successive sealing operations forming a series of connected bag sections, means for inserting portions of a length of string into the open edge of the web at points adjacent alternate transverse sealed zones prior to every second sealing operation to seal the inserted portions therein, means for extending the string between inserting operations to form elongated strands, the lengths of string leading from alternate transverse sealed zones passing through adjacent cor ners of a pair of connected bag sections, means for attaching a pair of tags to each strand, means for severing the strip through successive transverse sealed zones to form individual bag sections, and means for severing said strands between each pair of tags to form individual handles for each bag.

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for intermittently moving a longitudinally folded web of bag forming material having an open edge. sealing mechanism for sealing opposed portions of the web to form a series of connected bag sections, a string supporting and guiding member, tagging mechanism operative to attach a pair of tags to the string presented thereto, means for operating said string supporting member to present the string alternately first into operative position with relation to the sealing mechanism to seal a portion thereof into the open edge of the web and then into operative position with relation to the tagging mechanism, said sealed in portions occurring at spaced intervals 1n the web corresponding to two bac lengths, the lengths of string extending from said inserted portions passing through adjacent corners of a pair of connected bag sections, means for severing the strip to form individual bag sections, and means for severing the string between said tags to form individual strings and tags for each bag.

l0. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for intermittently moving a longitudinally folded web of bag forming material a distance of one bag length each cycle of operation, sealing mechanism for sealing opposed portions ci' the web to form a series of connected bag sections, a string supporting and guiding member, tagging mechanism operative to attach 15 a. pair of tags to the string presented thereto, means for operating said string supporting member to present the string alternately, first into operative position with relation to the sealing mechanism to seal a portion thereof into the open edge of the web and then extended into operative position to the tagging mechanism. intermittently movable clamping means operative to grasp the string to retain it in its extended position during subsequent movement of the web and the string guiding member, said sealed in portions occurring at spaced intervals corresponding to two bag lengths, the lengths of string extending from said inserted portions passing through adjacent corners of a pair of connected bag sections, means for severing the strip to form individual bag sections, and means for severing the strip between said tags to form an individual string and tag for each bag.

LEWIS B. EATON.

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