Adjustable mounting system for components of an article bagging and closing system and method

Abstract

An adjustable mounting system is provided for a bag fastening system. The adjustable mounting system includes a conveyor table and a support assembly. The conveyor table has a frame. The support assembly is carried by the frame and is configured to support one or more components of a bag fastening system for adjustable positioning at selected elevational positions relative to the conveyor table. A method is also provided.

1 . An adjustable mounting system for a bag fastening system, comprising: 
 a conveyor table having a frame; and    a support assembly carried by the frame and configured to support one or more components of a bag fastening system for adjustable positioning at selected elevational positions relative to the conveyor table.    
   
   
       2 . The conveyor table of  claim 1 , wherein the support assembly comprises a kinematic linkage supported by the frame and a plate coupled to the kinematic linkage and supported by the frame for up and down positioning responsive to articulation of the kinematic linkage.  
   
   
       3 . The conveyor table of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of bushings supported by the plate and at least one guide rod configured to guide the bushings and plate for vertical up and down positioning.  
   
   
       4 . The conveyor table of  claim 2 , wherein the kinematic linkage comprises a pivot bracket with a threaded nut supported pivotally by the bracket and a drive rod supported for rotation and having a threaded portion configured to mate in threaded engagement with the threaded nut to pivot the pivot bracket, wherein a portion of the pivot bracket is pivotally affixed to the plate to raise and lower the plate relative to the table.  
   
   
       5 . The conveyor table of  claim 4 , further comprising a wheel affixed to the drive rod to facilitate tactile rotation of the rod.  
   
   
       6 . The conveyor table of  claim 4 , wherein the rod is supported at a position disposed from the threaded portion by the frame with a bushing that is pivotally supported by the frame to enable the rod to articulate in response to pivoting of the angle bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The conveyor table of  claim 4 , wherein the pivot bracket is affixed to the side plate with a slotted connector assembly that enables vertical movement of the side plate in conjunction with pivoting of the pivot bracket.  
   
   
       8 . The conveyor table of  claim 1 , wherein the support assembly is supported for vertical translation between selected positions.  
   
   
       9 . The conveyor table of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor table includes a conveyor belt.  
   
   
       10 . A bag fastening system table, comprising: 
 a table top for supporting bags of articles during a bag closing operation,    a frame configured to support the table top; and    a support plate carried by the frame for selective elevational positioning relative to the frame and configured to support a component of a bag fastening system.    
   
   
       11 . The bag closing machine table of  claim 10 , further comprising a kinematic linkage configured to raise and lower the support plate relative to the frame.  
   
   
       12 . The bag closing machine table of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one guide member configured to guide and retain the support plate for elevational positioning relative to the frame.  
   
   
       13 . The bag closing machine table of  claim 12 , wherein the guide member comprises at least one vertical slot provided in the plate and at least one slider plug assembly provided on the frame and configured to slide along the slot to guide the plate in vertical up and down translation.  
   
   
       14 . The bag closing machine table of  claim 12 , wherein the guide member comprises at least one vertical guide rod carried by the frame and at least one bushing carried by the support plate and configured to be slidably received along the guide rod to guide the support plate in vertical up and down translation.  
   
   
       15 . The bag closing machine table of  claim 11 , wherein the kinematic linkage comprises a pivot bracket assembly communicating with the support plate and carrying a pivotal bushing nut, and further comprising a rotatable drive rod having a threaded end configured to mate with the nut so as to pivot the pivot bracket assembly responsive to rotation of the drive rod to raise and lower the support plate, respectively.  
   
   
       16 . The bag closing machine table of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one of a drive wheel and a drive handle coupled with the drive rod to enable rotation of the drive rod by a user.  
   
   
       17 . A method for positioning a bag processing machine relative to a conveyor on a bag conveyor table, comprising: 
 providing a bag conveyor table with a conveyor having a frame, a support member carried by the frame for mounting the bag processing machine and supported by the frame for selective elevational positioning of the bag processing machine relative to the conveyor; and    adjusting positioning of the support member relative to the frame to realize a desired elevational position of the bag processing machine relative to the conveyor.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the bag conveyor table further comprises a kinematic linkage.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein adjusting comprises articulating the kinematic linkage to raise and lower the support member.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the support member comprises a side support plate carried for vertical positioning along the conveyor table.