Bagging machines may include a packing density measurement system. The packing density measurement system includes an anchor assembly and a force measurement assembly. The anchor assembly includes at least one drag member adapted to be operatively coupled to the bagging machine and to extend rearwardly beneath at least a portion of a bag to resist forward movement of the bagging machine. The force measurement assembly is operatively coupled to the anchor assembly and is adapted to measure the anchoring force applied to the bagging machine. The anchor assembly may be adjustable, either manually or automatically, to allow control over the anchoring force.
CROSS-REFERENCES
This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/378,194, filed on Mar. 17, 2006, entitled "Bagging Machines and Methods for Adjustably Controlling Packing Density", which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,576. This application is also continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/252,455, filed on Oct. 17, 2005, entitled "An Adjustable Density Controller For A Bagging Machine," which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,315 which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/867,593, filed on Jun. 14, 2004, entitled "An Adjustable Density Controller For A Bagging Machine," which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,030 and which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,444, filed on Apr. 16, 2003, entitled "An Adjustable Density Control Means For A Bagging Machine," which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,724. This application is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/378,194, filed on Mar. 17, 2006, entitled "Bagging Machines and Methods for Adjustably Controlling Packing Density" which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,576. The entire disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
