Abstract: Apparatus for opening the filling openings of bags connected together in the manner of a band. The apparatus includes two conveyor belts between which the opening edges of the bags are guided and each of which is guided around at least one compensating roller displaceable in the direction of movement of the bags. A spreader arrangement engages between the opening edges of the bags and comprises two flexible elements each fixedly mounted at one end and displaceable at the other end, and which together with the associated conveyor belts grip the opening edges of the respective bag and are displaceable in an outward direction by adjuster means for the purpose of forming a filling opening. A rotary member is arranged above at least one of the opening edges of the filling opening substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bag and is driven in opposition to the filling direction of the filling material.

Abstract: In a device for filling bags made from foil or similar material, the edges of each bag which form an opening are fed in so that each edge is held between a semi-rigid plate and a conveyor belt which is held against the plate to frictionally grip the respective edge of the bag. There are two semi-rigid plates which are hinged together at their ends, and to open the bag, one hinged end moves towards the other to cause the plates to bow out together with the surrounding conveyor belts. The bag can be filled through the opening between the plates.