Abstract: A first container bag according to the present invention has top and bottom seals that are considered a lockup seal and an internal peel seal that will hold the gas and product in, but will also allow for ease of opening after removal of the top seal. This bag is such as that conventionally formed by use of VFFS technology, and includes the top and bottom end seals. However, the present invention provides additional features including a peel-away or otherwise separable seal, and a perforated segment. By tearing the bag at the perforated segment, the end seal may be bypassed, thus providing access to the internal separable “peel-away” seal. This configuration allows for a bag configuration which allows for the transportation of materials via the bag from a first, loading, location to a second, unloading, location, at which the items within the bag may be removed from the bag without the use of tools, and without tear-off discharge during the bag opening process.

Abstract: A heat-sealable, heat-shrinkable laminate film having a first layer of heat-shrinkable thermoplastic material and a second layer of heat-sealable, heat-shrinkable thermoplastic material adhered to the first layer, the materials of the first and second layers having similar shrink characteristics.

Abstract: A method of stretch bagging a poultry carcass within a stretch bag, including supporting a plurality of open-ended stretch bags in superposed array; forcing pressurized air into the top open-ended stretch bag so as to open the bag; axially entering the top bag and tranversely stretching from within while vertically supporting the top bag; stuffing the top bag with an inverted fowl carcass such that the breast plate is uppermost and the legs protrude rearwadly; relaxing transverse stretching and vertical supporting of the top bag, while compressing the fowl within the top bag by interposing restraining force in the path of longitudinal advance and at the forward end of said carcass, such that the leg joints of the carcass are broken and the legs are made to conform to the body of the carcass and remaining bags. The method is distinguished from the prior art in its compressing of the fowl within the bag.

Abstract: Stretch bagging, particularly a method for stuffing a chicken carcass into a stretch plastic bag. The method is characterized by its alternate application of a central pushing force and a chicken leg pushing force, so as to hock or compress the chicken within the stretch bag. The hocking of the chicken within the bag eliminates the time-consuming and expensive necessity for clipping the chicken legs together prior to packaging and, also, presents a more uniform and pleasing appearance of the packaged carcass.

Abstract: A stretch bagging apparatus of the type having a reciprocable table top, including a pair of transversely extensible horns which are advanced axially into an open ended bag supported upon a bag elevator. After the horns advance into the bag, they are transversely extended so as to stretch the bag sides during filling of the bag. After the bag is filled with a chicken or the like, a carriage supporting the table top is axially retracted. The present apparatus is characterized principally by its provision for a longitudinally reciprocable table top which supports and axially advances both the article being bagged and the transversely extensible horns. The bag elevator includes a pivoted hocking plate valving mechanism which enables the operator to override the packaging system by pushing the filled bag against the hocking plate.