Abstract: A commodity containing apparatus including a charging member 13 attached to a base portion 10 for charging a plurality of sheets of containing bags 40, and a pivoting base portion 22 supported by the base portion 10 pivotably in a vertical face and formed with a commodity throwing opening 27 at a center portion thereof, wherein an end plate 22a of the pivoting base portion 22 opposed to the charging member 13 presses to hold a plurality of sheets of containing bags 40, and the apparatus is small-sized and can simply contain a commodity.

Abstract: A holder with an integral gripper for transporting a flexible pouch during manufacturing is provided that includes a base plate, and a pair of opposed support members pivotally attached to the base plate. Each support member includes an upper leg member having a gripping means and a lower leg member. A moveable plate is parallel to and spaced apart from the base member by a spring member, and the moveable plate supports an outer end of the lower leg of the support member, so that walls of a flexible pouch are held in tension when the flexible pouch is supported by the gripping means. The walls of the flexible pouch are separated when the support members are pivoted inwardly.

Abstract: A clamp for sheets of material. The clamp includes a longitudinal main body with an external clamping side. The external clamping side comprises an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material. An internal clamping area inwardly extends from the external clamping side. The external dragging surface is at least partially movable into the internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into the internal clamping area therewith. Clamping devices and bagging apparatus including such clamps are also disclosed. A method of clamping overlaying sheets of material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for bagging material into a film. The film has at least two overlapping sheets and at least one open edge. The apparatus has a pair of spaced apart carriages and a pair of clamp assemblies movably mounted to a respective carriage. The clamp assemblies are pivotally movable relative to the respective carriage and vertically moveable along the length of the respective carriage. The clamp assemblies engage the film and open the film by separating the overlapping sheets. The clamp assemblies are moved downwardly along the length of the respective carriages so as to provide for the opened film to progressively bag material positioned thereunder. The clamp assembly includes a clamp having a pair of clamping members which are configured to grip a portion of the overlapping sheets for separation thereof. A method for bagging material into a film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bag transport and tilt-correction device for a system for, for instance, manufacturing bags with diagonal spouts, the device including openable and closeable gripping members, an air chuck that opens and closes the gripping members, a reciprocal movement mechanism that reciprocates the gripping members between the bag receiving position and the bag hand-over position, and a reciprocal swing mechanisms that swing the gripping members within the vertical plane along the width direction of the gripped bags. The gripping members are moved together with a reciprocal moving body, which is part of the reciprocal movement mechanisms, and attached to the bottom edge of swing levers, which are part of the reciprocal swing mechanism and operated by a cam during the reciprocal movement process, so as to swing together with it. The tilt of the bag is corrected by the swing motion of the gripping members.

Abstract: Since a rear end portion of a packaging bag is fixed by a bag rear end chuck means when a wafer case is inserted into the packaging bag, therefore the degree of freedom of positioning of the packaging bag can be reduced, so that the wafer case can be smoothly packed in a predetermined position within the bag at any times. Consequently, this can help reduce the occurrence of crimps in the packaging bag and thus can provide the packaging of the wafer case with resultant high level of quality in a stable manner.

Abstract: A bale bag support device, system and method that provides for placement of a bale into a bale bag by maintaining a bale bag in an opened configuration employing a bale bag support device that includes a frame adapted for advancing motion, a bag support and a bale threshold attached to the frame that define a bale aperture through which bales may be placed onto a bale receiving area located on an inner surface of the bale bag beyond the bale threshold. The bale bagging system also includes a pick and place device for placing bales into the opened bale bag and which may also be employed to advance the bale bag support device a distance sufficient to create a bale receiving area located inside the bale bag beyond the bale threshold.

Abstract: A packaging machine utilizing side connected chains of open bags is disclosed. The machine has loading and closure sections which are moveable between operating and cleaning/service positions. A resistance heater subassembly is removeable to enable washdown.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a plurality of containers to a plurality of filling machines for filling of the containers with a substance. The apparatus includes a feeding assembly including a first staging area aligned with a first filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the first staging area to the first filling machine, a second staging area aligned with a second filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the second staging area to the second filling machine, and a receiving area adjacent a supply of the plurality of containers. The feeding assembly is configured to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the first staging area and to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the second staging area.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for opening a valve bag includes a bag separator assembly and a valve opening assembly. The bag separator assembly is rotatable about a rotation axis and is configured to move along a taxis toward a plurality of valve bags to obtain a valve bag. The bag separator assembly also is configured to move along the y-axis in an opposing direction to separate the valve bag from the plurality of valve bags. The rotation axis and y-axis are perpendicular to one another. The valve opening assembly is configured to open a valve end of the valve bag. The valve opening assembly also is configured to move along an x-axis to be inserted into and removed from the valve end of a valve bag being held by the bag separator assembly. The bag separator assembly avoids contact with the valve opening assembly by rotating about the rotation axis before moving along the y-axis toward the plurality of valve bags.

Abstract: An apparatus, machine and method for opening a flexible pouch includes a pair of opposed side grippers each holding a side of the pouch. A pair of opposed panel grippers each hold an upper edge of the pouch. The side grippers are displaced inwardly towards each other and the panel grippers are displaced outwardly away from each other to partially open the pouch. A pair of pouch opening fingers are displaceable between a raised position above the pouch and a lowered position within the pouch. The pouch opening fingers are open in the raised position and closed after lowered into the lowered position, to grip the wall of the pouch. The pair of pouch opening fingers move together a predetermined distance in an outboard direction to fully separate the pouch walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the first pouch from a stack of pouches includes apparatus adapted to bend an edge of the first pouch away from the second pouch of a stack to define a bent edge and a bend in the first pouch. The first pouch is then slid away from the second pouch to remove the first pouch from the plurality of adjacent pouches. This method allows the first pouch to be reliably separated from the second pouch by overcoming the various forces that typically cause adjacent pouches to cling to each other while stacked together.

Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.

Abstract: An improved bagger or bag dispenser for supplying bags attached to strips in a bag assembly to a workstation includes a reversible drive that pulls the bag assembly from a supply to the work station and returns unused bags to the supply when changing bag assemblies. The bagger includes a winding spool having tapered ribs and valleys.

Abstract: A bagger system for enclosing poultry very tightly in a plastic bag, to reduce material costs, present a pleasing appearance, decrease leaks, and minimize distortion of the printed information on the bag. A grabber assembly is described, to grasp the legs of the poultry and guide the poultry into a bag in proper hocking position.

Abstract: A bagging assembly for use with a bale bagging apparatus is disclosed. The bale bagging apparatus includes a frame assembly, a bale stuffer, and a bale chute. The bagging assembly includes a carriage frame having a first and a second side rail, a pivot end, and a movable end. The pivot end is mounted adjacent the bale chute and the movable end is secured to the frame assembly. A first and a second carriage assembly are movably mounted on the first and the second side rails and each includes an upper and a lower bagger arm that are configured to open simultaneously. A pincher assembly is supported by the upper bagger arms and the lower bagger arms. The pincher assembly is configured to grasp portions of a bale bag, thereby causing the bale bag to open as the upper and lower bagger arms are opened simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods are known for conveying bags in the form of a continuous web such that they open at a suitable place during continuous conveyance and during maintenance of the open condition so they can be filled and sealed after closing. Prior art methods utilize complicated methods for retention. According to the invention, the bag web is suspended on horizontal studs mounted on carrier chains running in such a way that the bags open and a surrounding groove around the studs along the chains prevents the bags from falling off during passage of filling stations etc.

Abstract: A bag presenter for moving a bag from a bag supply toward a packaging machine filling station, the bag presenter comprising: a bag supply holding area, a gripper for holding a bag in the filling station and a bag handler for moving the bag from the holding area toward the gripper, the bag handler including a bag feeder and a bag conveyor, the bag feeder being operable to pull a bag from a bottom of the bag supply holding area and to pass the bag to the bag conveyor. The bag handler can include a bag opening mechanism and a means for maintaining the bag in an open configuration, once the bag has been opened. The bag presenter is useful for handling non-wicketed bags and can be used to convert a packaging machine from reliance on wicketed bags to use of non-wicketed bags.

Abstract: A method of packaging point-of-purchase items involves supplying plastic bags as a continuously attached length of bags, each bag being separated from adjacent bags along the supply length by a perforated tear line. The length of bags is stored on a storage form or in another suitable manner permitting advancement of bags when pulled out of the stored condition. The perforated tear line cuts entirely through the web of bags. However, the perforation along one side of each bag is broken to present an open flap through which contents can be added to the bag prior to removal from the web. The method of using the bags for packaging produce, groceries or other articles generally selected at point of sale and which are generally segregated by type for later pricing by weight or unit, permits a user to at least partially fill a bag prior to removal from the web.

Abstract: An automatic grocery bag opener automatically opens plastic and polyethylene bags with forced air in produce departments and at checkout counters of grocery stores. Bags are held in position from any of several different types of hangers on the front of the enclosure. The outside bag is forced and held open by the forced airstream from the air supply. The bag can then be filled with the grocery items. Once the bag is filled, it is removed from the hangers and the next bag is automatically blown and held open. As long as the motion sensor sees movement, the blower stays on. If no movement is seen by the motion sensor, the motion sensor ends an electric signal, thus turning off the blower. In turn, if the motion sensor sees a motion, an electric signal is sent to the blower and turns the bagger back on.

Abstract: A bagger system for enclosing material very tightly in a plastic bag, to reduce packaging costs, present a pleasing appearance, decrease leaks, and minimize distortion of the printed information on the packaging. The system comprises a base guide to hold the material to be encased and stretching fingers to open a plastic bag. The rotational movement of the stretching fingers provides even stretching about the circumference of the bag and permits an approximation of the cross section of the material to be encased, allowing for use of a smaller bag. After the material is placed in the bag, the material and bag are ejected, whereupon the plastic bag retracts tightly around the material, presenting a pleasing appearance to consumers and minimizing distortion of any printed information on the bag.

Abstract: A filler device sub-assembly having a manipulator for manipulating a cap of a container comprising a first and second cap gripper arm and a member for controllably manipulating the cap gripper arms. The controllable manipulating member comprising an inner cam assembly, an outer cam assembly and a follower. The outer cam assembly extends at least partially about the inner cam assembly. One of the inner and outer cam assemblies coupled to the first and second cap gripper arms. The follower is associated with the inner cam assembly and the outer cam assembly. Movement of the lifter shaft imparts movement of the follower and relative movement of the inner cam assembly and the outer cam assembly, to in turn, longitudinally and rotatably move the cap gripper arms from a first position proximate to a container to a second position distally spaced from a container.

Abstract: Resealable zipper plastic bags have upwardly protruding support members on each side of the bag mouth which are engaged within downwardly opening channels of two opposed indexer assemblies. With the bag mouth under tension, a slider assembly engages the bag slider, moves it to a fully closed position, then advances the slider to a fully open position. The indexer assemblies are moved toward each other to relieve tension on the bag mouth and cause the mouth to splay open. An insert plate is inserted and rotated to spread the bag mouth for introduction of product through a product chute. Once full, the chute and spreader assembly are withdrawn, tension is applied to the bag mouth, and the slider assembly moves the zipper slider to a fully closed position. The bag support members are then released from the indexer assemblies and the product filled bag is discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: A sealing machine for sealing a pack filled with one or more objects, including a main case; a first sealing member provided in the main case; a second sealing member facing the first sealing member; a movable supporting part supporting the second sealing member and allowing the second sealing member to move near to, and away from, the first sealing member; and a heater provided in at least one of the first sealing member and the second sealing member to heat and melt the pack interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A bag supply device receives large bags are retained in a stacked state on its mounting portions that are provided on chains. In addition, this bag supply device includes a horizontal support mechanism that supports the rear portion of the stacked large bags so that they can be raised and lowered in order to retain an uppermost surface of an uppermost large bag in a horizontal posture at a discharge position. The chains and the mounting portions are disposed such that the rear portion of the large bags hangs down. The horizontal support mechanism includes a roller that moves along the transport direction, and the uppermost large bag will be retained in a horizontal posture by moving the roller to support the rear portion of the large bags from below.

Abstract: A machine for filling bags with comestible liquids, includes a transfer station rotatable about a vertical central axle mounted on a plate secured to the machine frame, multiple filling stations each comprising an element for gripping and holding the base of a removable closure for a bag and an element for manipulating the upper portion of the closure, and a filling device coacting with the opening of the open closure following removal of its upper portion and supplied with liquid by a pump connected to a reservoir, the assembly of these elements being managed by a control device. The control device is a device with cams mounted fixedly on the machine. The invention is more particularly applicable to the field of packaging and dispensing of liquids, in particular comestible liquids, in small flexible receptacles.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for processing packages made up of a filmic casing containing a product, to separate the casing from the product for subsequent further processing of the product. The package is moved through a series of steps to first weaken the casing, and then a leading end of the moving casing is gripped and the end of the casing is moved away from the product. As a result the casing is stripped off the product as the weakened casing opens and the product continues to move.

Abstract: An improved pouch-filling machine includes a pouch-opening apparatus for opening with closure strips such as zipper type locks in a continuous operation. The pouches are supported by continuously moving carriers, and the pouch-opening apparatus includes first and second stages wherein the first stage performs a preliminary opening of the upper edges of the pouch to permit gripping of the upper edges in the second stage. After this preliminary opening, the carrier carries the pouch to the second stage wherein a gripper arrangement grips and pulls the upper pouch edges outwardly to open the zipper lock. Further, the machine includes a transfer conveyor which continuously feeds the pouches to the pouch-opening apparatus in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing, loading and singularly dispensing bags in a bag bundle from a dispensing hook includes a bag bundle formed from a plurality of stacked bags. Each bag has apertures are defined in the front panel and the rear panel adjacent the open top, these apertures having an opening of a selected dimension normal to the vertical side walls with an upper edge. A dispensing hook is used having parallel sides separated by a width complimentary to the selected dimension of the apertures to provide a secure, snug fit when the bag bundle is placed on the dispensing hook at the registered apertures. The dispensing hook defining a bag holding surface complimentary to the upper edge of the apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for individually bagging bundles into stretchable open bags. The apparatus comprises a bag stretching structure about which a bag can be turned inside out for wrapping an underlying bundle in response to continuous downward movement of the bag stretching structure once the closed end of the bag opposite the open end thereof has engaged the top surface of the bundle.

Abstract: A method of opening and closing a bag having a front and a rear and an opening at the top includes feeding the bag to a machine which holds an upper end of the front of the bag, moves the upper end of the rear of the bag rearwardly to partially open the bag clamps each opposite side of the bag while the bag is in the partially open configuration, and moves the clamped opposite sides of the bag and the rear of the bag rearwardly to a fully open position.

Abstract: A filling device for filling secondary containers within a primary container. The filling device includes a filling platform that includes a base and filling channels that are in fluid communication with the base. The filling device also includes a retention platform for retaining secondary containers in contact with the filling platform during filling. The filling device, with secondary containers attached thereto, is placed within a primary container and material is supplied to the filling platform in order to fill the secondary containers. When complete, the filling device is removed and the filled secondary containers remain within the primary container.

Abstract: The bagging machine has a rotary table with openings to receive a series of bags. Each bag is staked onto four pins two of which are stationary and two of which are laterally movable. After filling, the bag is heat sealed using a pair of heat seal bars and then severed by a fly knife above the heat seal. The bag is then removed manually or automatically.

Abstract: A method of opening and closing a bag having a front and a rear and an opening at the top includes feeding the bag to a machine which holds an upper end of the front of the bag, moves the upper end of the rear of the bag rearwardly to partially open the bag clamps each opposite side of the bag while the bag is in the partially open configuration, and moves the clamped opposite sides of the bag and the rear of the bag rearwardly to a fully open position.

Abstract: In connection with the packaging of items or loose material in sheet packings it is known to use a web of cohering flat bag members, which is successively conveyed to a filling station, in which the bag members are opened, one by one, for filling and subsequent closing and separation from the web. The free mouth edges of the bag members or the web are profiled for supported conveyance on opposed carrier rods, tubes or gripping chains which, just before the filling station, diverge from each other for effecting opening of the bag members. The invention provides for a flat bag web, the upright edge strip portions of which are caused to be folded down over respective opposed carrier chains.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening and dispensing plastic bags which includes an outer cabinet with a continuous roll of plastic bags fed therethrough, with seal lines and perforation lines between the bags, and bar codes thereon, which bags may be dispensed by the user pulling on an exposed bag, which causes the bag inside the housing to move in front of a bar code reader which activates a clamping device and fingers to pre-open the bags and an air blast is provided outside the cabinet to open the exposed bag, which is outside of the cabinet. The user then pulls off the exposed opened bag at the perforations. The apparatus can also automatically dispense the bags when the customer activates the apparatus.

Abstract: Plastic bag opening method enables to open plastic bags, one by one, without tearing at pin hole portion, where each plastic bag has one edge of opening portion elongated and the plastic bags are held together with pin being inserted into the pin holes. Lower edge (2) of opening portion (0) of plastic bag (1) is elongated and two pin holes (3) are formed there. Pin (4) is inserted into the pin holes (3) and the plastic bags (1) are held together in multi-layer state, Holding member (5) presses the edge (2) portion between the pin holes (3). In this state, air (7) is blown from air nozzle (6) to open partially the opening portion (0) of the plastic bag (1). Opening member (9) is inserted thereinto to enlarge the opening. The edge (2) is released from the pin (4) without being torn.

Abstract: A device for unsealing a plastic fruit bag comprises a conveyor device, a heating device, and a blower. A fruit contained in a sealed plastic bag is conveyed by the conveyor device to the heating device which melts a portion the plastic bag and thus opens the plastic bag. The opened plastic bags are sucked by the blower to a place for collection, and the fruits are collected in another place.

Abstract: A bag opening apparatus and method for use in a bag filling and packaging machine using flat bags allow a bag to move to a subsequent step while being surely maintained in the state of having been opened. At a mouth opening step, the mouth portion of a bag is opened by using suction cups serving as a mouth opening device. Next, an abutting member of a bag bottom deforming device is moved upward to abut on the bottom of the bag, thereby deforming at least a part of the bottom inward of the bag, while restraining movement of a lower portion of the bag with retaining plates of a bag movement restraining device.

Abstract: A web (20) of sequentially disposed package blanks (26) are supplied to an apparatus for opening and closing the package blanks at a filling station. The web has a first wall (21 a) opposite a second wall (21b). Transverse slits (27) are disposed between the side closures of the package blanks. Each respective wall is provided with retainers at its upper edges which guide the edges when the web is displaced along the apparatus. The wall (21a, b) of each package blank is provided with a longitudinal slit (29a). The slit (29a) of the first wall extends from the transverse slit (27) at one side closure of the package blank, and the longitudinal slit of the second wall extends from the transverse slit at the second side closure of the package blank. The apparatus includes mechanical retainer devices which are disposed in transversely spaced relation from one another in that part of the apparatus where the package blanks are displaced in the opened state so that the blanks can be filled.

Abstract: An endless carrier for a packaging machine includes leading clamps which are mounted on one endless chain and trailing clamps which are mounted on another endless chain. The chains are independent of each other such that the distance between trailing clamps and leading clamps can be adjusted simply by moving the position of one chain relative to the other. The present invention may be incorporated in a newly built packaging machine or a retrofit kit for replacing the endless carrier of a preexisting packaging machine. To provide for ready adaptation of the distance between leading and trailing clamps, one of the sprockets connected to the drive shaft of the packaging machine can be a phase sprocket capable of being fastened and unfastened to the drive shaft such that the chain can be rotated simply by rotating the sprocket relative to the drive shaft to reposition the endless chain relative to the other endless chain.

Abstract: A method of filling and closing a bag comprising the steps of: delivering an air jet for opening a bag; moving a pair of horns into the open bag for engaging inner surfaces of the bag; filling the bag; moving a bag transfer mechanism having spaced pinch belts into engagement with the outer surface of the bag; rotating the pinch belts for removing the filled bag from the bagger; and moving the bag transfer mechanism from a first position adjacent the bagger to a second position adjacent a bag closing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to packages for stacked can lids, a method of producing such packages, devices for implementing said method, devices for automated unpacking of the above nature and a system for packing and unpacking can lids. The packages are formed with an open end, which is closed in that the bag end, when in unfolded condition, is compressed and is provided with fastening means retaining said closed condition. In addition, the closing device closes the open package end by compressing the bag end in the unfolding condition and in that fastening means are applied retaining said closed condition, and the unpacking device causes relative movement of the packages and the can lids contained therein in such a manner that the can lids are pressed against the package end closed by means of said fastening means.

Abstract: An apparatus for the supply of bags formed into stacks to a point where in each case the top bag of the stack is to be opened, contains two parallel conveyors, e.g. in the form of revolving chains, which are synchronously driven. The stacks are held together by two holding members. The holding members are so inserted with a widened foot in the holders of the conveyor that they can be slid out of the holders again through a stop member. These holders have a small mutual spacing, so that the stacks of bags can be juxtaposed on the apparatus with a small reciprocal spacing.