Abstract: A reusable neck closure band for a plastic bag and a method of securing same to a bag is disclosed. A closure band is formed from an elongated rectangular strip of plastic material and comprises a neck retention portion for retaining a bunched neck portion of the bag, and opposed free band portions. The neck retention portion is attached to the bag by a heat fused attachment. A detachable seal interconnects the free band portions together adjacent the bunched neck portion to restrain the bunched neck portion. The detachable seal is disconnected by pulling the free band portions away from one another to cause the detachable seal to detach to free the bunched neck portion of the bag. The bag is reclosable by tieing the free band portions together about a reformed bunched neck portion.

Abstract: A bagging machine comprising an article discharge chute for releasing one or more articles in an open bag held thereunder at a bag loading position. A plurality of collapsed plastic bags are supported under and adjacent the discharge chute. The mouth of an outer one of the plastic bags is opened with a bag opening clamp and the rear and front wall of the bag are held spaced apart so as to receive one or more articles therein through the discharge chute. Bag holding and stretching fingers grip the bag at opposed upper side edge portions thereof whereby to transfer the first bag filled with the articles to a sealing station after the front and rear walls of the bag are detached from their bag opening securement.