Abstract: Apparatus for self-service scanning, registering and bagging a product purchased in a supermarket. The apparatus comprises a unit (1) for dispensing and opening a single plastic bag from a continuous strip wound in a reel, a balance (2) for weighing the item to be purchased, a reel supporting device (3) which feeds the strip of bags to the dispensing and opening unit (1), and a unit comprising a scanner (6) and a computer (7).

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing and opening plastic bags from a continuous strip wound in a reel apt to detach from it a bag (4) at a time, open it and keep it open below a mouth (8) through which a customer may insert into the underposed bag (4) the items he purchased, the apparatus comprises also a scanner (5) connected through a computer (7) to a shutter (11, 11') located on the mouth (8) so that the computer (7) controls the opening of the shutters (11, 11') and the inhibition of the scanner (5) when it has registered an item, and controls the reactivation of the scanner (5) and the closing of the shutters (11, 11') when the registered item has entered the bag (4) through the mouth (8).

Abstract: A checkout counter for supermarkets and the like incorporates therewithin dual bag feeding apparatus, each operable for automatically dispensing, delivering, opening and retaining a flexible bag in a position and location suitable for the convenient introduction of purchased articles into the bags. The checkout counter includes two continuous web reels of successively attached flexible bags, two hoppers below each of which an open bag is retained and through each of which purchased articles are selectively insertable into the underlying bag as the articles are checked by the cashier-operator, and two collecting stations into which filled bags are ejected from the checkout counter interior and from which the customer may retrieve the filled bags.

Abstract: A welding and die cutting device for an apparatus for automatically forming bags on demand from an elongated web of film is selectively switchable between a first operating mode in which the formed bags are provided with unitary handles and a second operating mode in which the formed bags are fully closed and no handles are formed thereon. A first one of a pair of reciprocatable mobile holders carries a welding counter-plate to which is mounted a horizontal blade for transverse cutting and separation of formed bags from the web. A plurality of substantially vertical blades for longitudinally cutting the web to form handles on a bag being formed are carried on and depend outwardly from a bladeholder that is interposed between the first mobile holder and the counter-plate. The bladeholder is slidably and elastically linked to the first mobile holder for movement therewith and relative thereto.

Abstract: A bag opening device for supermarket check-out counters incorporating plastic bag dispensing machines, comprising two slides capable of mutual approaching and departing motion along a horizontal rail in a symmetrical direction with respect to a central position where the plastic bag to be opened is located; on each slide (7,8) is mounted a pair of rollers (1, 1' and 2, 2') in contact with each other, said pair of rollers being operated by a motor-reducer (13, 13') so as to simultaneously rotate the rollers of one pair in an opposite direction compared with the rollers of the other pair, said pairs of rollers being apt to come in contact with the opposite sides of a plastic bag (12) for grasping the sides and then pulling the sides apart, and subsequently to rotate in the opposite direction for releasing the sides of the bag from the grip of the rollers.

Abstract: Bag opening device for supermarket check-out counters incorporating bag dispensing machines, comprising a pair of pliers mounted on a pair of guides capable of a reciprocating horizontal motion. The pliers grasp and pull apart the two opposite sides of a bag fed by feeding belts. Each pliers (1, 2) consists of a pair of jaws (9, 9' and 11, 11') meshing with each other by means of a pair of toothed wheels (13, 13' and 14, 14') and pushed towards each other by a compression spring (16, 17) placed between two of their ends. One of the ends of each pliers is provided with a roller (18, 19) which, by interacting with a suitable opening device, counteracts the force of the compression springs (16, 17) thereby opening the jaws (9, 9' and 11, 11') of each pliers (1, 2).

Abstract: A T-shirt or handle bag of plastic film material of the foldable type and provided with handles, which is connected in single file with further identical bags from which it may be separated by tearing-off along weakened areas. A roll formed from a continuous ribbon of bags is adapted to be supplied for use in apparatuses for automatically dispensing and opening the bags into which the goods that have been bought at the checkout counters of a store. In order to obtain a constant-size roll [(B)] by rolling up a continuous ribbon on a central core [(A)], the handle bag is dimensioned so that each one of its folded lateral portions [(S1-S2)] has a width which is not smaller than one third of the total width [(L)] of the bag in its flattened condition.

Abstract: A machine for packaging plural types of products inside a plastic stretchable film, including a bundling unit and a complete sealing unit. The bundling unit includes a device for longitudinally stretching a film web segment before wrapping it around the articles, a device for wrapping the stretched and tensioned film around the periphery of the articles, as well as a sealing device adapted to join both ends of the film segment which has been stretched and tightly wrapped around the articles to be packaged. The complete sealing unit includes a device for transversely stretching the side edges of the film segment used for bundling, protruding out of the sides of the bundled articles, and a device for sealing closed the film wrapping around the bundled articles.

Abstract: A self-service check-out counter for cashier-unattended use and operation includes an laser scanner for automated reading of product identification codes borne by articles to be purchased, a keyboard for manual entry of article-identifying information, a variety of indicators and signalling devices for instructing actions by the customer, devices for preventing pilferage, fraud and inadvertent errors and an integral bag forming apparatus for manufacturing custom-formed bags on-site at the counter and on demand and, preferably, custom-sized to conform to the volume of articles to be packed in the bags. A customer individually scans articles to be purchased and the scanned data is verified through comparison with stored product identifying information. Following verification of each article, customer placement of the article into the bag forming apparatus in enabled and a bag preferably conforming to the volume of articles purchased in manufactured within the check-out counter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for continuous hot-sealing of thermoplastic films.This device comprises a sealing head, the sealing head being provided with two rip cord electric resistances that are heated by causing an electric current to flow therethrough and being made of a material the electric resistance of which is proportional to the temperature, the sealing head being caused to rapidly vibrate against a counter-plate so as to cause the thermoplastic film to be sealed to be rapidly pounded as it glides between the head and the counter-plate. The sealing of the thermoplastic films is brought about by the synergistic action of the heat of the resistances and of the pressure due to the pounding.