Abstract: A bag closing system which includes; a closer with a closing roll, a pick, and a closure break-off mechanism that are driven by stepper motors under the control of a central processing unit, fault detectors for sensing operating faults, read only memory for storing the operating program and historical data, a display that indicates the system status, I/O drivers for providing bi-directional communications with a remote processing unit, memory for driving the display and programmed messages to be printed, and; a printer that has a stationary dot matrix impact print head that prints, using a cold-foil ribbon driven by a stepper motor, on closures moved past the print head, an out-of-foil detector and a closure sensor for preventing printing without a closure in front of the print head, and a printer head driver for determining which impact wires must be driven to print the message and for driving the determined wires.

Abstract: An idler rim is freely rotatably mounted adjacent the first closing ring of a bag closing device. In one embodiment, an idler rim is also placed on a pinch roller that engages the closing ring. These idler rims allow the package to be brought laterally more closely to the closing station so that the closure can be placed more tightly on the end of the package. There also is provided a bracket for mounting the entire bag closing device so that the closing device can be adjusted pivotally and linearly toward the conveyor.

Abstract: A multi-closure strip of generally flat, semirigid plastic closures which are jointed by sets of transversely spaced connecting material in which the connecting material is formed between smoothly rounded protrusions, each having an apex and a wider base. The connecting mateial is along a line generaly parallel or at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the multi-closure strip. A gap is provided between the transversely spaced sets of closure material so that, by the application of a lateral force, the connecting material is separated in tension as one closure moves laterally relative to the other.

Abstract: A multi-closure strip of generally flat, rigid, plastic closures which are joined in an elongated strip by sets of transversely spaced webs in which the webs have enlarged central portions terminating in reduced transverse widths at the junctures of the closures with the webs. Preferably, the central portion is symmetrically or equidistantly located lengthwise between the closures and is of a circular configuration.