Abstract: A bag tying apparatus for tying a ribbon about a gathered neck is provided. A holder-shear drive assembly moves a holder-shear assembly from side to side to grip and cut the ribbon. An over-travel compensation assembly compensates for over-travel of the holder-shear drive assembly relative to the travel of the holder-shear assembly.

Abstract: A bag tying apparatus for tying a ribbon about a gathered neck is provided. A holder-shear drive assembly moves a holder-shear assembly from side to side to grip and cut the ribbon. An over-travel compensation assembly compensates for over-travel of the holder-shear drive assembly relative to the travel of the holder-shear assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of lower inboard and out board gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard of the bag bridging between the inboard and the strip from the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of upper inboard and outboard gathering belts and a pair of lower inboard and outboard gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard gathering belts for fusing panels of the bag together to form a sealed strip spaced from the row of perforations in the bag neck to facilitate removal of the sealed strip from the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of upper inboard and outboard gathering belts and a pair of lower inboard and outboard gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard gathering belts for fusing panels of the bag together to form a sealed strip spaced from the row of perforations in the bag neck to facilitate removal of the sealed strip from the bag.

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: An automated bagging system fills and closes a bag by delivering an air jet to open the bag. A pair of horns engage the inner surfaces of the bag wherein the bag is subsequently filled. A bag transfer mechanism engages the outer surface of the bag with pinch belts and the pinch belts transfer the bags to a bag closing apparatus to close the filled bag.