Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and subsequently dispensing a plurality of flexible baglike containers. In one embodiment the baglike containers are configured in an unloaded, empty, mode to be in a substantially flat configuration. These flat items are stacked flat into a batching container and (such as a cardboard box) dispensed “off the bottom” of the stack by a container loading apparatus. The container loading apparatus grasps the flat items, pulls them from the bottom of the stack, and then loads them through a feed hole as known in the art. One of the inventions herein is the particular manner in which the flexible baglike containers are loaded into a stack within the batching container. Under this particular inventive manner, the bags are stacked in offset sub-batches. This provides improved stacking but still provides suitable dispensing characteristics. Another disclosed concept is the use of multiple boxes and an automated feed system for said boxes to reduce associated infeed labor.

Abstract: A first container bag according to the present invention has top and bottom seals that are considered a lockup seal and an internal peel seal that will hold the gas and product in, but will also allow for ease of opening after removal of the top seal. This bag is such as that conventionally formed by use of VFFS technology, and includes the top and bottom end seals. However, the present invention provides additional features including a peel-away or otherwise separable seal, and a perforated segment. By tearing the bag at the perforated segment, the end seal may be bypassed, thus providing access to the internal separable “peel-away” seal. This configuration allows for a bag configuration which allows for the transportation of materials via the bag from a first, loading, location to a second, unloading, location, at which the items within the bag may be removed from the bag without the use of tools, and without tear-off discharge during the bag opening process.

Abstract: A vertical bagging apparatus [101] comprises a bag station [105] having multiple stations [403A, 403B, 403C, 403D] for holding a variety of wicket-supported bags. A tooling assembly [107] accepts product for a product line and dispenses the product into an opened bag from the bag station. A bag transfer assembly [109] lowers the filled bag to a bag seal assembly [111] located vertically below the tooling assembly. The apparatus allows high speeds and quick-change of bags and bagged product.

Abstract: A vertical bagging apparatus [101] comprises a bag station [105] having multiple stations [403A, 403B, 403C, 403D] for holding a variety of wicket-supported bags. A tooling assembly [107] accepts product for a product line and dispenses the product into an opened bag from the bag station. A bag transfer assembly [109] lowers the filled bag to a bag seal assembly [111] located vertically below the tooling assembly. The apparatus allows high speeds and quick-change of bags and bagged product.

Abstract: A bag (101) for food products comprises a front panel (103) and a back panel (105) attached to define an open top (107) and a closed bottom (111). An absorbent pad (119) is attached to the back panel at a bottom portion (121) of the pad. The upper portion (123) of the pad is unattached to the bag. An air jet (505) of a bagging machine rotates the upper portion of the pad about a hinge portion (509) of the pad. The pad is secured by an inserted food product so that the pad covers the bottom and a portion of the front panel of the bag. The absorbent pad absorbs juices exuded by the food product and improves the esthetic qualities of the packaging. The attachment method reduces the thickness and bulk of the bag in the lay-flat condition as compared to conventional bags with a folded absorbent pad attached to the front and back panels of the bag.

Abstract: An interface device for packaging equipment comprises three bins arranged vertically and separated by gates located at the bottom of each bin. An infeed unit or conveyor feeds product into the receiver bin. A product counter in a logic unit counts the product fed into the receiver bin. The logic unit cycles the counted product into the buffer and discharge bins, respectively to provide an accumulator function. The logic unit cycles the discharge gate upon output of a flight sensor on the outfeed unit to deliver the counted product on the desired location of the outfeed unit. The device allows temporary differences between product flow rates between the infeed unit and the outfeed unit. No connections to the control system of the outfeed unit is required.