Abstract: A device for forwarding sacks or like containers from a filling station to further processing stations includes a device for retaining the sack in its filling position, a conveyor for forwarding the filled sack, a device for lowering the filled sack down onto the conveyor, while simultaneously closing the sack mouth by seizing it from the outside and stretching out the edges thereof along a plane coincident with the forwarding direction of the sack, and a device for supporting and advancing the sack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for taking-up and transferring paper or plastic bags, one at a time, from a bag pile to a bag filling station and then to possible further operations, and wherein each bag is taken-up from the upper end of the pile and transferred, by means of rotary motions about suitable axes, firstly from a horizontal position to a vertical one and then, within the vertical plane containing the bag in the vertical position, to a position wherein the bag filling opening is substantially horizontal. Simultaneously with the second bag transferring motion, the bag wall portions adjacent to the bag filling opening are spaced apart from one another, for allowing the engagement thereof with the outlet mouth of a filling hopper, at the end of the second bag transferring motion.