Abstract: A process for making an internally-reinforced bag assembly includes formation of an outer bag body with a plurality of longitudinally oriented, laterally spaced pleats or tucks therein. An inner reinforcement layer is applied to the outer bag body after formation of the pleats, whereby the inner layer spans and overlaps each of the pleats. An apparatus embodying the present invention effects bag formation in this fashion. Advancement through the forming apparatus effects formation of the outer web into a gusseted tube, and formation of a square bottom seal. The completed bag assembly includes the inner reinforcement layer, which is dimensioned to define a circumference which is less than a circumference defined by the bag body. The resultant bag assembly resists bulging and deformation under the influence of particulate, granular, or other flowable products packaged therein.

Abstract: A folding apparatus of a bag-making machine includes a plurality of folding mechanisms each having a pair of nip rollers which receive a sheet or bag from an associated carrier structure, to thereby sequentially form transverse folds in each sheet or bag. In order to abate lamination-like adhesion of relatively thin, light gauge film materials to the belts and other surfaces of the folding apparatus, the belts and/or guide rollers of the apparatus are preferably provided with grooved sheet-contacting surfaces. The apparatus is additionally configured to abate wrinkling or buckling of a leading edge portion of each sheet or bag which can occur attendant to its reversal in direction of movement as it is directed between the nip rollers of each folding mechanism. High-speed operation is facilitated while avoiding improperly folded bags, or equipment jamming.

Abstract: There is provided a blanket sealing bag machine having a variable diameter sealing drum comprising a plurality of spindles disposed at a first end of an axle and a like plurality of spindles disposed at an opposing end of the axle, the plurality of spindles being greater than sixteen spindles, the spindles extending radially from the axle. There is further provided a blanket sealing bag machine that maximizes the angle of blanket wrap.

Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.

Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.

Abstract: A separator/folder bag machine for developing individual, folded, plastic bags. A pair of high speed separation rollers, actuated by means of a servo motor driven eccentric linkage, engages a continuous plastic web to separate individual plastic bags formed tin the web. A pair of parallel, wide belts, and a pair of similar, overlying belts, engage both sides of the separated bags and transport the bags to a plurality of folding stations. Air jets at selected locations in the folder/separator controllably direct the bags through pairs of nip rolls to fold the bags along predetermined fold lines. Sensors in the folder/separator sense abnormal conditions and deactivate particular fold stations to reject improperly formed bags. A two speed slowdown mechanism at the discharge end of the separator/folder slows the folded bags to facilitate downstream handling.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a system for making bags or the like from a continuous web or sheet of film material, the system including a perforator for imparting series of transverse perforations onto the web at regularly spaced intervals, which comprises a spreader roll having a reduced diameter portion between two enlarged diameter portions; a switch device located adjacent the reduced diameter portion; wherein the large diameter portions cause each series of perforation to pull apart and form a gap as the web is drawn over the spreader roll; and wherein the switch device is capable of being activated each time a gap passes in close proximity to the switch device.

Abstract: In combination with a web winding machine comprising a spindle for winding up a web of material having a leading edge and an apparatus for transporting the web to the spindle, an air horn proximate the spindle having an arm, a first air tube connected to a forward portion of the arm and a second air tube connected to the arm rearward of the first air tube, wherein the arm comprises an inner surface generally conforming to the spindle and a plurality of apertures extending between each of the first and second air tubes and the inner surface; and wherein the first and second air tubes are connected with a source of air, whereby the air is directed through the apertures to force the leading edge up off of the conveyor belt and against the spindle.

Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.

Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.

Abstract: Continuously produced plastic bags are made with cutouts in the bags to serve as handles for the bags. A rotary wheel set is used to interface with a circumferential knife blade to cut the holes in the bags. An improved bag tensioning platen and holding apparatus is provided to improve the uniformity of holes being cut in the bags.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary vacuum arm bag or sheet transferring and stacking device and a stack-handling system enabling an indexing of counted bag stacks. The transferring device grasps and retains the bags adjacent margins transverse to the direction of web advance while at least a portion of the opposed margins parallel to such directions are spaced inwardly from the arms to define a slot or gap thru which stack-retaining fingers project contributing to remove a bag from a pair of arms and retaining the bag in a stack wherein respective margins overlie each other. Also disclosed is a stack-handling system having the ability to remove a completed stack from the stacking station and yet allow, if desired, continuous bag machine operation and, as a result, uninterrupted transfer of sheets or bags to the stacking stations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary vacuum arm bag or sheet transferring and stacking device and a stack-handling system enabling an indexing of counted bag stacks. The transferring device grasps and retains the bags adjacent margins transverse to the direction of web advance while at least a portion of the opposed margins parallel to such direction are spaced inwardly from the arms to define a slot or gap thru which stack-retaining fingers project contributing to remove a bag from a pair of arms and retaining the bag in a stack wherein respective margins overlie each other. Also disclosed is a stack-handling system having the ability to remove a completed stack from the stacking station and yet allow, if desired, continuous bag machine operation and, as a result, uninterrupted transfer of sheets or bags to the stacking stations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary vacuum arm bag or sheet transferring and stacking device and a stack-handling system enabling an indexing of counted bag stacks. The transferring device grasps and retains the bags adjacent margins transverse to the direction of web advance while at least a portion of the opposed margins parallel to such direction are spaced inwardly from the arms to define a slot or gap thru which stack-retaining fingers project contributing to remove a bag from a pair of arms and retaining the bag in a stack wherein respective margins overlie each other. Also disclosed is a stack-handling system having the ability to remove a completed stack from the stacking station and yet allow, if desired, continuous bag machine operation and, as a result, uninterrupted transfer of sheets or bags to the stacking stations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus, associated with a rotary transfer device having a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced arms, for flattening and maintaining thermoplastic web segments or bags in a flat condition at a pick-up or transfer station so that successive segments or bags are being engaged and transferred by the arms of the transfer device are free of folds or wrinkles and thus insure proper stacking on one or more upwardly extending posts at a stacking station.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, tubular thermoplastic material is intermittently fed between opposed transversely extending seal bars operating in timed relation with the intermittent feeding of the web to sequentially perform cutting and sealing of the web during its period of repose. To insure a clean straight transverse cut, which occurs momentarily before transverse sealing, the web is held under tension between longitudinally spaced draw and feed rolls. Immediately after the web is transversely severed, the seal bars are brought into pressure engagement transversely sealing the web along a margin which will define the bottom of the bag. Before the web is fed an additional increment, it is momentarily fed rearwardly to avoid the possibility of adherence to the seal bars.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure a method is provided wherein tubular thermoplastic material is intermittently fed between opposed transversely extending seal bars operating in timed relation with the intermittent feeding of the web to sequentially perform cutting and sealing of the web during its period of repose. To insure a clean straight transverse cut, which occurs momentarily before transverse sealing, the web is held under tension between longitudinally spaced draw and feed rolls. Immediately after the web is transversely severed, the seal bars are brought into pressure engagement transversely sealing the web along a margin which will define the bottom of the bag. While the sealed portion of the web is at the sealing station, cooling air is discharged along the sealed portion of the web to effect cooling. Before the web is fed an additional increment, it is momentarily fed rearwardly to avoid the possibility of adherence to the seal bars.