Abstract: The bagging machine has a rotary table with openings to receive a series of bags. Each bag is staked onto four pins two of which are stationary and two of which are laterally movable. After filling, the bag is heat sealed using a pair of heat seal bars and then severed by a fly knife above the heat seal. The bag is then removed manually or automatically.

Abstract: A bag filling apparatus comprises a filling head, a structure providing suspension points for suspending a bag in registry with the filling head and a rigging arrangement for sealing the bag with the filling head. The rigging arrangement includes a rigging ring for use in locating an inlet of the bag. The support structure and the rigging ring are movable independently of the filling head between a lower position facilitating rigging of the bag loops and the bag inlet to the suspension points and the rigging ring and an upper position in which the bag loops are raised and the rigging ring is registered with the filling head.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for storing rolls of material so that a user can create individual bags from the rolls. For example, the device may store vacuum bag material suitable for filling with food and vacuum sealing. The apparatus has a support platform, a storage unit and a base for transporting two rolls of material simultaneously to the front of the apparatus. The storage unit has two rollers for storing up to two rolls. The apparatus also has a cutting mechanism for creating straight edges.

Abstract: An improved pouch-filling machine includes a pouch-opening apparatus for opening with closure strips such as zipper type locks in a continuous operation. The pouches are supported by continuously moving carriers, and the pouch-opening apparatus includes first and second stages wherein the first stage performs a preliminary opening of the upper edges of the pouch to permit gripping of the upper edges in the second stage. After this preliminary opening, the carrier carries the pouch to the second stage wherein a gripper arrangement grips and pulls the upper pouch edges outwardly to open the zipper lock. Further, the machine includes a transfer conveyor which continuously feeds the pouches to the pouch-opening apparatus in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A bag stuffer for an expandable bag has an insert that is movable from a collapsed orientation for enabling compact storage of an expandable bag containing the insert, to an expanded orientation for providing a commercial display of an expandable bag containing the insert. The insert includes one or two substantially rigid and substantially planar side panels and a bottom panel having opposite ends. The one or two side panels are connected to one or both of the opposite ends of the bottom panel at a hinge area containing a fold between the sides panels and the bottom panel. A biasing torsion spring, memory plastic at the hinge areas or leaf spring biases the insert toward the expanded orientation, the biasing force being applied in the hinge area for directly acting on the fold to bias the side panels away from the bottom panel and toward the expanded orientation.

Abstract: A bag filling apparatus comprises a filling head, a structure providing suspension points for suspending a bag in registry with the filling head and a rigging arrangement for sealing the bag with the filling head. The rigging arrangement includes a rigging ring for use in locating an inlet of the bag. The support structure and the rigging ring are movable independently of the filling head between a lower position facilitating rigging of the bag loops and the bag inlet to the suspension points and the rigging ring and an upper position in which the bag loops are raised and the rigging ring is registered with the filling head.

Abstract: A machine for forming individual packages from a web of preopened and interconnected bags one at a time is disclosed. A web is fed along a path of travel from a supply to a load station. A pair of nip rolls are positioned along the path near the load station. A printer is positioned along the path between the supply and the nip rolls. A nip roll drive is provided for rotating the nip rolls selectively and one at a time at a printing rate for the feed of the web when the printer is operating and at a faster feed rate for positioning a bag at the load station when the printer is not operating. A supply station tensioner is provided for tensioning a web along the path such that the printer when operating prints a section of a tensioned web.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for loading feedstock into expandable storage bags. The bagging machine has a double-tapered tunnel for deploying a folded bag, stretching the bag and then releasing the stretched bag about feed that is simultaneously being compacted and extruded within the tunnel towards and out an open end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forward end and communicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forward end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a rotor element for propelling feed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel and a secured bag, the rotor element having a rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic opening of bags uses bags in a folded configuration that include a small aperture near the top thereof. The aperture allows a number of bags to be hung in a substantially vertical orientation on an angled protruding member. A vacuum-operated device engages one side of one of the bags and extracts it from the protruding member. The bag, still in the folded configuration, is moved into position opposite a second vacuum-operated device. The second vacuum-operated device engages the extracted bag on the opposite side of the bag from the first vacuum-operated device. The second vacuum-operated device is activated and one or both of the vacuum-operated devices are moved away from each other to open the bag into an unfolded configuration. The unfolded bag may be positioned in a loading area by synchronized movement of both vacuum-operated devices.

Abstract: A sheet package producing system includes at least a cutter module and a packaging module. The cutter module has a cutter blade, for producing X-ray films by cutting a continuous sheet material. The packaging module has packaging robots, for producing a sheet package by packaging the X-ray films stacked on one another. In the sheet package producing system, a first module control unit is incorporated in the cutter module, for controlling the cutter blade. A second module control unit is incorporated in the packaging module, for controlling the packaging robots. A CPU is connected with the first and second module control units removably by a component network, for controlling the cutter module and the packaging module in synchronism.

Abstract: A supply device which, in a retainer type continuous-filling packaging system, converts the movement of empty bags supplied intermittently in a plurality of rows into a continuous motion in a single row and supplies these empty bags continuously to retainers that are conveyed at a constant speed. The supply device includes an empty-bag holding member conveying device and an intermittent bag supply device. In the empty-bag holding member conveying device, a plurality of empty-bag holding members (that contain therein empty bags) disposed at equal intervals are moved in one direction along a ring-form track that has a pair of parallel sections, and during this movement, the empty-bag holding members are moved intermittently by a specified distance (a distance equal to an integral multiple of an attachment spacing of the empty-bag holding members) on a bag entry side of the parallel sections and are moved continuously at a constant speed on a bag exit side of the parallel section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transporting, testing, filling and sealing a bag which is comprised of a bag body that can be spread out to form a rectangular cross section, said bag body being made up of two wider first and two narrower second bag walls, a bag bottom sealing the bag body at the bottom, a bag opening bordering the bag body at the top, and an opened bag seal, whereby the bag seal itself comprises first sealing flaps which are connected to the first bag walls respectively and stick out horizontally from the bag opening outwards, and towards the first bag walls at right angles, second sealing flaps which are connected to the second bag walls respectively and which lie—especially when folded inwards onto the bag opening—horizontally so that the first sealing flaps and the second sealing flaps form a frame-shaped sealing collar lying on a horizontal plane, by which during transporting, testing, filling and sealing the outer areas of the first sealing flaps are he

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for inserting empty bags into retainers, guide members are caused to approach both side edges of each supplied bag so that the vertically oriented guide grooves of the guide members contacted the side edges of the bag, thus positioning the bag in a position that is vertically aligned with a retainer. The bag mouth is opened by suction disks, and a plug is brought into the opened bag mouth. Then, the plug is lowered toward the retainer, so that both side edges of the bag is inserted into the insertion grooves of the retainer. After this insertion, a compressed gas is jetted out of a discharge opening at the tip end of the plug into the bag, so that the bag is spread open to the bottom thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling and sealing sacks, which are open on one side and are provided preferably with side folds. Said device comprises a filling station, which exhibits a filling pipe and serves the purpose of filling sacks; comprises various grippers for transporting away the empty sacks; holding the sacks in the filling station and transporting away the filled sacks, and comprises a conveyor belt, which starts below the filling station and serves the purpose of bracing and carrying away the filled sacks. Said conveyor belt exhibits at least one stand that revolves around two deflecting rollers. According to the invention, the conveyor belt in the region below the filling station can be lowered and raised again by swivelling the deflecting roller. Below the carrying run of the conveyor belt there is an additional vibrator in the region of the filling station.

Abstract: A packaging sealer printer employing a bag sealing mechanism in a printer assembly. The sealer printer transports a web of bags past a printing head and to a filling station and sealer assembly. The bags are sequentially indexed during the transporting operation. At the printing head, information regarding the content and/or recipient of the bag is printed on the bag. The same information is displayed on a video screen when the bag is indexed to the filling station and sealer assembly for filling by the operator. The bag is then sealed by a pressure bar pinching the bag against a spring plate and heater bar. A transfer printing tape is interposed between printing head and the bag to be printed. A low voltage sensing finger rides upon the web of bags and is operative to sense the presence of uniformly positioned apertures along the web of bags to assure and maintain proper registration of the bags with the printing head and filling and sealing stations during operation.

Abstract: An empty bag supplying apparatus used in a continuous conveying type bag-filling packaging machine in which the empty bag supplying apparatus receives empty bags and transfers these empty bags to gripper pairs of the bag-filling packaging machine that are moved continuously at a constant speed. The empty bag supplying apparatus includes downward-facing bag holding members and a reciprocating movement mechanism. The bag holding members hold the upper portions of bags. The reciprocating movement mechanism causes the bag holding members to reciprocate along an arc-shaped path and keeps the empty bags held by the holding members to be parallel to the direction of movement of the gripper pairs during the reciprocating motion. In a bag transfer region established in the arc-shaped path path, the speed of the bag holding members holding the empty bags is equal to the moving speed of the gripper pairs.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing, filling and sealing thermoplastic sacks comprises a station, which comprises a forward draw unit for intermittently pulling forward a web of thermoplastic blown film and for its suspended feed in a vertical direction through a cross welding and cross severing mechanism, which provides the leading end of the blown film web with a cross weld and severs from said web a tubular segment above a gripping and transport mechanism. In order to pass the leading end of the blown film web quickly and without limply withdrawing to one side through the cross weld and cross severing mechanism into a stretched hanging position, there is a wall parallel to the feed path of the blown film web, and above the wall there are in its top region blowing air nozzles, facing the feed direction, between the wall and the feed path.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for individually bagging bundles into stretchable open bags. The apparatus comprises a bag stretching structure about which a bag can be turned inside out for wrapping an underlying bundle in response to continuous downward movement of the bag stretching structure once the closed end of the bag opposite the open end thereof has engaged the top surface of the bundle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously producing, handling and filling bags (8), especially bags for handling by automatic machines, formed from a thermoplastic line of film. The aim of the invention is to facilitate handling in the logistical sequence between the bags (8) being produced and being filled and to improve the quality of the bag stacks (6). To this end, the bags (8) are attached (22) in places, then held in place in the area of a packing machine by holding elements (31) which interact with suspension holes (18). The attachment (22) on the bag stack (6) is then removed, after which the bags (8) are filled. The filling movement releases the bags (8) from the holding elements (31) and the bags (8) are finally sealed. The bags (8) are advantageously separated by a clamping and pulling-apart apparatus located in the area of the packing machine.

Abstract: A bag filling and sealing machine includes a bag holder, a bag opening and filling station, and a sealing station. The bag holder holds wicketed bags in a manner that allows the bags to be easily torn from the holder. A funnel assembly successively opens each bag, tears the bag from the bag holder, fills the bag with material, and releases the bag to a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages the sides of the bag while the bag is attached to a funnel assembly and later pulls the sides of the bag away from each other so that the top of the bag is closed and ready to seal when the bag is delivered to a sealing apparatus. The grabber assembly moves in a manner so as to minimize the lost height when moving from the filling station to the sealing station.

Abstract: A bag loading method and assembly including a bag tray for holding a stack of bags and a conveyor assembly positioned above the bag tray. The conveyor assembly is movable between a first position, where the conveyor assembly engages a bag, and a second position, where the conveyor assembly is inclined with respect to the bag tray. Preferably, the conveyor assembly includes first and second rollers, a body portion between the first and second rollers, at least one vacuum generator communicating with the body portion for providing vacuum to the conveyor assembly, and an endless belt encircling portions of the rollers and the body portion. The endless belt engages the bag from the bag tray when the conveyor assembly is in the first position, and moves the bag to a position where the bag can be opened and filled when the conveyor assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A bag welding method and assembly includes an upper jaw movable in a substantially vertical plane and a lower jaw movable in the same substantially vertical plane as the upper jaw and supported on the frame via two support members. A pressure sensor is coupled to the jaws for measuring a welding pressure between the jaws. A processor coupled to the pressure sensor receives a signal from the pressure sensor to determine the conditions under which the weld was created. Preferably, the pressure sensor is mounted on one of the support members, or alternatively, can be mounted in a recess in one of the upper and the lower jaws. The welding assembly also preferably includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature between the welding jaws during sealing. The welding assembly can also include a timer for determining the length of time in which the welding jaws seal the bag.

Abstract: A system and method of continuously forming, sealing, and filling flexible packages with sterile beverages is disclosed wherein the forming, sealing, and filling is performed without stopping or indexing the packages in order to achieve high throughput rates and efficiency. A web feeding device inputs sheet material into the system, which is continuously formed into a series of juxtaposed shaped packages in a forming unit. The packages are formed by a folding technique resulting in top and bottom gussets, and sealed side seams with an open top for filling thereof with liquid. The entire web of formed packages is transported through a filling device, which continuously fills the packages while in web form. The top fill openings of the packages are then sealed in a continuous process, and fabrication within an aseptic or ultra-clean environment is thereby completed. Post-treatment of the packages outside of the aseptic environment, but in a clean environment, then may proceed.

Abstract: Products consisting, for example, of stacks of articles having a flattened shape, such as sanitary articles, are packaged inside the corresponding bags, by providing a device which keeps the aforesaid bags open while a pusher element is pushing the products inside the bags. Once the pushing movement has been completed, the bags containing the products are left free to advance towards a closing station, thus disengaging the pusher element. In this way, the aforesaid pusher element is prevented from advancing inside the closing station and from being subsequently backed off from the said station. Preferably, the closing station is made by means of an orientable structure, which enables sealing lines of the packages to be made that are oriented both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, so adapting to the orientation of the bags fed onto the device.

Abstract: A bag stuffer for an expandable bag has an insert that is movable from a collapsed orientation for enabling compact storage of an expandable bag containing the insert, to an expanded orientation for providing a commercial display of an expandable bag containing the insert. The insert includes one or two substantially rigid and substantially planar side panels and a bottom panel having opposite ends. The one or two side panels are connected to one or both of the opposite ends of the bottom panel at a hinge area containing a fold between the sides panels and the bottom panel. A biasing torsion spring, memory plastic at the hinge areas or leaf spring biases the insert toward the expanded orientation, the biasing force being applied in the hinge area for directly acting on the fold to bias the side panels away from the bottom panel and toward the expanded orientation.

Abstract: A high speed linear bagging machine and method of bagging a product with such machine is described. The machine has a reciprocating linear bagger assembly which has a straight drive member with a carriage connected thereto. A drive having a pair of coils is used to drive the straight drive member to displace the carriage. A stroke controller is used to control the coils dependent on a desired forward and rearward displacement stroke of a carriage along the drive member. A product receptacle is secured to the carriage and displaceable to a bagging station. A bag engaging member is connected to the carriage and a product arresting member is displaceable for abutting relationship with an end of a product at the bagging station.

Abstract: A discharge device which, in a retainer type continuous-filling packaging system, extracts full bags (bags filled with contents) from retainers that are continuously fed at a constant speed and discharges these full bags after converting the movement of the bags into an intermittent movement of a plurality of rows. The discharge device includes a full-bag holding member conveying device and a product-conveying conveyor.

Abstract: Device for filling sacks (1), comprising at least one filler material metering device (2), a feeding hopper (3) and a sealing tab folder (5), wherein

Abstract: The invention relates to device for manufacturing, filling and sealing thermoplastic sacks that are open on one side. Said device comprises a first welding and severing station for forming the sack with a bottom weld, a filling station and a second welding station for sealing the sack and comprises a first pair of gripping pliers as the pair of transport gripping pliers for accepting the sack at the first welding station; a second pair of gripping pliers that are arranged stationarily at the filling station; and a third pair of gripping pliers as the pair of transport gripping pliers that transport the sack from the filling station to the second welding station. The invention provides a fourth pair of gripping pliers as the pair of transport gripping pliers that accepts the sack from the first pair of transport gripping pliers through the in-line arrangement of a stationary pair of gripping pliers and delivers to the pair of gripping pliers, which are arranged stationarily at the filling station.

Abstract: An automatic bagging machine using cool-shrinking film includes mainly a machine body, a bag conveying device, a bag sealing device, a bag sucking device, and a bag supporting device combined on the machine body. The bag conveying device sends continual bags to the bag sucking device to suck and stick to a lower opening of each bag to open it for a first stage. Then the four corners of the opening of the bag are respectively sucked to stick to suck drums fixed with air suckers by operation of position air pressure cylinders beside each air sucker. Then the bag is expanded out to a preset medium size, not falling down during expanding process. Next, the bag supporting device continually sends out a certain length of the bag to be positioned in the bag supporting device, which then expands the bag again to a preset maximum size. The bag together with the bag supporting device are lowered down by elevating frames to release the bag to cover and surround products (or cartons) together with the storing plate.

Abstract: An improved pouch-filling machine includes a pouch-opening apparatus for opening with closure strips such as zipper type locks in a continuous operation. The pouches are supported by continuously moving carriers, and the pouch-opening apparatus includes first and second stages wherein the first stage performs a preliminary opening of the upper edges of the pouch to permit gripping of the upper edges in the second stage. After this preliminary opening, the carrier carries the pouch to the second stage wherein a gripper arrangement grips and pulls the upper pouch edges outwardly to open the zipper lock. Further, the machine includes a transfer conveyor which continuously feeds the pouches to the pouch-opening apparatus in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: Bag filling apparatus includes forward and rearward FIBC loop rigging members and a pair of generally parallel arms located one on each side of the filling head so as to extend fore and aft relative to a platform for occupation by an operator during rigging of the bag to the support structure and the filling head, the forward rigging members being slidable along said arms towards and away from the rearward rigging members to facilitate rigging of the bag by the operator.

Abstract: A web (20) of sequentially disposed package blanks (26) are supplied to an apparatus for opening and closing the package blanks at a filling station. The web has a first wall (21 a) opposite a second wall (21b). Transverse slits (27) are disposed between the side closures of the package blanks. Each respective wall is provided with retainers at its upper edges which guide the edges when the web is displaced along the apparatus. The wall (21a, b) of each package blank is provided with a longitudinal slit (29a). The slit (29a) of the first wall extends from the transverse slit (27) at one side closure of the package blank, and the longitudinal slit of the second wall extends from the transverse slit at the second side closure of the package blank. The apparatus includes mechanical retainer devices which are disposed in transversely spaced relation from one another in that part of the apparatus where the package blanks are displaced in the opened state so that the blanks can be filled.

Abstract: A filling apparatus of irregular—formed vessels having an intermittent swinging table (111) disposed above a continuous rotation table (5) and having a plurality of filling nozzles (121) at a same pitch as the vessel holding pitch, filling means for pushing out the liquid from the filling nozzles (121), vertical moving means for vertically moving the filling nozzles (121), a continuously rotating outside hollow shaft (119) to which the continuous rotation table (5) is mounted, a hollow shaft (116) disposed concentrically with the outside hollow shaft (119) for reciprocally rotating the intermittent swinging table (111).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a bag (5) which is open on one side (5) from a stack (2) of such bags which are preferably stored in a bag hopper (1), this being by means of a lifting and suction apparatus, whereby the lifting and suction apparatus is a preferably driven conveyor belt (3) and for further conveying the bag (5) to a position for further processing. In order to enable a high throughput rate of the bags to be removed and to enable the realization of a position for further processing which is variably adaptable to the system requirements or can be optionally horizontal, vertical or in between, it is provided that the lifting and suction apparatus is horizontally and vertically movable to accelerate the removing of the bags.

Abstract: A mobile, automatic sandbagging machine includes a source of sandbags and a guide track positioned adjacent to the source of sandbags. A hook attached to a chain of the guide track selectively removes a sandbag from the source of sandbags and advances the sandbag along the guide track. An end of the sandbag is opened under a fill chute, and the sandbag is partially filled with fill material. A closing mechanism closes the open end of the sandbag and the sandbag is removed from the machine.

Abstract: A fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks may be joined to each other along an area of weakness. When making the package, the first track is first attached to the first panel, the package is filled with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel, and then the second track is attached to the second panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sealed pouches, and apparatus and processes for producing the same. The pouch includes contoured first and second lateral edges, with each lateral edge having concave and convex surfaces. The concave surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the convex surface of the second lateral edge and the convex surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the concave surface of the second lateral edge. Accordingly, a distance between the first and second lateral edges is substantially the same for all elevations of the pouch.

Abstract: An endless carrier for a packaging machine includes leading clamps which are mounted on one endless chain and trailing clamps which are mounted on another endless chain. The chains are independent of each other such that the distance between trailing clamps and leading clamps can be adjusted simply by moving the position of one chain relative to the other. The present invention may be incorporated in a newly built packaging machine or a retrofit kit for replacing the endless carrier of a preexisting packaging machine. To provide for ready adaptation of the distance between leading and trailing clamps, one of the sprockets connected to the drive shaft of the packaging machine can be a phase sprocket capable of being fastened and unfastened to the drive shaft such that the chain can be rotated simply by rotating the sprocket relative to the drive shaft to reposition the endless chain relative to the other endless chain.

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: A process of and apparatus for forming dunnage are disclosed. A chain of interconnected plastic pouches are fed along a path of travel to a fill and seal station. The pouches are sequentially opened as each pouch is positioned in the fill station. Each pouch is opened by directing a flow of air through a pouch fill opening to separate a face from a back of each such pouch and continuing the flow of air through each such opening to inflate each opened pouch. Steps are taken to control the volume of air in an inflated pouch. Each such inflated pouch is then sealed to create hermetically closed and inflated dunnage units. Novel web and dunnage units are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable cushioning system with separate inflatable cushioning chambers a common tool guideway and a common air inlet. The inflatable cushioning chambers each have an inflation port. The common air inlet is in fluid communication with each of the inflatable cushioning chambers. During inflation, pressurized air is inserted into the common air inlet. The pressurized air then enters the individual cushioning chambers through the inflation ports. The inflatable cushioning system is inflated using a multi-purpose inflation tool having a body with a main portion and a second portion, the second portion being connected to the main portion and both portions having hollow interiors. The second portion of the tool having a connecting means for connecting the tool to an external pressurized air source. The tool also having a blade connected to said main portion for cutting the tool guideway as the tool is advanced through the tool guideway.

Abstract: A conveyer system for receiving, orienting and conveying pouches is disclosed. The conveyor system includes a plurality of pucks, each puck having a lower extent with a recess extending upwardly from the lower surface thereof and having an upstanding cylindrical wall. An indexing conveyer includes a belt in a closed loop configuration supported by an idler roller at one end and with a drive roller at the other end with a motor to drive the rollers and belt in a step and repeat operation. The exterior surface of the belt is formed with a plurality of plates with a cleat on each plate to receive the recesses of a plurality of pucks thereacross. An infeed conveyer has a spine alignable with the cleat at the input end of the indexing conveyor adapted to receive and orient pucks from the infeed conveyer to the indexing conveyer. The infeed conveyer has an input end and an output end, the output end being located adjacent to the input end of the indexing conveyer.

Abstract: A packaging machine is described for forming, filling and sealing bags with a product. The machine forms a film into an elongate, side-sealed tube as it travels in a first direction, and severs the elongate tube into individual, open-ended, bag-length elements. These are then transported in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a bottom seal formed on them to convert them into open-topped bags. A carousel is arranged to receive the open-topped bags. Product is introduced into each of the open-topped bags, and a top seal formed on each of them to convert them into filled, sealed bags, as the bags travel round the carousel.

Abstract: A filling machine for sheet bags comprising a transportation means including a plurality of transportation elements for the sheet bags, for supplying the sheet bags to an opening station, a filling station, a closing station and a cooling station. The transportation means comprises a first conveying means including a plurality of first transportation elements for feeding sheet bags to the opening station, the filling station and the closing station, and a second conveying means including a plurality of second transportation elements for feeding the sheet bags to the cooling station. A transfer station is provided for transferring the sheet bags from the first conveying means to the second conveying means.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and packaging wire ties directly from a wire tie forming machine. While the prior art contemplates dispensing wire ties along first and second flexible strings or wires to form a coil of ties having the first and second strings or wires passing through first and second eyelets, respectively, formed in the ties, the present invention teaches first and second, rigid rods emanating from the first and second tying anvils on the tie forming machine, which rods are configured to slide each formed tie away from the tie forming machine, wherein the ties are counted via electric eye or the like and selectively dispensed into a package via computer controlled actuator. Bagging a quantity of the ties in this fashion provides an automated, dependable, economical system for packaging the specified quantity of ties, and is particularly useful for smaller lots of ties, for example, 500 ties or less.

Abstract: A sealing machine and process for sealing loaded bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through the sealer by a pair of grooved main transport belts. A holding belt is disposed in the groove of an associated main belt and extends into the groove of the other main belt as the belts move through the seal station. Processes of transporting and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks may be joined to each other along an area of weakness. When making the package, the first track is first attached to the first panel, the package is filled with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel, and then the second track is attached to the second panel.

Abstract: A filling device for filling bags, in particular with granular bulk material, in which there are provided a closeable filler neck (17) which is in connection with a reservoir and at least one pair of clamping arms (14) which are at least indirectly swivellable about a swivelling axle (2) for holding a bag (16) to be filled. In order to achieve a high degree of imperviousness between the bag to be filled (16) and the filler neck (17) it is provided that the filler neck (17) is made of an elastically deformable material and a pressing device (5, 9; 18, 19) is provided which acts on said filler neck and which presses the filler neck (17) flatly together in its pressing position, with two pairs of clamping arms (14) being provided which are arranged on either side of the pressing device (5, 9; 18, 19) or the filler neck (17) respectively, with the clearance of the pairs of clamping arms (14) exceeding the largest extension of the cross section of the filler neck (17) in its pressed state.

Abstract: A tie 24 seals an outer bag 26 and an inner line bag 28 of a container. The inner liner bag 28 is fed into a tubular discharge chute 30 and the tubular end of the outer liner bag is passed over the outside of a chute 30 to extend over an inflatable seal 32. Then two opposed pinch bars 34 on either side of the container, just below the tie 24, are actuated by pneumatic cylinders 36 to move towards each other and to pinch the inner and outer bags 26 and 28 just below the tie. Then a seal 32 is inflated to urge the seal against the inner face of the outer bag. Then the tie 24 is removed and the pinch bars are retracted before moving the chute 30 downwardly by retracting pneumatic cylinders 38 to take the lower end of the outer bag downwardly.