Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of packaging a set of stacked lids, which includes the steps of capturing an empty, flat package (12), comprising an inlet (25), by securing a vacuum terminal (8) in the immediate proximity of the inlet (25) of the package (12) and maintaining this package (12) straight; maintaining the vacuum terminal (8) activated, retaining the package (12), and producing an air jet towards the inlet (25) of the package (12) so as to open the inlet (25) of the package (12); maintaining a vacuum terminal (8) activated, retaining the package (12) and fitting the inlet (25) of the package (12) thus opened in a feed nozzle (5); transferring into the package (12) a set of stacked lids (6), the set of lids (6) passing through the feed nozzle (5) and the inlet (25) of the package (12) to the interior of the package (12). The present invention also relates to a packaging device for sets of stacked lids.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus for placing a packaging object in a packaging bag, includes: a bag support unit that holds the packaging bag in a state where a bag mouth of the packaging bag is opened; a transfer mechanism that places the packaging object at a supply position; a first intermediate holding unit provided to be able to ascend and descend; an elevation mechanism that elevates or lowers the first intermediate holding unit so as to place the first intermediate holding unit at a first elevation position and a second elevation position; a first placement mechanism that moves the packaging object placed at the supply position in a horizontal direction so as to place the packaging object on the first intermediate holding unit placed at the first elevation position; a horizontal movement mechanism that moves the first intermediate holding unit placed at the second elevation position in the horizontal direction so as to insert at least a part of the first intermediate holding unit in the packaging bag via the bag

Abstract: A bag loading apparatus for removably supporting a cartridge of wicketed bags. The bag loading apparatus comprises a front slider plate having a wicket slot therein. The wicket slot is adapted to receive and removably retain the wicket arms of a cartridge of wicketed bags. In an embodiment, a second slider plate is spaced apart from the front slider plate. In an additional embodiment, a wicket retaining arm retains the cartridge of wicketed in bags in place. In a further embodiment, a bag retaining means holds each bag in an open position as it is being filled.

Abstract: A disposable glove dispensing system may allow for a user to efficiently put on a disposable glove without touching the outside of the glove. In various embodiments, a disposable glove may comprise an opening for hand entry having a first opening edge and a second opening edge, a first interconnection point located near the first opening edge, where the first interconnection point attaches the disposable glove to a first adjacent disposable glove, and a second interconnection point located near the second opening edge. The second interconnection point may attach the disposable glove to a second adjacent disposable glove, wherein the disposable glove is positioned between the first adjacent disposable glove and the second adjacent disposable glove. Furthermore, a disposable glove dispensing system may comprise a pack of interconnected disposable gloves, and a glove dispenser comprising two glove hangers for hanging the pack of disposable gloves hang.

Abstract: A rotary-type bag filling and packaging apparatus including a cylindrical hopper installed in a filling position along travel path of bags and gas injection nozzles rotating intermittently with the bags in such manner that interference between the hopper and the gas injection nozzles is avoided and the bags are filled with a material to be packaged while gas injection into the bags is in progress. So as to avoid the interference, the hopper can be comprised of axially separable two pieces so that the two pieces are separated and positioned out of the travel path of the bags and gas injection nozzles and then are moved to the filing position and joined together to form a truncated cone shape so that the bags are filled with the material to be packaged via the truncated cone-shape hopper.

Abstract: A commodity containing apparatus including a charging member 13 attached to a base portion 10 for charging a plurality of sheets of containing bags 40, and a pivoting base portion 22 supported by the base portion 10 pivotably in a vertical face and formed with a commodity throwing opening 27 at a center portion thereof, wherein an end plate 22a of the pivoting base portion 22 opposed to the charging member 13 presses to hold a plurality of sheets of containing bags 40, and the apparatus is small-sized and can simply contain a commodity.

Abstract: Poly mesh bags or closely woven poly bags have at least one pair of aligned apertures extending through opposite sides of the top portion of the bags, with one of the apertures slit to the top edge of one of the sides. If the bags are poly mesh bags, a band label may be secured to the top portion of the bags, with the aligned apertures also extending through the band label to give the apertures added strength. Alternatively, the poly mesh bags may have an enlarged selvedge edge adjacent the top portion through which the aligned apertures extend, and a drawstring may be interwoven in the selvedge edge below the apertures. Also a band label may be secured to both sides of the bags below the drawstring. If made of a closely woven poly material, a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending ventilation strips may be provided around the entire circumference of the bags.

Abstract: A newspaper bagger system includes a bag support and a bag chute suspended around and from the bag support. The bag support includes a plurality of detachable bags that extend through the bottom of the chute. The bag chute includes a shoulder at an upper end of the chute to hang the bag chute from the bag support and can also include a vertical slot on a front side of the chute that extends down from the upper end of the chute about half the length of the chute. An upper stiffener is incorporated into the back of the chute and across the shoulder section of the chute and a lower stiffener is attached outside the chute and adjacent to a bottom of the chute. The bagger system is suspended from the interior of an automobile.

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 method of packaging point-of-purchase items involves supplying plastic bags as a continuously attached length of bags, each bag being separated from adjacent bags along the supply length by a perforated tear line. The length of bags is stored on a storage form or in another suitable manner permitting advancement of bags when pulled out of the stored condition. The perforated tear line cuts entirely through the web of bags. However, the perforation along one side of each bag is broken to present an open flap through which contents can be added to the bag prior to removal from the web. The method of using the bags for packaging produce, groceries or other articles generally selected at point of sale and which are generally segregated by type for later pricing by weight or unit, permits a user to at least partially fill a bag prior to removal from the web.

Abstract: An automatic grocery bag opener automatically opens plastic and polyethylene bags with forced air in produce departments and at checkout counters of grocery stores. Bags are held in position from any of several different types of hangers on the front of the enclosure. The outside bag is forced and held open by the forced airstream from the air supply. The bag can then be filled with the grocery items. Once the bag is filled, it is removed from the hangers and the next bag is automatically blown and held open. As long as the motion sensor sees movement, the blower stays on. If no movement is seen by the motion sensor, the motion sensor ends an electric signal, thus turning off the blower. In turn, if the motion sensor sees a motion, an electric signal is sent to the blower and turns the bagger back on.

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 a first bag on the side of the bag opposite to the aperture and retracts, thus opening the bag using the force generated between the protruding member and the vacuum-operated device. This allows the bag to be opened without extraction from the protruding member. The open bag is clamped in position and loaded using conventional technology. The fully loaded bag is moved out of the loading position onto a conveyor belt. The movement of the fully loaded bag tears the back portion of the bag near the aperture thus freeing the bag from the protruding member. The loaded bag may be subsequently sealed and processed for shipping.

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 a first bag on the side of the bag opposite to the aperture and retracts, thus opening the bag using the force generated between the protruding member and the vacuum-operated device. This allows the bag to be opened without extraction from the protruding member. The open bag is clamped in position and loaded using conventional technology. The fully loaded bag is moved out of the loading position onto a conveyor belt. The movement of the fully loaded bag tears the back portion of the bag near the aperture thus freeing the bag from the protruding member. The loaded bag may be subsequently sealed and processed for shipping.

Abstract: A plastic film bag assembly includes a bag having front and back walls joined together and defining an opening leading to a cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall for supporting the bag on a structure. A severance line extends across the header and includes tear sections extending inwardly from each of the header side edges. The severance line also includes support sections adjacent and inwardly of the tear sections. The support sections have a strength per unit length of severance line which is greater than the tear sections strength per unit length of severance line whereby, when severing the bag away from the header, a greater force is required for severing along the severance line support sections than the force required for severing along the tear sections. In use, the bag front wall lip is grasped and pulled away from the header for separating complementary profiles and opening the bag. The header tear sections are severed until reaching the support sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing, loading and singularly dispensing bags in a bag bundle from a dispensing hook includes a bag bundle formed from a plurality of stacked bags. Each bag has apertures are defined in the front panel and the rear panel adjacent the open top, these apertures having an opening of a selected dimension normal to the vertical side walls with an upper edge. A dispensing hook is used having parallel sides separated by a width complimentary to the selected dimension of the apertures to provide a secure, snug fit when the bag bundle is placed on the dispensing hook at the registered apertures. The dispensing hook defining a bag holding surface complimentary to the upper edge of the apertures.

Abstract: An advertising arrangement applicable to laminar strips of plastic material for shrink-wrapping and protecting luggage, which consists of incorporating inside the tunnel (3) of a machine for protecting luggage means for positioning labels (5) and (5′) of any shape considered appropriate, provided with means for fixing in the central area of the luggage (9). The labels to be incorporated or the similar means are made up of a spool (6) and (6′) situated in the upper part and tensioned in the lower part by appropriate means (7) and (7′). The luggage (9) exits by means of a conveyor or roller belt (4′).

Abstract: A packaging bag having a body portion with opposed sides, a bottom and a top formed of a pair of synthetic sheets. The sides of the bag are formed by securing the overlying edges of the synthetic sheets together by stitching. The bottom is formed by securing bottom edges of the synthetic sheets together with a heat sealed seam and the top is formed to include a panel of a re-sealable member secured with the top edge of each of the synthetic sheets. The opposed edges of the panels are releasable engagable providing a bag which is selectively opened and closed.

Abstract: Automated apparatus for filling of a bag with a loose commodity comprises a bag filling station for dispensing commodity into a bag; a wicket for feeding a stacked and interconnected array of empty bags; and a conveyor for removing filled bags from the filling station. Reciprocating clamps grip the open mouths of the filled bags, and transfer the filled bags away from the filling station, with a subsequent bag being drawn into appropriate position for filling by means of the connection formed between the contacting bags.

Abstract: In the process of die-cutting bag stacks to form individual bag tops, die-cut handle apertures, or other mounting apertures, die blade configurations forming the vent lines of an array of vent apertures are also used to bond the outer surfaces of the front and rear bag walls together. The die-cutting operation selectively bonds the successive front and rear bag walls together at or adjacent the cut edges of the vent lines, thereby allowing the bags in a bag stack to subsequently self-open when dispensed.

Abstract: A system for compacting organic material such as silage and inserting compacted material into an elongate plastic bag. A feed table delivers material to a rotor that propels and compacts material into an inlet of a tunnel. A proportional valve controlling the hydraulic motor of the feed table controls the rate of which the feed table delivers material. A speed sensor senses the speed of the rotor and transmits a signal to the control unit connected to the proportional valve of the feed table. Overfeeding of material to the rotor results in a reduction of the rotor speed. Such reduction is sensed and the feed table delivery rate adjusted accordingly to optimize filling of the bag.

Abstract: A block of bags for a product filling process includes a plurality of bags stacked in overlying relationship. Each bag of the block has a top edge, a bag mouth and opposite first and second side edges. First and second weakened segments extend from adjacent edge points on respective opposite lateral edges of the bag. A central line of perforations extends between inner ends of the first and second weakened segments. A tear-off region is defined between the central line of perforations and the top edge. During automatic filling of the bag, the weakened segments are torn to form an open bag mouth, and the central line of perforations is torn after filling to separate the bag from the block. The weakened segments can be cuts and are spaced from the lateral edges of the bag to define frangible bridges at the lateral edges, wherein the frangible bridges are broken during opening of each bag.

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 tab for mounting a bag bundle on a retaining hook of the type having an upwardly bent hook is shown configured in a bundle of bags. The bundle of bags has at least a leading bag and a plurality of trailing bags. There is at least one tab attached to one bag wall of each bag. This tab is in alignment with like tabs from like bag walls. The tab includes a flanged aperture including at least one peak, with this peak protruding inwardly toward and to the aperture for contact with the upwardly bent hook whereby the tabs are bent out of alignment with the upwardly shaped hook.

Abstract: A bag for use in an automatic bagging apparatus, said bag comprising: a back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge and first and second side edges; and a front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge and first and second side edges, the back panel being longer than the front panel, wherein the back panel includes a tear line which runs parallel to the top and bottom edges of the back panel and extends between the side edges thereof, the tear line including a middle portion which is perforated and two lateral portions which are cut and intersect the side edges of said back panel, the front panel being juxtaposed with the back panel such that the side edges and bottom edges are contiguous, the front panel being joined to the back panel along their corresponding side edges and bottom edges is disclosed.

Abstract: In the process of die-cutting bag stacks to form individual bag tops, die-cut handle apertures, or other mounting apertures, die blade configurations forming the vent lines of an array of vent apertures are also used to bond the outer surfaces of the front and rear bag walls together. The die-cutting operation selectively bonds the successive front and rear bag walls together at or adjacent the cut edges of the vent lines, thereby allowing the bags in a bag stack to subsequently self-open when dispensed.

Abstract: A bag includes a first panel with at least one access hole in it, and a second panel without a hole corresponding to the at least one hole of the first panel. Preferably, two holes are present, preferably near the bag mouth. The panels are substantially equal in length. The bag can be easily opened by described bag opening means, without the need for vacuum or air to open the bag. The bag can be used in conjuction with otherwise conventional taped bag systems. A metod of making the bag, a bag opening system, a method of opening the bag, and a packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a universal packaging bag that has a window through which a component on a product can be visually perceived. The method provides for the bag to be used on differently designed bagging machines, such a right-handed bagging machine or a left-handed bagging machine.

Abstract: An automated bagging apparatus for use in the hosiery industry which tightens the bag around the hosiery articles prior to sealing to eliminate any extra bag space. This tightening effect is accomplished by holding the articles in place while extending the bag from the articles. The bag, while extended is sealed and trimmed prior to moving the sealed bag onto a conveyor belt for further handling.

Abstract: A method of packaging a block product includes providing an opened tubular bag having a bag mouth, and a bag bottom; positioning the bag for loading; provided a block product; positioning the block product on a product platform; engaging the trailing edge of the block product with a protrusion, said protrusion mounted on a conveyor belt; and advancing the conveyor belt, with the protrusion mounted thereon, thereby advancing the block product toward the mouth of the bag, such that the momentum of the block product forces the block product to enter the bag and strike the bag bottom, and such that the protrusion mounted on the conveyor disengages from the trailing edge of the block product before the block product strikes the bag bottom. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously counting, stacking, and packaging relatively rigid and stackable articles, such as frozen meat patties, is provided. The apparatus includes a bottom stacker for stacking stackable articles in a column, a stack mover for moving the stack of articles to a packaging station, and a packager for packaging the stack of articles. The packager can provide an open plastic bag without injecting air.

Abstract: A bag filling station including a main body having a loading bay with a bottom, a first end, and a second end. The bottom of the loading bay may be movable in a horizontal direction. At the first end of the loading bay is a loading ram or actuator having a pusher arm which is also movable in a horizontal direction. Adjacent to the loading bay, at its second end, are two spreader plates, each of which is coupled to the main body and movable between a rearward position and a forward position. Each spreader plate is also moveable along a linear path, between a first, open position and a second, closed position. The bag filling station also includes a platform which is located near and above the second end of the loading bay and has a centrally positioned opening. A stack of bags is placed on the platform over the opening. Under the platform, near the second end of the loading bay, is a vertically oriented, linear actuator or rod.

Abstract: A bag storage device for automatically receiving wet umbrellas installed for example, in a bag storage device at the entrances of hotels, stores, buses, trains and the like for receiving a wet umbrella in a bag which is simply arranged and securely takes an umbrella in the receiving bag. The receiving bag is loaded in the main body of the device and an opening operation member for opening a receiving opening end of the receiving bag is arranged so that the insertion opening is opened by rotating the opening operation member with the point of the umbrella. The umbrella is automatically and easily taken into the bag without using a motor. Thus, the present invention can provide an extremely practical device which can be used where there is no electric power source as well as can reduce the manufacturing cost, without possibilities that an electric cord will become a hindrance and that an electric leak will occur.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging includes a pivoting transport arm for removing a product from a moving conveyor and placing the product at a first work station. A pusher mechanism pushes the product delivered to the first station between spaced plates into a plastic bag and then through gates of a closure device to the second station. The closure device seals the bag with the product therein and the bagged product is subsequently discharged from the second station.

Abstract: A package bag expanding device includes a box and a pivotable cover which has a hole defined therethrough. A frame includes two first rods and a second rod respectively extending laterally therefrom. At least one package bag has two holes defined therethrough, a recess defined in an upper edge thereof and an opening defined therein below the holes. The two first rods extend through the two holes and the second rod is received in the recess. A pressing mechanism is fixedly disposed to one of two side walls of the box and includes an arm pivotally connected thereto which has a distal end rested on a periphery defining the opening of the package bag.

Abstract: A bagging machine for inserting semi-compressible articles into preformed bags having a product loading arm vertically and horizontally mounted to the bag loading surface of a frame that can be programmed to move downwardly to engage a plurality of articles to be bagged and move them horizontally into an opened bag for subsequent removal to a remote location. A suction device engages a bag to positively open the bag to receive the compressed articles. A hold-down device also functions to direct the packaged articles downwardly and into a position for movement to a remote location. The bagging machine can be joined with a compactor and programmed to automatically receive compacted pluralities of articles for subsequent bagging. The compactor and bagging machine become fully automatic when a displacing device is associated with the compactor to move the compressed articles to the bag loading surface.

Abstract: Folded and tied newspapers are delivered in a stream to an infeed conveyor which moves the newspapers in succession toward an inserting station where a stack of flimsy plastic bags are waiting. Just prior to reaching the inserting station, the newspaper is gripped by high-speed accelerating rollers which fire the newspaper into the open mouth of the inflated top bag in the stack. High-speed ejector rollers then clamp onto the bagged newspaper and pull it off the holding wicket for movement on down the line. A special, transverse, bag supply shuttle has two separate bag holding zones along its length so that one zone containing an adequate supply of bags may be presented to the inserting station while the other, empty zone is restocked with a new supply. During shifting of the shuttle, the incoming stream of newspapers is diverted temporarily so that no newspapers are presented to the inserting station during manipulation of the shuttle.

Abstract: A device for feeding a packaging machine via a bag stack feeder possesses at least one holder to secure a stack of bags. To date an operator placed the corresponding empty bags in stacks on a chain conveyor which fed the bags into the packaging machine. Due to the short cycle time, the manual loading tied an operator continuously to the machine. In order to avoid this, a bag stack feeder is equipped with a plurality of tray-like carriers, each fitted with a holder and each being detachable from the bag stack feeder. These carriers are respectively stored in large numbers in a magazine, which is exchangeable as a unit.

Abstract: A device is provided for opening at least one package bag which has a first sheet having a first top edge and a second sheet having a second top edge detachably engaged with each other. The device includes a horizontal L-shaped base member. A vertical U-shaped baffle is arranged and has one distal end fixedly attached to a second plate of the base member. At least one horizontal post has one distal end fixedly attached to the baffle, and the top edge of the first sheet of the package bag is mounted around the horizontal post. A pushing member has a vertical section slidably mounted around the horizontal post for urging the first top edge of the first sheet of the package bag to abut on the baffle. A pressing mechanism is mounted on the first plate of the base member and includes a pressing member pivotally mounted thereon. A pressing plate is formed on one end portion of the pressing member and is rested on the second top edge of the second sheet of the package bag.

Abstract: A sideweld bag making machine utilizing a rotary transfer device and wicket conveyer is equipped with a movable bag stacking guide that is used to align bags as they are stacked on the wicket conveyer. The bag stacking guide, which is mounted on the wicket conveyer, has a first raised position for accumulating bags as they are made, and a second lowered positioned to free stack bags for wicket conveyer indexing. The stacking guide is particularly useful for bags having lengths substantially greater than their width.

Abstract: A device is described for packaging products, in particular sliced bread, in bags. This device comprises feed and discharge means for the breads to be packaged and a scoop assembly which is principally perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the products by the device and which can be displaced reciprocally. During operation, the device can bring a bag over the product to be packaged by means of displacement of the scoop assembly, while the product to be packaged is blocked. The scoop assembly comprises an upper and a lower scoop, which scoops can be moved relative to each other. The lower scoop comprises, in order to prevent the crust and/or individual slices of the bread falling over, air flow nozzles which provide a current of air directed obliquely upwards towards the bread.A scoop assembly is also described which is suitable for use in a packaging device for packaging products in bags.

Abstract: An automatic bagging machine wherein one or more articles are discharged in an open top end of a plastic bag which is held and supported at a discharge location. A plurality of collapsed and juxtaposed bags are held adjacent a discharge location. An outermost one of the juxtaposed bags is opened while still being retained with the other bags. As the articles are discharged within the open top end of the outermost bag, they cause the bag to separate from the plurality of juxtaposed bags, but the outermost bag is still retained and supported at the discharge location. A bag closing and displacing mechanism then forms a gathered neck portion of the bag which is then released and displaced to an attaching device.

Abstract: A method of loading disks includes first and second air-jet nozzles and a continuous flow of air. The first air jet nozzle is directed into the opening of the flexible bag to initiate opening the bag at a localized region. The continuous flow is designed to fully open the bag by taking advantage of the localized opening. The second air jet nozzle improves the reliability of the opening process by striking a surface of the flexible bag to overcome the continuous flow. Impinging the bag in this manner tends to remove any wrinkles at the opening, so that when the second jet is terminated the continuous flow fully opens the bag. Preferably, the second air jet flow is ionized, thereby neutralizing any static charge that is stored by the bag. Typically, the first and second air jet flows do not overlap in time.

Abstract: A wicket of bags such that the bags are releasably secured to a header by release lines. Each bag has a front and back side, side edges, a bottom edge and inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface of the back side of a first bag is adjacent to the outer surface of the front side of the next succeeding bag. A sealed pocket is formed on the outer surface of the front side of a bag and is adapted to have an article encapsulated therein.

Abstract: A machine for packaging poultry products and for breaking the hocks of the poultry products includes two substantially semi-cylindrical guide members for positioning a poultry product with unbroken hocks in a bag and a plunger device for breaking the hocks of the poultry product. The plunger device has two inclined surfaces forming a substantially V-shaped surface for contacting the legs of the poultry product and for breaking the hocks by compressing the legs of the poultry product against the carcass of the poultry product. Methods for operating the machine to load the poultry product into the bag and to automatically break the hocks are also described.

Abstract: A wicket for a bagging machine is useful for placing a plurality of objects in a first bag (11) of a plurality of juxtaposed bags. Each bag has a front (17) and back (16) wall portion and an extended tab (13). The extended tab 13 has at least two wicket apertures (18) and the bottom of the bag 71 has at least one bottom wicket aperture (19). The bags are held in a wicket comprising upper wicket pins (12) and lower wicket pin (14). Lower wicket pin holds the bottom (71) of the bag. Lower wicket pin (14) aids in overcoming difficulties experienced with bags sticking to one another. The bag mouth is opened, e.g. with an air jet, and then clamped and pulled open. The machine is useful for packaging liquid-filled pouches, vegetables and the like in bags which are placed in a case or box.

Abstract: A bagging machine comprising a product discharge device for discharging one or more products in an open bag held at a bag loading position. The open bag is a forwardmost one of a plurality of collapsed bags supported in juxtaposition adjacent the bag loading position. The bags have a flap, contiguous with a rear wall of the bag, which extends above a mouth opening of the bag. The flap is supported by one or more wicket pins. An air jet nozzle is disposed above the mouth opening to open the forwardmost bag by separating the front wall of the bag from the rear wall. A bag gripping device is disposed on opposed sides of the forwardmost bag and has clamps to clamp an upper edge portion of the bag on opposed sides thereof when the mouth opening is opened by the air jet.

Abstract: An automated bagging system with a device that performs the dual functions of opening a bag and then supporting the bag as the bag is filled with a product. A supply of air is guided into a wicketed bag by a pivotable plate in a first position. After the plate guides the air into the bag, thus fully opening the bag, the plate moves into a second position. In this second position, the plate clamps a side of the bag opposite the wicket between the plate and a stop plate. The plate and the stop plate, in combination with a clamp on the wicket side of the bag, effectively keep the bag open after the initial supply of air ends to allow the bag to receive a dispensed product. Additionally, the plate, stop plate and clamp support the bag. This support prevents the bag from being torn away from the wicket from the force of the product on the sides and bottom of the bag as the product falls into the bag.

Abstract: A bagging apparatus includes a bag storage mechanism arranged to store a number of stacked bags, a bag feeding mechanism arranged under a delivery chute and opposed to the bag storage mechanism, the bag feeding mechanism being provided at its upper end portion with clamping mechanisms for grasping an upper front side portion of a first bag in the stored bags and being tiltably mounted at its lower end portion to be moved toward and away from the bag storage mechanism for feeding the first bag grasped by the clamping mechanisms below the delivery chute, a bag support mechanism having a support rod arranged to support an upper rear side portion of the first bag when it is fed by the bag feeding mechanism and to cooperate with the clamping mechanisms for deploying the upper opening of the first bag, a sealing mechanism arranged to seal the upper opening of the bag when a predetermined amount of articles has been supplied into the deployed bag from the delivery chute, and a tilting mechanism arranged below the ba

Abstract: A bag holding and loading device for a bagger having structure for opening a bag and removing a loaded bag from the bag holding and loading device, the bag holding and loading device including a base plate, first and second cylinders mounted on the base plate, first and second piston rods extending in opposite directions from the first and second cylinders, respectively, first and second rear clamping members mounted on the outer ends of the first and second piston rods, respectively, first and second apertures in the first and second rear clamping members, respectively, for receiving wicket pins, first and second rear clamping plates movably mounted on the base member outwardly of the first and second rear clamping members, respectively, for selectively either occupying first positions relative to the first and second rear clamping members, respectively, for permitting wickets of bags to be clamped therebetween or occupying second positions for permitting wickets of bags to be mounted on the first and second

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for loading bone-in meat products into flexible receptacles such as thermoplastic bags. The apparatus comprises a bag loading table having a hopper and bag holder comprising metal rods such that the bone-in product does not contact the bag during loading and thereby eliminates bag failure caused by bone damage.