Method of opening flattened bags

摘要

The invention provides a method of opening flattened bags (4'). An open topped container (3) is carried at the top of a flanged member (9) carried by a carriage (6) which moved by an endless chain (2) at a constant speed along a path in a conveying direction (A). The open topped container is in two halves (24,25) which are separated at a bag opening station to allow a flattened bag (4') moving faster than the endless chain (2) to enter the container (3) and then slow down to the same speed as the endless chain (2). The two halves (24,25) then close thereby trapping the bottom seal (63) of the bag between the bottom parts (24d,25d) of the two halves (24,25). Plenum chambers (47,48) in the base of the container (3) are connected via respective vacuum tubes (57,59) to bellows connectors (58,60) which, as the container (3) and bag (4') travel on, run adjacent a vacuum box to effect evacuation of the plenum chambers (47,48) and hence the chamber surrounding the bottom walls (24d,25d), the side walls (24a, to 24c, 24a to 25c), and two stationary members (61,62) under which the container (3) is caused to pass to cause the flattened bag (4') to open and conform closely to the interior of the containr (3). <IMAGE>