PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKING GOODS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES INTO CUSTOM-SIZED PLASTIC BAGS ON-SITE MANUFACTURED AT SUPERMARKET CHECK-OUT COUNTERS

摘要

Bags custom-sized to the volume of articles packed and to be packed therein are manufactured on-site and on-demand at the location at which the articles are packed in the bags. The bags are formed from a continuous sheet of flexible film (13) material which is shaped into a tubular wrapper along the interior of a generally quadrangular former (17). The bags are sealed along their tops so as to prevent inadvertent spillage of articles therefrom and may incorporate unitary handles formed during manufacture of the bags and a readily removable protective envelope at least partly defining the top closure thereof.