Packaging machine

Abstract

Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for forming packages comprising:
 a supply of a web of preformed bags, each bag having a first ply and a second ply;   an indexing mechanism for moving the web along a path of travel;   a blower positioned to sequentially blow air into the bags of the web to open the bags for loading with a product;   an engagement member configured to contact the first ply along the path of travel;   a sealer that seals bags loaded with said product to form packages; and   a controller in communication with the indexing mechanism, the engagement member, and the sealer, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 actuate the sealer to seal an opening of the first bag; 
 index a next bag such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to the engagement member; 
 move the engagement member to pre-open the next bag by moving the first ply relative to the second ply with the engagement member. 
   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the engagement member moves from a first position where the engagement member is spaced apart from the web to a second position where the engagement member engages the web. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the engagement member moves from the first position to the second position prior to pre-opening the next bag. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the engagement member is configured and controlled to pre-open the next bag by moving the first ply downward relative to the second ply. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the engagement member is configured and controlled to pre-open the next bag by moving the first ply at a travel speed different than a travel speed of the second ply. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the travel speed of the first ply in the downward direction is greater than the travel speed of the second ply in the downward direction. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the engagement member is configured to periodically increase travel speed of the first ply along the path of travel. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for forming packages comprising:
 a supply of a web of preformed bags, each bag having a first ply and a second ply;   an indexing mechanism for moving the web along a path of travel;   a blower positioned to sequentially blow air into the bags of the web to open the bags for loading with a product;   an engagement means configured to contact the first ply along the path of travel;   a sealer that seals bags loaded with said product to form packages; and   a controller in communication with the indexing mechanism, the engagement means, and the sealer, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 actuate the sealer to seal an opening of the first bag; 
 index a next bag such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to the engagement means; 
 move the engagement means to pre-open the next bag by moving the first ply relative to the second ply with the engagement means. 
   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the engagement means moves from a first position where the engagement means is spaced apart from the web to a second position where the engagement member engages the web. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the engagement means moves from the first position to the second position prior to pre-opening the next bag. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the engagement means is configured and controlled to pre-open the next bag by moving the first ply downward relative to the second ply. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the engagement means is configured and controlled to pre-open the next bag by moving the first ply at a travel speed different than a travel speed of the second ply. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the travel speed of the first ply in the downward direction is greater than the travel speed of the second ply in the downward direction. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the engagement means is configured to periodically increase travel speed of the first ply along the path of travel. 
     
     
         38 . A method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags comprising:
 supplying a web of preformed bags, each bag having a first ply and a second ply;   moving the web along a path of travel;   blowing air into the bags of the web in a sequential pattern to open the bags for loading with a product;   actuating a sealer that seals bags loaded with product to form packages to seal an opening of a first bag;   indexing the web along a path of travel;   pre-opening the next bag by moving the first ply relative to the second ply.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the next bag is pre-opened by moving the first ply downward relative to the second ply. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the next bag is pre-opened by moving the first ply relative to the second ply at a travel speed different than a travel speed of the second ply. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the travel speed of the first ply in the downward direction is greater than the travel speed of the second ply in the downward direction.