Apparatus and method for closing and sealing bags in bale enveloping apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for closing and sealing a preformed polypropylene bag after a bale has been inserted therein as the bale and bag traverse along a longitudinal line of travel. Left and right rotatable side flaps fold the left and right bag closure flaps onto the bale. A bottom rotatable fold plate partially folds the bag bottom closure flap and a top fold bar is extended and folds the top bag closure flap onto the bale. The bottom fold plate then folds the bag bottom closure flap onto the bale. The top and bottom bag closure flaps are sandwiched between the rotatable side flaps and the bottom fold plate and over a slack bar therebetween forming a slack portion. A heating assembly directs heat to the slack portion melting the polypropylene and a press plate is extended to the slack melted portion thereby fusing the bag closure flaps together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In an apparatus for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, an apparatus for closing a bag after a bale has been inserted into the bag through the open end while a bale and bag traverse along a longitudinal line of travel, said apparatus comprising:
 left and right side flaps, one on each side of said longitudinal line of travel, each of said side flaps being selectively rotatable generally about a vertical pivot axis whereby left and right bag closure flaps at the bag open end can be folded onto the bale therein;   a bottom fold plate below said longitudinal line of travel being selectively rotatable generally about a horizontal pivot axis whereby a bottom closure flap at the bag open end can be folded onto the bale therein; and,   a top fold bar above said longitudinal line of travel being selectively extendable into and retractable from said longitudinal line of travel whereby a top closure flap at the bag open end can be folded onto the bale therein.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a heat seal manifold selectively moveable into said line of travel and adjacent the bag closure flaps whereby heat is provided to a portion of the closure flaps for joining them to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a selectively retractable and extendable press plate moveable into said line of travel and adjacent the bag closure flaps, said press plate being selectively extendable onto said closure flaps heated portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a slack bar carried on each of said left and right side flaps. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the slack bars are selectively retractable and extendable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a slack bar carried on each of said left and right side flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the slack bars are selectively retractable and extendable. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said bottom fold plate is selectively rotatable in a horizontal transition position whereat a bale and bag may traverse thereover. 
     
     
         9 . In a method for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, a method of closing a bag after a bale has been inserted into a bag through the open end, wherein the bag is closed with a bag closing assembly as the bale and bag travel along a longitudinal line of travel;
 the bag closing assembly including left and right side flaps, one on each side of the longitudinal line of travel and wherein each of said side flaps are selectively rotatable generally about a vertical pivot axis; a bottom fold plate below said longitudinal line of travel being selectively rotatable generally about a horizontal pivot axis; a top fold bar above said longitudinal line of travel being selectively extendable into and retractable from said longitudinal line of travel;   the bag open end having, adjacent the inserted bale, a lower closure bag flap, an upper closure bag flap and left and right closure bag flaps between said lower and upper flaps;   wherein said method of closing the bag comprises the steps of:   rotating said left and right fide flaps and folding said left and right closure flaps onto the inserted bale;   extending said top fold bar and folding said top closure flap onto the inserted bale;   rotating said bottom fold plate and folding said lower closure flap onto the inserted bale;   retracting said top fold bar; and,   securing at least two of said folded closure flaps to one another.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein, prior to said securing, a portion at least two of said closure flaps are folded over a slack bar thereby creating a slack portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step of securing comprises heating said slack portion for thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and during said step of heating the polypropylene material if fused thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and said step of securing comprises heating a portion of said closure flaps and fusing the polypropylene material thereof and thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising, prior to said step of rotating said left and right closure flaps, rotating said bottom fold plate in a horizontal transition position whereat a bale and bag may traverse thereover. 
     
     
         15 . In a method for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, a method of closing a bag after a bale has been inserted into the bag through the open end, the bag open end having, adjacent the inserted bale, a lower closure bag flap, an upper closure bag flap and left and right closure bag flaps between said lower and upper flaps, said method comprising the steps of:
 folding said left and right closure flaps onto the inserted bale;   partially folding said lower closure flap toward the inserted bale;   folding the said upper closure flap onto the inserted bale; and,   further folding said lower closure flap onto the inserted bale and sandwiching a part of said upper closure flap between said lower closure flap and said inserted bate; and,   securing at least two of said folded closure flaps to one another.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and said step of securing comprises heating a portion of at least two of said closure flaps and fusing the polypropylene material thereof and thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein, prior to said securing, a portion at least two of said closure flaps are folded over a slack bar thereby creating a slack portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said step of securing comprises heating said slack portion for thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and during said step of heating the polypropylene material if fused thereby joining said closure flaps to one another.