A system for handling the sterilization of thin-body, pouch-type, flexible containers (1), provides for applying sacrificial closures (200) to the pouches, loading the provisional closed pouches to be sterilized on a transport device (300) for collective transport, to performing the sterilization of the transport device (300) carrying the provisional closed pouches and, finally, separating, in a sterile chamber, the sacrificial closures (200) from the pouches, performing filling and applying an inviolable cap (100).

A bagger for an ice vending machine provides improved design, operation, and maintenance characteristics. An ice vending machine includes a merchandiser having a door providing access into an interior, an ice maker with a chute, and an ice bagger mounted to the merchandiser in communication with the ice maker. The ice bagger includes a frame having opposed, unitary, first and second frame elements, a spool of bags pivoted to a front of the frame on a swingarm, a cutting element mounted to the frame for reciprocal movement, and a tensioning assembly carried on the frame to provide tension to bags unrolled from the spool.

An apparatus makes packages from a web of bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism moves the web. The opening arrangement opens a bag to form an opening so that a product can be placed into the bag. The engagement devices engage the bag and close the opening. Each engagement device includes a base, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot pivots with respect to the base and allows the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member. The finger is connected to the second link. The engagement devices pull a first and second sides of the bag in opposite directions. The sealing arrangement seals the opening of the bag.

A packing machine and a method of use thereof for packing articles in airbags. The packing machine includes three consecutive stations that can receive airbags in a series of airbags one by one, wherein the article to be packed is placed in the airbag. The first station can receive a new bag containing the article. In the first station, the airbag can be horizontally sealed at the top to close the opening and can then be inflated. In the second station and the third station, the airbag can be vertically sealed and can then be dropped into a conveyor at the end of the third station. An air tube that extends between the first station and the second station can be used to inflate the airbags. Two linear actuators with gripping heads can move the airbags from between stations, and break the leading airbag from the series of airbags.

A feeding device for an electrostatic bag, adapted for supplying electrostatic bags to a package mechanism, includes two carrying mechanisms arranged up and down, which respectively support a tray with an electrostatic bag. The feeding position of the feeding device for an electrostatic bag is between the two carrying mechanisms and towards the package mechanism. The two carrying mechanisms are moved up and down to switch positions. The feeding device for an electrostatic bag can supply electrostatic bags to a package mechanism, reload the electrostatic bag without stopping the machine, and ensure the continuous operation of the package mechanism.

Apparatus for vertically supporting and guiding a web of plastic film horizontally in applications such as in machines that form the plastic film into bags and fill the bags with bulk material. A longitudinally extending gap is provided between proximate edges of first and second plates. The plastic film web is traversed through the gap. A punch mechanism forms protrusions in the web. The protrusions slide atop the plates and prevent the web from falling through the gap as the web traverses through the gap. The protrusions can, for example, be tab cutouts with terminal ends sliding atop the plates and loops formed between slits extending to a crest.

An ice bagging system and method according to which ice is automatically disposed in respective bags provided from a first source of bags, and ice is automatically disposed in respective bags provided from a second source of bags.

A bag web, equipment and method for packing items, liquid or bulk goods in film bags, which are conveyed in a continuous bag web of bag items through a filling station is provided. The mouths of the bags are held open for receiving items, after which the bags are closed and are separated from the web. The bag web includes a zip closure, which is applied parallel to the upper edge of the bag web and is continuous for the entire length of the bag web. The zip closure is coupled to the first guide, which is arranged to retain and guide the bag web in the zip closure along a first section of a transport path through the equipment.

Container filling systems are described herein. A container filling system includes a container assembly, a nozzle, a first roller and a second roller. The container assembly includes a plurality of containers, each having a container volume and a fluid manifold defining a fluid pathway, wherein the fluid pathway is in fluid communication with the container volume of each of the plurality of containers. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the fluid pathway, wherein the nozzle directs flow from a fluid source into the fluid pathway. The nozzle separates the fluid manifold into a first portion and a second portion to permit the fluid manifold to advance relative to the nozzle.

An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side, first and second side seals proximate the first and second edges, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, an opening in the first layer, and a line of separation in the second layer, a first line of weakness in the first layer. The first line of weakness has a plurality of gaps having no perforations in a region between the plurality of openings in the first layer and the plurality of traverse seals.