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 conveyor system is provided including a conveyor and a plurality of functional trays that are removably attachable to the conveyor. Each tray includes a plate having first and second dimensions that are orthogonal to each other, and the plate includes a coupler configured to be removably attached to the conveyor with the second dimension of the plate being in parallel with a moving direction of the conveyor. The plurality of functional trays include one or more of an envelope-opening mechanism, an item-pushing mechanism, an envelope-closing mechanism, an item-wrapping mechanism, and a tray-height-adjustment mechanism. For example, the item-pushing mechanism includes a pusher slidably coupled to the plate, and a linear actuator configured to move the pusher relative to the plate along the first dimension so as to push an item off the functional tray.

A conveyor system is provided including a conveyor and a plurality of functional trays that are removably attachable to the conveyor. Each tray includes a plate having first and second dimensions that are orthogonal to each other, and the plate includes a coupler configured to be removably attached to the conveyor with the second dimension of the plate being in parallel with a moving direction of the conveyor. The plurality of functional trays include one or more of an envelope-opening mechanism, an item-pushing mechanism, an envelope-closing mechanism, an item-wrapping mechanism, and a tray-height-adjustment mechanism. For example, the item-pushing mechanism includes a pusher slidably coupled to the plate, and a linear actuator configured to move the pusher relative to the plate along the first dimension so as to push an item off the functional tray.

A method for opening an envelope throat of an envelope transported along an envelope channel dependably opens the envelope throat of the envelope during insertion in an inserter. The envelope, in order to open the envelope throat, is first over-pressed against a counter-pressure and then the counter-pressure is released to open the envelope throat, and/or the envelope is over-pressed against the hold-down force that holds the envelope down on an envelope transport, in order to open the envelope throat. For this purpose, an inserter inserts one or more items into an envelope moving along an envelope channel.

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.

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 plastic bag opening device, which opens an inlet of a plastic bag having a pocket shape, includes an elevating member that lifts the plastic bag in a state in which a first surface of the plastic bag is adhered; and an air blower that injects air toward the inlet of the plastic bag adhered to the elevating member so that the inlet of the plastic bag is opened. Accordingly, the inlet of the plastic bag may be completely opened.

A method and device for opening spout attachment portion of a bag being set up such that films on both sides of a spout attachment portion (2) of a bag (1) are suction-held up by a pair of suction cups (8), and the spacing between the pair of suction cups is widened to open the spout attachment portion, after which a gas is blown from the spout attachment portion into the bag by a gas blowing member (9); and when the gas is blown into, a clamping member (19) clamps a position under the gripper that is on the top edge (6) side of the bag from both sides of the bag, thus suppressing outflow of the gas blown into the bag from the top edge, thus allowing entire bag to inflate for its entirety substantially and the spout attachment portion to be kept opened.

A method and device for opening spout attachment portion of a bag being set up such that films on both sides of a spout attachment portion (2) of a bag (1) are suction-held up by a pair of suction cups (8), and the spacing between the pair of suction cups is widened to open the spout attachment portion, after which a gas is blown from the spout attachment portion into the bag by a gas blowing member (9); and when the gas is blown into, a clamping member (19) clamps a position under the gripper that is on the top edge (6) side of the bag from both sides of the bag, thus suppressing outflow of the gas blown into the bag from the top edge, thus allowing entire bag to inflate for its entirety substantially and the spout attachment portion to be kept opened.

A packaging device includes a supporting base, a zipper opener arrangement and a hole pressing arrangement. The zipper opener arrangement includes a driving unit supported on the supporting base, a first bag opening assembly including a plurality of outer operating members operatively and downwardly extended from the driving unit for selectively clamping the first bag panel, and a second bag opening assembly including a plurality of inner operating members operatively and downwardly extended from the driving unit for selectively clamping the second bag panel. The hole pressing arrangement includes a pressing unit supported by the supporting base, a first securing member supported by the pressing unit, and a second securing member supported by the pressing unit at a position which is spaced apart from the first securing member to form a pressing gap between the first securing member and the second securing member.