A bread packaging apparatus for packaging bread in a bag, includes a first urging unit that comes into contact with a loaf of bread and conveys the loaf of bread along a conveying path; and a control unit for controlling a speed of the first urging unit. The control unit controls the speed of the first urging unit such that the speed when the first urging unit comes into contact with the loaf of bread is different from the speed when the first urging unit conveys the loaf of bread.

Bread slicer allowing a loaf of bread (2) to be packed in a bag, comprising a loading compartment (1) which is connected to a receiving compartment (6), a pushing member (5) which allows the bread (2) to be pushed in a movement direction of the bread and means for keeping a packing bag (13) open. The slicer comprises an abutment element (19) for reducing the cross-section of the bag (13) at the location of the abutment element (13) so that the portion (21) of the bag with a reduced cross-section forms an abutment for the end of the sliced bread.

Bread slicer allowing a loaf of bread (2) to be packed in a bag, comprising a loading compartment (1) which is connected to a receiving compartment (6), a pushing member (5) which allows the bread (2) to be pushed in a movement direction of the bread and means for keeping a packing bag (13) open. The slicer comprises an abutment element (19) for reducing the cross-section of the bag (13) at the location of the abutment element (13) so that the portion (21) of the bag with a reduced cross-section forms an abutment for the end of the sliced bread.

In the present invention, an insertion object (300) and backing-equipped shrink film packaging (200) are lined up in series along the insertion direction. An introduction guide body (120) comprises: a head part (121) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the a shrink film (220); and an air-blowing port (122) that blows air from the inside thereof toward the outer surface thereof. There are an insertion preparation means in which the introduction guide body (120) is gradually introduced into the shrink film (220) of the backing-equipped shrink film packaging (200) by the sliding movement of a slider device (130), and the shrink film (220) is inflated by air, and an insertion means in which the insertion object (300) is gradually inserted into the inflated shrink film (220), and the insertion object (300) is pulled or pushed to a prescribed position by the insertion means.

In the present invention, an insertion object (300) and backing-equipped shrink film packaging (200) are lined up in series along the insertion direction. An introduction guide body (120) comprises: a head part (121) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the a shrink film (220); and an air-blowing port (122) that blows air from the inside thereof toward the outer surface thereof. There are an insertion preparation means in which the introduction guide body (120) is gradually introduced into the shrink film (220) of the backing-equipped shrink film packaging (200) by the sliding movement of a slider device (130), and the shrink film (220) is inflated by air, and an insertion means in which the insertion object (300) is gradually inserted into the inflated shrink film (220), and the insertion object (300) is pulled or pushed to a prescribed position by the insertion means.

A packaging machine includes an indexing mechanism (210), a base (220), and a clamping arrangement (250). The indexing mechanism moves a web (10) of preformed bags along a path of travel. The base (220) is downstream of the indexing mechanism (210) along the path of travel and supports an engagement member (240) that includes a finger (242) having a beveled end (244). The clamping arrangement (250) supports a gripper (271) that includes a beveled surface (274) and a gripping surface (272). The base (220) further includes an engagement recess (222). The engagement member (240) is positioned within the engagement recess (220) and the beveled end (274) of the gripper (271) is capable of being disposed within the engagement recess. The indexing mechanism is configured to reverse index the web when the beveled end (274) of the gripper (271) is disposed within the engagement recess (222) so that the finger (242) and the gripper (271) are inserted into the top of one of the bags.

A packaging machine includes an indexing mechanism (210), a base (220), and a clamping arrangement (250). The indexing mechanism moves a web (10) of preformed bags along a path of travel. The base (220) is downstream of the indexing mechanism (210) along the path of travel and supports an engagement member (240) that includes a finger (242) having a beveled end (244). The clamping arrangement (250) supports a gripper (271) that includes a beveled surface (274) and a gripping surface (272). The base (220) further includes an engagement recess (222). The engagement member (240) is positioned within the engagement recess (220) and the beveled end (274) of the gripper (271) is capable of being disposed within the engagement recess. The indexing mechanism is configured to reverse index the web when the beveled end (274) of the gripper (271) is disposed within the engagement recess (222) so that the finger (242) and the gripper (271) are inserted into the top of one of the bags.

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, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.

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, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.

An item packaging system can position and prepare a package for receiving one or more items. The package can be received by the system in a storage orientation and stored in a storage container. A picking assembly can be positioned above the storage container in a picking orientation and pick and rotate the package to a loading orientation. A gripper can grip the package in the loading orientation and transport the package to a loading station for loading the one or more items into the interior of the shipping receptacle.