BAG PACKING METHODS AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

An apparatus useful for bag packaging includes a compression chamber and a pressure member disposed in the compression chamber and configured to translate from a first position to a second position for urging a plurality of bags against the pressure member. The apparatus compresses a plurality of bags to form a compressed bag set having a smaller footprint and higher density relative to the plurality of bags before compression.

Claims

1. An apparatus useful for bag packaging, comprising: a compression chamber; and a pressure member disposed in the compression chamber and configured to translate from a first position to a second position for urging a plurality of bags against the pressure member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure member is a first pressure member, the apparatus comprising: a second pressure member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the compression chamber further comprising: a first end; and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first pressure member is constructed and arranged to translate from the first end of the compression chamber toward the second end of the compression chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising the second pressure member constructed and arranged in a fixed configuration at the second end of the compression chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising the second pressure member configured to translate from a first point at an open position and a second point at a closed position, wherein the first point is at the first end of the compression chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising the second pressure member configured to translate from a first point at an open position and a second point at a closed position, wherein the first point is at the first end of the compression chamber, wherein the second point is at the second end of the compression chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising the second pressure member constructed and arranged in a translatable configuration at the second end of the compression chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, the first pressure member and the second pressure member constructed and arrange to compress a plurality of bags or flexible containers interposing the first pressure member and the second pressure member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first pressure member and the second pressure member are configured to accept the plurality of bags interposing the first pressure member and the second pressure member in the compression chamber if the first pressure member is in the open position.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first pressure member and the second pressure member are configured to compress the plurality of bags interposing the first pressure member and the second pressure member in the compression chamber if the first pressure member is in the closed position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of bags are compressed to form a compressed bag set.

12. The system of claim 11, comprising: a fastener disposed at a bottom of the chamber beneath the plurality of bags and configured to extend to surround and fasten the plurality of bags.

13. A method useful for compressing a plurality of bags using an apparatus comprising a compression chamber, a first pressure member and a second compression member, the first pressure member configured to translate from a first position to a second position, the method comprising: causing providing the compression chamber; causing setting the first pressure member to a first position; causing inserting a plurality of bags or flexible containers into the compression chamber interposing the first pressure member in the first position and the second pressure member; and causing translation of the first pressure member toward the second pressure member whereby the plurality of bags are compressed between the first pressure member and the second pressure member.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising: compressing the plurality of bags to form a compressed bag set having reduced size relative to the plurality of bags preceding the compressing.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising: fastening the compressed bag set after the compressing.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising: providing fasteners in the compression chamber before the inserting the plurality of bags.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The disclosure is shown by way of example in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus useful for high density bag packaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an apparatus useful for high density bag packaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment in a step of receiving a plurality of sets of bags;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an apparatus useful for high density bag packaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment in a step of compressing the bags between two pressure members;

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an apparatus useful for high density bag packaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment in a step of further compressing the bags between two pressure members;

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an apparatus useful for high density bag packaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment wherein compressed and fastened plurality of bag sets have been removed from the compression chamber following compression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments. It should be apparent, however, that exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring exemplary embodiments. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, ratios, and numerical properties of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about.

[0025] Systems and methods useful for minimizing a foot print of a set of bags for packaging is provided. In particular, apparatus and systems are provided for compressing sets of flexible containers or bags to maximize a number of bags that can fit in a storage space or container. Accordingly, storage and shipping costs may be minimized using systems and methods in accordance with embodiments. Flexible containers and bags useable with the disclosed systems and methods include, and are not limited to, bags such as bags having a thin profile, or bags having a bulky profile. Flexible bags useful for methods and systems disclosed herein may be formed of materials including non-woven polypropylene (NWPP), woven polypropylene (WPP), nylon, canvas, polyethylene (PET), recycled polyethylene (RPET), or any other similarly suitable now known or later developed material.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus useful for bag packaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a system for storing flexible containers or bags that includes a packaging apparatus or device 100 having a compression chamber 103. The compression chamber 103 includes one or more pressure members 105 disposed in the compression chamber and configured to move from an open position to a closed position.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows the pressure members 105 arranged in an open position in the compression chamber 103. One or more fasteners 107 are provided in the compression chamber 103 and arranged over the pressure members 105. The one or more pressure members 105 are configured to contact one or more flexible or containers or bags 109 received in the compression chamber 103.

[0028] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, one or more pressure members 105 includes at least one first pressure member 105 disposed to move from the open position at a first side of the compression chamber 103, toward another, second member 105. In an embodiment, the second member 105 may be fixed at a side of the compression chamber 103 while the first member 105 is configured to move toward the second member 105 to diminish the amount of space therebetween, compressing an interposing object such as a plurality of bags 109.

[0029] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, one or more fasteners 107 may be placed in the compression chamber 103 when the pressure members 105 are in the open position configuration, and before a plurality of bags is received therein. The plurality of bags may be loaded into the compression chamber over the fasteners 107 in the direction of arrow A to rest on the bottom of the compression chamber in an upright position.

[0030] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the bags 109 are compressed together by urging the pressure members 105 together in the compression chamber 103, thereby minimizing space between bag components and adjacent bags in a compressed block of bags. As shown in FIG. 4, the fasteners 107 may be constructed and arranged for wrapping or tying together the compressed plurality of bags 109 to form a compressed bag block 115.

[0031] The fasteners 107 may be fastened around the compressed bag block 115 and tied or otherwise fastened for secure and convenient transportation and storage of the compressed plurality of bags 109 in the form of the compressed bag block 115. Accordingly, significantly space and shipping cost savings are achieved.

[0032] In an embodiment, the compression chamber 103 may be sized for receiving multiple pluralities of bags 109 for compression as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, for example, a first pressure member 105 and/or a second pressure member 105 may be arranged on tracks or rods for slidable movement within the compression chamber 103 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein a first pressure member 105 is translated from a first open position in FIG. 2, through a middle position as shown in FIG. 3, to a closed position as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] The first pressure member 105 is also shown in a closed position in FIG. 5. In particular, FIG. 5 shows the plurality of bags 109 in a compressed block form 115 and tied by fasteners 107. The compressed block 115 has been removed from the compression chamber 103 post-compression.

[0034] In one embodiment, a first pressure member 105 is constructed and arranged to translate slidably toward a second pressure member 105 on one or more bars or rods extending along a longitudinal axis of the compression chamber 103. The one or more bars may extend longitudinally along a bottom interior of the compression chamber 103. One or more of the pressure members 105 may be slidably mounted to the rods or bars for translation between the open position and the closed position, for example.

[0035] Alternative embodiments and any suitable now known or later developed materials may be used to form apparatus in accordance with scope and spirit of the disclosure and the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, in an alternative embodiment not shown, a compression chamber may include only a single pressure member configured to compress a plurality of bags against a wall of the compression chamber.

[0036] In another embodiment not shown, the bars or rods may be substituted with any suitable configuration and materials useful for effecting rotation and support of a pressure member for urging from a first position to a second position for compressing bags or flexible containers against a hard surface.

[0037] In an embodiment, processes for bag packaging include providing a bag packaging apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The bag packaging apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 includes a first pressure member and a second pressure member 105 arranged in a compression chamber 103 configured to receive a plurality of bag sets, each bag set including a plurality of bags 109. The first pressure member and the second pressure member may be arranged on tracks and at least one of the first pressure member and the second pressure member a slidably mounted for translation away from or toward the other pressure member.

[0038] Processes include a step of opening the compression chamber by separating the first pressure member and the second pressure member 105 from each other to a distance suitable for receiving a plurality of bags or a plurality of sets of bags 109 in the compression chamber 103 as shown in FIG. 2. Processes include arranging one or more fasteners in the compression chamber 103, and then placing the one or more plurality of bag in the compression chamber on top of the fasteners 107 and interposing the first pressure member and the second pressure member 105.

[0039] Processes include, in one embodiment, moving the first pressure member toward the second pressure member 105 as shown in FIGS. 2-4, urging the one or more plurality of bags against the second pressure member 105 by the first pressure member 105 as shown in FIG. 4. The one or more plurality of bags 109 are compressed to a thin profile as the first pressure member is caused to slide toward the second pressure member 105.

[0040] For example, processes include placing the first pressure member 105 in a first open position for receiving the one or more plurality of bags 109. Processes include moving the first pressure member 105 to a second position wherein the bags are compressed between the first pressure member and the second pressure member 105.

[0041] Processes include, in one embodiment, fixing the fasteners 107 to the compressed bags 115 in the second position as shown in FIG. 4. Then, the first member is caused to slide back to the first position, leaving the bags in the compressed state, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] For example, the fasteners 107 may be straps arranged to wrap around the bags during compression and to be configured for tying and securing the compressed bags as shown in FIG. 5. The bags 109 may be secured by the fasteners 107 when the pressure member 105 is in the second position or the first position. The compressed bags may be removed from the compression chamber for further processing, transport, or storage.

[0043] Embodiments are shown by way of example, and not by way of limitation in the figures and drawings. While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.