Hood Packaging Corporation

Ken McLaughlin

Robert Lauzon

Manuel Chiu

Christine Burns

Slaven Nedic

Craig Courteau

Chris Girard

Laurens Vanpagee

Chris Latour

Malcolm Spenceley

Brent Bell

An automatic handle attaching method for precisely securing a plastic handle on an edge of a preformed plastic bag is described. A delivery conveyor for conveying spaced-apart groups of flat plastic bags with each group having two or more bags disposed one on top of the other and offset along a leading straight edge thereof which is oriented approximately transverse to a conveying direction of a conveyor. A bag handling mechanism has an orientable bag engaging hand secured to an articulated arm to orient the bag engaging hand in alignment with a top one of the groups of bags to transfer the bag to a handle securing station where the bag handle is welded thereto. After the handle is welded its relationship with respect to other parts of the bag is verified.

Automatic bag handling method for precisely securing a plastic handle to a plastic bag

An automatic handle attaching system and method for precisely securing a plastic handle on an edge of a preformed plastic bag is described. The system comprises a delivery conveyor for conveying spaced-apart groups of flat plastic bags with each group having two or more bags disposed one on top of the other and offset along a leading straight edge thereof which is oriented approximately transverse to a conveying direction of a conveyor. Two or more automated bag handling mechanisms are disposed spaced-apart adjacent the conveyor at respective bag transfer stations. Each of the bag handling mechanisms are independently operated and have an orientable bag engaging hand secured to an articulated arm. The bag handling mechanisms are independently controlled by a controller whereby to orient the bag engaging hand in alignment with a top one of the groups of bags at its transfer station and to transfer the bag to a handle securing station where the bag is precisely positioned with respect to a handle which is then welded thereto. After the handle is welded its relationship with respect to other parts of the bag is verified and the bag with the handle is then transferred to a magazine for accumulation to form bag bundles which are then automatically transferred for bundle securement and shipping.

Automatic bag handling system for precisely securing a plastic handle to a plastic bag

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St. Thomas, Canada

Ken McLaughlin