Bagging apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for inserting a carton into a thermoplastic bag includes a table for supporting the bag, a pusher assembly for transferring a carton into the bag, and a guide assembly for first opening the bag mouth and for thereafter guiding the carton into the mouth of the bag while supporting the carton above the table until after it has been fully inserted into the bag. A vacuum is applied through apertures formed in the table to initially hold the bottom panel of the bag against the table, and a reciprocatable suction cup assembly is mounted above the suction apertures for engaging the top panel of the bag and for partially opening the mouth of the bag so that the guide assembly may be inserted therein. The guide assembly includes upper and lower guide members which are conjointly moved into the partially opened mouth of the bag, and thereafter the upper guide member is elevated to spread the mouth of the bag and engage the mouth of the bag so as to cooperate with the lower guide member to retain the bag as the carton is subsequently pushed therein. The guide members are long enough to support the leading end of the carton above the table until the carton bottoms out in the bag, thereby assuring that the bag is not caught and hence damaged between the carton and the bag table.