Packaging machine and method

Abstract

A tabletop machine for automatically loading and sealing flexible containers such as plastic bags forming part of a chain of bags. The apparatus includes structure for supporting a supply of preformed, interconnected bags which are sequentially fed to a loading station. At the loading station, the bag is inflated by a blower having a shutter controlled outlet so that the flow of inflation air is reduced or terminated during feeding and which provides a blast or surge of air to 'pop' the bag open when the bag arrives at a loading station. A residual air stream maintains inflation of the bag. After loading, a clamping mechanism is activated which applies a substantially increasing clamping force as a clamp bar nears a heat sealing unit so that should an obstruction or other obstacle be encountered as the clamping bar moves towards the bag, motion in the clamping bar can be resisted by the obstacle without damage to the obstacle or clamping mechanism. While the bag is clamped to the heat sealing unit, a perforation breaking mechanism comprising a blade-like member driven into the web path intermediate a locked web feed roll and the heat sealing unit causes severance of the loaded bag along a line of weakness formed by perforations. A relatively small, low volume air compressor in combination with a storage tank is used to provide the motive force for fluid pressure operated actuators used to operate the clamping bar and the perforation breaking mechanism so that a single source of electrical power is all that is needed to operate the machine.