Patent ID: 6735928
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A bagging and packaging machine for forming a bag from a strip of bag material and introducing an article into the bag, said bagging and packaging machine comprising:a gas supply means for supplying an inert gas into the bag to substitute for air contained in the bag; and a first gas supply control means for controlling supply of the inert gas by the gas supply means into the bag; said first gas supply control means being operable to effect supply of the inert gas into the bag at a first flow rate for a predetermined length of time subsequent to start of operation of the bagging and packaging machine to thereby increase a gas replacement rate and at a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate subsequent to elapse of the predetermined length of time, such that an amount of the inert gas consumed within the bag is counterbalanced with an amount of the inert gas supplied into the bag; wherein said bagging and packaging machine is operable to introduce articles into multiple bags formed and filled in a series; and wherein said second, lower flow rate continues while articles are introduced into a plurality of bags formed and filled sequentially in the series.