Patent ID: 6308501
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A packaging apparatus adapted for packaging a block of cheese ejected sideways from a substantially horizontally aligned outlet of a cheese formation apparatus into a bag having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the outlet positioned over a substantially horizontal support device, said cheese formation apparatus having means to grip a bag when fitted over said outlet, said packaging apparatus comprising a bag fitting apparatus including:a bag supply means;an actuating means for moving a bag from the bag supply means to the outlet, the actuating means being constructed and the bag supply means being positioned, relative to the outlet such that the actuation means, in moving the bag from the bag supply means to the outlet, rotates the bag substantially 180 degrees about the transverse axis of the bag;an opening means for opening the bag; anda gripping device mounted on the actuating means, the gripping device gripping an inlet region of the opened bag and being capable of fitting the inlet region of the open bag over an outer peripheral surface of said substantially horizontally aligned outlet.