Patent ID: 7603833
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method for packing products comprising: a) at an upstream product information acquisition stage acquiring information relating to at least one of the height, width, length, volume, shape, and weight of individual products on a product packing line by any of the following methods: b) utilizing a machine for supplying bags sequentially as individual products on a conveyor approach a packing apparatus; c) providing an automated bag opener comprising a frame carrying spreader fingers, the frame moveable between a first position, in the product stream, and a second position out of the product stream; and d) automatedly taking up on the automated bag opener a bag as each individual product approaches the bag opener, and machine opening a mouth of the bag to a variable extent of lift in a direction at approximately right angles to a major plane of the unopened bag and to a variable degree of width opening in a direction approximately in a major plane of the unopened bag, based on information relating to at least one of the height, width, length, volume, shape, and weight of the product acquired at the upstream product information acquisition stage;  wherein the bag opener moves repeatedly between  wherein the bag is taken up by