Patent ID: 8833041
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
1. A packaging apparatus comprising: a clipper having clipper gates that close together; a bag clamp assembly that is in cooperating alignment with and that resides above the clipper gates, the bag clamp assembly configured to releasably hold a respective bag in the apparatus, the bag clamp assembly comprising a flow channel, wherein the bag clamp assembly is configured to releasably attach to an upper end portion of a bag to hold the bag for filling with target material through the flow channel; and a controller in communication with the clipper and bag clamp assembly, wherein the controller is configured to: (i) direct the bag clamp assembly to clamp the bag in position prior to filling, (ii) direct the clipper gates to close against an upper end portion of a respective bag after the bag has a desired amount of target material, then (iii) direct the clipper to apply at least one clip to the upper end portion of the bag while the clipper gates are closed, wherein the apparatus includes at least one lift actuator in communication with a respective bag held by the bag clamp assembly, wherein the controller is configured to direct the at least one lift actuator to pull an upper portion of the bag upward while the clipper gates are closed.