Patent ID: 6050056
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B65B,B65D

Abstract:
Apparatus for closing a packaging bag, the packaging bag including a bag having a bag end with four projecting bag sides defining first and second pairs of opposing bag projections of the type that are folded over a product in such a way that the first pair of opposing bag projections are folded onto the product forming generally angular portions, each triangular portion including a base which is positioned along one edge of the product and two sides which extend diagonally inwardly from the base, the second pair of opposing bag projections being folded onto the triangular portions formed by the first pair of opposing bag projections with fold corners being located between adjacent bag projections, the second pair of opposing bag projections maintaining an approximately rectangular form, the second pair of opposing bag projections covering the fold corners of the first bag projections, the sides of each of the triangular portions forms an angle with the base which is less than 45.degree., and the fold edge between the adjacent bag projections extends at least partially laterally beyond the product contour to form a flat closed bag end located in one plane, the apparatus comprising two folding elements mounted for inward movement from opposite sides for engaging the first opposing pair of bag projections, each said folding element having a V-shaped front edge which cooperates with folding plates mounted for inward movement from opposite sides at right angles to the inward movement of the folding elements to function as a folding edge to form each of the triangular portions, the V-shaped front edge of each said folding element having an angle greater than 90.degree., the folding elements and the folding plates each having a planar surface, the planar surfaces of the folding elements and the folding plates being movable to a position parallel to the plane in which the flat closed bag end is to be formed to form the flat closed bag end.