Patent ID: 7509792

Claim:
A system for opening a flexible container, the system comprising: a first gripping assembly constructed and arranged to grip a flexible container at a first side; a second gripping assembly constructed and arranged to grip the flexible container at a second side; the second gripping assembly comprising a housing having a selectively displaceable sliding member therewithin adapted to move the second gripping assembly relative to the first grippping assembly; the housing and the sliding member being constructed and arranged to define a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the sliding member divides the first chamber from the second chamber; wherein the housing is constructed and arranged to house a spring therein, the spring constructed and arranged to apply a biasing force on the sliding member; a vacuum source constructed and arranged to remove air from the first chamber or the second chamber until a predetermined vacuum is achieved, whereby the sliding member is adapted to be displaced within the housing by the removing of air from the first or second chamber; and the first gripping assembly and the second gripping assembly cooperating to bend the flexible container and subsequently pull the first side away from the second side to open the flexible container.