Patent ID: 8800251

Claim:
An apparatus for shaping and holding a bag in an open condition, and holding the bag in the shaped, open condition during loading of the bag with a product, wherein the bag comprises a bag mouth having an interior and exterior surface, comprising: a) an inner stationary ring; b) a plurality of finger assemblies, each finger assembly comprising i) a finger, the finger adapted to press against the interior of the bag mouth; and ii) a force-transferring member to which the finger is operatively connected, the force-transferring member comprising an elongate arm mounted on the inner stationary ring; c) an outer rotatable ring, the outer rotatable ring being concentric with the inner stationary ring; d) a push rod operatively connected to each respective finger assembly; and e) a motive device adapted to cause rotation of the outer rotatable ring relative to the inner stationary ring to effect coordinated radial movement of the fingers relative to the interior surface of the bag; wherein the force-transferring member comprises a finger arm engaged in a sliding mechanism, the sliding mechanism mounted on the inner stationary ring.