Patent ID: 7963090

Claim:
A deflator apparatus for use in a form, fill and seal bagging machine to deflate excess air from and form a filled or partially filled package of bulk goods comprising: a first deflator having a pair of first arms extending from a first base to a first distal end, said first arms being spaced to define a first gap therebetween; a plurality of first flexible bands extending across said first gap and between said first arms, each of said plurality of first flexible bands having varying tensions for applying varying pressures along the package of bulk goods; a second deflator having a pair of second arms extending from a second base to a second distal end, said second arms being spaced to define a second gap therebetween; and at least one second flexible band extending across said second gap and between said second arms; wherein said first and second deflators are spaced from one another and movable relative to one another for sandwiching the package of bulk goods between said plurality of first flexible bands and said at least one second flexible band to remove excess air from the package and form the package.