Patent ID: 8443578

Claim:
A machine for sealing a bag of the type including a flap which is sealed against a front-panel of the bag to close the bag, the flap and a portion of the front-panel to which the flap is sealed each including a portion coated with heat activated adhesive, the machine comprising: a bag sealing arrangement including, a hot air manifold including a hot-air input port, a first surface including a first set of openings through which hot air is directed to the flap and a second surface disposed at an angle greater than 10 b degrees to the first surface, and including a second set of openings through which hot air is directed to the portion of the front-panel to which the flap is sealed, a guide which guides the flap past the first set of openings while the front-panel is guided by the second set of openings, the guide being configured to fold and direct the flap against the front-panel to place the adhesive of the flap in contact with the adhesive of the front-panel, and a pressure applicator which forces the flap against the front-panel to facilitate adhesion of the flap to the front-panel; and a bag conveyor which engages the bag near the flap to convey an open bag into and through the bag sealing arrangement to facilitate the adherence of the flap to the front-panel by the bag sealing arrangement.