Patent ID: 8137253

Claim:
An automatic handle attaching system for precisely securing a plastic handle on an edge of a preformed plastic bag, said system comprising a delivery conveyor for conveying spaced-apart groups of flat plastic bags, each group of bags having two or more bags disposed one on top of the other and offset along a leading straight edge thereof oriented approximately transverse to a conveying direction of said conveyor, two or more automated bag handling mechanisms are disposed spaced-apart adjacent said delivery conveyor at respective bag transfer stations, each said bag handling mechanism being independently operated and having an orientable bag engaging hand secured to an articulated arm, detection means at each said bag transfer station to detect the orientation and position of a top one of said bags of one of said groups at said bag transfer stations, control means to position said bag engaging hand to engage said top one of said bags at its associated bag transfer station as said groups of bags are conveyed by said conveyor, said articulated arm displacing bag engaging hand to position said leading straight edge of said bag at a precise location at a handle securing station having bag position detection means and handle attachment means, and means to transfer said bag with said handle secured thereto and to position a further handle in said handle attachment means at said handle securing station.