Bagger safety system

A bagger safety system comprising:

• a controller;
• a heating element;
• a light-emitting device;
• a light-detecting device in electrical communication with the controller;
• a backing assembly comprising:
• a backing bar,
• a first reflector,
• a second reflector, and
• a seal backing element movably coupled to the backing bar by at least one first mechanical force generating member so as to create a space between the seal backing element and the backing bar when no external force is applied to the at least one first mechanical force generating member;
• a pressurized gas source;
• a first gas valve in electrical communication with the controller and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source;
• a pneumatic chamber in fluid communication with the first gas valve;
• a piston disposed at least partially within and movable relative to the pneumatic chamber;
• and
• a second gas valve;
• wherein the backing assembly is disposed opposite the heating element and is movable toward the heating element;
• wherein movement of the backing assembly is controlled by the controller;
• wherein light emitted from the light-emitting device reflects off the first reflector to the second reflector and off the second reflector to the light-detecting device when no external force is applied to the at least once first mechanical force generating member;
• wherein movement of the seal backing element toward the backing bar prevents light emitted from the light-emitting device from reaching the light-detecting device;
• wherein the controller controls movement of the backing assembly based on whether light from the light-emitting device reaches the light-detecting device;
• wherein the piston is coupled to the backing assembly;
• wherein the controller causes movement of the backing member toward the heating element by controlling the first gas valve to allow pressurized gas to flow from the first gas valve to the pneumatic chamber to apply a first force to the piston;
• wherein the second gas valve is disposed between the first gas valve and the pressurized gas source and is in fluid communication with the first gas valve and the pressurized gas source, wherein the second gas valve is in electrical communication with the controller;
• and
• wherein the controller causes movement of the backing assembly away from the heating element by controlling the second gas valve to allow pressurized gas to flow from the pneumatic chamber, through the first gas valve, and to the second gas valve.