Packaging container liner insertion and cuffing apparatus and methods

A packaging insertion apparatus for inserting flexible bags into packaging containers, comprising:

• a bag dispenser for dispensing flexible bags which are to be inserted into containers;
• an insertion assembly which moves between a retracted position where the insertion assembly is ready to insert a flexible bag into a container, and an extended position where the insertion assembly is positioned within the container having inserted the flexible bag into the container;
• and
• at least one movable vacuum head for engaging and positioning the flexible bags supplied by the bag dispenser in preparation for insertion of the flexible bags into the containers, wherein the at least one movable vacuum head may engage a flexible bag supplied by the bag dispenser while the insertion assembly is in the extended position.

A method of inserting flexible bags into packaging containers, comprising the steps of:

• dispensing flexible bags from a bag dispenser for insertion of the flexible bags into containers;
• engaging a flexible bag supplied by the bag dispenser with at least one movable vacuum head;
• positioning the flexible bag for insertion into a container by moving the at least one movable vacuum head;
• inserting the flexible bag into the container with an insertion assembly, by moving the insertion assembly to an extended position;
• and
• engaging a subsequent flexible bag held by the bag dispenser with the at least one movable vacuum head while the insertion assembly is in the extended position having inserted the flexible bag into the container.

A method of inserting flexible bags into packaging containers, comprising the steps of:

• supplying containers to a container receiving area;
• dispensing flexible bags from a bag dispenser to the container receiving area for insertion of the flexible bags into the containers;
• moving at least one moveable vacuum head to engage a flexible bag;
• engaging the flexible bag with the at least one vacuum head so that the flexible bag may be positioned for insertion into the container positioned in the container receiving area;
• moving the vacuum head to position the flexible bag for insertion into the container positioned in the container receiving area;
• inserting the flexible bag into the container positioned in the container receiving area using an insertion apparatus;
• and
• moving the at least one vacuum head to the bag dispenser and into engagement with a subsequent flexible bag supplied by the bag dispenser while the insertion apparatus is in an extended position having inserted the flexible bag into the container positioned within the container receiving area.