Bag deflation devices and methods for deflating bags

An assembly comprising:

• a bagging machine having a bag deflating device comprising:
• a first gripper;
• a first mechanical finger attached to the first gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the first gripper;
• a second gripper opposing the first gripper;
• and
• a second mechanical finger attached to the second gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the second gripper.

A method for deflating a bag comprising:

• providing a bag deflating device comprising 1) a first gripper and a first mechanical finger attached to the first gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the first gripper, and 2) a second gripper opposing the first gripper and a second mechanical finger attached to the second gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the second gripper;
• filling a bag with a product;
• and
• compressing a portion of the bag between the first mechanical finger and the second mechanical finger to deflate the bag.

A method for making a product package comprising:

• providing a bag deflating device comprising 1) a first gripper and a first mechanical finger attached to the first gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the first gripper, and 2) a second gripper opposing the first gripper and a second mechanical finger attached to the second gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the second gripper;
• filling a bag with a product;
• compressing a portion of the bag between the first mechanical finger and the second mechanical finger to deflate the bag;
• and
• sealing an opening of the bag to form the product package.