Apparatus and method for closing and sealing bags in bale enveloping apparatus

In a method for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, a method of closing a bag after a bale has been inserted into a bag through the open end, wherein the bag is closed with a bag closing assembly as the bale and bag travel along a longitudinal line of travel;

• the bag closing assembly including left and right side flaps, one on each side of the longitudinal line of travel and wherein each of said side flaps are selectively rotatable generally about a vertical pivot axis;
• a bottom fold plate below said longitudinal line of travel being selectively rotatable generally about a horizontal pivot axis;
• a top fold bar above said longitudinal line of travel being selectively extendable into and retractable from said longitudinal line of travel;
• the bag open end having, adjacent the inserted bale, a lower closure bag flap, an upper closure bag flap and left and right closure bag flaps between said lower and upper flaps;
• wherein said method of closing the bag comprises the steps of:
• rotating said left and right fide flaps and folding said left and right closure flaps onto the inserted bale;
• extending said top fold bar and folding said top closure flap onto the inserted bale;
• rotating said bottom fold plate and folding said lower closure flap onto the inserted bale;
• retracting said top fold bar;
• and,
• securing at least two of said folded closure flaps to one another.

In a method for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, a method of closing a bag after a bale has been inserted into the bag through the open end, the bag open end having, adjacent the inserted bale, a lower closure bag flap, an upper closure bag flap and left and right closure bag flaps between said lower and upper flaps, said method comprising the steps of:

• folding said left and right closure flaps onto the inserted bale;
• partially folding said lower closure flap toward the inserted bale;
• folding the said upper closure flap onto the inserted bale;
• and,
• further folding said lower closure flap onto the inserted bale and sandwiching a part of said upper closure flap between said lower closure flap and said inserted bate;
• and,
• securing at least two of said folded closure flaps to one another.