# US 2014/0360138 A1 · Apparatus and method for closing and sealing bags in bale enveloping apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360138 A1 - Document ID: US20140360138A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/912,414 - Filed: 2013-06-07 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-07 - Inventors: Chris Allen Honegger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360138A1 ## CPC - B65B 27/125: {and wrapping or bagging} - B65B 39/06: adapted to support containers or wrappers - B65B 43/30: by grippers engaging opposed walls, e.g. suction-operated - B65B 51/146: {Closing bags} - B65B 7/04: by tucking-in mouth portion to form two flaps and subsequently folding-down - B65B 39/02: Expansible or contractible nozzles, funnels, or guides - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract An apparatus for closing and sealing a preformed polypropylene bag after a bale has been inserted therein as the bale and bag traverse along a longitudinal line of travel. Left and right rotatable side flaps fold the left and right bag closure flaps onto the bale. A bottom rotatable fold plate partially folds the bag bottom closure flap and a top fold bar is extended and folds the top bag closure flap onto the bale. The bottom fold plate then folds the bag bottom closure flap onto the bale. The top and bottom bag closure flaps are sandwiched between the rotatable side flaps and the bottom fold plate and over a slack bar therebetween forming a slack portion. A heating assembly directs heat to the slack portion melting the polypropylene and a press plate is extended to the slack melted portion thereby fusing the bag closure flaps together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In an apparatus for enveloping bales of material with preformed bags having an open end and a closed end, an apparatus for closing a bag after a bale has been inserted into the bag through the open end while a bale and bag traverse along a longitudinal line of travel, said apparatus comprising: left and right side flaps, one on each side of said longitudinal line of travel, each of said side flaps being selectively rotatable generally about a vertical pivot axis whereby left and right bag closure flaps at the bag open end can be folded onto the bale therein; a bottom fold plate below said longitudinal line of travel being selectively rotatable generally about a horizontal pivot axis whereby a bottom closure flap at the bag open end can be folded onto the bale therein; and, a top fold bar above said longitudinal line of travel being selectively extendable into and retractable from said longitudinal line of travel whereby a top closure flap at the bag open end can be folded onto the bale therein. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a heat seal manifold selectively moveable into said line of travel and adjacent the bag closure flaps whereby heat is provided to a portion of the closure flaps for joining them to one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a selectively retractable and extendable press plate moveable into said line of travel and adjacent the bag closure flaps, said press plate being selectively extendable onto said closure flaps heated portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a slack bar carried on each of said left and right side flaps. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the slack bars are selectively retractable and extendable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a slack bar carried on each of said left and right side flaps. ### Claim 7 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the slack bars are selectively retractable and extendable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bottom fold plate is selectively rotatable in a horizontal transition position whereat a bale and bag may traverse thereover. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein, prior to said securing, a portion at least two of said closure flaps are folded over a slack bar thereby creating a slack portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said step of securing comprises heating said slack portion for thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and during said step of heating the polypropylene material if fused thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and said step of securing comprises heating a portion of said closure flaps and fusing the polypropylene material thereof and thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising, prior to said step of rotating said left and right closure flaps, rotating said bottom fold plate in a horizontal transition position whereat a bale and bag may traverse thereover. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and said step of securing comprises heating a portion of at least two of said closure flaps and fusing the polypropylene material thereof and thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein, prior to said securing, a portion at least two of said closure flaps are folded over a slack bar thereby creating a slack portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein said step of securing comprises heating said slack portion for thereby joining said closure flaps to one another. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said bag is made of polypropylene and during said step of heating the polypropylene material if fused thereby joining said closure flaps to one another.