Netting bag machine and method

A method for forming and filling packages from tubular packaging material in a continuous supply comprising positioning the open end of said tubular material onto a mandrel having a hollow generally package-shaped portion of cross-sectional area at least as large as that of the desired package and a fill opening at the desired site of the second closure of said package, forming a first closure for a package at the open end of said material adjacent said mandrel, forming a fill opening in said material adjacent the fill opening of said mandrel, filling said material through the fill openings in said material and mandrel with the desired contents of said package, removing the package from said mandrel subsequent to filling, severing said package from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening and forming the second closure of said package adjacent the severed end of said material to form a closed filled package.

A method for forming and filling packages from open mesh tubular plastic netting in a continuous rope form supply comprising the steps of:

• expanding the open end of said netting onto a mandrel having a hollow generally package-shaped portion of cross-sectional area at least as large as that of the desired package and a fill opening at the desired site of the second closure of said package, forming a first closure for a package at the open end of said netting adjacent said mandrel, forming a fill opening in said netting adjacent the fill opening of said mandrel, filling said netting through the fill openings in said netting and mandrel with the desired contents of said package, removing the filled package from said mandrel subsequent to filling, severing said package from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening and forming the second closure of said package adjacent the severed end of said netting to form a closed filled package.

A method for forming and filling packages from open mesh tubular plastic netting in a continuous rope form supply comprising the steps of:

• drawing the open end of said netting onto a mandrel having a diverging portion cross-sectionally expanding said netting to at least the desired cross-sectional area of said package, an intermediate portion, a hollow generally package-shaped portion of cross-sectional area at least as large as that of the desired package and a fill opening at the desired site of the end of said package, longitudinally gathering a relaxed supply of the expanded netting on the intermediate portion of said mandrel, forming a first closure for a package at the open end of said netting adjacent said mandrel, forming a fill opening in said netting adjacent the fill opening of said mandrel, filling said netting through the fill openings in said netting and mandrel with the desired contents of said package, advancing the filled package off of said mandrel to draw attached netting from the intermediate portion of said mandrel onto the hollow portion thereof for formation of a subsequent package, and severing said package from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening after advancing.

Apparatus for forming and filling packages from tubular packaging material in a continuous supply comprising:

• shaping means for forming the portion adjacent the open end of said tubular material into a hollow configuration generally defining a package shape, clamping means for clamping the open end of said material to define a generally flat outwardly extending section of said material, transfer means for positioning a label closure adjacent the outwardly extending section of said material, means for adhering said label closure to said section of material, opening means for forming a fill opening in said material adjacent the desired site of the other end of said package, filling means for filling said material through the fill opening therein with the desired contents of said package, and cutter means for severing said material from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening subsequent to filling.

Apparatus for forming and filling packages from open mesh tubular plastic netting in a continuous rope form supply comprising:

• a mandrel having a diverging portion for cross-sectionally expanding said netting to at least the desired cross-sectional area of said package, an intermediate portion, a hollow generally package-shaped portion of cross-sectional area at least as large as that of the desired package and a fill opening at the desired site of the end of said package, support means for supporting said mandrel within said netting, supply means for drawing said netting over the diverging portion of said mandrel to gather a relaxed supply of expanded netting on the intermediate portion of said mandrel, means for forming a first closure for a package at the open end of said netting adjacent said mandrel, opening means for forming a fill opening in said netting adjacent the fill opening of said mandrel, filling means for filling said netting through the fill openings in said netting and mandrel with the desired contents of said package, package advancement means for advancing the filled package off of said mandrel to draw attached netting from the intermediate portion of said mandrel onto the hollow portion thereof for formation of a subsequent package, and cutter means for severing said package from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening after advancement.

A method for forming and filling packages from tubular packaging material in a continuous supply comprising positioning the open end of said tubular material onto a mandrel having a generally package-shaped portion, forming a first closure for a package at the open end of said material adjacent said mandrel, forming a fill opening in said material adjacent the desired site of the second closure of said package, filling said material through said fill opening with the desired contents of said package, pulling said first closure to remove the package from said mandrel, severing said package from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening and forming the second closure of said package adjacent the severed end of said material to form a closed filled package.

Apparatus for forming and filling packages from tubular packaging material in a continuous rope form supply comprising:

• a mandrel having a hollow generally package-shaped portion and a fill opening at the desired site of the end of said package, supply means for drawing said material over the hollow portion of said mandrel, means for forming a first closure for a package at the open end of said material adjacent said mandrel, opening means for forming a fill opening in said material adjacent the fill opening of said mandrel, filling means for filling said material through the fill openigs in said material and mandrel with the desired contents of said package, package advancement means for pulling said first closure to advance the filled package off of said mandrel to draw attached material onto the hollow portion thereof for formation of a subsequent package, and cutter means for severing said package from the continuous supply adjacent said fill opening after advancement.

A mandrel for forming and filling packages from open mesh tubular plastic netting in a continuous rope form supply comprising:

• a conical diverging portion for cross-sectionally expanding said netting beyond the desired cross-sectional area of said package, a package forming portion, an intermediate portion disposed between said diverging portion and said package forming portion and supply means for drawing said netting over the diverging portion of said mandrel to gather a relaxed supply of expanded netting on the intermediate portion of said mandrel.