Agricultural storage bag folding apparatus and method

An apparatus for folding flexible tubular material, comprising:

• a frame having an upper end and a lower end;
• a plurality of fold supporting surfaces mounted circumferentially about the frame adjacent the lower end thereof for supporting successivefolds of flexible tubular material;
• aligning means beyond the supporting surfaces for positioning the flexible tubular material in alignment with the fold supporting surfaces;
• an array of lower arms each extending radially outwardly from the frame below the fold supporting surfaces at spaced apart locations for movement from a retracted position into an extended position to grip the flexible tubular material against the fold supporting surfaces;
• an array of upper arms each extending radially outwardly from the frame above the fold supporting surfaces at spaced apart locations for movement from a retracted position into an extended position to fold the flexible tubular material downwardly about the extended lower arms and to grip the fold against the fold supporting surfaces;
• upper arm actuating means for selectively pivoting the upper arms between their extended and retracted positions;
• lower arm actuating means for selectively pivoting the lower arms between their extended and retracted positions;
• the array of upper arms and the array of lower arms engaging the fold supporting surfaces at alternate locations;
• support means mounted on the frame for supporting a quantity of flexible tubular material within the frame above the upper arms;
• and
• an advancing mechanism for advancing material from the material supporting means to the fold supporting surfaces and including a subframe slidably mounted on the upper end of the frame for reciprocation with respect thereto and means for reciprocating said subframe to alternatingly withdraw flexible tubular material from said support means and release the flexible tubular material for movement towards said fold supporting surfaces.