Apparatus for sealing perforated flexible bags

A packaging device, comprising:

• a support frame;
• a drive mechanism carried by said support frame for transferring a web of open bags from a storage position to a loading position;
• a sealing mechanism carried by said support frame, wherein articles are placed into one of the open bags at said loading position, said sealing mechanism providing a clamp bar opposed by a gripper plate which when spaced apart receives the open bag and when closed clamps, seals and removes the bag from the web of bags;
• an interrupt mechanism coupled to said sealing mechanism, wherein insertion of an object between said clamp bar and said gripper plate during closure thereof halts the closing and sealing process;
• a rear frame;
• a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive rods extending from said rear frame, said gripper plate electrically isolated from and slidably mounted on said rods, said clamp bar mounted to said rods opposite said rear frame;
• a pressure pad carried by said clamp bar, wherein actuation of said sealing mechanism forces closure of said gripper plate on said pressure pad;
• a pair of spaced apart contact strips carried by said clamp bar and electrically connected to said rods;
• and
• a spring-biased screw slidably engaging each said contact strip at one end and fixed to said pressure pad at an opposite end, wherein insertion of an object between said pressure pad and said gripper during closure thereof causes disengagement of said screw from said contact strip to interrupt a circuit formed by said rods, said contact strips and said gripper pad, which in turn stops closure of said gripper plate.