Apparatus and method for shaping and holding a bag in an open condition

A method of shaping and holding a bag in an open condition, and holding the bag in the shaped, open condition during loading of the bag with a product, comprises

• a) providing a partially open bag, wherein the bag comprises a bag mouth having an interior and exterior surface;
• b) providing an apparatus comprising
• i) an inner stationary ring;
• ii) a plurality of finger assemblies, each finger assembly comprising a finger, the finger adapted to press against the interior of the bag mouth, and a force-transferring member to which the finger is operatively connected, the force-transferring member comprising an elongate arm mounted on the inner stationary ring;
• iii) an outer rotatable ring, the outer rotatable ring being concentric with the inner stationary ring;
• iv) a push rod operatively connected to each respective finger assembly;
• and
• v) a motive device adapted to cause rotation of the outer rotatable ring relative to the inner stationary ring to effect coordinated radial movement of the fingers relative to the interior surface of the bag;
• c) moving the partially open bag relative to each finger such that each finger is inserted into the bag mouth of the partially open bag;
• d) activating the motive device to cause rotation of the outer rotatable ring relative to the inner stationary ring, and to effect coordinated radial movement of the fingers relative to the interior surface of the bag, such that the fingers press against the interior surface of the bag with a force sufficient to shape and hold the bag;
• and
• e) loading the bag with a product
• wherein the force-transferring member comprises a finger arm engaged in a sliding mechanism, the sliding mechanism mounted on the inner stationary ring.

An apparatus for shaping and holding a bag in an open condition, and holding the bag in the shaped, open condition during loading of the bag with a product, wherein the bag comprises a bag mouth having an interior and exterior surface, comprising:

• a) an inner stationary ring;
• b) a plurality of finger assemblies, each finger assembly comprising
• i) a finger, the finger adapted to press against the interior of the bag mouth;
• and
• ii) a force-transferring member to which the finger is operatively connected, the force-transferring member comprising an elongate arm mounted on the inner stationary ring;
• c) an outer rotatable ring, the outer rotatable ring being concentric with the inner stationary ring;
• d) a push rod operatively connected to each respective finger assembly;
• and
• e) a motive device adapted to cause rotation of the outer rotatable ring relative to the inner stationary ring to effect coordinated radial movement of the fingers relative to the interior surface of the bag;
• wherein the apparatus further comprises a third ring, the third ring being concentric with the outer rotatable ring;
• the third ring adapted to rotate with the outer rotatable ring to effect further opening of the bag mouth, and then rotate further, while the outer rotatable ring reverses direction, to effect closure of the bag mouth after the bag has been loaded with a product, in preparation for sealing of the bag mouth.

An apparatus for shaping and holding a bag in an open condition, and holding the bag in the shaped, open condition during loading of the bag with a product, wherein the bag comprises a bag mouth having an interior and exterior surface, comprising:

• a) an inner stationary ring;
• b) a plurality of finger assemblies, each finger assembly comprising
• i) a finger, the finger adapted to press against the interior of the bag mouth;
• and
• ii) a force-transferring member to which the finger is operatively connected, the force-transferring member comprising an elongate arm mounted on the inner stationary ring;
• c) an outer rotatable ring, the outer rotatable ring being concentric with the inner stationary ring;
• d) a push rod operatively connected to each respective finger assembly;
• and
• e) a motive device adapted to cause rotation of the outer rotatable ring relative to the inner stationary ring to effect coordinated radial movement of the fingers relative to the interior surface of the bag;
• wherein the outer rotatable ring is substantially coplanar with the inner stationary ring.