Bag-opening assist for bags of rigid materials

Abstract

A system includes a web of interconnected bags, an indexing mechanism, a blower, and a deforming mechanism. The indexing mechanism advances the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel until a bag of the interconnected bags is at an opening position. The bag includes an opening. The blower directs a stream of gas along the path of travel toward the opening of the bag when the bag is in the opening position. The deforming mechanism configured to deform the opening of the bag. The deforming mechanism engages a portion of the bag proximate the opening in a direction parallel to the opening to cause a first ply of the bag proximate the opening to extend into the stream of gas so that gas from the stream of gas is directed into the bag through the opening to open the bag.

Description

Attorney Docket No. P46186-WOBAG-OPENING ASSIST FOR BAGS OF RIGID MATERIALSSPECIFICATIONBACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure is in the technical field of bag-opening machines. More particularly , the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of aiding in the opening of a bag that is formed of rigid materials, such as fiber-based materials.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828, issued Jun. 7. 1966, to Hershey Lemer under the title Flexible Container Strips is directed to so called bags on a roll (here the AutoBag patent). U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patent discloses a web of bags interconnected by lines of weakness, preferably in the form of perforations, with each of the bags being open on one face. In use the bags are sequentially fed to a loading station. When at the loading station, each bag is blown open, a product is inserted and thereafter separated from the web and, if desired, the bag is then sealed to form a package.

[0003] These container strips in the form of chains of pre-opened bags are supplied either on a roll as taught in the AutoBag patent or festooned in a carton in the manner taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,029, issued May 6, 1980, to Bernard Lemer et al. under the title Method and Apparatus for Packaging, (herein the Wig-Wag patent). Such container strips have been sold by Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. of Streetsboro, Ohio, the assignee of the present case, under the trademark AutoBag and have enjoyed great commercial success.SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identity’ key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0005] In a first embodiment, a system includes a web of interconnected bags, an indexing mechanism, a blower, and a deforming mechanism. The indexing mechanism is configured to advance the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel until a bag of the interconnected bags is at an opening position. The bag includes an opening. The blower is configured to direct a stream of gas along the path of travel toward the opening of the bag when the bag is in the opening position. The deforming mechanism is configured to deform the opening of the bag. The deforming mechanism is configured to engage a portion of the bag proximate the opening in a direction parallel to the opening to cause a first ply of the bag proximate the opening to extend into the stream of gas so that gas from the stream of gas is directed into the bag through the opening to open the bag.

[0006] In a second embodiment, the web of interconnected bags of the first embodiment is formed from a fiber based material.

[0007] In a third embodiment, the fiber-based material of the second embodiment is kraft paper.

[0008] Ina fourth embodiment, at least a portion of the fiber-based material of any of the second and third embodiments is coated to enable sealing of the bag.

[0009] In a fifth embodiment, the web of interconnected bags of the first embodiment is formed from a plastic material.

[0010] In a sixth embodiment, the deforming mechanism of any of the preceding embodiments includes a pusher extending transversely across the first ply of the bag and a slot extending transversely across the bag on a second ply of the bag. The pusher is aligned with the slot.

[0011] In a seventh embodiment, the deforming mechanism of the sixth embodiment is configured to deform the opening of the bag by moving the pusher toward the slot while first and second plies of the bag are located between the pusher and the slot so that a portion of the second ply is inserted in the slot.

[0012] In an eighth embodiment, one or both of the pusher and the slot of any of the sixth and seventh embodiments extend transversely across an entirety of a width of the bag.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0013] In a ninth embodiment, one or both of the pusher and the slot of any of the sixth to eighth embodiments extend transversely across a portion of the bag that is smaller than a width of the bag.

[0014] In a tenth embodiment, system of any of the sixth to ninth embodiments further includes a seal bar. The pusher is a part of the seal bar.

[0015] In an eleventh embodiment, the system of the tenth embodiment further includes a heating element. The slot is coupled to the heating element.

[0016] In a twelfth embodiment, after the bag has been opened by the stream of gas and an object has been inserted in the bag, the seal bar and the heating element of the eleventh embodiment are configured to seal the bag closed with the object inside.

[0017] In a thirteenth embodiment, the heating element of the twelfth embodiment is configured to extend into the slot as part of sealing the bag closed with the sealing inside.

[0018] In a fourteenth embodiment, the system of any of the preceding embodiments is configured to receive an input indicative of a type of material of the web of interconnected bags and to determine whether the deforming mechanism will be used to deform the opening of the bag based on the input indicative of the type of material.

[0019] In a fifteenth embodiment, the input of the fourteenth embodiment includes at least one of a user input manually entered into a human-machine interface of the system, a signal from a sensor communicatively coupled to the system which senses the material of the bag, or a scanner communicatively coupled to the system that scans a code or a tag associated with the web of interconnected bags.

[0020] In a sixteenth embodiment, a method of opening a bag uses a system that include an web of interconnected bags, an indexing mechanism, a blower, and a deforming mechanism. The method includes advancing, by the indexing mechanism, the w eb of interconnected bags along a path of travel until a bag of the interconnected bags is at an opening position, w herein the bag includes an opening. The method further includes directing, by the blower, a stream of gas along the path of travel toward the opening of the bag when the bag is in the opening position. The method further includes deforming, by the deforming mechanism, the opening of the bag. The deforming includes engaging, by the deforming mechanism, a portion of the bag proximate the opening in a direction parallel to the opening to cause a first ply of the bagAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO proximate the opening to extend into the stream of gas so that gas from the stream of gas is directed into the bag through the opening to open the bag.

[0021] In a seventeenth embodiment, the web of interconnected bags of the sixteenth embodiment is formed from at least one of a fiber based material or a plastic material.

[0022] In an eighteenth embodiment, the deforming mechanism of any of the sixteenth and seventeenth embodiments includes a pusher extending transversely across the first ply of the bag and a slot extending transversely across the bag on a second ply of the bag. The pusher is aligned with the slot.

[0023] In a nineteenth embodiment, deforming the opening of the bag of the eighteenth embodiment includes moving the pusher toward the slot while first and second plies of the bag are located between the pusher and the slot so that a portion of the second ply is inserted in the slot.

[0024] In a twentieth embodiment, the system of any of the eighteenth to nineteenth embodiments includes a seal bar and a heating element. The pusher is coupled to the seal bar. The slot is coupled to the heating element. The method further includes, after the bag has been opened by the stream of gas and an object has been inserted in the bag, sealing, by the seal bar and the heating element, the bag closed with the object inside.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0025] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figs. 1A, IB, and 1C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of an exemplary apparatus for making packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags;

[0027] Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing the elongated web being advanced through the apparatus;

[0028] Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing the elongated web opening being positioned below a bag opening arrangement of the apparatus;Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0029] Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing bag engagement devices moved into position above the elongated web opening;

[0030] Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of view of the apparatus showing the web opening being blown open above the bag engagement devices;

[0031] Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing the web being reverse indexed to position the bag engagement devices inside the web opening;

[0032] Figs. 7A, 7B, and 7C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing bag engagement devices engaging a bag of the web at the opening;

[0033] Figs. 8A, 8B, and 8C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing the engagement devices moving to provide a rectangular bag opening;

[0034] Figs. 9A, 9B, and 9C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing a rectangular product positioned above the rectangular bag opening;

[0035] Figs. 10A, 10B, and 10C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing a rectangular product positioned in the open bag;

[0036] Figs. 11A, 1 IB, and 11C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing the bag engagement devices moving to close the bag and the bag being sealed by a sealing arrangement of the apparatus;

[0037] Figs. 12A, 12B, and 12C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing reverse indexing of the web to separate the filled and sealed bag from the web;

[0038] Figs. 13A, 13B, and 13C depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of the apparatus showing releasing the filled and sealed bag from the apparatus;

[0039] Figs. 14A and 14B depict a front view, partially cut away, and a sectional side view, respectively, of an elongated web of bags;

[0040] Fig. 15A and 15B depict a front view and a sectional side view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a package;Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0041] Figs. 16A and 16B depict front views of a web of interconnected bags and instances of a method of initially opening the opening of a bag, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0042] Figs. 17A to 17C depict side views of a method of initially opening the opening of a bag , in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0043] Figs. 18A and 18B depict front views of a web of interconnected bags and instances of a method of attempting to initially open the opening of a bag using the method of opening the bag shown in Figs. 16A and 16B, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0044] Figs. 19A to 19C depict side views of a method of initially opening the opening of a bag attempting to initially open the opening of a bag using the method of opening the bag shown in Figs. 17A to 17C, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0045] Figs. 20A to 20D depict side views of a system and method of opening the bag using a blower, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0046] Figs. 20E to 20H depict side views of a system and method of the bag-opening machine continuing to handle the web to open, load, and seal closed the bag, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0047] Figs. 21A to 21C depict embodiments of different forms of a deformation mechanism that includes a pusher and a slot, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0048] Fig. 22 depicts an example embodiment of a system that may be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein; and

[0049] Fig. 23 depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device, in accordance with the embodiments described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The present application relates to an elongated web 16 (Figs. 14A and 14B) of preformed interconnected bags 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the web 16 has an opening 30 defined in a first ply 20 and a line of separation 32 in a second ply 22. The webs 16 of preformed interconnected bags 18 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by Figs. 14A and 14B, each preformed bag 18 is definedAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO by first and second plies 20, 22 of the web 16. First and second side edges 24, 26 of the web hermetically join the first and second plies. Preformed seals 28 extend betw een the first and second side edges 24, 26. The opening 30 extends between the first and second side edges 24, 26. The line of separation 32, such as a line of perforations in the second ply 22 extends between the first and second side edges 24, 26. In one exemplary embodiment, the opening 30 is superposed over the line of w eakness 32. In another exemplary embodiment, the opening 30 and the line of weakness 32 are offset.

[0051] The web 16 of preformed bags 18 illustrated by Figs. 14A and 14B is one example of the wide variety of different webs that may be used. Examples of acceptable webs of preformed interconnected bags include, but are not limited to, the webs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 to H. Lemer and U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,824 to B. Lerner et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0052] Referring to Figs. 15A and 15B, an exemplary' package 12 includes a sealed compartment 36. The package 12 may have any number of compartments. Product 40 is disposed in the compartment 36. The illustrated product 40 is a box. However, the package 12 may contain any product. The compartment is defined by the first and second side edges 24, 26, the preformed seal 28, and a seal 44 that is formed after the product 40 is loaded into the bag. In the example, the seal 44 extends from the first side edge 24 to the second side edge 26 to hermetically seal the compartment 36. In another embodiment, the dividing seal 28 may not extend all the way from the first side edge to the second side edge or may be intermittent to allows communication betw een the compartment 36 and external air or the compartment 36 and another optional compartment of the package. The w ebs 16 of interconnected bags 18 can be made in a wide variety of different ways.

[0053] The w ebs 16 of interconnected bags 18 can be used in a wide variety of different applications. For example, the webs 16 of interconnected bags 18 can be used in a wide variety of different packaging machines. Figs. 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 10 or packaging machine for making packages 12 from an elongated web 16 of preformed interconnected bags 18, such as the elongated webs 16 of bags 18 illustrated byFigs. Figs. 14A and 14B.

[0054] Figs. 1 A-1C through 13A-13C schematically illustrate an exemplary of a machine being operated to make packages 12 from an elongated web 16 of preformed interconnectedAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO bags 18. Any apparatus represented by the schematic illustrations of 1A-1C through 13A-13C can be used that performs the functions shown by Figs. 1A-1C through 13A-13C. The concepts of the apparatus 10 can be implemented in any of a wide variety of packaging machines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,468 to H. Lerner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,455 to Gereby et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,625 to Kramer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,676 to B. Lemer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,201 to Cronauer et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,742,317, 5,394,676, 5,371,521, and 4,899,520 disclose packaging machines that can be modified in accordance with the present invention to make packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags and are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0055] Referring now to Figs. 1 A-l C, the illustrated apparatus 10 includes a supply 50 (Fig. 2B) of the elongated web 16 of preformed interconnected bags 18, an indexing mechanism 52, an opening arrangement 54, a sealing arrangement 56, and a controller (not shown). The supply 50 comprises the elongated web 16 that is rolled or folded to stage a relatively large amount of the web in a relatively small space. The web 16 is routed from the supply 50 along a path of travel P to the indexing mechanism 52. The indexing mechanism 52 receives the web 16 from the supply and moves the web along the path of travel P. The indexing mechanism 52 may take a wide variety of different forms. For example, any indexing mechanism that can be controlled to index bags of the web to selected positions along the path of travel may be used. In the illustrated example, the indexing mechanism comprises a pair of rollers 60 that form a nip that engages the web 16. The rollers 60 are selectively driven by a motor (not shown) to index bags of the web to selected positions along the path of travel P.

[0056] Referring to Figs. 1A-1C, the opening arrangement 54 is positioned along the path of travel P to open each bag that is to be loaded and sealed. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening arrangement 54 comprises a blower 400 and an engagement device 402. However, the opening arrangement 54 may take a wide variety of different forms. The blower 400 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the blower 400 comprises a plurality of nozzles 210 positioned above the rollers 60 of the indexing mechanism 52. The illustrated nozzles 210 are oriented downward to blow air downward past the rollers 60 along the path of travel P of the web 18.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0057] The engagement device 402 can take a wide variety7of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement device 402 comprises a first gripper 220 and a second gripper 230. The first gripper 220 is spaced apart from the second gripper 230 and both are configured to grip the first ply 20 of the bag 18. In one exemplary embodiment, the spacing S (Fig. 1 A) between the grippers 220, 230 is adjustable. This optional spacing may be automatic and controlled by the controller or the spacing may be manually adjusted. This allows the engagement device to provide openings 800 (See Fig. 8) having different widths.

[0058] The engagement device 402 also includes a third gripper 240 and a fourth gripper 250. The third gripper 240 and the fourth gripper 250 are moveable relative to and independently of one another and are configured to grip the side edges 24, 26 of the bag 18. The third and fourth grippers 240, 250 are omitted from Figs. 1 IB, 12B, and 13B to more clearly illustrate opening of the first and second grippers 220, 230.

[0059] The grippers 220 and 230 grip the opening 30 and move to create the shaped opening 800 as will be described in more detail below. This rectangular opening allows the large items, such as rectangular items, like boxes to be packaged inside the bag 18. While the shaped opening 800 is shown as a rectangular shape, the opening can be any shape. For example, the opening could be a quadrilateral, a trapezoid, a triangle, an irregular polygon, or any other shape. The number of grippers used to grip the opening 30 of the bag may be increased or decreased to create the desired opening shape. Different shapes of openings accommodate different shapes of packages being inserted into the bags.

[0060] Referring to Figs. 1A-1C, the controller is in communication with the indexing mechanism 52, the opening arrangement 54, and the sealing arrangement 56. The controller controls the indexing mechanism 52, the opening arrangement 54, and the sealing arrangement 56 to convert the preformed bags 18 into packages 12. A wide variety of controllers can be used and programmed to control the indexing mechanism 52, the opening arrangement 54, and the sealing arrangement 56 as described herein. For example, the controller and controller algorithms described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,625 to Kramer can be modified to control the indexing mechanism 52, the opening arrangement 54, and the sealing arrangement 56 to form the packages.

[0061] Referring to Figs. 2A-2C and 3A-3C, the controller controls the indexing mechanism 52 to index the web 16 forward along the path of travel as indicated by arrows P. until theAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO opening 30 of the bag 18 is just below the engagement device 402 in the exemplary embodiment. In alternate embodiments, the opening 30 is indexed to other positions. For example, the opening 30 can be indexed to any position where the blower 400 can blow the opening 30 open or at least partially open. For example, the opening 30 may initially be positioned above the engagement device 402, be blown open by the blower 400, and then be moved to the position illustrated by Figs. 3A-3C.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller controls the engagement device to move the grippers 220, 230, 240, 250 from a closed position (See Figs. 3A-3C) to an open position (See Fig. 4A-4C) once the opening 30 is positioned below the engagement device 402. Referring to Figs. 5A-5C, the controller controls the blower 400 to blow air between the plies 20, 22 at the opening 30 of the bag. The air is forced betw een the plies through the opening 30 to inflate the bag 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the first ply 20 of the inflated bag 18 is generally aligned with or aligned with a gap 500 (see Fig. 5B) between the grippers 220. 230. In an exemplary embodiment, the edges of the inflated bag 18 are generally aligned with or aligned with a gap 520 (see Figs. 5A and 5C) between the gripping members of each open gripper 240, 250. In another embodiment, the bag 18 is not inflated but opened by other means just enough to allow the grippers 220, 230, 240, 250 to be inserted into the opening 30 of the bag.

[0063] Referring to Figs. 6A-6C, in an exemplary embodiment the controller 58 causes the indexing mechanism 52 to reverse index the web as indicated by arrow 612 while the grippers 220, 230 are open. The blower 400 may optionally be stopped during the reverse indexing. The reverse indexing pulls the first ply 20 of the bag 18 into the gap 500 betw een the gripping members of each pair of open grippers 220, 230. The reverse indexing also pulls the edges 24, 26 of the bag 18 into the gap 520 betw een the gnpping members of each pair of open grippers 240, 250.

[0064] Referring to Figs. 7A-7C, in an exemplary embodiment the controller 58 causes the grippers 220, 230, 240, 250 to move from the open position to the closed position. The first ply 20 of the bag 18 is gripped betw een the gripping members of each of the pairs of gripper 220, 230. The edges 24, 26 of the bag 18 are gripped between the gripping members of each gripper 240, 250.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0065] Referring to Figs. 8A-8C, each bag 18 is provided with a shaped opening 800 at a position where the bag is loaded with a product 40. The shaped opening 800 has a shape based on how the grippers 220, 230. 240, and 250 hold the shaped opening 800. In the depicted, embodiment, the grippers 220, 230, 240, and 250 hold the shaped opening 800 in the shape of a rectangle. Referring to Figs. 8A-8C, in an exemplary' embodiment, the controller controls the engagement device 402 to provide the bag 18 with the shaped opening 800 for loading. In the illustrated embodiment, the grippers 220, 230 move the first ply 20 away from the second ply 22 as indicated by arrows 850 (see Figs. 8B and 8C). At the same time, the grippers 240, 250 move the edges 24, 26 toward each other as indicated by arrows 860 (see Figs. 8A and 8C). The movement of the grippers 240, 250 tears the line of weakness 32 in the second layer 22. As such, edge portions 852 of the bag 18 are tom away from edge portions 852' of the next bag 18', allowing the shaped opening 800 to be formed. In one exemplary embodiment, the second ply 22 slides between the grippers 240, 250 as the grippers 240, 250 move from the position illustrated by Figs. 7A-7C to the position illustrated by Figs. 8A-8C. A center portion 854 of the line of weakness 32 in the second layer 22 of the bag 18 remains intact. This leaves the bag 18 connected to the bag 18' while the bag 18 has the shaped opening 800.

[0066] The grippers 220, 230 can move the first ply 20 away from the second ply 22 in a wide variety of different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the grippers 220, 230 are attached to a bar 68 that is part of the sealing arrangement 56. In this embodiment, the bar 68 moves the attached grippers 220, 230. However, the grippers 220, 230 can be moved by an actuator that is separate from the bar 68. The grippers 240, 250 can move the edges 24, 26 toward each other in a variety of different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the grippers 240, 250 move in a slot 870 in a housing of the apparatus 10. The grippers 240, 250 can be driven by a motor, a linear actuator or any other mechanism.

[0067] Referring to Figs. 9A-9C and 10A-10C, the bag 18 is maintained with the shaped opening 800 at the load position and the product 40 is loaded into the bag 18. The product 40 may be loaded manually or automatically. In the illustrated embodiment, the position where the bag 18 is loaded is also the position where bag 18 is sealed after the shaped opening 800 is closed. In another embodiment, the position where the bag is loaded is different than the position where the bag is sealed. In this embodiment, the controller causes the indexingAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO mechanism 52 to move the bag 18 to the seal position after the bag is loaded with product 40 and closed.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, once the product is loaded in the bag 18, an operator may provide a signal to the controller that indicates that loading is complete or completion of loading may be automatically detected. The apparatus 10 may be configured to allow the operator to provide the completed loading signal to the controller in a wide variety of different ways. For example, the apparatus may have a control foot pedal (not shown) or the sealing arrangement 56 may have a portion that the operator can push on to indicate that loading is complete and it is time to seal the package. Similarly, the apparatus can be configured to automatically detect completed loading and provide the controller with a signal that indicated this fact. For example, the apparatus may include a counter or may weigh the package to detect completed loading.

[0069] Referring to Figs. 11 A-l 1C, the signal from the operator or detection of completed loading is communicated to the controller, and causes the engagement device 402 to close the bag. In the illustrated embodiment, the grippers 220, 230 move the first ply 20 back toward the second ply 22 as indicated by arrows 1 150 (see Figs. 11 B and 1 1 C). At the same time, the grippers 240, 250 move the edges 24, 26 away from each other as indicated by arrows 1160 to close the bag opening 30 (see Fig. 11C). In an exemplary embodiment, the second ply 22 slides through each of the grippers 240, 250 as the grippers 240, 250 move from the position illustrated by Figs. 10A-10C to the position illustrated by Figs. 11A-11C. In the illustrated embodiment, the center portion 854 of the line of w eakness 32 in the second layer 22 of the bag 18 remains in-tact. As such, the closed bag 18 remains connected to the bag 18'.

[0070] Still referring to Figs. 11A-11C, the bag may be sealed at the position illustrated by Figs. 11A-11C or the engagement device 402 may release the bag and the bag may be indexed to another position for sealing. In one exemplary embodiment, the bag is sealed while the engagement device 402 is holding the bag 18 closed. The sealing arrangement 56 is positioned along the path of travel P to provide the seal 44. The sealing arrangement 56 may take a wide variety of different forms. For example, any mechanism that applies heat to the web to seal the first and second webs together to form the seal 44 may be implemented.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing arrangement comprises a seal backing bar 68 and a heating element 70 that are selectively moved into and out of engagement. ReferringAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO to Fig. 1 IB, when the web is in the seal position, the controller controls the sealing arrangement 56 to clamp the web 16 between the seal backing bar 68 and the heating element 70. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal backing bar 68 comprises a rubber seal backing element 1 168. The seal backing bar 68 may be moved to the clamped position (see Fig. 1 IB) from the unclamped position (See Fig. 10B) under a low force, such as a force that is lower than a force that could injure a finger that might be between the rubber seal backing element 1168 and the heating element 70. In addition, the rubber seal backing element 1168 is not heated.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element 70 is moved to the clamped position (See Fig. 11 B) from the unclamped position (See Fig. 10B) and / or heat is applied by the heating element 70 only after the rubber seal backing element 1168 has been moved to the clamped position. Heat is applied to the web to seal the plies of the web together between the first side edge 24 and the second side edge 26. The heating element 70 may be continuously on (i.e. always hot when the machine is turned on) or the heating element 70 may be controlled to only apply heat when the bag 18 is clamped and / or a seal signal is provided by the controller. The first and second plies 20, 22 are sealed together to form the compartment 36.

[0073] Referring to Figs. 12A-12C, the engagement device 402 releases the bag. This release may be after the seal is formed or while the seal is being formed. This release may be before (see Fig. 12B) or after (see Fig. 13B) the seal backing bar 68 and a heating element 70 move apart from one another. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller causes the engagement device 402 to release the bag by causing the grippers 220, 230, 240, 250 to move from the closed position (Figs. 11A-11C) to the open position (Figs. 12A-12C).

[0074] Still referring to Figs. 12A-12C, the controller controls the indexing mechanism 52 to separate the formed package 12 from the web 16. The second ply 22 is broken along the remaining center portion 854 (the center portion 854 is already broken off in the illustration of Figs. 12A-12C) of the line of separation 32 to separate the package 12 from the elongated web 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller controls the indexing mechanism 52 to pull the web 16 away from the bag 18 as indicated by arrows 74 while the bag is clamped by the sealing arrangement 56 in an exemplary embodiment.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0075] Referring to Figs. 13A-13C, the controller controls the sealing arrangement 56 to release the formed package 12 after the filled bag 18 is separated from the next, unfilled bag 18'. In the illustrated embodiment, the formed package 12 is released by moving the seal backing bar 68 away from the heating element 70.

[0076] Referring again to Figs. 3A-3C, the controller 58 indexes the web 16 with the opening 30 of the next bag 18 to the load position and the cycle begins again. The controller may repeat the method as required to produce as many packages are needed from the web.

[0077] Traditionally, the web 16 has typically been formed of plastic materials, such as polyethylene, cellophane, vinyl films, pliofilms, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene, polypropylene, or other heat-sealable plastic materials. Plastic materials have advantages, such as flexibility, stretchability, sealability, and the like. However, plastic materials have drawbacks, such as the difficulty for end consumers to recycle such plastic materials. There are incentives for shipping bags to be made from materials that are more sustainable than the plastic materials described above. In particular, there is a desire for shipping bags to be made from fiber-based materials, such as paper, kraft paper, and the like. It would be advantageous to continue to use bag-opening machines, such as the apparatus 10 discussed above, with webs of bags formed from fiber-based materials. In addition, it may be advantageous for bag-opening machines, such as the apparatus 10 discussed above, to be selectively usable with webs of bags formed from plastic materials and with webs of bags formed from fiberbased materials.

[0078] One challenge with the use of webs of bags formed from different materials is the ability to properly open the openings of the bags. In one example, the transition of the opening of a bag from a first shape, at which grippers initially engage a bag, to a second shape, at which grippers hold the opening of the bag in a shape suitable for loading a bag, differs based on the material of the web of interconnected bags. Such problems and solutions for method of using grippers to transition the opening of the bag depending on the type of the material of the web of interconnected bags are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 694,242, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety'. In another example, the opening of the bag needs to be at least partially opened in order for the grippers to engage the opening of the bag. Described herein are methods of initially opening the opening of a bag.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0079] Figs. 16A and 16B depict front views of a web 116p of interconnected bags 118p and instances of a method of initially opening the opening 130p of a bag 118p. Figs. 17A to 17C depict side views of a method of initially opening the opening 130p of a bag 118p. In the depicted embodiment, the web 1 16p of interconnected bags 1 18p is made from a plastic material. The web 116p of interconnected bags 118p includes a first ply 120p and a second ply 122p that form front and back panels of the bags 118p. The web 116p of interconnected bags 118p is in a bag-loading machine (e.g., the apparatus 10) that includes an indexing mechanism (e.g., the indexing mechanism 52) and the blower 400.

[0080] At the point shown in Fig. 16A and Fig. 17 A, the web 116p of interconnected bags 1 18p has been advanced along the path of travel P by the indexing mechanism to an opening position. In some embodiments, the opening position is the point at which the bag-opening machine can open the opening 13 Op of the bag 118p. The blower 400 is positioned to direct a stream of gas 410 along the path of travel P toward the opening 130p of the bag 118p. In the depicted embodiment, the blower 400 includes one nozzle. In other embodiments, the blower 400 can include more than one nozzle.

[0081] When viewing Figs. 16A and 16B, the stream of gas 410 is directed along the path of travel toward the opening 130p of the bag 118p so that gas from the stream of gas 410 enters the opening 130p to open the bag 118p. Fig. 17A depicts how the first ply 102p of the bag 118p at the opening 13 Op is initially in the path of the stream of gas 410. As the stream of gas 410 begins to affect the opening 130p of the bag 118p, the opening 130p begins to pull downward near the transverse center of the bag 13 Op, as indicated by the arcuate shape of the first ply 120p shown in Fig. 16B and the distortions of the first ply 120p shown in Fig. 17B. The first ply 120p is made from the plastic material, which is sufficiently flexible to allow the first ply 120 to deform as shown when the stream of gas 410 reaches the opening 13 Op.

[0082] As can be seen in Fig. 17B, when the first ply 120p of the opening 130p deforms, the gap formed at the opening 13 Op permits gas from the stream of gas 410 to enter into the bag 118p. The gas that enters the bag 118p causes the bag to partially open to the point show n in Fig. 17C. At this point, the opening 130p of the bag 118p can be engaged by grippers (e.g., grippers 220. 230, 240, and 250). The grippers can then transition the opening 130p of the bag 1 18p from the shape shown in Fig. 17C to a shape suitable for loading an object into the bag 118p.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0083] Figs. 18A and 18B depict front views of a web 116F of interconnected bags 118F and instances of a method of attempting to initially open the opening 130F of a bag 118F using the method of opening the bag 1 18p shown in Figs. 16A and 16B. Figs. 19A to 19C depict side views of a method of initially opening the opening 130F of a bag 1 18F attempting to initially open the opening 13 OF of a bag 118F using the method of opening the bag 118p shown in Figs. 17A to 17C. In the depicted embodiment, the web 116F of interconnected bags 118F is made from a fiber-based material, such as kraft paper, paperboard, cardstock, and the like. The web 116F of interconnected bags 118F includes a first ply 120F and a second ply 122F that form front and back panels of the bags 118F. The web 116F of interconnected bags 118F is in a bag-loading machine (e g., the apparatus 10) that includes an indexing mechanism (e.g., the indexing mechanism 52) and the blower 400.

[0084] At the point shown in Fig. 18A and Fig. 19A, the web 116F of interconnected bags 118F has been advanced along the path of travel P by the indexing mechanism to an opening position. In some embodiments, the opening position is the point at which the bag-opening machine can open the opening 130F of the bag 118F. The blower 400 is positioned to direct a stream of gas 410 along the path of travel P toward the opening 130F of the bag 118F. In the depicted embodiment, the blower 400 includes one nozzle. In other embodiments, the blower 400 can include more than one nozzle.

[0085] When viewing Figs. 18A and 18B. the stream of gas 410 is directed along the path of travel toward the opening 130F of the bag 118F. However, in contrast to the method shown in Figs. 16A and 16B, the gas from the stream of gas 410 does not enter the opening 130F and continues in the path of travel P below the opening. Fig. 19A depicts how the first ply 102F of the bag 118F at the opening 13 OF is initially in the path of the stream of gas 410. As the stream of gas 410 begins to affect the opening 130F of the bag 118F, the first ply 120F at the opening 130F begins to vibrate due to the turbulent air flow of the stream of gas 410 as it encounters the first ply 120F. Fig. 19B depicts a range of vibration 121F of the first ply 120F due to the effects of the stream of gas 410. The first ply 120F behaves differently in respond to the stream of gas 410 than the first ply 120p behaves due to the rigidity of the fiber-based material of the first ply 120F being greater than the rigidity of the plastic material of the first ply 120p.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0086] At some point, the vibrations of the first ply 120F at the opening cause the first ply 120F to be proximate to the second ply 122F, as shown in Fig. 19C. At this point, the stream of gas 410 tends to keep the opening 13 OF of the bag 118F closed. In this way, the stream of gas 410 does not open the opening 130F of the bag 1 18F, but instead keeps the opening 130F of the bag 118F closed. With the opening 130F of the bag 118F in the position shown in Fig. 19C, the grippers (e.g., grippers 220, 230, 240, and 250) of the bag-opening machine cannot engage the opening 130F of the bag 118F and the bag 118F cannot be held open by the bagloading machine for the loading of the bag 118F.

[0087] Figs. 20A to 20D depict side views of a system and method of opening the bag 118F using the blower 400. In Figs. 20A to 20H, the bag-loading machine (e.g., the apparatus 10) further includes a deforming mechanism 166 that is configured to deform an opening of the bag 118F. In the depicted embodiment, the deforming mechanism 166 includes a pusher 168 and a slot 170. The pusher 168 and the slot are aligned vertically with a portion of the bag located therebetween. In some embodiments, the pusher 168 is part of a seal bar. For example, in the case of the apparatus 10, the pusher 168 can include the seal bar 68 and / or the seal backing element 1168. In some embodiments, the slot 170 can be coupled to the heating element that seals the bag closed. For example, in the case of the apparatus 10, the slot 170 can be the slot in which the heating element 70 is located.

[0088] Fig. 20A depicts the web of interconnected bags 118F has been advanced along the path of travel P by the indexing mechanism to the point at which the bag 118F is in an opening position. The blow er 400 has begun to direct the stream of gas 410 along the path of travel P. From the instance show n in Fig. 20A to the instance shown in Fig. 20B, the deforming mechanism 166 has engaged a portion of the bag 118F proximate the opening 130F. In particular, the pusher and the slot extend transversely across the bag 118F in a direction parallel to the opening 130F. The engagement of the portion of the bag 118F by the deforming mechanism 166 causes the first ply 120F of the bag 118F proximate the opening 13 OF to extend into the stream of gas 410. In the particular embodiment shown, the pusher 168 pushes a portion of the first and second plies 120F and 122F partially into the slot 170. The interaction of the pusher 168 and the slot causes the portion of the first ply 120F between the pusher 168 and the opening 13 OF to extend outwardly into the stream of gas 410.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0089] The deformation of the first ply 120F caused by the deforming mechanism 166 allows gas from the stream of gas 410 to be directed into the bag 118F. Fig. 20C depicts how some of the gas from the stream of gas 410 can be directed by the deformed portion of the first ply 120F to enter the bag 1 18F. Fig. 20C also depicts that the pusher 158 is withdrawn from the slot 170 to allow the first ply 120F to separate from the second ply 122F. The amount of gas from the stream of gas 410 increases as the first ply 120F separates from the second ply 122F to allow even more gas from the stream of gas 410 to enter the bag 118F. The gas entering the bag 118F from the stream of gas 410 allows the opening 13 OF to open to the point show n in Fig. 20D. At this point, the opening 130F of the bag 118F can be engaged by grippers (e.g., grippers 220, 230, 240, and 250) of the bag-loading machine.

[0090] In the depicted show n in Fig. 20D, the first and second plies 120F and 122F no longer shown any deformation caused by the deforming mechanism 166. While the nature of the material of the web 116F of interconnected bags 118F may permit the first and second plies 120F and 122F to quickly return to their pre-deformation states, the first and second plies 120F and 122F may have lingering artifacts of the deformation from deforming mechanism 166. For example, it will be appreciated that the first ply 120F and / or the second ply 122F may- have creases, bends, or other artifacts that were created by the contact of the first and second plies 120F and 122F with the deforming mechanism 166. Such artifacts may appear to an observer that the first ply 120F and / or the second ply 122F has been embossed, dimpled, or subjected to any other type of deformation process.

[0091] Figs. 20E to 20H depict side views of a system and method of the bag-opening machine continuing to handle the web 116F to open, load, and seal closed the bag 118F. From the instance shown in Fig. 20D to the instance shown in Fig. 20E, the bag-opening machine has transitioned the opening 130F of the bag 1 18F from the shape shown in Fig. 20D to the shape shown in Fig. 20E. For example, the gripers (e.g., the grippers 220, 230, 240, 250) can grip the opening 13 OF of the bag 118F at the instance show n in Fig. 20D and then transition the opening 130F of the bag 118F to the shape shown in Fig. 20E. The grippers can transition the shape of the opening 130F of the bag 118F using any of the methods and systems described in U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 694,242, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0092] At Fig. 20F, the bag-opening machine hold the bag 118F while an object 140 is loaded into the bag 118F. The object 140 can be manually loaded by a user, automatically loaded by a loading machine, or in any other manner. After the object 140 has been loaded into the bag 1 18F, the bag-loading machine can close the opening 130F of the bag 1 18F, as shown in Fig. 20G. In some examples, the closing of the opening 130F of the bag 118F can be accomplished by moving the grippers to flatten the opening 130F of the bag 118F and / or by causing the pusher 168 to move to push the first ply 120F toward the second ply 122F.

[0093] In the event that the pusher 168 is part of a seal bar (e g., seal bar 68) and the slot 170 is coupled to a heating element (e.g., heating element 70). the deforming mechanism 166 can also be used to seal closed the bag 1 18F with the object 140 inside. Fig. 20H shows the heating element 70 extended within the slot and the seal backing element 1168 on the end of the pusher 168 with the first and second plies 120F and 122F located between. Heat generated by the heating element and force introduced by the seal backing element 1168 can cause the portions of the first and second plies 120F and 122F between the heating element 70 and the seal backing element 1168 to be sealed together. In some embodiments the material of the web 116F of interconnected bag 118F is a fiber-based material where the inner sides of the fiber-based material are coated to enable the sealing of the bag 118F by the heating element 70 and the seal backing element 1168.

[0094] The system and method shown in Figs. 20A to 20H has been described with the use of the web 116F of interconnected bag 118F that is formed from a fiber-based material. It will be appreciated that the system and method shown in Figs. 20A to 20H could also be used with webs of interconnected bags formed from other materials. For example, the system and method shown in Figs. 20A to 20H may be used with the web 116p of interconnected bag 118p that is formed from a plastic material. The ability to use of the system and method show n in Figs. 20A to 20H with a w eb formed from a plastic material may be dependent upon one or more characteristics of the plastic material, such as a rigidity' of the plastic material.

[0095] In some cases, the bag-opening machine may be used at some times with a web of interconnected bags formed from a plastic material and at other times with a web of interconnected bags formed from a fiber-based material. In such cases, it may be advantageous for the bag-opening machine to (1) perform the method of deforming theAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO opening of the bags show n in Figs. 20A to 20D when the web of interconnected bags formed from a fiber-based material is loaded in the machine, and (2) omit the method of deforming the opening of the bags shown in Figs. 20A to 20D when the web of interconnected bags formed from a plastic material is loaded in the machine. In such cases, it may be advantageous for the bag-opening machine to receive an input indicative of the t pe of material of the web of interconnected bags and then determine whether the deforming mechanism will be used to deform the opening of the bag based on the input indicative of the type of material. Such an input can include a user input manually entered into a humanmachine interface (e.g., a touchpad, a computer, etc.) of the system, a signal from a sensor (e.g., a camera and computing device that has image recognition capabilities) communicatively coupled to the system which senses the material of the bag. or a scanner (e.g., barcode reader, QR code reader, RFID reader, etc.) communicatively coupled to the system that scans a code or a tag associated with the web of interconnected bags.

[0096] Figs. 21 A to 21 C depict embodiments of different forms of a deformation mechanism 166 that includes a pusher 168 and a slot 170. Figs. 21 A to 21C depict the various forms of the deformation mechanism with respect to a web 116 of interconnected bags 118. Each of the bags 118 has an opening 130. The web 116 of interconnected bags 118 can be formed from a fiber-based material, a plastic material, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. In each example, the deformation mechanism 166 includes the pusher 168 and the slot 170 with the pusher 168 located in front of the web 116 and the slot 170 located in back of the web 116.

[0097] In Fig. 21A, the pusher 166 and the slot 170 extend transversely across an entirety7of a width of the bag 118. In this way, when the deformation mechanism 166 engages the bag 118, the entire width of the bag 118 can be deformed. In Fig. 2 IB, the pusher 166 and the slot 170 extend transversely across a portion of the bag 118 that is smaller than the width of the bag 118. In this way, when the deformation mechanism 166 engages the bag 118, a portion of the width of the bag 118 can be deformed. In the depicted embodiment, the portion of the bag 118 across which the pusher 166 and the slot 170 extend is greater than half of the width of the bag 118. In Fig. 21C, the pusher 166 and the slot 170 extend transversely across a portion of the bag 118 that is smaller than the width of the bag 118. In this way, when the deformation mechanism 166 engages the bag 118, a portion of the widthAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO of the bag 118 can be deformed. In the depicted embodiment, the portion of the bag 118 across which the pusher 166 and the slot 170 extend is less than half of the width of the bag 118.

[0098] In some embodiments, the arrangement of the blower 400 can vary based on the form of the deformation mechanism 166. In some examples, in Figs. 21A and 21B, the blower 400 includes two nozzles 210 which are within the width of the deformation mechanism 166. Positioning the nozzles 210 within the width of the deformation mechanism 166 increases the likelihood that the stream of gas 410 directed by the nozzles 210 will properly open the opening 130 of the bag 118. In one example, in Fig. 21C, the blower 400 includes one nozzle 210 which is substantially centered within the width of the deformation mechanism 166. Having just one nozzle 210 with the narrow deformation mechanism 166 increases the likelihood that the stream of gas 410 directed by the nozzle 210 to the portion of the opening 130 of the bag 118 that will be deformed by the deformation mechanism 166 to properly open the opening 130 of the bag 1 18.

[0099] Fig. 22 depicts an example embodiment of a system 1310 that may be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein. In the depicted embodiment, the system 1310 includes computing devices 13201, 13202, 1320s, and 13204 (collectively computing devices 1320). In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 13201 is a tablet, the computing device 13202 is a mobile phone, the computing device 1320s is a desktop computer, and the computing device 13204 is a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the computing devices 1320 include one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a gaming console (e.g., Xbox, Play Station, Wii), a watch, a pair of glasses, a key fob, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ear piece, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable item, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a relay, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein, or any combination thereof.

[0100] The computing devices 1320 are communicatively coupled to each other via one or more networks 1330 and 1332. Each of the networks 1330 and 1332 may include one orAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO more wired or wireless networks (e.g., a 3G network, the Internet, an internal network, a proprietary network, a secured network). The computing devices 1320 are capable of communicating with each other and / or any other computing devices via one or more wired or wireless networks. While the particular system 1310 in Fig. 22 depicts that the computing devices 1320 communicatively coupled via the network 1330 include four computing devices, any number of computing devices may be communicatively coupled via the network 1330.

[0101] In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 1320s is communicatively coupled with a peripheral device 1340 via the netw ork 1332. In the depicted embodiment, the peripheral device 1340 is a scanner, such as a barcode scanner, an optical scanner, a computer vision device, and the like. In some embodiments, the network 1332 is a wired netw ork (e.g., a direct wired connection between the peripheral device 1340 and the computing device 1320s). a wireless network (e.g.. a Bluetooth connection or a WiFi connection), or a combination of wired and wireless networks (e.g., a Bluetooth connection betw een the peripheral device 1340 and a cradle of the peripheral device 1340 and a wired connection between the peripheral device 1340 and the computing device 1320s). In some embodiments, the peripheral device 1340 is itself a computing device (sometimes called a "smart" device). In other embodiments, the peripheral device 1340 is not a computing device (sometimes called a “dumb” device).

[0102] Depicted in Fig. 23 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device 1400. Any of the computing devices 1320 and / or any other computing device described herein may include some or all of the components and features of the computing device 1400. In some embodiments, the computing device 1400 is one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a gaming console (e.g., an Xbox, a Play Station, a Wii), a watch, a pair of glasses, a key fob, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ear piece, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable item, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a relay, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein, or any combination thereof. Such functions, operations, and / or processes may include, for example, transmitting, receiving,Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO operating on, processing, displaying, storing, determining, creating / generating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and / or similar terms used herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations, and / or processes can be performed on data, content, information, and / or similar terms used herein.

[0103] In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 1400 includes a processing element 1405, memory 1410, a user interface 1415, and a communications interface 1420. The processing element 1405, memory 1410, a user interface 1415, and a communications interface 1420 are capable of communicating via a communication bus 1425 by reading data from and / or writing data to the communication bus 1425. The computing device 1400 may include other components that are capable of communicating via the communication bus 1425. In other embodiments, the computing device does not include the communication bus 1425 and the components of the computing device 1400 are capable of communicating with each other in some other way.

[0104] The processing element 1405 (also referred to as one or more processors, processing circuitry, and / or similar terms used herein) is capable of performing operations on some external data source. For example, the processing element may perform operations on data in the memory 1410, data receives via the user interface 1415, and / or data received via the communications interface 1420. As will be understood, the processing element 1405 may be embodied in a number of different ways. In some embodiments, the processing element 1405 includes one or more complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), microprocessors, multicore processors, co processing entities, application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs), microcontrollers, controllers, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardware accelerators, any other circuitry, or any combination thereof. The term circuitry may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and computer program products. In some embodiments, the processing element 1405 is configured for a particular use or configured to execute instructions stored in volatile or nonvolatile media or otherwise accessible to the processing element 1405. As such, whether configured by hardware or computer program products, or by a combination thereof, the processing element 1405 may be capable of performing steps or operations when configured accordingly.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0105] The memory 1410 in the computing device 1400 is configured to store data, computer-executable instructions, and / or any other information. In some embodiments, the memory 1410 includes volatile memory (also referred to as volatile storage, volatile media, volatile memory circuitry, and the like), non-volatile memory (also referred to as non-volatile storage, non-volatile media, non-volatile memory circuitry, and the like), or some combination thereof.

[0106] In some embodiments, volatile memory includes one or more of random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random access memory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory7(EDO DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory' (DDR SDRAM), double data rate ty pe two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM), double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), Twin Transistor RAM (TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM), Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), single in-line memory module (SIMM), video random access memory (VRAM), cache memory (including various levels), flash memory, any other memory that requires power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0107] In some embodiments, non-volatile memory includes one or more of hard disks, floppy disks, flexible disks, solid-state storage (SSS) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)), solid state cards (SSC), solid state modules (SSM), enterprise flash drives, magnetic tapes, any other non-transitory magnetic media, compact disc read only memory7(CD ROM), compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non- transitory optical media, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory7(EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., Serial, NAND, NOR, and / or the like), multimedia memory7cards (MMC). secure digital (SD) memory cards. Memory Sticks, conductive-bridging random access memory (CBRAM), phase-change random access memory (PRAM), ferroelectric random-access memory' (FeRAM), nonvolatile random access memory7(NVRAM), magneto-resistive random access memoryAttorney Docket No. P46186-WO(MRAM), resistive random-access memory (RRAM), Silicon Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory (SONOS), floating junction gate random access memory (FJG RAM). Millipede memory, racetrack memory, any other memory that does not require power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0108] In some embodiments, memory 1410 is capable of storing one or more of databases, database instances, database management systems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, or any other information. The term database, database instance, database management system, and / or similar terms used herein may refer to a collection of records or data that is stored in a computer-readable storage medium using one or more database models, such as a hierarchical database model, network model, relational model, entity relationship model, object model, document model, semantic model, graph model, or any other model.

[0109] The user interface 1415 of the computing device 1400 is in communication with one or more input or output devices that are capable of receiving inputs into and / or outputting any outputs from the computing device 1400. Embodiments of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen display, a touch sensitive pad, a motion input device, movement input device, an audio input, a pointing device input, a joystick input, a keypad input, peripheral device 1340, foot switch, and the like. Embodiments of output devices include an audio output device, a video output, a display device, a motion output device, a movement output device, a printing device, and the like. In some embodiments, the user interface 1415 includes hardware that is configured to communicate with one or more input devices and / or output devices via wired and / or wireless connections.

[0110] The communications interface 1420 is capable of communicating with various computing devices and / or networks. In some embodiments, the communications interface 1420 is capable of communicating data, content, and / or any other information, that can be transmitted, received, operated on, processed, displayed, stored, and the like.Communication via the communications interface 1420 may be executed using a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly,Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO communication via the communications interface 1420 may be executed using a wireless data transmission protocol, such as general packet radio service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 IX (IxRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), WiFi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, near field communication (NFC) protocols, Wibree, Bluetooth protocols, wireless universal serial bus (USB) protocols, or any other wireless protocol.[OHl] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more components of the computing device 1400 may be located remotely from other components of the computing device 1400 components, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined and additional components performing functions described herein may be included in the computing device 1400. Thus, the computing device 1400 can be adapted to accommodate a variety of needs and circumstances. The depicted and described architectures and descriptions are provided for exemplar}' purposes only and are not limiting to the various embodiments described herein.

[0112] Embodiments described herein may be implemented in various ways, including as computer program products that comprise articles of manufacture. A computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, program code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and / or the like (also referred to herein as executable instructions, instructions for execution, computer program products, program code, and / or similar terms used herein interchangeably). Such non- transitory computer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media (including volatile and non-volatile media).

[0113] As should be appreciated, vanous embodiments of the embodiments described herein may also be implemented as methods, apparatus, systems, computing devices, and the like.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WOAs such, embodiments described herein may take the form of an apparatus, system, computing device, and the like executing instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium to perform certain steps or operations. Thus, embodiments described herein may be implemented entirely in hardware, entirely in a computer program product, or in an embodiment that comprises combination of computer program products and hardware performing certain steps or operations.

[0114] Embodiments described herein may be made with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Thus, it should be understood that blocks of a block diagram and flowchart illustrations may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, in an entirely hardware embodiment, in a combination of hardware and computer program products, or in apparatus, systems, computing devices, and the like cartying out instructions, operations, or steps. Such instructions, operations, or steps may be stored on a computer readable storage medium for execution buy a processing element in a computing device. For example, retrieval, loading, and execution of code may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading, and / or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and / or executed together. Thus, such embodiments can produce specifically configured machines performing the steps or operations specified in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Accordingly, the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support various combinations of embodiments for performing the specified instructions, operations, or steps.

[0115] For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO

[0116] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. P46186-WOCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system comprising: a web of interconnected bags; an indexing mechanism configured to advance the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel until a bag of the interconnected bags is at an opening position, wherein the bag includes an opening; a blower configured to direct a stream of gas along the path of travel toward the opening of the bag when the bag is in the opening position; a deforming mechanism configured to deform the opening of the bag, wherein the deforming mechanism is configured to engage a portion of the bag proximate the opening in a direction parallel to the opening to cause a first ply of the bag proximate the opening to extend into the stream of gas so that gas from the stream of gas is directed into the bag through the opening to open the bag.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the web of interconnected bags is formed from a fiber-based material.

3. The system of claim 2. wherein the fiber-based material is kraft paper.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the fiber-based material is coated to enable sealing of the bag.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the web of interconnected bags is formed from a plastic material.

6. The system of claim 1. wherein the deforming mechanism comprises: a pusher extending transversely across the first ply of the bag; and a slot extending transversely across the bag on a second ply of the bag, wherein the pusher is aligned with the slot.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO7. The system of claim 6, wherein the deforming mechanism is configured to deform the opening of the bag by moving the pusher toward the slot while first and second plies of the bag are located between the pusher and the slot so that a portion of the second ply is inserted in the slot.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein one or both of the pusher and the slot extend transversely across an entirety of a width of the bag.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein one or both of the pusher and the slot extend transversely across a portion of the bag that is smaller than a width of the bag.

10. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a seal bar, wherein the pusher is a part of the seal bar.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising: a heating element, wherein the slot is coupled to the heating element.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein, after the bag has been opened by the stream of gas and an object has been inserted in the bag, the seal bar and the heating element are configured to seal the bag closed with the object inside.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the heating element is configured to extend into the slot as part of sealing the bag closed with the sealing inside.

14. The system of claim 1. wherein the system is configured to: receive an input indicative of a type of material of the web of interconnected bags; and determine whether the deforming mechanism will be used to deform the opening of the bag based on the input indicative of the type of material.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO15. The system of claim 14, wherein the input comprises at least one of a user input manually entered into a human-machine interface of the system, a signal from a sensor communicatively coupled to the system which senses the material of the bag. or a scanner communicatively coupled to the system that scans a code or a tag associated with the web of interconnected bags.

16. A method of opening a bag using a system that include an web of interconnected bags, an indexing mechanism, a blower, and a deforming mechanism, wherein the method comprises: advancing, by the indexing mechanism, the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel until a bag of the interconnected bags is at an opening position, wherein the bag includes an opening; directing, by the blower, a stream of gas along the path of travel toward the opening of the bag when the bag is in the opening position; and deforming, by the deforming mechanism, the opening of the bag, wherein the deforming comprises engaging, by the deforming mechanism, a portion of the bag proximate the opening in a direction parallel to the opening to cause a first ply of the bag proximate the opening to extend into the stream of gas so that gas from the stream of gas is directed into the bag through the opening to open the bag.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the web of interconnected bags is formed from at least one of a fiber-based material or a plastic material.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the deforming mechanism comprises: a pusher extending transversely across the first ply of the bag; and a slot extending transversely across the bag on a second ply of the bag, wherein the pusher is aligned with the slot.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein deforming the opening of the bag comprises moving the pusher toward the slot while first and second plies of the bag are located between the pusher and the slot so that a portion of the second ply is inserted in the slot.Attorney Docket No. P46186-WO20. The method of claim 18, wherein the system includes a seal bar and a heating element, wherein the pusher is coupled to the seal bar, wherein the slot is coupled to the heating element, and wherein the method further comprises: after the bag has been opened by the stream of gas and an object has been inserted in the bag, sealing, by the seal bar and the heating element, the bag closed with the object inside.

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