Method of sealing a bag and a bag sealing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a method of sealing a bag ( 8 ) comprising (a) gripping the neck ( 10 ) of the bag ( 8 ) (b) passing the gripped portion of the bag neck ( 10 ) around a rod ( 6 ) approximately a complete revolution (c) continuing to revolve the gripped portion of the bag and moving the gripped portion axially away from the distal end of the rod ( 6 ) until generally a further 2-300 degree revolution has been completed so that the neck ( 10 ) of the bag ( 8 ) is wrapped around the rod ( 6 ) (d) opening a recess ( 14 ) in the rod and placing the free end of the neck ( 10 ) into the recess, and (e) holding the free end in the recess ( 14 ) whilst withdrawing the rod ( 6 ) through the wrapped portion of the neck. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the method.

1 . A method of sealing a bag comprising 
     (a) gripping a neck of the bag; 
     (b) passing a gripped portion of the bag neck around a rod approximately a complete revolution; 
     (c) continuing to revolve the gripped portion of the bag and moving the gripped portion axially away from a distal end of the rod until generally a further 2-300 degree revolution has been completed so that the neck of the bag is wrapped around the rod 
     (d) opening a recess in the rod and placing a free end of the neck into the recess, and 
     (e) holding the free end in the recess whilst withdrawing the rod through a wrapped portion of the neck. 
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , including holding an annular collar formed around the rod, generally stationary against an edge of the wrapped portion of the neck to cause the wrapped portion to be removed from the rod when the rod is withdrawn. 
   
   
       3 . A bag sealer comprising a rod, and a gripping arm rotatable about the rod, preferably concentrically with the rod, the gripping arm and rod being movable relative to one another in an axial direction, the gripping arm including jaws operable to grip a neck of a bag to be fastened, and the rod including a coverable recess arranged to accept a portion of a bag neck when opened and to generally be flush with an outer diameter of the rod when closed.