Pallet bag gathering apparatus and process for use

Abstract

Pallet bag gathering apparatus to gather pallet bags for use in an automated pallet bag packaging system, preferably for the packaging of fruits or vegetables. The pallet bag gathering apparatus may be automated, semi-automated or manual in nature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gathering frame to gather a pallet bag:
 a. wherein the gathering frame is configured to receive a pallet bag;   b. wherein the gathering frame circumference is adjustable;   c. wherein the gathering frame has a plurality of guide arms; and   d. wherein the guide arms have a plurality of feeder wheels and plurality of guide stops.   
     
     
         2 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein the gathering frame is configured to receive a pallet bag from about 150 to about 250 inches in circumference. 
     
     
         3 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein the feeder wheels advance the pallet bag into a void space between the feeder wheels and the guide stops. 
     
     
         4 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein the gathered pallet bag is fed from one or more pallet bag rolls. 
     
     
         5 . The gathering frame of  claim 3 , wherein after gathering the pallet bag in the void space between the feeder wheels and the guide stops, the guide arms pivot the feeder wheel to not contact the gathering frame and the gathered pallet bag is removed from the gathering frame and placed on a pallet for loading materials thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein the pallet bag is configured to receive an ACM. 
     
     
         7 . The gathering frame of  claim 6 , wherein the ACM comprises a crystalline polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the pallet bag is from about 2 to about 8 mil and composed of an ultra-low-density polyethylene (ULDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear-low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). 
     
     
         9 . The gathering frame of  claim 8 , wherein the pallet bag is composed of a plastic monolayer, plastic laminates, multicomponent laminates and/or blends thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein the gathering process is automated. 
     
     
         11 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the gathering process is automated. 
     
     
         12 . The gathering frame of  claim 1 , wherein pallet bag comprises an additive that has anti-fungal or anti-microbial properties.