Bagging System for Packaging a Foodstuff

Abstract

A system includes a conveyor that transports a carriage carrying a foodstuff along a path. A bag dispenser contains multiple bags and moves a first bag into the path. A paddle includes a hinge at a trailing edge of the paddle. The paddle includes an actuator that moves a leading edge of the paddle relative to the trailing edge between retracted and extended positions. The leading edge of the paddle moves into a mouth of the first bag as the leading edge is moved from the retracted to the extended position. While the paddle is in the extended position, movement of the carriage and the foodstuff underneath the paddle rotates the leading edge of the paddle about the hinge to open the mouth of the first bag such that continued movement of the carriage and the foodstuff moves the foodstuff through the mouth and into the first bag.

1 . A system for packaging a foodstuff, the system comprising:
 a conveyor including a carriage transporting the foodstuff along a path of movement;   a bag dispenser containing a plurality of bags and moving a first bag of the plurality of bags into the path of movement; and   a paddle including a hinge and an actuator, wherein:   the hinge is disposed at a trailing edge of the paddle and above the path of movement,   the actuator moves a leading edge of the paddle relative to the trailing edge between a retracted position in which the leading edge is disposed at a first distance from the trailing edge and an extended position in which the leading edge is disposed at a second distance from the trailing edge,   the second distance is greater than the first distance,   the leading edge of the paddle moves into a mouth of the first bag as the leading edge is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, and   while the paddle is in the extended position, movement of the carriage and the foodstuff along a portion of the path of movement underneath the paddle rotates the leading edge of the paddle about the hinge to open the mouth of the first bag such that continued movement of the carriage and the foodstuff along the path of movement moves the foodstuff through the mouth and into the first bag.