Opening device for thermoplastic bags

Claim 1

A bag opening device comprising a chamber having an inlet for a gaseous fluid and an outlet for said gaseous fluid, hanger means adjacent said outlet for hanging thermoplastic bags in such a manner that the mouths of said bags, defined by a front wall and a rear wall, underlie said outlet, and a baffle plate depending from said chamber, said baffle plate constituting a continuation of one wall portion of said outlet and underlying said outlet, said baffle plate being curved in a manner to deflect the gaseous fluid from said outlet toward the rear wall of a bag hanging from said hanger to open said bag, a chute positioned adjacent said chamber, said chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, said outlet opening being adjacent said outlet from said chamber, a gate positioned for pivotal movement within said chute, said gate being pivotally connected to one wall portion of said chute and having one end thereof extending through said outlet opening of said chute, said gate being pivotally movable from a chute-closing position, wherein said gate is in an inclined position within said chute with the said one end engaging said baffle plate, to a full chute-opening position, wherein said gate abuts against the interior surface of said one wall portion of said chute with said one end underlying said one wall portion, said one end being of a length to overlie the mouth of said bag when said gate is in said chute-closing position and to engage the interior surface of the rear wall of said bag when said gate is in said full chute-opening position, and a gate-operating means connected to said gate, said gateoperating means being positioned externally of said chute and being operable to move said gate on its pivotal connection.