Paper bag opening device

Claim 1

An improved folded paper bag opening device comprising: support means supporting a stack of folded bags in substantially horizontal orientation; an elongated bag-handling arm having a first end pivoted for rotation about a horizontal axis above said support means, said bag-handling arm having associated bag clamping means on a second end thereof; a bag-opening arm having a first end pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to that of said bag-handling arm, and having clamping means on a free opposite end thereof, said bag-opening arm being shorter in length than said bag-handling arm; means for cyclically moving said bag-handling arm between horizontal and vertical positions, and for opening and closing said associated clamping means when said bag-handling arm is at said horizontal and vertical positions; low velocity air current supply means positioned adjacent said stack supporting means to apply a current of air serially to the opened ends of said folded bags in said stack; said bag-handling arm progressively lowering to position its associated clamping means adjacent an open end of an uppermost bag in said stack to contact said bag under the influence of said air current supply means, and close said clamp means thereon; said bag-handling arm thereafter elevating to vertical position; said bag-opening arm subsequently pivoting downwardly beneath a lower closed edge of said engaged bag, and subsequently upwardly to engage a free edge of a bottom wall of said bag with its associated clamping means, and thereafter downwardly, to move said bottom wall to a horizontal plane and fully open said bag.