Automatic bag system for supermarket check-out counter

Claim 1

An automatic bag system for use in conjunction with a supermarket check-out counter of the type comprising a clerk check-out station having a left side and a right side comprising a loading compartment affixed to the counter adjacent to the clerk check-out station, the loading compartment comprising an open top and enclosing walls, the walls being provided with a pair of transversely opposed, vertical slots; a length of sheet plastic material adapted to overlie the open top of the loading compartment, the system further comprising clamping means to secure a portion of the sheet plastic material relative to the loading compartment; guide means positioned adjacent to the vertical slots to guide edge portions of the plastic material into the vertical slots as the loading compartment is loaded, the guide means and the vertical slots being adapted to form edge portions of the plastic sheet into left and right vertical seams, as the loading compartment is loaded, the said seams extending outwardly of the loading compartment; left and right heating and sealing elements affixed exteriorly of the loading compartment immediately forwardly of the vertical slots, the heating and sealing elements being positioned to be rearwardly covered by the left and right vertical seams as the vertical seams are formed by the guide means; and a pressing assembly reciprocally movable toward and away from the loading compartment, the pressing assembly comprising first and second pressing plates, the first and second pressing plates being positioned to respectively press against the left and right heating and sealing elements when the pressing assembly is urged toward the loading compartment; whereby energization or the heating and sealing elements will cause the left and right vertical seams to be heat sealed when the first and second pressing plates press the plastic material at the left and right seams against the heating and sealing elements.

Claim 13

The method of bagging a plurality of items at a supermarket check-out counter comprising securing a loading compartment to the rear of the check-out counter and providing the loading compartment with an open top and a pair of transversely opposed vertical slots; positioning a portion of a length of plastic sheet material over the open top of the loading compartment; loading purchased items into the loading compartment over the plastic sheet material and causing portions of the plastic sheet to enter the interior of the loading compartment; urging transverse edge portions of the plastic sheet into the first and second vertical slots and forming left and right vertical seams at the vertical slots exteriorly of the loading compartment; and heat sealing the left and right vertical seams to form a plastic package with the purchased items contained therewith.

Claim 14

The method of bagging a plurality of items at a supermarket check-out counter comprising securing a loading compartment to the rear of the check-out counter and providing the loading compartment with an open top and a pair of transversely opposed vertical slots; positioning a portion of a length of plastic sheet material over the open top of the loading compartment; loading purchased items into the loading compartment over the plastic sheet material and causing portions of the plastic sheet to enter the interior of the loading compartment; urging transverse edge portions of the plastic sheet into the first and second vertical slots and forming left and right vertical seams at the vertical slots exteriorly of the loading compartment; and heat sealing the left and right vertical seams to form a plastic package with the purchased items contained therewith.