US3895480A

US3895480A - Automatic bagging apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3895480A
Application number: US387603A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Lombardo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-08-13
Filing date: 1973-08-13
Publication date: 1975-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-22

Abstract

An automatic apparatus for forming a transparent plastic bag over a garment that is constructed of a stationary upper section that supports the garment on a hanger opens a flattened tubular web of bagging material while drawing same from a supply. A vertically movable lower section of the apparatus maintains the web open and guides it over the garment until the full length of the garment is covered. Thereafter, transverse cutting means on the upper section is actuated to sever the garment covering end of the web from the remainder thereof, and at this time the severed web part is closed at both the top and bottom by heat sealing means carried on the respective upper and lower sections.

Description

Lombardo AUTOMATIC BAGGING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Travis S McGehee 76 l t Anth Lombard 29 B '1 A v, I l 1 nven or ggg NY' 1 b ey ve gltrrrtley, Agent, or firm-Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb &

e [22] Filed: Aug. 13, 1973 21 Appl. 190.; 387,603 [571 ABSTRACT An automatic apparatus for forming a transparent plastic bag over a garment that is constructed of a sta- [52] US. Cl 53/256; 53/241 tionary upper Section that supports the garment on a [5 l] Illt. Cl 865i) 5/02; B65b 43/00 hanger Opens a flattened tubular web of g g mate [58] Fleld 0f sefll'Ch 53/24l, 256 rial while drawing Same from a supply A vertically movable lower section of the apparatus maintains the [56] References C'ted web open and guides it over the garment until the full UNITED STATES PATENTS length of the garment is covered. Thereafter, trans 3,083,513 4/1963 Cochrane 53/132 Wrrse Cutting means pp Section is actuated 3,112,586 12/1963 Luetzow 1 53/241 X to sever the garment covering end of the web from the 077 6/1964 Siegel el al. 4 1 53/182 remainder thereof, and at this time the severed web 3,287,881 et Ell v 1 4 1 1 4 1 1 art is losed at both the top and button heat ea]. 3,676,980 7/1972 Engelhardt et al. 53/183 mg means carried on the respective upper and lower 3,738.079 6/1973 Rudman et al. 53/183 X Sactions 3,755,984 9/1973 Vanderpool .1 53/256 X 3798,874 3/1974 Lemelson 53/256 X 13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 3a 29 m1; 1 0 d 1 1. Eu.

56 /73 ,4 J r' 15 54 L 3%" 111 11 4/59 58 "IHHII J4 Z// /69/ 23 I 454 I #15 PATENTEDJUL 22 ms SHEET AUTOMATIC BAGGING APPARATUS This invention relates to bagging apparatus in general and more particularly relates to apparatus of this type that automatically packages a garment on a hanger in a transparent plastic bag closed thereafter on all sides thereof. Transparent bags constructed of thermoplastic film are often used to cover garments to protect the latter against dirt and provide an inexpensive ready display. It is often desirable to have these garment bags sealed at both the top and bottom to prevent unnecessary handling of the garments.

In the prior art, insertion of garments into preformed bags has proven to be impractical because of high labor costs and low production rates. Another prior art approach. one requiring very costly machinery, forms a flat sheet into a bag around the garment.

Pursuant to the instant invention, automatic means are provided to pull a tube or sleeve of transparent thermoplastic film over a garment supported on a hanger and then automatically bag the garment by sealing the tube using transverse heat seals above and below the garment. At substantially the same time the bag is severed from the tubular stock. The only operation required for the operator is to transfer the garment on a hanger from a rack to the bagging apparatus and to remove the garment after bagging is completed. and even these operations may be performed automatically in synchronization with the bagging apparatus.

The apparatus provided by the instant invention includes drive roll means that opens the tubular stock and draws it from a supply roll where the stock is held flat. A movable frame portion surrounding the garment carries finger-like elements that clamp the bottom of the open tubular stock at strategic locations to hold the tube open as it is drawn over the garment. with the movable frame section and the drive rolls having their speeds coordinated so that there is no unnecessary strain placed on the tubular stock by downward motion of the clamping fingers. Below the drive rollers and inside the tube is a collapsible spreader that is biased to an open or spreading position. but the biasing force is such as to permit automatic collapse as sealing and cutting take place above the garment. The biasing means of the spreader also operates the spreader parts to sever the bag from the tubular stock. and the spreader maintains the tubular stock open above the upper seal so that it may be engaged by the finger-like clamps of the movable frame section.

The movable frame section includes a photoelectric detector to sense that the lower edge of the garment has been reached, so that the moving frame section is stopped automatically, after which the lower end of the tubular stock is heat sealed with a lower heat sealer carried by the movable frame section. The movable frame section also carries formed sheet metal deflectors that engage side edges of the garments to compact the gar ment and thereby facilitate placing the tubular stock over the garments.

Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide novel apparatus for automatically bagging garments mounted on clothes hangers.

Another object is to provide bagging apparatus of this type that provides a bag constructed of tubular stock that is sealed both above and below the garment.

Still another object is to provide bagging apparatus of this type having novel means for severing a newly formed bag from the tubular stock and for automatically opening the stock.

A further object is to provide bagging apparatus of this type having means for compacting the garments during the bagging operation.

A still further object is to provide bagging apparatus of this type that does not require vacuum or air pressure means to maintain the bagging material expanded as it is being placed over the garment.

These objects as well as other objects of this invention will become readily apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of bagging apparatus constructed in accordance with teachings of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation looking in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. I at the time seals are being formed in the tubular bagging stock.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 2, with the upper sealing jaws shown in their inactive positions.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation showing the upper and lower sealing apparatus in their inactive positions.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view showing the upper sealing and cutting elements just prior to formation of the upper seal.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the hot wire cutting elements and mounting therefor.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the interior assembly idler rolls, spreader frame, and hanger support.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the elements of FIG. 7, looking in the direction of arrows 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the elements of FIG. 7, looking in the direction of arrows 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the clamping fingers and garment compacting elements at one side of the movable frame portion.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan and end views, respectively, of the elements shown in FIG. 10 looking in the directions of the respective arrows II-1l and 12-12.

Now referring to the figures. Bagging apparatus constructed in accordance with the instant invention includes a stationary frame having spaced

vertical side sections

21, 22 secured at their lower ends to base plate 24 and connected at their upper ends by transverse frame portion 23. Spaced

transverse rods

25, 26 mount the respective rubbercovered elongated delivery or

drive rolls

27, 28 at the upper end of stationary frame 21-23. Rollers 27., 28 support idler assembly 30 (illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 7-9) in the position shown in FIG. 4, and four keeper wheels 29 engage assembly 30 from above.

A supply roll 32 mounted to stationary frame 21-23 at rearward extension 33 thereof provides flattened tubular web 34 of transparent thermoplastic stock. Upon leaving roll 32, flattened web 34 engages and is guided by

idler cylinders

35, 36 and then spreads to surround idler assembly 30 being pinched between keeper wheels 29 and assembly 30 and also being pinched between

drive rolls

27, 28 and assembly 30, for a reason which will hereinafter become apparent.

Mounted on opposite sides of frame 2l23 are a pair of

power cylinders

37, 38 that simultaneously operate identical mechanisms so that only the mechanism operated by power cylinder 38 will be described with particular reference to FIG. 4. The left end of power cylinder 38 is fixedly secured to the upper end of upward frame extension 39, and the right end of cylinder 38 is provided with extendable arm 41 connected to end 42 of crank 43 mounted on stationary pivot 44. The other end 45 of crank 43 is connected to a pair of

links

46, 47 at their upper ends, with this connecting point 45 being guided for vertical movement in slot 48. Lower ends 50, 51 of the

respective links

46, 47 are connected to the

respective arms

52, 53 both mounted to stationary pivot 49. Thus, actuation of power cylinder 38 extending arm 41 thereof to the right with respect to FIG. 4 pivots crank 43 clockwise, moving

links

46, 47 upward, thereby pivoting arm 53 counterclockwise and pivoting arm 52 clockwise so that the free ends of

arms

52, 53 move downward along converging paths.

Cutting wire 54 is mounted to transverse member 55 (FIG. 6) whose ends are connected to arms 52 at both sides of frame 21-23. End 121 of cutting wire 54 is fixed with respect to member 55, and the other end 122 is secured to one end of arm 123 mounted near its mid point to pivot 124. Tension spring 125 is secured to the other end of arm 123 to urge the latter clockwise with respect to FIG. 6 thereby maintaining wire 54 taut when it is heated. Another heated cutting wire 56 is supported in a similar manner by the pair of arms 53. In addition arms 54 support the opposite ends of transverse insulating bar 57 that mounts backup strip 58 and deflectable insulating cap 59 (FIG. outboard of cutting wire 54. Heated sealing wire or element 61 is mounted to transverse insulating bar 62 having its end secured to arms 53 outboard of cutting wire 56. In the closed position of arms 52, 53 (FIG. 2), sealing element 61 is aligned with backup strip 57 and

cutting wires

54, 56 are slightly offset. This offset condition is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5, which also shows sealing element 61 just prior to clamping web 34 against cap 59. It is noted that the cutting condition illustrated in FIG. 5 exists only momentarily since

hot wires

54, 56 cut through web 34 very rapidly after which

biased spreader elements

114, 115 of assembly open the lower end of the unsevered portion of web 34.

The bagging apparatus also includes lower portion 60 that extends between

side frame sections

21, 22 and is mounted thereon for vertical movement guided by wheels 64. Movable section 60 is provided with a pair of power cylinders 65 which operate identical mechanisms in unison so that only one of these mechanisms will be described by particular reference to FIG. 4. End 66 of power cylinder 65 is relatively fixed, and the other end thereof is provided with extension 67 that is projected upon actuation of cylinder 65. Extension 67 is centrally connected at 68 to one end of crank arm 71 that is pivotally mounted at 69 and is connected at point 72 to the lower end of arm 73 whose upper end 74 is guided for vertical movement in slot 75. Point 74 is also connected to the upper end of arm 76, whose lower end is pivotally connected at 77 to arm 78 and is mounted at one end thereof to pivot 69. Thus, when power cylinder 65 is actuated. arm 67 moves to the left with respect to FIG. 6, pivoting arm 71 clockwise. This drives connecting point 74 upward so that arm 76 pivots arm 78 in a counterclockwise direction, bringing heated cutting element 79, near the free end of arm 78, into clamping engagement with yieldable insulating cover 81 over backup strip 82 near the free end of crank 7].

Adjustably mounted to

transverse bars

83, 84 of movable section 60 are a pair of

identical compacting elements

85, 86 and a pair of

power cylinders

87, 88 that operate identical finger-like clamping mechanisms 89. With particular reference to FIGS. 1012, it is seen that clamping mechanism 89 includes spaced stationary pads 91, 93 secured to support 96 that is mounted to

transverse members

83, 84 for adjustment therealong.

Movable pads

92, 94 that cooperate with the respective stationary pads 91, 93 are mounted to the free ends of respective fingers 98, 99 that are mounted to connecting member 98, pivoted at 101 to support 96. Extendable arm 102 of power cylinder 87 is connected to member 98, and the other end of power cylinder 87 is fixedly secured to member 96. Thus, as power cylinder 87 is actuated, arms 98, 99 pivot counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 10, thereby moving

pads

92, 94 toward the respective pads 91, 93, for clamping a single thickness of web material therebetween.

Idler assembly includes block 105 having anchor support 106 extending downward therefrom. Axially aligned

elongated rollers

107, 107 extend in opposite directions from block 105 and are supported by drive cylinder 27. Similarly, axially aligned elongated rollers 108 extend in opposite directions from block 105 and are supported by drive roller 28. The outer ends of each pair of

rolls

107, 108 mount a support 109 that have three idler wheels 111-113. Formed

wire spreader members

114, 115 are pivotally mounted to members 109 and are biased in opposite directions away from hanger support 106 to open web 34. The biasing means for

spreader members

114, 115 permits spreader 114, 115 to collapse by having the lower free ends of

members

114, 115 converge just prior to cutting of web 34 by

heated wires

54, 56.

Horizontal main shaft 141, at the bottom of frame 2123, is mounted for rotation in

bearings

142, 143. Sprockets I45, 146 are keyed to shaft 141 at portions thereof outboard of

side frame members

21, 22. As seen best in FIG. 3, main shaft 141 is driven from output shaft 147 of gear box 148 by closed loop chain 149 that is in mesh with

sprocket

151, 152 keyed to the

respective shafts

141, 147. Gear box 148 is driven by electric motor 153 through reversing clutch 154. Sprocket drives vertically extending closed loop chain 155 which in turn drives sprocket 156 mounted on stub shaft 157 at the upper end of side frame 21. Sprocket 158 positioned inboard of vertical frame 21 is keyed to stub shaft 157 and drives closed loop chain 159, which in turn drives sprocket 160 keyed to drive roll shaft 26. Spur gear 161, keyed to shaft 26, acts through

spur gears

162, 163 to drive spur gear 164 keyed to drive roll shaft 25, so that rolls 27, 28 are driven at the same speed.

The right side of movable assembly 60 (as viewed in FIG. 1) is fixedly secured to one flight of chain 155 by clamp 166 that is mounted to plate 167 having guide wheels 64 mounted thereto. Similarly, the left side of movable assembly 60 is fixedly secured by clamp 168 to vertically extending closed loop chain 169 that is driven by sprocket 146. Chain 169 drives the left ends of

delivery roll shafts

25, 26 in essentially the same manner as chain 155 drives the right ends of

shafts

25, 26. For a reason that will become obvious, sprockets 156, 171 are connected to the respective stub shafts 157, 172 by one-way locking clutches 173, 174, respectively, so that

drive roll shafts

25, 26 are positively driven when assembly 60 moves downward from its upper position shown in phantom in FIG. 1. During upward movement of assembly 60, clutches 173, 174 lock

delivery roll shafts

25, 26 against rotation.

The apparatus hereinbefore described is operated in the following manner. Starting with a new supply roll 32, flattened web 34 is manually drawn over

guide cylinders

35, 36 along the path seen best in FIG. 2. The free end of web 34 is opened to encompass idler assembly 30 with the inner surface of web 34 resting against

rollers

107, 108, 111,112, and 113 of assembly 30. The outer surface of web 34 is engaged by idler wheels 29 and

cylindrical drive rollers

27, 28. Withdrawal of web 34 is halted with the free edge thereof being slightly below

spreader elements

114, 115. At this time, movable assembly 60 is in a down position, such as the solid line position of FIG. 1.

An operator carries garment 180 on hanger 181 to the apparatus and mounts the downwardly curved upper end of hanger 181 on the upwardly curved lower end ofidler assembly support 106. A control panel (not shown) is then actuated to operate motor 153 and clutch 154, so that

chains

155 and 169 move lower assembly 60 upward to the raised position shown in phantom in FlG. 1, with rod 84 traveling in front of garment 180 and rod 83 traveling behind garment 180. With assembly 60 in its raised position, stationary pads 91, 93 thereof are positioned outside of web 34, and

movable pads

92, 94 are positioned inside of web 34 between

spreader elements

114, 115. At this

point power cylinders

87, 88 are actuated so that

movable pads

92, 94 move toward stationary pads 91, 93 and clamp a single thickness of web material therebetween.

Motor 153 and clutches 154 are then operated to reverse the output of gear box 148, so that chains 155, I69 drive movable assembly 60 downward. At the same time drive rolls 27, 28 are rotated and the pinching action of drive rolls 27, 28 in cooperation with

idler rolls

107, 108 draws web 34 from its supply 32. The speed of assembly 60 in its downward movement is essentially at the same speed as web 34 is being delivered by

rollers

27, 28. As assembly 60 travels downward, clamps 89 thereof hold the free edge portion of web 34 open so that it may readily be drawn over garment 180 without snagging thereon. During this downward movement of assembly 60,

deflector plates

85, 86 thereof engage the side edges of garment 180 to apply a sideways compacting force to garment 180 thereby making it less difficult to draw web 34 thereover. As assembly 60 moves downward, photoelectric detector 184 mounted on

rods

83, 84 senses when detector 184 has reached bottom edge 185 of garment 180, and after a slight overtravel provided by a delay means controlling motor 153, assembly 60 is halted in the solid line position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thereafter,

power cylinders

37, 38 and 65 are actuated. Actuation of power cylinder 65 brings the free ends of

arms

71 and 78 together to clamp the lower end of web 34 and form a heat seal below garment 180 approximately at the position indicated by line 187. Actuation of

cylinders

37, 38 causes the free ends of

arms

52, 53 to converge. As this is done, web 34 is collapsed below

drive rollers

27, 28 with the springs biasing spread

elements

114, 115 outward, permitting the lower ends of

elements

114, 115 to be deflected inward but at the same time continuing to provide an outward biasing force. The geometry of cutting

wires

54, 56 and sealing wire 61 is such that

wires

54, 56 sever web 34 just below

spreader

114, 115, but at this time the upper end of bag 234 formed over garment is held closed by the cooperation of sealing wire 61 and backup plate cover 59 until a seal is formed along line 233. It is noted that the curved upper end of hanger 181 extends above upper seal 233 so that garment 180 on hanger 181 may be removed from support 106 and another hanger supported garment placed on hanger support 106.

While the instant invention has been described as including hot wires for cutting and sealing, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that sealing may be done by utilizing high frequency energy and cutting may be done by a knife means. It should also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus need not be operated in the precise sequence shown and very useful bagging apparatus may be constructed utilizing some and not all features of the invention herein before described.

Although there have been described preferred embodiments of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited not by the specific disclosure herein but only by the appending claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows: 1. Apparatus for bagging a hanger held garment; said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form ofa flattened web, and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said second means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said upper section also including collapsible spreader means interposed between said second and said third means to open the free end of stock above cuts made by said third means and to facilitate separations at said cuts.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the lower section also includes fifth means for transversely sealing tubular stock drawn over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means, with sealing by said fifth means being at a location below such garment.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the third means is constructed to cut prior to sealing.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the lower section includes sixth means for compacting garments on hangers supported by said first means by engaging opposite sides of these garments during downward travel of said lower section.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the lower section also includes seventh means for detecting the lower edge of a garment on a hanger supported by said first means to control stopping of said lower section during downward travel thereof.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including power means for driving said second means and simultaneously moving said lower section downward in coordinated relationship whereby stock delivered by said second means travels at substantially the same speed as said lower section in its descent.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim I in which the fourth means includes sets of cooperating clamp ele ments that engage a single thickness of open tubular shape material therebctween.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which the lower section also includes fifth means for transversely sealing tubular stock drawn over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means, with sealing by said fifth means being at a location below such garment.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the third means includes a heated wire, and biasing means maintaining said wire taut after heating thereof.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the lower section also includes seventh means for detecting the lower edge of a garment on a hanger supported by said first means to control stopping of said lower section during downward travel thereof.

ll. Apparatus for bagging a hanger held garment; said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form ofa flattened web, and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said second means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section also including sixth means for compacting garments on hangers supported by said first means by engaging opposite sides of these garments during downward travel of said lower section 12. Apparatus for bagging a hanger held garment;

said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form of a flattened web. and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said sec ond means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section also including seventh means for detecting the lower edge of a garment on a hanger supported by said first means to control stopping of said lower section during downward travel thereof.

13. Apparatus for bagging a hanger held garment; said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form of a flattened web, and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said second means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; power means for driving said second means and simultaneously moving said lower section downward in coordinated relationship whereby stock delivered by said second means travels at substantially the same speed as said lower section in its descent.

Claims

1. Apparatus For bagging a hanger held garment; said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form of a flattened web, and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said second means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said upper section also including collapsible spreader means interposed between said second and said third means to open the free end of stock above cuts made by said third means and to facilitate separations at said cuts.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the fourth means includes sets of cooperating clamp elements that engage a single thickness of open tubular shape material therebetween.

11. Apparatus for bagging a hanger held garment; said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form of a flattened web, and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said second means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on A hanger supported by said first means; said lower section also including sixth means for compacting garments on hangers supported by said first means by engaging opposite sides of these garments during downward travel of said lower section.

12. Apparatus for bagging a hanger held garment; said apparatus including an upper relatively stationary section; a lower section below said upper section; means mounting said lower section for generally vertical movement toward and away from said upper section; said upper section including first means for supporting a hanger having a garment thereon, second means for drawing thermoplastic tubular stock from a supply thereof in the form of a flattened web, and third means for transversely cutting and sealing stock delivered by said second means at a position below said second means and above a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section including fourth means for engaging the lower end of stock delivered by said second means and maintaining such stock in an open tubular shape as it moves downward in a surrounding position over a garment on a hanger supported by said first means; said lower section also including seventh means for detecting the lower edge of a garment on a hanger supported by said first means to control stopping of said lower section during downward travel thereof.