CROSS-REFERENCE

The present case claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/260,918 filed 13 November 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNIC AL FIELD

The technical field relates generally to laundry bags made of a thermoplastic film material and containing laundry pieces.

BACKGROUND

Many industries and institutions generate large volumes of soiled laundry pieces that need to be cleaned and even sometimes decontaminated before being used once again. Some laundry pieces may even need to be cleaned and/or decontaminated before being discarded or recycled.

Different methods can be used to collect and transport laundry pieces from a collection point to a given location. Some of these methods include the use of thermoplastic laundry bags. The laundry pieces are put in the bags and the bags are eventually closed and shipped elsewhere, for instance to a cleaning facility.

The laundry bags eventually need to be opened and emptied at some point. This task is often done by workers. For example, some workers at a cleaning facility can have the task of removing each closed bag from a laundry cart by hand, opening it using a handheld tool, such as a sharp knife or a similar tool, and then emptying its laundry pieces, for instance on a conveyor, into a chute, etc. This task can be very tedious and physically demanding. Some measures must also be taken to prevent the workers from any possible contamination, depending on the type of industry or institution from which the laundry pieces were collected. In the case of hospitals or other similar healthcare institutions, the handling of soiled laundry bags generally require additional precautions from the workers since some sharp or pointed medical instalments may have been inadvertently inserted among the laundry pieces. Opening laundry bags without or with only a very minimal manual labor would be highly desirable. JP 9000965 published on 7 January 1997 discloses an apparatus for aipturing refuse bags and separating the bags from the refuse. The apparatus includes two superposed conveyors moving in opposite directions and air blowers. Once emptied the refuse bags float between the conveyors and are captured by hooks on the upper conveyor.

JP 9156622 published on 17 June 1997 discloses an apparatus for breaking a flexible synthetic resin film bag enclosing solid waste matter using a heated cutter.

JP 7187312 published on 19 March 2001 discloses an apparatus including a plurality of heated knives for breaking bags made of polyethylene and containing glass bottles, empty cans, etc.

However, although different arrangements have been suggested over the years for opening bags of various natures, none have been found to be completely satisfactory for use with thermoplastic laundry bags. Accordingly, room for improvements still exists in this area. SUMMARY

The apparatus and method are for use with closed laundry bags made of a thermoplastic film material and containing laundry pieces, for instance from a healthcare institution such as a hospital. The apparatus includes a first conveyor including a plurality of parallel and spaced- apart endless belt segments. A first thermoplastic bag cutter station is positioned within the first conveyor. The first bag cutter station includes one or more first cutters, each having a heated dulled leading edge. A second thermoplastic bag cutter station is positioned adjacent to one end of the first conveyor. The second bag cutter station includes one or more second cutters, each having a heated dulled leading edge. A second conveyor is used to press the closed bag against the cutters. In use, the first cutter station creates at least one slit extending along a first direction on the bottom side of the bag and the second cutter station creates at least one slit extending along a second direction on the bottom side of the bag, the second direction being not parallel to the first direction.

In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus for slitting a laundry bag, the bag being made of a thermoplastic film material and being moved through the apparatus along a travel path, the apparatus including: a first conveyor including a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart endless belt segments, the first conveyor extending parallel to the bag travel path and defining a first bag support surface; a first thermoplastic bag cutter station positioned within the first conveyor, the first bag cutter station including: at least one first cutter having a dulled leading edge that is at least partially projecting above the first bag support surface between two adjacent ones of the belt segments, each first cutter being disposed substantially parallel to the bag travel path; and at least one heater configured and disposed to keep the dulled leading edge of each first cutter at a temperature above a melting point of the thermoplastic film material during operation of the apparatus; a second thermoplastic bag cutter station positioned adjacent to one end of the first conveyor, the second bag cutter station including: a second bag support surface substantially in registry with the first bag support surface, the second bag support surface having an elongated slot extending substantially transversally with reference to the bag travel path; a first actuator assembly; at least one second cutter coupled to the first actuator assembly and having a dulled leading edge that is at least partially projecting above the second bag support surface through the slot, each second cutter being movable along the slot and being disposed substantially transversally with reference to the bag travel path; and at least one heater configured and disposed to keep the dulled leading edge of each second cutter at a temperature above the melting point of the thermoplastic film material during operation of the apparatus; a second conveyor positioned above at least a portion of the first bag support surface and of the second bag support surface, the second conveyor extending parallel to the bag travel path; and a second actuator assembly varying a spacing between the second conveyor with reference to the first and second bag support surfaces.

In another aspect, there is provided a thermoplastic bag extraction apparatus including: the laundry bag slitting apparatus as described above; a third conveyor positioned downstream of the laundry bag slitting apparatus to receive the slitted bag therefrom; a third actuator assembly; and a bag grabber positioned above the third conveyor and coupled to the third actuator assembly, the bag grabber and the third actuator assembly being configured and disposed to lift the slitted bag away from laundry pieces contained in the bag. In another aspect, there is provided a method of slitting a closed laundry bag made of a thermoplastic film material and containing laundry pieces, the method including: loading the closed bag on a support surface, the bag having a first side engaging the support surface; applying a pressure on a second side of the bag for pressing the first side against the support surface, the second side being opposite the first side; and while the bag is pressed: creating at least one slit extending along a first direction on the first side of the bag using at least one first dull-edged cutter heated at a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic film material; creating at least one slit extending along a second direction on the first side of the bag using at least one second dull-edged cutter heated at a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic film material, the second direction being not parallel to the first direction.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of emptying a closed thermoplastic laundry bag containing laundry pieces, the method including: slitting the slitted bag using the method as described above; and then pulling the second side of the bag vertically so that the laundry pieces exit the bag through an opening created by the slits made on the first side of the bag. Further details on these aspects as well as other aspects of the proposed concept will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an example of a laundry bag slitting apparatus implementing the proposed concept; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the laundry bag slitting apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the laundry bag slitting apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a semi-schematic view illustrating an example of a thermoplastic bag extraction apparatus with which the laundry bag slitting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be used; and

FIG. 5 is a semi-schematic view illustrating an example of a robotic arm with which the laundry bag slitting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an example of an apparatus 10 implementing the proposed concept. The apparatus 10 is designed to slit the bottom side of closed thermoplastic bags containing laundry pieces, thereby allowing the bags and their content to be separated thereafter. The bags can be made of various thermoplastic film materials. Polyethylene is one example of such material. Other kinds of thermoplastic film materials are possible as well.

The laundry pieces in the bags generally include one or more pieces made of fabrics or the like. Examples of laundry pieces include clothing (such as hospital gowns), bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets, bed pads, facecloths, towels, rags, etc. Many other examples are possible as well. The expressions "laundry piece" and "laundry pieces" are used herein in a generic manner. Furthermore, the present concept is not necessarily limited to soiled laundry pieces that must be washed or otherwise cleaned before being used. For instance, new or pre-used fabric items can be shipped in thermoplastic bags whose contents need to be emptied before being sold or distributed. The expressions "laundry piece" and "laundry pieces" are also indented to cover these situations. The apparatus 10 includes a main frame 12. The main frame 12 is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1.

The main frame 12 of the apparatus 10 includes a bottom frame portion 14 and an upper frame portion 16. The bottom frame portion 14 includes a plurality of ground -engaging leg members 20 and a plurality of horizontal beam members 22. These members 20, 22 are rigidly connected together, for instance by welding or bolting. The bottom frame portion 14 of the apparatus 10 has a generally horizontal elongated upper side.

The apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is generally divided in two areas. The first area is generally referred to hereafter as the loading area 30 and the second area is generally referred to hereafter as the slitting area 32. The loading area 30 is where the closed bag is loaded in the apparatus 10 and then carried towards the slitting area 32 following a bag travel path in the apparatus 10. The illustrated apparatus 10 includes a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end is referred to hereafter as the inlet end 34 and the second end is referred to hereafter as the outlet end 36.

The upper frame portion 16 of the main frame 12 generally extends upwards and in a transversal direction of the apparatus 10. The upper frame portion 16 is generally located in the slitting area 32 of the apparatus 10 and is attached to the upper side of the bottom frame portion 14 in the illustrated example. The upper frame portion 16 includes a plurality of vertical and horizontal beam members 40, 42. These members 40, 42 are rigidly connected together, for instance by welding or bolting. The upper frame portion 16 has a generally inverted U-shaped form. The bottom frame portion 14 of the apparatus 10 is configured and disposed for receiving a first substantially horizontally-disposed conveyor 50 on the upper side thereof. This first conveyor is referred to hereafter as the bottom conveyor 50. The bottom conveyor 50 is provided for carrying the bag longitudinally in the apparatus 10. In the illustrated example, the bottom conveyor 50 includes a substantially rectangular frame 52 bolted or otherwise rigidly connected to the bottom frame portion 14. The bottom conveyor frame 52 includes two longitudinally-extending side members 54, 56. Transversally-extending shafts 58, 60 are mounted near a corresponding end of the side members 54, 56 using sets of bearings. Two of these bearings 62, 64 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The longitudinal position of the shaft 58 at the inlet end 34 of the apparatus 10 can be adjusted by changing the position of the bearings 62 with reference to the bottom conveyor frame 52.

It should be noted that if desired, the bottom conveyor frame 52 can also be integrated with the bottom frame portion 14 of the main frame 12.

The bottom conveyor 50 includes a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart endless belt segments 66. Each belt segment 66 extends longitudinally between the two shafts 58, 60. In the illustrated example, the interior side of each belt segment 66 is notched and engaged over a corresponding gear 67 coaxially mounted to one of the shafts 58, 60. The five belt segments 66 in the illustrated example have substantially the same width but other configurations and arrangements are possible. The exterior side on the upper half of the belt segments 66 forms a support surface for the bag. The material for the exterior side of the belt segments 66 is chosen so as to create a good friction engagement with the bottom side of the bag being loaded in the apparatus 10. The bottom conveyor 50 of the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of supporting elements, for instance longitudinally-extending supporting strips 68, located right under the interior side of the upper half of the belt segments 66, to support the weight of the bag as well as forces applied thereon. These strips 68 can be made of a low-friction material or can include a low-friction material on their upper surface. Other arrangements are also possible, for instance rollers.

Still, in the illustrated example, the shaft 60 located near the outlet end 36 of the apparatus 10 is mechanically connected to a motor 70. This motor 70 can be for instance an electrical motor. The mechanical connection between the output shaft of the motor 70 and the shaft 60 is provided by a set of two spaced-apart pulleys (one of which being shown at 72) between which extends a drivebelt 74.

The illustrated apparatus 10 also includes a second substantially horizontally-disposed conveyor 80 that is vertically-movable with reference to the bottom conveyor 50. The second conveyor is called hereafter the upper conveyor 80. The upper conveyor 80 includes a frame 82 having two side members 84, 86. The upper conveyor 80 is located within the upper frame portion 16 of the main frame 12. The upper conveyor 80 is provided in the apparatus 10 for compressing the bag against the bottom conveyor 50.

In the illustrated example, the upper conveyor 80 is coupled to an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a set of four vertical guide posts 88, two on each side of the apparatus 10. Each guide post 88 has one end rigidly connected to the bottom frame portion 14 and another end rigidly connected to the upper frame portion 16. The upper conveyor frame 82 is slidably connected to the guide posts 88 using a plurality of guide sleeves 90 mounted to the side members 84, 86. Two guide sleeves 90 are provided for each guide post 88 in the illustrated example.

The upper conveyor 80 includes two opposite shafts 92, 94 having ends operatively connected to the side members 84, 86 of the upper conveyor frame 82. Each shaft 92, 94 includes a corresponding enlarged cylindrical roller around which is wound the interior of an endless conveyor belt 96. In the illustrated example, the upper conveyor belt 96 is in a single endless belt and it is driven by a motor to which the upper conveyor belt 96 is mechanically connected. The motor can be for instance an electrical motor located inside one of the rollers.

In the illustrated example, the actuator assembly of the upper conveyor 80 further includes a set of two actuators 100, one for each side of the apparatus 10, for setting the vertical position of the upper conveyor 80. Each actuator 100 has one end connected to bottom frame portion 14 and another end connected to the upper conveyor frame 82. The two actuators 100 are operated simultaneously to move the upper conveyor 80 up and down, thereby changing the spacing between the bottom conveyer 50 and the upper conveyer 80. The actuators 100 can be pneumatic actuators, as shown. Other kinds of actuators and a different number of actuators can also be used as well. The speed at which the upper conveyor 80 moves in the vertical direction can be very rapid, depending on the kind of actuator or actuators being used. With pneumatic actuators, the repositioning of the upper conveyor 80 can take less than a second.

As aforesaid, the loading area 30 of the apparatus 10 is the location where the closed bag is loaded. The illustrated example is primarily designed to receive one bag at a time but other configurations are also possible. For instance, two or more bags can be placed side by side and/or end-to-end, as long as they do not significantly overlap each other and they are of about the same height on the bottom conveyor 50.

The illustrated apparatus 10 includes an optical height sensor 1 10 located at the end of a bracket on the upper frame portion 16. The height sensor 1 10 measures the height of each bag B (FIGS. 2 and 3) as the bag B is carried by the bottom conveyor 50 from the loading area 30 towards the slitting area 32. The height sensor 1 10 is very useful when the apparatus 10 operates in an environment where bags can have various volumes. For instance, in the case of soiled laundry bags coming from hospitals or similar healthcare institutions, it is not uncommon to find in a same batch that some bags are filled up to their maximum capacity while others only contain a few small pieces, even sometimes a single facecloth.

In use, the height sensor 1 10 sends a signal indicative of the approximate height of the bag B to a control unit 1 12. The control unit 1 12 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The control unit 1 12 then issues a command signal to set the vertical position of the upper conveyor 80. The actuators 100 will be operated, for instance using a pneumatic valve (not shown), to bring the upper conveyor belt 96 into engagement with the top side of the bag B while it is moved forward. The upper conveyor 80 will push the bag B firmly against the bottom conveyor 50. The guide posts 88 and the corresponding guide sleeves 90 maintain the upper conveyor 80 in position above the bottom conveyor 50.

The illustrated apparatus 10 also includes an optical height sensor 120 to measure the actual height of the upper conveyor 80. This height sensor 120 sends a signal to the control unit 1 12. This signal can be used as a feedback signal to detect any problem or unexpected obstacle. It can also be used to maintain a minimum spacing between the bottom conveyor 50 and the upper conveyor 80.

It should be noted that various other kinds of height sensors can be used instead of optical sensors. For instance, the height sensor 120 for the upper conveyor 80 can also be replaced by or be used with limit switches. Furthermore, it should be noted that the height sensor 1 10 for the bag can be omitted in some configurations, for instance when the apparatus 10 is always loaded with bags having identical volumes.

The apparatus 10 includes one or spaced-apart more optical position sensors 130 (FIG. 2) to detect the position of the bag B along the bag travel path. The position sensor or sensors 130 send signals indicative of the actual position of the bag B to the control unit 1 12 (FIG. 1). The control unit 1 12 can then command the change of the height of the upper conveyor 80 when the bag B reaches a specific longitudinal location.

The control unit 1 12 can also be used to control the operation of the motor 70 of the bottom conveyor 50, for instance through an electrical relay, and the motor of the upper conveyor 80. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the apparatus 10 has a first bag cutter station including a plurality of first cutters 140 disposed longitudinally between the belt segments 66 of the bottom conveyor 50. At least one first cutter 140 is needed. The first cutters 140 are located in the slitting area 32 and are used to create a plurality of slits under the bag B using heated dulled leading edges. The shape of the leading edges is selected so as to prevent the laundry pieces from being cut or otherwise damaged when the first cutters 140 pass through the thermoplastic film of the bag. The first bag cutter station includes at least one heater configured and disposed to keep the dulled leading edge of each first cutter at a temperature above a melting point of the thermoplastic film material during operation of the apparatus 10. The temperature can be just above a temperature at which the thermoplastic film material of the bag B starts melting but below a temperature above which one of the laundry pieces could be damaged if it contacts a leading edge for a brief moment. For instance, the temperature can be within about 65 to 90°C, depending on the thermoplastic film material and its thickness. Other temperature ranges are also possible.

Each heater can include an electric resistive element mounted on a corresponding one of the first cutters 140. Heat from the electric resistive elements is transmitted to the corresponding dulled leading edges by heat conduction. Other arrangements are also possible.

The slits created under the bag B can pierce the thermoplastic film material or make it easily frangible. Alternatively, the slits under the bag B passing through the apparatus 10 can be a combination of complete slits and frangible slits.

In the illustrated example, two successive rows of first cutters 140 are provided. This configuration mitigates the risks of having an incomplete or otherwise defective slit.

The first cutters 140 project upwardly from the support surface defined by the bottom conveyor 50. They are upwardly spring loaded and can pivot around a substantially horizontal axis inside the support surface when the bag B passes over them. The spring force generated by the springs is selected so as to allow each first cutter 140 to pivot if the force between the leading edge of the first cutter 140 and the outer surface of the bag B is too high. In use, the first cutters 140 slit the bottom side of the bag B as it moves through the apparatus 10 and is compressed by the upper conveyor 80. Both conveyors 50, 80 are moving in the same direction.

The apparatus 10 also has a second bag cutter station. The second bag cutter station includes at least one second dull-edged heated cutter 150. In the illustrated example, the second cutter station is located near the outlet end 36 of the apparatus 10 and is actuated by an actuator 152, for instance a pneumatic actuator, that is part of an actuator assembly. In the illustrated example, two juxtaposed second cutters 150 are provided on the same track. They are also spring-loaded and project upwardly from a slotted support surface 154. The second cutters 150 create a single cross slit on the underside of the bag B across the longitudinal slits.

It should be noted that it is possible to position the second cutter or cutters 150 obliquely with reference to the bag travel path. The second cutter or cutters 150 will still be considered to be transversely-disposed with reference to the bag travel path as long as the slit(s) they make is/are not parallel to the slit(s) of the first cutters. It is also possible to make the cross slit while the bag is in movement.

The exact slit pattern under the bag B created by the first and second cutters 140, 150 can vary in accordance with the needs. However, in the case of soiled laundry pieces which need to be cleaned and then dried in high-temperature drying machines, it is generally desirable that the bag B remains in one piece after the slitting and that no thermoplastic fragment be allowed to remain with the laundry pieces when the thermoplastic film of the bag B is removed. For instance, thermoplastic bag fragments can melt in high-temperature drying machines and damage the laundry pieces and/or the drying machines. Nevertheless, more than one cross slit can be made with the apparatus 10 in some cases.

The last optical position sensor 130 is located at the outlet end 36 of the illustrated apparatus 10 to detect the presence of the bag B at that location. This position sensor 130 sends a signal to the control unit 1 12 and it will stop the motor 70 of the bottom conveyor 50 and the motor of the upper conveyor 80. This way, the bag B remains still while the cross slit is made. The bag is maintained firmly against the slotted surface 154 since the rear end of the upper conveyor 80 is positioned approximately over the location of the second cutters 150.

In use, a laundry bag B is loaded at the loading area 30 of the apparatus 10. The bottom conveyor 50 moves the bag forward. As it approaches the slitting area 32 over which is positioned the upper conveyor 80, the height sensor 1 10 measures the height of the bag B and a signal is sent to the control unit 1 12. The control unit 1 12 generates a command signal to move the upper conveyor 80 closer to the bottom conveyor 50, thereby pressing the bag B against the first cutters 140. The bag B is moved up to the outlet end 36 of the apparatus 10 and the conveyors 50, 80 are stopped. The actuator 152 of the second cutters 150 is activated and the second slit is created across all the first slits.

After the second slit, the bag B exits the apparatus 10 through the outlet end 36, for instance by activating the conveyors 50, 80. The bag B can be transferred, for instance, to a third conveyor or to a chute for further processing. Other arrangements are possible as well. The apparatus 10 can be part of a larger system for processing laundry bags. For instance, this system can include an apparatus for extracting the slit bags from their content. This bag extraction apparatus can be positioned immediately after the apparatus 10.

FIG. 4 is a semi-schematic view illustrating an example of a bag extraction apparatus 200 with which the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be used. The bag extraction apparatus 200 can include a bag grabber, for instance having a vacuum head 202, which is vertically movable with reference to a conveyor 204 on which the slitted bag B is loaded after being processed in the apparatus 10. The vacuum head 202 is connected to a vacuum source 206. First, the vacuum head 202 captures the top side of the bag B. The vacuum head 202 is then moved upwards, for instance using an actuator assembly, to pull the slit bag B upwards. The slits under the bag B allow it to rip open when pulled upwards, thereby creating an opening. The laundry pieces P stay on the conveyor 204 by gravity. At one point, the entire bag B will be separated from the laundry pieces P.

If desired, the bag grabber can include actuated jaws 208 to hold the top side of the bag B. The jaws 208 can be used in addition to the vacuum head 202 or without it. The bag grabber can also include a device for sensing if one or more fragments of the bag B are missing from what was extracted. Moreover, it can include a device for sensing if one or more laundry pieces P are still present in or on the extracted bag B, for instance by measuring the weight of the bag B or using an optical inspection device. An extracted bag that is suspected of carrying a laundry piece can be sent to a special processing area or the apparatus 200 can be stopped for a manual intervention. Once the bag B and the laundry pieces P are successfully separated from one another, the laundry pieces P can be transported to an appropriate location for further processing. The extracted bags B can be discarded or recycled.

The apparatus 10 can also be used with a bag loading apparatus positioned upstream of the apparatus 10. FIG. 5 illustrates that an example of an articulated robotic arm 300 for loading the bags individually in the loading area 30 of the apparatus 10. FIG. 5 is a semi-schematic view illustrating an example of a robotic arm 300 with which the apparatus 10 can be used. The robotic arm 300 can take each bag, for instance from a transport cart 302 or a similar device, and place it in the loading area 30 of the apparatus 10. An example of a robotic arm is commercially available from Mitsubishi Electric under the trade name "RV-12SL". The robotic arm 300 can be controlled by the control unit 1 12 or by another control unit. An optical subsystem 304, including for instance one or more cameras, can also be provided to locate the bags in the transport cart 302, thereby allowing the robotic arm 300 to know the position of each bag and load the bags in the apparatus 10 without any manual intervention. Other ways of loading the bags into the apparatus 10 can also be devised.

Overall, the present concept provides the possibility of slitting closed thermoplastic laundry bags regardless of the size of the bag without or with only a minimal manual labor.

The present detailed description and the appended figures are meant to be exemplary only, and a skilled person will recognize that variants can be made in light of a review of the present disclosure without departing from the proposed concept. For example, the main frame of the apparatus can be different from what is shown and described herein. The main frame can also be an existing staicture or even be the floor of a building. The upper frame portion does not necessarily need to be directly connected to the bottom frame portion. The bottom conveyor can be inclined in some configurations and does not necessarily need to be strictly horizontal. The belt segments do not necessarily need to have the same width and can be provided in a different number than what is shown and described. The bottom conveyor and/or the upper conveyor can have a different configuration, for instance, be without one or more endless belt. The motor used for driving the bottom conveyor does not necessarily need to be an electrical motor. The motor can also be mechanically connected to one of the shafts of the bottom conveyor using a different linkage compared to the one shown and described, or even be directly connected to the shaft. The shaft being driven by the motor can be the shaft at the upstream end of the bottom conveyor. The number of actuators for moving the upper conveyor can be different than two. These actuators do not necessarily need to be pneumatic actuators. The arrangement used for guiding the upper conveyor can be different from what is shown and described. Still, one can design an apparatus where the bottom conveyor moves vertically towards the upper conveyor. The exact position of the upper conveyor with reference to the bottom conveyor can differ from what is shown and/or described. The shape of the cutters can be different from what is shown and described. The cutters can be heated using a non-electrical arrangement. The position of the first and the second bag cutter station can be inverted compared to that shown and described so that the bag is cut first in a transversal direction before being cut in a longitudinal direction. The bag extraction system can be different from the one shown and described. Slitted bags can be removed manually by a worker, if desired. The bags can also be manually loaded in the apparatus, if desired.