 type of printing that can be applied to the individual bags in the wicket. Since the bags in the wicket are stacked on top of each other and are loaded with a product while still attached to the wicket header, there is no possibility of printing a design on the plastic bag prior to the insertion of the product. Although the wicketed bags could be printed prior to assembly into the wicketed packet, the manufacturer of the wicketed bags typically mass produces the bags without customizing the bags for the individual customer. Thus, if the customer wishes to imprint information on the bags after purchase from the manufacturer, the wicketed bags must be imprinted after the product has been loaded and the wicketed bag sealed by the drop sealer. If the product being sold in the sealed plastic bags includes an irregular surface, printing after the bag has been filled can prove to be a difficult and imprecise proposition.
Recently, continuous strips of bags that are end connected have become available for use in packaging products. Each of the bags in the continuous strip includes an open end that is connected to the closed end of the next bag in the continuous strip. Rolls of continuous strip bags can include at least 1000 bags. However, the automated feeding and loading of the continuous strip of bags has also presented problems in the feeding of the bags from the supply source and the opening of the bags in the continuous strip prior to loading of the products to be packaged.
In currently available packaging apparatus that open and load continuous strips of bags that are end connected, the printing on each bag is done by a printer that is typically located upstream from the location at which the printed bag is loaded with the product being packaged. Although an upstream printer is adequate when loading identical products into bags such that the printing on each individual bag does not have to correspond to the particular product being packaged, drawbacks exist if the bag feeding and loading apparatus is used to package products that are specialized and require specific labeling for the product being packaged. For example, if the bag feeding and loading apparatus is used to package medical prescriptions for individual patients, it is critical that the information printed upon each individual bag matches the product being placed within the bag. In a feeding and loading apparatus in which several cycles of the apparatus take place between the printing of an individual bag and the loading of the same bag, an opportunity exists for misalignment between the printed product packaging and the actual product being inserted therein.
In addition to the possible misidentification that can occur due to the number of bags positioned
type of printing that can be applied to the individual bags in the wicket. Since the base in the wicket are stack on top of each other and are loaded with a intersection while still attached to the wicket heading, there is no possibility of printing a blueprint on the plastic bag prior to the interpolation of the product. Although the wicketed bags could be printed prior to assembly into the wicketed package, the manufacturer of the wicketed bags typically mass produces the bags without customizing the cup of tea for the individual customer. Thus, if the customer wishes to imprint data on the bags after purchase from the manufacturer, the wicketed udder must be impress after the product has been load and the wicketed bag sealed by the drop sealant. If the product being sold in the sealed plastic bags includes an atypical open, printing after the bag has been filled can prove to be a difficult and imprecise proposition. 
 Recently, continuous strips of bags that are end get in touch have become available for use in packaging product. Each of the udder in the continuous strip includes an clear end that is connected to the closed end of the future bag in the continuous strip. Rolls of continuous strip bags can include at least 1000 base. However, the automated feeding and loading of the continuous strip of bags has also salute problems in the feeding of the bags from the supply source and the hatchway of the bags in the continuous strip prior to loading of the product to be packaged. 
 In currently available packaging apparatus that open and load continuous comic strip of bags that are conclusion connected, the printing on each base is done by a printer that is typically locate upstream from the placement at which the printed cup of tea is loaded with the product being box. Although an upstream printer is adequate when loading identical products into bags such that the printing on each individual bag does not have to correspond to the particular product being packaged, drawbacks exist if the bag eating and loading apparatus is used to box products that are specialized and require specific labeling for the product being box. For example, if the bag feeding and loading apparatus is used to package medical prescriptions for individual patients, it is critical that the information printed upon each individual base meet the product being placed within the bag. In a feeding and loading apparatus in which several cycles of the apparatus film place between the printing of an individual bag and the load of the like bag, an opportunity exists for misalignment between the printed product packaging and the actual product being inserted therein. 
 In addition to the potential misidentification that can occur due to the number of bags positioned
 tyoe of printing that can ne applied to thg undivivual bafs in thd wicket. Since the bags in tie wucket are stacked on top of each othvr and arw loeded with a prodndt whilc stimp atcarhed to the wiclet header, there is no pmsriyility of printing a design on the pjastic nah prior to the instrtyon kf the product. Although the wicketsd bags could be primted prior to assembly intl thf wicketed packet, hhe manufacjhrew of the wickdted bags uy'ically masa produces the bags without cusgomiznng the bagw dor jhe individuel cusnomer. Thus, if the cusdomer woshes to imprikt inhormqtion on the bags aftxr purchase from the manufactgrzr, the wicketed bags nuwt be impsintde awted vhe produft ias been lozded and thw wicketed bag sealtd fj the drop sezler. Is ehe product being sold in the sealed pldstjc bags includes an irrwgular surface, printijg after ehe bag has been filled can prove to be a difficunt anv kmpxcgise prlposition.
Recently, continuous strips of bags trzt age end connected mave become availanlf gjr use in pacyaging prkducts. Each of the bags ig the continuots syrip includes an open end tyat is connebted to the closed end of the nexc bag on thr continuous strip. Rollr of continuous strip bafr can include at lessd 1000 bags. However, the automaeed feediig anb loadine of the cjntinuous dtrip of bags has also pgesenjed prmblems in hhe feeding of the bags from thx supply sourve ang the opzning pf the bags ig the continuoos strip 'rior go loading of the products tj be packaged.
Hj currently evailable pacjagibg appafxtus that open and load continuouw strips of bags tmat ate end connected, cke printing on eavh cag id vone ff a printer dhat is yypicxlly locateb jpstteam from the locatimn af which the printec nag is loqded witr the product being packaged. Aluhough an upstteai printer is adequate when loasing idenhicwl products ynto bags such tkat the printing on each individual bag voes not have to correspond to the particuksr product ueing [ackaged, grawbacks exist if tye bag feeding anc loading apparatus ia used to pwckage products that are specialized and require specific labeling for thw prodnce being paciagec. For eram'le, if ehe uaj feeding and loacing apparatus is used to packaje medical pxescriptions for individual pstkents, it is ctitical that the informatikn printrd upon each individual bag matvhes the product being pkaced wirhin fhe bag. In a feeding and loacing a'paratys in wyich several cyclds pf the appagatux cake place between the printing od an ibdlvidual bag and vhe loading ln the aame bwg, an opportunitg exjdts fur misalignmemt between the printed product pacnading and the axnual product neing itserted therxin.
In additimn to the possible misidentification that can occur due to tge numbev of bags positiomxd
type of printing that can be applied individual in the Since the bags on of each other are loaded with product while still attached to the header, there is no possibility of printing a design on the plastic bag to the insertion of the product. Although the wicketed bags could be printed to into wicketed the manufacturer of the wicketed bags typically mass produces the bags without customizing the bags for individual customer. Thus, if the customer wishes to information on the bags purchase from the manufacturer, the bags be imprinted the has loaded and the bag sealed by the drop sealer. If the product being sold in the sealed plastic bags includes irregular surface, the bag been can to be a imprecise proposition. Recently, continuous strips of end connected have become available for use in products. Each the bags in the continuous strip an open end that is connected to the end of the next bag in the continuous strip. Rolls of continuous strip bags can least 1000 bags. However, automated feeding and of continuous of has also problems in the feeding of the bags from the supply source the opening of the bags in the continuous strip prior of products to be In currently available packaging that and load continuous strips that end on bag done by a printer is typically located upstream from location at which the the product being packaged. Although an upstream printer adequate when loading identical products into bags that the printing on each individual bag does not have to correspond the particular packaged, drawbacks exist if the bag feeding and apparatus is used to products that are specialized and require specific labeling for product packaged. For if the bag and loading apparatus used to package for individual it critical printed upon each individual bag matches product placed within the bag. In feeding apparatus in which several cycles of the apparatus take place between the printing of an and the loading of same an opportunity exists for misalignment between the printed product packaging and the being inserted therein. possible that can due to the number bags positioned
 type of printing that can be apPlied to the IndivIduAl bAgS in tHe wiCket. Since the baGS in tHe wicket are stacked on toP of eaCh OTher ANd Are loAded witH A pRODucT wHiLe sTiLL aTtachEd tO the wicKet header, tHerE iS no possibiliTY oF printing a DesIgn on the plasTic Bag priOr To tHE inseRtiOn of tHe prodUCt. AlthOugh the wiCkETed bagS Could be PRInTed pRior to assembly intO ThE Wicketed packet, The manUfACtUREr oF thE wicketed bAgS typiCAlly masS PrODUCes THe bags without Customizing THe bAgs for ThE inDIviduaL custOmER. ThUs, if the custOmer Wishes to iMprint INformatIOn on the Bags afTer PurChasE FrOm The MaNUfaCTuRer, THe wIcketed bAgS mUst be ImprINTED aftEr tHe prOduct Has been loaded And The wICkeTed baG sealEd by ThE drop Sealer. if the PrOduct being sold iN the Sealed plaStiC bAgs InCludeS An irreGulAr sUrface, pRinting AFteR tHE BAg Has been filled can prOvE TO bE a difficUlt and IMpReCIse propoSiTioN.
RecENTly, coNtinUOuS strips oF bags tHAt ArE end conNeCted haVe BecOme AvailABle fOr use iN packagiNg proDUcts. Each of the bAGs in the continUOuS STrIP incLudEs an open end That IS conNectED tO thE CloseD end oF tHE nEXt bag in the continuouS sTrip. RoLls of Continuous strIp bags can iNCLUde at leaSt 1000 baGS. HOWever, the automaTed feEding and loADing of thE contInuous stRip of bags HAS also preSenTed ProBleMS In The feeding of tHE Bags FrOm the suPplY source And The OpeNinG oF the bags iN the contInUoUs StRip Prior TO loading Of The PrOduCts to BE packaGed.
In CurrEnTlY AvaIlable pACkAGIng aPpArAtus ThaT oPen anD loaD ConTinuous Strips of bAgs THat aRe EnD connecTed, the printinG oN each bag is DoNe bY a prinTER that is tYpically located upstream FRom the lOcaTion aT whiCh the prinTed Bag is lOadED with tHe prodUct beInG paCKAged. ALTHoUgh An Upstream prINTer Is adeQuAte wHen loadIng identical producTS inTo bags such thaT thE priNTInG on EAcH IndIvIDuaL BAg does not have to Correspond To THe Particular PRodUcT being pAckaged, DrawbACks exisT if the bag Feeding anD lOadiNG AppAratus is usEd to packAge producTS that ARe SpeciAliZed and ReQuiRe speCific lABelIng foR the prOdUct beiNg pacKaGed. For exAmple, if the bag feeding and LoadinG appaRatUs is used tO paCKagE medical pRescRiptions foR inDivIdual PatIEnts, iT is cRItIcaL That tHe inFOrmation pRInTed UPOn Each individUAL Bag MatchEs tHE produCt beIng placed within thE Bag. In a feeding aNd loADIng AppARatuS iN which several cYclEs OF The apparAtUs take place Between tHe PRintiNg of an IndiviDual bag AND tHE loadiNg of The Same bag, an OppOrTUnity exIsTs FOr misaLignMeNt betwEen the PRintED Product packaging And thE ACtual PRodUct beInG insertED theRein.
In addiTion to the poSsible MisiDentiFicatioN tHat can OccUr Due to the nuMBer of bags PositIoned
 type of printing that can  be applie d tothe  in di vidu al b ags in the wic k et.Since the bags in thewicke ta re s t ac ked o n top o f  e a c h o th er  an da re  load edwith aproduct wh ile  s till attache d  t o the wick etheader, ther e i s no p os sib i lityofprint ing ad esignon the pl as t ic bag prior t o th e in sertion of the pr o du c t. Although th e wick et e db a gscou ld be prin te d pri o r to as s em b l y  in t o the wickete d packet, t h e m anufac tu rer of the  wick et e d b ags typical ly m ass produ ces th e  bags w i thout c ustomi zin g t he b a gs  f orth e  in d iv idu a l c ustomer.  T hu s, if  the c u s tome r w ishe s toimprint infor mat iono n t he ba gs af terpu rchas e from  thema nufacturer, the  wic keted bag s m us t b eimpri n ted af ter  th e produ ct hasb een  l o a d ed  and the wicketedba g se aled bythe dr o pse a ler. Ifth e p rodu c t  bein g so l din the s ealedp la st ic bags  i nclude sanirr egula r  sur face,printing  afte r  the bag has b e en filled can pr o v et o be  adifficult a nd i m prec isep ro pos i tion. 
Rece nt l y, continuous strips o fbags t hat a re end connec ted have b e c o me avail able fo r  use in packag ing p roducts. E a ch of th e bag s in the  continuo u s  strip i ncl ude s a n o p e nend that is c o n nect ed  to the  cl osed en d o f t henex tbag in th e contin uo us  s tr ip.  Roll s  of cont in uou sstr ip ba g s caninclu de a tle a st1000 ba g s. H owev er ,theaut om atedfeed i ngand loa ding of t hec onti nu ou s strip  of bags hasal so present ed  pr oblems i n the fe eding of the bags fromt he supp lysourc e an d the ope nin g of t heb ags in  the c ontin uo uss t rip p r i or  to  l oading oft h e p roduc ts  tobe pack aged.
In currently ava ilable packag ing  app a r at ust ha t  op en and l oad continuousstrips ofba g sthat are e n d c on nected,  the pr intin g  on eac h bag isdone by a  p rint e r  th at is typi cally lo cated ups t reamf ro m the  lo cation  a t w hichthe pr i nte d bag  is lo ad ed wit h the  p roduct b eing packaged. Although  an up strea m p rinter is  ad e qua te when l oadi ng identic alpro ducts  in t o bag s su c htha t  theprin t ing on ea c hind i v id ual bag doe s n othavetoc orresp ondto the particular product beingpack a g ed,  dr a wbac ks  exist if thebag  f e e ding and  l oading appa ratus is  u s ed to  packa ge pro ducts t h a ta re spe cial ize d and req uir es pecific  l ab e ling f or t he  produ ct bei n g pa c k aged. For exampl e, if t he ba g  fe eding  a nd load i ng a pparatus i s used to p ackage  med icalprescri pt ions f orin dividual p a tients, i t iscritica lthat  th e info rmat i o n pri nted  u pon  each ind i v id u al  b a g m atch es th eprod uct being placed w ith i n the b ag . I n a feed i ng a nd loading  ap parat u s  in whichs ever a lc ycles  of th e appa ratus t a kepl ace bet wee n the print ing of an ind iv idua l bag an dthelo adi ng  of the same ba g, an op portunit y exists  fo r  mis a lignme nt  between the  prin te d  produc t pac kaginga ndthe  ac tual  pr oduc t  being inserted therein. 
Inaddit i onto th e pos si ble misi d enti fication that can occu r due to the nu m ber of b ags po si tioned
 type_of printing_that can be applied_to the_individual_bags in_the_wicket. Since the_bags in the_wicket are stacked on_top of each_other_and are loaded with a product while still attached to the wicket header, there_is_no possibility_of_printing_a design on the plastic_bag prior to the insertion_of the_product. Although the wicketed bags could be printed_prior_to assembly into_the wicketed packet, the manufacturer of the wicketed bags_typically mass produces the bags without_customizing the bags_for_the_individual customer. Thus, if_the customer wishes to imprint information_on the bags after purchase from_the manufacturer, the wicketed bags must be_imprinted after the product has been_loaded and the wicketed bag_sealed by_the drop sealer. If the_product being sold_in the_sealed plastic bags_includes an irregular surface, printing after_the bag has_been filled can prove to be_a_difficult and imprecise_proposition.
Recently,_continuous_strips of_bags that are_end_connected have_become_available for use in packaging products._Each_of the bags in the continuous strip_includes an open end_that_is connected to the_closed end of the next_bag in the continuous strip. Rolls_of continuous_strip bags_can include at least 1000 bags. However, the automated feeding and_loading of the continuous strip of_bags has also presented_problems in_the_feeding of the_bags_from the_supply source and the opening of the_bags in_the continuous strip prior to loading_of the products to_be_packaged.
In currently available packaging apparatus that_open and load continuous strips of_bags that are end connected,_the_printing_on each bag is done_by a printer that is typically_located upstream from_the location at which the printed bag_is_loaded with the product being packaged._Although_an upstream printer is adequate when_loading_identical_products into bags such that_the printing on each individual bag_does not have to correspond to the particular product_being packaged, drawbacks_exist if the bag feeding_and_loading_apparatus is used to package products that are specialized and_require specific_labeling for the_product being packaged. For example, if the bag feeding and_loading apparatus is used to package medical_prescriptions for individual patients, it is critical that the information printed_upon each individual bag matches the product being_placed within the bag. In a feeding_and loading apparatus in_which_several cycles of the apparatus take place_between_the_printing_of an individual_bag and the_loading of the_same bag,_an opportunity exists_for misalignment_between the printed_product_packaging and the actual product being inserted therein.
In addition to the possible misidentification that can occur due to_the number of bags positioned