PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINERY

Sliced loaves of bread (6) are packaged in a bag (1) by feeding loaves through a slicer (11) in a feed direction parallel to the slices, feeding successive sliced loaves to a bagging mechanism (16) which moves each loaf and a bag relative to one another in a filling direction parallel to the slices so as to insert the loaf into the bag through an open end thereof, and closing said open end of the bag (1) to seal the loaf in the bag. The loaves (6) may be pushed by members (15) on an overhead drive chain (14). Each top bag (1) of a stack (16) may be successively expanded by scoop-shaped members (17) engaging its open end. The bag has an opening, preferably reclosable (5) that is orientated along the length of the loaf so as to allow equal access to all slices of the loaf through the opening. The reclosable opening may comprise a zip-type closure (5) which extends across the opening, with a tamper indication incorporated in the opening.