A bag loading and sealing system and method in which a continuous web of bags is continuously moved along a line. The web of bags is slit open to expose the interior of the bags and the bags of the web are separated from each other by a rod engaging perforated lines of separation between the bags. The open tops of the bags define a pair of flaps, each of which is gripped by a gripping chain, the paths of which diverge to form a mouth at the top of the bag. Material is deposited into the bag through the mouth and the gripper chains then converge to close the bag. The bags are transferred to gripper belts, with the top edge of the bag being slit off between the belts and the bags being transported through a hot air sealer where the remaining portions of the top of the bags are melted and fused together. A spool-type take-up winder is provided to retrieve the portion of the bags trimmed from the tops thereof.