Abstract: A batching system (200) for use in a food packaging system comprises a batching table (202) having a plurality of filling stations (206) positioned around an axis of a predefined delivery position. A weigher (204) is operable to provide food product in predefined batches at the delivery position; and a conveyor (230) is provided for transporting said batches provided from the weigher (204) to at least one of said plurality of filling stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a poultry packaging system is provided. The apparatus comprises a first receiving unit operable to receive a plurality of orders for poultry product, wherein said poultry product is either a whole or a portion of a poultry bird; a second receiving unit operable to receive at least one measurable parameter of at least one poultry bird from a measurement unit; a recommendation unit operable to determine which of the plurality of received orders best corresponds to the received at least one measurable parameter, and a control unit operable transmit a signal to a poultry processing system such that said poultry processing system processes the at least one poultry bird in accordance with the determined order.

Abstract: A method for filling a container with a food product includes: delivering a food product into a hopper; tamping, by means of a first tamping block, said food product whilst it is in the hopper; locating a container, having an upwardly facing opening, beneath the hopper; and opening the hopper such that the tamped food product falls from the hopper into the container.

Abstract: A multi-head weigher has a plurality of heads operable to hold and discharge product; first and second discharge chutes arranged to receive product discharged from respective first and second subsets of the plurality of heads and each operable to selectively deliver said product to a first location or a second location; and a combinational weight determining system operable to determine a combination of one or more heads which meets a target criterion, and to discharge product from the determined combination through their respective discharge chute(s) to the first location. When a predetermined condition has occurred, the combinational weight determining system can discharge product from that head(s) to the second location via the discharge chute arranged to receive product from that head(s), when said discharge chute is not being used to deliver product to the first location.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying articles is provided, comprising a plurality of indexing flights (4) rotatably coupled to and spaced along a conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of indexing flights has a first laterally protruding guiding member (7) and a second laterally protruding guiding member (8); first and second grooves (20,21) laterally spaced from said conveyor and arranged to receive said first and second guiding members respectively; and adjustment means (19) for adjusting, in use, the first protruding member (7) of each flight to a leading or trailing position with respect to its second protruding member (8) such that each flight (4) is positioned either to a protruding position or to a retracted position with respect to the conveyor.

Abstract: A container sealing apparatus is provided, comprising a sealing tool having a lower tool half (6) and an upper tool half (6a); a feed lane (3) for transferring one or more containers to and away from means for transferring containers on to the lower tool half of the sealing tool; and a lifting mechanism for moving the lower tool half towards the upper tool half. The container sealing apparatus also comprises an elongate container guide (5) extending along the feed lane and sealing tool to laterally locate containers as they are transported along the feed lane and sealing tool, and control apparatus (2) adapted to adjust the lateral position of at least the part of said container guide extending along said feed lane.

Abstract: The present application relates to a lifting apparatus comprising a first member and a second member; a lifting mechanism coupled to said first member adapted to move said first member towards said second member; and a third member coupled to said first member, the third member slideably moveable through said second member when said first member is moved towards said second member. When a predetermined compressive force is applied to said third member, a latching mechanism responds by latching said second member to said third member, such that when a further compressive force is applied to said third member, said first member and lifting mechanism are isolated from said further compressive force.

Abstract: The application relates to a twin lane tray sealer (100) comprising a pair of conveyors aligned with respective lanes for conveying trays to a heat sealing tool (6) and a pair of transfer mechanisms (66) each for transferring a known plurality of trays together and at a known separation from the respective conveyors to the heat sealing tool wherein the heat sealing tool (6) comprises a plurality of individually operable heaters (61a, 61b), each aligned with a respective tray in the tool in use. Control means is utilised to determine if a tray is missing from a group of trays transferred by the transfer mechanism. If a tray is determined as missing the control means is configured to not activate the heater aligned with the position of the determined missing tray in the tool.

Abstract: Container sealing apparatus for heat sealing a plastics web to openings of containers. The apparatus comprises a transport system for transporting containers along a pair of feed paths extending alongside one another; a sealing system through which the feed paths extend, the sealing system being adapted to seal openings of containers with the plastics web material; and pairs of unwind and wind up mandrels associated with each feed path for supporting spools of the plastics material. A web of the plastics material extends in use from a spool on the unwind mandrel to a spool on the wind up mandrel of each pair and through the sealing system, wherein each mandrel is movable between a working position in which it extends orthogonally to the transport direction and a loading position at which spools of the web material can be loaded on or unloaded from the mandrel.

Abstract: The present application relates to tray sealing apparatus (100) comprising a heat sealing tool (6), a pair of laterally spaced transfer mechanisms (66) for transferring trays to and away from the heat sealing tool along corresponding laterally spaced tray feed lanes, film supply apparatus for supplying respective heat sealable films to the sealing tool one in alignment with each tray feed lane. The sealing tool comprises a pair of lower support members (61a, 61b), each aligned with a respective one of the tray feed lanes and on to which one or more trays can be transferred. The tray sealing apparatus further comprises a common upper plate (65) having heaters aligned respectively in use with each tray on the lower support members; and means for selectively moving the lower support members towards the upper plate so as to bring the tray(s) on that lower support member into contact with the corresponding film, whereby the upper plate heat seals the film to the tray(s).

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a tray sealing machine. The gripper assembly includes a carriage movable between extended and retracted positions; at least one gripper arm attached to the carriage and movable between gripping and releasing positions; and first and second independently operable drives separate from the carriage but coupled thereto via respective first and second drive train assemblies. The first drive train assembly is adapted to move the carriage between the first and second positions in response to the operation of the first drive, and the second drive train assembly is further adapted to cause the at least one gripper arm to move between the open and closed positions in response to operation of the first and second drives at differing speeds.

Abstract: A transport system for transporting articles along a transport path having a plurality of pusher members coupled to a control mechanism for moving the pusher members along the transport path. A support for supporting articles as they are pushed by the pusher members extends along the transport path, and a weighing system includes a weighing member supported on a weight detection device. The weighing member is adapted to transfer an article from the support to the weighing member and out of contact with the pusher members.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of items in a container is described, where each item has the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits. The method comprises the following steps: (a) attempting to pack a pre-determined quantity, n, of the items to the container, the predetermined quantity, n, being selected such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of (n?1) and the upper weight limit; (b) measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items packed in the container in step (a); and, (c) dividing the value of the weight ascertained in step (b) by the nominal weight to determine the actual quantity of items packed in the container in step (a).