Abstract: A jaw assembly (10) that receives a tubular bag material (11) that is transversely sealed and transversely cut by the jaw assembly (10) to form bags 12 of snack food. The tubular bag material (11) is delivered in a downward direction (13). The jaw assembly (10) includes sealing jaws (27, 28), with the jaws (27, 28) operating in pairs to transversely seal the tubular bag material (11). Each of the jaws (27,28) has an end surface (29) that heats and engages the tubular bag material (11), to form the seal therein. Each surface (29) is spaced from its respective rotational axis by a radius (31). Most preferably the radius (31) is less than 85 mm, but greater than 65 mm.

Abstract: A former assembly (10) including a base (11) to which there is attached a frame (12) that supports a sleeve (13). The sleeve (13) encloses a generally upwardly extending passage (14) to which product is delivered in batches from a weighing machine. Fixed to the internal surface (20) of the former shoulder (15) are heaters (24) that heat the external surface (16) over which the film bag material passes to be heated thereby.

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) including a weighing machine (11) that is located above a former (22). Located below the former (22) is a packaging machine (29), with strip bag material (25) being pulled through the assembly by a film drive assembly (46) that pulls the bag material past the former (22) to form tubular bag material (26) that is delivered to the packaging machine (29) together with product to form bags of the product.

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) that includes a weighing machine (11) that delivers batches of product to a packaging machine (18). A film drive assembly (17) pulls strip bag material pass a former shoulder (41), to form tubular bag material into which batches of product are to be delivered, with the tubular bag material being longitudinally sealed, transversely sealed and transversely cut by the packaging machine (18).

Abstract: A jaw assembly (10) that receives a tubular bag material (11) that is transversely sealed and transversely cut by the jaw assembly (10) to form bags 12 of snack food. The tubular bag material (11) is delivered in a downward direction (13). The jaw assembly (10) includes sealing jaws (27, 28), with the jaws (27, 28) operating in pairs to transversely seal the tubular bag material (11). Each of the jaws (27,28) has an end surface (29) that heats and engages the tubular bag material (11), to form the seal therein. Each surface (29) is spaced from its respective rotational axis by a radius (31). Most preferably the radius (31) is less than 85 mm, but greater than 65 mm.

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) including a weighing machine (11) that includes buckets (12, 13) to provide batches of product to be delivered to a former (41), with the former (41) delivering tubular bag material with product to a packaging machine (18). The tubular bag material is delivered to the packaging machine (18) by means of a film drive assembly (17).

Abstract: A slip conveyor (50) delivers product to a further conveyor (50) that in turn delivers product to weighing machines (53) that would be typically associated with a packaging machine. The slip conveyor (50) includes a delivery portion (57) provided with a plurality of separated fingers (59). Slots (58) between the fingers (59) extend longitudinally in the direction (52). Smaller product, such as smaller potato crisps, are located adjacent longitudinally extending edges (63) of the conveyor (10), the smaller product passes through the gaps (26a) that provides for delivery of product to the associated conveyor (62).

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) that includes a weighing machine (11) that delivers batches of product to a packaging machine (18). A film drive assembly (17) pulls strip bag material pass a former shoulder (41), to form tubular bag material into which batches of product are to be delivered, with the tubular bag material being longitudinally sealed, transversely sealed and transversely cut by the packaging machine (18).

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) including a weighing machine (11) that is located above a former (22). Located below the former (22) is a packaging machine (29), with strip bag material (25) being pulled through the assembly by a film drive assembly (46) that pulls the bag material past the former (22) to form tubular bag material (26) that is delivered to the packaging machine (29) together with product to form bags of the product.

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) that includes a weighing machine (11) that delivers batches of product to a packaging machine (18). A film drive assembly (17) pulls strip bag material pass a former shoulder (41), to form tubular bag material into which batches of product are to be delivered, with the tubular bag material being longitudinally sealed, transversely sealed and transversely cut by the packaging machine (18).

Abstract: A drive assembly (17) to move tubular bag material past a former and deliver a tubular bag material to a packaging machine. The drive assembly (17) includes a pair of drive belts (6) that are parallel and driven in unison by means of a drive pulley (29) and either pulleys (30, 31).

Abstract: A device to inspect a longitudinal heat seal in tubular bag material. The seal is formed by a heated sealing bar (14). Downstream of the bar (14) is a heat sensing camera (20) that sends a signal to a central processing unit (21). The unit (21) will then identify any faults in the seal.

Abstract: A chute assembly (10) to deliver product to a former (11) of a packaging assembly. The chute assembly (10) includes a chute (14) that converges downwardly. Located adjacent the chute (14) is a metal detector (21) having a transmitting and receiving coils (22) of different diameters. The receiving coils (22) being adapted to provide a signal when metal is detected.

Abstract: A former assembly (10) for a packaging machine. The assembly (10) includes a frame (11) including a frame member (12) of “U-shaped” configuration. The frame (11) supports a former (17) having a former surface (18) over which stripped bag materials passes to be formed into a tubular configuration.

Abstract: A metal detector (420) has a metallic enclosure (421) with entrance and exit apertures (430, 431) whose cross-sectional areas differ from each other. Inside the enclosure is a coil system with a transmitter coil (423) and first and second receiver coils (424, 425). The apertures and the coil system enclose a detection zone (428) around a travel path on which objects under inspection move. The asymmetric detection zone has a variable cross-section along the travel path and the coils differ in size from each other. The receiver coils are connected in series, but their windings are wired with the opposite sense of rotation relative to each other. Energizing the transmitter coil generates a primary electromagnetic field that induces a first voltage and a second voltage in the corresponding receiver coils. Despite the asymmetry, the respective voltages cancel each other when no metal is present in the object investigated.

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) that includes a weighing machine (11) that delivers batches of product to a packaging machine (18). A film drive assembly (17) pulls strip bag material pass a former shoulder (41), to form tubular bag material into which batches of product are to be delivered, with the tubular bag material being longitudinally sealed, transversely sealed and transversely cut by the packaging machine (18).

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) including a weighing machine (11) that includes buckets (12, 13) to provide batches of product to be delivered to a former (41), with the former (41) delivering tubular bag material with product to a packaging machine (18). The tubular bag material is delivered to the packaging machine (18) by means of a film drive assembly (17).

Abstract: A weighing machine (10) that may be scales employed in the packaging industry to deliver batches of product to a packaging machine below the weighing machine (10). The weighing machine (10) has a plurality of troughs (19) along which the product passes and that extend downwardly away from a generally central upright longitudinal axis (11). Each trough (19) extends downwardly from an inlet portion (21) to an outlet portion (22), with the outlet portion (22) spaced radially and angularly from the inlet portion (21) relative to the axis (11).

Abstract: A metal detector (420) has a metallic enclosure (421) with entrance and exit apertures (430, 431) whose cross-sectional areas differ from each other. Inside the enclosure is a coil system with a transmitter coil (423) and first and second receiver coils (424, 425). The apertures and the coil system enclose a detection zone (428) around a travel path on which objects under inspection move. The asymmetric detection zone has a variable cross-section along the travel path and the coils differ in size from each other. The receiver coils are connected in series, but their windings are wired with the opposite sense of rotation relative to each other. Energizing the transmitter coil generates a primary electromagnetic field that induces a first voltage and a second voltage in the corresponding receiver coils. Despite the asymmetry, the respective voltages cancel each other when no metal is present in the object investigated.