Abstract: An inline product feeder for a packaging line and related methods are disclosed. In one example, an inline product feeder includes a product input line configured to receive a contiguous supply of products and configured to guide the products in continuous motion along a path of travel. The inline product feeder also includes a packaging line configured to receive separated groups of the products from the product input line. The inline feeder further includes a feeder unit configured to separate groups of products from the contiguous supply of products in the product input line and move the group of products into the packaging line, each of the separated groups of products including a predetermined number of products from the product input line.

Abstract: An inline product feeder for a packaging line and related methods are disclosed. In one example, an inline product feeder includes a product input line configured to receive a contiguous supply of products and configured to guide the products in continuous motion along a path of travel. The inline product feeder also includes a packaging line configured to receive separated groups of the products from the product input line. The inline feeder further includes a feeder unit configured to separate groups of products from the contiguous supply of products in the product input line and move the group of products into the packaging line, each of the separated groups of products including a predetermined number of products from the product input line.

Abstract: The present invention is an epicycle dual drive apparatus comprising a frame supporting an input shaft, an output shaft and an epicycle drive coupling the input shaft and the output shaft. The apparatus has dual clutches means coupled individually to the input shaft and output shaft. The epicycle drive means includes an epicycle rack pivotally secured to said output shaft at one end and a crankshaft journaled for rotation at a second end. The output shaft may have a varying rate of rotation depending on the position of the center of the crank shaft on the epicycle rack with respect to the center of the input shaft. A Cam arrangement is used for coupling the input shaft and the crankshaft. The first clutch coupled to the output shaft allows for selective engagement of the output shaft and the second clutch is coupled to the crankshaft for selective engagement of the crankshaft. Only one clutch can be engaged at a time.

Abstract: A platen adjust apparatus for the heating, compression and cooling platens in a bag sealer assembly of a high speed bagger. The bag sealer has a plurality of platen pairs in face to face orientation with each platen pair having an adjustable platen and a stationary platen. The stationary platens are mounted to a frame and the adjustable platens are mounted to a plate. This plate is slidably mounted to the frame for movement towards and away from the stationary platens. The plate is moved towards or away from the stationary platens by a moveable wedge member until the appropriate gap between the stationary platens and the adjustable platens is achieved. The gap is adjusted simultaneously along the length of the platen pairs because the plate is moved simultaneously along its length.