Abstract: Apparatus for handling biscuits comprises a pair of identical devices for separating and holding back advanced supplies of the biscuits, which are arranged in rows, in contiguous, upright relationship, within laterally-spaced supply channels. The rows of biscuits are converted into a single row by a chute which is periodically movable sideways, to a position at the outlet end of one of the channels while the biscuit supply in the other channel is held back by a separating member comprising a "finger" movable towards and upwardly away from the path of the advanced supply of biscuits by a piston and cylinder assembly operable so that, only upward movement of a separating member takes place as positive motion, whereas the downward movement of the member is such that it is free, pausing in its movement if necessary, to make entry into the supply in a yieldable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for sampling similar laminar articles, in particular biscuits, on a conveyor. The apparatus comprises photocells (1) for detecting the location of laminar articles (8) on the conveyor (7), an article pick-up suction head (2) positioned downstream of the photocells and in fixed relation thereto, and connections for transmitting a signal from the photocells to the suction pick-up head to actuate the latter when a laminar article is in a predetermined position with respect thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling biscuits, (or like laminar articles), comprises a plurality of article delivery channels, a reduced number of article receiving channels, and article transfer troughs disposed between the delivery and receiving channels, the transfer troughs being operable to select batches of articles from the delivery channels and to transport the batches to the receiving channels, whereby the overall number of streams of articles is reduced. The article transfer troughs are pivotally movable about substantially vertical axes, whereby one end of a transfer trough may be aligned with the outlet of one of three delivery channels, while the other end of the trough remains in general alignment with the inlet of a receiving channel.

Abstract: A tunnel oven 20 has a baking chamber divided by partitions 21 into a plurality of longitudinally extending zones 22. The oven heating system comprises upper and lower heater ducts 6a, 6b through which hot gases are passed, using a blower 24 for each zone 22. The intake of each blower 24 is within the associated zone 22 and is disposed adjacent the outlet end of an inlet duct 11 which leads into the lower part of the zone. An outlet 8 leads out of the upper part of each zone 22. The entry end 27 of the inlet duct 11 is open to atmosphere whereby fresh air is introduced into the duct. The exit end of the outlet duct 8 is connected to an exhaust fan 7 whereby gases are extracted from the zone 22 by way of the outlet duct 8 to an exhaust flue 18. Dampers 12 and 10 comprise first and second regulating means for controlling flow through the inlet and outlet ducts 11 and 8.

Abstract: Microprocessor 60 controlled form-fill-seal apparatus has an infeed conveyor 13, web advance and longitudinal sealing unit 19 and transverse sealing jaws 20 and 21 each of which is driven by its own separate motor M1, M2 and M3 respectively. The microprocessor maintains the operation of the motors in synchronism. The movement of the jaws is modulated in accordance with a selected pattern (15) drawn from a library 73 of modulation patterns available to the microprocessor.

Abstract: Bread-dough mixing apparatus 1 comprises a support member 2, a shaft-support structure 3 carried by and rotatable relative to the support member 2, a drive shaft 4 and a driven shaft 5 rotatably mounted on the shaft-support structure 3, and a flexible coupling 6 connecting one end (4b) of the drive shaft 4 with one end (5a) of the driven shaft 5. The shafts 4, 5 are mounted on the shaft-support structure 3 so that their axes of rotation 7, 8 are inclined to each other. A mixer element 9 is carried by the other end (5b) of the driven shaft 5 so as to rotate therewith. An electric motor 15, a belt drive 16 and a pulley 17 are provided for rotating the drive shaft 4 so that the driven shaft 5 flexibly coupled thereto rotates the mixer element 9.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a primary wrapper for applying wrappers to individual sweets, a collating mechanism for collating the wrapped sweets into batches and a batch wrapper for overwrapping the batches of sweets. Batching is effected by pushers on a chain conveyor which advance the sweets successively, along a support, the pushers normally tilting to disengage the sweets but the disengagement of every n.sup.th pusher with its sweet being delayed, where n is the number of sweets required in a batch. The machine can be readily modified to collate the sweets into batches in which the sweets lie flat or in an erect condition as desired.

Abstract: Article feeding apparatus includes a series of equally spaced pushers for advancing along a platform a procession of sweets or the like lying flat on the platform. The platform has a downwardly extending ramp and as the sweets travel down the ramp they are turned through 90.degree. to an erect position under control of one or more restraining fingers which move in timed relationship with the pushers. A further turnover device may be provided for turning the erected sweets through a further 90.degree..