Abstract: A conveyor system for positioning slices of meat or other foodstuffs by converting M input streams of products into N output streams of products where M is an integer greater than one and N is an integer not equal to M comprises an input conveyor (15, 55) for conveying M input streams and an output conveyor (16,58) for conveying N output streams. It also includes a multi-element strip conveyor (17, 18, 56, 57) having its upstream input end arranged to receive products (P) from an input stream and having its downstream end arranged to move laterally to deposit products from the input stream into an output stream shifted laterally with respect to the input stream. The conveying elements (37, 41, 67) of the multi-element strip conveyor (17, 18, 56, 57) are arranged to conform as its downstream and moves laterally.

Abstract: A machine for applying adhesive tape ties to filled bags comprises an adhesive tape path leading from an adhesive tape supply reel 1, manually movable accommodation means 6 which are located on one side of the adhesive tape path, which face the adhesive side of the adhesive tape 10, which accommodate the gathered together neck 40 of a bag, and which control its movement through the machine, an adhesive tape support 28 which is located on the other side of the adhesive tape path and which converges with and joins the adhesive tape path at a contact region 31 with substantially only line contact between them, a paper tape path leading from a paper tape supply reel 4 into contact with the adhesive tape path immediately downstream of the contact region 31 from the opposite side of the adhesive tape path, and a cutter 7 arranged to sever the adhesive 10 and paper 32 tapes to complete the tie.

Abstract: A bag tying machine comprises a guide (17, 18) which receives the open end part of a filled bag as it is moved through the machine, a follow-up member (29) which is movable adjacent the guide (17, 18) following a bag to gather together the open end of the bag, and means (39, 40, 43) for supplying a length of pressure sensitive adhesive tape and holding it across the path of the gathered together end of the bag. The machine also includes a pair of pivoted arms (20, 21) having a first pair of jaws (30, 31), upstream from the length of pressure sensitive adhesive tape and against which the gathered together end of the bag is initially compressed, and a second pair of jaws (34, 35) immediately downstream of the adhesive tape which support the adhesive tape as the gathered together neck of the bag is urged into contact with it and which then clamp the adhesive tape around the gathered together neck of the bag to tie it together.