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: An assembly (10) to dispatch bags (14). The assembly (10) includes a conveyor (12) that provides rows of bags (14), with the rows of bags (14) supported on a first delivery assembly (18) that moves each row downward to form stacks (47) of bags (14) on a second delivery assembly (34). Stacks (14) of the bags (14) are then moved downward to be moved into containers or boxes.

Abstract: An assembly to deliver packaging film, having a barcode, to a packaging machine (10). Associated with the packaging machine (10) is a splicing machine (17) that joins film from rolls (14, 15) for delivery to the machine (10). A barcode scanner (19) extends transversely of the film, with the scanner (19) including a plurality of cameras (29). Once a barcode is detected, as an example ten images will be decoded and if six “readings” give the same result, then it can be assumed that the barcode has been correctly decoded.

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 slip conveyor assembly 10 is disclosed. The assembly 10 includes six slip conveyors 11 to 16 being arranged in series. Each of the conveyors 11 to 16 includes a tray 18 of “U” transverse cross-section. Each tray 18 is operated by a drive assembly 19 that horizontally reciprocates (oscillates) the associated tray 18 to cause product to advance along the assembly 10. Adjacent trays 18 may be displaced so that there is a gap between adjacent trays through which product may be delivered.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly to deliver flavoring to a conveyor upon which a product to be coated is conveyed. The flavoring is typically in granular form such as a powder. The assembly includes a conveyor including a longitudinally elongated tray that is vibrated by an actuator. The tray and actuator are adapted to distribute the flavoring transversely across the conveyor.

Abstract: A vibrator (16) for the tray (10) of a vibratory conveyor (slip conveyor). The conveyor (16) includes bases 19 and 20 supported by resilient mountings (17, 18) on a stationary structure 37. Elongated resilient mountings (17, 18) extend between bases (19, 22), with the tray (10) supported on the base (23).

Abstract: A former shoulder (10) for a packing machine. The former shoulder (10) includes a former (12) having an external surface (13) over which strip bag material passes to be reconfigured into a tubular configuration. The bag material passes downwardly through a central opening (14) in the former shoulder (10). The former shoulder (10) includes a pair of pivoted guides (22, 23) that engage edge portions of the tubular bag material to form a fold (29) in the bag configuration (26) of the tubular bag material.

Abstract: A slip conveyor (10) having a plurality of trays (11, 12, 13). Each of the trays (11, 12, 13) has an end portion (19) with an edge (29) inclined to the longitudinal direction of movement (14) of the tray (11, 12, 13).

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 rotary packaging machine that receives tubular bag material and moves the tubular bag material in a direction. Product is delivered to the interior of the tubular bag material with the bag material then being sealed and cut to form bags of the product. The machine has a jaw carriage that is reciprocated while the jaws are rotated.

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 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 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 former assembly (10) for a packaging machine. The former assembly (10) includes 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. The sleeve (13) is fixed to a former shoulder (15) having an external former surface (16) to which strip film material is delivered to be formed into a tubular configuration to receive the product.

Abstract: A vibrator (16) for the tray (10) of a vibratory conveyor (slip conveyor). The conveyor (16) includes bases 19 and 20 supported by resilient mountings (17, 18) on a stationary structure 37. Elongated resilient mountings (17, 18) extend between bases (19, 22), with the tray (10) supported on the base (23).

Abstract: A conveyor assembly (10) to deliver flavouring to a conveyor (11) upon which there is conveyed a product to be coated. The flavouring would be in granular form such as a powder. The assembly (10) includes a conveyor (17) consisting of a longitudinally elongated tray (23) that is vibrated by an actuator (19). The tray (19) and actuator (18) are adapted to distribute the flavouring transversely across the conveyor (11).

Abstract: A slip conveyor (10) having a plurality of trays (11, 12, 13). Each of the trays (11, 12, 13) has an end portion (19) with an edge (29) inclined to the longitudinal direction of movement (14) of the tray (11, 12, 13).

Abstract: An assembly to deliver packaging film, having a barcode, to a packaging machine (10). Associated with the packaging machine (10) is a splicing machine (17) that joins film from rolls (14, 15) for delivery to the machine (10). A barcode scanner (19) extends transversely of the film, with the scanner (19) including a plurality of cameras (29). Once a barcode is detected, as an example ten images will be decoded and if six “readings” give the same result, then it can be assumed that the barcode has been correctly decoded.

Abstract: A drive assembly (10) to drive packaging film for delivery to a packaging machine. The assembly (10) includes an elongated endless flexible belt (11) with a plurality of teeth (16) that are used to drive the belt (11). The teeth (16) are arranged in rows along the longitudinal edges of the belt (11). Between the rows of teeth (16) is a row of apertures (23) that communicates with a gallery (20).