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 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 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).

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 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 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 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 rotary packaging machine (10) that receives tubular bag material and moves the tubular bag material in a direction (11). 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 (10) has a jaw carriage (14) that is reciprocated while the jaws (29) are rotated.

Abstract: A scale assembly (10) including a plurality of buckets (11). The buckets (11) are arranged in two sets (12, 13), each set of buckets (11) of each set (12, 13) being located on a respective path (31, 32). The paths (31, 32) are spaced radially from a respective longitudinal axis (25, 26) with the buckets (11) being equally spaced from their respective longitudinal axis (25, 26).

Abstract: A vacuum belt assembly (10) to drive tubular bag material (11) through a packaging machine. The assembly (10) includes three belts (19, 20, 21) with the belts (19, 20, 21) being driven by rollers (22). The belts (20, 21) have respectively lengths (28, 29) being located in planes inclined by an angle greater than 0° but less than 180°, preferably an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A package assembly (10) that includes a strip (11) of flexible plastic material. Attached to the strip (11) at spaced positions longitudinally of the strip (11) are bags (12). The bags (12) are sealingly closed and include end sealed areas (13 and 14). Each bag (12) is attached to the strip (11) by a respective one of the end sealed areas (13). Each end sealed area (13) can be peeled from the strip (11) to enable removal of the bag (12). In an alternative embodiment, the bags (12) are arranged in sets (17). A machine (28) is adapted to form the package assembly (10).

Abstract: A slip conveyor assembly (10) having a plurality of slip conveyors (11 to 16). Each slip conveyor (11 to 16) has a tray (18) providing a conveyor surface (20) along which product is delivered. The trays (18) are arrangeable and caused to reciprocate so that product may be conveyed in either longitudinal direction, with at least two of the trays being arrangeable to provide a gap (32) therebetween to provide for delivery of product from the conveyor assembly (10).

Abstract: A conveyor (10) that delivers product to a plurality of transverse conveyors of chutes (11). The conveyor (10) includes conveyor segments (12) along which the product is conveyed. Product is removed from the conveyor (10) by the lateral displacement of an upstream end 15 or a downstream end 16 of adjacent conveyor segments (12).

Abstract: A packaging machine former (10) having a base (11) upon which there is mounted a former member (12). Strip bag material passes over the member (12) to be arranged from a strip configuration to a tubular configuration into which product to be packaged is delivered. The base (11) and member (12) have passages through which a gas is delivered to be included with the product in the bags being formed.

Abstract: A package assembly (10) that includes a strip (11) of flexible plastics material. Attached to the strip (11) at spaced positions longitudinally of the strip (11) are bags (12). The bags (12) are sealingly closed and include ends sealed areas (13 and 14). Each bag (12) is attached to the strip (11) by a respective one of the end sealed areas (13). Each end sealed area (13) can be peeled from the strip (11) to enable removal of the bag (12). In an alternative embodiment, the bags (12) are arranged in sets (17). A machine (28) is adapted to form the package assembly (10).