Abstract: A control system is provided for a vibratory conveyor including a detector applicable to detect when the depth of product on the conveyor is at a determined minimum value. The product-conveying rate of the conveyor is adjusted so that the depth is maintained at or around the minimum value. This is done by logging the total time, during a given period, for which the depth of the product exceeds, or falls below, the determined minimum value, and varying the product-conveying rate depending upon whether the total time that product is detected is more or less than a given percentage of the period.

Abstract: A packaging machine is described for forming, filling and sealing bags with a product. The machine forms a film into an elongate, side-sealed tube as it travels in a first direction, and severs the elongate tube into individual, open-ended, bag-length elements. These are then transported in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a bottom seal formed on them to convert them into open-topped bags. A carousel is arranged to receive the open-topped bags. Product is introduced into each of the open-topped bags, and a top seal formed on each of them to convert them into filled, sealed bags, as the bags travel round the carousel.