Abstract: A conveying apparatus for advancing packages from an inlet station to an outlet station comprises an intermediate track between the inlet and outlet stations, an endless belt to engage the packages during advancement along at least the track; and a tensioning device to tension the endless belt. The tensioning device comprises a spring unit comprising first and second spring assemblies having first and second pre-loaded spring forces respectively, with the second spring force larger than the first spring force. The conveying apparatus is in a rest configuration in the absence of packages along the track and is in a loaded configuration with plural packages arranged along the track. The first spring assembly determines the spring force of the spring unit when the conveying apparatus is in the rest configuration and the second spring assembly determines the spring force of the spring unit when the conveying is in the loaded configuration.