Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a meat packing process in which carcasses of animals (102) are weighed (100) and moved on a boning line (101) in sequence past a number of boning and trimming stations (103 and 105). The trimmed cuts are transferred to a main conveyor (108). The cuts are placed in bags dispensed by one or more machines (22) which produce bag's whose lengths and widths are matched to those of the cuts placed therein. Each hook (38) has a bar code (39), which is scanned at the boning stations. Feed conveyors (241-243) are controlled by the central processor (34). The travel of the main conveyor (108) is monitored by the central processor so that each position on the main conveyor to which the cuts are transferred from the feed conveyors is identified at each trimming station and at the bagging station. By this each bagged cut can be identified with the animal from which if was derived.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a packaging apparatus (10) for producing packages of variable lengths from rolls of plastic film wherein the apparatus produces packages to be accessed at a first, or front, end (22) of the apparatus (10) and the apparatus may be serviced from a second, or rear, end (24) of the apparatus. The apparatus (10) comprises a frame (12) wherein a plurality of packaging devices, two being shown, (14, 16) are slidably mounted on a sliding roller mounting mechanism (18, 20). Each packaging device (14, 16) can be pulled backwards from the frame (12) along a sliding roller mounting mechanism (18, 20) such that each packaging device (14, 16) may be serviced at the rear of the frame (12) without interfering with the operation of the other packaging devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading an object into a package includes a loading fork 60, a conveyor 18 for delivering the product to said loading fork 60, a loading horn 110, said loading horn 110 and said loading fork 60 being movalbe relative to each other to place said bag over said product. A system for loading an object into a package includes a loading fork 60 to receive an object from a conveyor 18, loading apparatus 22 to load the object into a package while located on the loading fork 60 and means to transfer the object and package together from the loading fork to a takeaway conveyor 20. A method of loading an object into a package is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a loading fork (10) and a system for smoothly transferring an object between the loading fork (10) and an infeed or take-away conveyor (110). The loading fork (10) may include a plurality of fingers (12, 14, 16, 18 & 20) mounted above a carriage (22) that is coupled to a chain conveyor (100). The conveyor (110) may be a plurality of parallel aligned narrow belts (102) between which the fingers (12, 14, 16, 18 & 20) of the loading fork (10) may pass to ensure a smooth transfer of the object between the loading fork (10) and the infeed or take-away conveyor (110). The present invention also discloses a sweeping conveyor (136, FIG. 3) for assisting the transfer of an object from the loading fork (10) to the take-away conveyor (110).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a meat packing process is disclosed in which carcasses of animals which have been slaughtered are weighed and moved on a boning line in sequence past a number of boning and trimming stations at each of which cuts are removed from the carcasses and trimmed. The trimmed cuts are transferred to a main conveyor which moves past the trimming stations and carries the cuts to a station at which the cuts are placed in bags dispensed on demand by one or more machines which produce bags whose lengths and optionally widths are matched to those of the cuts placed therein. The bagged cuts are then taken to a vacuum packing station. Each hook on which a carcass is placed on the boning line has a bar code which is scanned at the boning stations. The scanned bar code information is fed to a central processor. Apparatus is provided to ensure that the cuts are trimmed at each trimming station in the order in which the carcasses arrive at the boning stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a meat packing process in which carcasses of animals (102) are weighed (100) and moved on a boning line (101) in sequence past a number of boning and trimming stations (103 and 105). The trimmed cuts are transferred to a main conveyor (108). The cuts are placed in bags dispensed by one or more machines (22) which produce bag's whose lengths and widths are matched to those of the cuts placed therein. Each hook (38) has a bar code (39), which is scanned at the boning stations. Feed conveyors (241-243) are controlled by the central processor (34). The travel of the main conveyor (108) is monitored by the central processor so that each position on the main conveyor to which the cuts are transferred from the feed conveyors is identified at each trimming station and at the bagging station. By this each bagged cut can be identified with the animal from which if was derived.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a meat packing process in which carcasses of animals (102) are weighed (100) and moved on a boning line (101) in sequence past a number of boning and trimming stations (103 and 105). The trimmed cuts are transferred to a main conveyor (108). The cuts are placed in bags dispensed by one or more machines (22) which produce bags whose lengths and widths are matched to those of the cuts placed therein. Each hook (38) has a bar code (39) which is scanned at the boning stations. Feed conveyors (241-243) are controlled by the central processor (34). The travel of the main conveyor (108) is monitored by the central processor so that each position on the main conveyor to which the cuts are transferred from the feed conveyors is identified at each trimming station and at the bagging station. By this means each bagged cut can be identified with the animal from which it was derived.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a meat packing process in which carcasses of animals (102) are weighed (100) and moved on a boning line (101) in sequence past a number of boning and trimming stations (103 and 105). The trimmed cuts are transferred to a main conveyor (108). The cuts are placed in bags dispensed by one or more machines (22) which produce bags whose lengths and widths are matched to those of the cuts placed therein. Each hook (38) has a bar code (39) which is scanned at the boning stations. Feed conveyors (241-243) are controlled by the central processor (34). The travel of the main conveyor (108) is monitored by the central processor so that each position on the main conveyor to which the cuts are transferred from the feed conveyors is identified at each trimming station and at the bagging station.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing discrete packages which can be individually varied in length so that they can be used for packaging articles such as cuts of meat which vary in length. The apparatus comprises drive rolls for feeding a flat tube of plastics packaging material through a cut off device. The apparatus may also comprise a heat sealing device (to form the tube into a bag) and a blower head combined with a suction device which opens the leading portion of the bag to facilitate the placing of an article in the bag. A proximity sensor is provided adjacent the cut off device and immobilises the drive rolls when it detects the arrival of a leading portion. In one form of the apparatus the sensor is mounted on a movable carriage which can be quickly moved by hand or by a ram.