Abstract: A separator device for separating from a succession of objects in a conveying path those objects having less than a desired length in the conveying direction, including an input channel via which the objects are conveyed to the separator device, an abutment member located downstream of the input channel for limiting movement of each object leaving the channel, a discharge path located below the input channel for conveying objects away from the device, and a mechanism which transfers each object in turn from the input channel to the discharge path while separating out each object which immediately follows an object being thus transferred and which has less than the desired length.

Abstract: In a twin packaging machine composed of two packaging units each including a folding device, an inlet path for feeding objects to be packaged to the device, a member storing a sheet of packaging material, a device for cutting successive packaging foils from the sheet, and an outlet path for the finished packages, the longitudinal axes of the inlet and outlet paths lying at least approximately in a common vertical plane, the sheets of packaging material are arranged in juxtaposition between the outlet paths of the units and are disposed to enter into the devices from the side opposite that at which the objects to be packaged enter the devices, the machine is provided with a support, and the inlet and outlet paths and the sheets of packaging material of the two units are symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the support.

Abstract: In a continuously operating packaging machine for packaging items at uniform intervals in a tube of sealable packaging material, the narrow sides of the tube are folded inwardly in the region between successive items, where a transverse seam is subsequently formed, by blowing a jet of gaseous medium against the center line of each narrow side, from two nozzles, in each such region.