Abstract: A rotary packaging machine that receives tubular bag material and moves the tubular bag material in a direction. 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 has a jaw carriage that is reciprocated while the jaws are rotated.

Abstract: A slip conveyor (50) delivers product to a further conveyor (50) that in turn delivers product to weighing machines (53) that would be typically associated with a packaging machine. The slip conveyor (50) includes a delivery portion (57) provided with a plurality of separated fingers (59). Slots (58) between the fingers (59) extend longitudinally in the direction (52). Smaller product, such as smaller potato crisps, are located adjacent longitudinally extending edges (63) of the conveyor (10), the smaller product passes through the gaps (26a) that provides for delivery of product to the associated conveyor (62).

Abstract: A drive assembly (17) to move tubular bag material past a former and deliver a tubular bag material to a packaging machine. The drive assembly (17) includes a pair of drive belts (6) that are parallel and driven in unison by means of a drive pulley (29) and either pulleys (30, 31).

Abstract: A former assembly (10) including a base (11) to which there is attached a frame (12) that supports a sleeve (13). The sleeve (13) encloses a generally upwardly extending passage (14) to which product is delivered in batches from a weighing machine. Fixed to the internal surface (20) of the former shoulder (15) are heaters (24) that heat the external surface (16) over which the film bag material passes to be heated thereby.

Abstract: A former assembly (10) for a packaging machine. The former assembly (10) includes a base (11) to which there is attached a frame (12) that supports a sleeve (13). The sleeve (13) encloses a generally upwardly extending passage (14) to which product is delivered in batches. The sleeve (13) is fixed to a former shoulder (15) having an external former surface (16) to which strip film material is delivered to be formed into a tubular configuration to receive the product.