AU672952B2 - Packaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (10, 10') is disclosed for packaging articles such as cuts of meat which vary in length. The apparatus comprises drive rolls (24, 25, 24', 25') for feeding a flat tube (T) of heat sealable plastics packaging material through a cut off and heat sealing device (15) towards a blower head (49, 49') which opens the leading portion of the tube to facilitate the placing of an article in the tube. A proximity sensor (46, 46') and a suction head (47, 47') are located between the cut off device and the blower head. When the leading edge of the tube is sensed by the proximity sensor the suction device applies suction to the lower layer of the tube momentarily before the blower is activated. The proximity sensor, the suction head and the blower head are mounted on a carriage (70) which can be moved in relation to the cut off device to readily alter the length of the package. In an alternative apparatus the blower head is mounted separately from the proximity sensor and the suction head. The carriage (91) on which the proximity sensor and the suction head are mounted is movably mounted between the cut off device and the blower head.

Description

I- -I OPI DATE 02/03/93 AOJP DATE 13/05/93 APPLN. ID 23269/92 U ll PCT NUMBER PCT/EP92/01624 ii II I I 1111111111111 i AU9223269 INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 5 International Publication Number: WO 93/02924 9/13, 43/36 Al (43) International Publication Date: 18 February 1993 (18.02.93) (21) International Application Number: PCT/EP92/01624 (74)Agent: BRIAN. Carol, Silvester: The Bakehouse. Nether Whitacre. Coleshill, Birmingham B46 2EB (GB).

(22) International Filing Date: 20 July 1992 (20.07.92) (81) Designated States: AU. European patent (AT, BE, CH, Priority data: DE. DK. ES, FR. GB. GR. IT, LU, MC, NL, SE).

239153 26 July 1991 (26.07.91) NZ Published (71) Applicants: MACHINERY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED With international search report.

[NZ/NZ]: MDC House, 142 Broadway, Newmarket, Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the Auckland WHITEHEAD. John, Anthony, Bailie claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of [NL/NZ]; 16 Highwood Grove. Torbay, Auckland amendments.

(72)Inventors: MELVILLE, Richard, Archer 8C Tagalad Road, Mission Bay, Auckland KELLY. Leonard, Stephen Manion Road, Wyana Road, Coromandel

(NZ).

672952 (54)Title: PACKAGING APPARATUS 16 10 1 19 17 49 47a 110 46**7 S 52 53 51 42 7 50 18 25 14 T -110 22 56- r- 23 (57) Abstract Apparatus (10, 10') is disclosed for packaging articles such as cuts of meat which vary in length. The apparatus comprises drive rolls (24, 25, 24', 25') for feeding a flat tube of heat sealable plastics packaging material through a cut off and heat sealing device (15) towards a blower head (49, 49') which opens the leading portion of the tube to facilitate the placing of an article in the tube. A proximity sensor (46, 46') and a suction head (47, 47') are located between the cut off device and the blower head.

When the leading edge of the tube is sensed by the proximity sensor the suction device applies suction to the lower layer of the tube momentarily before the blower is activated. The proximity sensor, the suction head and the blower head are mounted on a carriage (70) which can be moved in relation to the cut off device to readily alter the length of the package. In an alternative apparatus the blower head is mounted separately from the proximity sensor and the suction head. The carriage (91) on which the proximity sensor ariJ the suction head are mounted is movably mounted between the cut off device and the blower head.

1 3 1 r I -1- TITLE: PACKACGNG APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a packaging apparatus. It has particular but not necessarily exclusive application to the factory packaging of joints of meat and other articles of somewhat variable size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided apparatus for the production of packaging elements of individually variable length from a stock of flexible laminar packaging material which packaging elements are produced by feeding successive leading portions of the packaging material from the stock and separating such leading portions from the stock, the apparatus being operable in a mode of operation in which, when each packaging element produced is in a predetermined location, the production of further packaging elements is interrupted until the produced packaging element is removed from the predetermined location so that the timing of the production of each packaging element can be controlled by an operator, the apparatus comprising feed means for feeding said leading portions from the stock, and control means for controlling the operation of the apparatus, the control means comprising length determining means capable of being readily adjusted to cause the feed means to vary the length of each said leading portion so that the length of each of said packaging elements can be selected to suit the length of the article to be packaged therein, detecting means arranged to detect S! the presence of each said leading portion when such l&-difig portion is at the predetermined location, and means to immobilise the feed means when such leading portion is detected at the predetermined location.

In one form of the invention, the detecting means is operably interccraiected with a switch means which can be actuated by the detecting means upon detecting the removal of a said leading portion from the predetermined location to cause the feed means to feed a furthe- id leading portion from the stock. Advantageously, the detecting means comprises a light actuated proximity sensor.

According to one aspect of the invention, for the production of packaging elements from a stock of flexible laminar packaging material the form of a tube, the apparatus comprises cut-off means for separating said leading portions from the stock, and sealing means located adjacent the cut-off means for sealing an end of said leading portion iCO.) Il I i -laformed by the cut-off means. Advantageously, the cut-off means is located between the sealing means and the predetermined location or prior to the sealing means.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a tube opening station and means for opening the packaging elements at the tube opening station. In one form of the invention, the opening means comprises a suction device arranged to apply suction to a first layer of the tube material of a said leading portion and means to separate a second layer thereof from the first layer. Also, in one form of the invention, the means to separate the second layer comprises a blower arranged to blow air at the second layer. Advantageously, means is provided for adjusting the distance between the tube opening station and the cut-off means.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the detecting means, the blower and the Ssuction device are mounted on a common carrier which is movably mounted on the apparatus so that the distance between the carrier and the cut-off means can be adjusted.

Advantageously, the detecting means and the suction device are mounted on a common carrier which is movably mounted on the apparatus and the blower is mounted rsoarately from the carrier so that the distance between the carrier and the cut-off means and between the carrier and the blower can be adjusted. In one form of the e invention, the predetermined location is located at a distance from the cut-off means 20 and means is provided for moving said leading portions to the predetermined location after they have been separated from the stock by the cut-off means, S* According to yet another aspect of the invention, at least one endless belt is provided which provides a moving surface on which the said leading portions are supported. In one form of the invention, the length determining means includes at least one preselector means which upon actuation causes the feed means to feed a said leading portion of preselected length from the stock.

Further according to the invention, the apparatus is operated in a mode of operation in 3 which the timing of the production of each packaging element and the length thereof is ;controlled by the operator, and articles are packaged in the packaging elements as the packaging elements are produced.

-1b- In one aspect of the invention the control means includes an operator activated switch for starting the operation of the tube feed means.

In another aspect of the invention the carriage is movably mounted on a track and the means for positioning the carriage comprises operator releasable brake means for holding the carriage in position on the track.

In yet another aspect of the invention the means for positioning the carriage comprises a ram to which the carriage is connected, and the control means positions the carriage by extending or retracting the ram.

In one form of the invention at least two endless belts are provided which collectively provide a moving surface on which said leading portions of the tube are supported as they move towards the carriage.

In one aspect of the invention the carriage "omprises a suction device arranged to apply suction to a first layer of a said leading portion of the tube, and means to separate a second layer thereof from the first layer.

In one form of the invention heat sealing means is provided adjacent the cut-off means for sealing a rear edge of the leading portion of the tube.

Advantageously the tube feed means comprises a pair of rolls which feed the tube past the cut-off means, and means for momentarily reversing the rolls after actuation of the cut-off means so that a forward edge of the stock formed by actuation of the cut-off means is drawn back from the cut-off means before being fed forward past the cut off means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic sectional side view of a packaging apparatus; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; P 5097/AIND.793\IV -2- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic sectional side view of a packaging apparatus; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view of the manner of mounting a pair of drive rolls; Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view of a heat sealing and cut off j mechanism; Figure 5 is a detailed view of the manner of positioning a tube opening mechanism of the apparatus.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of an alternative arrangement for the drive rolls; Figure 7 is a sectional side view of a modified apparatus; Figure 8 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a partial side view of another modified apparatus.

4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS SHOWN IN-THE DRAWINGS Referring to Figures 1 to 5 the apparatus 10 comprises number of interactive mechanisms mounted on a frame 131. These mechanisms include a spindle assembly 12 which carries a roll 13 of heat sealable plastics film in the form of a flat tube T. The tube T is fed from the roll to a drive roller assembly 14 located at what will be called the feed end of the frane. For clarity only two rolls 24. 25 of this assembly are shown RA4 in Figure I- The drive roller assembly 14 feeds the tube T past a heat sealing and cut-off mechanism 15 and over an assembly of endless belts f)CJ] 17 mounted between drums 18, 19. The drum 18 is located adjacent the ,it WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 mechanism 15 and the drum 19 is located adjacent the opposite end of the frame. A tube opening mechanism 16 is located between the drums 18, 19.

The spindle assembly 12 comprises a spindle 21 provided with oearings on which are mounted a cardboard tube located at the centre of the roil 13.

The roll thus rotates about the spindle. The spindle also carries disc shaped plates 22 mounted at each end of the roll. The plates rest on cross members 23 mounted on the frame 11. The tube T can thus feed freely off the roll and the spindle assembly can be lifted off the cross members for easy replacement of the roll 13.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, the drive roller assembly 14 comprises upper and lower drive rolls 24, 25 mounted, in the present example, in bearing blocks 27, 28 of self lubricating plastics material

TM

such as Teflon The lower roll is driven through a sprocke' hain by an electric motor/gear box assembly indicated at 26. The upper roll is geared to the lower roll. The bearing blocks are mounted in vertical slide rails 29, 29a fixed to plates mounted on the frame. Compression springs 31 are mounted in recesses in the bearing blocks and tend to force the bearing blocks apart. The blocks are retained in place by toggles 32. The inner end of each toggle is provided with a pin 60 which is hooked into a recess adjacent the upper end of each inner slide rail 29. The outer end of each toggle is drawn downwardly by an over-centre catch arrangement. This comprises a screw threaded catch 61 which engages the lower end of a leg 62 pivoted at 63 to a handle 64. The handle is in turn pivoted at 65 to the toggle. The length of the leg and catch assembly can be adjusted by turning the catch 61 in the leo 62.

The catch has a T shaped head 66 which, wnen the handle Ls raised, engages a hook 67 mounted on the frame 11. When the handle is lowered the toggle is drawn downwardly against the upper block 27 and the parts are locked in place by the over centre motion of the handle and leg.

Pressure is applied to the upper roll 24 by the toggles. The upper roll in turn bears on the lower roll 25 with a pressure which can be altered by adjusting the length of the legs 62. When the toggles are released the upper roll 24 is lifted by the springs 21 thus enabling the leading end of a tube T from a fresh roll 13 to be passed between the rolls 24, 25. The adjustability of the catch assemblies is important to enable the apparatus to handle film of varying characteristics. Moreover, the pressure applied to each end of the rolls can be independently ad3usted.

This is important since it enables the direction in which the tube is fed out of the rolls to be accurately adjusted.

The heat sealing and cut-off mechanism 15 comprises a guillotine-like blade 33 mounted on a cross bar 34. Upwardly proiec:ing studs 25 are

I

WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 fixed on the cross bar and slide in a cross plate 36 mounted cr. the frame 11. Between tne cross bar 34 and the cross plate 36, a wasner plate 37, an air bag 39, springs 38 and a block 41 are sildably mounted over tne studs. The air bag is connected through a connector 39a cv suitable pipe work (not shown) to a source of compressed air.

conventional, electrically operated shut off valve mounted in the pipe work controls the supply of air to the air bag. Two clamping bars 40 are mounted on the lower face of the block 41 and located one on either side of the cross bar 34. The cross bar 34 is located in a recess 41a in the block.

An aluminium plate 42 is mounted on the frame 11 below the cross bar 34.

The plate has an upper face 43 which is aligned with the line of contact between the drive rolls 24, 25. A nichrome ribbon 44 sandwiched between

TV

two layers of Teflon" tape is laid on the face 43 directly underneath the inner clamping bar 40. The nichrome wire is connected to a source of electrical power through a switching arrangement which will be discussed in greater detail below. There is a space 45 between the face 43 and the clamping bars through which the tube T passes as it feeds out of the drive roller assembly 14. As will be discussed below in detail, the tube T is stopped at intervals for the purpose of forming a bag in the tube T. This is achieved by inflating the air bag 39 which advances the studs downwardly until the clamping bars 40 come up against the plate 42, clamping the tube T against the face 43. At this stage the nichrome bar is heated and causes the upper and lower layers of the tube T to weld

TM

together. The Teflon" tape around the nichrome ribbon helps to prevent the tube 7 from adhering to the plate 42. Inflation of the air bag continues. The cross bar 34 and blade 33 are hence driven downwardly in the recess 41a against the action of the springs 38 so that the blade 33 severs the tube T. When the air bag is deflated the blade 33 and the clamping bars are retracted into the recess.

The upper bights of the belts 17 collectively constitute a moving surface S at the top of the frem". The drums 18, 19 are positioned so that this surface S lies in substantially the same plane as the upper face 43 of the plate 42. The drum 19 is located at a higher level than the drum 18 so that the surface S slopes upwardly from the tube feeding end of the frame. The drum 18 is driven through a sprocket chain 75a by the same motor/gear box assembly 26 that drives the drive roll 24, the speed of the surface S being equal to or greater than the peripheral speed of the roll 24. Consequently the tube T encounters no friction as it advances across the top of the frame; moreover the belts tend to keep :t advancing in a straight line until the leading edge of the tube arrives at the tube opening assembly 16.

WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 The assembly 16 is located between the two centre belts 17. The assembly 16 comprises a plate 70 on which are mounted a proximity sensor 46; a vacuum head 47 connected through a flexible hose to a vacuum pump 48: and a bag opening head 49 connected to a source of compressed air Inot shown). The vacuum head is located between the mechanism 15 an.d the bag opening head and the nozzle 47a of the vacuum head is positioned flusn with or just below the moving surface S. When the proximity sensor senses the arrival of the leading edge of the tube T, the drive roller mechanism is stopped and the heat sealing and cut-off mechanism 15 is actuated (as will be further described belowl. The vacuum head is also actuated. The lower layer of film in the tube T is sucked against the nozzle 47a. The nozzle is preferably of substantial area, in the present example, about 12 sq. cm. The lower layer of film, where it is sucked against the nozzle, is drawn away from the upper layer. This materially assists the separation of the two layers and reduces the likelihood cf the lower layer becoming detached from the vacuum nozzle.

In the example illustrated the suction of the vacuum head is controlled by means of a butterfly valve in the throat of the head. The butterfly valve is mounted on a shaft one end of which is connected to a lever The butterfly valve is operated by a pneumatic ram 51 connected to the lever 50. The ram 51 is connected through pipe work (not shown) to a source of compressed air through a second conventional electrically actuated shut-off valve.

The bag opening head 49 comprises a nozzle 52 connected to a source of compressed air through pipe worK (not snown Yet anotner conventional electrically actuated shut-off valve in the pipe work controls the supply or air to the nozzle 52. The nozzle 52 is mounted in the lower end of an upwardly inclined open ended sleeve 53. The assembly functions as a venturi; i.e. when air emerges from the nozzle 52 it draws further air through the lower end of the sleeve. The shut-off valve is closed until, following the arrival of the leading edge of the tube T dt the proximity sensor 46, the heat sealing and cut-off mechanism 15 and the vacuum head have been actuated as described above. The air emerging from the upper end of the sleeve 53 is directed at the leading edge and lifts the upper layer of film at the mouth of what is now a bag in the tube T away from the lower layer. The mouth of the bag is thus automatically opened.

A bracket 72 carrying rollers 74 is mounted on the plate 70. The rollers run on a track 54 in the form of a stainless steel pipe located under the belts 17. By this means the assembly 16 can be readily moved to any I WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 position on the track corresponding to the iengtn cf bac require,. -he plate 70 is provided with a handle portion 55 whicn proiects tnrougn a slot in the frame 11 for this purpose. Also provided is a Dra.e "6 whicr bears on the track for locking the plate 70 in position. The Drake 1s Smounted on an L-shaped lever 78 which is pivoted to the nandie 55. A tension spring connected to the lever urges the brake into contact with the track. The brake is released by lifting the portion 78a of the lever which is located under the handle The proximity sensor 46 is of conventional light actuated type and is located between the vacuum head and the bag opening head. It could also be located inside the vacuum head. Through electronic circuitry which includes a timing device and a kick operated master control switch .Indicated schematically at 56 it is interconnected tc the various mechanisms described above. These mechanisms are electronically controlled and their sequence of operation will now be described.

The bag opening head 49 is first moved to a desired position on the track 54. It is assumed that a new rol. 13 of film is mounted on the spindle 21. When the apparatus is switched on the vacuum pump 48, drive rolls 24, 25 and belts 17 will not be started until the kick switch 56 is actuated. The roll 24 is raised and the tube T is initially drawn off the roll by hand and fed through the drive rolls 24, 25. The roll 24 is lowered and clamped in position. The operator stands at the end of the apparatus opposite the tube feed end and actuates the kick switch 56. This starts the drive rolls and the belts 17. The tune T is fed by 2 the rolls through the space 45 and along the celts When tne proximity sensor senses the arrival of the leading edge of the tube T the drive roller mechanism is stopped and the vacuum pump is switched on. The heat sealing and cut-oif mechanism is actuated to form a bag.

The butterfly valve controlling the vacuum head 47 is opened and the lower layer of film in the bag is sucked against the nozzle of the vacuum head 47. Momentarily thereafter the shut-off valve for the nozzle 52 of the bag opening head is opened, causing the mouth of the bag to be opened by the ensuing air blast. The ioint of meat for other article to be packaged) is placed in the bag. This is assisted by the downward slope of the belts. The bagged joint of meat is removed and the cycle is started again by actuating the kick switch.

The tube T may sometimes adhere to the clamping bar 40 above the nichrome wire. It must then De detached in order to ensure that the tube advances properly. For this purpose the drive rolls are momentarily reversed after the cut off operation. The tube is thus pulled cack a distance of perhaps 1 cm, ensuring that it is detacned from the clamping I LCI L 1~ WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 bar 40. s then advanced again until the leading edge reacnes rhe proximity sensor as already described.

may oe advantageous to provide a vacuum tanK ana means to operate tne vacuum pump automatically to maintain a constant vacuum in the ranK. The vacuum a: the head may then be controlled simply by operating the butterfly valve.

A modified arrangement for the drive rolls is snown in Figure 6. In this case the drive rolls 24', 25' are substantially similar those already described as is the mechanism for driving them. However, a pair of drums 1 80, 81 is mounted on the frame between the drive rolls and the plate 42.

Endless belts 82 are mounted between the roll 24' and the drum 80 and also between the roll 25' and the drum 81. The rolls and drums are oositioned so that there is a substantially flat gap 83 between the upper and lower sets of belts which gap is substantially coplanar with the upper face 43 of the plate 42. By this means the tube T is accurately guided over the face 43 and onto the moving surface S.

The modified apparatus 10' shown in Figures 7 and 8 includes a loading device 100 which is of assistance in loading a joint of meat (particularly a heavy joint such as a large cut of beef) into a bag. The loading device comprises a rack consisting of four mutually parallel polished stainless steel rods 102 cantilevered from a bar 103. The bar comprises a horizontal centre portion 104 and outer portions 105 which project angularly upwardly from each end of the centre portion. The inner two rods ioin the bar at the ends of the centre portion and the Souter rods ,oin tne oar a: the ends of the cuter portions. The outer rods are thus mounted at a higher level than the inner rods. A ioint of meat which slides along the rods thus tends to be cradled centrally on the rack.

The loading device further comprises a mounting bracket which is mounted on the end of the frame 11' of the apparatus 10'. The bracket inclueas a horizontally disposed arm 106. A vertically disposed spigot 107 depends from the bar 103 and is pivotab'- mounted in the outer end of the arm 106. The rack is thus capable i. swivelling about a vertical axis. In the position shown in the drawing the rack is disposed so that the rods project towards'the open mouth 'of a bag B which has been formed on the apparatus 10'. This facilitates the loading of a joint of meat from the rack into the bag. The rack can however te swivelled to a loading position (shown in dotted outline at 108) in which the rods are aligned with a conveyor Inot shown) which feed joints of meat to the machine.

4C The loading of joints of meat from the conveyor onto the rack is thus WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 -8facilitated.

Referring again to Figures 7 and 8, a pair of plates 120 is provided at the top of the frame with a longitudinally disposed slot 122 therebetween. The belts 17' are mounted above the plates. A pneumatic ram 90 is mounted on the frame 11' below the plates 120 with its axis parallel to slot 122. The ram is preferably of the so called "rodless cylinder" type having a carriage 91 which runs along the body 92 of the ram. A suitable ram is model MYC25G700 supplied by SMC Corp of Tokyo, Japan. A vacuum head 47' is mounted on the carriage. The vacuum head projects through the slot 122. It may be noted that the hag opening head 49' is mounted on the arm 107.

Actuation of the ram 90 adjusts the posit.on of the vacuum head.

However, the provision of the ram enables the apparatus 10' to be operated in a way which is very convenient for tne operator particularly wher.e the apparatus will be handling joints of meat of a limited range of sizes. The positioning of the ram (and therefore of the vacuum head) can be determined by microswitches. In this example two such microswitches 94, 95 are used but more could be provided. They are fixed to handles 96, 97 which are slidably mounted on a rail 98 under the ram.

The position of the microswitch 94 determines the length of a short bag and the position of the microswitch 95 determines the length of a long bag. The microswitches are actuated by a trigger 99 mounted on the carriage 92. A kick switch 56'is operated for making a short bag and a separate kick switch 56" is provided for making a long bag. Operation of the kickswitch 56' disenables the microswitch 95 and overation of the kickswitch 56" disenables the microswitch 94.

At the start of a cycle the carriage (as will become clear) is fplly advanced and the vacuum head is at the extreme end of its travel (to the right in Figure When, say, the kickswitch 56 is operated, the carriage retracts until the trigger 99 actuates the microswitch 94. This causes the drive rollers to feed the tube until its leading edge is 4 sensed by the sensor 46'. The vacuum head and the heat sealing and cutoff mechanisms are activated to form a short bag B. Momentarily thereafter the bag opening head 49' is activated and the carriage 91 is advanced. The bag B is thus carried towards the loading device 100 while it is being opened. The bag and the air issuing from the head 49' are moving in opposite directions, assisting the opening of the bag. The rods 102 are positioned so that, when the head 47' reaches the limit of its travel to the right, the ends of the rods project into the open end of the bag. The bag is drawn by hand over the cut of meat on the rack.

The rack is then swivelled so that the rack is located over a removal WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/01624 conveyor onto which the bagged cut of meat is discharged.

The cycle can be repeated from this point by again operating =ne kickswitch 56'. If, alternatively, the kickswitch 56" is operated, the machine will make a long bag. The bag lengths can be altered by the microswitches.

The vacuum head 47' incorporates a perforated grid (which can be seen in Figure 8) to increase the effective area of the nozzle against which the lower layer of the tube is sucked. The proximity sensor 46' is incorporated in the vacuum head.

Either apparatus 10, 10' may be provided with various additional features to increase its utility. For example it is likely that at least one device will be required tc reduce or eliminate static electricity which occurs in the tube T. Such devices are known and do not need to be described in detail. One such device is shown schematically at 110.

Either apparatus 10, 10' can be designed so that it can be used to make open-ended tubular packages; to make unopened bags or packages; and to produce bags or packages uninterruptedly. These respective functions can be achieved by incorporating in the control circuitry switches -r the like which disenable the heat sealing ribbon 44; the bag opening ad 47, 47'; and which by-pass the kickswitches 56, 56', 56".

There may be sufficient demand for an apparatus which produces unpened bags or open ended packages to justify (for price reasons) omiss-jn of the tube opening mechanism or the heat sealing mechanism.

A printing device, may be mounted at a suitable location such as between the spindle assembly 12 and the drive roller assembly 14. Suitaole printing devices are known per se, one such being sold under 'he name DATO/PACK marketed by Image Jet Printing Pte Ltd of Singapore. Another feature which may be provided is a counting device to count the number of bags produced by the apparatus and/or the length of tubular film used from each roll. Counting devices of this kind are also known per se.

The belts shown in the apparatus 10 are flat. The belts 17' shown in the apparatus 10' are of round cross section.

The apparatus is suitable for packaging meat in shrink-type packaging.

The apparatus can be used to form a package which is open at both ends.

In this case the heat sealing mechanism can be inactivated or dispensed with.

WO 93/02924 PCT/EP92/0 1624 s not intended that. the scope of a paten: grant in pursuance :he aooDI.cation of which this specification forms a oar: snould exclude modifications and/or improvements to the embodiments described and/or ilustrated which are within the scope of the inventicn as defined 1r.

claims or be limited by details of such embodiments further thian is necessary to- distinguish the invention from the prior art,.

Claims (8)

1. 3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the detecting means comprises a light actuated proximity sensor,
2. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, for the production of packaging elements from a stock of flexible laminar packaging material the form of a tube, the apparatus comprising cut-off means for separating said leading portions from the stock, Mf77JAU2.896/CW Iv Me cony ardy j, i -12- and sealing means located adjacent the cut-off means for sealing an end of said leading portion formed by the cut-off means. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the cut-off means is located between the sealing means and the predetermined location, 6, Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the sealing means is located between the cut-off means and the predetermined location.
3. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the apparatus comprises a tube opening station and means for opening the packaging elements at the tube opening station.
4. 8. 20 Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the opening means comprises a suction device arranged to apply suction to a first layer of the tube material of a said leading portion and means to separate a second layer thereof from the first layer.
5. 9. 25 Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the means to separate the second layer comprises a blower arranged to blow air at the second layer. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which means is provided for 30 adjusting the distance between the tube opening station and the cut-off means. I1. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the detecting means, the blower and the suction device are mounted on a common carrier which is movably mounted on the apparatus so that the distance between the carrier and the cut-off means can be adjusted. *C* r Sr p a. C fi 4I C S(P7LAU2.896CW/'vvfi copy only
6. 13- 12. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the detecting means and the suction device are mounted on a common carrier which is movably mounted on the apparatus and the blower is mounted separately from the carrier so that the distance between the carrier and the cut-off means and between the carrier and the blower can be adjusted. 13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 12, in which the predetermined location is located at a distance from the cut-off means and means is provided for moving said leading portions to the predetermined location after they have been separated from the stock by the cut-off means.
7. 14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which at least one endless belt is provided which provides a moving surface on which the said leading portions are supported. 20 Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the length determining means includes at least one preselector means which upon actuation causes the feed B means to feed a said leading portion of preselected length from the stock. 4 16. Apparatus for the production of packaging elements, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1-6 or Figures 7-8 of the accompanying drawings.
8. 17. A method of packaging articles of variable length comprising the steps of: providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16; operating the apparatus in a mode of operation in which the timing of the production of each packaging element and the length thereof is controlled by the operator; and packaging the articles in the packaging elments as the packaging elements are produced. 3 p 4n3 60971AU2.896/CWIv Me copy cnly r I i