Packaging apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a machine for packaging a product. The machine has a feed end for receiving products to be packaged, a delivery end from which packaged products are discharged, and a plurality of packaging lanes. Each packaging lane is adopted for packaging a row of products so that the machine can simultaneously package a plurality of rows of products.

1 . A machine for packaging a product, the machine comprising: 
 a feed end for receiving products to be packaged;    a delivery end from which packaged products are discharged; and    a plurality of packaging lanes, each packaging lane being for packaging a row of products such that the machine can simultaneously package a plurality of rows of products.    
   
   
       2 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein each packaging lane includes: 
 packaging input means to provide a row of packets for said row of products, each packet being suitable for packaging a respective product from said row of products;    loading means for loading each product into its corresponding packet to form a packaged product; and    conveying means for transporting the products and packets through the machine.    
   
   
       3 . A machine according to  claim 2  having two or more packaging lanes on vertically spaced levels, wherein the packaging input means of the packaging lane or lanes on one level is horizontally displaced from the packaging input means on an adjacent level.  
   
   
       4 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein a single motor runs the conveying means on more than one of the packaging lanes.  
   
   
       5 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the conveying means includes a conveyor belt with flights for holding the packets-located on the side walls of said conveyor belt, one of said side walls being laterally movable to allow the conveyor belt to be adjusted to hold different sized packets.  
   
   
       6 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the conveying means includes a conveyor belt with an overhead rail for holding the packets down on the conveyor belt, said overhead rail being movable to allow access to the conveyor belt.  
   
   
       7 . A machine according to  claim 2  having two horizontally adjacent packaging lanes, wherein the loading means of said two horizontally adjacent packaging lanes load the products into their respective packets sideways in opposite directions.  
   
   
       8 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein a single packaging input unit is the packaging input means for two or more horizontally adjacent lanes.  
   
   
       9 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the conveying means moves the products at a linear speed of less than 6.3 ms −1 .  
   
   
       10 . A machine according to  claim 1  having two or more horizontally adjacent packaging lanes.  
   
   
       11 . A machine according to  claim 1  having two or more packaging lanes vertically spaced from one another.  
   
   
       12 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging lanes are parallel to one another.  
   
   
       13 . A machine according to  claim 1  having four packaging lanes arranged in a 2×2 matrix configuration.  
   
   
       14 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein two or more of the packaging lanes are synchronised.  
   
   
       15 . A machine according to  claim 1 , the machinery being housed within a single frame.  
   
   
       16 . A machine according to  claim 1  having mirror symmetry about a central vertical plane.  
   
   
       17 . A packaging input unit for providing a plurality of rows of packets for use in two or more horizontally adjacent packaging lanes, the unit comprising: 
 a plurality of adjacent hold/release mechanisms, each hold/release mechanism being for selectively holding and releasing a packet;    drive means for simultaneously moving the hold/release mechanisms from a first position to a second position, such that the mechanism can take hold of a packet at the first position and release it at the second position.    
   
   
       18 . A unit according to  claim 17 , wherein the hold/release mechanisms are independently operable.  
   
   
       19 . A unit according to  claim 18 , wherein a hold/release mechanism comprises a set of vacuum suction cups.  
   
   
       20 . A machine for packaging a product, the machine comprising: 
 a feed end for receiving products to be packaged;    a delivery end from which packaged products are discharged; and    a plurality of packaging lanes, each packaging lane being for packaging a row of products such that the machine can simultaneously package a plurality of rows of products;    each packaging lane comprising:    packaging input means to provide a row of packets for said row of products, each packet being suitable for packaging a respective product from said row of products;    loading means for loading each product into its corresponding packet to form a packaged product; and    conveying means for transporting the products and packets through the machine; and    said plurality of packaging lanes comprising at least four packaging lanes arranged in a 2×2 matrix configuration.