Sleeving machine hopper

Abstract

A packaging machine hopper is provided for holding a stack of packaging articles with each article in a generally horizontal orientation. The hopper comprises a support for holding at least part of the stack at an angle to vertical.

1 . A packaging machine hopper for holding a stack of packaging articles, the hopper comprising a support for holding at least part of the stack at an angle to vertical. 
     
     
         2 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which each article is held in a generally horizontal orientation in use. 
     
     
         3 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the hopper support holds at least part of the stack at an angle in the range 40 degrees to 50 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the hopper support holds at least part of the stack at approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the hopper support includes an inclined section and generally vertical terminal section. 
     
     
         6 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the vertical terminal section is provided by spacer elements. 
     
     
         7 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the vertical terminal section is provided by a cranked support section. 
     
     
         8 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support comprises a plurality of hopper rods defining a channel for receiving sleeves. 
     
     
         9 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the rods are generally straight. 
     
     
         10 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the hopper rods include an inclined portion and terminal cranked portion. 
     
     
         11 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the hopper comprises a removable support plate and the support is carried on or by the plate. 
     
     
         12 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support includes a guide bar. 
     
     
         13 . A hopper as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a low level alert. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging machine having a hopper as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A machine as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the hopper is filled with a plurality of cartons or sleeves. 
     
     
         16 . A machine as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the cartons or sleeves are oriented so as to be generally horizontal and generally flat in the hopper. 
     
     
         17 . A sleeving machine hopper arrangement, the arrangement being formed as a change part which is securable and removable from a sleeving machine, the arrangement comprising a support plate, a plurality of hopper rods are carried on or by said support plate, each of said hopper rods including a major rod portion which is inclined with respect to said plate, each of said rods further comprising a terminal crank portion, said terminal crank portions extending generally orthogonally to said plate. 
     
     
         18 . A hopper arrangement as claimed in  claim 17 , in which the support plate includes a main plate portion which is securable to a sleeving machine, and a minor plate portion, said minor plate portion being sunken with respect to the major plate portion, said hopper rods being carried on or by said minor plate portion. 
     
     
         19 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising one or more guide bars, said bar being secured to a hopper rod and extending generally parallel to the major rod portion. 
     
     
         20 . A hopper rod having a major rod portion and a terminal crank portion, said major rod portion being an elongate rod, said crank portion extending from one end of said major rod portion, said crank portion being angled with respect to said major rod portion.