PACKAGING APPARATUS

摘要

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.