Patent ID: 9598189
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: B65B

Claim:
1. A former assembly for a packaging machine, the assembly comprising: a frame configured to be fixed relative to the packaging machine so that the assembly delivers tubular bag material to the packaging machine; a former mounted on the frame, the former being configured to receive strip bag material and reconfigure the strip material into the tubular bag material into which product to be packed is delivered, the former comprising a former surface configured for the strip material to pass over the former surface to thereby be reconfigured, the former surface converging upwardly to a former opening; and a product delivery chute extending downwardly to adjacent the opening and configured for product to be delivered to the interior of the tubular bag material via the product delivery chute; wherein the former includes a tubular portion extending down from the former opening, with the tubular portion receiving the tubular bag material, and the frame comprises an elongated frame member having a central elongated base having opposite end portions, and an arm extending from each end portion with the former being supported by the arms, and a support member extending inwards from each arm to the tubular portion to support the former, wherein said elongated frame member is hollow to thereby provide for the delivery of a gas to the interior of the tubular bag material through the elongated frame member.