Patent ID: 7603831
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for packaging products using continuous first and second webs of flexible packaging material, the apparatus comprising: a packaging station comprising a pair of rollers forming a nip through which the first and second webs with a product disposed therebetween are advanced in a longitudinal direction such that the webs are adhered to each other and envelop the product; a web drive system operable to advance the first and second webs to the packaging station, the first web being advanced along a generally horizontal path from a product placement location at which the product to be packaged is placed onto the first web, toward the packaging station; a product-sensing detector adjacent the first web at or downstream of the product placement location and upstream of the packaging station such that the product-sensing detector has a direct line of sight to the first web when no product is present on the first web, the line of sight being blocked by the product when present on the first web, the product-sensing detector being operable to detect a characteristic of the first web distinct from the products being packaged and to provide a signal of a first type when said characteristic is detected and of a second type when said characteristic is not detected, indicating blockage of the line of sight; and a controller connected with the web drive system and the product-sensing detector, the controller being operable to cause the web drive system to advance the first and second webs toward the packaging station only when the signal from the product-sensing detector is of the second type.