Abstract:
A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material. The packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged. The detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package. The failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected. The product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web, a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web, or a light-sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web. Also, a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to machines and methods for packaging objects using flexible or semi-flexible sheet materials, wherein an object is disposed between two portions of sheet material and the two portions are sealed together about the periphery of the object to form a package. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Flexible packaging has long been used to package products such as books, compact discs, cassette tapes, and a host of other types of objects to provide protection when shipping or mailing the objects, and in some cases to hermetically seal the objects from the outside environment. Web-handling machines have been developed to automate the process of packaging products in flexible packaging materials. Dual-web machines bring a pair of webs into generally parallel confronting relation with each other and feed a product, or a group of products, between the webs. At a downstream sealing station, the webs are sealed together around the product(s), thus forming a package containing the product(s). The package is severed from the remainder of the webs to complete the process. Single-web machines work similarly, except a single web is either supplied to the machine as a C-fold, or a flat web is manipulated and folded into a C-fold configuration, the objects to be packaged are inserted between the two opposing portions of the C-folded web, and one longitudinal seal and two cross seals are formed. 
     The web-handling machines typically are configured to operate continuously or manually. In a continuous mode, the machine&#39;s various motors and components are constantly running and driving the webs of material from their supply rolls through the nipping station and packaging any product placed between the webs. A continuous mode is often used when there is a continuous stream of products being placed between the webs to be packaged. Usually the continuous stream of products is delivered via an automatic conveying system, such as a conveyor belt. 
     A drawback of a continuous mode is the inevitable break in the continuous stream of products. For a variety of reasons, there will be unintended breaks in the stream of products being fed to the web-handling machine. When this happens while a machine is in continuous mode, the machine still advances the webs of material, but because of the missing product, portions of the webs of material are wasted. Also wasted are the energy and additional wear on the machine for running unnecessarily when no products are available for packaging. 
     In a manual mode, the various machine motors and components run only when an operator engages a selector switch, such as a cycle button. By hitting the cycle button, the machine is caused to operate through one cycle, wherein one product or set of products and portions of both webs are advanced through the sealing station to form a package. A manual mode is typically used when single products or relatively small batches of products are packaged and an operator physically places the products between the webs to be packaged. 
     Although a manual mode reduces possible wasted packaging material associated with a continuous mode, the manual mode also has its drawbacks. A primary drawback with a manual mode is the increase in the wear and tear in the machine&#39;s motors and components due to the multiple starts and short operating times that they must endure. Also, a manual mode does not eliminate wasted packaging material entirely. An operator may accidentally hit the cycle button and cause the machine to cycle without packaging a product, referred to herein as an empty cycle. Manual mode becomes more problematic if the products arrive in batches. In that case, an operator has to be present throughout the packaging of the entire batch in order to hit the cycle button between products. Even if the operator is able to select multiple cycles, this is not an entirely satisfactory solution because it increases the chances of running a cycle unnecessarily. 
     In light of the above considerations, a more versatile packaging machine and method are needed to prevent the machine from running unnecessarily and wasting packaging material and other resources. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages, by providing a packaging apparatus and method that automates the process of packaging products and prevents empty cycles in the apparatus. The packaging apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence and/or absence of a product to be packaged. Upon detection of a product, the packaging material and the product to be packaged are advanced through a sealing station to form a package around the product. Upon failure to detect a product, the advancement of the packaging material is halted so as to conserve the packaging material until a product is detected. 
     According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a packaging apparatus for packaging products using continuous first and second webs of flexible packaging material. The packaging apparatus includes a packaging station, a web drive system, a product-sensing detector, and a controller. The packaging station has a pair of rollers that form a nip. The first and second webs with a product disposed therebetween are advanced through the nip in a longitudinal direction such that the webs are adhered to each other and envelop the product. The web drive system advances the first and second webs to the packaging station. In particular, the first web is advanced along a generally horizontal path from a product placement location at which a product to be packaged is placed onto the first web, toward the packaging station. The product-sensing detector is positioned adjacent the first web at or downstream of the product placement location and upstream of the packaging station. The position of the detector provides the product-sensing detector with a direct line of sight to the first web when no product is present on the first web. However, the line of sight is blocked by a product when the product is present on the first web. The product-sensing detector operates 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 which indicates a product is blocking the detector&#39;s line of sight. The controller is connected with the web drive system and will cause the web drive system to advance the first and second webs toward the packaging station when the signal from the product-sensing detector is of the second type. 
     The product-sensing detector can include various types of devices. For example, according to one embodiment the product-sensing detector is a color sensor which can detect the color of the first web. In another embodiment, the product-sensing detector is a luminescence sensor which can detect the luminance of the first web. This embodiment may also include a luminescence additive that is affixed to the first web to provide the luminance of the first web. In yet another embodiment, the present invention may further comprise a light source that passes light partially through the first web. With the light source, the product-sensing detector may be a light-sensitive sensor that can detect the light passing through the first web. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a packaging apparatus for packaging products using continuous first and second webs of flexible packaging material. The packaging apparatus includes a packaging station, a web drive system, an infeed conveyor belt, a product-sensing detector, and a controller. The packaging station has a pair of rollers that form a nip. The first and second webs with a product disposed therebetween are advanced through the nip in a longitudinal direction such that the webs are adhered to each other and envelop the product. The web drive system advances the first and second webs to the packaging station. The infeed conveyor belt conveys the product to the packaging station from a product placement location at which a product to be packaged is placed. The product-sensing detector is positioned adjacent to the infeed conveyor belt at or downstream of the product placement location and upstream of the packaging station. The position of the product-sensing detector provides the detector with a direct line of sight to the infeed conveyor belt when no product is present on the infeed conveyor belt. However the line of sight is blocked by the product when the product is present on the infeed conveyor belt. The product-sensing detector can detect a characteristic of the infeed conveyor belt 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, which indicates a product is blocking the line of sight. The controller is connected with the web drive system and will cause the web drive system to advance the first and second webs toward the packaging station when the signal from the product-sensing detector is of the second type. 
     As stated, the product-sensing detector can include various types of devices. For example, according to one embodiment having an infeed conveyor belt, the product-sensing detector is a color sensor which can detect the color of the infeed conveyor belt. In another embodiment, the product-sensing detector is a luminescence sensor which can detect the luminance of the infeed belt. This embodiment may also include a luminescence additive that is affixed to the infeed conveyor belt to provide the luminance of the belt. 
     The present invention may also provide a method for packaging products using continuous first and second webs of flexible packaging material. The method includes advancing the webs toward a packaging station, receiving a product to be packaged onto the first web, and providing a product-sensing detector to determine the presence or absence of a product on the first web. The first web is advanced along a generally horizontal path toward the packaging station and the second web is advanced toward the packaging station such that the webs at the packaging station are in overlying relation and are sealed together with a product enclosed therebetween. The product is received on the first web at a product placement location upstream of the packaging station. The product-sensing detector is adjacent to 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 and the line of sight is blocked by the product when a product is present on the first web. The product-sensing detector can detect a characteristic of the first web distinct from the products being packaged and provide a signal of a first type when said characteristic is detected and of a second type when said characteristic is not detected, which indicates a product is blocking the line of sight. The first web is advanced toward the packaging station only when the signal from the product-sensing detector is of the second type. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the product is received onto an infeed conveyor belt at a product placement location upstream of the packaging station for conveying the product to the packaging station. The product-sensing detector is adjacent to the infeed conveyor belt 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 infeed conveyor belt when no product is present on the infeed conveyor belt and the line of sight is blocked by a product when the product is present on the infeed conveyor belt. The product-sensing detector can detect a characteristic of the infeed conveyor belt distinct from the products being packaged and provide a signal of a first type when said characteristic is detected and of a second type when the characteristic is not detected, which indicates a product is blocking the line of sight. The first and second webs are advanced toward the packaging station only when the signal from the product-sensing detector is of the second type. 
     The present invention has several advantages. The product detector conserves packaging material and energy by ensuring that the packaging apparatus runs only when a product is present for packaging. In circumstances where the products are delivered to the packaging apparatus in small numbers or sporadically, the apparatus does not engage the drive system or advance the webs of packaging material unless the cycle switch is activated and the product detector detects a product. The product detector avoids empty cycles, i.e. running an operating cycle without a product, and the wasted resources associated with empty cycles, by determining whether a product is present before starting the apparatus even after the cycle switch is activated. Also, in circumstances where the products are delivered in a higher volume or close to a continuous stream, the present invention allows for the continuous operation of the packaging apparatus without requiring an operator&#39;s supervision and protects against breaks in the delivering of products by shutting down the apparatus until the products continue again. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a package formed by the packaging apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing the interconnections of various components of the machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectioned side view of a portion of a packaging apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing operation of a product detector; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectioned side view of a portion of a packaging apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing operation of an alternate product detector; and 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic illustration of an alternate embodiment of the packaging apparatus where the infeed bed has a separate conveying system for advancing the product to the nip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     A packaging apparatus  20  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  20  is of the dual-web type for advancing a first or upper web  22  and a second or lower web  24  in generally parallel opposing relation with a product P disposed between the webs  22 ,  24  and sealing the webs  22 ,  24  together to capture the product P therebetween. The webs  22 ,  24  can comprise various materials such as, but not limited to, paper pr paperboard, polymeric films, metal foil, polymeric foam, or combinations thereof. The apparatus  20  includes a main frame having a base formed by a plurality of spaced vertical support columns  26 ,  28 ,  30 , on one side of a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and a corresponding plurality of spaced vertical support columns  26 ′,  28 ′,  30 ′ on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis. Upper and lower longitudinal members  32  are rigidly connected between support columns  26  and  28  and between support columns  28  and  30 , and similar longitudinal members  32 ′ are rigidly connected between columns  26 ′ and  28 ′ and between columns  28 ′ and  30 ′. A lower transverse member  34  is rigidly connected between the support columns  26  and  26 ′, a lower transverse member  36  is rigidly connected between the support columns  28  and  28 ′, and a lower transverse member  38  is rigidly connected between the support columns  30  and  30 ′. A generally planar infeed bed  40  is rigidly connected between the longitudinal members  32 ,  32 ′. A lower longitudinal member  42  is rigidly connected between the lower transverse members  36  and  38 . 
     The main frame also includes a superstructure that extends up from the base and above the infeed bed  40 . The superstructure is formed by upward extensions of the support columns  26 ,  26 ′,  30 , and  30 ′. An upper transverse member  44  is rigidly connected between the upper ends of the columns  26  and  26 ′. An upper longitudinal member  48  is rigidly connected between the upper ends of the columns  26  and  30 , and an upper longitudinal member  50  is rigidly connected between the upper ends of the columns  26 ′ and  30 ′. 
     Upstream columns  26  and  26 ′ support web mounts  52 ,  54  that respectively support supply rolls of the webs  22 ,  24  in a rotatable manner. The upper web  22  is drawn from its supply roll and advanced over a guide  56  supported between the longitudinal members  48 ,  50 , then over a guide  58  supported between the longitudinal members  48 ,  50  and spaced longitudinally downstream from the first guide  56 , and then downward for further handling as described in detail below. The lower web  24  is drawn from its supply roll and advanced under a lower guide  60  supported between columns  28 ,  28 ′, then over an upper guide  62  supported between columns  28 ,  28 ′, then onto the upper surface of the infeed bed  40 . The infeed bed  40  supports a pair of web edge guides  64 ,  66  that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine and are spaced apart by a distance about equal to the width of the lower web  24 . The edge guides  64 ,  66  capture the opposite edges of the web  24  between the infeed bed  40  and the guides  64 ,  66  and thereby hold the lower web  24  flat on the infeed bed  40  and substantially prevent transverse movement of the web  24 , while allowing the web  24  to freely move in the longitudinal direction. A product P to be packaged is placed upon the lower web  24  on the infeed bed  40 , as further described below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the apparatus  20  includes a pair of rollers  70 ,  72  that are rotatably mounted in the main frame at a downstream end thereof. The rollers  70 ,  72  form a sealing, nipping or packaging station at which the webs  22 ,  24  are sealed together to enclose the product P. Advantageously, one or both of the rollers  70 ,  72  comprises a resiliently deformable material at least over a medial portion of the roller&#39;s length, such that the passage of the product P through the nip deforms the roller(s)  70 ,  72  and the restoring force of the resiliently deformable material presses the webs  22 ,  24  toward each other so that the webs  22 ,  24  conform closely to the product P. The webs  22 ,  24  advantageously have cold seal or cohesive material on their facing surfaces such that the application of pressure by the rollers  70 ,  72  causes the webs  22 ,  24  to adhere to each other but not to the product P. The end portions of each of the rollers  70 ,  72  advantageously comprise a generally non-deformable material for firmly gripping the opposite edge portions of the webs  22 ,  24 , and the rollers  70 ,  72  advantageously are rotatably driven for advancing the webs  22 ,  24  through the apparatus  20 , thus comprising a web drive system. Alternatively, a separate web drive system can be employed if desired. Furthermore, other types of packaging stations can be used, such as non-resilient rollers that engage edge portions of the webs  22 ,  24  to seal them together, heat-sealing devices for heat-sealing the webs together and others. 
     At a downstream end of the infeed bed  40 , an upper web support plate  74  is mounted between a pair of spaced end plates  76 , forming a housing that rests atop the base of the main frame. This housing preferably is pivotable relative to the main frame about hinges on a corner of the housing, for access to internal parts of the machine when required for maintenance and the like. The upper web support plate  74  is spaced vertically above the level of the infeed bed  40 . The upper web  22  is advanced beneath a pair of longitudinally spaced web guides  78 ,  80  supported atop the end plates  76 , such that the upper web  22  passes along the upper surface of the support plate  74 . The support plate  74  provides support for the upper web  22  so that an adhesive label can be affixed to the web  22  either by hand or by a labeling unit. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the apparatus  20  includes an infeed gate  82  suitably mounted (such as below the upper web support plate  74 ) in a position upstream of the nip defined by the rollers  70 ,  72 . The infeed gate  82  is connected to an actuator  84 , such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like, operable to move the infeed gate  82  between a blocking position wherein the lower edge of the gate  82  abuts or nearly abuts the lower web  24  on the infeed bed  40  and an unblocking position wherein the lower edge of the gate  82  is spaced above the lower web  24  by a distance exceeding a maximum height of the products P to be packaged such that the products P can pass beneath the gate  82 . Thus, when a package is to be formed, the infeed gate  82  is lowered to the blocking position and the product P is placed on the lower web  24  with the leading edge of the product P abutting the gate  82 . This ensures that the leading edge of the product P is in a consistent, repeatable location with respect to the nip. The location at which the product P is placed onto the lower web  24  or the infeed bed  40 , as explained later, is referred to herein as the “product placement location.” 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , the apparatus  20  also includes a product-sensing detector  86  for detecting the presence of a product P on the lower web  24  at the infeed gate  82 . The product detector  86  is located at or downstream of the product placement location. For example, the product detector  86  may be mounted above the lower web just upstream of the infeed gate  82 . The detector  86  is positioned such that it has a direct line of sight to the lower web  24  as long as no product P is on the web  24 , but so that the line of sight is blocked by any product P present on the web  24 . The product detector  86  can comprise various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a sensor trained or calibrated to detect a specific color or illuminance. Examples of available sensors that may be used are the Keyence CZ-40 Digital Fiber-optic Sensor with a CZ-KLP amplifier, or the EMX UVX 300, the former being a color sensor and the later a luminescence sensor. 
     With a color sensor, the sensor is aimed at the lower web  24  proximate to the upstream side of the infeed gate  82 . The sensor is trained to detect the color of the lower web  24 . In operation, if the sensor detects the color that the sensor is trained for, i.e., the color of the lower web  24 , and then the system controller  88  connected to the sensor determines that no product P is present. Conversely, if the sensor does not detect the trained color, presumably because a product P is blocking the sensor&#39;s line of sight to the web  24 , then the system controller  88  determines that a product P is present. 
     Similarly, with a luminescence sensor, the sensor is aimed at the lower web  24  preferably proximate to the upstream side of the infeed gate  82 . The sensor is trained to detect the luminance of the lower web  24  including the effect the cohesive has on the luminance. In operation, if the sensor detects the luminance that the sensor is trained for then the system controller  88  determines that no product P is present. Conversely, if the sensor does not detect the trained luminance, presumably because a product P is in the way, then the system controller  88  determines that a product P is present. In order to enhance the detection ability a sensing agent, such as a luminescence or fluorescent additive, may be added to the cohesive that is applied to the webs  22 ,  24  of material. One example of such an agent is “Leucophor BSB Liquid 130.” This additive chemical comes under the general family of anionic stilbene derivatives. The sensor agent provides the web  24  with a more distinct luminance to which the sensor can be trained. One skilled in the art would appreciate that various other additives may be employed with this invention or various other methods can be used to provide the additive on the webs  22 ,  24 , including, but not limited to, mixing the additive with the cohesive or applying or affixing the additive directly to the webs  22 ,  24  of material. 
     In other features of the present invention, the sensing agent may be incorporated into the edge area of the webs  22 ,  24  so that the sensor can detect the edge of each web  22 ,  24 . The sensing agent may also be applied in a unique pattern-like fashion to at least one of the webs  22 ,  24  allowing the sensor to determine the tension of the web or webs  22 ,  24 , the amount of packaging material left on the supply rolls, the type of web  22 ,  24 , or some other aspects. In some embodiments, the determination of one or more of these aspects is used by the system controller  88  to adjust or maintain one or more of the machines settings, including but not limited to the motors or actuators of the web drive system as discussed further below. 
     In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the product-sensing detector  86  may be a light-sensitive sensor. More specifically, a light source  87  positioned on an opposite side of the lower web  24  from the detector  86  may be used to radiate light through the lower web  24 . The light-sensitive detector can monitor the light that passes through the lower web  24 . In operation, a product P on the lower web  24  would interfere with the light passing through the lower web  24 . The light-sensitive detector can detect the difference in received light caused by the product P blocking the light path. This difference in received light can be used to infer that a product P is either present or absent on the lower web  24 . 
     As noted, the apparatus  20  may also include a system controller  88 . The controller  88  can be programmed to control the various motors and actuators of the apparatus  20  that effect movement of the moving parts. In particular, the controller  88  is connected to a motor  90  that drives the nip rollers  70 ,  72 , to a cutoff device  92 , to a motor  93  that drives an out-feed conveyor  94 , and to an actuator  84  for the infeed gate  82 . The controller  88  is also connected to the product detector  86  and receives a signal therefrom. 
     A manual mode of operation of the apparatus  20  is now explained with primary reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Rolls of upper and lower webs  22 ,  24  are mounted in the web mounts  52 ,  54 , respectively. The upper web  22  is threaded through the machine by advancing the web  22  over the guides  56 ,  58  and then downward and under the guides  78 ,  80 , and then through the nip between rollers  70 ,  72 . The lower web  24  is threaded by advancing the web  24  under guide  60 , over guide  62 , through the web edge guides  64 ,  66  and through the nip. To begin a packaging sequence, a product P is placed on the lower web  24  against the infeed gate  82 , which is normally down in its blocking position unless the controller  88  commands its actuator  96  to raise the gate  82 . Next, a cycle switch is activated. For example, a cycle start button  98  is pressed, which causes a series of operations as follows: based on the signal from the product detector  86 , the system controller  88  determines whether a product P is present, and if no product P is present then no further operations occur until the next time the cycle start button  98  is pressed. If a product P is present, then the controller  88  causes the infeed gate  82  to be lifted up to allow the passage of the product P, and causes the web drive system motor  162  to drive the rollers  70 ,  72  to advance the webs  22 ,  24  and the product P through the nip to produce a package  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), which is cut off by the cutoff device  92  and conveyed by the out-feed conveyor  94  to the machine discharge. The process generally as described above is repeated for each subsequent package. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a packaging apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein the packaging apparatus  20  is suitable for packaging a continuous stream of products P in an automated fashion. The structure of the packaging apparatus  20  according to this embodiment is similar to the ones described above, with some exceptions. The lower web  24  is still drawn from its supply roll and is guided by a series of guides. However, the lower web  24  is not supported by the upper surface of the infeed bed  40 . Instead, the lower web  24  travels under and around the infeed bed  40 . The infeed bed  40  includes a separate conveying system. For example and as illustrated, the infeed bed  40  may include an endless belt or conveyor  102  driven by a suitable drive device  103 . A plurality of pushers  104  are attached to the conveyor  102  at regularly spaced intervals. The pushers  58  project up from the conveyor  102  so the pushers  104  can facilitate the advancement of the products P toward the nip and the products P are fed one at a time into the nip. The movement of the infeed bed conveyor  102  can be continuous or intermittent and can be synchronized with the operation of the other elements of the apparatus  20  as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Products P are delivered and placed one at a time onto the infeed bed conveyor  102  at a product placement location by one or more additional conveying systems, not visible in the drawings. The product-sensing detector  86  in this embodiment is preferably mounted above and aimed at a portion of the infeed conveyor  102  proximate to an upstream end of the conveyor  102 . The product detector  86  is trained or calibrated to detect the color or luminance of the belt  102 . If the product detector  86  detects a color or luminance other than that of the infeed bed conveyor belt  102  then the system controller  88  infers that a product P is on the infeed bed conveyor belt  102 . If the product detector  86  fails to detect any product P after a specified period of time, the controller  88  causes the motor  90  to shut down and stop the advancement of the webs  22 ,  24 . Once the product detector  86  detects a product P again, the controller  88  causes the motor to start up and thus begin to advance the webs  22 ,  24  again. 
     The present invention has several advantages. The product detector  86  conserves packaging material and energy by ensuring the running of the packaging apparatus  20  only when a product P is present for packaging. In circumstances where the products P are delivered to the packaging apparatus  20  in small numbers or sporadically, the apparatus  20  won&#39;t engage the drive system or advance the webs  22 ,  24  of packaging material unless the cycle switch is activated and the product detector  86  detects a product P. The product detector  86  avoids empty cycles, i.e. running an operating cycle without a product P, and the wasted resources associated with empty cycles, by determining whether a product P is present before starting the apparatus  20  even after the cycle switch is activated. Also, in circumstances where the products P are delivered in a higher volume or in a continuous stream, the present invention allows for the continuous operation of the packaging apparatus  20  without requiring an operator&#39;s supervision and protects against breaks in the delivering of products P by shutting down the apparatus  20  until delivery of the products P continues again. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.