Patent ID: 8640847

Claim:
A packaging apparatus comprising: a shaping mechanism that at least partially forms a packaging material into a package; a chute coupled to the shaping mechanism and defining a passage space that directs items from an upper end of the chute to a lower end of the chute where the items are fed into the package at least partially formed mechanism, the items being supplied from an upper apparatus into the passage space, the chute having a first portion located between the upper end and the lower end with a slit formed therein, the first portion surrounding a first space where the items to be packaged readily become clogged, the first space defining part of the passage space; a moving member coupled to an exterior surface of the first portion for movement into the first space and out of the first space through the slit; a control unit operably connected to the moving member controlling movement of the moving member into the first space after the items targeted to be packaged have passed through the first space; and a rotation mechanism rotatably supporting the moving member, the rotation mechanism selectively rotating the moving member in a first direction such that the moving member enters the first space and withdraws from the first space in response to signals from the control unit, the moving member bein a plate-shaped member having a front surface, a rear surface and a first side surface dimensioned to block the slit with the moving member in a stopped position, the front surface and the rear surface having one side along the outer contour of the chute, the rotation mechanism rotating the moving member about the longitudinal direction center of the plate-shaped member, and the control unit is configured to selectively operate the rotation mechanism such that the moving member is moved into and out of the first space, and the control unit is configured to cease operation of the rotation mechanism such that the moving member is maintained in the stopped position.