Apparatus and method

Abstract

A form-fill-seal packaging machine includes a tank ( 20 ) for storing fluid product to be dosed, nozzles ( 26 ) for receiving the product from the tank ( 20 ) and for dosing it, and a conveyor ( 22 ) for moving along a conveying path ( 30 ) that includes a position under each nozzle ( 26 ). An adjustable tubular connection ( 43 ) is located in the fluid flow path between the tank ( 20 ) and each nozzle ( 26 ) and conveys product from the tank ( 20 ) to the nozzle ( 26 ). The connection ( 43 ) has an inlet end portion with a vertical axis and has an outlet end portion with a vertical axis parallel to the axis of the inlet end portion that is movable such that the axis of the outlet end portion of the connection ( 43 ) remains parallel with the axis of the inlet end portion throughout its range of movement.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus comprising an operational device, a support, a two-bar linkage one end of which is turnably mounted on said support and the other end of which is connected to said device, and a conveyor for advancing along a conveying path, said device being substantially infinitely adjustable along said path relative to said support by turning of the bars of said linkage relative to each other and to said support about substantially vertical axes. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein one of the bars is selectively lockable in position relative to said support, the bars are selectively lockable in position relative to one another, and the other of the bars is selectively lockable in position relative to the operational device. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , and further comprising an input device at said support for flowable material, the bars of said linkage comprising first and second conduits for said flowable material, and said operational device being an output device for said flowable material. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 17  and in the form of a dosing machine. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein an annular, compressible seal is disposed between said input device and the first conduit and bounds the throughflow cross-section from said input device to said first conduit, another annular, compressible seal is disposed between said first and second conduits and bounds the throughflow cross-section from said first conduit to said second conduit, and a further annular, compressible seal is disposed between the second conduit and said output device and bounds the throughflow cross-section from said second conduit to said output device. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said input device comprises a tank for storing said flowable material in the form of fluid product to be dosed, and said output device comprises a nozzle for receiving said product from the tank and for delivering doses thereof. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said machine is constituted by a form-fill-seal packaging machine, said machine further comprising a pump for pumping said product out of the tank, said nozzle serving to dispense said product into containers advanced by said conveyor, said pump being substantially infinitely adjustable together with said nozzle, and said linkage being located between the tank and the pump. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein each of said first and second conduits comprises a tubing element having parallel, oblique, end portions. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said conveyor is a linear conveyor and the operational device is movable linearly along said conveyor with respect to said support. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the two bars are identical to each other. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein one of the end portions of each of the bars is externally threaded and has associated therewith an internally threaded clamping nut. 
     
     
         26 . A method comprising the steps of providing an operational device at a location along a conveying path, providing a two-bar linkage one end of which is turnably mounted on a support and the other end of which is connected to said device, and adjusting the position of said device along said path with turning of the bars of said linkage relative to each other and to said support. 
     
     
         27 . A method as set forth in  claim 26 , and, both prior to and after said adjusting, passing flowable material through said bars from an input device at said support to an output device constituting said operational device. 
     
     
         28 . A method as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said flowable material is a food product.