Vacant package-proofing control device for packaging machine

Abstract

A vacant package-proofing control device for use in conenction with a packaging machine includes a first motor for driving a conveyor for feeding articles to be packaged, with a predetermined spaced defined therebetween, and a second motor for driving a series of rolls which deliver packaging material, formed into a tube, into which the articles are to be inserted for packaging. A third motor is also provided for driving a pair of end-sealing mechanisms. An absence detecting sensor is disposed at a predetermined position upstream of the end-sealing mechanisms for detecting the absence of any packaging article from its predetermined position upon its conveyor. A reference timing pulse generator is also provided for generating predetermined reference timing pulses in connection with the timing of the feeding of the packaging articles. When an absence detection signal from the absence detecting sensor coincides with a timing signal from the reference timing pulse generator, the motor drives for the packaging material and the end sealing mechanisms are gradually decelerated and stopped so as to prevent the formation of an empty package, and after a predetermined duration of time corresponding to the number of absent packages detected, the motor drives are gradually accelerated so as to sychronize the same with the drive motor for the article conveyor.