Pouch handling machine with reciprocating beams conveyor

A pouch handling machine (1) comprising a frame (2), multiple pouch related process stations (10-18) arranged on the frame in series, and a reciprocating beams conveyor (20) that is adapted to advance pouches (5) intermittently in a horizontal path along said series of multiple stations, wherein the reciprocating beams conveyor comprises:

• a left-hand side and a right-hand side elongated reciprocating beam (21,22), each of said reciprocating beams being provided at intervals along the length thereof with pouch retention members (23,24),
• a left-hand side and a right-hand side support member (27,28), each of said support members supporting and forming a linear guide for said left-hand side and right-hand side reciprocating beam (21,22) respectively,
• a longitudinal reciprocating motion drive mechanism adapted to cause an intermittent reciprocating motion of the reciprocating beams in the longitudinal direction thereof,
• a transverse motion mechanism (40-45, 47, 48) adapted to cause a periodic transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members (23,24) towards and away from one another in order to clamp a pouch between opposed pouch retention members of the left-hand and right-hand reciprocating beams and to release a pouch, characterized in that:
• the longitudinal reciprocating motion drive mechanism comprises a left-hand side and a right-hand side electromagnetic linear actuator (50,51), each of said electromagnetic linear actuators being mounted between the respective reciprocating beams (21,22) and the respective support member (27,28),
• and in that said electromagnetic linear actuators (50,51) are linked to an electronic controller (60) that is adapted to synchronize the motions of the electromagnetic linear actuators.