Packaging apparatus

Apparatus for packaging units in flexible sheet material wherein the units are spaced longitudinally in a tube of said material and the apparatus has means for sealing the tube between the units, said sealing means comprising:

• a wheel rotatable on an axis and having two sides;
• a series of sealing units carried by the wheel;
• each sealing unit having means for coupling it to the wheel at both sides thereof for travel therewith and adapted for uncoupling of the sealing unit from the wheel to allow the wheel to rotate while the sealing unit remains stationary;
• means for arresting a first sealing unit at a hold position and for actuating its coupling means to uncouple said sealing unit from the wheel;
• successive sealing units trailing said first sealing unit being arrested by interengagement behind said arrested unit, and the coupling means thereof being actuated to uncouple said sealing units from the wheel by said interengagement;
• said arresting means comprising a pair of stops, one at each side of the wheel, movable between an operative position wherein they are engageable by said coupling means of said first sealing unit to arrest said first sealing unit and to uncouple it from both sides of the wheel and a retracted position for release of said sealing unit to travel with the wheel and to couple it to the wheel;
• a single actuator for the two stops;
• and
• a linkage interconnecting said actuator and said two stops for simultaneously releasing said first sealing unit from both sides of the wheel and simultaneously coupling it to both sides of the wheel for travel of the sealing unit with the wheel upon operation of said actuator.