Transitional product flow and adaptive control

A method for feeding sequential product charges in cycles within a defined time target for packaging comprising the steps of:

• providing a substantially free flowing charge of product to be packaged;
• introducing and feeding the product charge along a defined flow path;
• sensing the presence of the charge at a first time point representing a selected location along said path;
• comparing the sensed charge presence to the defined time target;
• adjusting at least one operating step of the feeding method in accordance with any deviation found during the comparing step to cause charges to approach the time target;
• and
• the adjusting step including enhancing the product charge flow by engaging the trailing portion to loosen any bridging of the charge, accelerate the charge and reduce the lag,
• whereby through adaptive control the speed and efficiency of the product flow and the feeding method can be maximized.

A method for feeding sequential product charges in cycles within a defined time target for packaging comprising the steps of:

• providing a substantially free flowing charge of product to be packaged;
• introducing and feeding the product charge along a defined flow path;
• sensing the presence of the charge at a first time point representing a selected location along said path;
• comparing the sensed charge presence to the defined time target;
• adjusting at least one operating step of the feeding method including engaging the trailing portion of the product charge flow with a poker to enhance the product charge flow in accordance with any deviation found during the comparing step to cause the charges to approach the time target,
• whereby through adaptive control the speed and efficiency of the transitional product flow and the feeding method can be maximized.