Packaging machine

A packaging machine comprising:

• a packaging machine main body;
• a film transport unit coupled to the packaging machine main body, and configured and arranged to transport a film as a packaging material from a rear of the packaging machine main body towards a front of the packaging machine main body;
• a former disposed in the front of the packaging machine main body, and configured and arranged to form the film transported by the film transport unit into a cylindrical shape and to direct the film downwards;
• and
• a former insertion guide assembly configured and arranged to guide the former to a predetermined former mounting position in the front of the packaging machine main body from a predetermined former replacement position at a lateral side of the front of the packaging machine main body,
• the former insertion guide assembly including a main body, a first support unit and a second support unit, the main body directly supporting the former, the first support unit being attached to the front of the packaging machine main body and rotatably supporting a first leg part of the main body, the first support unit supporting the first leg part during rotational movement of the former between the predetermined former replacement position and the predetermined former mounting position, the second support unit being attached to the front of the packaging machine main body and including a guide rail having a horizontal surface that extends arcuately defining a helically shaped pathway, with a second leg part of the main body being slidably supported on the horizontal surface of the guide rail during rotational movement relative to the former such that a portion of the second leg part is moved on the horizontal surface along the helically shaped pathway between the predetermined former mounting position and the predetermined former replacement position.