The feed system incorporates two variable speed vibratory feeders with 170 litre capacity hoppers that feed free-flowing products onto two elevated conveyors. Each elevator discharges onto a horizontal belt of the same design, which conveys the product to each side of the two-product 20-head weigher.

A single belt variable speed feed unit is used for transferring leafy products onto a single elevated conveyor. This discharges directly onto a 14-head salad weigher.

The system has two stainless steel multiheadweighers:

• 14-head weigher fitted with 5.5 litre weigh bins and rotary top cone for the leafy and bulky salad style products.
• 20-head weigher two product model fitted with 2.5 litre weigh bins and split vibratory top cone to mix up to two separate products.

Additionally, the 20-head weigher can either operate as two 10-head weighers for mixing two products or as a 20-head weigher, selecting the weight combination from any of the 20 heads for faster production.

A two level stainless steel platform was installed to give access to the weighers and conveyors for cleaning and maintenance.

The index conveyor is driven by a Schneiderservo motor system which is controlled by aSchneider HMI. The servo system allows for electronic adjustment of tray lengths to enable the line to handle a range of trays. Easily adjustable side guides facilitate a rapid changeover between different tray widths.

The system fills two trays per index: the weigher timing hopper is mounted just above the index belt and has two chutes to feed the product into each of the trays. Three differently sized quick change masks are mounted in IGUS bearings above the conveyor and automatically raise and lower to guide the product into the trays and minimise any tray seal edge contamination.

The two trays index forward, the filling mask lowers into the trays and a signal is then sent to the weigher to deposit. One product deposit is in the timing hopper for immediate depositing and the second follows immediately thereafter. Once both deposits are dispensed, the mask raises and the belt indexes forward to repeat the cycle.