GB2061864A - Wrapping method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method of forming an end closure from portions of a wrapper projecting beyond an end of an article (20) to be wrapped comprising folding opposed side edge portions (10-1, 10-2) over the end of the article and folding, in sequence, opposed lower and upper edge portions (10-4, 10-3) over the article end, the upper edge portion (10-3) is folded upwardly while the side edge portions (10-1 10-2) are folded over the article end. End closures are formed simultaneously and in the same manner at opposed ends of the article. Apparatus for performing the method comprises an elevator (2) for lifting the article (20) and the wrapper (30) between supports (1) which fold the wrapper down over sides of the article. Thereafter members (3) advance to fold a portion of the wrapper under the article and a further portion of the wrapper is folded beneath the article upon the article being pushed off supports (1) by a pusher (6). Folders (such as 8, 11) fold in the side edge portions (10-1, 10-2) and fold up the upper edge portions (10-3). Further folders (14, 13) then fold the lower edge portions (10-4) over the article ends and return the upper edge portions to a horizontal position. The thus partially wrapped article is then transferred to an elevator (17) which raises it past folding members (16) to fold the upper edge portions (10-3) over the article ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for packing This invention relates to a method and apparatus for packing and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for packing by lapping and folding a packing sheet round a box product, for example. The packing apparatus may be installed and used in various packing factories and working sites and is particularly useful for department stores, supermarkets and souvenir shops in sight-seeing spots.

The prior art method of packing usually comprises a step of lapping a packing sheet round a box product and a step of folding opposite side edges of each rectangular end portion of the packing sheet projecting from each end of the product over each end of the product after or during the afore-mentioned lapping step and then folding the upper and lower edges over the ends of the product.

However, in the step of folding the packing sheet the upper edge of the afore-mentioned rectangular end portion of the packing sheet, having an ear-like form obtained by folding the opposite sides edges of the end portion, is folded down directly over the end of the product. Unless the folding pawls used for folding the side edges have a height substantially equal to the height of the product, the upper edge cannot be accurately formed into a predetermined ear-like form, so that in case of packing products having different heights it has been necessary to adjust the height level of the folding pawls according to the height of each product or replace the folding pawls with one having different heights.

In the light of the above drawbacks in the prior art, what is desired is a packing method and apparatus permitting formation of a predetermined ear-like upper edge form by folding opposite side edges to be obtained constantly and independently of the size of the product; that is, without the need for adjusting the height of folding pawls or for replacing parts, and thus improving the operation control characteristics.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for packing in which the upper edge of the open end portion of the packing sheet is folded upwardly during the folding step, that is, at the time of folding the opposite side edges, in a manner continual to the afore-mentioned folding operation.

More specifically, the invention provides a method of packing a product by lapping a packing sheet round the product, folding the opposite side edges of each rectangular end portion of the packing sheet projecting from each end of the product over the end of the product and then folding the upper and lower edges over the end of the product, in which the upper edges of each open end portion is upwardly folded while the opposite side edges of the end portion are being folded over the end of the product and the upper and lower edges are then folded over the end of the product.

The invention also provides apparatus for packing comprising a packing sheet lapping section for lapping a packing sheet round a product into a rectangular form with opposite open end portions extending from the opposite ends of the product, a product transfer path continuous to the packing sheet lapping section, a pusher provided on one side of the packing sheet lapping section and serving to transfer the product along the transfer path, folding means provided on the pusher side and/or the transfer path side of the packing sheet lapping section and serving to fold the opposite side edges of the afore-mentioned each open end portion of the packing sheet over the end of the product while also upwardly folding the upper edge of the open end portion, lower edge folding means for folding the lower edge of the open end portion over the end of the product and upper edge folding means for folding the upper edge, having been folded by the first-mentioned folding means, over the end of the product, said lower and upper edge folding means being provided on said transfer path ahead of said first folding means.

The open end portions of the packing sheet projecting from the opposite ends of the product are formed in the aforesaid packing sheet lapping section, and the folding means, lower edge folding means and upper edge folding means are provided for folding the open end portions.

The folding means function to fold the opposite side edges of each open end portion over the end of the product and also continually fold the horizontally projecting upper edge vertically upwards from either end or the opposite ends of the upper edge.

The folding means are provided on the pusher side and transfer path side of the packing sheet lapping section, and at least either one of the means need not have the function of upwardly folding the upper edges.

In other words, by providing folding means for folding the opposite side edges of each open end portion on one side and providing folding means for folding the opposite side edges on each open and portion on one side and providing folding means for folding the opposite side edges and also upwardly folding the upper edge on the other side, it is possible to upwardly fold the whole upper edge of the open end portion, of course, it is most effective to provide the folding means serving to fold the opposite side edges and upwardly fold the upper edge on the opposite side.

There is no limitation upon the order of operation of the both the folding means; both the folding means may be simultaneously operated, or either one may be operated before the other.

The folding means may be of a movable type for linear reciprocation in directions perpendicular to the open end portions of the packing sheet or a movable type for swinging across the open end portions or a stationary type, that is, held stationary to be engaged by the open end portions of the packing sheet, or a combination of the above various types may be adopted.

Since according to the invention the method of packing by lapping a packing sheet round a product, folding the opposite side edges of each rectangular end portion of the packing sheet projecting from each end of the product over the end of the product and then folding the upper and lower edges of the open end portion over the end of the product is carried out with the folding means for folding the opposite side edges of each open end portion of the packing sheet lapped round the product over the end of the product while upwardly folding the upper edge of the open end portion, as the opposite side edges of the open end portion of the packing sheet is folded over the end of the product the upper edge is folded vertically upwards.

With the upward folding of the upper edge of the open end portion that is caused concurrently with the folding of the opposite side edges, the upper edge is formed into a predetermined ear-like shape with its opposite ends folded back into a triangular form, and also the predetermined shape of the upper edge of the packing sheet can be obtained independently of the height of the product since the upper edge of the folding means can be continuously raised.

Thus, it is possible to provide a packing apparatus which requires neither adjustment of the height of folding pawls for folding the side edges of the open end portions according to the height of the product nor replacement of folding pawls and permits increase of the operation efficiency.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partly broken away side view of apparatus for packing a product; Figures 2 to 8 are fragmentary side view for illustrating the packing method; Figure 9 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 2; Figure 10 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 3; Figure 11 is a plan view of a part shown in Fig. 4; Figure 12 is a plan view of a part shown in Fig. 5; Figure 13 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 6; Figure 14 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 7; Figure 15 is an enlarged-scale sectional view taken along line X-X in Fig. 5; Figure 16 is a side view showing a modification of folding means; Figure 17 js a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 17;; Figures 18 and 19 are side views showing different operation states of a further modification of the folding means; Figure 20 is a plan view showing the part shown in Fig. 19; Figure 21 is a side view showing a modification of the construction of Fig. 18; Figures 22 and 23 are side views showing different operation states of a still further modification of the folding means; Figure 24 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 23; Figure 25 is a side view showing a modification of the construction of Fig. 22; Figure 26 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 25; Figures 27 and 28 are side views showing different operation states of still another modification of the folding means; Figure 29 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 29; Figure 30 is a side view showing a modification of the construction of Fig. 27; and Figure 31 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 31.

Fig. 1 shows a packing apparatus, which includes a packing sheet lapping section A disposed on the left side in the Figure and a transfer path (a) extending rightwards from supports 1 of the packing sheet lapping section A. Designated at 20 is a box product, in which a commodity is packed, and at 30 a packing sheet.

In the packing sheet section A, an elevator 2 is provided right beneath the supports 1, the spacing of which is adjustable according to the width of the product 20, and bottom folding members 3 are provided before the supports 1 and adapted to be reciprocated horizontally between the front and rear supports 1. Adjacent to the leading side support 1 support pawls 4, which are adapted to be held upright until a predetermined load is applied to them, are provided in a turneddown state (Figs. 1, 2 and 9).

Before the suppors 1 a movable frame 5 for horizontally moving the bottom folding members 3 back and forth along the transfer path (a) is provided. The movable frame 5 carries a pusher 6 adapted to be moved back and forth along the transfer path (a) over the supports 1, and a pusher 7 extending over the transfer path (a) is coupled through an arm 7' to the movable frame 5 for reciprocation in an interlocked relation thereto (Figs, 1, 4 and 11).

The arm 7' is vertically pivotable, and at the time of retreat of the movable frame 5 the arm 7' is raised so that the pusher 7 is retreated in a state raised above the product on the transfer path (a).

Folding members 8 are mounted in the movable frame 5 on the opposite sides of the pusher 8 such that their spacing can be adjusted according to the length of the product 20.

The folding members 8 are fixed in adjusted positions such that they can engage the opposite ends of the product 20 in the lengthwise direction thereof. Each folding member 8 has a lower edge portion 8' positioned to extend right above the supports 1, that is, at substantially the same level as the bottom of the product 20 resting on the supports 1, and projecting sidewise, and the rest of it extends upright. The folding member 8 has a height such that it suitably projects beyond the product 20.

Further, the folding member 8 products forwards beyond the pusher 6 by a suitable length in the direction of transfer.

The packing sheet 30 has a size corresponding to the size of the product 20 and is supplied to the space between the elevator 2 and supports 1. Before the elevator 2, a transfer path 9 for transferring one product 20 onto the elevator 2 is provided.

In the packing sheet lapping section A, the product 20 which has been transferred from the transfer path 9 onto the elevator 2 is raised by the elevator 2 through the space between the supports 1 while pushing up the packing sheet 30 to eventually push open the ends of the supports 1 and be rested thereon, and the elevator 2 is subsequently lowered (Flq4 2, 3, 9 and 10).

Thereafter, the bottom folding members 3 are advanced along the bottom of the product 20 to fold a trailing portion of the packing sheet 30 over the bottom of the product 20, while at the same time the movable frame 5 is advanced to let the folding members 8 fold the trailing side edges 10-1 of open end portions 10 of the packing sheet 30 projecting from the opposite ends of the product 20 over the ends of the product and upwardly fold the upper edges 10-3 of the open end portions 10 (Figs. 4 and 11).Slightly afterwards, the pusher 6 is caused to engage the product 20 and push it forth along the transfer pa~ttl(a), whereby a leading portion of the packing sheet 30 is folded over the bottom of the product 20 by the leading side support 1 which this time serves as a folding member, thus completing the lapping of the packing sheet 30 round the product 30.

In the instant embodiment, the folding of the training side edge 10-" upward folding of the upper edge 10-3 and folding of the leading side edge 10-2 to be described later are done during the process of lapping the packing sheet.

On the transfer path (a), folding members 11, return members 13, lower edge folding members 14, guide members 1 5 and upper edge folding members 1 6 are provided substantially along lines passing through the afore-mentioned folding members 8, and elevators 1 7 are provided below the space between the upper edge folding members 1 6 which are provided at the leading end of the transfer path (a).

The folding members 11 are stationary and disposed immediately behind the supports 1 and slightly on the outer side of the folding members 8, and each folding member 11 has a lower edge portion 11' extending at the same level as the lower edge portion 8' of each folding member 8.

Reference numeral 1 8 designates heaters provided beneath the folding members 11 and serving to bond together the overlapped portions of the packing sheet 30 over the bottom of the product.

Each folding member 11 is an upright member projecting from its lower edge portion 11' and having a trailing end portion rearwardly projecting from the lower edge portion 11', and its upper edge projects beyond the product 20 to a suitable extent.

The folding members 11 have upper portions slightly inclined to the outside, so that the other folding members 8 can proceed into the inner side of the members 11 (Figs. 1, 5 and 12).

The folding members 11 serve to fold the leading side edges 10-2 of the open end portions 10 of the packing sheet 30 over the ends of the product while also upwardly folding the upper edges 10-3 of the open end portions 1 0.

The return members 1 3 are provided on the inner side of the folding members 11, and the lower edge folding members 14 are provided on the outer side of leading end portions of the return members 1 3.

The return members 1 3 are plate members each having a substantially upright trailing end and gradually turning down to the outside as one goes toward the leading end which is horizontal, and the upper edges 10-3 that have been folded by the folding members 11 to extend upright are returned to the horizontal state by the return members 1 3 (Figs. 6, 7, 13 and 14).

The lower edge folding members 1 4 are vertical plates disposed to correspond to the trailing half of the return members 1 3 and each have a height corresponding to a height dimension from the lower end to a vertically intermediate position of each folding member 11 and a trailing end inclined upwards towards the leading end (Figs. 7, 14).

The lower edge folding members 14 serves to fold the lower edge 10-4 of the open end portions 10 over the ends of the product 20 after the opposite side edges 10-1 and 10-2 are folded.

The guide members 1 5 are horizontal plate members each provided adjacent to the leading end of each return member 1 3 and for wardly extending therefrom. More particularly, their trailing end portion of a suitable length extends along and is appropriately spaced apart from the underside of a leading end portion of the return members 13, so that the upper edges 10-3 of the open end portions 10, having been rendered horizontal by the return members 13, are guided in the horizontal state along the upper surfaces of the guide members 1 5 up to a position over the elevators 17 provided at the leading end of the transfer path (a) for transferring the product 20 (Figs. 1, 7, 14).

The upper edge folding members 1 6 are rod-like members extending above and parallel to the guide members 15, and as the product 20 is raised by the elevators 1 7 through the space between the upper edge folding members 1 6 the upper edges 10-3 having been held horizontal are folded over the ends of the product (Figs. 7, 14 and 8).

The return members 1 3, guide members 15, upper edge folding members 1 6 and elevators 1 7 constitute an upper edge folding mechanism for folding the upper edges 10-3 over the ends of the product.

The process of folding the open end portions 10 will now be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 14. With the product 20 on the supports 11 the folding members 8 effect folding of the trailing side edges 10-1 and also folding upwards trailing portions of the upper edges 10-3, and in this state the product is transferred along the transfer path (a) by the pusher 8 with the movement of the movable frame 5. The leading side edges 10-2 of the open end portions 10 being moved eventually engage the folding members 11 and folded thereby over the ends of the product, and the upper edges 10-3 are folded upwards in a continual manner (Figs. 5 and 12).

With the upward folding of the upper edge 10-3 in a manner continual to the folding of the leading side edge 10-2, the upper edge 10-3 is formed into a predetermined ear-like shape with its opposite side ends folded into a triangular form (Figs. 5 and 6).

The subsequent transfer of the product 20 is effected by the pusher 7 after completion of one stroke of the movable frame 5 (Figs. 6 and 13).

As the product is being transferred by the pusher 7, the upper edges 10-3 having been upwardly folded engage the return members 13 and returned into the horizontal state along the return members 13, while the lower edges 10-4 engage the lower edge folding members 14 and folded thereby against the ends of the product, and subsequently the upper edges 10-3 are transferred in the horizontal state along the guide members 1 5 onto the elevators 17 at the trailing end of the transfer path (a) (Figs. 7 and 14). During this transfer, glue is applied to the underside of the horizontal upper edges 10-3 by a glue application means (not shown).

Then, the elevators 1 7 are raised to raise the product 20 through the space between the upper end folding members 16, and as the upper edges 10-3 clear the members 1 6 they are folded thereby over the ends of the product, overlapped over the previously folded lower edges 10-4 and bonded thereto by the previously applied glue (Fig. 8).

Modifications of the folding means, which constitute an essential element of the invention, will now be given. For the sake of facilitating the description, similar parts to those in the preceding embodiment are desig- nated by like reference symbols and are not described any further.

In the modification of Figs. 1 6 and 17, folding means 100 provided on the transfer path side of the packing sheet lapping section A include movable folding members 101 and stationary folding members 102, and the folding members 101 are adapted to be moved toward the packing sheet lapping section A concurrently with the movement of the folding members 8 on the side of the pusher 6. The folding members 101 and 102 are plate members extending upright from their respective lower edge portions 101' and 102' having the same height level as the lower edge portions 8' of the folding members 8. The stationary folding members 102 are disposed stationarily and ganged together with the respective movable folding members 101 which are provided on the trailing side.

The movable folding members 101 are coupled to operating arms 104 slidable along guide members 103 and advanced toward and retreated away from the packing sheet lapping section A by the arms 104.

After the product 20 is raised by the elevator 2 in the packing sheet lapping section A while pushing up the packing sheet 30 and clears and is rested on the supports 1, the bottom folding members 3 are advanced along the bottom of the product 20 to fold the trailing portion of the packing sheet 30 over the bottom of the product 20. Thereafter, the folding members 8 and 101 are simultaneously moved toward the packing sheet lapping section A to fold the respective trailing side and leading side edges 1 -1 of the open end portions 10 of the packing sheet 30 over the ends of the product while also folding the upper edges 10-3 vertically upwards.

In the modification of Figs. 18 to 20, folding means 110 on the side of the pusher 6 include folding pawl pairs each consisting of folding pawls 111 and 11 2 for folding one side edge of each open end portion 10 and capable of height adjustment, while as the folding means on the other side the same folding members 11 as described earlier are provided.

The folding pawls 111 and 11 2 in each pair are slidably mounted for height adjust ment on a vertical support shaft 11 3 provided in the movable frame 5 and adapted to be fixed in appropriately adjusted vertical positions.

The folding pawls 111 and 11 2 are mounted at such positions that they can engage the respective ends of the product 20 in the length direction thereof, with the lower folding pawls 11 2 positioned to extend sidewise right above the supports 1, that is, at substantially the same level as the bottom of the product 20 resting on the supports 1, and the upper folding pawls 111 being capable of height adjustment to coincide with the height of the product 20 and adapted to be fixed in a position substantially at the same level as the top of the product 20.That is, the upper and lower folding pawls 111 and 11 2 in each pair are adapted to be fixed in positions such that they are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the height of the product 20, so that they can fold the trailing side edge 10-, of each open end portion 10 of the packing sheet 10 lapped round the product 20 over each end thereof.

The upward folding of the upper edges 10-3 of the packing sheet 30 is effected by the folding members 11 alone. In other words, after the trailing side edges 10-, of the open end portions 10 are folded over the ends of the product by the folding pawls 111 and 11 2 (Fig. 18), the product 20 is transferred by the pusher 8, and the leading side edges 1 -2 of the open end portions 10 eventually engage the folding members 11 and are folded thereby over the ends of the product, and the upper edges 10-3 are upwardly folded over the entire length in the direction of transfer in a continual manner (Figs. 1 9 and 20).

Fig. 21 shows a modification of the folding pawls in the preceding example. Each lower folding pawl 11 2' is secured to the lower end of a support member 114 depending from movable frame 5, and each upper folding pawl 111' is pivoted at its trailing end by a pin 11 5 to the support member 114. The position of the folding member 111' is pivotably adjusted over the lower folding member for height adjustment according to the product 20.

In the modification of Figs. 22 to 24, as each folding means 1 20 on the side of the pusher 6 a folding member 121 extending along the bottom of the product 20 and a swinging member 1 22 adapted to swing along the corresponding end of the product.

The folding pawl 121 is secured to a support member 1 23 depending from the movable frame 5, and the swinging member 1 22 is secured to a rotative shaft 1 24 rotatably mounted on the movable frame 5 for swinging over the folding pawl 121.

The folding pawls 121 and swinging members 1 22 are disposed such that they can engage the ends of the product 20 in the length direction thereof, and the folding pawls 1 21 are positioned to extend sidewise right above the supports 1, that is, at substantially the same level as the bottom of the product 20 resting on the supports 1.

The folding members 121 having a length projecting from the pusher 6 by a suitable length in the forward direction of transfer.

The folding means 1 20 function such that with the movement of the movable frame 5 toward the packing sheet lapping section A lower portions of the trailing side edges 10-, of the open end portions 10 of the packing sheet 30 projecting from the ends of the product 20 are folded over the ends of the product 20 by the folding pawls 121, followed by upward swinging of the swinging members 1 22 to complete the folding of the side edges 10-, over the ends of the product and also fold trailing end portions the upper edges 10-3 continuous to the side edges 10-, (Fig. 22).

Subsequently, the product 20 is transferred along the transfer path (a) by the pusher the leading side edges 1 0-2 and upper edges 10-3 are folded by the folding members 11 (Figs.

23 and 24).

In the modification of Figs. 25 and 26, folding means 120' including folding pawls 121' and swinging members 122' are provided on the side of the transfer path in addition to the afore-mentioned folding members 1 20 in the preceding example.

In the modification of Figs. 27 to 29 folding means 1 30 on the side of the pusher 6 include folding members 131 extending along the ends of the product folding members 1 32 hinged to the respective folding members 131 and adapted to swing toward the ends of the product.

Each folding members 131 has a lower edge portion 1 31' positioned to extend right above the supports 1. Also, it has an L-shaped form consisting of an upright portion 1 31' and the lower edge portion, and it has a length projecting from the pusher 6 by a suitable length in the forward direction of transfer.

The folding members 1 32 are rectangular plate members each hinged at the trailing edge by hinges 1 33 to the upright position 1 31" of each folding member 1 31.

Each folding member 1 32 is provided with an upwardly projecting integral support shaft 1 34. The shaft 1 34 carries a roller 1 35 rotatably mounted on it at the upper end and adapted to roll over the inner surface of an associated guide member 136, and the support shaft 1 34 is spring-biased by a spring 1 37 such that the roller 1 35 is always held in contact with the guide member 1 36.

The guide members 1 36 each have a guide surface 136' for holding each folding member 1 32 in an outwardly opened state via the associated roller 1 35 and support shaft 1 34, and the guide surface 136' terminates at the leading end in an inwardly inclined surface which in turn terminates in another guide surface 136" inwardly projecting relative to the guide surface 136', and as the roller 1 35 rolls over the guide member 1 36 from the guide surface 136' to the surface 1 36" the folding member 1 32 is pivotally moved up to a position corresponding to the end of the product.

The folding means 1 30 function such that with the pavement of the movable frame 5 toward the packing sheet lapping section A the trailing side edges 10-, of the open end portions 10 of the packing sheet 30 projecting from the opposite ends of the product 20 are folded over the ends of the product by the folding members 131 and also with the movement of the rollers 1 35 over the guide members 1 36 to the guide surfaces 1 36" the folding members 1 32 are pivotally moved toward the product to fold upper portions of the side edges 1 0-, while folding the upper edges 1 0-3 continuous thereto vertically upwards (Fig. 27).Then, with the subsequent transfer of the product 20 by the pusher 20 the leading side edges 10-2 and upper edges 10-3 are folded by the folding members 11 in the same way as mentioned earlier (Figs. 28 and 29).

In the modification of Figs. 30 and 31 folding means 140 including folding members 141 and 142 are provided in lieu of the afore-mentioned folding members 11. Each folding member 141 has a turned-over Lshaped form obtained by removing a trailing end upper portion of the folding member 11, and each folding member 142 is hinged by hinges 143 to each folding member 141 to occupy the turned-over L-shaped space on the side of the product 20.

Each folding member 142 has an integral, upwardly projecting rod member 1 38 engaging with a drive lever 139, which is adapted to pivotally move the folding member 142 toward the product 20 via the rod member 138.

Claims (12)

1. A method of packing a product by lapping a packing sheet round the product so as to form rectangular end portions of the packing sheet projecting from the opposite ends of the product, folding opposite side edges of the end portions over the ends of the product, and folding the upper and lower edges of the end portions over the ends of the product, in which the upper edges of the end portions are upwardly folded while the said opposite side edges of the end portions are being folded over the ends of the product, the upper and lower edges of the end portions being subsequently folded over the ends of the product.

2. Apparatus for packing a product, comprising a packing sheet lapping section for lapping a packing sheet round a product into a rectangular form with opposite open end portions of the packing sheet projecting from the opposite ends of the product, a product transfer path continuous to one side of the lapping section, a pusher positioned at the opposite side of the lapping section and arranged to push the product from the lapping section along the transfer path, folding means located on the push side and/or the transfer path side of the lapping section and arranged to fold the opposite side edges of the end portions of the packing sheet over the ends of the product while also upwardly folding the upper edges of the end portions, lower edge folding means for folding the lower edges of the end portions over the ends of the product, and upper edge folding means for folding the upwardly folded upper edges down over the ends of the product, the lower and upper edge folding means being provided adjacent the transfer path ahead of the opposite side edge folding means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the lapping section includes trailing and leading side supports so arranged that the distance between them can be adjusted according to the width of the product, an elevator provided beneath the said supports, bottom folding members provided before the said supports and adapted to be reciprocated in the horizontal direction between the supports to fold the packing sheet across the bottom of the product, and support pawls provided adjacent to the leading side support and arranged to move from a turned-down state to an upright state when a predetermined load is applied to them, a packing sheet of a size conforming to the size of the product being supplied between the supports and the elevator in use of the apparatus.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the opposite side edge folding means is provided only on the transfer path side of the lapping section, folding pawl pairs being provided on the pusher side of the lapping section and each including two folding pawls capable of height adjustment and serving to fold the trailing side edges of the trailing end portion over the end of the product.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which opposite side edge folding means include folding members provided on the pusher side and transfer path side of the lapping section.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the folding members on both sides are simultaneously movable toward the lapping section.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the folding means on the pusher side includes folding pawls extending along the lower edge of the ends of the product in use of the apparatus and swinging members disposed above the respective folding pawls and adapted to swing along the end of the product.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the folding means on the transfer path side of the lapping section includes folding pawls extending along the lower edge of the ends of the product in use of the apparatus and swinging members disposed above the respective folding pawls and adapted to swing along the end of the product.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the folding means on the pusher side include first folding members extending along the ends of the product in use of the apparatus and second folding members pivotable toward the respective ends of the product.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the folding means on the transfer path side includes first and second folding members similar to those on the transfer path side.

11. A method of packing a product, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Apparatus for packing a product, substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.