US2385675A - Tucking and folding mechanism for wrapping machines - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 25, 1945. c. ARELT.

TUCKING AND FOLDING ME CHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Fil ed Feb. 3/1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 C- ARELT Sept. 25, 1945.

TUCKING AND FOLDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1945 ATTORNEY Alli! ll .ll II I N DE C. ARELT Sept. 25, 1945.

TUCKING AND FOLDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES .3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QwN 1.1

R A Y 0% h E Tflr N mi m WM n I w/ CW Patented Sept. 25; 1945 TUCKIYNG AND FOLDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Charles Arelt, Richmond Hill, N. Y., assignor to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application February 3, 1943, Serial No. 474,528

' 25 Claims. (Cl. 93-2) This invention relates to wrapping machines suitable for wrapping any article, such as bread. and consists chiefly in improvements in the mechanism for folding the wrapper about such articles especially insofar as it concerns'the formation of the initial wrapper folds about each article.

The subject matter of this invention relates primarily to wrapping machines of the general type shown in Schmitt Patent No. 1,851,295, granted March 21, 1932, in which articles being wrapped are moved against a draped wrapper onto a lifter table, raised and transported through the machine, although the mechanism shown and described is readily adaptable for use in other types of wrapping machines.

In this type of machine the first end folds or tucks are usually made as the article, such as a loaf of bread, either is moved by means of an infeed conveyor against a draped wrapper onto a lifter table, or after it is positioned thereon. As the article travels onto the lifter table or after it is positioned thereon, a pair of end tucker members engage the ends of the wrapper projecting beyond the ends of the loaf of bread, fold the same in against the end of the loaf, and also .partially form the bottom end flap or the last fold to be made. It so happens that during the formation of this last-mentioned flap there is a tendency for the paper to bow or curl upward towards the ends of the loaf, which bow or curl may result in an imperfectly formed flap as the leaf is moved past the several folding elements of the machine.

According to my invention I have provided mechanism which takes into consideration the fact that articles such as loaves of bread may vary in size and therefore contribute somewhat to the formation of improper folds and the formation of bowed or curled flap portions as mentioned hereinabove. In order to overcome this difficulty I have provided mechanism which operates on each partially folded bottom end flap and exerts a positive flattening or creasing force thereon in order to prepare such wrapper parts for better folding and thereby prevent the formation of mal-formed and unsatisfactory folds so that the over-all appearance of the package is V much improved.

travel with a lifter table whereby certain of the folding means. such as the end tuckers whichform the first folds of each package being wrapped; move parallel with and inwardly towards the ends of the article being wrapped in order to prevent damage to the wrapping material, and generally improve the formation of the first end folds.

. My invention also includes an article lifter table having vertically movable members coacting with the horizontally movable end tuckers. for flattening and creasing portions of the wrap- 1 pers whichconstitute subsequent end flaps and sitioned to coact with the end folders and creasers thereby effect the formation of better flaps and more perfectly sealed packages.

It is also an object of my invention to provide improved end folding and creasing mechanism mounted on a lifter table and operable to form first end folds and crease other'portions of a wrapper extending beyond the ends of an article to be wrapped. My invention also contemplates the provision of improved stationary folders pocarried by the lifter table, and means for effecting relative movement between the creasers and lifter table for creasing partially formed bottom flaps.

My invention also consists in the provision of end foldersmounted on an article conveyor, such as a lifter table, and creaser and wrapper flattening means associated therewith for moving the end folders and creasing and flattening means in proper timed relation in the formation'oi iniproved packages. I I

It is an added object of my invention to provide stationary and folders mounted in the path of movement of a lifter table. which folders havewrapper flap guide means formed on or attached thereto for guiding a portion of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of an article being wrapped, and coact with end creasing members carried by the lifter table in guiding unfolded portions of a wrapper and forming better end folds.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in cer: tain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the novel end folding mechanism constituting this invention;'

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same mechanism;

Figure 3 is a partial plan view illustrating the direction of travel of the end folders relative to the end of an article;

Figure 4 is a partial sectional end elevation shbwing the relationship between the end folder and the creaser or flattening members;

Figure 5 is apartial perspective view of the same general arrangement as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial side elevation illustrating a modified form of device for actuating the wrapper fold flattening or creasing members;- and Figure 7 is a plan view of the elevation shown in Figure 6. I

Referring to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of my invention, the side frames 28 of the wrapping machine support cross shafts 22, 24 and 28', shaft 22 being suitably driven from the main drive shaft of the machine (not shown)- Mounted on shaft 22 is a cam 28 provided with a track 28 on.which runs a cam follower 38 mounted on lever 32 swingably supported on shaft 24. To one arm of lever 32 is pivotally connected an adjustable rod 34 which in turn is connected at 38 to the lifter table 48 swingably mounted on shaft 28 for movement between article receiving position, adjacent the infeed guide designated generally 44, and article discharge position adjacent foldway 46. An infeed convey or pusher 48 is reciprocated by suitable means (not shown) to feed articles over guide 44 against a wrapper W fed from a suitable source of supply (not shown) over a guide plate 50 and draped inthe path of articles to be wrapped. Mechanism for feeding and positioning wrappers in the path of articles moving onto the lifter table 40, and the infeed pusher may be constructed and operated in the manner shown in the above referred to Schmitt patent. Since these mechanisms form no specific part of the invention further description and showing is deemed unnecessary.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the infeed pusher 48 in moving an article A and wrapper W onto lifter table 40 causes the wrapper to be partially encircled about the article with the depending end of the wrapper positioned beneath the article in the usual manner.

The lifter table 48-is provided with a back tension plate designated generally and a top tension plate 41 which may be similar inconstruction and operation to those shown in said Schmitt patent.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and '5, portions of the wrapper extend outwardly beyond the ends of an article A to be wrapped. The first end folds-I preferably are made as an article is moved onto lifter table 40. However, if desired these end folds can be made after an article is positioned thereon. The first end folds are made by means of opposed end folders54 which are mounted for travel with the lifter table between article receiving and article discharge positions. Since each of the end folder units U is identical, but one will be described in detail.

End folders 54 are timed to move towards the ends of an article moving onto the lifter table 40 in such a way that these folders are located in an innermost position above the article A which is fully positioned on lifter table 40. In this way fiat first folds are assured because the wrapper is drawn positively against the ends of the article. Complete folding of the wrapper is accomplished as a result of the lifter table moving to discharge position in alignment with foldway 46 and as each partially wrapped article is moved from the lifter table by means of one of a number of flights 52 carried by conveyor 53 of the same type and construction, as shown in the above referred to Schmitt patent, over foldway 46 and past end folders 49 and 5] which make end folds III and IV, respectively.

Each end folder unit U is mounted above the lifter table for movement therewith between article receiving and discharge positions by means of a slidable support member carried on shaft 26 and provided with a reduced portion 62 in which rides a lug 64 on hub 88 adjustably mounted on right-left hand threaded rod 68 journalled in side frames 20 and provided with a manually operated knob 69 for adjusting the position of units U and folders 54 on the table 48 according to the length of article being Wrapped. Member 68 has a bracket I0 provided with a flat vertical portion I2 angularly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine, and fixed to portion 12 adjacent the top and bottom by screws I4 are opposed gibs 'IG having substantially V-shaped portions I8 which form guides for a slide 88.

-Secured to slide by screws 82 and mounted for movementtherewith is a bracket 84 pivotally connected at 88 to a link 98. Link 90 is also pivotally connected at 92 to one arm 93 of a bell crank lever 94 fulcrumed on a headed stud 96 fast in member 68 (Figure 2). End folders 54 are secured to bracket'84 by screws 85. Arm of lever 94 is provided with a depending pin 98 mounting a cam roller I08 running in a track formed of two spaced bars I02 secured by screws. I84 to spaced flanges I06 formed in one end of lever I08. Lever I88 is fulcrumed on shaft 28 between forks. of lifter table 40. The lifter table and lever I08 are maintained in operative position on shaft 26 by means of collars 43 fixed to shaft 26 (Figure 2).

Lever I08 is also provided 'with a fork III) in which is positioned a shoe I I2 pivotally connected to a stud I I4 fixed in arm I I6 of bell crank lever II8 mounted on shaft I28 suitably journalled in ribs I2I on the underside of lifter table 48. Arm

I22 of lever I I8 carries a cam follower I24 tracking a cam 126 keyed at I21 to shaft 22. Cam I26 carries an adjustable plate I28 which by means of screws I 30 is secured on cam I28 in any desired position to control the time at which the end folders move towards the ends of an article being wrapped to make the first folds I. In this way adjustments can be made in accordance with the width ofarticles being wrapped. Since plate I28 cannot be adjusted beyond the leading end'of cam I26, as seen in Figure 1, the time of opening the folders remains unchanged at all times.

It 'follows therefore that while cam follower I24 runs on cam I26, the folders 54 are held open. However when follower I24 runs off cam I28, spring I32 having one end fastened to pin I34 carried by lifter table 40 and its other end conveyor 48 that the folders 54 complete end folds I (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5) just after an article has been positioned on table 40. Cam follower I24 is maintained free of contact with cam I26 when lifter table 40 is raised. Tension in spring I32 is varied by turning threaded rod I36 relative to nut I38. Arm I I6 of lever I I8 is provided with an adjustable set screw I40 coacting with a stop lug I42 on the underside of lifter table 40 to control the amount of inward movement of end folders .54 and creasing and/or flap flattening members I50 describedin detail hereinbelow.

Mounted exteriorly of and cooperating with end folders 54 are bottom end flap creasing and/or flattening members I50 which assist materially in the pre-forming of the bottom end flaps IV. These members operate to remove from the partially formed bottom end folds IV, or that portion of the wrapper extending outwardly beyond and adjacent the ends of an article, bulges, curls or bows, and prevent generally wrinkling or crushing thereof which might occur otherwise during wrapping operations, especially in machines operating at high speeds. In articles such 'as loaves of bread where there are often some variations in dimensions, and shapes, these members contribute to the solution of the problem of properly disposing the projecting ends of wrap- -pers and forming more uniform end folds. Al-' lug I53 supporting'a pin I54 to which is con-v nected one end of a spring I56, the other end of which is secured to a pin I58 also mounted in bracket 84 (Figures 1 and 2). A stop pin I60 in bracket 84 limits upward movement of member I50 under the action of spring I56. Each creaser or flattener member I50, which is preferably provided with a vertical face I62 and a flat face I64 (Figures 1,, 2 and 5), is adapted to move to and from the lifter table 40. Each member I50 adjacent its free end may also be provided with a cut out portion I55 and a substantially vertically extending part I5I, the functions of which are described hereinafter.

It will be evident that due to the mounting of end folder units TI on diagonally positioned slides 80, each folder 54 is given a straight line motion towards the ends of each article moving onto the lifter table, and at the same time each end tucker is maintained in a plane substantially parallel to the planes defining the ends of the article being wrapped. Also each member I50 is located for operation as the result of the inward travel of slides 80.

After the completion of the first end folds I the lifter table is elevated, and in moving from article receiving to article discharge position, the second end folds II are made in the projecting wrapper ends adjacent the top of the article by means of stationary folders I66 secured by screws I68 to frames I mounted for adjustment to and from each other in any well known downwardly projecting wings I61 which coact manner, such as disclosed in co-pending Jensen application, Serial No. 225,697, filed August 19, 1938. As shown, right-handed threaded rods I12 journaled in side frames 20 are manually adjustable by hand knob I14 to position frames I10 and folders I66 properly along foldway 46.

Each of the frames I10} adjacent folders I66 is provided with a bolt I16 adjustably secured therein by means of nut I19 and depending therefrom into the path of movement of members I50 (Figure 1). Each bolt I16 has mounted at its free end a stop, such as a rubber cap I11, which when the lifter table is raised a sumcient distance causes the creaser and/or flat flattening member I50 to be moved downwardly against the tension of spring I66 towards lifter table 40 in order to flatten and/or crease that portion of the wrapper extending beneath end folders 54 adjacent the bottom of the ends of each article being wrapped. In this manner it will be seen that even though there may be a tendency. during the initial operation for a portion of the wrapper adjacent the ends of the article to bulge, bow or curl upwardly, the action of the members I50 flattens and smooths out such bulges, bows and curls and insures the formation of better and more uniform bottom flaps IV so that when flights 52 move each partially wrapp d article off the 'lifter table onto foldway 46 and the bottom flaps IV are completed by. stationary folders 6|, danger of crumpling or rupture'of the bottom portions of the wrapper is substantially eliminated. Bolts I16 are so adjusted that members I50 in operative position are spaced from lifter table 40 and wrapper portions X (Figures 4 and 5) are loosely held therebetween and free to move with the article without pulling or twisting or damage thereto as the article is moved onto foldway 46.

In order to insure better disposition of that portion of the wrapper extending downwardly between the lifter table and foldway 46, folders I66 preferably are provided with outwardly and with vertical portions I5I 'on members I50. During the upward movement of the lifter table 40 relative to stationary folder I 66, wings I61 are accommodated by cut out portions I55 in the members I 50 and the unfolded vertical projecting portion of the wrapper is guided by the wall I69 of wings I61 and portion I5I of creaser members I50. When, therefore, the lifter table reaches the article discharge position in which it is in alignment with foldway 46, the first and second end folds I, II have been completed, that portion of the bottom flap IV adjacent the first fold is flattened and/or creased, and the article is then transferred by means of one of the conveyor flights 52 past pivotally mounted, stationary folders 49 mounted on frames I10. Folders 49 swing on pivots I in the direction of travel of the article against the action of springs I BI and form the third fold III, after which the last or bottom flap IV is folded upwardly against ball headed pin I90 mounted in and projecting from lower gib I6. Each ball head forms a ball ends of an article being wrapped, members I50 are retained in inoperative position -.against stops I60 by springs I56 until slides 80 approach their innermost position, at this time due to the relative movement of the several parts described hereinabove, levers I98 are rocked on their fulcrums I52 thereby causing set screws 202 to engage abutments 2M and move members I50 into engagement with wrapper portions X which extend outwardly beyond the ends of the article beneath folders 54 (Figures 4 and 5). Set screws 202 are so adjusted that members I50 operate at substantially the same time that end folds I are completed and members I50 are moved into such operative position relative to lifter table 40 that wrapper portions X therebeneath are free to slide therefrom when a partially wrapped article ismoved from table 40 onto foldway 46.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same, It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructed and arranged to receive a partially wrapped article having end portions of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article, and deliver the same to a discharge position, end tuckers carried by gaid lifter table, means for moving said tuckers into folding engagement with portions of said projecting wrapper to form end tucks and partially form other flaps extending beyond the ends of said article adjacent said table, flap flattening members located adjacent said tuckers, and means for moving said members towards said table for flattening said partially formed flaps against said table.

2. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructed and arranged to receive a partially wrapped article with end portions of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article, means for moving said table to deliver said partially wrapped article to a discharge position, end tuckers carried by said table, means for moving said tuckers into engagement with portions of said wrapper to form end flaps therein, flap creasing members also carried by said table, and means for effecting relative movement between said members and table to crease and flatten other portions of said wrapper ends.

3. In a wrapping machine having a lifter table, and an infeed'conveyor for moving an article against a draped wrapper onto said table and positioning said article on said table with said wrapper partially encircling said article with portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders towards the ends of said article to fold a portion of said extending wrapper portions against each end of said article, means for moving said table and delivering said partially wrapped article to discharge position, spaced folders located to engage other portions of said wrapper and fold the same against the ends of said article during the movement of said table, end creasers carried by said table, and means operative during the movement of said table for moving said creasers towards said table to flatten and crease other parts of said extending wrapper portions.

4. In a wrapping machine having a lifter table, and an infeed conveyor for moving an article against a draped Wrapper onto said table and positioning said article on said table with said wrapper partially encircling said article with portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders towards the ends of said article to fold a portion of said extending wrapper portions against each end of said article, means for moving said table and delivering said partially wrapped article to dischargeposition,spaced folders located to engage other portions of said wrapper and fold the same against the ends of said article during the movement of said table, wrapper creasing members located adjacent said end folders and coacting therewith, means mounting said members for movement towards said table, means carried by said spaced folders for effecting movement of said members towards said table as said table is moved to delivery position, and guide means on said members coacting with said guide means on said stationary folders for controlling the disposition of part of the unfolded portion of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article.

5. In a Wrapping'machin having a lifter table, and an infeed conveyor for moving an article against a draped wrapper onto said table and positioning said article on said table with said Wrapper partially encircling said article with portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders towards the end of said article to fold a portion of said extending wrapper portions against each end of said article, means for moving said table and delivering said partially wrapped article to discharge position, spaced folders located to engage other portions of said wrapper and fold the same against the ends of said article during the movement of said table, pivoted wrapper creasing members carried by said table, means normally holding said members in inoperative position away from said table, and means for swinging said members downwardly into operative position relative to said table.

6. In a wrapping machine having a lifter table, and an infeed conveyor for moving an article against a draped wrapper onto said table and positioning said article on said table with said wrapper partially encircling said article with portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders towards the ends of said article to fold a portion of said extending'wrapper portions against each end of said article, means for moving said table and delivering said partially wrapped article to discharge position, spaced folders wrapper partially. encircling said article, and por-- tions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders to and from said article for forming end folds, creasers having flat wrapper engaging faces provided with openings therein adjacent one end movably mounted on said table adjacent said folders, stationary folders mounted in the path of movement of said article as said table is moved to a delivery position, and wrapper guide means on said stationary folders projecting outwardly therefrom'constructed and arranged to coact with said openings in said creasers in guiding and creasing parts of said wrapper.

8. In a wrapping machine having a lifter table, and an infeed conveyor for moving anarticle against a draped wrapper onto said table and positioning said article on said table with said wrapper partially encirclingsaid article and portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, means for moving said table and said partially wrapped article to a discharge position, opposed end folders carried by said table, creasers movably mounted on said table, means locating said creasers adjacent said folders, stationary folders mounted in the path of movement of said article as said table is moved position to partially encircle said article and provide extending wrapper portions for folding against the ends of said article, opposed end folders, means mounting said folders on said table adjacent the ends of said article, means for moving said folders to engage and fold portions of said wrapper against the ends of said article, stationary folders mounted in the path of travel of said table adaptedto form other folds in.

said wrapper upon the ends of said article during the travel of said table from receiving to discharge position, wrapper creasing and fold flattening members carried by said table and mounted for movement with said folders to and from the ends of said article, and means for effecting relative movement between said lastnamed folders and members to flatten and crease portions of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article adjacent said-table.

10. In a wrapping machine having an article lifter table, and means for positioning a partially wrapped article thereon with portions of said wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article, endfolders carried by said table, means for moving said folders into engagement with portions of said wrapper to form end tucks therein, and flap creasing members carried by said table and movable relative to said tuckers and table for creasing portions of said wrapper extending outwardly beneath said tuckers.

11. In a wrapping machine having an article lifter table, and means for positioning a partially wrapped article thereon with portions of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders carried by said table, supports for said folders, said supports including spaced brackets and means mounted on said brackets for moving said folders with a straight line motion in one plane while maintaining said folders at all times substantially parallel to the ends of said article, end creasers also carried by said table, means mounting said creasers adjacent and exteriorly of said end folders, and means for effecting movement of said creasers towards said table in a plane substantially at right angles to the path of movement of said end folders.

12. In a wrapping machine having an article lifter table, and means for positioning a partially wrapped article thereon with portions of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article,-end folders carried by said table, means for moving said folders into engagement with portions of said wrapper to form end folds therein,

.fiap creasers mounted adjacent and exteriorly of said folders, and means operative after said folders have formed said end folds for effective relative movement between said table and creasers for creasing other portions of the wrapper.

13. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructedand arranged to support .a partially wrapped article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, and mechanism for moving saidfolders with a straight line motion to and from a folding position relative to the ends of said article, said mechanism including means for maintaining said tuckers substantially parallel to the ends of said article during the operation of said mechanism.

14. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructed and arranged to support a partially wrapped article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, mechanism for moving said folders with a straight line motion to and from a folding position relative to the ends of said article, said mechanism including means for maintaining said tuckers substantially parallel to the ends of said article during the operation of said mechanism, wrapper creasing members also mounted on said table, and means operative after the operation of said folders for moving said members towards said table to crease portions of said wrapper extending outwardly from said article beneath said end folders.

15. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructed and arranged to support a partially wrapped article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, mechanism for moving said folders into and out of folding position relative to the ends of said article, members provided with flat creas-.

ing faces mounted on said table, means for posicle on said table for forming folds in other portions of said wrapper, wrapper guide members mounted on said stationary folders and projecting outwardly therefrom, wrapper flattening and creasing devices having fiat wrapper engaging faces provided with an opening permitting relative movement between said members and said devices mounted on said table, and means for moving said devices verticaly to and from said table.

17. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table movable to and from an article receiving and an article delivery position, and constructed and arranged to support a partially wrapped article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, mechanism for moving said folders with a straight line motion to and from folding position relative to the ends of said article, said mechanism includstructed and arranged to support an article partially encircled in a wrapper, said wrapper having ends projecting beyond the ends of said article, folder support brackets mounted on said table, end folders mounted on said brackets, means for moving said folders with a straight line movement into engagement with said projecting wrapper ends to form and folds in portions of said wrapper, creaser members movably ing means for maintaining said tuckers at all 7 times substantially parallel to the ends of said article, stationary folders mounted in the path of movement of said articles on said table for forming other folds in portions of said wrapper, and guide members on said stationary folders for guiding portions of said wrapper remaining unfolded.

18. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructed and arranged to support a partially wrapped loaf of bread having a wrapper partially encircled thereabout with end portions of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of said load, opposed end tuckers, supports for said tuck ers mounted on said table, flap creasing means mounted on said supports, and means operating in timed relation to the movement of said tuckers for efiecting relative movement between said creasing means to and from said table.

19. In a wrapping machine, a conveyor for an article to be wrapped said conveyor having an article supporting surface means for moving an article against a wrapper positioned in the path of travel of said article to thereby partially enclose said article in said wrapper, and depositing said partially wrapped article on said article supporting surface of said conveyor means for moving said conveyor between article receiving and delivery positions, opposed end folders, means mounting said folders on said conveyor for movement therewith, and means for moving said folders with a straight line movement above said supporting surface into and out of engagement with portions of said wrapper extending beyond the endsof said article to form end folds therein.

20. In a wrapping machine, a conveyor for an article to be wrapped, said conveyor having an article supporting surface, means for moving an article against a wrapper positioned in the path of travel of said article to thereby partially enclose said article in said wrapper, and depositing said partially wrapped article on said article supporting surface of said conveyor, means for moving said conveyor between article receiving and delivery positions, opposed end folders, means mounting said folders on said conveyor for movement therewith, means for moving said folders with a straight line movement above said supporting surface into and out of engagement with portions of said wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article to form end folds therein, and mean for adjusting said folders to and from each other.

21. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table conmounted on said brackets, and means operative after the formation of said end folds and while said end folders are proximate the ends of said article for operating said members to flatten and crease other portions of said wrapper.

22. In a wrapping machine, a lifter table constructed and arranged to support an article partially encircled with a wrapper having end portions thereof extending beyond the ends of said article, brackets mounted on said table, a guide on each of said brackets, a slide on each of said guides, a folder bracket on each of said slides, an end folder mounted on each of said folder brackets, and means for moving said slides to cause said folders to move into and out of folding engagement with said wrapper ends and form end tucks therein.

23. In a wrapping machine, a litter table constructed and arranged to support an article partially encircled with a wrapper having end portions thereof extending beyond the ends of said article,'-brackets mounted on said table, a guide on each of said brackets, a slide on each of said guides, a folder bracket on each of said slides, an end folder mounted on each of said folder brackets, means for moving said slides to cause said folder to move into and out of folding engagement with said wrapper ends and form end tucks therein, a creaser movably mounted on each of said folder brackets, andmeans for moving said creasers to and from said table to crease portions of the wrapper located therebeneath.

24. In a wrapping machine having a lifter table, and an infeed conveyor for moving an article against a draped wrapper onto said lifter table and positioning said article on said table with said wrapper partially encircled about said article with portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the ends of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders against said extending wrapper portion to form end folds therein, and independently movable means also carried by said table and movable with said end folders for flattening other portions of said wrapper projecting beneath said end folders and outwardly beyond the end of said article.

25. In a wrapping machine having a lifter table, and an infeed conveyor for moving an article against a draped wrapper onto said lifter table and positioning said article on said table with said wrapper partially encircled about said article with portions of said wrapper extending unfolded beyond the end of said article, opposed end folders mounted on said table, means for moving said folders against said extending wrapper portion to form end folds therein, creasers located adjacent said folders and movable therewith, means for moving said lifter table to a position of article discharge, means for moving said creasers into wrapper creasing relation with said table, yieldingly mounted pivoted folders adjacent said discharge position, and means carried by and associated with said folders for ironing down a portion of the unfolded wrapper.

1 CHARLES ARELT.

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