US2680336A - Cracker wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

/f i y WC. F. 4PRINCE CRACKER WRAPPILG MACHINE June 8, 1954 Filed Dec. 28, 1950 7 4 Shee"cs-Shee 1 INVENTOR CLARENCE FREcMm Firma' ATTORNEYS {MgI-SG CRACKER WRAPPING MACHINE f7 sheets-sheet 2 CLARgNc: FREEMAN Pnmcz BY J4/M; f/VM/ ATTORNEYS JuneV 8, 1954 Filed Dec. 28, 1950 C. F. PRIN CE CRACKER WRAPPING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Deo. 28, 1950 A lNvENoR Cumsncc zsemu Fkmcr'.

mayhem# ATTORNEYS June 8, 1954 c. F. PRINCE CRACKER WRAPPING .MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Il* l INVENTOR CLARENCE FREEMAN PRmcE Jr I T Filed DeC. 28, 1950 BY JMW ATTORNEYS June 8, 1954 c. F. PRINCE cRAcKER WRAPPING MACHINE 7 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 Filed Deo. 28, 1950 INVENToR Cum-:Ns FREEMAN Fumar:

BY ala/vue M ATTORNEYS June 8, 1954 Q F PRlNCE 2,680,336

CRACKER WRAPPING MACHINE iwf@ fz.

Filed Dec. 2, 195o 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS C. F. PRINCE CRACKER WRAPPING MACHINE June 8, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 @gli CLARENCE Fnszmu France BY @9J/kf ATTORNEYS Patented June 8, 1954 UNITED STATES CRACKER WRAPPnvG MACHINE chusetts Application December 28, 1950, Serial No. 203,123 8 Claims. (01.' 53-131) This invention relates to wrapping machines of the type in which a stack of articles is picked up off a horizontal conveyor by an elevator, carried with a sheet of wrapping material between folders which drape the wrapper around the stack of articles in U-form, is deposited at the entrance to a horizontal wrapping channel, and transported through the channel to complete the wrapping operation.

A principal object of the invention is to provide wrapping elements in such a machine which coact upon the stack of articles in such a fashion that delicate articles such as soda crackers and the like will not be in danger of being broken or crushed. YA further object is the provision of wrapping elements which are not invariably fixed in their spaced relation to one another, so that small variations or irregularities in the size of articles being wrapped will not interfere with the proper operation of the machine.

A further object is to improve the means for supporting the article stack at the top of the elevator stroke before said stack is delivered into the wrapping channel.

These aspects ofthe invention, as well as certain other objects and advantages of the present machine will appear from the following description and claims. Y

In the drawings, which accompany and form a part of the specification:

Figs. 1 and 2 together constitute a top plan View of a wrapping machine embodying the invention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1; n

Fig. 4 is a sectional view substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view on a larger scale of one set of latches, in article supporting position;

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are similar detail views of the actuating mechanism for the latches;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail View of the means for actuating the wrapper retaining finger, taken substantially online 9 9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view of means for applying pressure to the sealed overlap of the wrapper, taken substantially on line l0 l0 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view substantially on line E i-ll of Fig. 1; parts being omitted;

Fig. l2 is a detail sectional view substantially on line l 2 l2 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view substantially on line 13 53 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are generally diagrammatic 2 views showing successive folding steps in the fold-v` ing channel.

Referring to Figs. l and 3 of the drawings, the machine parts are shown as supported by a frame, generally indicated at l. Articles to be wrapped, such as a stack of crackers, as indicated at a, are fed into the machine by a suitable conveyor which may comprise a pair of constantly traveling conveyor chains 2 carrying spaced brackets 3 to which are secured spaced angular ngers 4 on which the stacks of crackers are supported. The conveyor delivers the stacks to a vertically reciprocating elevator which includes a plurality of spaced angular fingers 5 with which the ngers 4 of the conveyor interdigitate when the elevator is in its lowermost position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As the conveyor chains round their forward supporting sprockets 5 the fingers 4 passing between the lingers 5 deposit the stacks on the latter fingers, and against stationary vertical guide bars 8 secured to Vcross member 9. The lingers 5 (Fig. 3) are individually fixed to respective angle irons Hl carried in spaced relationrby a transverse bar I l secured to an elevator slide l2. The elevator slide l2 reciprocat ed in timed relation to conveyor 2 by any suitable means, not shown.

As the stacks of crackers are carried upwardly by the elevator the crackers in the stack are trued against the guides 8 by a guide bar I3 `(Figs. 3 andr4) supported by a cross frame member I4. Further upward movement of the .elevator carries the stack against aY wrapper sheet w fed across the path ofthe elevator by any suitable wrapper feeding means, such as the belts I 5 and rolls I6. Continued upward movement carries the stacks and wrapper between spaced folding members i9 and 2li which drape the sheet over the top of the stacks with the side portions of the sheet extending downwardly over thefront and rear sides thereof.

As the elevator comes to rest with the articles in the plane, and at the entrance, of a folding channel, generally indicated at 2l, the top of the stack is engaged by spaced spring cushioned paper retaining bars 22, Figs. 3 and 4. The bars 22 are provided with pins 23 which extend through openings in supporting bars 24. The upper ends of the pins 23 carry cotter pins 25 and springs 26 surrounding pins 23 and com pressed between bars 22 and 24 provide a spring backing for the bars 22. The supporting bars 24 are suspended from cantilever Supports 21 by adjustable rods 28. l

After the elevator ngers `5 reach the top of their stroke, they are immediately moved downwardly. To support the stack in its topmost position, after the retreat of the elevator lingers, opposed rows of spaced latches 29 and 30 (Figs. 1 and 5) are swung inwardly under the front and rear edges respectively of the stack.

The latches 29 are mounted in spaced relation on a pair of parallel shafts 3| and 32 by means of parallel links 33 and 34, the links 33 being fixed to shaft 3| while links 34 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 32. Latches 3|!1 are similarly mounted on a pair of parallel shafts 36 and 31 by means of parallel links 38 and 39, the links 39 being fixed to shaft 31. Shafts 3| and 36 are rocked in opposite directions through arms 48 and 4| fixed respectively to the shafts 3| and 36. The free ends of arms 40 and 4| are respectively connected by adjustable links 42 and 43 to respective arms 44 and 45 fixed to a rocker shaft 48. Shaft 46 carries an arm 48 connected by an adjustable link 49 to a lever 50 (Fig. 3) pivoted to the frame at 5|. Lever 50 carries a cam roll 52 held in operative relation with a cam 53 by a spring 54. The cam 53 is fixed on a shaft 55 journaled in bearings 5B in a bracket 5l, said shaft being driven by a sprocket chain 58 from the main drive shaft 69.

As previously mentioned the several articles making up the stack may vary somewhat in dimension and the members I9 and 29 are spaced apart a distance sufcient to freely pass a stack of maximum width as well as to allow for a slight disarrangement of the articles in the stack. Be cause of this slight excess spacing of members I9 and 29 the wrapper may not be laid as snugly against the stack in the movement of the latter between said members as is desirable to hold the wrapper in place. Therefore, as the stack c is moved into its uppermost position, the wrapper 'w is drawn more snugly or tightly against the stack by spring pressed members which engage the front and rear faces of the center portion of the stack. The rearmost of said members is a narrow wrapper tightening and holding finger 6| yieldingly mounted centrally of member |9 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) on a pair of pins 62. The pins 62 are slidable in an angle iron 63 adjustablyfastened at 54 to a cross-beam 35 fixed. on the frame of the machine. A light spring 63 on the upper pin urges the finger 8| into engagement with the rearrnost face of stack a. An oppositely related held against any tendency to be advanced by the forward stroke of the folding blade '19 by the nger 61. The folding blade 1B is divided at 'H to provide clearance for finger 3| and is provided with slots 'l2 which receive the latches 39 as the blade 1!! advances under the article a.

The blade 'l0 is mounted on a carriage 68 which rides in horizontal grooves 13 in side frame members 'I4 and is reciprocated therein by means of linkage comprising links 'i5 pivoted at opposite ends to the carriage 68 and to cranks 16. The cranks 16 are iixed as at l'l to a sleeve 18 which is rotatably mounted on a rock shaft 80. A drive crank 8| is fixed to the sleeve 18 and is oscillated by a link 82 pvoted to the crank at 83. The link 82 carries a cam roll 84 (Fig. 4) engaging a groove cam 85 on shaft 55.

Following slightly behind the advancing folding blade 'Ill is a transfer pusher 88 (Fig. 1) with which is associated a pair of tuckers 89 and 9D. The pusher 88 moves the stack d forwardly off the folding blade and onto the fioor plate 9| of the folding channel. As this movement is effected, the front downward extension of the wrapper w is folded beneath the article by engagement of the same with the edge of the floor plate 9i.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 1, the pusher 38 is fixed on the forward end of an arm 32 which is mounted at its rearmost end to the center of a U-shaped frame 93 having two side legs 94 and 95. Substantially simultaneously with the initial movement of the stack a by the pusher 88, the finger 6'! and shaft 68 is rocked forwardly against spring 69 to permit entrance of the stack into the channel. Referring to Figs. 1 and 9, the shaft 63 is rocked by the action of a cam finger 9B, which is fixed on frame leg 94, and engages a roller 91 on a crank 98 fixed to shaft 32, to swing nger 61 below the plane of the channel fioor. A stop pin 8l engageable with the crank 38 limits the movement of finger 6l under the influence of spring 89.

The frame 93 is reciprocated in horizontal grooves 99 in frame members 14 by links |09 pivoted to ears |0| on the frame 93 and to crank arms |92 which are fixed on rock shaft 8G (Figs. 3 and 4). One of the arms-|82 is extended at |03 and is connected by a link |94 to a crank |85 carried by shaft 55, by which means rock shaft 80 is actuated.

The tucker 89 is fixed to the pusher 8B. The tucker 9|) is carried (Figs. 1, 3 and e) at the forward end of one arm |98 of a bell crank pivoted at |971 to a bracket |08 which is secured to side leg of the pusher frame so as to travel therewith. The other arm |09 of the bell crank carries a cam roll H9 which is held by a spring against an edge cam I2 fixed to the machine frame. When pusher 88 is in its rearward position the tucker 93 is held spaced from the end of pusher 88 by cam 1| I2. As the pusher advances, tucker 98 is permitted by cam H2 to swing inwardly under the inhuence of spring to engage and tuck the sidewise extending rear portion of the wrapper to tuck it against the adjacent end of the cracker stack. The force of spring is made sufficiently light so that as the wrapper is laid against the end of the cracker stack the pressure or endwise thrust of the tucker 99 is insufficient to crush or damage the crackers. The action of the tuckers 89 .and 98 as the pusher advances the article stack into the folding channel is diagrammatically shown in Figs. 14, l5 and 16.

if the space between the tuckers was not resiliently variable, an over-size cracker or row of crackers might be crushed between the tuckers, or would not be contained between the tuckers when the latter are moved forwardly. The tuckers in that case would engage and disarrange the articles in the stack or the stack d might be pushed prematurely into the folding channel. Further, the in-swinging motion of the tucker 94 has the effect of lightly tamping the several layers of crackers which make up the stack into substantial alignment against the opposite, fixed tucker 89.

When the stack a is positioned on the fioor 9| of the entrance end of the folding channel, the folding blades 10, the pusher 88 and the tuckers 89k and 90 withdraw to the rear. bars 22 are provided at their forward ends with depending spring members I I which may engage the rear of the stack a, to prevent any. tendencyl of the retreating folding blade pusher and tuckers to pull the stack rearwardly.

The articles are advanced along the folding channel by a series of spaced pusher fingers H5 carried by endless sprocket chains ||1 supported by suitable sprockets, one of which is indicated at I8 in Fig. 3 and which are constantly driven by any suitable means not shown.

The sides of the channel are provided (Figs. l, 2 and 3) with conventional type folders which complete the folding of the wrapper as the article stack is carried through the channel. These folders comprise opposed members I 2B and |2| which carry at one end tuckers |22 and |23 which fold the front lateral extensions of the Wrapper against the ends of the article stack. The other ends of members |26 and |2| are formed with forwardly and upwardly inclined edges |24 and |25 respectively which, with similar edges |26 and |21 formed on the adjacent ends of members |28 and |29, engage and fold upwardly the bottom lateral extensions of the wrapper. The forward ends of members |28 and |29 are formed with downwardly and forwardly extending edges |353 and |3| respectively which with similar edges |32 and |33 formed on the adjacent ends of members |34 and |35 fold the top wrapper extensions downwardly to complete the wrap.

The members |28, |28 and |34, at one side of the channel, and the folders associated therewith are mounted in fixed position. The opposite members |2|, |29 and |35 with their folders are connected by means of blocks |35 to a beam |31 and are thus connected together for common lateral movement as a unit. This folder and beam assembly is supported at the end adjacent the entrance of the channel (Figs. l, 3 and 11) by a pair of parallel links |58 and |39 pivoted at their upper ends to the bar ldd which carries angles M2 which support rails |453 with conventional presser bars |44. The outer end of bar me is adjustably connected to a verticalstandard I 4 I The lower ends of links |38 and |39 are pivotally connec-ted to one end of a member |45, the other end of which is forked and. connected by a vertical pivot pin leftV to a lug |41 extending outwardly frein member |2|. Y

The end of the folder assembly at the channel entrance urged toward the adjacent end of the packages passing through the channel by a spring is@ (Fig. ll) having one end connected to the link and the other end to a pin |5| carried by an arm |52 extending from a bracket |53 secured to the cross bar ille. The inward movement of the folders under the influence of spring iii limited by a stop 5e adjustably carried by the lower end of bracket |53, and engageable with link i3d.

The end of the movable folder assembly aclgacent the exit of the channel is supported by means similar to that just described, including links |55 and |56 (Figs. 2 and l2) connected by bail and socket connections |49 at their upper ends to a short bar |51 adjustably secured to a bracket secured to the frame. An adjustable angle bracket |59 secured to the innermost end of bar |52i supports longitudinal rail |013. The lower ends of the links |55 and |56 are connected to one end of a member ist, the other end of which is connected by a ball and socket joint |5| to member |35 of the folder assembly. A spring The presser |52 connected between link |55 and pin |63 carried by a bracket |54 urges the folder assembly toward the article to the limit of an adjustable stop |55 engageable with link |55.

By the end supporting arrangements above described, the ends Yof the folder assembly are permitted substantially independent outwardand inward movement relative to the adjacent ends of the articles.

To assure a free entrance of the article stack into the channel the entrance end of the folder assembly which carries the tucker |23 is outwardly as the article stack is introduced into the folding channel (Fig. l5). This outward movement is suiiicient to assure that the article stack enters the channel without having to force the folder assembly outwardly against the spring |50, that is the outward movement is sufcient so that the end of the article stack clears the folder and enters the channel without impact at the forward end edges. This outward movement is not, however, suiiicient to prevent the tueker |23 from engaging the adjacent forward lateral eX- tension of the wrapper to start the forward end tuck as the article stack enters the channel.

The outward movement of the folder assembly above referred to is effected by a cam |88 (Figs. l, 3 and l1), secured to a stub shaft |69. Cam |63 is engaged by a cam roll |19 carried by one end of a lever |1| which is fixed intermediate its .ends to a rock shaft |12. The roll llt is held against the cam by a spring |13. Rock shaft |12 which is supported in a bracket |14 carries an arm |15 provided on its free end with a pivoted block Ile slidable on a rod |11 extending from lug |41. Block |12 makes a lost motion engagement with an abutment |18 adjustably secured on rod |11. Cam |63 is so timed that as the pusher 38 advances the article stack into the folding channel, rock shaft |12 is rocked counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1l, to rbring block |15 into engagement with abutment |18 and draw the entrance end of the folder assembly away from the adjacent end of the entering article stack as v...described As soon as the article is safely within the channel the cam reverses thedirection of swing arm |15 andvblock |16 letting the folder |2| settle gently against the end of the article stack under the pressure-exerted by spring iiii, the throw of arm |15 being suicient to cause block |15 to leave the abutment |13 as shown in Fig. ll. As'the entrance end of the folder assembly is moved outwardly, theexit end of the assemblyx is held in yielding engagement with the 55;,end of an article stack at, or adjacent, the exit of the channel, bythe flexible mounting described whichY includes the ball and socket connections |49 and |6|. These ball and socket connections compensate for the slight rise and fall of the other onend of the folder assembly in its outward movement and avoids the necessity of adjusting the linkage elements to exact parallelism in obtaining the free floating movement of the ends of the folder assembly for accommodation of variation 65am the length of the article stacks.

Preferably, when wax coated wrapping material is used means are provided for heating the several folder elements to prevent the accumu lation of wax on the folders. With respect to 1Q-'fthe movable folders this is accomplished by insorting heater units in the several blocks |35 as ,indicated at I in Figs. l and 2. Similar heating members are secured to the stationary folders at the opposite side of the channel as indicated at |8l. Heater units |82 are also secured to the 7 floor of the channel to heat the latter for sealing the longitudinal bottom fold.

As the wrapped articles leave the Wrapping channel they are carried through a pressing and heat sealing channel, see Fig. 2. This channel comprises a iioor |85, a fixed side member |86 and a movable side member |81. The oor is provided with heating units indicated at |88 and the side members carry heating units indicated at Side member |81 is mounted for iioating movement by means similar to that employed for the movable folder assembly above described. As shown in Figs. 2 and 13, the end of member |81 adjacent the exit of the wrapper channel is provided with a lug |90 to which a member |9| is hinged by a vertical pin |92. Member |9| is suspended by parallel links |93 and |94 pivotally connected at their lower ends to member |9| and at their upper ends to ears |95 extending from the end of a plate |91 which is bolted at |98 to a vertical web |99 formed on a supporting plate 200. The opposite end of plate |91 carries ears 20| from which a member 202 is suspended by parallel links 203 connected to the ears by ball and socket connections 204. Member 202 is hinged by a vertical pin 205 to a lug 208 extending from the discharge end of plate |81. Plate |81 is urged inwardly into engagement with the ends of the wrapped article Stacks by springs 291 and 208 respectively connecting the outer ends of members |9| and 202 to flange |99. Suitable stops, one of which is shown at 209 in Fig. 13, engage the adjacent suspension link to limit the inward movement of plate |81. Supporting plate 200, with the parts carried thereby, is adapted to be adjusted transversely of the sealing channel by means of a threaded rod 2 0 journaled against longitudinal movement in the frame of the machine and threaded through a boss 2li formed on the edge of the plate.

The end'of side member |81 adjacent the exit of the wrapping channel is adapted to be periodically moved outwardly to freely admit a wrapped package to the heat sealing channel. This outward movement is effected by a cam 2|2 secured to a stub shaft 2|3. A cam roll 2|4 is carried at one end of an arm 2 5, fixed intermediate its ends to a rock shaft 2|B, roll 2|4 being held in operative engagement with the cam by a spring 211. An arm 2|8 is fixed to shaft 2|6 and carries at its free end a pivoted block 2|9 slidable on a rod 228 iixed to lug |90. As arm 2|8 is rocked counterclcckwise as viewed in Fig. 13, block 2|9 engages an abutment 22|, adjustably secured to rod 229, to draw the end of side member |81 outwardly against spring 201. After the wrapped package has entered the channel reverse movement of arm 218 permits the side member to move inwardly l against the end of the package. There is suiiicient lost motion between block 2|9 and abutment 22| to accommodate variations in the lengths of successive packages.

Cam 2|2 and cam |68 (Figs. 3, 11 and 13) are driven by a common sprocket chain 222 trained around a sprocket 223, secured on a countershaft 22e, a sprocket 225 on cam shaft |69, an adinstable idler sprocket 226 and a sprocket 221 on cam shaft 2|3. Countershaft 224 is driven from main shaft 60 by a chain 228 passing around sprockets 229 and 230 secured on the main shaft E@ and countershaft 224 respectively.

From the heat sealing channel the wrapped articles are carried over a row of spring fingers 230 and discharged by the transport members IB onto a table or receiving channel 23| in which the softened sealing material sets to complete the seal. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 10, the fingers 230 are each yieldingly mounted on a pair of pins 232, extending from the lower face of the floor of the sealing channel. The iingers 230 are held on the pins by spring 233 compressed between the fingers 230 and collars 234 adjustably secured on the pins by set screws 235.

`The free end portions of the ngers are curved upwardly as at 236, the crest of the curved portions normally lying slightly above the surface of the channel noor. They act to press the longitudinal overlap of the wrapper at the under face of the package, against the irregularities of the cracker surfaces and insure an adequate sealing .of the overlapped wrapper surfaces together.

The mechanisms above described effectively wrap articles such as stacks of crackers without damage and at a speed comparable with that at which solid articles can be wrapped. An important feature in securing this result is the manner in which the wrapper is associated with articles and the conditions established as the succesive folds are made.

Initially the wrapper is draped freely over the article. The folding walls of the elevator well are spaced sufficiently from the ascending article so that the wrapper is held in place and tensioned locally at the center portion only by the spring pressed rear and forward fingers, 6| and 61, the pressure exerted by the fingers being only sufiicient to hold the wrapper in position, the end portions of the wrapper being free to adjust themselves to the inequalities of the article surfaces. The inward movement of the supporting fingers maintains the established position of the wrapper. As the bottom folder plate 18 advances the depending rear wrapper extension is folded beneath the article and simultaneously the wrapper is thereby drawn more tightly around the rear face and edges of the article. This tightening, however, is resisted only at the forward center portion which is engaged by the forward finger 61, the forward end portions of the wrapper being free so that the increasing tension is graduated toward the ends. As the pusher 88 advances, member rocks finger S1 out of the path of the article. As the localized pressure of finger Si is relieved the edge 9| of the channel iioor engages the forward downward wrapper extension to fold it beneath the article, simultaneously tightening it around the article in the relationship established by its previous freedom of movement. The article stack is thus encircled by the wrapper with increments of shifting pressure and tension, rapidly and effectively but without damage to the article.

The further folding of the wrapper is carried out under similar conditions. While one end of the stack is engaged by the rear tucker 89 rigidly carried by the pusher the opposite end is engaged by the movable rear tucker 90 only after the tucker 89 is in position to prevent lateral movement of the article and the maximum lateral thrust imposed is that of the light spring As best shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16, the folding action of the rear end tuckers starts prior to the engagement of the pusher 88 with the article and while the wrapper is still locally held by the members 6| and 01. The travel of the pusher 88 is sufficient, after the rear end tuckers have completed their folding operation to carry the forward side extensions of the wrapper into engagement with the forward tuckers |22 and |23 (Fig. 15). The latter tuckers are bent outwardly ,so that the rear tuckers pass inside the forward tuckers and the forward tucks are made while the rear tucks are still held by the rear tuckers (Fig. 16). p

Due to the iioating suspension of the forward end tucker and the bottom and top end folders at one side of the channel, the folding pressure is never greater than that exerted by the springs l() and H62 at the ends of the unitary folder assembly at one side of the channel. The side folders yield as a unit at any 'point along the channel assuring free folding of the wrapper without excessive tension' or pressure as the pacifages are carried through the channel.

The final heating channel receives the' coinpletely wrapped packages with the Wrapper folds in final position and acts to relieve any strains at the seams and to assure complete fusion of the sealing material before the packages are discharged for cooling and setting of sealed wrapper surfaces.

What is claimed is:

1. In a wrapping machine of the 'type having an elevator reciprocable in a vertical well to transport an article and wrapper from a position below to a position in alignment with the en trance of a folding channel extending horizontally from the upper end of the well; forward and rear wall members spaced from the elevator and engaging the wrapper to drape the latter freely about three sides of the article as the latter is moved by the elevator to said second position, forward and rear spring pressed wrapper tightening fingers mounted above the upper end of the elevator well and positioned to centrally7 engage the adjacent sides of the article as the article emerges from the well to locally tighten the wrapper against the central portion of the upper, rear and forward faces of the article, a plurality of supporting fingers arranged Yalong the rear end forward upper edges of the well, means to project said lingers beneath the rear and forward edge portions only of an article when the latter is in said second position to support the article upon retreat of the elevator, a forwardly reciprocating folder blade having slots to receive the tightening finger and the supporting fingers at the rear edge of the well, means to advance said blade to fold the rear downward extension of the wrapper beneath the article and simultaneously tighten the wrapper along the end portions thereof, and a pusher for advancing the article from the supporting fingers, said pusher carrying means for moving the forward wrapper tightening linger out of the path of the article, the folding channel having an edge engaging the forward downward extension of the wrapper to simultaneously tighten the wrapper along the entire length of the article and fold the lastnamed extension against the under face of the article and in overlapping relation with the previously folded rear extension.

2. In a wrapping machine of the type having an elevator reciprocable in a vertical well to transport an article and wrapper from a position below to a position in alignment with the entrance of a folding channel extending horizontally from 'the upper end of the well; forward and rear wall members spaced from the elevator and engaging the lwrapper to drape the latter freely about three sides of the article as the latter is moved by the elevator to said second position, forward and rear spring pressed wrapper tightening fingers mounted above the upper end of the elevator well and positioned to centrally en-i gage the adjacent sides of the article as the article emerges from the well to locally tighten the wrapper against the central portion of the upper, rear and forward faces of the article, a plurality of supporting fingers arranged along the rear and forward upper edges of the well, means to project said fingers beneath the rear and forward edge portions only of an article when the latter is in said second position to support the article upon retreat 'of tlie elevator, a forwardly reciprocating folder blade having Vslots to receive the tightening finger and the supporting fingers at the rear edge of the well, means to advance said blade to fold the rear downward extension of the wrapper beneath the article and simultaneously tighten the wrapper along the end portions there-'- of, a pusher for advancing the article from the supporting lingers, said pusher carrying means for moving the forward wrapper tightening finger out of the path of the article, the folding channel having an edge engaging the forward downward extension of the wrapper to simultaneously tighten the wrapper along the entire length of the article and fold the last-named extension against the under face of the article and in overlapping relation with the previously folded rear extension, means to advance the articles in spaced relation through the channel, forward end tuckers and bottom and top end folders positioned at the sides of the channel to .complete the enclosure of the ends of the article, the end tucker and end folders at one side of the channel being mounted for movement as a unit toward and from the adjacent end of the'packages and means to positively swing the end of said unit adjacent the elevator outwardly as the packages enter the channel and independently acting spring meansl at each end of the unit controlling the inward movement of the unit.

3. In a wrapping machine of the class described which includes a horizontal wrapping channel and an elevator movable from a position below the channel to a position in alignment therewith to transport an article and wrapper from Vsaid rst position to said second position; meansin the path of movement of the elevator to engage thewrapper and drape it freely about three sides of the article as the latter is raised by the elevator to said second position, spring pressed fingers positioned to engage the rear and forward faces, respectively, of the article in said second position to locally tighten and hold the wrapper about the central portion of the article, said forward holding linger being carried by a rock shaft, a forwardly reciprocating folder blade, means to advance the blade to fold the rear downward extension of the wrapper beneath the article, a pusher carrying rear end tuckers, means to advance said pusher to cause the tuckers to engage and fold the rear endwise wrapper extensions while the wrapper is held about the article throughout the length of the rear face of the article by the said folder blade and centrally of the front face by said forward holding finger, and means carried by the pusher to rock said shaft to swing the forward holding finger into the plane of the channel floor as the article is engaged and advanced into the channel and over said nger by the pusher.

4. In a wrapping machine of the class described which includes a horizontal folding channel; an end tucker and end folders arranged successively along each side of the channel in the direction of movement of the article through the channel,

the end tucker and end folders at one side of the channel being secured to a common support and held thereby against movement longitudinally of the channel, said support and the end tucker and folders secured thereto forming a unit, a pivotal mounting for said support permitting movement of said unit toward and from the channel, andmeans to swing the end of said unit adjacent the channel entrance outwardlyT to permit free entrance of an article into the channel and independently acting spring means at each end of the unit controlling the inward movement of the unit.

5. In a wrapping machine of the character described which includes a horizontal folding channel having end tucker and bottom and top end folders arranged successively along each side of the channel; characterized in that the end tucker and end folders at one side of the channel are connected to a common support, said support being suspended at each end by parallel links from a fixed frame, the parallel links at the discharge end of the channel being attached to the support by universal connections, means to swing the end of the support adjacent the channel entrance outwardly to permit free entrance of an article into the channel and independently acting springs at each end of the support urging the support and the parts carried thereby toward the adjacent end of articles in the channel.

6. In a wrapping machine of the character described which includes a horizontal folding channel having end tucker and bottom and top end folders arranged successively along each side of the channel; characterized in that the end tucker and end folders at one side of the channel are connected to a common support, said support being suspended at each end by parallel links from a xed frame, the parallel links at the discharge end of the channel being attached to the support by universal connections, a bell crank, one arm of which is attached to the end of the support adjacent the channel entrance by a lost motion connection, a constantly rotating cam engaging the other end of the bell crank to periodically swing said end of the support outwardly to permit free entrance of an article into the channel and spring connected to the ends of the support and urging the support and the parts carried thereby toward the adjacent end of articles in the channel. y

7. In a wrapping machine of the class described which includes a horizontal folding channel having end tucker and end folders arranged succes sively along each side of the channel; a beam forming a common support for the end tucker and end folders at one side of the channel, respective block members connecting the last-mentioned end tucker and end folders to said beam, heater units mounted in said block members tc heat the tucker and end folders carried thereby, and means to swing the end of said support adjacent the channel entrance outwardly to permit free entrance of an article into the channel.

8. In a wrapping machine having a folding and sealing channel which comprises opposed side wall members, said channel being characterized in that one side wall member is movable toward and from the channel, fixed brackets positioned above said wall adjacent each end thereof, and a pair of parallel links at each end of the wall member, the links of each pair lying in a plane at right angles to the plane of the wall and having their lower ends connected to the wall for pivotal movement in the plane of the links, the upper ends of the links being connected to the adjacent bracket for pivotal movement in the plane of the links, the last-mentioned connections at one end of the wall member comprising ball and socket joints.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,107,474 Baker Aug. 18, 1914 1,117,260 Levigne Nov. 17, 1914 1,266,705 Murphy May 21, 1918 1,556,187 Waterstone Oct. 6, 1925 1,646,496 Sandberg Oct. 25, 1927 1,972,252 Van Buren Sept. 4, 1934 2,052,717 Littleeld Sept. 1, 1936 2,080,266 Gwinn May 11, 1937 2,144,448 Brightwell Jan. 17, 1939 2,170,312 Tuthill Aug. 22, 1939 2,208,776 Sandberg July 23, 1940 2,260,324 Kottmann Oct. 28, 1941 2,304,428 Smith Dec. 8, 1942 2,526,824 May Oct. 24, 1950 2,553,871 Sandberg May 22, 1951 2,567,405 Sandberg Sept. 11, 1951

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