US3707063A

US3707063A - Apparatus for packaging ribbon-like material

Info

Publication number: US3707063A
Application number: US125134A
Authority: US
Inventors: Newman Mcintyre
Original assignee: CHRISTIE Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: CHRISTIE Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1971-03-17
Filing date: 1971-03-17
Publication date: 1972-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-26

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material, such as elastic webbing, in a rectangular open top container. The apparatus includes means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel, means for alternately engaging opposite faces of the material to impart a zig-zag movement thereto and to guidingly position the same in overlapping runs in the container, and means for reciprocating the container to form overlying layers each comprising overlapping zig-zag runs. A pair of hold down arms are positioned adjacent the sides of the container to apply a holding force on the material and thereby preclude voids along the container sides caused by movement of the material toward the center of the container.

Description

[451 Dec. 26, 1972 [54] APPARATUS-FOR PACKAGING RIBBON-LIKE MATERIAL [72] Inventor: Newman McIntyre, Shelby, N.C.

[73] Assignee: Christie Manufacturing Company,

Shelby, N.C.

22 Filed: March 17,1971 21 Appl. No.: 125,134

[52] US. Cl ..53/116, 270/79 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 3/04 [58] Field of Search ..53/116; 270/79, 62

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 3,495,819 2/l970 Davidson ..270/79 3,557,524 1/1971 Zimmerman ..53/116 3,605,378 9/1971 Read ..53/116 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attorney-Patron, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material, such as elastic webbing, in a rectangular open top container. The apparatus includes means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel, means for alternately engaging opposite faces of the material to impart a zig-zag movement thereto and to guidingly position the same in overlapping runs in the container, and means for reciprocating the container to form overlying layers-each comprising overlapping zig-zag runs. A pair of hold down arms are positioned adjacent the sides of the container to apply a holding force on the material and thereby preclude voids along the container sides caused by movement of the material toward the center of the container.

16 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED "E325 I97? 3. 707, 063

SHEET 2 OF 9 PATENTEDHEEZB 1912 I 3.707.063

sum u or 9 PATENTEB [1EB2 6 1972 SHEET 5 BF 9 SHEET 8 [IF 9' APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING RIBBON-LIKE MATERIAL The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material, such as elastic textile webbing, into a rectangular open top container or box. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for depositing a web of narrow fabric in a .number of overlying layers, with each layer comprising a series of flat untwisted segments folded into a zig-zag configuration.

Elastic webbing and other narrow fabricsemployed in the clothing industry are normally woven or otherwise produced by an independent manufacturer who then packages and ships the material to the clothing fabricator. In packaging such material, it is conventional to continuously feed the leading end of the web into an open top box or cylindrical container, such that the web is positioned therewithin in random folds and twists. Obviously, this procedure is inefficient from a packaging point of view since the random folds and twists occupy an inordinate volume. Also, difficulties are often encountered in removing the web from the container since the web tends to become entangled upon itself.

To alleviate the above problems, it has been proposed to feed the material into a rectangular container which is simultaneously reciprocated in two directions at right angles to each other, with the speed of reciprocation in one direction being faster than the speed in the other direction. By this arrangement, the

downwardly directed web of material is deposited in the box in horizontal layers each having a zig-zag pattern. It has been found however that this process is too slow for modern production requirements, and in addition, the box will not be filled along the edges since the movement of the box will tend to pull the ends of the zig-zag segments toward the center.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for efficiently and uniformly packaging a ribbon-like material such as an "elastic webbing or the like in a rectangular open top container.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus capable of rapidly positioning a ribbon-like material in a series of uniform, untwisted folds within a container to thereby facilitate the subsequent withdrawal of the same without tangling.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision of means for supporting the container, means for linearly reciprocating the supporting means in a horizontal plane, and means positioned above the supporting means for linearly reciprocating the material in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the supporting means. The means for linearly reciprocating the material include a pair of downwardly directed feeder arms positioned on opposite sides of the material path of travel. These two arms are oscillated in a coordinated sequence such that the material is selectively engaged by one feeder arm and translated laterally in one direction, and then engaged by the other feeder arm and translated in the opposite direction. A pair of pivotally mounted hold-down arms are disposed adjacent the sides of the container and are adapted to engage the material to prevent the same from being drawn toward the center of the container.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the portion of th apparatus shown in the lower portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational, view, partly sectioned, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and facing opposite the view shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional front elevational view taken substantially along the line 6--6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating in manner in which the material is positioned in the container;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view, partly sectioned,

illustrating the direction in which the material is laterally translated by the feeder arms;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration indicating the arcs along which the guide arm portions of the feeder arms oscillate;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of a guide arm;

FIGS. l115 are schematic illustrations of the various sequential positions of the feeder arms-during one oscillation thereof,

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary plan viewtaken substantially along the line 1616 of FIG. 14.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the apparatus will be seen to include a generally box-like supporting framework comprising the lower support members 22, four

vertical uprights

24, 25, 26 and 27, upper

horizontal support members

28 and 30 extending between the

uprights

24 and 25, and 26 and 27 respectively, and an upper transverse support member 32 connected to the

members

28 and 30.

A web of ribbon-like material 35 .is fed to the machine from a source of supply (not shown), and initially across a reversely rotating beater roller 36 which is designed to remove any twist which may be present in the material. From the beater roller, the material is fed laterally across the top of the apparatus to a guide arm 38, and then generally along a downward path of travel by feeding means 40 which includes

nip rollers

41 and 42, the storage hopper 44, and gate 46, all as hereinafter further described. Upon leaving the gate 46, the material is alternately engaged on opposite faces by the means 50, which includes

feeder arms

52 and 54, for linearly reciprocating the material and guidingly positioning the same in overlapping runs in the underlying container 56.

The container 56 is supported by means generally indicated at 58, and both the container and supporting means are adapted to be linearly reciprocated in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the reciprocating means 50, but at a substantially slower speed, whereby the material 35 is deposited within the container in overlying layers each having a zig-zag configuration as best seen in FIG. 7. To ensure that the end edges of the container 56 do not interfere I positioned on the upper end edges of the container to maintain a slightly bowed configuration. To now describe downward feeding means 40 more specifically, the nip roller 41 is rotated at a substantially constant speed by an arrangement hereinafter described, and the following nip roller 42 is pivotally mounted so as to be selectively withdrawn from the roller 41 to thereby terminate the feed of the material 35. More particularly, the roller 42 is carriedby interconnected arms 60 and 61, which are pivotally mounted about the axis 62. The arms 60 and-61 are connectedto the lever arm 63 which is in turn connected to the central shaft of the solenoid 64. A spring 66 is positioned to normally bias the arm 63 downwardly and thus maintain operative engagement between the

rollers

41 and 42, but upon actuation of the solenoid 64, the arm 63 is lifted to release the driving engagement between the same.

The storage hopper 44 is adapted to receive the material fed by the rollers and retain a limited quantity of the material inrelaxed condition, and comprises an open top rectangular box 68 having an opening 69 in the bottom wall adapted to permit one-way movement of the material 35 therethrough. In particular, the gate 46 is positioned beneath the opening 69, the gate being pivotable against the spring arm 70 to its open position upon a force being exerted on the material in the downward direction. By this arrangement, a sufficient quantity of the material is always available which may be freely withdrawn from the box 68, and withdrawal will immediately terminate upon termination of the applied force. Also, since the material may be freely withdrawn from the box, there will be no significant pulling force on the previously laid run as the material is linearly reciprocated by .the feeder arms as hereinafter further described. Thus the tendency to displace the previously laid run is minimized.

To assure a proper supply of the material within the box 68, the hopper 44 includes a spring biased wand 72 extending laterally across the bottom wall of the box. The wand is operatively connected to a switch 74 which in turn controls the solenoid 64. By design, the weight of a normal amount of the material 35 acting on the wand will not trigger the switch 74, but if an excessive amount is present, the switch is actuated to close the solenoid 64. The nip rollers 4l and 42 are thereby separated to terminate the feeding operation. When a predetermined amount of the material has been withdrawn from the box, the solenoid 64 is opened to again initiate the feeding operation.

Y The means for linearly reciprocating the'material includes the first downwardly directed feeder arm 52 carried laterally adjacent the gate 46, the arm 52 being pivotally mounted for oscillation about the horizontal axis at 76. The second downwardly directed feeder arm 54 is carried laterally adjacent the gate 46 on the side thereof opposite the feeder arm 52, the second arm 54 being pivotally mounted for oscillation about the horizontal axis at 78 The first feeder arm 52 includes a horizontally disposed guide arm 80 carried at the lower end thereof, and the second feeder arm carries a similar guide arm 82 at its lower end. As will be observed from FIGS. 7 and 8, the axes 76 and .78 are substantially parallel to each other, and the feeder arms move in parallel planes lying on oppositesides of the centerline C of the gate 46. The two feeder arms are interconnected by the rod 84 so that they are oscillated in a coordinated. sequence, and a second rod 85 is employed to transmit the oscillatory motion to the two arms, the rod 85 being connected to the crank 86 having an adjustable arm 87 such that the extent of movement by the rod -85 may be controlled.

FIG. 10 illustrates the structural-details of the guide arm 82, which will be seen to. include an integral tab 90 on the terminal end of the .arm 54, and a forward horizontally disposed journal 92 mounting a pair of

spaced'roller bearings

93 and 94 to define a channel 97 therebetween. A horizontally disposed flange 95 is secured to the tab. 90 and presents an arcuately curved cam surface 96 along the side of the arm opposite the bearings. As will be understood, the guide arm 80 is of a similar construction. I

As best seen in FIG. 9 which illustrates the sequence of movement by the two feeder arms during one oscillation, the feeder arm 52 oscillates along an arc A such that the guide arm 80 intersects the path of travel of the material leaving the gate 46 and extends laterally to a terminal position generally below the axis 76. Similarly, the guide arm 54 oscillates along an arc B such that the guide arm 82 intersects the path of travel at approximately the same location and extends laterally to a terminal position generally below its axis 78. By design, the arm 52 will be at its terminal position during the time that the arm 54 is in the vicinity of the gate 46, and

the arm 54 is at its terminal position when the arms 52 I is adjacent the gate. Also, it will be noted from FIGS. 7 and 8 that the terminal positions of the two feeder arms will be established to substantially coincide with the outside edges or sides of the container 56. g

It will be apparent from FIG. 9 that the

guide arms

80 and 82 must twice pass through the web, during movement from their respective terminal positions toward the gate 46. To accomplish this function, there is provided means for deflecting the material from the guide arms during movement in this direction. In theillustrated embodiment, this deflecting means comprises the cam surface 96 carried along one side edge of each guide arm, as well as a pair of cooperating cam surfaces 98 and 99 fixedly mounted to the frame of the apparatus. More particularly, and viewing FIGS. 1 1-13, it will be observed that the cam surface 96 on the arm 80 initially laterally deflects the material to permit its passage approximately midway in the traverse of its oscillation, note FIG. 13. The arm 80 deflects the material a second time at the point indicated in FIG. 14. At this latter point, the fixed cam surface 99 cooperates with the cam surface 96 on the arm to assure the deflection of the material. Obviously, the cam surface 96 on the arm 82 functions in a similar manner during its oscillation toward the gate 46.

During the oscillation of each guide arm toward their respective terminal positions, it'will be apparent that the

roller bearings

93 and 94 form an abutment surface for engaging the material and translating the same laterally toward the associated terminal positions. The bearings serve to facilitate the movement of the material thereacross, and the channel 97 formed between the bearings has been found to facilitate the centering and retention of the material on the arm by forming a slight indentation in the material, note FIG. 10. Thus during operation, one guide arm initially engages the material and translates the same laterally toward its terminal position, and then the other guide arm laterally translates the web in the opposite direction to form overlapping runs.

To facilitate the deflection of the material 35, the centerlines (or channels 97) of the guide arms are offset and positioned to move in planes lying on opposite sides of the gate centerline C, note FIG. 8. For this reason, the movement of the material from the gate 46 will be at a slight angle with respect to the movement of the guide arms, and thus the overlapping runs will be positioned at an acute angle D with respect to the centerline C. Typically the angle D is about 2-4. As will be further described below, the container 56 and its supporting means 58 may be canted a similar angle to assure that the material 35 is positioned parallel to the ends of the container.

A pair of pivotally mounted hold-down

arms

100 and 102 are mounted to releasably engage the material upori the associated guide arm reaching its terminal position, such that the material is retained at the terminal position and deposited in overlapping runs as seen in FIG. 8. More particularly, each hold down arm is pivotally mounted about the

axes

104 and 106 respectively, and each includes a lower pad 108 having two downwardly directed teeth 110 adapted to contact the web. As best seen in FIG. 10, the teeth are tilted outwardly to firmly engage the material as the guide arm oscillates in the reverse direction, and they are positioned in alignment with the channel 97 to avoid contact with the associated guide arm. When the feeder arm oscillates toward its terminal position, the forward abutment edge of the guide arm strikes the inclined lower cam surface 112 of the hold down arm to lift the arm and thereby releasethe material. The pad 108 then drops onto the material as seen in FIG. to retain the same closely adjacent the side edge of the container as the guide arm swings away.

The overall operation of the feeder arms will be apparent from a study of FIGS. 9 and 11-15. In particular, in FIG. 9 the guide arm 80 is at its terminal position generally below the axis 76, while the arm 82 is at the end of the arc B opposite its terminal position and on the opposite side of the gate 46. From this position, the two arms oscillate clockwise through the positions shown in FIGS. 11-13 wherein the cam surface 96 of the guide arm 80 has deflected the material laterally a distance sufficient to permit passage of the guide arm, while the abutment surface of the guide arm 82 on feeder arm 54 has engaged the web and is translating it laterally toward the hold-down arm 102. In FIG. 14, the guide arm 80 in cooperation with the fixed cam 99 again deflects the material laterally to permit passage. Also, the arm 82 is approaching its terminal position and has lifted the hold-down arm 102 to release the underlying web and permit entry of a new overlapping run. At this point, it should be noted that the holddown arm 100 at the opposite end of the run is engaging the material to prevent movement toward the center of the container. In FIG. 15, the position of the two feeder arms is reversed from that shown in FIG. 9, and they are now in position to oscillate counterclockwise to draw the web in the opposite direction in a similar manner.

The supporting means 58 for the container 56 includes a platform 1 16 which is supported by a wheel assembly 1 18 positioned along each of its side edges, note FIGS. 2 and 5. In addition, the platform carries a laterally directed side pin for linearly reciprocating the platform in a manner further described below, as well as two intersecting raised

side walls

121 and 122 defining a corner for accurately locating the container. The wheel assemblies 118 ride on the spaced

trackways

124, 125 of a carriage 126, the trackways being slightly offset or canted as seen in FIG. 5. The carriage 126 includes four vertically directed wheel assemblies 128 for supporting the same against lateral movement, the wheel assemblies riding along the vertical support members 24-27. A lift jack assembly 130 is provided for vertically supporting the carriage 126, and thus the platform 116 and container 56, the lift jack being adapted to lower the container at a predetermined speed correlated to the buildup of material therein. Also, the lift jack includes means for rapidly elevating the platform after the container has been filled and removed from the platform.

To more specifically describe the jack assembly 130, reference is made to FIG. 3. A hollow vertical post 132 is secured to the carriage, and is adapted to freely receive a threaded stud 133 therein. An internally threaded sleeve 134 is carried by the stud and supports the lower end of the post. The sleeve 134 is rotated by the

mating bevel gears

135, 136, which are connected through the reduction gears 137, 138, universal connector 139, and gear box to the variable diameter pulley 141. The pulley 141 carries a belt 142 for connecting the same to the pulley 143, and an adjustable idler 144 is employed to adjust the tension in the belt and thereby the diameter of the pulley 141 and thus the speed at which the carriage 126 is lowered. Preferably, the carriage is lowered at a speed correlated to the build up of overlying layers of material in the container such that the material is deposited at a predetermined fixed elevation therein. To rapidly elevate the carriage 126', a motor 146 is connected through shaft 147 and gear box 148 to the stud 133. Thus, upon actuation of the motor 146, the normally stationary stud 133 is rotated to lift the post 132 and carriage 126. A clutchbrake device 149 may be positioned on shaft 147 to preclude rotation of stud 133 during the lowering operation.

The driving arrangement for the apparatus is best seen in FIG. 4 and includes a main drive motor 150 connected to a gear reducer 152. The reducer carries the crank assembly 86 for driving the feeder arms as described above, and also carries a sprocket 154 and chain 155 for rotating the main drive shaft 158. The main drive shaft 158 is connected across the chain and sprocket assembly 160 to the shaft 162 carrying a pulley 1 64 and belt 165 at one end for driving the pulley 166 and feed roller 41. The shaft 162 also carries a pulley 168 for rotating the web beater roller 36. As seen in FIG. 1, the belt 169 interconnecting the pulley 168 and roller 36 is crossed such that the roller 36 rotates in a direction opposite to the movement of the web.

The main drive shaft 158 is also connected to the platform traverse shaft 172 by an arrangement which permits selective rotation of the shaft 172 in either direction. In particular, the drive shaft 158 and traverse shaft 172 carry mating gears 174, 175 which, when interconnected by the clutch assembly 176, serves to rotate the traverse shaft 172 in a direction opposite to the main drive shaft 158. A chain and sprocket assembly 178 is also provided which, when interconnected by theclutch assembly 177, serves to rotate these two shafts in the same direction.

The platform traverse shaft 172 is externally threaded, and carries an internally'threaded follower 180 which is slidably retained within the bracket 181. The bracket 181 is fixedly connected to a plate 182 which is mounted for-lateral translation by upper and

lower wheel assemblies

184, 185 respectively, and

mating trackways

186, 187. Thus, upon rotation of the traverse shaft 172, the follower 180 is held against rotation by the bracket 181, and thus the-follower 180 and plate 182 will be moved laterally along

trackways

186, 187. When the direction of rotation of the shaft 172 is reversed, it will be seen in FIG. 4 that there will .be a period of dwell in the movement of the plate 182 since the follower 180 is axially longer than the bracket. Since the guide arms are not able to position the material in contact with the ends of the container, the period of dwell assures the deposit of sufficient material to fill the container along its ends.

The plate 182 carries a pair of spaced downwardly directed

arms

189, 190 which by design are positioned on opposite sides of the side pin 120 of the platform 116, note FIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, the platform 116 is translated laterally with the plate 182. Also, the interconnection between these two members permits the platform 116 to be raised or lowered while maintaining their interengagement. Y I

As will be noted from PK]. 5, the direction of the

trackways

124, 125 is offset at an acute angle to the machine direction. By design, this offset correspondgs to the angle D in FIG. 8, and thus the platform 1 l6 and container 56 will be linearly reciprocated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the material 35 is translated and positioned in the container 56. The

side walls

121 and 122 of the platform 116 are similarly offset from the machine direction, and thus the material is positioned in the container 56 in over-lapping rows which, when the platform is stationary, are generally parallel to the container end walls. Thus the reciprocation of the platform 116 and container 56 resulting from an automatic sequential reversal of the traverse shaft 172 serves to deposit the material in overlying layers of overlapping zig-zag runs, and the speed of reciprocation controls the amount of overlap of the successive runs.

The electrical controls for efiecting the sequential reversal of the shaft 172 are of conventional construction well known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be described in detail herein. Generally however, it will be understood that upon completion of the filling process, the operation of the motor 150 is manually terminated, and the filled container 56 removed from the platform 1 16. The high speed return motor 146 is then manually actuated to elevate the platform to its initial position, and the filling operation is restarted with an empty container.

While in the illustrated embodiment the material is deposited in an open top rectangular container, it will be understood that in certain cases it may be desirable to deposit the material directly onto the platform 116 without using a container. The resulting bundle could then be suitably tied to retain its configuration during shipment.

1n the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material in an open top rectangular container comprising means for supporting the container,

means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane, means positioned above said supporting means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel and including means for linearly reciprocating the material in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said supporting means and at a speed considerably in excess of the speed of said supporting means to deposit the material in the container in overlying layers having a zig-zag configuration, and

means positioned above said supporting means and extending downwardly into the container for applying a holding force to the overlying layers of material deposited in the container.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means for lowering said supporting means at a predetermined speed correlated to the buildup of material in the container.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means for rapidly elevating said supporting means after the filled container has been removed from the supporting means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means includes means for providing for a period of dwell at the terminal end of each reciprocation to assure the deposit of a sufficient amount of the material along the ends of the container.

5. An apparatus for packaging a continuous ribbonlike material in a container in overlapping zig-zag runs comprising means for feeding the ribbon-like material from a source into an open top container,

means including a pair of feeder arms cooperating with said feeding means for alternately engaging opposite faces of the fed ribbon-like material to impart a zig-zag movement thereto and to guidingly position the material in overlapping runs in the container, and

means for reciprocating the container in timed relation to said feeding means to control the amount of overlap of the successive runs of the ribbon-like material and to arrange the same in layers in the container.

6. An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material in an open top rectangular container comprising means for supporting the container,

means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane,

a pair of cooperating rollers positioned above said supporting means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel,

a transitory storage hopper positioned below said rollers and adapted to receive the material fed by the rollers and retain a limited quantity of the material therein in relaxed condition, said storage hopper having opening means in the bottom thereof for permitting the withdrawal of the material therefrom, and t means for withdrawing the material from the storage hopper and for linearly reciprocating the same in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said supporting means and at a speed considerably in excess of the speed of said supporting means to deposit the material in the container in overlying layers having a zig-zag configuration.

7. An apparatus for linearly reciprocating a ribbonlike material to form overlapping zig-zag runs of the same in an open top container or the like comprising means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel,

a first downwardly directed feeder arm carried laterally adjacent said material path of travel and being pivotally mounted for oscillation about a first horizontal axis, said feeder arm including a horizontally disposed first guide arm carried at the lower end thereof, second downwardly directed feeder arm carried laterally adjacent said material path of travel on the side thereof opposite said first feeder arm, said second feeder arm being pivotally mounted for oscillation about a second horizontal axis extending generally parallel to said first axis and including a horizontally disposed second guide arm carried at the lower end thereof,

means for oscillating said first and second feeder arms in a coordinated sequence'such that said first guide arm oscillates along an arc which intersects said material path of travel and extends laterally to a terminal position generally below said first axis, and said second guide arm oscillates along an arc which intersects said material path of travel and extends laterally to a terminal position generally below said second axis,

means for deflecting the material from said first and second guide arms during oscillation away from their respective terminal positions,

means for engaging the material by said first and second guide arms during oscillation toward their respective terminal positions, whereby the material is sequentially engaged by said first guide arm and translated laterally in one direction and then engaged by said second guide arm and translated laterally in the opposite direction, and

means for retaining the material upon reaching said terminal positions whereby the material is deposited in overlapping runs.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for supporting the container immediately below said material feeding means, and means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane and in timed relation to said feeder arms oscillating means whereby the overlapping runs of the material are arranged in overlying layers in the contamer.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for deflecting the material from said first and second guide arms comprises a cam carried along one side edge of each guide arm and being adapted to laterally deflect the material upon contact therewith.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for engaging the material by said first and second guide arms comprises rotatable bearings carried along the side edge of each guide arm opposite said cam to thereby facilitate the movement of the material thereacross during movement of the guide arm toward its terminal position.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the bearings carried on each guide arm are laterally spaced to define an intermediate channel adapted to center the material as it moves thereacross, the channels of said two guide arms being laterally offset and on opposite sides of the material path of travel such that the material is translated away from the path of travel at an acute angle with respect to the movement of the guide arms, and said means for supporting the container is aligned so as to be reciprocated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the material is translated by the guide arms.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for retaining the material upon reaching the terminal positions comprises a pivotally mounted hold down arm adapted to normally rest upon and engage the material adjacent each of said terminalpositions, said hold down arms including a cam surface adapted to be engaged by said guide arms to lift the hold down arms and thereby release the underlying material as the guide arms approach said terminal positions.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel comprises a pair of cooperating nip rollers adapted to receive the material therebetween and feed the same in a downward direction, means for rotating said nip rollers, a transitory storage hopper positioned immediately below said nip rollers and adapted to receive and retain a limited quantity of the material, and opening means positioned in the bottom of said storage hopper for permitting the withdrawal of the material upon a downward force being applied thereto.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said opening means includes a pivotable gate adapted to release the material upon an axial force being applied thereto and to otherwise engage the material to prevent continuous withdrawal of the same from the storage hopper.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 further including means responsive to a predetermined amount of material being in the storage hopper for laterally separating said nip rollers to terminate the feeding of the material into the storage hopper.

16. An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material in an open top rectangular container comprising means for supporting the container,

means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane,

means positioned above said supporting means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel and including means for linearly reciprocating the material in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said supporting means inenin rm,

and at a speed considerably in excess of the speed of said supporting means to deposit the material in the container in overlying layers having a zig-zag configuration, and wherein said means for linearly reciprocating the material includes a pair of downwardly directed feeder arms positioned adjacent the material path of travel with one arm on each side thereof, and means for oscillating said

Claims

1. An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material in an open top rectangular container comprising means for supporting the container, means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane, means positioned above said supporting means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel and including means for linearly reciprocating the material in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said supporting means and at a speed considerably in excess of the speed of said supporting means to deposit the material in the container in overlying layers having a zig-zag configuration, and means positioned above said supporting means and extending downwardly into the container for applying a holding force to the overlying layers of material deposited in the container.

5. An apparatus for packaging a continuous ribbon-like material in a container in overlapping zig-zag runs comprising means for feeding the ribbon-like material from a source into an open top container, means including a pair of feeder arms cooperating with said feeding means for alternately engaging opposite faces of the fed ribbon-like material to impart a zig-zag movement thereto and to guidingly position the material in overlapping runs in the container, and means for reciprocating the container in timed relation to said feeding means to control the amount of overlap of the successive runs of the ribbon-like material and to arrange the same in layers in the container.

6. An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material in an open top rectangular container comprising means for supporting the container, means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane, a pair of cooperating rollers positioned above said supporting means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel, a transitory storage hopper positioned below said rollerS and adapted to receive the material fed by the rollers and retain a limited quantity of the material therein in relaxed condition, said storage hopper having opening means in the bottom thereof for permitting the withdrawal of the material therefrom, and means for withdrawing the material from the storage hopper and for linearly reciprocating the same in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said supporting means and at a speed considerably in excess of the speed of said supporting means to deposit the material in the container in overlying layers having a zig-zag configuration.

7. An apparatus for linearly reciprocating a ribbon-like material to form overlapping zig-zag runs of the same in an open top container or the like comprising means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel, a first downwardly directed feeder arm carried laterally adjacent said material path of travel and being pivotally mounted for oscillation about a first horizontal axis, said feeder arm including a horizontally disposed first guide arm carried at the lower end thereof, a second downwardly directed feeder arm carried laterally adjacent said material path of travel on the side thereof opposite said first feeder arm, said second feeder arm being pivotally mounted for oscillation about a second horizontal axis extending generally parallel to said first axis and including a horizontally disposed second guide arm carried at the lower end thereof, means for oscillating said first and second feeder arms in a coordinated sequence such that said first guide arm oscillates along an arc which intersects said material path of travel and extends laterally to a terminal position generally below said first axis, and said second guide arm oscillates along an arc which intersects said material path of travel and extends laterally to a terminal position generally below said second axis, means for deflecting the material from said first and second guide arms during oscillation away from their respective terminal positions, means for engaging the material by said first and second guide arms during oscillation toward their respective terminal positions, whereby the material is sequentially engaged by said first guide arm and translated laterally in one direction and then engaged by said second guide arm and translated laterally in the opposite direction, and means for retaining the material upon reaching said terminal positions whereby the material is deposited in overlapping runs.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for supporting the container immediately below said material feeding means, and means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane and in timed relation to said feeder arms oscillating means whereby the overlapping runs of the material are arranged in overlying layers in the container.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for retaining the material upon reaching the terminal positions comprises a pivotally mounted hold down arm adapted to normally rest upon and engage the material adjacent each of said terminal positions, said hold down arms including a cam surface adapted to be engaged by said guide arms to lift the hold down arms and thereby release the underlying material as the guide arms approach said terminal positions.

16. An apparatus for packaging a ribbon-like material in an open top rectangular container comprising means for supporting the container, means for linearly reciprocating said supporting means in a horizontal plane, means positioned above said supporting means for feeding the material along a downward path of travel and including means for linearly reciprocating the material in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said supporting means and at a speed considerably in excess of the speed of said supporting means to deposit the material in the container in overlying layers having a zig-zag configuration, and wherein said means for linearly reciprocating the material includes a pair of downwardly directed feeder arms positioned adjacent the material path of travel with one arm on each side thereof, and means for oscillating said feeder arms in a coordinated sequence whereby the material is sequentially engaged by one feeder arm and translated laterally in one direction and then engaged by the other feeder arm and translated in the opposite direction, and means for applying a holding force to the overlying layers of material deposited in the container.