GB1203223A - Method and machine for packaging or wrapping block-shaped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,203,223. Packaging-apparatus. HAUNIWERKE KORBER & CO. K.G. 12 Sept., 1967 [19 Sept., 1966], No. 41636/66. Heading B8C. A machine for packaging articles separately comprises a supply conveyer for the articles, and means to perform packaging steps on successive groups of articles wherein all articles of each group are displaced simultaneously and each of the steps is performed simultaneously on all the articles of each group. In particular, the articles to be packaged are block-shaped, and may be blocks of cigarettes. Feeding articles.-Articles 1 arrive on an endless chain 2, Fig. 1, incorporating cells 3, each holding a single article. The chain 2 is driven intermittently, advancing a distance corresponding to a group of six articles at each step, and each group is quality tested by a device 4, Fig. 2, encompassing an arc of a wheel 7 around which the chain 2 passes. Next, six feed plungers 29 simultaneously push each article of a group into holders 16 arranged on bell cranks 6 of a first transfer conveyer 5. The bell cranks 6 are rotatably mounted on a stationary carrier 8 and are pivotallly connected to a member 9 operated by a cam 14 to cause the free ends of the cranks 6 to traverse paths 15, Fig. 1. Each holder 16 comprises a presser chamber, Fig. 3 (not shown), which compresses the article held during movement of the crank 6. Insertion of articles into containers.-A further six feed plungers 35, Fig. 2, now push the articles 1 from the holders 16 into and through a wrapper conveyer 40 of turret form, driven intermittently by a shaft 41 in step with, but in the opposite direction to, the chain 2. The turret 40 has twenty-four hollow mandrel bodies 42, through six of which the articles 1 are pushed, carrying with them preformed wrappers 43, each of which may comprise an outer container and a liner, previously positioned on the mandrels 42, whilst at the same time further wrappers 43 are formed on other mandrels 42 on the turret 40. A further set of six plungers 44, Fig. 2, disposed adjacent to the lower part of the turret 40, co-operate with plates 45 to form the bottoms of wrappers 43 prior to the insertion of articles. The articles 1 are now in opentopped containers and have been pushed into pockets 58 on a second transfer conveyer 46, similar in form and operation to the first transfer conveyer 5. However, in this case, the arcuate movement of the ends of bell cranks 47 is converted into a purely radial motion of pockets 58 by link members 57. As the pockets 58 slide down guide bars 59, the tops of the containers 43 are closed by stationary and movable folders 62, 64 respectively. Each folder member 62 comprises blades 37, 38 for folding the flaps of a container, and a member 39 for folding the leading tuck. The members 64 are reciprocated by a slotted segmental member (104), Fig. 4 (not shown), which is caused to oscillate by a cam (109), to fold the trailing tucks. The folder means may also comprise heated presser members to seal the container. Labelling and delivery of packages.-Six slider members 65, Fig. 2, now transfer the wrapped articles 85 from the pockets 58 to a turret 67 having pivotally movable pockets (68), Fig. 5 (not shown). The turret 67 is driven intermittently by a shaft 77, and this movement causes simultaneous rotation of each pocket (68) through 90 degrees. A continuously rotating wheel 80 now applies a label 81 or the like to each package 85 by means of a cam-operated plunger 87 when the package is in the radial position. Six plungers 89, Fig. 2, now eject packages 85 from the pockets (68). A delayed signal is sent to these plungers 89 from the testing device 4 so that unsatisfactory packages are ejected into a container 90, whereas accepted packages are delivered on to a conveyer 93. In a modification, Figs. 7, 8 (not shown), the folding of the tops of the containers is not performed on the separate feed paths, and so only one set of folding means is required. Also, labels are applied simultaneously to each of six packages in a stationary phase.