GB1352522A - Wrapping apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1352522 Machine for wrapping articles MOLINS Ltd 19 April 1971 [9 Feb 1970] 6031/70 Heading B8C A machine for wrapping an article comprises a carrier member 3, drive means for moving the member continuously on a closed substantially rectilinear polygonal path having n sides AB, CD, EF, GH means for feeding a length of wrapping material 2a, 2b to the member 3, means for holding the material on the member, means for depositing an article on to the material, and operating means positioned adjacent at least two of the n sides of the path to perform successive steps in a wrapping operation to at least partially enclose the article in the material as the member is moved past the operating means by the drive means. As shown, foil 2a, 2b for wrapping bundles of cigarettes is introduced by known means at position I, Fig. 1, to the member 3 to which it is held by suction means and is then moved by an arm 5 along the path AB, CD, EF, GH, through stations II where the article 1 is introduced and wrapped in the foil by tucking and folding devices of conventional form. The mechanism for effecting movement of the member 3 along the path comprises a first sun gear 21, Figs. 3 and 4, mounted on a shaft 22 fixed to a plate 23. A first planet carrier 24 is rotatably mounted on shaft 22 and fixed to a gear-wheel 25 also rotatable about the shaft 22. The gear 25 meshes with a gear 26 which is carried by a drive shaft 27 rotatable in the plate 23 and driven by a drive unit 29. A first planet gear 31 on the carrier 24 meshes with the sun gear 21 and a second planet gear 32 on the carrier 24 meshes with the gear 31 and is also fixed to a second planet carrier 34 with which the gear 32 is rotatable. A second sun gear 35 is fixed to a shaft 36 which passes through a hollow shaft 33 and is fixed to carrier 24. A third planet gear 38 rotatably mounted on carrier 34 meshes with sun gear 35 and a fourth planet gear 40 meshes with gear 38. A pin 5a of arm 5 is fixed to gear 40. In operation, the orientation of the arm 5 remains the same in relation to carrier 34 as the arm is carried round the axis of gear 21 by the carrier 24, a point P (the axis of gear 40) traverses a substantially square path, the sides of which have a slight inward curvature, which latter is minimized by a mechanism comprising a cam 44 which during its rotation allows slight rotation of gear 21 by means of a spring loaded arm 41. The diameter of gears 21 and 32 in the ratio of 4 : 1 and of gears 35 and 40 in the ratio of 3 : 4. Specification 1,352,523 is referred to.