GB1585852A - Food packing machine - Google Patents

Description

(54) FOOD PACKING MACHINE (71) We, EXCEL ENGINEERING INC., Grand Street & Wise Avenue, Red Lion, Pennsylvania 17356, United States of America, a company organised and existing under the laws of the United States of America do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to apparatus for wrapping articles and, more especially, it relates to apparatus for applying wrapping paper to frozen patties or the like.

The overwhelming popularity of fast food establishments such as hamburger chain outlets has established a substantial continuing requirement for very large amounts of good supplies. These supply problems have largely been met by means of pre-prepared and pre-packaged frozen food items. Accordingly, a high premium is being placed on economical and effective packaging and delivery of these items.

Food packaging machines for processing large numbers of frozen patties or the like must operate efficiently, at a rather hlgh rate, and as cheaply as possible. Moreover, due to the sanitation requirements of the food packaging industry, the machines must be capable of rapid dismantling and reassembly, for purposes of cleaning.

The present invention provides apparatus for applying wrapping material to at least alternate ones of a series of continuously fed individual articles, the apparatus comprising; (a) collating means including packaging means for collating said articles after said wrapping material is applied thereto; (b) conveyor means for passing said articles along a path to said collating means (c) input means for supplying the articles one at a time to the conveyor means, said input means comprising a conveyor belt having cleats thereon at predetermined distances from one another, said articles being deposited between successive cleats; and rotating means defining, with said conveyor belt, a passage of limited size, through which articles deposited on the conveyor belt can pass, the limited size of said passage preventing more than a single article from being retained between successive cleats; (d) supply means for inserting wrapping material for said articles into the path. said wrapping material adhering to said articles as they are moved past said supply means, (e) first solid state control means, responsive to passage of said articles into said conveyor means for actuating said supply means; and (f) second solid state control means; responsive to passage of said articles from said conveyor means, for regulating the packaging at said collating means.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably said conveyor means comprises first and second drive means separated by said supply means for inserting wrapping material into said path, articles passing from said conveyor belt to said first drive means, from said first means to said second drive means, and from said second drive means to said collating means.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably the conveyor belt having cleats thereon has an inclined conveying reach, a pivotally mounted endless band assembly being provided at the outlet of said passage for entraining articles between the cleats to prevent them from being dislodged therefrom.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph or the last preceding paragraph but one preferably each of said first and second drive means comprises a revolving bottom continuous-loop belt assembly and a revolving top continuous-loop belt assembly, associated top and bottom belt loops being driven to revolve in opposite directions from one another, articles to be wrapped being sandwiched between respective ones of said top and bottom belt assemblies and being conveyed along therewith, and wherein both of said top continuous loop belt assemblies are pivotally connected relative to their associated bottom continuous loop belt assemblies, entry of an article to be wrapped between associated belt assemblies causing the top one of said associated belt assemblies to pivot upwardly to allow passage of said article to be wrapped.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably said first solid state control means comprises means for counting each article to be wrapped on passing between the top and bottom belt assemblies of said first drive means.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably said first solid state control means comprises proximity switch means situated adjacent the top belt assembly of said first drive means, said supply means being actuated by each actuation of said switch means.

In an apparatus as set forth in any one of the last three immediately preceding paragraphs preferably said second solid state control means comprises means for counting each article on passing between the top and bottom belt assemblies of said second drive means.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably said second control means comprises proximity switch means situated adjacent the top belt assembly of said second drive means.

In an apparatus as set forth in any one of the last eight immediately preceding paragraphs preferably said supply means includes; (a) means for producing segments of wrapping material of predetermined size; and (b) wrapping material support means for positioning said segments of wrapping material in said path.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably said means for producing segments of wrapping material of predetermined size comprises (a) a roll of wrapping material; (b) a plurality of pulleys over which said wrapping material is arranged; (c) spring means for maintaining said material in a state of tension between successive ones of said pulleys; (d) means, responsive to said first solid state control means, for feeding a predetermined length of material from said roll and, (e) cutting means for cutting segments of wrapping material at said predetermined length.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably said support means comprises a structural support assembly including first and second grid portions, said material segments being directed from said producing means between said grid portions, said first and second grid portions defining an opening larger than said articles, said support assembly being situated relative to said conveyor means with said opening located in the path of articles passing on said conveyor means, said opening in said grid portions being so situated that material segments adhere to an equal extent on the top and bottom of articles as they are passed through said opening by said conveyor means.

An apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably further comprises (a) a source of compressed air; and (b) outlet means for directing air jets onto segments of material from said means for producing to guide the segments between said first and second grid portions.

In an apparatus as set forth in any one of the last twelve immediately preceding paragraphs preferably said conveyor belt having cleats thereon and said rotating means are driven by a belt drive arrangement, and solid state means responsive to changes in the tension of the belt drive arrangement is provided for disabling the belt drive arrangement in the event of an overload condition.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably solid state means is provided for sensing a break in feed of wrapping material by said supply means. and, when a break in feed is sensed, for disabling said belt drive arrangement and stopping said supply means.

In an apparatus as set forth in any one of the last fourteen immediately preceding paragraphs preferably said first and second solid state control means each comprises means for sensing the passage of articles by said conveyor means.

In an apparatus as set forth in any one of the last fifteen immediately preceding paragraphs preferably said collating means comprises: (a) first piston means situated to collect articles from said conveyor means, one on top of another, the vertical position of said piston means being adjustable; and (b) plunger means located above said piston means, said plunger means operating in response to said second control means to drive said first piston means downward by a predetermined distance upon receipt of each article from said conveyor means.

An apparatus as set forth in the last preceding paragraph preferably further comprises: (a) a rotatable table supporting said first piston means and further including at least one other piston means identical to the first piston means; and (b) drive means for rotating said table to position a different piston means to collect articles from said conveyor means at predetermined intervals in response to said second control means.

There now follows a detailed description to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings of an apparatus according to the invention selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

Figure I is a lateral view of an apparatus according to the present invention; and Figures la and 1b are side and plan views respectively of a patty sensor, provided adjacent the wrapping station of the apparatus; Figures ic and id are side and plan views respectively of a second patty sensor provided at an output end of the apparatus Figure 2 is a top view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cutaway side view of the apparatus of Figure 2:: Figure 4 is a close up view of the input section of the Figure 1 apparatus, where patties are transported from an input conveyor to the wrapping machinery; Figure 4a is a plan view of a patty hold-down arm positioned at the input end of the machine; Figure 4b is a side view of the patty hold-down arm shown in Figure 4a; Figure 5 is a detailed cross-section of apparatus which takes up the patties from a supply; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of parts of the paper supply and patty wrapping apparatus of the present invention; Figure 7 is a typical sequence of alternately wrapped patties; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the parts of apparatus shown in Figure 6: Figure 9 is a sectional version of a part of the parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 8:: Figure 10 is a side view of take-up and stacking means of the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of control means which regulates the operation of the take-up and stacking means of the apparatus; and Figures 12 and 13 show views of the mechanisms which drive the take-up means of Figure 11; Figure 13a is a schematic view illustrating the movement of means controlling indexing of a loading table of the apparatus; Figure 14 is a circuit diagram of the DC power supply including a 14V DC and + 22V DC supplies; Figure 15 is a circuit diagram of a switching circuit of the apparatus;; Figure 16 is a circuit diagram of the input jam circuit whereby the input of the apparatus can be shut down in the event of a jam occurring in the input, counting means for monitoring patty input, resetting of the counting means, and the control of the paper feed indexing mechanism; Figure 17 is a circuit diagram of the output jam circuit whereby the apparatus can be shut down in the event of a jam occurring at the output of the apparatus, the control of the packing piston at the output and the drive of the input and feed conveyors of the apparatus; Figure 18 is a circuit diagram of the circuit controlling indexing of the rotatable table at the packaging section of the apparatus; Figure 19 is a circuit daigram of the DC drivers for signal lamps and audio alarm signal of the control circuit and of a counter at the output of the apparatus;; Figure 20 is a circuit diagram of a 90V DC supply controlling operation of a clutch brake for the drive to the input and feed conveyors of the apparatus; Figure 21 is a circuit diagram of the AC static switches utilized in the apparatus; and Figure 22 is a circuit diagram illustrating power distribution from a mains power supply.

Figure 1 is a lateral view of apparatus according to the present invention. The mechanisms of Figure 1 may be generally divided into three functional sections. At the right of the Figure 1 apparatus. materials to be wrapped such as the hamburger patties are supplied to a take up mechanism including a cleated conveyor belt 101. Also. operating in synchronous harmony with the cleated belt 101 is a paddle wheel 102. which shall be designated herein as a "doffer" wheel. The cleated belt 101 and the "doffer" wheel 102 together comprise the first, or input function, of the apparatus of Figure 1 by supplying patties to be wrapped and packed one at a time at predetermined intervals.

The second functional aspect of the Figure 1 apparatus comprises all of the machinery located in Figure 1 between the structural frame members 103 and 104. This second aspect of the Figure 1 apparatus performs the functions of propelling the patties, as they are delivered from the cleated belt 101, toward the output, of inserting paper to be utilized for wrapping into the path of the moving patties, cutting that paper at appropriate lengths, applying it to the patties, and delivering the wrapped patties to an output. An important feature of this second aspect of the Figure 1 apparatus is a control system including a control circuit which is actuated each time a patty is propelled therethrough. The supply of paper to the wrapping mechanism is regulated by this control circuit, as is the cutting thereof.

The third basic functional unit of the apparatus of Figure 1 consists of output processing and wrapping mechanisms which stack the wrapped patties into groups of a predetermined number, enclosing them in a packaging material. This aspect is embodied by the machinery in the region of the left structural frame member 104 of Figure 1. An important feature of this latter apparatus is a second control circuit which counts the patties as they are wrapped and propelled from the wrapping segment, all subsequent stacking and packaging occurring in response to this controlled count. Also, whenever the predetermined count is reached, the output control mechanism interrupts the operation of the entire machinery such that an operator may remove the now filled package of wrapped patties.

In the subsequent detailed description reference shall be made generally to more than one of the drawings of individual detailed features. For clarity, therefore, the same reference numerals shall be retaind for a given piece in all of Figures 1 to 13.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, frozen patties are deposited in bulk in a trough 106 in random fashion. The trough 106 is mounted on an inclined table 107, through which passes the cleated belt 101. Hence, passage of the belt 101 upwardly along the inclined table 107 exposes the cleated portion of the belts to the patties which are in the repository of the trough 106. As the belt 101 emerges from the top of the trough 106, the patties are situated between the individual cleats of the belt. This situation is more clearly evident from consideration of Figures 3, 4 and 5, which show various cross-sectional and side views of several take-up mechanisms including the cleated belt 101. At the top of the inclined table 107, the belt is drawn over a rotating roller 108, where the motion of the belt 101 with the patties thereon is translated from an upward to a horizontal direction.In order conveniently to achieve this function in preparation for the wrapping process, the input apparatus includes the doffer wheel 102. It is clear that only one patty at a time should be fed to the wrapper. The rotation of the doffer wheel 102 in synchronous harmony with the motion of the cleated belt 101 causes the arms 109 of the doffer wheel 102 to rotate as the belt passes by.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleats 113, 114 (Figure 5) of the cleated belt 101 are of a height approximately equal to the thickness of the patties to be processed. The doffer wheel 102 is situated relative to the inclined table 107 by means of an extension 116 such that its rotating arms 109 pass in close proximity to the cleats 113, 114. Moreover, the doffer wheel 102 is driven by the same mechanism as is the cleated belt 101, such that the turns of the arms of the doffer wheel 102 make contact with any objects on the belt 101 that are thicker than a single patty. For example, as shown in Figure 5, two patties which are stuck together by freezing will be contacted by an arm of the doffer wheel 102, with the result that the bottom patty is maintained on the belt 101 by means of the next cleat, whereas the top patty is knocked free and back into the trough 106.In this fashion, only a single patty at a time is delivered from the cleated belt for wrapping and packaging.

It is also useful in the delivery of the patties for wrapping to knock free any ice or other material which may have accumulated thereon in the freezing process. Accordingly, the arms 109 of the doffer wheel 102 are provided with serrated edges. Hence, as each patty passes by the doffer wheel 102 any adhering frozen patties and any foreign material are scraped from the top of the patty on the belt 101.

Since the motion of the cleated belt 101 may be rather rapid, and since the patties as maintained on the cleated belt 101 are in rather close proximity to one another, provision is made at the rotating roller 108 to prevent dislocation of the patties from the cleats 113, 114 when the direction of the belt 101 is translated from inclined to horizontal.

In order to fulfill this function, means is provided for holding the individual patties down, each between adjacent cleats of the belt 101. This means compriss a compound hold-down arm assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. This assembly 10 comprises a compound bracket 14 (Figures 4a, 4b) which consists of two bracket units 16 and 18 which support three rollers 20, 22 and 24 mounted on shafts 26, 28 and 30 in spaced parallel relationship. The bracket unit 16 is pivotally mounted relative to the bracket unit 18 about the axis of the shaft 28 so that it can be pivoted upwardly from the position shown in Figure 4b for ease of cleaning. The bracket unit 18 can also be pivoted upwardly about the axis of the shaft 30 to provide the same facility of cleaning. The shaft 30 is mounted in position by means of support brackets 32, 34 which are rigidly secured to the main frame structure of the apparatus.

Each of the rollers 20, 22 and 24 is provided with annular grooves as can be seen in Figure 4a, the roller 20 having three grooves 36, the roller 22 having seven grooves 38, and the roller 24 having four grooves 40. Elastic belts or bands 42 extend between the grooves 36 of the roller 20 and aligned ones of the grooves 38 of the roller 22 and further elastic belts or bands 44 extend between the grooves 40 of the roller 24 and aligned ones of the grooves 38 of the 24.

The hold down arm assembly 10 provides a guide for patties which have been transported up the incline of the feed belt 101 and holds patties which are ejected from beneath the doffer wheel 102, down between the cleats of the belt 101. This arrangement provides for fast movement of patties through the input side of the apparatus. As the patties roll past the pivotal roller 108, they are snapped back onto the belt 101 between the same cleats which formerly held them in place.

To assist guidance of the patties, lateral guides 118 Figure 4 are positioned by a bracket 117 affixed to the inclined table 107. These lateral guides are secured to the bracket 117 by thumbscrews located in slots in the bracket so that the position thereof can be adjusted laterally to accommodate patties of different sizes.

In order to ensure that the patties which are delivered by the cleated belt 101 will be exactly in the proper positions for the wrapping mechanism, a second set of laterally adjustable guides and a pair of vertical wire guides (not shown) are provided. At this point, the functions required of the input mechanism including the cleated belt are realised, and the frozen patties are coupled to the second stage for wrapping, and subsequently to the output packaging stage. The cleated belt 101 passes over a rotating roller guide 126 (Figure 1) and is directed back to the bottom of the inclined table 107, by a roller 128 mounted on a guide arm 127 attached to the inclined table 107.

As is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the cleated belt 101 and the doffer wheel 102 are operated by a belt 131 which is driven by a single feed drive unit 50 as shown in Figure 1, the unit 50 being coupled to a drive chain 52, the tension of which is maintained by an idler sprocket 54 which is mounted, on the drive side of the chain, on an L-shaped bracket 56 which is pivotally connected at 58 to a fixed part of the apparatus. The bracket 56 is biased to urge the idler sprocket 54 against the chain by a tension spring 60 connected to the arm and to the frame member 103.

A magnet 62 is secured to the lower end of the bracket 56 and this magnet co-operates with a reed switch type sensor 64 positioned to function as a limit switch in the event of the tension of the drive chain 52 increasing due to-an overload condition, in which condition the sprocket 54 is moved outwardly causing the bracket 56 to rotate and bring the magnet 62 into sufficiently close proximity to the sensor 64 to activate it. Activation of the sensor 64 determines that the load on the input belt 101 has become excessive and the electrical power supply to the drive therefor and for the doffer wheel 102 is automatically shut off.

Once the overload condition has been corrected, power may be returned to the drive unit 50 only when the tension on the drive chain 52 has relaxed to de-activate the sensor 64. This may be achieved either mechanically or by manual adjustment by the operator.

In summary, the input stage of the apparatus described includes a cleated belt 101 which takes frozen patties from an input trough 106 and passes them to processing mechanisms for wrapping. A doffer wheel 102 assures that only one patty will be processed at a time, and the hold-down assembly 10 maintains the frozen patties as desired on the belt 101. These functions are demonstrated most clearly in the views shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The next functional stage involves the actual wrapping of the frozen patties.

Consequently, this stage involves the production and cutting to size of paper for wrapping, the positioning of that paper in the path of the moving patties, and the propulsion of the patties into the paper such that the paper adheres thereto, whereupon the patties are coupled to the stage. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a motive means including continuous loop drives is utilized to propel the frozen patties from the input conveyor 101 across to the output apparatus. In a preferred embodiment. the paper is of sufficient length to adhere to the top and bottom of the patties, thereby necessitating only the wrapping of alternate patties.

The motive means which translates the patties may best be appreciated by reference to Figure 3, which is a cutaway view of the Figure 1 apparatus. Shown there are two identical sets of belt drive assemblies.

More particularly, as the patties are released from the cleated belt 101, they are passed to a pair of continuous loop drive belts which are approximately parallel to one another. An upper belt 201 is continuous about a pair of rollers 203 and 204, while a lower belt 202, the upper reach of which rests on a support 211 is driven by rollers 206. 207. 208 and 209. The respective directions of rotations of the belts 201 and 202 are indicated by arrows in Figure 3. Both of the belts 201 and 202 move at the same rate as one another. and, in a preferred embodiment, the rate of the belts 201 and 202 is five to six times as fast as the rate of rotation of the cleated belt 101.Consequently, as the patties are delivered from the cleated belt 101 to the motive belts 201 and 202 at the rollers 203 and 209, the frozen patties are accelerated considerably and are passed between the belts 201 and 202 from right to left in Figure 3 along a lateral support structure 200, which maintains the bottom belt 202 in proper position. An air cylinder 221 acting on a pivotable arm 222, upon which the roller 207 is mounted for rotation, maintains the belt in proper tension.

A counter mechansim is positioned immediately before the position at which the paper is inserted in the path of the patties for counting the patties as they are fed to the wrapping position by the belts 201 and 202. This counter mechanism comprises a device shown in Figures la, 1b which comprises a bracket 80 which is mounted adjustably on a fixed part of the apparatus. The bracket 80 supports a horizontal shaft 82 having a bush 84 pivotally mounted thereon. The bush 84 has a downwardly extending finger 86 and is provided with a lateral extension 88 which has a second downwardly extending finger 90 in spaced parallel relationship to the finger 86.The bush 84 is biased to a position in which the fingers 86, 90 extend downwardly into the path of patties approaching the wrapping position, and the bush carries a magnet 92 arranged to trip a proximity switch 94 which is a water-tight DC proximity switch manufactured by Industrial Solid State Controls Inc., of Pennsylvania U.S.A. The two fingers can thus intercept a patty to move or swing about the axis of the shaft 82 as the patty passes. Movement of the fingers trips the proximity switch 94 and causes a count to be stored in an input count register of the apparatus.

Circuitry associated with this counting mechanism includes a resettable time delay which is reset automatically or by a control feed button of the apparatus. This time delay defines a waiting period during which the fingers after being moved must return to their initial position. If the fingers do not return to this initial position within the waiting period, logic of the circuitry determines that a blockage has occurred adjacent the counter mechanism and automatically cuts off the power to the input of the apparatus and shuts down the drive unit to the doffer wheel 102 and conveyor belt 101.

A second pair of belts 213 and 214, structurally identical to the first pair of belts 201 and 202, is situated further to the left in Figure 3. The second pair of belts 213 and 214 alsooperates identically to the first pair of belts 201 and 202. Hence, the top belt 213 is driven by rollers 215 and 216, while the bottom belt 214, the upper reach of which rests on a support 211, is driven by rollers 217, 218, 219 and 220. The rollers 217 to 220 are situated relative to the lateral support structure 200 identically to the rollers 206 to 209 which drive the lower belt 202. Similarly, an air cylinder 221 maintains an arm 222 in a position such that the roller 219 for the lower belt 214 keeps the belt in proper tension.Therefore, as the patties are passed between the belts 201 and 202 and move beyond the rollers 204 and 206, they are coupled to wrapping paper and subsequently moved between the belts 213 and 214 at the pick-up rollers 216 and 217. Thereupon, the frozen patties enveloped in paper are passed between the belts 213 and 214 toward the output rollers 215 and 220.

While the top belts 201 and 213 are maintained in the shape shown by mounting of their respective end rollers on structural members 223 and 224 (i.e. which are horizontal bars and lateral members), they are not fixed relative to the other apparatus of the Figures. Instead, each of the respective upper belts is pivotally attached to the main lateral support structure 200. As a patty comes between associated upper and lower belts, the upper belt pivots upwardly by an amount determined by the thickness of the patty.

In order to facilitate further explanation, the combination of the structural member 223, the rollers 203 and 204, and the belt 201 will be designated the "first upper belt assembly", the combination of the belt 202 with its associated rollers 206 to 209 will be designated the "first lower belt assembly", the combination of the belt 213 with its associated rollers 215 and 216 and structural member 224 as the "second upper belt assembly". and the combination of the belt 214 with its associated rollers 217 to 220 as the "second lower belt assembly" .As will become apparent, the pivoting capability ascribed to the first and second belt assemblies not only permits efficient processing of the frozen patties as they are passed through the motive mechanism including all four belt assemblies but it also provides means for controlling both the paper feeding and the cutting operations, as well as the output packaging apparatus.

The first upper belt assembly is pivotally attached to the lateral support structure 200 by means of a pivot bar 227. In addition. the main structural member 223 of the first upper belt assembly is held in position at each end by a pair of supports 228 and 231. The pivot bar 227 maintains the first upper belt assembly in some degree of tension, so that only the force of a patty passing between the belts 201 and 202 will force the upper belt assembly upward; otherwise, the first upper belt assembly rests near the first lower belt assembly. A lower limit on the movement of the first upper belt assembly is established by means of the supports 228 and 231. As may be seen from Figure 2, the supports 228 and 231 span the first upper belt assembly to limit its travel.

The second upper belt assembly is similarly pivotable. A bent pivot arm 226 (Figures 1 and 2) provides the same function at the input end of the second upper belt assembly as did the straight pivot bar 227 for the first upper belt assembly. Likewise, a pair of supports 229 and 232 limits the downward travel of the pivotable second upper belt assembly.

In summary, frozen patties which are delivered from the cleated belt 101 are coupled between moving-belt assemblies including the first and second belts 201 and 202. As the patties are conveyed between the first upper and lower belt assemblies (at approximately five times the rate of the cleated belt 101) the first upper belt assembly pivots upwardly to permit each patty to pass between the belts 201 and 202. After the wrapping procedure, which is discussed hereinafter, the patties are entrained by a similar set of belts including the second upper and lower belt assemblies. The second upper belt assembly, like the first, pivots upwardly to permit passage of the frozen patties therethrough.

The next function to be described is provision for paper of desirable length which is to be applied to the frozen patties. Since the embodiment described is particularly designed to apply separator papers between patties, the first and second belt assemblies are used to provide an interstice in the path of moving patties such that when a paper of desired length is placed in the interstitial are, the moving patty "picks up" the paper, which adheres to and is folded around on both sides of the patty, and the patty carries the paper with it through the second belt assemblies. For example, in Figure 7 there is shown a series of patties in which alternate ones have been so processed, and have separator papers surrounding both top and bottom sides and the edge portions thereof.Thus, in order to fulfill these purposes, apparatus is needed which furnishes pieces of wrapping paper at the desired time and of the desired length to be caught up by the patties as they are passed from the first belt assemblies to the second belt assemblies. The means and manner in which this function is provided may be appreciated from consideration of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6.

It may be noted that full wrapping, rather than mere application of separator wrappers, may be practiced merely by supplying paper segments of larger dimension, and providing for sealing the three open sides of the wrapper after it is applied to the patties.

In Figure 1, a continuous roll 233 of paper (waxed paper is preferable for providing separator sheets) is fed over a series of pulleys 234 to 239. The paper roll 233 is itself affixed to the main support frame 103, as arethe odd numbered pulleys 235, 237 and 239, but the even number pulleys 234, 236238 are mounted on a rotatable bracket arm 241. In turn, the arm 241 is coupled by means of a metal strap 242 and a tension spring 243 over the hub of the paper roll 233 to a fixed extension 246 of the main support frame 103. In addition, the last pulley 238 on the arm 241 is connected downwardly to the structural member 223 of the first upper belt assembly by means (not shown).An arrangement therefore results in which the paper issuing from the roll 233 and extending around the pulleys 234 to 239 is maintained in constant tension by means of the counteracting forces of the extensible spring 243 and of the downward force acting on the arm 241 from the first upper belt assembly. A vernier adjustment device 70 is coupled between the tension spring 243 and the metal strap 242 to allow compensation to be made for change in the amount of tension in the paper feed as a function of the amount of paper on the paper roll 233. Without provision of such compensating means, it was experimentally determined that the tension applied to the paper varied as the amount of paper on the paper feed arrangement varied. It is apparent that uneven feed of paper from the roll 233 would result in very uneven wrappers for the patties.The arrangement of the rotating arm 241 as shown in Figure 1 prevents the paper from going slack. A tension adjustor 247 also allows for further control.

Referring to Figures 3 and 6, the paper from the final tension pulley 239 is passed between a pair of paper drive rollers 248 and 249. The rollers 248 and 249 are driven as shown in Figure 1. by a pair of belts 261 and 262 from a power source by way of a brake-clutch 338. The paper is driven by the rollers 248 and 249 between a pair of grids 264 and 265 and down to a cutting location. In particular. a first fixed knife blade 256 is attached to the main support structure, and a second knife blade 255 is inserted in a rotatable cam 253 which is operated as described hereinafter. As the paper passes between guide bars 251 and 252, it is severed each time the rotating cam 253 causes the second knife blade 255 to make contact with the first knife 256.For purposes of servicing the machinery, the rotatable knife blade 255 is maintained in position in the rotating cam 253 by means of a set screw 263. Also, for purposes of servicing, a lever 257 (Figure 3) pivotally controls the position of a main structural block 259 upon which the second drive roller 249 is mounted.

Consequently, when it is desired to place a new roll of paper in the machine, the lever 257 allows for the structural block 259 to be pivoted backward as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6, whereupon the second roller 249 and the associated guide bars 252 are also moved backward creating space for the paper to be threaded therethrough. Then, the lever 257 may be closed once more and the structure including the roller 249 and the guide bars 252 is returned to its operating position as shown in Figure 3 and in solid lines in Figure 6.

The positioning of the paper after it has been cut by the blades 255 and 256 may be appreciated by consideration of Figures 6, 8 and 9. Referring particularly to Figure 6, the paper passes from the blades 255 and 256 between plates 267, 268 and 269, which are supported by the grids 264 and 265. Thus, the paper is positioned into a slot between, and formed by the plates 267, 268, 269 and the grids 264 and 265. In order to insure that the paper will be slotted properly and to permit the paper to be pulled outwardly as the patties pass through from the first set of belt assemblies to the second set of belt assemblies the grid 264 and the plates 267, 268 and 269 are curved as shown.

A view of the apparatus of Figure 6 which is useful for understanding the drive and the guiding of the paper is shown in Figure 8, which is a sectional view, as shown, of Figure 6, First, it may be seen from Figure 8 how the main drive belt 262 is utilized in conjunction with the belt 261 to drive the roller 248 and the cam 253 together. That is to say, the main motor drive of the apparatus of Figure 1, by means of the belt 262, applies power to a shaft 275. This energy is in turn transferred by means of pulleys 278 and 270 to the drive roller 248 (on shaft 274). A noteworthy feature of the apparatus shown is that also driven on the shafts 274 and 275 is a separate set of belt drive pulleys 272 and 273. It may be appreciated that, depending upon the size and thickness of the patties being wrapped, a different length of wrapping paper may be called for.The apparatus shown provides facility to adapt for different lengths of paper by changing the drive belt 261 from the pulleys shown (270 and 278), to the alternative pulleys 272 and 273. Since the size of those pulleys may be freely varied, the rate at which the drive roller 248 is turned depends upon the size of the pulleys upon which the belt 261 is affixed. Consequently. facility for variation in the length of the paper fed to the patties results.

The basic function of the apparatus shown in Figure 8 is to guide the cut papers down and into the path of the patties which are being moved by the belt assemblies. The vertical guide bars 251, which are shown in profile in Figure 6 and which are shown severally in Figure 8.

are maintained in position by a cross member. Hence, the paper is guided effectively to a position where it may be cut bv the rotating knife blade 255, and thence in the path of passing patties. The position for a patty 361 to pass through is shown in broken lines in Figures 6 and 8.

In addition to the mechanical guidance afforded by the parts 264 to 268. additional provision is made due to the curl of the paper which may result from its storage on the roll 233. This control is afforded bv means of a compressed air feed line 266, which is attached as shown adjacent to the guide plate 269. The compressed air feed 266 is based on the proposition that. as the curled papers are passed downward from the blades between the grids 264 and 265. any tendency for it to curl outward at the termination thereof may be cancelled bv the flow of air escaping from holes in the compressed air feed line 266.The compressed air release is spaciallv adjusted such that as the curled paper passes the escaping air. it is taken up by the mechanical guidance of the guide plates 267 and 268. and falls to the bottom of the slot therebetween. Consequently, as the patties pass from the first belt assemblies through the structure of Figure 8 and to the second belt assemblies, the paper for wrapping spans the opening between the solid guide plates 267 and 269. As they pass through with considerable force. the paper adheres to the front edge of the patty. and along the top and bottom sides as well. This operation may be seen in Figure 9. wherein the paper is shown by a broken line 281. and the patty 361 is shown in similar fashion.

In summary. Figures 6. 8 and 9 together illustrate how the paper is driven to a pair of knife blades which cut the paper to appropriate lengths. and the cut paper pieces are guided both mechanicallv and bv means of the release of compressed air to a point which effectivelv blocks the path of oncoming patties. The patties are propelled through the guide mechanism with sufficient force that the paper adheres to and is drawn along with the patty to the second roller belt assemblies. The result is coverage of the patty such as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

In a preferred embodiment. since the paper folds over both sides of the patties. it is not necessary that each patty processed should be so wrapped. Rather. since they are to be stacked one on top of another for effective separation. it is only necessary to apply wrapping paper to alternate patties as they pass through the machinery (i.e. as shown symbolically in Figure '.) The means of control by which the paper is cut and applied is as follows. Situated at the output of the first upper belt assembly is the counter 97.

Both the drive of the cam 253 with the blade 255 mounted therein and of the drive roller 248 are maintained under the control of the counter S6 For each patty passing through the first upper and lower belts assemblies which are to be wrapped with paper. the actuation of the counter causes the cam 253 to go through one complete turn. and similarly for the feed roller to be energized to supply a correct length of paper. For alternate patties; for which no wrapping is desired. the cam 253 and the teed roller 24S remain stationary The air flow from the feed roller 24S remain stationarv. The air flow from the feed line 266 is similarlv regulated. This alternate control is achieved by means of an intermittent drive mechanism, many of which are well-known in the art. Of course, in an alternative embodiment for which wrapping is desired for every patty which passes through each actuation of the counter promotes rotation of the drive roller 248, the cutting blade 255 on the cam 253 and actuates the air feed to the feed line 266.Likewise, any other combination of energizing signals for the drive roller 248, the cam, and the feed line 266 may be derived.

Actuation of the counter 86 causes a predetermined amount of paper to be fed and cut.

The paper thereby produced is inserted into the path of ongoing patties, and in a preferred embodiment alternate ones of the patties are coated on either side with a piece of paper.

Thereupon, all patties are passed onto the second upper and lower belt assemblies to be processed for final packaging.

It was pointed out hereinbefore that adjustment of the size of the pulleys driving the roller 248 would result in paper of different size for wrapping any correpondingly dimensioned patties. It is of course evident that such changes would also have to be accompanied by similar changes in the mechanical guide mechanisms of Figures 8 and 9.

Such alternations, however, would merely be ones of dimension in order to permit the larger (or smaller) paper to be situated properly about the path of the oncoming patties.

Consequently, all such adjustments would be well within the ability of those skilled in the art.

In addition means is also provided in the illustrated apparatus for sensing loss of paper, which is to say sensing when either paper is no longer being fed as required due either to a break in the paper or the emptying of a paper supply roll 233. This means comprises a sensor provided by a proximity switch 72 (Figure 1) which is mounted a short distance below the normal operating position of the arm 241 so that in the event of the arm 241 dropping by an excessive distance due to disruption of the paper feed, the sensor generates a signal to cause stoppage of the doffer wheel 102 and of the belt 101. The proximity switch is a water tight, DC proximity switch manufactured by Industrial Solid State Conotrols Inc.

Referring back to Figure 1 the third basic function to be performed is the taking-up of wrapped patties, and the packaging thereof. In the embodiment described, the basic packaging procedure features the insertion of the respective patties in a stacked fashion within a cylindrical receptacle. Preferentially, this receptacle may be lined by the machine operator, or automatically, with packaging material, which in turn may be readily and efficiently sealed when a predetermined number of patties have been deposited into the receptacle. Hence, as is shown clearly in Figures 2 and 3,' the second upper and lower belt assemblies terminate at a point suitable for location of packaging apparatus. More particularly, as shown in Figure 1, a pair of cylindrical receptacles 301 and 302 is affixed to a table 303, which in turn is mounted on a vertical rotatable shaft 304.Within each receptacle is a piston 306, 307, which is conditioned to have patties piled thereon. In particularly, the position of the top platform of the pistons 306 and 307 is dependent upon the number of patties which have been piled thereon.

With particular reference to Figure 10, which shows a detailed cross-section of the termination of the second upper and lower belt assemblies, patties are propelled outwardly and strike a retaining guide member 370. In addition, a top piston 309 prevents upward movement. Thus, the patties are reflected from the retaining guide member 370 downwardly into the awaiting receptacle 301. As shown in Figure 10, a packaging bag 308 (such as, for example, polyethylene) has been inserted over the piston 306 of the receptacle 301, such that as the patties are stacked on the piston, they simultaneously drop into the packaging bag which is pulled into the receptacle by the weight of the patties.

Adjacent the output of the second upper and lower belt assemblies, there is provided a second patty counter mechanism 97 which is shown in Figures 1c, id. This mechanism is similar to the counting mechanism shown in Figures la, ib and the like parts are indicated by the same reference numerals as were used in Figures la, lb. The function of this counting mechanism is to count patties as well as initiating a hold operation indicative of a blockage at the output end of the machine.

The second patty counter mechanism operates in conjunction with a sensor 98 which is mounted adjacent the piston 309. The sensor is provided by a watertight, D.C proximity switch manufactured by Industrial Solid State Controls Inc. and senses when the piston 309 has reached its lower-most position. A signal initiating the downward movement of the piston also initiates a resettable time delay which counts off a fixed period of time so that if the piston does not reach its lowermost position within that predetermined period, logic control of the circuitry of the apparatus determines that a blockage has occurred at the piston 306 and shuts down the operation of the entire apparatus.

In the operation of the apparatus, the counting mechanism 97 counts that a patty passes the mechanism, a counting register of the circuitry being incremented by one unit and the piston 309 being automatically driven downwardly. The piston 309 must travel its full downward movement before the sensor 98 indicates that it is in its lowermost position.

Until the piston reaches this position, the piston assembly is not activated to return the piston to its initial position. Instead, if no signal is received within the fixed period of time, the logic circuitry recognises a jam, thereby generating an override signal to return the piston to its initial position. An audible alarm is activated and the conveyor belts are stopped.

In a preferred embodiment, the downward travel of the piston 309, and the consequent movement of the piston 306, is exactly equal to the thickness of one of the patties being pakaged. Consequently, if the patties are 1/2 inch thick, the passage of each patty between the upper and lower belt assemblies causes the counting mechanism 97 to operate and conseqently causes the piston 309 in the receptacle 301, to move down by 1/2 inch. This stacking and packaging function occurs until enough patties have been inserted into the bag 308 in the receptacle 301 to fill it. At such time, the counter actuates means for rotating the table 303 through 1800 such that the now filled receptacle 301 is moved away from the feed mechanism, and the empty receptacle 302 is positioned in its place.

The operation of the table 303 upon which the receptacles 301 and 302 are mounted may be understood from consideration of Figures 12 and 13 in conjunction with Figure 1. As shown in Figures 12 and 13 the shaft 304 has an arm 315 rigidly secured thereto, the arm being pivotally connected at its opposite end by means of a spindle 319 to the piston of an air cylinder 320. As is shown in Figure 12, each time the air cylinder 320 is pressurized, its piston is extended outwardly and the arm 315 turns by approximately one half turn.With the construction described, the disadvantage of an operating piston and cylinder arrangement which is that it produces a different damping force as the piston is retracted from the damping force when the piston is extended, is overcome because each time the table is rotated through 1800, the piston is retracted at the beginning of the table rotation and then extended as the table reaches the rotated position. Thus in both stationary positions of the table, the piston is in its extended position. In a preferred operating mode, a change in position of the receptacles 301 and 302 occurs once every forty patties.

Thereupon, the cylinder 320 is energized, its piston causes the arm 315 to pivot through 1800, and thus the table 303 rotates by 1/2 turn.

Yet another packaging function is embodied in the apparatus shown in the two views of Figures 12 and 13. Once the receptacle 301 or 302 is filled and the reversal of position as described hereinbefore is accomplished, the packaging bag 308 may be sealed by means of a heat seal or stapling arrangement. Thereupon the operator must remove the full package and replace it with an empty bag ready for subsequent reversal of the receptacles 301 and 302. In order to facilitate this exchange operation, the apparatus of Figures 12 and 13 provides means for raising the plunger 307, as shown in Figure 13. Members 324 are pivotally attached to the main frame members 104 at one end, and have a platform 325, 326 attached at the other end. Whenever a receptacle is filled with wrapped patties, the piston 306 or 307 has been driven down into the broken line shown in Figure 13.Thereupon, an air cylinder 321 is actuated and its piston, which is connected by members 322 and 323 to the members 324, pushes the platform 325, 326 upward, and forces the piston 306 or 307 up with it.

Two additional sensors, each provided by a watertight, D.C. proximity switch manufactured by Industrial Solid State Controls Inc. are incorporated into the apparatus to ensure that this index table does not rotate until all proper procedures have been performed and the members 324 are in their rest position. The first 340 of these sensors is positioned to sense the cylindrical receptacle by the piston thereof extending below the index table in the loading position. The second 342 of these sensors is located adjacent the bottom of the apparatus to eact to a sensor plate 342 mounted on the underside of the lower member 324 and senses the unloading arrangement in its rest position.

A foot pedal control is provided to initiate rotation of the index table 303. Indexing of the table 303 can not occur unless an index-ready button has been pushed by the operator and the second sensor 341 indicates that the lower member 324 is in its rest position. Operation of the piston 309 will not occur unless the first sensor 340 indicates that the loading receptacle 301 or 302 is in the proper position.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 also includes members situated above the receptacle 301 or 302 which are utilized for sealing the filled packages. As is shown symbolically in Figure 1, a vertical member 327 has pivotally attached thereto a lever 328. Controlled by these two members is a sealing member 329. Whenever the lever 328 is operated, the sealing member 329 is forced downward toward the position of the receptacle 302 in Figure 1. Thereupon, it may be used accordingly by the machine operator.

In a preferred embodiment operating may occur on an intermittent basis, because an operator of the machine may require more time to seal and remove a filled bag of patties than is available before the position of the receptacles 301 nd 302 once more is switched.

Consequently, the counting function is utilized to stop the operation of the entire machine each time the table 303 is rotated by 1800 and the filled bg is raised. In particular, this stoppage of motion occurs by means of a braking system shown in the cutaway portion of Figure 1. Under the control of the counting mechanism a series of clutch-brakes 337, 338 and 50 are connected by means of respective belts 331, 262, 335, 52 and 54 to various drive points in the machinery. In particular, the belts 331, 262 and 54 are the ones which convey power to the first upper and lower belt assemblies, to the second upper lower belt assemblies, and to the paper drive roller 248 and to the cutting blade 255.

Hence, stoppage of the three main drive belts 331, 262 and 54 effectively will interrupt the operation of the apparatus. Thus, the clutches are caused to be disengaged each time a predetermined count of wrapped patties has been achieved, the table 303 has been rotated 1800, and the filled apparatus allows time for the operator to utilize the sealing mechanism comprising the parts 327, 328 and 329, and to remove the sealed package. Thereupon, by means of a control switch, not shown, the operator once more starts the operation of the entire apparatus, and the clutch-brake are caused once more to transmit power to the various paper feed and belt drive assemblies. Moreover, at this time the operator may replace the full bag of patties with an empty bag ready for filling. Of course, this periodic stopping is not essential.Quite evidently, the machine may be operated on a continuous basis so long as the operator is able to perform the tasks at a speed comparable to the packing speed of the machine. Likewise, manual override and interrupt facilities may be provided at any point in the operation.

In summary, the alternately wrapped patties from the second upper and lower belt mechanisms are thrust outwardly into the receptacles 301 and 302. There, in conjunction with the pistons 306 and 309, they are successively stacked within a packaging material, and at a predetermined time, the packing operation ceases, the table is rotated by 180 degrees, the piston is repositioned to allow for a fresh receptacle for packing, and the operator is given time to seal and remove the full package. Operation continues in cyclic fashion.

Referring now to the circuit diagrams shown in Figures 14 to 22, these Figures, with the exception of Figure 22, are circuit diagrams of printed circuit boards of the solid state controls of the apparatus and are considered to be self explanatory. The terminal pins of each card, if similarly numbered to other pins on that card are commonly connected.

Otherwise where appropriate, the designations beside each terminal pin of a circuit board indicate the connection of that terminal pin to a component of the apparatus. The following tables indicate additional or alternate connections of various of the pins of each circuit board. Thus for example, in the table of 'Additional Pin Connections' reference to the Figure 16 list indicates that pin '7' at the right-hand side of the Figure is not only connected to stop the conveyor leading from the paper feed stage but is also connected to pin '11' of Figure 17 and pin 20 of Figure 18.

The circuit diagram of Figure 22 illustrates generally, power distribution from a 3-phase mains supply to the conveyors, drive motors, paper feed and air supply of the apparatus operation of which is controlled by the circuits of Figures 14 to 21. Each numbered block, prefixed TB represents a terminal block connector, e.g. TB32-10 is terminal block 32 pin 10. In those cases where the terminal block connector is designated by a three-figure number, the letters TB have been omitted.

ADDITIONAL PIN CONNECTIONS Figure 16 Figure 17 Pin Connected to Pin Connected to 1 - 1 2 Figure 19 pin 20 2 3 Figure 17 pin 18 3 4 - 4 Figure 19 pin 17 6 - 5 7 Figure 17 pin 11, 6 Figure 21 pin 4 Figure 18 pin 20 7 Figure 19 pin 14 10 - 8 Figure 19 pin 15 11 Figure 17 pin 15 9 Figure 18 pin 5 12 Figure 19 pin 21 10 Figure 14 pin 10 13 Figure 17 pin C, 11 Figure 16 pin 7 Figure 18 pin 21 Figure 18 pin 20 14 Figure 17 pin 12 12 Figure 18 pin 3.

Figure 18 pin 3, Figure 16 pin 14, Figure 20 pin 1 Figure 20 pin 1 15 - 13 Figure 16 pin 19 16 - 14 Figure 16 pin 20 17 - 15 Figure 16 pin 11 18 Figure 21 pin 3 16 19 Figure 17 pin 13 17 20 Figure 17 pin 14 18 Figure 16 pin 3 21 Figure 18 pin 9 19 Figure 16 pin 19 22 - 20 21 Figure 19 pin 18 22 C Figure 16 pin 13, Figure 18 pin 21 L N Figure 19 pin 12 V W Figure 20 pin 2 Figure 18 Figure 19 Pin Connected to Pin Connected to 1 - 12 Figure 17 pin N 2 - 13 Figure 18 pin 11 3 Figure 16 pin 14. 14 Figure 17 pin 7 Figure 17 pin 12.

Figure 20 pin 1 15 Figure 17 pin 8 4 Figure 21 pin 5 16 5 Figure 17 pin 9 17 Figure 17 pin 4 6 Figure 21 pin 17 18 Figure 17 pin 21 7 Figure 19 pin 19 19 Figure 18 pin 7 8 - 20 Figure 16 pin 2 9 Figure 16 pin 21 21 Figure 16 pin 12 10 Figure 14 pin 10 22 11 Figure 19 pin 13 12 13 14 Figure 21 pin 18 15 Figure 21 pin 18 16 19 Figure 17 pin 13 20 Figure 16 pin 7, Figure 17 pin 11 21 Figure 16 pin 13.

Figure 17 pin C 22 Figure 21 Pin Connected to 1 2 3 Figure 16 pin 18 4 Figure 17 pin 6 5 Figure 18 pin 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Figure 18 pin 6 18 Figure 18 pin 14 19 Figure 18 pin 15 20 21 22 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for applying wrapping material to at least alternate ones of a series of continuously fed individual articles. the apparatus comprising: (a) collating means including packaging means for collating said articles after wrapping material is applied thereto: (b) conveyor means for passing said articles along a path to said collating means; (c) input means for supplying the articles one at a time to the conveyor means, said input means comprising a conveyor belt having cleats thereon at predetermined distances from one another, said articles being deposited between successive cleats; and rotating means defining with said conveyor belt, a passage of limited size through which articles deposited on the conveyor belt can pass. the limited size of said passage preventing more than a single article from being retained between successive cleats; (d) supply means for inserting wrapping material for said articles into the path. said wrapping material adhering to said articles as they are moved past said supply means; (e) first solid state control means. responsive to passage of said articles into said conveyor means. for actuating said supply means; and (f) second solid state control means, responsive to passage of said articles from said conveyor means, for regulating the packaging at said collating means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises first and second drive means separated by said supply means for inserting wrapping material into said path. articles passing from said conveyor belt to said first drive means, from said first drive means to said second drive means, and from said second drive means to said collating means.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the conveyor belt having cleats thereon has an inclined conveying reach. a pivotally mounted endless band assembly being provided at the outlet of said passage for entraining articles between the cleats to prevent these from being dislodged therefrom.

4. Apparatus according to either one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein each of said first and second drive means comprises a revolving bottom continuous-loop belt assembly and a revolving top continuous-loop-belt assembly. associated top and bottom belt loops being driven to revolve in opposite directions from one another. articles to be wrapped being sandwiched between respective ones of said top and bottom belt assemblies and being conveyed along therewith. and wherein both of said top continuous loop belt assemblies are pivotally connected relative to their associated bottom continuous loop belt assemblies.

entry of an article to be wrapped between associated belt assemblies causing the top one of said associated belt assemblies to pivot upwardly to allow passage of said article to be wrapped.

5. Apparatus acording to Claim 4 wherein said first solid state control means comprises means for counting each article to be wrapped on passing between the top and bottom belt

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (18)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   Figure 21 Pin Connected to 1
2. 2
3. 3 Figure 16 pin 18
4. 4 Figure 17 pin 6
5. 5 Figure 18 pin 4
6. 6
7. 7
8. 8
9. 9
10. 10
11. 11
12. 12
13. 13
14. 14
15. 15
16. 16
17. 17 Figure 18 pin 6
18. 18. Apparatus for wrapping individual frozen food articles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

    18 Figure 18 pin 14

    19 Figure 18 pin 15 20 21 22 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1.Apparatus for applying wrapping material to at least alternate ones of a series of continuously fed individual articles. the apparatus comprising: (a) collating means including packaging means for collating said articles after wrapping material is applied thereto: (b) conveyor means for passing said articles along a path to said collating means; (c) input means for supplying the articles one at a time to the conveyor means, said input means comprising a conveyor belt having cleats thereon at predetermined distances from one another, said articles being deposited between successive cleats; and rotating means defining with said conveyor belt, a passage of limited size through which articles deposited on the conveyor belt can pass. the limited size of said passage preventing more than a single article from being retained between successive cleats; (d) supply means for inserting wrapping material for said articles into the path. said wrapping material adhering to said articles as they are moved past said supply means; (e) first solid state control means. responsive to passage of said articles into said conveyor means. for actuating said supply means; and (f) second solid state control means, responsive to passage of said articles from said conveyor means, for regulating the packaging at said collating means.

    2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises first and second drive means separated by said supply means for inserting wrapping material into said path. articles passing from said conveyor belt to said first drive means, from said first drive means to said second drive means, and from said second drive means to said collating means.

    3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the conveyor belt having cleats thereon has an inclined conveying reach. a pivotally mounted endless band assembly being provided at the outlet of said passage for entraining articles between the cleats to prevent these from being dislodged therefrom.

    4. Apparatus according to either one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein each of said first and second drive means comprises a revolving bottom continuous-loop belt assembly and a revolving top continuous-loop-belt assembly. associated top and bottom belt loops being driven to revolve in opposite directions from one another. articles to be wrapped being sandwiched between respective ones of said top and bottom belt assemblies and being conveyed along therewith. and wherein both of said top continuous loop belt assemblies are pivotally connected relative to their associated bottom continuous loop belt assemblies.

    entry of an article to be wrapped between associated belt assemblies causing the top one of said associated belt assemblies to pivot upwardly to allow passage of said article to be wrapped.

    5. Apparatus acording to Claim 4 wherein said first solid state control means comprises means for counting each article to be wrapped on passing between the top and bottom belt

    assemblies of said first drive means.

    6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said first solid state control means comprises proximity switch means situated adjacent the top belt assembly of said first drive means, said supply means being actuated by each actuation of said switch means.

    7. Apparatus according to any one of Claim 4 to 6 wherein said second solid state control means comprises means for counting each article on passing between the top and bottom belt assemblies of said second drive means.

    8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said second control means comprises proximity switch means situated adjacent the top belt assembly of said second drive means.

    9. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said supply means includes: (a) means for producing segments of wrapping material of predetermined size; and (b) wrapping material support means for positioning said segments of wrapping material in said path.

    10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein said means for producing segments of wrapping materials of predetermined size comprises; (a) a roll of wrapping material; (b) a plurality of pulleys over which said wrapping material is arranged; (c) spring means for maintaining said material in a state of tension between successive ones of said pulleys; (d) means, responsive to said first solid state control means, means for accumulating a predetermined length of material from said roll, and (e) cutting means for cutting segments of wrapping material at said predetermined length.

    11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein said support means comprises a structural support assembly including first and second grid portions, said material segments being directed from said producing means between said grid portions, said first and second grid portions defining an opening larger than said articles, said support assembly being situated relative to said conveyor means with said opening located in the path of articles passing on said conveyor means, said opening in said grid portions being further situated at the centre of material segments in said support assembly, whereby material segments adhere.to an equal extent on the top and bottom of articles as they are passed through said opening by said conveyor means.

    12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 and further comprising: (a) a source of compressed air; and (b) outlet means for directing air jets onto segments of material from said means for producing to guide the segments between said first and second grid portions.

    13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said conveyor belt having cleats thereon and said rotating means are driven by a belt drive arrangement, and solid state means responsive to changes in the tension of the belt drive arrangement is provided for disabling the belt drive arrangement in the event of an overload condition.

    14. Apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein solid state means is provided for sensing a break in feed of wrapping material by said supply means, and, when a break in feed is sensed, for disabling said belt drive arrangement and stopping said supply means.

    15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second solid state control means each comprises means for sensing the passage of articles by said conveyor means.

    16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein said collating means comprises: (a) first piston means situated, to collect articles from said conveyor means, one on top of another, the vertical position of said piston means being adjustable and; (b) plunger means located above said piston means, said plunger means operating in response to said second solid state control means to drive said first piston means downward by a predetermined distance upon receipt of each article from said conveyor means.

    17. Apparatus according to Claim 16 and further comprising: (a) a rotatable table supporting said first piston means and further including at least one other piston means identical to the first piston means; and (b) drive means for rotating said table to position a different piston means to collect articles from said conveyor means at predetermined intervals in response to said second control means.