GB2151577A - Wrapping articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for wrapping a group of articles G (e.g. cigarette packets) in a parcel blank B includes an oscillating transfer arm 52 having an end pocket 56 which receives a partly wrapped group and transfers it past further folding elements 62, 64, 66 to an ejector 60 for ejecting the wrapped group passed fixed folders to complete the wrapping. The group, in two layers, is pushed into a blank fed in a rectilinear vertical path across the direction of group advance and then onto a support 50 to fold the blank into U-shape. The leading edge of the blank at the end of said vertical feed path is coated with adhesive by a traversing nozzle 70. The transfer arm pocket 56, pusher 60 and support 50 are of complementary combed configuration to facilitate delivery to and removal from the pocket. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATiON Wrapping articles This invention relates to a method and apparatus for wrapping articles, in partict!lar groups of cigarette packets. More specifically, this invention is concerned with packaging machines, which are known in the tobacco processing industry as parcellers, for wrapping groups of cigarette packets in outer wrappers made usually of a thick paper-like material.

In parcelling machines it is usual in the first step of the operation to plunge a group of packets through a vertically disposed wrapper blank to form a U-shaped wrapper about the packets. In one known machine the partly wrapped group of packets is then transferred into one of several pockets on an indexable rotor. During indexing of the rotor further folding operations are performed on the parcel.

A disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the wrapper blank cannot be fed truly vertically prior to the plunge, as its leading marginal edge would otherwise interfere with the indexable rotor. As a result it is not possible to accurately apply adhesive to the leading marginal edge of the blank after it has been placed in front of the group of packets prior to the plunge. Another disadvantage of this arrangement is that pushers for receiving and ejecting the groups from the pockets can only be operated while the rotor is stationary.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of wrapping articles (e.g. groups of cigarette packets) in wrapper blanks, comprising the steps of feeding a blank in a substantially rectilinear path in front of each article to be wrapped, applying adhesive along the leading marginal edge of the blank at the end of said path plunging the article into the blank to fold it into a U-shape about the article, and completing the wrapping operation.

The rectilinear path is preferably vertical; and the wrapper blank is preferably formed by severing from a continuous web, the blank being severed after commencement of a respective plunging operation.

The width of the lank is preferably greater than that of the article to enable the article to be wrapped also about its sides, in which case said method may further comprise the step of applying adhesive to side portions of the wrapper while it is being fed in said rectlinear path. Slits may be formed at the limits of said side portions to which adhesive is applied, to form rectangular outer side panels for the wrapped article.

A second aspect of the invention provides apparatus for so wrapping articles, comprising means for feeding a blank in a substantially rectilinear path in front of each article to be wrapped, means for applying adhesive along a leading marginal edge of the blank at the end of the said path. means for plunging the article into the blank to fold the wrapper into a U-shape about the article, and means for competing the wrapping operation.

Said rectilinear path is preferably vertical; and said means for applying adhesive may comprise an adhesive nozzle nmovable across said marginal edge, preferably by means of an air cylinder.

The apparatus may further comprise means upstream of the pldiiging means for traversing the article in a direction parallel to the plane of the blank, including a pusher driven by a continuously movable chain conveyor. Guides may be provided along the edges of the article being thus traversed, said guides being pivotable into a position in which they act as mouthpieces to allow the article to be fed transverse to said chain conveyor in front of said pusher.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for wrapping an article in a wrapper blank, comprising a member pivotal about one end and formed at the other end with a pocket for receiving each successive article partly folded in a blank, drive means for oscillating the member to move the pocket in an arcuate path between a receiving and a delivery position, insertion means for inserting an article partly folded in a blank into the pocket at the receiving position, folding means adjacent to said path to further fold the blank, and ejection means to eject the article and blank from the pocket at the delivery position.

This latter apparatus preferably constitutes said means for completing the wrapping operation according to the second aspect of the invention.

Preferably said insertion means comprises a support for the article, and the pocket and the support are of interdigitated shape, so that the support can pass through the pocket during insertion.

The ejection means may comprise a pusher which is reciprocally mounted at the delivery position and is similarly of interdigitated shape with the pocket.

The drive for the movement both of the support and the pusher may be common, preferably from a single follower of a rib cam.

An example of a parcelling machine in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of the machine, and Figure 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1 but drawn to a smaller scale.

The positions of the various parts of the machine shown in the drawings are not necessarily ones which could all occur together at one time. They are shown in those positions merely for greater clarity, to avoid obscu rences from view.

Referring first mainly to Fig. 2, packets of cigarettes P are shown being fed in stacks of two packets high towards an end stop 10 between pairs of continuously moving conveyor bands 1 2, the upper band of which rests lightly on the stacks. The cigarette packets P may emerge from a wrapping machine, and may be fed to the bands 1 2 by apparatus such as disclosed in copending patent application No. 8331943 filed on 20 November 1983.

To the right of the packets is a wide pusher 1 4 for transferring a group G of five stacks of packets (i.e. ten packets) from between the bands 1 2. Upstream of the pusher 1 4 is a clamp 1 6 which is operable against a fixed member 1 7 to clamp a stack of packets, so as to enable the pusher 1 4 to operate unimpeded.

To the left of the conveyor bands 1 2 is a horizontal plate 18 (see Fig. 1) onto which groups of ten packets are delivered by the pusher 1 4.

Between the bands 1 2 and the horizontal plate 18, as best seen in Fig. 1, are a pair of upper and lower swivelling mouthpieces 20 and 22 respectively, which extend over a distance corresponding to the width of the pusher 1 4. Below the mouthpieces 20 and 22 is a chain conveyor 24 which is continuously driven by a spindle 26 connected to one of two end sprockets (not shown). Connected to a link of the chain conveyor 24 is a traversing pusher 28 which has a narrowed neck portion 30 extending through a slot 31 in the horizontal plate 18. The pusher 28 is mounted on a block 33 slidable on a rod 32, beneath which is a guide 34 for maintaining the pusher 28 upright in its correct position above the slot 31.An articulated connection 36 between the chain link and the block 33 allows the link to travel freeiy around the sprocket at the ends of travel of the pusher 28.

Packets which have been advanced by the pusher 28 come into abutment with a further end stop 38 (Fig. 2) at the end of the horizontal plate 18. A plunge pusher 40, similar to the pusher 14, is positioned to the right of the stop 38 and again acts against the ends of a group of ten packets.

Between the pusher 40 and the mouthpieces 20, 22 there is a fixed side guide 39 for the group, which is formed as an extension of the end stop 1 0.

Facing the pusher 40 is a counter-pusher 42 (Fig. 1), and between them wrapping material in the form of a continuous web W is fed downwardly. The web passes two pairs of slitting knives 44 for forming side flaps in the web, followed by a guillotine 46 for severing the web W into successive blanks B. Directed at side margins of the web W upstream of the guillotine 46 are two spray gummers 48, one at each side.

To the left of the plate 1 8 is a vertically movable platform 50 which in its uppermost position is aligned with plate 18. Beneath the platform 50 there is provided a transfer arm 52 which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis 54 at one end, and at its other end is formed with a pocket 56. The arm 52 is movable between a vertical receiving position (shown chain dotted) beneath the platform 50, and a horizontal delivery position which is 90 anticlockwise from the receiving position and is shown in solid lines in Fig. 1.

As best seen in Fig. 2. the pocket 56 is formed of a series of about fifteen U-shaped pieces 58 spaced one from the other in the shape of a comb.

At the delivery position of the pocket 56 is shown a horizontally reciprocable extractor 60, which is likewise comb-shaped to interdigitate with the U-shaped pieces 58 of the pocket, thus enabling the extractor to remove a delivered wrapped group of packets from the pocket 56.

The platform 50 is likewise formed in a comb-shape whch interdigitates with the Ushaped pieces 58 of the pocket 56, so that it may pass through the pocket, each being capable of moving independently of the other.

The drive to the platform 50 is from the cam follower of a rib cam (not shown); and since the extractor 60 operates at the same timing as the platform, the same cam follower is also employed to drive the extrator.

Spaced from each side of the pocket 56, when in its vertical or receiving position, are pairs of tucking folders 64 and 66 (Fig. 1), each folder 64 being a fixed folder while each folder 66 is a movable or chasing folder.

Extending from each fixed folder 64 is a plough folder 62, whose operation will be described below.

Opposite the platform 50 is a top pusher 68, which is movable downwards in sympathy with movement of the platform 50. Between the top pusher 68 and the web W there is a vertical folder for folding down the top trailing flap of a U-shaped blank.

Finally, positioned at the end of the path of the wrapper web W at its leading marginal edge, is a further spray gummer 70 which is mounted on an air cylinder (not shown) to enable it to traverse the width of the bank to apply a strip of adhesive along the right-hand leading marginal edge of the blank.

The operation of the machine described is as follows: A succession of stacks of packets are delivered by the bands 1 2 against the end stop 10. When a detector (not shown) senses that at least five stacks (i.e. ten packets) are present in front of the stop, a complete cycle of operations is initiated,which will result in a group G of ten packets being wrapped in a parcel blank B.

First the clamp 1 6 is operated, the wide pusher 1 4 then transfering a group of ten packets on to the horizontal plate 1 8. At this time the mouthpieces 20 and 22 are about 110 anticlockwise and clockwise respectively from the position shown in Fig. 1, so that they act as mouthpieces to guide the group on to the horizontal plate 1 8.

Upon delivery of the group of packets on to the plate 18, the mouthpiece 20 and 22 swivel back to the position shown in Fig. 1, and the traversing pusher 28 of the chain conveyor 24 then engages the group of packets and moves them towards a position adjacent to the plunge pusher 40. During this transversing movement the mouthpieces 20 and 22 act as side guides for the group until they meet the fixed side guide 39 extending from the end stop 1 0.

It will be observed that seven stacks of packets are shown in front of pusher 28 in Fig. 2, although only five are disposed beside the pusher 40. The purpose of this is to allow sufficient clearance between the mechanism of the conveyor 24 and the pusher 40. Additionally, one stack is needed upstream at the end of a group in front of the pusher 40, in order to guide the group as it is being piunged to the left.

At about the time that the group of packets are being traversed by the pusher 28, the web W commences to be fed downwardly, while the two spray gummers 48 spray adhesive onto the two rectangular side flaps which were formed in the previous cycle by the slitting knives 44. The web then comes to rest with the leading marginal edge adjacent to the further spray gfummer 70. The latter is then traversed across that edge by the operation of the air cylinder (not shown), to apply a strip of adhesive along that leading edge.

The pusher 40 now begins to plunge the group G of ten packets into the blank B, which is not yet severed from the web W but is now trapped by the counter-pusher 42 engaging the blank. As soon as the blank B is thus trapped it is severed by the guillotine 46, and the plunge progresses to bring the blank into a U-shaped position to the right of the web W (Fig. 1).

The platform 50 is now, of course, in its uppermost position, so that it supports the now partly formed parcel. As soon as the plunge pusher 40 has completed its stroke, the top pusher 68 starts moving down to grip the top of the parcel. When the pusher 40 is clear of the trailing flaps of the U-shaped blank B, the vertical folder 69 begins to fold down the newly cut top trailing flap of the blank. The pocket 56 of the arm 52 is at this time in its receiving position. in the chain dotted upright position below the platform 50; and as the platform 50 lowers with the top pusher 68 following it, the bottom trailing edge of the blank B is folded upwardly against a fixed edge (not shown) alongside the plate 18, so that the marginal edge with the adhesive strip upon it is securely folded against the top flap to form the balnk into a tube.

When the parcel has been delivered into the pocket 56 and the top pusher 68 has slightly retracted, the transfer arm 52 can start moving to its delivery position, while the platform 50 is still in its lowermost position, just below the base of the pocket but extending through it.

The chasing folders 66 next operate against the rear small sides of the now tubular blank to form tucks therein. Similarly,the fixed folder 64 forms tucks at the leading sides of the blank during movement of the arm away from its vertical position.

The extractor 60 is at its extreme right-hand position when pocket 56 of the arm interdigitatingly passes through it, and it can then extract or eject the parcel from the pocket at its delivery position. The remaining rectangular side flaps at each side of the parcel are then folded by fixed folders 63, thus attaching the adhesive coated flaps over the underlying folds. The sides of the parcel may then be heated by fixed heaters (not shown) to dry the adhesive.

This completes a full cycle of operation of the machine. And each time that another group of packets is awaiting at the end stop 10 the packet stack detector will continue to initiate a further cycle.

It will be apparent that different folding sequences may be performed at the sides of the parcel. For example, a so-called "envelope fold" may be performed, with no slitting of the sides of the blank being required. In this case the final flap to be folded 63 is likewise triangulated (as a result of the side tucks) instead of being rectangular.

It will also ge apparent that the machine may be modified for wrapping or parcelling groups of packets in stacks other than two packets high. For example, a group may be arranged in two adjacent stcks, each consisting of five packets.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for wrapping an article in a wrapper blank, comprising a member pivotal about one end and formed at the other end with a pocket for receiving each successive article partly folded in a blank, drive means for oscillating the member to move the pocket in an arcuate path between a receiving and a delivery position, insertion means for inserting an article partly folded in a blank into the pocket at the receiving position, folding means adjacent to said path to further fold the blank, and ejection means to eject the article and blank from the pocket at the delivery position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said insertion means comprises a support for the article, and the pocket and the support are of interdigitated shape, so that the support can pass through the pocket during insertion.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the ejection means comprises a pusher which is reciprocally mounted at the delivery position and is simiiarly of interdigitated shape with the pocket.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and claim 3 in which the drive for the movement both of the support and the pusher are common, preferably from a single follower of a rib cam.

5. Apparatus for wrapping an article in a wrapper blank comprising means for feeding a blank in a substantially rectilinear path in front of each article to be wrapped, means for applying adhesive along a leading marginal edge of the blank at the end of said path.

means for plunging the article into the blank to fold the wrapper into a U-shape about the article, and means for completing the wrapping operation.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said means for completing the wrapping operation comprises the apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 in which said rectilinear path is vertical and said means for applying adhesive comprises an adhesive nozzle movable across said marginal edge, preferably by means of an air cylinder.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 further comprising means upstream of the plunging means for traversing the article in a direction parallel to the plane of the blank, including a pusher driven by a continuously movable chain conveyor.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which guides are provided along the edges of the article being thus traversed, said guides being pivotable into a position in which they act as mouthpieces to allow the article to be fed transverse to said chain conveyor in front of said pusher.

10. A method of wrapping an article in a wrappper blank comprising the steps of feeding a blank in a substantially rectilinear path in front of each article to be wrapped, applying adhesive along the leading marginal edge of the bank at the end of said path, plunging the article into the blank to fold it into a Ushape about the article, and completing the wrapping operation.

11. Apparatus for wrapping an article in a wrapper blank substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 2. A method of using an article in a wrapper blank substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.