GB352659A - Improvements in or relating to machines for wrapping cigarettes or like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

352,659. Racketing cigarettes &c. ROSE, A. G. and ROSE BROS. (GAINSBOROUGH), Ltd., Albion Works, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. May 27, 1930, No. 16258. [Class 94 (i).] A wrapping machine of the type having a hopper with a series of vertical channels in its base, separated by partitions, through which the cigarettes &c. gravitate on to a feed-table, and a pusher comprising a number of fingers, one for each channel, comprises the combination of a transfer device, into which the batch is pushed by the pusher, means to move said device bodily to a discharge station, an intermittently moved pocketed conveyer so arranged in step with the transfer device as to present a pocket below it on its arrival at the discharge station, and a vertically movable cage which receives the batch from the transfer device and lowers it into the pocket. The cigarettes gravitate through vertical channels on to the feedtable 16 which has a platform 14 arranged to prevent one cigarette from falling when an unequal row formation is desired. The batch is ejected from between the vanes by a reciprocating divided plunger, the cigarettes being closed together by being forced between converging guides. The batch is inserted into the transfer device 17 which is reciprocated on a rail by a cam and levers to move it forward through the machine. Two pivoted spring-biased plates 27 with inturned bottom portions 127, comprised by the transfer device, .are opened by a vertically cam-moved horizontal member 32 which bears on rollers 31, attached to the plates, the upward movement of the member 32 causing the plates to grip the batch. The transfer device is then moved so that it enters the cage 42. This cage, Fig. 6, consists of two spring-biased plates 43, with inturned bottom portions 44, connected by quadrants 55, 56, the frame 54, to which they are attached, being reciprocated vertically by a rocking lever 61 engaging with a lug 60. This vertical movement carries the cage 42 through a gap in the feed-table which is opened and closed by a reciprocating slide 45, the latter carrying projecting surfaces 46, in line with the surface of the feedtable 16, to help in the transfer of the cigarettes &c. from the transfer device into the cage. Attached to the quadrant arm 56 is a tappet 57, which is operated by a slider 65 and a rocking arm 67 to open the plates 43 to receive the batch and then close them to grip the ends of the same. The side-plates 27 of the transfer device are then opened by the descent of the member 32 and the device is returned to take the next batch delivered by the pusher. The slide 45 is then withdrawn a wrapper having been previously inserted above the slide 45 the end 70 being positioned by a projection 74, on the folding member 73, whilst the other end 71 lies over the other folding member 72. Beneath the table and working in step with the remainder of the mechanism is a chain conveyer 75 with pockets 76 slightly convergent on the opposed sides. The cage 42 is then lowered through the gap carrying with it the wrapper which is depressed into the receiving pocket and folded in U-form under and around the sides of the batch. The side-plates 43 are then opened and the cage moved to its upper position, two members 89, attached to quadrant levers 78, 79, 82, 83 being moved inwardly by a rocking lever 85 to grip the ends of the batch, projections 90 overlaying the top portions of the batch ends. The folder 73 is then moved horizontally by cam and lever mechanism to fold the end 70 of the wrapper over the top of the batch. The levers 78, 79 are next separated and the conveyer is moved to the right, the other end 71 of the wrapper being folded over by the folder 72 consequent upon the movement of the conveyer. Any convenient device for folding over the extended portions of the wrapper over the ends of the batch may be employed.