GB553718A - Improvements in wrapping machines - Google Patents

Abstract

553,718. Packeting. KEMP, Ltd., G., and FITZ-GERALD, H. J. Feb. 10, 1942, No. 1744. [Class 94 (i)] Relates to a wrapping machine of the kind in which batches of biscuits or like articles are raised in succession by an elevator to a higher level, a wrapper being applied to each batch during this movement. According to the invention, the elevator is provided with means for supporting a batch of biscuits and preventing it from falling apart until the folding of the wrapper has reached such a stage that further support is unnecessary. The batches 10, Fig. 1, of loose biscuits are fed in succession to the elevator 11 by the conveyer described in Specification 553,719, [Group XXX]. The elevator consists of a metal plate 36 of inverted U-shape which is reciprocated vertically and carries each batch 10 upwards into engagement with a wrapper 19 that has been brought into position by tapes 20. The upward movement of the elevator folds the wrapper about three sides of the batch, as shown, the draping of the wrapper being controlled by flaps 22, 23. As soon as the elevator commences to descend, a folding-plate 28 moves horizontally under the batch to support it and to fold one of the free edges of the wrapper beneath the batch. Next, side tuckers 30 carried by a pusher 29 advance and form side tucks b, Fig. 12, in the wrapper. The pusher continues its movement and pushes the partly wrapped batch off the plate 28 on to a fixed platform 31, thus folding the other depending portion of the wrapper. The batch is gradually moved forwards along the platform 31 by the arrival of successive batches, and during this movement the folding of the wrapper is completed by fixed side-tuckers 32, 34, 35. In order to support the batch in its elevated position until the plate 28 has passed beneath it, the elevator carries a metal strip 42, Figs. 1 and 7, which is connected to the plate 36 by rods 43 that slide through lugs 148 on the plate 36 and are secured at their lower ends to the casing 44 of a resilient latch 45. Springs 46 surround the rods 43 between fixed collars 47 and a bar 39 secured to a bar 40 by which the elevator is reciprocated. When the elevator descends, the latches 45 are engaged by fixed stops and uphold the strip 42 which supports the batch of biscuits until the plate 28 is in position to-do so. As the elevator continues to descend, the compression of the springs 43 overcomes the resistance of the latches 45 and the strip 42 snaps back to the level of the top of the plate 36, leaving the batch on the plate 28, The top of the elevator is provided with side plates 51 which grip the batch of biscuits and prevent them from falling apart. The plates 51 are slidably mounted and are drawn together by a spring, but are separated by pivoted levers when a new batch is being received on the elevator from the conveyer 13.