GB667971A - Improvements in wrapping flexible articles - Google Patents

Abstract

667,971. Wrapping-machines. STRACHAN & HENSHAW, Ltd., and WILLS, S. C. F. May 11, 1950 [May 20, 1949; Jan. 4, 1950], Nos. 13595/49 and 246/50. Class 94(i) In a machine for wrapping flexible articles, such as stockings, a bag is gripped by jaws and transferred to a filling station, suction is applied to the walls of the bag through the jaws, the jaws are moved apart to open the mouth of the bag and the article is engaged by a movable plate, adapted to enter the bag, and projected into the bag. The machine shown comprises a pair of endless belts 11 which are operated intermittently to feed stockings 14 in succession to a filling station above a plate 44 which is arranged to move vertically into engagement with the stockings through the space 12 between the belts. The bag-gripping and transfer device comprises a pair of jaws 20 provided with intermeshing gear segments 23 and pivoted to end plates 19 on a bracket 15 mounted on a rotatable shaft 16, the jaws being opened and closed by a crank 24 coupled by a link 30 to a crank 31 on a spindle 32 rotatable in the shaft 16. The jaws are formed with tubular passages which may be connected to a source of vacuum. In operation, the shaft 16 and spindle 32 are rotated together anticlockwise to the position of Fig. 2 (not shown), where the jaws are disposed on each side of a bag 29 and the spindle .32 then continues to rotate to close the jaws to grip the bag. The spindle and shaft are then rotated clockwise to the position of Fig. 1, to position the bag, mouth downwards, above the plate 44. Suction is then applied to the jaws and the spindle continues to rotate, thus opening the jaws and the mouth of the bag. Pivoted guides 34 are then caused to enter the mouth of the bag by a cam 43 operating through linkage and the plate 44 rises to fold the stockings and carry them into the open bag, spring- loaded rollers 45 being provided to press the stockings against the sides of the plate as it moves into the bag. The suction is then cut off and further upward movement of the plate positions the filled bag between the jaws 53, 54 of a second transfer device pivoted at 56 to a fixed part of the machine. The upper end of the bag then engages trip mechanism 62, the jaws 53, 54 close, the plate 44 is lowered and the transfer device is rotated clockwise to carry the filled bag to the next station.