GB808881A - Improvements in and relating to machines for wrapping articles - Google Patents

Abstract

808,881. Wrapping machines. TURNER, R. Aug. 19, 1955 [May 19, 1954], No. 14695/54. Class 94(1). A machine for wrapping small articles, such as toffees, in one or more layers of material secured by twisting at opposite ends, comprises a continuously rotating disc B having a plurality of equally spaced pockets 2 extending through the disc, each pocket 2 carrying one of the articles 4 to the wrapping position, a and plunger 3 operable in synchronism with the disc B such that it does not interrupt the rotational movement thereof, for moving the article from its pocket 2 in the disc B to the wrapping means. There may be a plunger 3 for each pocket 2, the plungers rotating with the disc. Alternatively, as shown, there may be only a single plunger 3 adapted through linkages to have both vertical and lateral movement during each stroke of each pocket in the disc B. As each article 4 moves upwards against one or more layers of wrapping material H it is gripped between a pair of continuously rotating arms 17 that are momentarily opened for this purpose by cam means 22. An abutment surface 24 also moves, momentarily, into a position between the arms 17 to position the article correctly therebetween. This gripping action causes the wrapping material H to cover the top and two sides of the article 4. A foot 26 then tucks in one flap of the wrapper and as the arms 17 continue to rotate clockwise about a shaft 19 the remaining flap is folded over by a stationary member 28. During the rotation of the arms 17 about the shaft 19, the projecting ends of the wrappers around each article are gripped by means that rotate with the articles 4 and at the same time, that rotate about their own axes so as to twist the wrapper ends, said means also sliding along their own axes to allow for the reduction in wrapper lengths on twisting. As the cam means 22 causes the arms 17 to open, a member 46 ejects each wrapped article onto a shoot 45. The wrappings H are fed together as overlapping webs from separate rolls and are severed by a knife operated in synchronism with the movement of the disc B and plunger 3. To stop the wrapping machine, should the paper feed be interrupted, a spring loaded feeler arm may bear against the webs and any movement of the arm beyond a predetermined limit due to a break in the webs, or a slackening of the tension therein, is used to open the circuit of the electric motor driving the machine.