GB826997A - Improved apparatus for packaging articles - Google Patents

Abstract

826,997. Packaging-machines. MEAD PACKAGING, Inc. [formerly MEAD ATLANTIC PAPER CO], Nov. 22, 1956 [June. 15, 1956], No. 35802/56. Class 94(1). A machine to facilitate hand wrapping of groups of cans in wrappers which are laid on top of a group, folded down each side and then overlapped and secured beneath includes guides to support the group for initial wrapping and to direct the package to a position where tongue and slot means are automatically engaged to join the overlapped portions. The machine is fully adjustable and may be adapted for groups of one or two rows. Cans C are placed on a guideway formed by rails 104, 105, Figs. 3, 9, and a blank W, which may be substantially as described in Specification 790,815, from a magazine 103, is placed on the group arid folded down the sides of the cans, round the outside of the rails 105, and overlapped beneath the rail 104, this folding occurring with the cans on the more unsupported section 101 of the rails. Parts 108, 109 on the rails act as a positioning gauge for the wrapper and cans. The package is pushed forward manually onto further rails 106, Fig. 1, over a pivoted stop 119, Fig. 14 (not shown), which rises behind the package, the package then being pulled back against it for correct positioning above the locking devices. Prior to locking, the wrapper is tightened across the package base by fingers 143, Figs. 1, 17, which enter apertures 26, 28 in the overlapped portions 14, 16, Figs. 4, 7 (not shown) and apply tension to them. The fingers are mounted on frames formed by rods 160 extending longitudinally of the machine and links 139, the links 139 being mounted for movement to the right as shown in Fig. 24, when levers 132 are pulled downwards by a foot pedal operated crank means 127, 130, 131, Fig. 19. Such movement is obtained by fixed cams 136 and rollers 135, and an initial upward movement of the fingers to cause them to enter the apertures is produced by cam surfaces 141 and rollers 140. When the wrapper is tightened, arms 148, swung upwards by the same foot pedal movement, cause members 151 to push tongues through apertures formed by cut out retaining flaps to secure the wrapper. The tightening and locking means are returned by springs and the package is ejected by entry of the next to be completed. When two rows are packaged, two bottom supporting rails, one having a surface raised above the other may support them so that the chines of opposite cans overlap in the completed package as described in Specification 822,412.