US1545022A - Wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1925.

W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invaniow VViJZZz'mMVVhe-ihlau W fydim ,(fl

July 7, 1925. 1,545,022

w. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lave-2x30 7 Jul 7, 1925. 1,545,022

W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invei a/i o Wax v'aw /Mmeildo n. 71% 5am r44,

July 7, 1925 W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 29. 1923 gifi ys w..... y I

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHI Filed Dec. 29 192 Patented July 7, 192 5.

UNITED STATES 1,545,022 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. WHEILDON, OF FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD H. ANGIER, 0F FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed December 29, 1923. Serial No. 683,338.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIA-M M. WHEIL- DON, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Framingham, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Wrapping Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to a wrapping mechanism adapted to enclose an article with a closely fitting wrapping consisting of a strip or sheet of expansible paper difi'erentially expanded to fit the article. The invention finds particular application to the wrapping of annular articles such as coils of wire, coils of garden hose, tires and the like, and as I anticipate a major field of usefulness there-for in the wrapping. of pneumatic vehicle tires I have herein shown as an example of the invention a machine specifically designed for wrapping such a tire and in the course of the following description I will for convenience refer to the article wrapped as a tire, using that word in an exemplary sense and not intending thereby to limit the scope of the invention.

The construction and operation of the illustrated form of my invention may be readily understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation as seen from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section through the machine with part broken away and is on a larger scale; I

Fig. 4c is a central longitudinal section through mechanism appearing at the right of Fig. 1';

Fig. 5 is a perspective of an element hereinafter calledthe mold;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are simplified sections on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 1 and illustrate theformation of the wrap;

Fig. 11, on a larger scale, is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the final position of the wrapping material; and

Fig. 12 is a detail elevation of a paper feeding roll.

The machine herein shown is adapted to enclose a vehicle tire by applying around the outer circumference thereof a strip of expansible wrapping material, preferably craped or crinkled paper, of a width sufiicient to encircle the cross sectional circumference thereof and, in the present instance, providing additional marginal portions. The central portion of the strip applied along the tread of the tire is stretched out over the tread differentially to expand the crapes or crinkles sothat the wrapping strip will be cupped around the cross section of the tire. The expansion will be greatest at the tread, the point of maximum circumference, correspondingly less at the shoulders and .less at the sides. The expansion is effected locally in necessary amount such that the paper fits smoothly to the double curvature of the tire, the resiliency of the crapings tensioning the wrapping. The margins of the strip are turned inwardly across the beads and may be manipulated in desired manner. In the present embodiment of the invention they are tucked in between the beads as illustrated in Fig. 11. The ends of the wrapping strip may be sealed together or bound, down in any desired manner. In the present instance this is done after the removal of the tire from the machine.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 the machine is shown as it would appear to the operator standing before the same and inthe following description I shall use the words front and rear. right and left as they would be used by one having this point of View. In the-embodiment of the invention shown the mechanism is organized on a standard 15 having in its upper portion left and right lateral extensions 17 and'19, the former providing a supportfor a bracket 21 on which is mounted an electric motor 23 and the latter supporting a forwardly projecting frame 25 which carries certain paper handling mechanisms hereinafter described. From the base of the machine at the right may rise the brackets 27 adapted rotatably to support a roll of cra-ped or crinkled paper P of suitable width. A suitable length of paper is drawn from this roll in the operation of the machine for each tire wrapped and is severed therefrom. The roll may be of large size and a large number of tires may be wrapped without changing the supply roll.

In the form of the invention shown the ing means for the tire and for the paper take motion therefrom in the manner hereinafter dtscribed and are constantly driven as long as current is supplied to the motor through the switch 31. There is no clutch in the machine in the ordinary sense and the operator does not have to shift clutches and there is no danger of his wasting power by failing to throw a clutch completely in. I maypoint out here that in th machine shown the mechanisms for supportmg the tire and for handling the same and the wrapping material project forwardly from the main frame-work of the machine, being overhung from the standard and are unobstructed on the side nearest the operatonso that he has convenient access to them to 1nsert and remove the tire and to observe the wrapping operation. This appeals 1n Figs. 2 and 3.

I will first describe the mechanism herein shown for supporting and rotating the tire and for this purpose I have provided two overhanging concave rolls 31 and 33 adapted to make contact with the tread of the tire T and partially to fit around the cross section of the same. The roll 31 is driven by worm 35 on worm shaft 29 meshing with a suitable worm wheel housed at the rear of the machine and roll 33 is driven from roll 31 by a sprocket drive 36. The central portions of the rolls are also connected by a belt 37 and the lower run of this belt is presented in the concavity of the rolls and adapted to make contact with the tread of the tire, thus providing an extended bearing on the tire to drive the same when roll 31 is driven. During the wrapping operation the tire T is supported with its tread presented to the concavity of these rolls and pressed against the lower run of the belt 37 as illustrated in Fig. 1 and for this purpose it is supported from a forwardly projecting bracket 39 (see Fig. 3) secured to a slide 41 vertically movable in guideways 43 of the standard 15 and balanced by the counter-weight 45 (see Fig. 2) connected thereto by cables 47 passing over suitable guide sheaves 48.

The tire T may be supported on the member 39 by two idler rolls 49 adapted to engage the inner periphery of the tire symmetrically on opposite sides of the vertical diameter and in the present embodiment of the invention and more particularly for purposes hereinafter to be explained, these idler rolls 49 are provided with central flanges 51, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 10, which flanges enter between the beads of the tire, which beads rest on the cylindrical surfaces of the wheels on opposite sides of the flange, the tire being maintained in position by the enga ement of these flanges between the beads. Fetween the two rolls 49 there is mounted on the bracket 39 a member 53 shown in detail in Fig. 5 and hereinafter more fully to be described which because of a metaphorical similarity to the moldboard of a plow I will termfor convenience a mold.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, the tire is held in contact with the belt 37 extending between the rolls 31 and 33 and with the flanges of the rolls and is rotated in a counterclockwise direction viewing that figure, turning freely on the rolls 49, and in this position of the tire the wrapping takes place. If the slide 41 is lowered, the tire is moved away from the driving means and may be removed from the machine and a new one inserted. The slide 41 is of a crank 55 connected by a long connecting rod 57 to the lower part of the slide. When i the crank is in the upright position shown in Fig. 3, the tire supported on the bracket 39 is in the position shown with its tread presented to the overhanging rolls 31 and 33. If the crank shaft is turned a half revolution obviously the bracket will reach its lowermost position.

Suitable means are proigided for turning the crank a half revolution to raise or lower the tire and the mechanism herein shown will be best understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 6. The crank 55 is mounted on a crank shaft 59 journalled in the front plate 61 of a worm wheel casing secured to the rear of the standard 15 and in a yoke 62 at the back of the casing. ()n the loose sleeve 63 encircling the crank shaft is a worm Wheel 65 driven by worm .67 on the constantly rotating worm shaft 29. At the rear of the worm wheel casing the sleeve 63 carries a ratchet wheel 69, best shown in Fig. 6, which likewise will be constantly rotating, and to the rear of this there is keyed to the crank shaft 59 a disc 71 to which is connected a pawl 7 3 normally drawn by a spring 75 into cooperation with the ratchet wheel 69. The pawl 73 has a long cam-like tail 77 terminating in a hook-like seat 7 9 adapted to be engaged by one or another of two pins 81 sliding in the yoke 62 at the rear of the machine and presented at opposite sides of the pawl wheel 69 and disc 71, one of these pins normally engaging the hook on the pawl 79 and holding it in the full line position of Fig. 6 so that the ratchet wheel 69 will rotate idly without driving the disc 71 and the crank shaft. If now the pins 81 are momentarily withdrawn to the rear, they will release the pawl to the action of the spring 75 and the pawl will swing to the dotted line position of Fig. 6 and will .clutch the disc 71 and the crank shaft to the ratchet wheel 69 and the crank shaft will revolve. If, however,

the pins are immediately released then as the disc 71 rotates counterclockwise, viewing Fig. 6. the tail 77 of the pawl moving to the left will encounter the left hand pin 81. the pawl will be cammed out of contact with the ratchet wheel and the (lllVlIlg connection broken and the disc 71 will come to rest as the hook 79 on the pawl seats on the left hand pin 81. Thus, by momentary movement of the pins 81 the crank shaft can be given a half turn either to raise or lower the tire as the case may be. If the pins are not momentarily released noharm is done as the slide carrying the tire will simply reciprocate but it will always come to rest in one of the vertical positlons of the crank. The pins 81 may be withdrawn rearwardly by means of fingers 83 engaging notches at the rear ends of the pins and mounted on a rock shaft 85 suspended at the rear of yoke 62. By means" of suitable linkages, not necessary to describe in detail but easy to understand from Fig. 2, the shaft 85 may be rocked when desired either'by means of the controlling handle 87 at the upper part of the frame of the machine or by the treadle 89 presented at the front of the machine near the base. A weight 90, here shown as carried on the connecting rod of treadle 89, (Figs. 1 and 2) may servenormally to ma ntain the parts in the position where the pins are projected forwardly to hold the pawl out.

Referring now to Fig. 1, at the base of the machine beneath the overhanging tire support there may be provided a concave pan 91 adapted to receive the lower periphery of the tire and on which 1t may easily be lifted or rolled by the operator. The tire support 39 being in lowered position, the tire is placed upon this pan and the upper portion may be then swung rearwardly away from the operator and brought to rest above the supporting wheels 49. If the handle 87 or treadle 89 is then manipulated the crank will make a half turn, the wheels 49 will lift, the flanges 51 thereon will enter between the beads of the tire and the tire will be lifted to the position shown in Fig. 1 and suspended by the wheels 49 in contact with the overhanging rolls 31 and 33 and belt 37 and will be rotated on the idler rolls 49 by the action of the wheels and belt which are constantly driven. By the rotary motion of the tire a strip of paper is drawn into encircling relation about the same and the driving power is utilized differentially to expand the paper and cause it to fit the cross section of the tire.

To facilitate the further description of the wrapping operation it may be convenient more or less arbitrarily to divide the operation into a series of steps which it is possible to consider more or less separately.

By this division and classification my intention is merely to promote a more ready understanding of the operation of the particular form of machine here shown and it is not my intention in any way to limit the.

scope of the invention to a machine utilizing the same serles of steps. In the form of the invention shown, however, we may say that the Wrapping operation comprises; the' trated, the re-folding of these edges outwardly and the insertion thereof between the.

tire beads; and finally the pressing down and smoothing out of the wrapping at the beads.

I will next describe the mechanism here shown which may be considered that for feeding the paper although, as will appear, this mechanism also contributes to the differential expansion of the paper. The mechanism referred to is perhaps best shown in Fig. 4 and is organized on the overhung frame 25 at the right of the machine already referred to. Referring to Fig. 4, on this frame 25 there is journalled an upper feed roll 93 which may be continuously driven by means of a chain 95 from a sprocket wheel 97 (see Figs. 3 and 1) turning with the worm wheel 65 which is constantly driven from the main drive shaft 29. The linear speed of the roll 93, however, is less than the linear speed of the tire as driven by the rolls 31 and 33 and the belt 37. As seen in Fig. 12, the roll 93 is preferably provided with helical ribs 94, of opposite pitch on opposite ends of the roll, which will serve to keep the paper spread transversely as well as aid in the feeding of the same. These ribs are conveniently formed of strips of webbing secured to the roll. Cooperating with the driven feed roll 93 is a lower idler roll 99 mounted in the arms of a frame 101 pivoted to the sides of the frame 25 at 103. As shown in Fig. 1, the rocking of the frame about the center 103 may be controlled by a link 105 secured to the crank 107 adapted to be thrown to one side or the other of dead center by means of the control handle 109 at the top of the machine. 111 near the base of the machine may also be provided by depressing which the rolls may be thrown out from the position of Fig,

1 to stop the paper feed. Springs 113 serve to hold the frame in one position or the other. Referring again to Fig. 4, between the arms 101 and to the left of the idler A treadle roll 99 there may extend a support 115 for the paper strip terminating at the left hand edge in an upwardly facing shear blade 117.

The paper P is led from the supply roll over the idler roll 99 and the support 115 and may be retained on the former by the pivoted blade 119 bearing thereagainst at. an acute angle measured in the counterclockwire direction and thus serving to hold the paper from slipping to the right off the roll 99 while permitting it to be drawn to the left under the blade 119 by the action of the driven feed roll 93 when the roll 99 is raised into contact therewith by operation of control handle 109. On operation of either control device 109 or 111 the roll 99 and the paper may be dropped away from the constantly driven feed roll 93 and by this throw-off means the feed of paper is interrupted. The length of paper required for wrapping a tire is severed from the main supply when the feed is interrupted and this severed length is drawn out around the tire to complete the wrapping. It is apparent from Fig. 4 that as the roll 99 is thrown out of action the blade 117 will be raised and in doing so it may force the paper against cutter blades 121 secured to the cross-bar of the frame 25 above the support 115. Preferably there are two of these blades and, as shown in Fig. 4, they slope upwardly from the front and rear of the machine and thus a shearing cut is made from opposite sides of the strip of paper toward the middle. The blades 121 are pressed by springs 123 toward the cooperating blade 117 so that the blades will meet closely and cut cleanly. A cross-bar 124 extending between the arms of frame 101 overlies the paper adjacent the cutting blades and serves to strip it from blades 121.

From the support 103 the strip of paper is directed to the tire in a substantially tangential plane through two form members. One is an inner stationary form 125 secured to the web of the frame 25 and, as shown in Fig. 1, extending nearly to the tire. This form is substantially flat at its right hand side and is gradually curved, as indicated in Fig. 7, to the approximate section of the tire. This curvature permits the paper to cup under the differential stretching thereof and aids in controlling the amount of such cupping so that it will be fed accurately to and about the sides of the tire. Cooperating g with the form 125 is another outer form 127,

and 131 to an arm of a bell crank lever 133 connected by link 135 to a portion of the tire support herein (see Fig. 3) the mold 53. As is apparent from Fig. 1, as the tire is lifted by the support the bell crank lever will be rocked to lower the upper form into cooperation with the tire. The arrangement of the blocks 129 and 131, while providing a flexible connection permitting this rockmg, provides for supporting the form 127 in its downward position as seen in Fig. 1, but this support may be a yielding one b in the lower block 129 springs 137 resiliently pressing the form 127. vPins 139 connect block 129 to form 127 and provide for u ward motion of the latter relatively to t e former against the force of the springs.

J ournalled at the top of the form 127 is a pair of idle pulleys 141 between which is stretched a belt 143 having the inner run thereof extending at the interior of the form 127 and adapted, as best shown in Fig. 1, to make contact with the tread of the tire and to be driven thereby. This belt is of relatively narrow width and engages and clamps the strip of paper to the tire along the tread thereof. The tire thus tends to pull along the paper at the same linear speed as that at which it is driven which, it will be remembered, is greater than the linear speed ofthe feed roll 93. This belt in cooperation with the retarding feed couple, which thus has the action of a brake or tension, tends to stretch out the central portion of the paper. This in turn tends to make the strip of paper cup transversely and as this tendency is manifested between the two mold members 125 and 127, this cupping is downward as shown in Fig. 7 under the control of these members and as the paper is drawn into cupped form, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the amount of this cupping is controlled by the forms so that as the paper is delivered from the same it approximately fits the cross sectional form of the tire and to which it is fitted still more closely as it is further tensioned and it is delivered with the edges or providing marginal portions presented for the action of the mold 53 thereon as hereinafter explained. It will be noted that in the action of the device the tread of the tire is pressed up against the middle portion of the strip of paper and stretches the same out and by its pressure thereagainst differentially expands the strip to fit it about, the tire.

I will next describe the mechanism whereby the edges of the paper strip are folded transversely inwardly across the inner circumference of the tire. In the present instance they are also turned outwardly and tucked between the beads of the tire. As is seen from Fig. 8, since the right hand supporting roll 59 engages the tire by means of the central flange entering between the beads thereof, it leaves the sides of the tire unobstrurtcd for the strip of paper P to fold around and at a further point than illustrated in Fig. 8 the strip is so expanded and cupped as tofit. closely the tire from tread to beads. As the strip travels with the tire the edges of the strip are then brought into cooperation with the curved surfaces 145 of the mold 53 (see Fig. 5). I have already stated that I term this device a mold from the metaphorical similarity to the moldboard of a plow and these surfaces 145 gradually decrease in curvature and act in the manner of the mold-board of a plow or the hemmer of a sewing machine to gradually curl or fold over the edges of the strip of paper which are brought in contact therewith, this action also aiding in pulling the paper smoothly overthe sides of the tire. In the present embodiment of the invention the surfaces 145 merge together in a central tongue 147 adapted to project between the beads of the tire, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9. The edges of the paper will be gradually curved or directed inwardly to-.

ward each other and then outwardly along the sides of this rib 49 between the beads of the tire which are held spaced apart by the rib 51 of the right hand roll and they will be thus tucked in between the beads in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. This action takes place progressively as the tire rotates. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the

wrapped portion of the tire then passes into til) between the beads.

cooperation with the left hand roll 49 and this provides means for ironing out and creasing the fold of the wrapping around the tire beads, this being effected in the present instance by the lateral cylindrical faces of the roll and the central rib 51.

By omitting the central tongue 147 and the curves leading to it and by utilizing a paper of the proper width, the two edges of the paper may simply be folded over toward each other instead of being inserted This might be done where it is desired to apply a sealing strip or, by varying the curves on opposite sides one edge of the paper may be folded in first and the other made to overlap the same.

' In these instances the left hand roll 49, in-

stead of being provided with a central flange 51, would be of channel form and the base and flanges of this channel would serve to crease and iron out the wrapping around the beads.

The operation of the machine i'nay be briefly recapitulated as follows. Referring to Fig. 1, the motor 23 is running, the rolls 31 and 33 are being driven and also the feed roll 93. The tire support on its slide 41 is lowered from the position shown in Fig. 1 and the rolls 31 and 33 rotate idly. The feed roll 99 is also separated fromthe driven feed roll 93 which likewise rotates idly. The paper is held over the roll 99 by blade 119 (Fig. 4) and the end thereof is disposed at or adjacent the location of the shear blades 117 and 121.

The operator places a tire on the pan 91 and swinging the upper portion away from him brings it to rest over the supporting rolls 49 and the intervening mold 53. The operator now either pulls the handle 87 or depresses the treadle 89 and immediately releases them. This clutches the crank shaft 59 to the ratchet wheel 69, the crank makes a half revolution and the the support rises vertically, lifting the tire to the position shown in Fig. 1. It immediately begins to revolve driven by the belt 37. As the tire support rises the bell crank lever 133 is rocked by the link 135, the mold 137 is lowered into cooperation with the tire and the belt 143 comes into contact with the tread of the tire and begins to move, driven by the tire. The operator then throws handle 109 to' the right. This, as best seen from Fig. 4, rocks the frame 101 about center 103, lowers blade 117 away from blade 121 providing an open passage for the paper and lifts roll 99, over which the paper extends, into contact with the driven roll 93. The paper therefore begins to feed forward between the two forms until it is caught between the revolving tire and the belt 143 and is clamped to the former by the latter. Since the linear speed of the tire is greater than the speed of the feed roll 93, the tire immediately commences to pull on the central zone of the paper and differentially to expand the resilient emboss ments. At the same time it is drawing the paper around its circumference and, as it were, rolling into the same fitting the paper around the peripheral circumference of the tire and shaping the paper about itself. The tension on the central zone of the paper strip tends to cup the strip transversely but under control of the forms 125 and 127 the edges turn downwardly rather than upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and as the draft on the paper continues it gradually shapes to the cross sectional form of the tire, as shown in Fig. 8. The portion of the tire having the paper about the same is advanced to the mold 53 between the supporting rolls and this serves, as shown in Fig. 9, to draw the paper over the sides of the tire and turn the margins in across the inner circumference of the tire and, in the particular form shown, to fold them outwardly and insert them between the beads. These folded portions then pass over the left hand roll 49 which irons out and creases the fold as illustrated in Fig. 10. As the portion of the tire passes off the rolls the beads spring together and the wrapping appears crosssectionally substantially as shown in Fig. 11. This wrapping and shaping of the wrapping about the tire proceeds as the tire revolves. As the forward end comes up on the operators right, that is, when a major portion of the tire has been wrapped he throws the handle 109 or presses on the treadle 111. This works the throw-out means for the paper feed, drop-ping roll 99 and the paper away from driven roll 93 and at the same time closes the shear blades to cut off the paper at the right hand end of the form 125. The feed of the main supply of paper stops but the end portion of the severed strip continues to be drawn forward and fitted about the tire. When this end portion has passed the left hand roll the handle 87 or treadle 89 may be utilized to drop the entire support and move the tire away from the driven belt 37 and rolls 31 and 33 from which it takes its motion. The wrapped tire is lowered to the pan 91, ceases to move and may be removed by the operator. The ends of the wrap may be sealed down or secured in any desired manner.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that a large unobstructed place is provided at the interior of the tire and this affords ample room for the attachment of auxiliary mechanisms, as, for example, mechanisms to apply a circumferential sealing strip. A suitable method of sealing the package would be to apply a strip circumferentially along the beads with the inner face coated with adhesive, preferably with sorhesuch adhesive as pitch which would congeafrather than dry, and to fold the edges of the paper over on this strip. For this purpose a roll of straw-board strip might conveniently be provided mounted on a suitable support attached to the slide 41. Suitable feed rolls and severing means would be provided for the strip with throw-off means similar to the mechanism utilized for feeding in the paper as seen in Fig. 4 and the severing means would be operated in timed relation with .the severing means for the paper strip conveniently by a suitable mechanical connection. A pitch-pot, which might be provided with an electric heater, would be provided with a roll, which might serve also as a feed roll, for applying the pitch to the board as it was fed. The end of the strip of board could be fed upwardly through a suitable opening in the mold 53 into contact with the beads of the tire with the pitch smeared face facing downwardly or toward the center of the tire. The curved surfaces of the mold would act to fold the edges of the paper in over this pitch smeared face against which they would be pressed by the left hand supporting roll, then in channel form as already explained, and to which they would adhere as the pitch set or congealed.

I have described in detail the particular embodiment of my invention shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the particular mechanism shown is merely an example and the detailed character of the description has had for its purpose the clear explanation of this particular embodiment. The principles of the invention might be embodied in many different forms and what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent I shall express in the following claims.

Claims:

1. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting the article, means for winding an expansible wrapping strip around the circumference of the same and tensioning means for the strip cooperating with said winding means to differentially expand the strip to fit the article.

2. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting the article, means for winding an expansible wrapping strip around the circumference of the same, tensioning means for the strip whereby it may be differentially expanded to fit the article and cooperating means for folding transversely the edge of the expanded strip.

3. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting the article, means for winding an expansible wrapping strip around the circumference of the same, tensioning means for the strip whereby it may be differentially expanded to fit the article and cooperating means comprising a molding surface adjacent the article for folding transversely an edge of the expanded strip.

4. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotating the article to be wrapped, means for delivering a strip of expansible paper thereto to encircle the same and means for differentially expanding the paper as it passes to the article to cup it to the form of the article.

5. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotating the article to be wrapped, means for delivering a strip of expansible paper thereto to encircle the same, means for extending the central zone of the paper and cooperating guide means controlling the direction in which the paper will cup.

6. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotating the tire and means through which a strip of expansible paper is led to the tire substantially in a tangent plane, said means providing a resistance to the drawing out of the paper when engaged with the tire whereby the moving tire may tensionand differentially expand the paper to fit the latter about the tire.

7. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotating the tire, means through which a strip of expansible paper is led to the tire substantially in a tangent plane,said means providing a resistance to the drawingout of the paper when engaged with the tire whereby the moving lll tire may tension and differentially expand the paper to fit the latter about the tire and a molding surface adjacent the bead of the tire to which an edge of the expanded strip is advanced and serving to fold the same transversely.

8. A wrapping machine comprising means for supporting and rotating the article to be wrapped, feed rolls for delivering an expansible strip thereto at lower speed and means for clamping a port-ion of the width of the strip to the article whereby the same will be laterally extended.

9. A Wrapping machine comprising means for feeding a strip of expansible paper, a form past which the paper is advanced gradually adapted to the section of the article to be wrapped and faster running means acting on a limited zone of the paper differentially to extend it over the form.

10. A wrapping machine comprising means for feeding a strip of expansible paper, a form past which the paper is advanced gradually adapted to the section of the article to be wrapped and faster running means including an element cooperating with the article to be wrapped acting on a limited zone of the paper differentially to extend it over the form.

11. A wrapping machine of the class described comprising cooperating means for encircling the article with a strip of expansible wrapping material and for exerting a localized tension. thereon differentially to expand the same. c

12. In a wrapping machine of the class described means to deliver expansible wrapping material to the article and cooperating means acting ocally on the material to ex- I tend the same diifere-ntially.

i 13. A wrappmg machine comprising means for supporting and rotating the article to be wrapped. means for clamping a portion of expansible wrapping strip thereto and means resisting the feed of said wrapping by the article whereby it will be extended in the zonewhere clamped.

14. A wrapping machine of the class described comprising -in combination with means for holding and guiding an expansible wrapping strip means for driving the article in contact therewith whereby through its pressure thereagainst-it will differentially expand the strip to fit the same about the contours of the article.

15. A machine for wrapping a toric article comprising in combination means for holding and guiding an expansible strip, means for driving the article in contact therewith differentially to expand the strip to fit it transversely about the article and cooperating means for folding an edge of the 'expanded strip transversely across a circumference of the article.

16. A machine for wrapping an article with a peripherally applied expansible strip comprislng means for supporting the article,

means for clamping the end of the strip thereto, tensioning means for the strip and means for wrapping the strip about the periphery of the article against the resist-- ance of the tensioning means whereby the article will press against the strip differentially to expand the same to fit transversely about the article. 7

17. In a machine for wrapping annuli in combination with means for rotating the annulus, means for leading a strip of expanmeans for applying a retarding tension thereon throughout its width in combination with means for controlling the amount of cupping effected thereby.

20. In a machine for wrapping annuli an overhung couple for engaging and rotatingthe tire and having suitable throwoff means, means for leading paper from one side to the annulus and an overhung folding mechanism to fold the paper transversely about the annulus.

21. Ina machine for wrapping annuli an overhung couple for engaging and rotating the tire and having suitable throw-oil" means, controllable means for feeding paper forwardly from one side into cooperation with the annulus and an overhung folding mechanism to fold the paper transversely aboutthe annulus.

22. In a tire wrapping machine in combination with means for applying an encircling wrapping stripv about the tread and sides of the tire, means for infolding an edge of the strip over the tire beads comprising a mold surface presented adjacent the bead.

23. In a tire wrapping machine in. combination with means for applying an encircling wrapping strip about the tread and sides of the tire, means for infolding an edge of the strip over the tire beads comprising a mold surface pres nted adjacentthe bead and means for pressing the fold comprising a roller adapted to support the tire in the machine.

24. In a tire wrapping machine in combination with means for applying an encircling'wrapping strip about the tread and III sides of the tire, means for infolding an edge of the strip over the tire beads comprising a mold surface presented adjacent the bead and a presser for the fold bearing on the bead.

25. In a tire wrapping machine the mecha: nism for folding the wrapping at. the inner circumference of the tire comprising a pair of rolls on which the tire rests and a mold surface presented adjacent the bead between the rolls to inturn the edge of the wrapping over the bead between the rolls.

26. In a tire wrapping machine the mechanism for folding the wrapping at the inner circumference of the tire comprising a pair of rolls on which the tire rests, the leading roll having a support to enter between and space the tire beads, and a mold surface presented adjacent the bead between the rolls to inturn the edge of the wrapping over the bead between the rolls, said surface being shaped to direct the inturning edge upwardly between the beads.

27. In a tire wrapping machine means for supporting the tire comprising a roll fitting the i bead side thereof, means to apply a wrapping about the tread and sides of the tire, means acting in advance of said roll to fold the wrapping inwardly at the bead, said roll adapted to crease and iron out the fold.

28. In a tire wrapping machine in combination with means for rotating the tire, a device entering between the beads to spread the same, means to apply a wrapping bent about the tread and sides of the tire and means for infolding the margins of the wrapping into the space between the beads.

29. In a tire Wrapping machine in combination with means for rotating the tire, a device entering between the beads to spread the same, means to apply a wrapping bent about the tread and sides of the tire and means for infolding the margins of the wrapping into the space between the beads comprising mold surfaces of progressively varying curvature presented adjacent the sides of the tire and having recurved terminal portions presented between the beads.

30. In a tire wrapping machine, in combination, a pair of rolls engaging the interior means for elevating the support to bring the annulus into cooperation with said driven member and to lower the same and control means for effecting half revolutions of said crank means at desired times.

32. A machine as defined in claim 31 wherein said driven member and supporting means are overhung to facilitate the intro-- duction of the annulus from the side.

33. In a wrapping machine in combination with supporting means along which the article moves, means for applying a wrapping bent transversely over the top and sides of the article and means for infolding the edge of the wrapping at the bottom comprising a surface of progressively varying curvature adjacent the article and'adapted to engage the margin of the wrapping.

34. In a wrapping machine in combination with a supporting means fitting a portion of the article and over which the article moves, means for applying a wrapping bent transversely over the top and sides of the article, a device for infolding the edge of the wrap-ping at the bottom presented adjacent the side of the article to cooperate with the margin of the wrapping, the passage of the article and wrapping over said supporting means serving to consolidate the fold.

35. A wrapping machine of the class described including a carriage for supporting a tire by engagement with its inner circumference, feed rolls to cooperate with the tire tread, slower feed rolls to deliver a strip of wrapping materirl to the tread of the tire, a surface over which the strip is delivered gradually curved to the section of the tire, means for holding the central portion of the strip against the tire to be extended by the movement thereof and mold surfaces on the carriage to infold the edges of the strip at the beads of the tire.

36. A wrapping machine of the class described including a carriage for supporting ,a tire by engagement with'its inner circumference and including a member entering between the beads thereof to spread the same, feed rolls to cooperate with the tire tread, slower feed rolls to deliver a strip of wrapping material to the tread of the tire, a surface over which the strip is delivered gradually curved to the section of the tire, means for holding the central portion of the strip against the tire to be extended by the movement thereof and mold-surfaces on the carriage shaped to infold the edges of the strip over and between the beads of the tire.

37. In a machine for wrapping a toric article means for supporting and revolving the article, a form over which an expansible Wrapping strip is delivered to the article having a delivery end approximating the section thereof and differentially driven means for shaping the strip to the form.

38. In a machine for wrapping a toric article means for supportin and revolving the article, a form over w ich an expansible wrapping strip is delivered to the article having a delivery end approximating the section thereof, difierentially driven means for shaping the strip to the form and a devlce resented adjacent the article for folding inwardly over a circumference of the article an edge of the shaped strip.

39. In a machine for encircling an article with an expansible wrapping strip, means for supporting and rot-atlng the article to draw the strip thereabout, a form over which the strip passes to the article and means for tensioning the strip to shape it over the form by differential expansion.

40. In a machine for encircling an artlcle with an expansible wrapping strip, means for supporting and rotatin the art1cle t0 draw the strip thereabout, a orm over Wl'llCh the strip passes to the article, means for tensioning the strip to shape it over the form by differential expansion and a devrce presented adjacent the article for fold1ng 1nwardly over a circumference of the article an edge of the shaped strip.

41. In a machine for wrapping a tone article means to deliver a paper strip 1n a plane substantially tangent to the periphery of the article, a form through wlnch the strip passes of progressively varylng section and adapted at its further end partly to embrace the article and mean for folding the margins of the strip as delivered from the form.

42. In a wrapping machine means for rotating an article, an element pressing thereagainst, means for supporting the end of a wrapping strip in a plane substantially tangent to the article and feed means for advancing the strip to the bite between the article and said element.

43. A wrapping machine comprising means, for differentially tensioning an ex pansible strip to cup it about an article and mold surfaces for engaging the edges of the cupped strip to fold the same.

44. In a machine of the class described constantly driven. feed rolls, an overhung support to receive the article to be wrapped and means for bringing the article on the sup ort into and out of engagement with sa1 rolls.

45. In a machine of the class described constantly driven feed rolls, an overhung support to receive the article to be wrapped and ower means controlled by an operating handle for bringing the article on the suppollitB into and out of engagement with said ro Y 46. In a machine of the class described means for supportin and rotating the article to be wrappe means including a shiftable constantly driven roll for advancing wrapping material thereto, a shiftable device for holdin the material to the article and a control andle to shift said roll and said device to and from operative position.

47. In a machine of the class described means for delivering a strip toward an article comprising feed rolls, a cutter for the strip, means for wrapping the strip about the article and throw-off means for the feed rolls adapted to actuate the cutter to sever the strip when the feed is interrupted.

48. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feeding the article comprisin a driven and an idle member, a separa le couple for feeding the wrapping strip likewise comprising a driven and an idle member, said couples havin different speeds and throw-ofi' means for t e cou les.

49. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feeding the article comprising a driven and an idle member, a

separable couple for feeding the wrap ing strip likewise comprising a driven an an idle member, said couples having different speed, throw-off means for the couples and means to hold a portion of the strip to the article to be moved therewith, said means adapted to contact with the article when and only when the elements of one of said couples are brought together.

50. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feeding the article comprising a driven and an idle member, a separable couple for feeding the wrapping strip likewise comprising a driven and an idle member, throw-01f mean for the couples repectively and a cutter for severin the strip operating when the elements 0 said strip-feeding couple separate.

51. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feeding the article comrising a driven and an idle member, a separable couple for feeding the wrapping strip likewise comprising a driven and an idle member, throw-off means for the couples respectively, means to hold a portion of the strip to the article to be moved therewith, said means adapted to contact with the article when and only when the elements of one of said couples are brought together, and a cutter for severing the strip operating when the elements of said strip-feeding couple separate.

52. The work rotating mechanism comprising a verticall shiftable member having means for rotatab y supporting the work by underriding engagement therewith, and a driver resented tothe exterior circumference,sh1fting of said member to raised posimay rotate, said support adapted tobemoved plane and comprising a support at one side 10 to present the perip cry of the work to said of the plane an devices cooperating with the driver, a shifting mechanism for said suptire overhung from the sup ort whereby the port, a driver for said mechanism taking motire may be lntroduced to t e machine by a 5 tion from the shaft and control means for movement transverse to the lane.

connecting said driver to said mechanism for In testimony whereof, I have signed my 1 a predetermined movement. name to this specification.

54. A tire handling machine adapted to receive and support the tire in a vertical WILLIAM M. WHEILDON.

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