US1674026A

US1674026A - Wrapping machine

Info

Publication number: US1674026A
Application number: US434507A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer L Smith; Horace J Paynter
Original assignee: Package Machinery Co
Current assignee: Package Machinery Co
Priority date: 1921-01-03
Filing date: 1921-01-03
Publication date: 1928-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1945-06-19

Description

June 19, 1928. 1,674;026

. E. L. SMITHETAL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5. I921 9 sneets-sne' t 1 ATTORNEIYS,

June 19, 1928. 1,674,026

E. L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l l I ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1928.

E. L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5,1921

9 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1928. 1,674.026

E. L. SMiTH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1921 9 she ts-Sheet 4 l VENTORs W/ 1%?"46' ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1928. 1,674,026

E. L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5. 1 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 2%! f ATTORNEYS June 19, 1928. 1,674,026

E. L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY5 June 1-9, 1928.

E: L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1928. 1,674,026

FiledvJan. 5, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 WRAPPING MACHINE WW 1% I O 72/ wk 5;

ATTORNEYfi Junele; 192s. 1,674,026

E. L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 3. 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet '9 ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 19, 1928.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ma 1'. ultra m nonacn .1. Panama, or SPRINGFIELD, massacnvsnrrs, as szanons r racxacn macnmnnv COMPANY, or srnmsrmrm, MASSACHUSETTS,

A COIPOBLTION OI HASSACHUSETTS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed January 3, 1921. Serial No. 434,507.

7 this general c aracter', but for illustrative purposes a machine for wra ping a grouped plurality of articles in stac ed relation will be considered, such a stack of articles being hereinafter referred to generally by the term article. In wrapping a plurality of articles in a grouped or stacked relation, it is deordinaril sirable to employ a longer wrapper than is used so as to overlap to greater extent w ereby overlapped portions of the wrapper may extend around two or more sides of the packa e. A'wrapper thus applied provides adfitional tension upon the. articles to hold them in .their grouped relation and also functions to prevent the accidental loosening of thewrapper therefrom.

One object of the. invention is to provide means to apply and fold such a long wrapper about an article with the overlapped portions about more than one side of the article. A further object is to provide folding devices that rogressively fold the wrapper about the si es and ends of the wrapper.

Another object is to provide mechanism to guide and position the article to be wrapped with respect to the wrapper whereby the said wrapper is accurately positionedupon the article during the wrapping operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of the preferred-iembodiment of the inventionillustrated in t e accompanying drawings and in which- Fig. 1 is a'front elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 2is a side elevational view of the housing enclosing the operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the same taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fi 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing certain of the operating mechanism;

Fi 5 is a plan view, enlarged, taken on the hue 5- 5 of Fig. 1 and showing the artiole-delivering mechanism;

the wrapper is folded as Fig. 6 is an enlarged. elevational view of the wrapping wheels with the end folders removed; I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the receiving end of the discharge chute and a pocket of the label-applying wheel;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevational view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1 showing the wrapping wheel and folding devices;-

Fig. 9 is 'a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5 showing the wrapper-holding means;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of the'upper wrapping chute taken on line 66 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation on the line 1111 of Fig. 5 showing the wrapper-cutting shears and wrapper-positioning nippers;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the operating device for the wrapper gri per:

Fig. 13 is a perspective view 0 a wrapper in 1position for the wrapping operation;

igs. 14 to26, inclus1ve, are perspective views of an article during the wrapping-operation; and

Fig. 27 is a sectional viewon the line 2727 of Fig. 8. I

For a clearer understanding of the machine about to be described, we shall first briefly describe the progress of an article therethrough in bein wrapped, with particular reference to igs. 1, 5 and 6.

Articles are delivered to the machine by a carrier I and are placed ina position to be fed or advanced through the machine byv a feed-plunger II. A wrapper w is located adjacent the folding chute or channel III and when engaged by the article being advanced' or fed by the feed-plunger I is forced with the said article into a pocket of a wrapping-wheel IV. During the passage of the article through the chute III and into a .pocket of the wheel, the wrapper is partially folded about the article, as illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16, inclusive. The

wrapping-wheelIV is then rotated 180 degrace and causes the wrapper to'be folded as in Figs. 17, 18 and 19. From the Wheel IV the article and wrapper are ejected into a folding chute V, duri which movement own in Fig. 20.

The partially wrapped article is then advanced by the feed member VI through a channel VII and into a ocket of the labelapplying wheel VIII. uring this movement the wrapper is completely folded about the article, as in Figs. 21 and 22, and also en ages and carries with it into the wheel a abel or outer wrap er L, as shown in Fig. 24. This wheel Q'III rotates 90 degrees and upon comi% to its rest position, a gumming device I operates to place a stripe of gum 9 upon the extended label flap, as in Fig. 25. After the gumming operation, the wheel again rotates 90 degrees, whereupon-the article is ejected into the receiving end of a discharge chute X. -During the ejection of the article the extended fla of the label L is folded against the side the article and subsequent articles ejected lnto the said chute X successivel advance the previously wrapped articles t erethrough Coming now to a more detailed descrlption of the machine, a base or support 11 is provided and supports in a spaced relation forward and

rear frame members

12 and 13. The wrapper-applyin mechanisms and other units are locate adjacent the outer face of the frame 12, and the operatlng mechanism for the said units are mounted between the

frames

12 and 13, whereby rotating and reciprocating shafts and the like extend through and are supported by the said frame 12 and operate the various units in a proper timed relation. The operating mechanism for the several units will be hereinafter more fully described.

The mechanism or carrier I forfeeding articles to the machine 'will now be described, with articular reference to Figs. 1, and 6. A racket 16 (see Fig. 5) is secured to a flange 12 of the front frame 12 and carries in a-fixed relation the spaced

bearings

17, 18 and 19 and a 19 disposed transversely thereto. A rod 20 for supporting the article carrier-mechanism is carried by the bearing 18 and is fixed therein by a pin 21. A hanger 22 is fixed to the stud 20'and has spaced lugs 23 depending downwardly therefrom, to which are secured angle-iron guides 24 of the carrier. These ides are spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the unwrapped articles to pass freely therebetween and are secured in aspaced relation to a horizontallyextending supporting carrier table 25 by screws or the like.

This carrier table 25 is supported at its outer end by a. standard 26 of a well-known type common to machines of this character, comprising a supporting floor plate 27 which supports in a rigid relation 9. vertical post 28 at the upper end of which is mounted a bracket having upwardly-extending spaced arms 29. Fixed in the arms 29 is a shaft 30 on which is loosely mounted an idle chain pgrallel aring sprocket 31. Thrust collars 32 are adjust.- ably fixed upon the shaft 30 adjacent the sprocket 31 and retain the said sprocket in proper alinement. Horizontally-extending supports 33 project from the arms 29 and carry adjacent their ends a transverse bar 34 which supports the carrier table 25 in a rigid relation and in alincment with the machine. An endless chain 35 runs over the sprocket 31 and an intermittently-opcrated driving sprocket 36, and has fixcd at intervals thereon blocks 37 adapted to receive therebetwecn the articles to he carried to the machine. The upper run of the chain 35 travels along the carrier table 25. and a single article or a group comprising a plurality of articles may be placed upon the endless chain 35 and carried to the said machine in a step-by-step or intermittent motion and the articles will be held in an alined relation during their travel by the guides 24. The driving sprocket 36 is fixed to a. shaft 38 which is rotatably mounted in the bearing 17 of the bracket 16 and receives an intermittent motion in a manner now to be described.

A shaft 39 for operating the carrier I is driven in a timed relation with the operating parts of the machine and is rotatably mounted in the bearing 19 of the bracket 16 and has fixed to its outer end a driver 40 of 0. Geneva mechanism. The driven element or disc 41 of the Geneva has the usual slots 44 for actuation by said driver 40 and is intogral with a driving spur-gear 42 rotatably mounted upon a suitable stud 43 carried by the bracket 16. A driven pinion 45 fixed to the sprocket shaft 38 is in meshing engagement with the driving gear 42. Thus, rotary motion delivered by'the shaft 39 is transformed to an intermittent or step-bystep motion by the mechanism just described and the chain 35 carrying thereon the articles moves intermittently to deliver the articles to the said machine in a timed relation with other operating units of the machine.

An oscillating shaft 46 is pivotally mounted in the bearing 19 and has fixed to its outer end a.transfer member 47. This transfer member carries on its upper end a pusher 48 adapted to engage the articles carried by the chain carrier for transferring them to the feed-plunger II. The shaft 46 is oscillated in a. proper timed relation by mechanism later to be described and causes the transfer of the articles while the chain 35 is in a rested osition with a stack of articles adjacent t e feed-plunger II.

A bracket 49 is fixed to the bracket 16 and carries on its under side a guide member 50 and an angular folding plate 51. The guide member, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 6, extends to a point adjacent the feed-plunger II and serves as a top guide for the articles during their horizontal members 56 and 56 in which is reciprocably mounted a vertical shaft 57. A lunger rod .58 in an ofl'set'relation therewit and fixed to the shaft 57 by amember 57"has at its upperendoppositely disposed arms 59, to

whichis yie dingly mounted ,an article re- .hceiving member 60. This member 60 has'a depending portion in engagement with a side of the plunger rod 58 which functions to retain the article engaging surface in alinement with the pockets of the wrapping wheel IV as will be seen in' Fig. 6. The plunger 58 is adapted for a reciprocating movement and travels from a position where the receiving surface of the member 60 is flush with that of the support 52 to a position at the mouth of a pocket of the wrapping wheel IV.

-A rocking lever 61 for reciprocating the plunger 58 is pivotally connected to ,therod 57 by a link 62 and is fixed to anoscillating shaft 63 which shaft is pivotally mounted in the forward frame 12 and is driven by mechanism later to be described.

The mechanism for delivering a wrapper into position and adjacent the folding chute III will now be described with reference to Figs. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12. A bracket 65 carried by the frame 12 carries on its upper side wrapper-

su porting plates

66 and 67 which are space apart sufliciently to allow the wrapper cutting shears to operate therebetween. The plate .66 carries on its rear end a transversebar 68 vertically spaced therefrom by filler members 69 a distance sufficient to' allow a web of wrapping material to ass freely therebetween. "(See Figs. '5'an 9.) An upstanding extension 70 adjacent one endof the bar 68 has fixed 50 therein a stud 71'which supports a pivoted angle-shaped tension arm 72. A coil spring ing a weighted roll-engaging portion 78. A bracket 7 9 carried by the forward frame 12 has rotatably mounted therein friction rolls and 81 between which the web of wrapping material is fed. The upper roll 80 is positively driven by a'shaft 83 as will later appear and is so timed as -to unwind from the roll Wa suflicient length of paper for a wrapper during each cycle of the machine in the usual and well known manner.

A reciprocating-gripping device 84 for advancing the Web for the cutting operation and positioning of the severed wrapper is provided and is carried on a reciprocating bar 85 which is suitably supported in brackets 86 fixed to the frame 12. (See Fig. 11.) This wrapper gripper 84 carried by the slide 85 comprises a stationary. jaw 88 rigid with the slide bar 85 and a'movable jaw 90 pivoted at 91 and having secured thereto a yieldable gripping" member 92.

The'jaw 90 is so pivoted as to be adaptedto swing into an open or closed position with reference to the stationary jaw. This movement of the jaw is effected by a pair of toggle links 93 and 95, the link 93 being pivoted to the grip er bracket 89 and the link 95 to the mova le jaw 90. The two links 73 encircles a pro'ecting end of the stud 71 andis so dispose as to cause the said arm 72 to yieldingly engage the web of wrapping 55 material as in Fig. 9 and prevent a backward movement' of the same when it has been drawn forwardly for the cutting operation.

A bearing shaft 74 carried by the forward frame 12 is adapted to support a roll of 60 wrapping material \V in the usual and well- 7 known manner.'--A friction device for preventing a spinning or over-running-unwinding movement of the roll W- is su ported by the bracket 75 of-the frame 12 an comprises a a lever 7 6 pivotally mounted at 77 andhavaws.

93 and 95 are of course pivoted together and -aroll 94 is mounted upon the link 93 for engaging with the'actuating means for the closing and openin movement. The arrangement is 'such t lat, when the toggle is straightened as in Fig. '11, the gripper jaws will be in a closed relation, and when the end of the lever 93 is moved to the left as by actuation of the roll 94 thereof the togg e will be collapsed and the gripper jaws moved into an open relation. I

This gripping mechanism is carried by the reciprocating bar 85 from a position behind the shears 96 where the jaws are closed to engage'the end of the wrapping material to a point beyond the folding chute III as shown in Fig. 6, in which position the jaws are opened to release the wrapper engaged thereby. The actuating mechanism for opening and closing the grippers, comprises a plate 96 having adjacent one end thereof an offset parallel member 98. (See Fi 12.) A pin 99 carried by the plate 96 is ada ted to slidably interfit arecess in the face 0 the frame 12 to retain the plate in alinement and an'operating-rod 100 extends through the said frame 12 we point beyond where till) ieo it is given a reciprocating movement by mechanism later to be decribed. It is to. be understood, that the roll 94 of the gripper toggle-93, 95 travels longitudinally between the

plates

98, 96 during the reciprocation of the grippers and that transverse movements of the plates 96 and98actuate the-roll at proper" times to open and close the gripper The reciprocation of the bar 85 is accomtical folding chute III an in the usual and well known manner.

plished by an oscillatin lever 203 pivotally connected to the said ar by a link 1. The said lever 203 is fixed to the end of an 0?cillating shaft 202 which is oscillated in a timed relation with other parts of the machine by mechanism later to be described.

The mechanism for severing the wrapper w from the strip of wrapping material 1V will now be described with reference to Figs. 1, 5 and 11. Upper and lower shear members 102 and 103 are pivotally mounted upon a bracket 104 that is fixed to a stud 105 carried by the wrapper supporting bracket and a rocking lever 106 pivoted to the bracket 104 is pivotally connected by links 107to the shear members 102 and 103 in such a manner that a rocking movement of the Said lever will open or close the shearAs reciprocating rod 108 passing through a suitable opening in the frame 12 is connected to the lever 106 andis operated to open or close the said shears by mechanism later to be described.

Devices to retain the articles in a, closely grouped relation and to accurately position the same with respect to a wrapper while being delivered to the feed plunger II are provided and consist of the levers 110 31votally mounted upon the bracket 65 be ow the wrapper supporting plate 67. These levers at their outer ends are provided with vertically disposed article engagin surfaces 111 extending forwardl to a position above the horizontal guide p ate 52 (see Figs. 1 and 5), and guide surfaces 112 disposed in a position to guide and embrace the ends of a stack of articles as said stack is fed upwardly by the plunger II against the wrapper (see Fig. 8). Arms 113 havingintermeshing teeth 114 are carried by these levers 110 and serve to equalize the motion of the said levers. A compression spring 115 carried by the bracket 65 abuts one of the levers 110 and tends to cause the levers 110 to swing toward each other while an adjustable stop 116 carried by the outer lever110 is adapted to abut the brackets 65 to limit the inward movement of the article engaging plates 111 of the levers 110.

The mechanism comprisin the lower verthe wrapping wheel IV for partially foldin the wrapper about the article will now be escribed with reference to Figs. 1, 6, and 8. A bracket 117 is secured to the front face of the frame 12 and carries a semi-circular member 118 as best shown in Fig. 6. An angular folding late 119 having studs 120 slidably mounted in the lower side of the plate 118 is forced toward the opposed angular folding plate 51 by coil springs 121 while nuts 122 in threaded engagement with the studs 120 at the outer ends thereof abut the said members 118 and. imit the inward movement of '5 rings 129 embracin the said late 119 thereby limiting the minimum wi th of the folding chute III formed by the folding plates 51 and 119. The foldin plate 51 is fixedly mounted on the bracket arm 49 as shown and together with the folding plate 119 forms the vertically disposed folding chute III.

Semi-circular supporting plates 124 arranged in parallel relation to the member 118 are secured to said member 118 at each side thereof as shown in Fig. 8, by screws 125 and are held in a spaced relation from the said member 118 by spacing collars 126. The supporting plates 124 serve to support adjacent their forward edges end folders or plates 127 which are resiliently mounted upon th'eplates 124 by studs 128 and are arranged to be forced toward each other by the said studs 128.

hese plates 127 are a so curved semi-circularly and are preferably arranged to receive therebetween the stack of articles and wrapper as the latter are carried around by the wrapping wheel IV and are adapted to resiliently engage the ends of the stack of articles and partially folded wrapper.

Each of the end foldin plates 127 is preferably formed as best hown in Fig. 1 and has at its lower end an angular depending projection 130 and a vertical folding slot 131 adjacent thereto. A comparatively small rectangular end folder 133 is rigidly fixed to and projects below the lower end of each of the said plates 127 and functionsto initially fold one of the end flaps of the wrapper as will later appear.

A. wrappin wheel IV comprising oppositely dispose article receiving pockets 134, preferably two in number, is fixed to an intermittently rotated hollow shaft 153, the operating mechanism for which will be hereinafter more fully described. Each of the pockets 134 is provided with a rigid side 135 and a resilient side 136 whereby the article may be frictionally held within the pocket of the said wheel during its rotation 1n the usual and well known manner.

Plungers 137 are rovided in each ocket of the wheel (see Fig. 8) and pre erably have a surface equal in area to that of the stack of articles being wrapped, whereby the stack is supported substantially throughout the area of its side contacting with the said plunger. Rods 138 fixed to the plungers 137 and having teeth in one side thereof reciprocate in suitable bearings 139 of the wheel and intermesh with a rotatably mounted pinion 140 as best shown in Fig. 8. These rods 138 are offset from one another as shown in Fig. 27 and are adapted for a reciprocating movement in opposite directions. The plungers 137 previously referred to are carried by rods 138 from their extended position shown in Fig. 6 to their dotted line position indicated at 141, an

offset reciprocating driving rack 142 also intermeshes the pinion 140 and is fixed to and reciprocated by a rod 143 slidably carried in the shaft 153 which is operated by suitable mechanism later to be described.

The upper vertical folding chute V located at the upper side of the wrapping wheel, comprises a resiliently mounted plate 143 that is supported by a member 144 carried by the plate 124 (see Figs. 6 and 10), and a depending portion 145 of a horizontal plate 146. The plate 143 is so disposed with reference to the plate 145 as to yieldingly press against a stack of articles during its passage through the chute formed by said plates in the usual manner. A friction block 148 is carried at the upper end of the bracket 118 and functions as a friction drag on a trailing flap of the wrapper as the partially wrapped stack is carried therepast y the wrapping wheel.

The horizontal folding chute VII extending at right angles to the chute V is formed by the upper side of the plate 146 and a resiliently mounted upper parallel plate 149. The plate 149 is resiliently carried by pins 150 slidably mounted in a rigid support 151 detachably secured to the bracket 152. This spring pressed plate 149'is adapted to press lightly upon the package being advanced through the chute VII to hold the wrapper firmly against the said package. The lower plate 146 of the chute is provided with angularly disposed slots 154 (see Fig. 10) for turning under the last end flap of the wrapper during its passage over the said plate i. e., from the condition shown in Fig. 21, to condition shown in Fig. 22.

Spaced and parallel guide plates 156 best shown in Fig. 1 are resiliently carried by the plate 124 as are the plates 127. These plates 156 are provided with projecting end-folding portions 157 located at each side of the chute V so as to engage an end flap of the wrapper for a folding operation during the ejectment of the stack from the said wheel IV in the manner shown in Fig. 20. A vertical slot 158 is provided in each plate 156 as indicated to form a subsequent fold of the end flaps of the wrapper as will later appear. These plat-es 156 are further pro-- vided with portions that extend parallel with and adjacent each side of the folding channel VII and terminate in semi-circular extensions that are substantially concentric to the.axis of rotation of the label applying wheel VIII. These plates 156 are preferably adapted and arranged to exert a yielding pressure against the end folds of the wrapper during the passage of the article thcrepast and while being carried in a rotative direction by the label applying wheel VIII.

After the stack is completely wrapped into package form, a label 15 preferably applied around four sides of said package. The labels are deliveredto the machine at a point between a receiving pocket of a label applying wheel VIII and the end of-the plate 146. Positioning means for the label comprise a rest-bar 160 carried by the member 118 to which are fixed in a spaced relation positioning pins 161 arranged in pairs to receive the end of the label and hold it in a proper relation with respect to the pocket of the wheel VIII. I

Labels may be delivered to the rest-bar 160 by any suitable means through a guide chute 162 such as disclosed in the patent to Giroud 946,347, of January 11, 1910.

The label applying Wheel VIII is provided with radially disposed pockets preferably four in number formed by rigid members 164 and spring-pressed members 165. The spring pressed members 165 exert a yielding pressure upon the article and hold the same securely within the pocket during the rotating of the wheel. Plungers 166 are provided in each pocket of the wheel VIII and are connected by plunger rods 167, in the usual and well-known manner. The wheel VIII is fixed to an intermittently rotating shaft 168 that extends through the forward frame 12 and which receives its intermittent rotary motion from mechanism later to be described.

A reciprocating rod 170 is slidably mounted in suitable bearings 171 of the bracket 152 and carries at the end thereof an offset member to which is secured the pusher VI. This pusher V1 is adapted to advance an article through the folding chute VII where the folding operation of the wrapper is completed and to further advance the wrapped article past the label slot where a label is engaged by the article, and finally delivered into a pocket of the label wheel VIII.

This reciprocating rod 17 0 is actuated by an oscillating lever 200 having a pin and slot connection 170' at its upper end.' The lever 200 is fixed to the end of the oscillating shaft 201 that is operated by mechanism later to be described.

As' previously described, the label a plying wheel VIII operates intermittent y in a counter-clockwise direction and rests for the glue applying operation after a movement of 90 degrees. JVhen in this position, the projecting label flap L extends radially of the pocket as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. An abutment 172 comprising a rod or the like supported by the forward frame 12 is positioned in such a manner that the extended label flap L may bear thercagainst during the application of glue.

A glue applying device IX for applying the glue to the extended wrapper flap 1s provided and is best indicated in Fig. 1. This device is of the customary type and comto rotate therebetween.

prises, as does that in the patent to Smith and Phelon #1,313,864 of August 19, 1919, a pot or reservoir 173 carried by an oscil lating lever 174 and has a glue roll 175. The lever 174 is oscillated in a manner later to be described to move the glue roll into engagement with the flap L of the label L.

Curved plates 176 as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 are supported by the bracket 152 and are adapted to lay the extended flap of the label toward the package during its rotation.

Means are provided to eject the packages from the label wheel VIII into the chute X and will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 6. Parallel ejecting levers 178 and 179 are fixed to an oscillating shaft 199 and are spaced apart upon the said shaft a distance to allow the label wheel Studs 181 projecting inwardly from the ends of said levers are adapted to engage, during the rearward movement of the levers, the under side of successive plungers' 166 of the wheel and to force them outwardly to eject an article in the usual and well-known manner. ejecting movement the plungers 166 are only moved to a point approximately flush with the mouth of their pockets and have no overthrow beyond the pockets when ejecting articles therefrom.

Means consisting of a reciprocating chute X for receiving the articles from the wheel VIII will now be described. A lower chan nel-shaped member 182 is supported at its outer end by suitable brackets 183. A block 181 pivotal mounted in the said brackets 183 has a projecting rod 186 which is reciprocably supported in the bracket 187, secured to the front frame 12 of the machine. A bracket 188 fixed to the forward end of the member 182 is pivotally connected to an oscillating lever 189 which lever on oscillating causes the chute to move to and from its receiving position.

A tension lever 190 is pivoted at 190 to an extending portion 188 of the bracket 188 and a tension spring 191 secured to the underside of the channel 182 and lever 190 serve to yieldingly force the tension lever in an upward direction. A set screw 192 is carried by a suitable boss on the said lever 190 and is adapted-to abut the extension 188' of the bracket and limits the upward movement of the said lever. The upper side of the chute X comprises a channelshaped member 191 in which is carried a brush 195 the bristles of which are adapted to engage the packages as they are advanced through the chute to yieldingly press upon the packages for holding the label flap thereagainst.

A block 194' fixed in the receiving end of the upper side 194 of the chute is substantially equal in width to that of the wrapped package and is provided with a rounded In their nose under which the package is pushed when ejected from the label wheel so as to lay the label flap against the package. The block 191 also acts as an abutment against.

which the package is yicldingly pressed by the tension lever 190. Notched supports 196 fixed to the channel are adapted to en gage pins 19? carried in the lower channel 182 by the means of which the upper channel may be easily and quickly removed. The previously referred to oscillating lever 189 is fixed to a shaft 198 which receives its oscillating movement by mechanism later to be described.

The reciprocating chute 10 is adapted and arranged to reciprocate to the left or away from the pocket of the label wheel VIII prior to the rotative movement of the said wheel thereby carrying the package last ejected into the chute away from the plunger 166 of the wheel. It is reciprocatcd to the right or toward the wheel for carrying the package last ejected into position where it may be engaged by the package in the wheel during the latter part of the wheel's rotation, that isthe package in the wheel. on nearing its ejecting position, frictionally engages the package in the chute and a drag is imparted to the label to cause it to lay tightly against the package before it is ejected into the said chute. The subsequent movement of the receiving chute to the left after receiving an ejectedpackage provides the necessary clearance for the pocket of the label wheel VIII in the next rotative movement thereof.

The mechanism for operating the various units of the machine will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The-side frames 12 and 13 as was previously described, are secured to the base 11 in a spaced apart relation and have mounted therein various shafts while the mechanism for imparting motion to the respective shafts are mounted between or adjacent the said frames.

A main shaft 210 is rotatably carried in the

frames

12 and 13 and has mounted upon one end the usual tight and loose pulleys 211 while a hand wheel (not shown) is tixed to its opposite end as is usual in machines of this character.

A driven shaft 83 is rotatably mounted in the side frames 12 and 13 and receives its motion through a gear 215 carried thereby which engages with a gear 214 fixed to the main drive shaft 210. This shaft has also fixed to its forward end the wrapper feed roll 80 previously described.

A cam 216 having suitable grooves in each face thereof is fixed to the driven shaft 83, and a lever 217 fixed to the shaft 202 is provided with a cam roll 217 for engaging one groove of the said cam and is adapted to be oscillated by the rotation of the cam where llo by motion is imparted through the shaft to the lever 203 which is connected to and operates the wrapper gripping device. A lever 218 fixed to the shaft 63 has a roll 218 engaging the groove in the opposite face of the said cam 216 by which an oscillating movement is imparted by the cam to the said lever and whereby oscillating movement is delivered to the elevator operating lever 61.

A Geneva driver 219 is fixed to the shaft 83 and engages with grooves 121 of a Geneva disc 220 that is rotatably mounted upon a stud 223 whereby a continuous rotative movement of the shaft 83 will impart an intermittent movement-to the said Geneva disc in the usual manner for driving other shafts later to be described.

A gear 224 fixed to the shaft 83 is in engagement with a gear 225 that is rotatably mounted upon a stud 226 fixed to the forward frame 12 and a sprocket 227 secured to the gear 225 operates a chain 228 that is in engagement with a suitable sprocket 263 fixed upon a rotatable shaft 262 carried in the upper end of the side frame 12, whereby a continuous rotary motion is imparted to the said shaft 262 for a purpose as will later appear. An eccentric 264 of the usual construction has its hub portion fixed to the shaft 262 at the upper end of the frame 12 and is pivotally connected at 265 to the lever 1740f the gluing device IX whereby the said lever 174 may be oscillated to move the glue roll into engagement with a label flap L in a proper timed relation and while the label wheel is at rest.

A gear 222 fixed to the Geneva disc 220 and consequently rotated intermittently thereby is in meshing engagement with a gear 231 fixed to the shaft 168 to the outer end of which is received the label applying wheel VIII. A gear 232 also fixed to the shaft 168 is in engagement with a gear 233 fixed to the wrapping'whcel hollow shaft 153 whereby an intermittent motion is imparted to the wrapping wheel IV. Thiis, the gear 222 by reason of its being rotated intermittently by the Geneva disc 220 delivers through the gears 231232 and 233 an intermittent motion to the wrapping wheels IV and VIII.

The gear 225 also is in meshing engagement with a gear 229 fixed .to the shaft 230 for imparting a continuous rotarymotion to the saidshaft 230.

An oscillating lever 234 is fixed to the shaft 199 and has a roll 234 in its end that engages a suitable groove in the face of a cam 235. This cam being fixed to and continuously driven by the shaft 230 imparts an oscillating motion to the lever 234 and shaft 199 to the forward end of which shaft is secured the ejecting levers 178 and 179 previously described.

An oscillating lever 236 fixed to the shaft 198 is provided with a cam roll 236 that engages a groove in one face of the cam 237 whereby the said cam imparts an oscillating movement to the said shaft to oscillate the discharge chute operating lever 189 mounted upon the end of the said shaft 198. A cam fork 238 having a bifurcated end slidably engaging the shaft 230 is provided with a roll 238 that engages a suitable groove in a face of the cam 237 and is pivotally connected to an oscillating lever 239 fixed to the shaft 46 whereby the said cam will impart an oscillating motion to the said shaft 46 and to the article pusher 47 to transfer articles from the feed conveyer I to the feed plunger II in a proper timed relation with other units of the machine.

The shaft- 39 disposed transversely to the shaft 83 is provided with a bevel gear 240 intermeshing with a gear 241 fixed to the said shaft 83 whereby a continuous rotative motion is imparted to the shaft 39 to operate the article carrier mechanism. The shaft 230 previously described, extends throughthe rear frame 13 and has fixed to its end a cam 243 having in one face thereof a suitable cam groove 244. A lever 245 fixed to the shaft 201 has a roll 245 in engagement with the .said cam groove 244 whereby an oscillating motion is delivered to the said shaft 201 and the pusher lever 200 is oscillated thereby to operate the pusher VI in a timed relation with other units of the machine.

The mechanism for operating the wrapping wheel plungers, the wrapper shears, and nipperopening means will now be described with particular referencetoFigs. 2, 3 and 4. A shaft 246 is mounted in suitable bearings 247 on the outer face of the rear frame 13 and has fixed thereto a bevel gear 248 that is in meshing engagement with a similar gear fixed to the continuously rotating shaft 83. A rock shaft 250 is fixed in bearings 251 of the rear frame 13 and levers 252. 253 and 254 are pivotally mounted on the said shaft. for an oscillating movement. Cams 255 and 256 are fixed to the shaft 246 for the purpose now to be described.

The lever 252 having a bifurcated end 257 carries suitable studs 258 that are adapted to engage a groove of a collar 259 whlch is fixed upon the reciprocating rod 143 that is carried in the hollow shaft 135, and a cam roll 252 engages the groove of the cam 255 whereby the lever is rocked or oscillated to reciprocate the rod 143 whereby the plungers of the wrapper wheel are moved in and out of their respective pockets as heretofore described.

The lever 253 is provided with a cam roll 253 engaging a suitable groove in one face of the cam 256 and is pivotally connected at 260 with the rod 100 whereby a reciprocating movement is imparted to the said rod to open or close the wrapper nippers as has been previously described.

The lever 254 15 provided with a cam roll Q54 in engagement with a groove in the other face of the cam 256 and has pivotally connected thereto the rod 108 whereby a reciprocating motion is imparted to the said rod to open or close the wrapper severing shears as has been previously described.

In operation the several units of the machine are so adjusted in a timed relation as to successively wrap groups of articles or single articles and to apply a label to these wrapped packages.

Stacks or articles are placed upon the intermittently operating chain 35 of the carrier 1 between the blocks 87 carried thereby and'are fed in a step-by-step manner to a position adjacent the feed plunger II. When in this position and while the chain is at rest the plunger 11 is in its lower receiving position wherein its resilient plate (50 is flush with the block 52 of the conveyor or carrier. While the plunger is in its receiving position the pusher 17 is oscillated, to the left and transfers the stack or article from the chain to the plunger plate 60. During the transferring movement of the articles they are engaged by the projections 111 of the equalizing levers 110 which exert a yielding pressure thereagainst at their ends to position the articles properly with respect to the folding chute, wrapper etc. Simultaneously with the transfer of the stack of articles a wrapper w is advanced by the grippers 8& into position. it having been cut from the strip of wrapping material by the shears 96 in the manner described.

When the wrapper w is positioned, a plunger 137 of the wheel IV is extended from a pocket 134 thereof and abuts the upper side of the wrapper as best shown in Fig. 6. Also. during the extending movement of the plunger 187, the plunger II is elevated and carries with it the group of articles a which plunger forces the wrapper and staclr yieldingly against the plunger 13? of the wrapping wheel in such a manner that the stack and wrapper are clamped between the feed plunger plate (51) and the plunger 137 and are held in a correct relative position for the wrapping operation as best shown in Fig. 13.

The feed plunger plate thus engaging the article and forcing it with the wrapper against the plunger 137 of the wrapping wheel continues in its upward movement and the mechanism operating the plunger 13? is so timed as to retract the said plunger into its pocket simultaneously withthe feeding movement of the feed plunger II. The stack and wrapper thus being clamped between the plunger 137 and plate 60 is fed through the folding chute HI during which movement the wrapper w is folded against the sides of the stack as shown in Fig. 14. by the side 51. of the chute and the resilient. member 119.

The stack and wrapper being further advanced by the plunger plate (50,1he end folder [33 engages with the upper extension of the wrapper at the ends of the stack and lays against the ends of the stack this end extension forming a tuck as at 267 shown in Fig. 15. The stack is further advanced and finally deposited in a pocket 134 of the wheel IV and during the latter part of the advancing movement one side extension of the wrapper is folded against the end of the stack by the projection 1 30 of the folding plates 127 as at 268 and the end extensions at the other side of the stack are received in the slots 131 of the said folding plates 12?. .Vhen the stack with the wrapper is deposited in a pocket of the wheel the folding plates 12'? yieldingly hold the wrapper against the ends of the stack and thereby retain creases in such end folds as are made by the folders.

When the stack and wrapper have been deposited in the pocket of the wheel IV the latter is rotated 180 degrees and during this rotation the fold 269 of the wrapper is made by the slot 131 of the plate 127 in the manner shown in Fig. 17 and also, the extended wrapper end is laid against another side of the stack as in Fig. 18 by said wrapper iiap stri ing the end 118 of the support member 118 during the first part of the r0tation of said wheel.

The wheel IV on coming to rest carries the stack and wrapper to the position shown in Fig. 19 aiid the wrapper extension during the latter part of the movement of the said wheel is engaged between the block 148 and extension 135 of the pocket side 135 to exert a tension upon the wrapper to cause it to snugly lay about the several sides of the stack.

The partially wrapped stack is ejected from the wheel IV by a plunger 13'? of the wheel into and through the wrapping chute ll hen first advanced by the plunger 13?, the extensions 15? of the folding plates engage the wrapper extension at the top ends of the stack and fold an end flap 27!) best shown in Fig. 21) and simultaneously therewith a side told 27] is made by the plate 11-5 of the chute. The partially wrapped stack is finally carried by the plunger :37 to the position shown in Fig. (3 and in which position the extended ends of the wrapper lie within the angular slots 158 of the folding plates 156. These folding plates as previously described are adapted to exert a yielding pressure against the ends of the stack to hold the folded wrapper thereagainst.

in a timed relation with the ejectinent of the partially wrapped stack from the wheel,

loo

Jiu

the pusher VI is adapted to advance the stack and wrapper through the chute VII to complete the folding of the wrapper about the stack. The end fold 272 and the remaining side fold 273 of the wrapper are made simultaneously by the angular slot 158 and the bottom late 146 of the chute as the stack is advanced by the pusher VI and as the stack is further advanced the depending end flaps 272 are engaged in the slots 154 of the plate 146 and turned up under the stack as best shown in Fig. 22.

. A label L is properly positioned in a posi tion in advance of the stack and as the same i is fed forwardly by the pusher VI, the said wheel VIII is in its extended position prior to the delivery of the wrapped stack and against which the label and stack are forced. The pusher VI feeds the stack A and label into a pocket of the wheel and the label is laid against the sides of the stack in the usual manner best shown in Fig. 24. The plunger 166 is of course forced into its respective pocket of the wheel VI and the opposite plunger 166 connected thereto by the rod 167 is moved out of its pocket to eject a stack into the discharge chute X.

The wheel VIII having received a stack and label, rotates 90 degrees and comes to rest with one end of the label extended and lying against the abutment 172. When the wheel is in this rested position, the glue pot is oscillated to the left and its roll 175 engages the label flap L at a point adjacent the abutment 17 2 and deposits a strip of glue or gum g at the end of the extended label flap as best shown in Fig. 25. The wheel again rotates subsequent to the gluing operation through an angle of 90 degrees and during which rotation the extended label flap L is laid toward the side of the stack by the circular plate 176.

During the rotative movement of the wheel, the chute X is reciprocated to the right or toward the wheel VIII. This movement positions the Wrapped stack or package last ejected thereto where its side is engaged by the extended flap L of the stack ,in the wheel and as the wheel'rotates, this engagement creates a drag upon the label L and functions to pull the label tightly upon the article and to so hold it while being ejected into the chute. The stack is first partially ejected into the chute X by the plunger 166 which receives its reciprocating movement from a stack delivered against the plunger at the opposite side of the wheel. The ejecting levers 178 and 179 are so timed as to overtake the ejecting plungers and to engage the same by the studs 181 and to accelerate the movement of the said plunger and to eject more rapidly the stack than would be the case if wholly ejected by the incomingstack on the opposite side of the wheel. 0

As the stack is ejected into the receivlng end of the chute X, the member 194' engages the label flap L' and folds the same tightly against the stack as shown in Fig. 26. The resilient tension arm 190 of the chute presses the stack and label against the member 194' and holds the stack thereagainst during the reciprocation of the chute to the left as shown in Fig. 7.

Wrapped and labeled stacks are successively ejected into the chute X and as they are ejected force along the chute previously ejected stacks the upper sides of which are pressed against the bottom channel of the chute by the brush 195 which holds the label against the stack to facilitate the drying of the glue.

We do not wish to be understood as limited 1. A wrapping machine comprising, in

combination, means for folding a wrapper about the longitudinal sides of a rectangular shaped article with overlapping portions of said wrapper over at least two of said sides and longitudinal portions of said wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article, and a pluralit of end folders for folding said longitudinally-extending portions of said wrapper at each end of said article into at least six separate end folds. 2. A wrapping machine comprising, in combination, means for receiving a wrapper and an article having angularly disposed sides, means for folding a wrapper about the longitudinal sides of an article with overlapping portions of said wrapper over at least two of said sides and longitudinal portions of said wrapper extending beyond the ends of said article, and a plurality of end folding members for successively folding said longitudinally extending portions of said wrapper at each end of said article into five separate end folds one upon the other against the end of the article and a sixth end fold against a side of said article.

3-. A wrapping machine comprising, in combination, means for receiving a wrapper and an article having angularly disposed sides, means for folding a wrapper about the longitudinal sides of an article w1th a portion extending beyond the end of said article, and a plurality of end folders to fold said extending portion of the wrapper at the end of said article into at least six separate end folds.

4. A wrapping machine for wrapping articles having angularly disposed sides comprising means for feeding an article through the machine, and a plurality of folding members acting successively upon the articles as they are fed to fold in each successive step a side portion and an extended end portion of a wrapper simultaneously against an article.

5. A wrapping machine for wrapping articles having angularly disposed sides comprisin means for feeding an article through the machine, and a plurality of folding members acting successively upon the articles as they are fed to fold in each successive step a side portion and an extended endportion of a wrapper simultaneously against a side and adjacent ends of said article.

6. A wrapping machine for wrapping articles having angularly disposed sides comprising means for feeding an article through the machine, and a plurality of folding members acting successively upon the articles as they are fed to simultaneously fold in each successive step a side portion and an extended end portion of a wrapper against an article, the end portions of said wrapper being folded one upon the other successively during the folding of the wrapper about the sides of the article.

7. In a wrapping machine for wrapping articles having angularly disposed sides, in combination, means for folding a wrapper about the sides and ends of an article with overlapping portions of said wrapper over at least two sides of said article comprising a plurality of folding plates acting successively to simultaneously fold in each successive step a side portion and an extended end portion of a wrapper against an article, the end portions of said wrapper being folded one upon the other successively during the folding of the wrapper about the sides of the article.

8. A wrapping machine comprising a plurality of, successively acting olding plates arranged to fold in each successive step a side portion and an extended end portion of a wrapper against an article, and means for folding the final end extensions of the wrapper away from the ends and upon'a side of the article.

9. In a wrappingmachine in combination, a chute for folding a wrapper about three sides of the article, a rotatable wrapping wheel to receive the partially wrapped article and adapted in its rotation to fold the wrapper against a. fourth side of the article, a chute to receive the said partially wrapped article from the said wheel and acting to fold the wrapper against a previously wrapped side of the article with a portion of the said wrapper extending from the said article, a chute disposed transversely to the last named chute for receiving the article and thereby folding the extended wrapper portion against another previously wrapped side of the article.

10. In a wrapping machine in combination, means to fold a wrapper about the sides of an article, a wrapping wheel having pockets to receive an article with a wrapper partially folded about the same, and means to partially fold the said wrapper against the ends of said-article comprising resiliently mounted semi-circular folding plates located adjacent said folding wheel and having at one end thereof end folding means including a folding slot formed therein.

11. In a wrapping machine, a wrapping wheel having oppositely disposed pockets, a plunger movably guided in each of said pockets between article receiving and ejecting positions and means connected to said plungers for simultaneously moving the plunger of one pocket to ejecting position and the plunger of the other pocket to receiving position.

12. In a wrapping machine, a wrapping wheel having oppositely disposed receiving pockets, plungers within the said pockets adapted to be moved simultaneously to receiving and ejecting positions and means to operate the said plungers comprising, a plunger rack connected to each of said plungers, a pinion engaging said racks, and an actuating rack for said pinion, and means to intermittently operate the said actuating rack to move the said plungers into the said receiving and ejecting positions.

13. In a wrapping machine, in combination, folding means, means to position a wrapper adjacent the said folding means, a reciprocating plunger to receive an article and feed the same with the said wrapper to the folding means, means to deliver an article to the said plunger, and means comprising articulated guide members arranged to yieldingly embrace the ends of the article and position the same with relation to the wrapper during its delivery to the said plunger.

1- A wrapping machine comprising in combination, an intermittently rotated wrapping wheel, plungers in said wheel to eject the Wrapped article therefrom, a reciprocating discharge chute adjacent said wheel. and means to reciprocate the said chute toward and away from said wheel to receive a wrapped article ejected from the said wheel.

15. A wrapping machine comprising in combination, a rotatable wrapping wheel for folding a wrapper about an article, means to eject the wrapped articles from the said wrapping wheel, and a discharge chute movable to and from the said wheel and adapted to receive the said ejected wrapped articles.

16. A wrapping machine comprising in combination, an intermittently rotatable wrapping wheel for partially folding a wrapper about an article and leaving a iii) wrapper flap extending therefrom, means to eject the partially wrapped article from the said wheel when at rest, a reciprocating discharge chute adapted to be moved adjacent the said wheel for the ejecting operation, the said chute having at its receiving end a rigid folding member and a yieldable tensioning member whereby when the said chute is in its receiving position, the partially wrapped article may, be ejected thereinto and the wrapping operation completed.

17. A wrapping machine comprising in combination, an intermittently rotating wrapping wheel, an ejector for ejecting wrapped articles therefrom, a discharge chute for receiving the said ejected articles and adapted for a reciprocating movement toward the said wheel for the ejecting operation, means for reciprocating the said chute, the said chute comprising an article supporting channel, having a yield-able article engaging member at its receiving end and a brush lined member having a wrapper folding member at its receiving end cooperating with the said yieldable member to receive the article ejected from the said wheel.

18. In a wrapping machine, a rotatable wrapping wheel having pockets, plungers reciprocable in said pockets, actuating means to reciprocate said plungers to a point not beyond the mouth of said pockets for discharging articles therefrom, a receiving device to receive the article ejected from said pockets, and means to reciprocate said receiving device to and from the ejecting position of said pockets.

19. In a wrapping machine, a rotatable wrapping wheel having pockets, means to vintermittently rotate said wrapping wheel,

plungers reciprocable in said pockets, actuating means to reciprocate said plungers to a point not beyond the mouth of said pockets for disi-harging articles therefrom, a receiving device to receive the articles ejected from said pockets, and means to move said re ceiving device to a position to be adjacent the mouth of each pocket as the latter comes to its discharging position and to move said receiving device away from said pocket after the article is discharged therefrom.

20. in a wrapping machine, in combination, means to position for a wrapping operation an article and a wrapper of sufficient length to extend about said article with an overlap on two sides thereof, means comprising a plunger and 'coacting folding devices to fold said wrapper against three sides of said article and two corner extensions of said wrapper in overlapped posi tion upon the ends of said article, means comprising successively-acting folding devices to thereafter fold in each successive step a portion of said wrapper against the side of the article, and a corner extension of said wrapper against each end of said article.

21. In a wrapping machine, in combination, means to position for a wrapping operation an article and a wrapper of sufficient length to extend. about said article with an overlap on two sides. thereof, meanscomprising a plunger and coactingfolding devices to fold said wrapper against three sides of said article and two corner extensions of said wrapper in overlapped position upon the ends of said article, means comprising successively-acting folding devices to thereafter fold in each successive step a portion of said wrapper against the side of the article, and a corner extension of said Wrapper against each end of said article, and means to fold the final corner extensions of said wrapper upon one side of the article.

22. In a wrapping machine in combination, a folding chute, an intermittently rotated wrapping wheel having pockets, means for moving an article and wrapper through said folding chute and into a pocket of said wrapping wheel, folding devices associated with said folding chute acting during the travel of the article and Wrapper therethrough to fold portions of the wrapper against the side andends of the article, a second folding chute, means for rotating said wrapping wheel to register said pocket with said second folding chute, means acting during the rotation of said wrapping wheel to fold a further portionof said wrapper against the side of said article and extensions of said wrapper against the ends of said article, means to move said partially wrapped article out of said pocket and through said second folding chute, folding devices associated with said second folding chute acting during the travel of said article to fold a portion of said wrapper against a previously wrapped side of said article and extensions of said wrapper against the ends of said article, a third folding chute, means to move said partially wrapped article transversely of said second folding chute into said third folding chute, and means acting during said travel to fold a further portion of said wrapper against a previously wrapped side of said article and extensions of said wrapper against the ends of said article, and means associated with said third folding chute to fold final end extensions of said wrapper against the side of said article.

23. In a wrapping machine, a wrapping wheel having oppositely disposed article re ceiving pockets, a plunger movably guided in each of said pockets movable between article receiving and ejecting positions, operating mechanism connected to said plungers for simultaneousl moving one of said plungers to an e ecting position and the other to a receiving position and vice versa.