US1726929A

US1726929A - By harold

Info

Publication number: US1726929A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1929-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 1946-09-03

Description

Sept. v3, 1929'. l E. E. sLocoMB ET AL- 1,726,929

u PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 lO.Sheets-Sheet 1 MU g Sept. 3, 1929. E. E. sLOcoMB ET A1. 1,726,929

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed'April 14, 1924 l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mmw was Fred afdZq ElmerEQ/Slocomb, 17565/45511. In) .Ha rolcl S/ofom, A'n.

Sept. 3, 1929.

E. E. SLOCCMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept- 3, l9?9 E. E. sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 l0 Sheets-'Sheet 4 il., l 1 .....v 2 mit 4 (0 o. .il-. o u a u m Sept. 3, 1929..

E. ESLOCO'MB ET A1.

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed-April 14, 1924V Y MHM .d ,E101 N @Ccm www@ i. wwf FFH ,mw

Sept 3, 1929- E. E. sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 lO Sheets-Sheet 6 g 5 1 m IMLQM/MM win fm www Aj/w. F5705 hm Wmo 1a @la FE r ISuelt- 3, 1929- E.'E. sLo'coMB ET AL 1,726,929

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Apri114, 1924' 1o sheets-sheet Vr7 ""V 0 we Sept- 3, 1929. E. E, sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Wmme Fffilmsflfdze,

Sept. 3, I19229. E. E. sLocoMB ET AL 1,726,929

`PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 10 sheets-sgg@ 9 Sept 3, 1929. E. E. sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 1 10 'Sheets-Sheet. l0

Mmmm me Pfaff/mardi@ Y Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

ELMER E. SLOCOMB, DECEASED, LATE OF WNTHROP, NIASSACHUSETTS, BY HAROLD..

i C. SLOCOIVIB, ADMINISTRATOR, F `WINTHROP7 MASSACHUSIE'JHLS,A AND FRED W.

MCARDLEOF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,`ASS1GNORS, BY DIRECT AND` MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, T0 PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION, LMITED, 0F NORFOLK DOWNS,

MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATIGN 0F MASSACHUSETTS. i i

` PACKAGING MACHINE.

" Application ledAprl `14, 41924.Y Serial No. 706,388;

closed by covering material, in distinction from that class in which the product is deposited in a container.

One object of our invention is to provide a machine which is adapted to wrap or enclosek portions of a product Within suitable wrapping material, such as paper orV cloth.

Another object of our invention is tocoordinate the several devices and parts of our invention, to the end that the several operations shall he performed successively and continuously for the purpose of providing a rapid, economical and efficient packaging machine of this class.

Qur invention consistsin novelties ,of construction and in the coordination of novel devices to accomplish the foregoing'objects, all of which will he hereinafter described and illustrated in the following specifications and the drawings forming a part thereof.

A preferred form of lour machinecomprises a carrier, intermittently rotated, to which is fed, during the'period 0f rest, a strip of wrapping material which Ais then out to suitable length. The succeedingrotation-of the carrier,transfers the portion of wrapping material to a position `where the product to he packaged, may be deposited thereon during the succeeding period of rest, the portion of product deposited, and wrap-l c ping material fed to the carrier and`cut to length for another package. Successive operations formthe wrapping material'ahout the product, secure by means offwire the opening of the package formed, trim projecting wrapping material and discharge the package from the machine. With the exception of the enclosing operation, the several" operations are performed on successive packages during the rest period of the carrier7 the forming of the package being doneas the wrapping material togethfer with the superimposed ijiroduct, is transferred to the succeeding station hy the carrier.

le do not confine our invention to the form shown, as variations in construction and operation may be used without departv ing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a preferred form of our invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragment of the trimming device.

- Figure 3 is an end elevation;

Figure 4, is a plai. f

Figure 5 is a plan ofthe operating "mechanisin of the carrier.

Figure Gis an enlarged sectionalplan on 6 6 Figure 3.

Figure 11 of the feeding device such as tea, cereals, and the like.

for goods Figure 11 is a sectional elevation on`1111 Figure 10.

vice.

Figure 13 is a fragment of the device in elevation. Y f

Figure 12 is a section of the measuring dei measuring Figure 1e is an elevation of the wrapping device in closed position.

. Figure 14a is a diagrammatic viewy showing` the action of the fingers.

'Figure 15 is a planof same, wr vice closed.

Figure 16 is a plan of `saine partly closed@ appne de* Figures 17 and 18 showV the progressive action ofthe wrapping device, conventionally treated.

Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the device for securing they covering material to the carrier. f

Figure 20 is Aa section on 20- -20 Figure 21 is a section showing of the device. i l

Figure 19.

the action i Figure 22 is an enlarged fragment of the carrier showing the held.

wraping material as Figure 23 is a plan of they holding jaws.

Figure 24C is any elevation of for applying the `closure wire.`

Figure 25 is an end elevation o theA .device f the same.

Figure a is a fragment showing the action of the wire feeding release.

Figure 26 is a plan. Figure 26a is a diagrammatic view showing the action of the brushing device. j

Figure 27 is a sectional elevation of the wire clinching device.

A*Figure 28 is a fragment of the clincher racks.-

Figure 29v is a section on 29-29 Figure 28. Figure 30 is a sectional elevation of the wire forming device.

Figure .31 is a plan of the same, parts shown in Figure- 26 being removed.

Figure 32 is an enlarged elevation showing Wireas fed.

.Figure 33 showsposition of wire when cut. Figure 34 is a fragment showing support of wire on slide.

.Figure 35 is a fragment showing end of wire as confined when severed.

Figure 36 is a plan showing position of parts when a staple is `formed.`

Figure 37 is an end'section on line37--37 Figure 36.

Figure 38 is a plan showing position of parts when staple is about to be clinched.

f Figure; 39 is any end elevation in section of same, similar to Figure 37. `vFigure 40 is a plan showing position of parts when staple is clinched to form a closure forl the package.

Figure 41'is an end section of same similar to Figure 37.

Figurev42 is a section on line 42-42 Figure 36.

^ In the drawings, the bed 1, is mounted on posts, 2 and supports the operative parts necessary to accomplish the foregoing objects.

The posts, 2 are supported by a suitable bench .3, and secured to this bench are bearings 4, in which is journaled the main shaft 5, to which is secured the several cams and pulleys by means of which the several operations are controlled. Projecting upwardly fromthe bed 1, is the post 6, (Figures-4 and 5) which forms a journal for the spider 7, to the arms of which are secured the segment plates 8, forming a surface on which the packages are'supported and transferred from station to station, as the spider is rotated step by step. The spider and plates will be hereinafter referred to ascarrier A.

, For rotating carrier A, any suitable mechanism may be used, but we prefer to employ the` so called Geneva movement which comprises a slotted member 9, (Figure 5) secured to the hub of V'the spider 7. This slotted member is engaged by the roll 10, journaled on the stud 11 which projects from the arm 12, secured to the shaft 13. The miter gear 14 also secured to this shaftmeshes with the miter gear 15 secured to the main shaft 5. and is driven thereby. As the arm 12 is rotated, the roll 1Q engages one of the slots 16 in the member 9, and the carrier A is rotated through a predetermined arc which in this machine is assumed as GO degrees. As the roll leaves the slot 16, an extension 17, formed concentric with the hub of the arm 12, engages the socket 18, formed in the member 9, rotating therein and locking the meinber until the roll is about to engage the next slot, at which time the extension 17, permits the rotative action due to the action of the roll in the succeeding slot.

Mounted on t-he segment plates 8 are the several forming units B which will 'be hereinafter described, slots being provided in the plates to permit of the action of the fingers on the wrapping material to enclose the product deposited thereon.

The wrapping material is delivered to the unobstructed surface of the carrier plate at station C, and is there cut to suitable length. This combined operation is performed in the following manner z-Referring to Figures 2 to 9, a supporting frame 20 is secured to the extension 21, of the bed 1. In this frame are .4

journaled shafts to which are secured the feed rolls 22, 23, 24, (Figures 5 to 9).

The wrapping material a is of predetermined width and is drawn from a supply roll, not shown. To operate the feed rolls, we provide the following mechanism. Secured to thel shaft 25, on which is mounted the roll 22, is a ratchet 26. Engaging the ratchet is a pawl 27, swiveled on a stud 28, projecting from an arm 29, a spring 30 serving to exert a yielding pressure on the pawl to insure engagement with the ratchet 26. The arm 29 is rotatable on the shaft 25, and is provided with a hub 3l, to which is secured a pinion 32, meshing with a segment 33. This segment is swivelled on a stud 34 projecting from an extension 35, formed on the supporting frame 20.

The segment 33 is extended at 36, and the slot 37 therein is adapted to receive a stud 38, which serves as a journal for one end of the pitman 39, the other end of which is secured to the yolze 40, which is adapted to slidably engage the main shaft 5, on which is rigidly mounted the cam 41. A roll 42, j ournaled on the stud 43 projecting` from an extension of the yoke 40, bears against the cam, which thus controls, through the mechanism described, the oscillation of the pawl arm 29, to produce a step movement of the roll 22.

The springr 44 attached to the yoke 40, exerts a yielding pressure to preserve the contact between the roll and the cam. Secured to the roll shafts, are intermeshing gears 45-46 which insure the same peripheral speed of the rolls. By adjustment of the position of the stud 38 in the slot 37, the rolls are rotated through arcs Corresponding` in length to that of the wrapping material required, the rolls 23-24 being journaled in CFI bearings 47-48 Which slidably engage the supporting frame, springs 49 exerting` a pressure to insure a yielding contact of the rolls. The action of the feed rolls is such as toydraiv the Wrapping material from the source of supply and to push the free ond forward to its position on the carrier A, symmetrically over one of the forming' units B, which is secured thereto. The character of the wrapping material may be such that Waves will form as the feed rolls push it forward to positionand We provide a supplementary feeding device adapted to cooperate with the main feeding rolls. The construction and opera tion of this device is as follows :--Svvivelled on the shaft 50 are the arms 51, cross braced at 52 thus forming a forked member, in the outer end of Which is ournaled the shaft 53, to which is secured the roll 54, which is preferably covered With a yielding,- material as at 55. Secured to the shafts 50 and 53 are sprockets 56-57 connected by the chain 58. It is essential that the peripheral. speed of the roll 54 shall exceed that of the rolls 22-23, in order that it may er-unt a pulling action on the Wrapping material. and this may be accomplished by means of different sized sprockets as shown. or by increasing; the size of the roll 54. Springs 59 may be used to exert a yielding' pressure on the roll through extensions 60 formed on the arms 51.

A bridge piece 61, secured to the supportingr frame 9.0, is provided, which overlaps the carrier A, and over this the Wrapping mate-- rial slides and is engaged by the roll 54.

It will be evident that the roll 54 would interfere With the transfer of the severed Wrapping materialby the carrier A, unless released from contact after the feeding was completed, and the following means are provided to accomplish, this :-The rods 62.. havinu bear ings in the supporting frame 20, engage the lugs 63 on the cross brace 52. The lower ends of these rods are supported at 64 on the levers 65, Which are secured to the shaft 66 which is journaled in the bed 1.` A lever 67, also secured to the shaft 66 is provided at its outer end with a stud 68 on which is journaled the roll 69 which bears on the cam 7 0. secured to the main shaft 5. This cam is so formed that, as it rotates, the roll 54 is raised from contact with the Wrapping material a when the feeding action is completed,` and When the feeding operation is under Way, the roll is lowered to contact with the Wrapping` material a when kthe advancinga edafe thereof substantially under the axis of the roll 54. When the Wrapping material has been fed to position on the carrier A, the feeding actionceases, and the projecting portion is severed from the vveb in the following manner zw'ihe shear blade is svvivelled to the supporting); frame 20 at 7 6, and is adapted to slidably en- Page a fixed blade 77 rigid` with the supporting frame, and over Which the Wrapping material passes as it is fed to` position.` The shear blade 7 5 is connected near its outer end by means of the pitinan 7S, with one end of a lever 79,]'ournaled at 80 on a stud proj ect-, ing; from thebed 1. f This lever is operated in a manner similar to that of the lever 67 by the camy 81, securedto the main shaft 5. r.lo insure a shearing action between the blades of the shears, We have provided a guide plate 82, which exertsa yielding pressure on the outer side of the shear blade 75 as it is operated.

This blade is supported on the stud 83 projecting` from supporting frame 20, the nut 84 and spring 85 providing an adjustable yielding` pressure required.

The Wrapping material, as stated rest-s on the carrier A, symmetrically disposed relative to the unit B, and it is essential that it be retained in this relation as the carrier is rotated.

A preferred mechanism for insuring this condition is shown in Figure 19-20 in which is bracket secured to the iiXed hub 91 which is integral with the segment 92 (Fig.

uros 4 and 26) which also furnishes a support for other elements hereinafter described. 'lhe hub 91 r1 idly secured to the post 6; a bell crank 93 is journalled on. the pin 94 in ears ofthe bracket 90, and is adapted to oscillate about this pin. rlhe ends of the bell crank arms are forked and at 95 is pivoted the holder 96. This holder is chambered at 97 to receive the plunger 98 rigidly secured at 99. lllhe stripping bushing- 100 is slidable Within this chamber andl on the plunger 96, and yieldingly pressed downward by the spring; 101. A pin 109J projectingfrom the plunger 98 engages the slot 103 in the bushing 100, permitting slidingy movement thereof relative to plunger 98 and chamber 97. The link 104 isv svviveled to the holder 96 and the bracket 90 to insure a vertical movement of the holder relative to the carrier A.

'lf he other forked end of the bell cranli is adapted to engage a holder 105 pivoted 106; this holder is cliainbered to receive: the spring 106 which is adapted to exert yielding;- pressure on the collar 109 securedv to the rod 110, a similar collar being secured to the rod at 111. This rod has a sliding` bearing at 112 in the holder 105, and in the bracket 90 at 113, a spring 114 acting betvveen the projection 113 and collar 115 secured to the rod (Figure 4) to exert a yielding pressure to lreep the bell crank normally in a position in which the .holder 96 Will be raised from the carrier A.

rlhe rodv is extended at 116 to abut and act in unison with the package trii'niningI unit lF, as will hereinafter be moreclearly lained. The bearing' 117 projecting from the segment provides a support for the rod 110 near the cutting unit F.

The plunger 98 is formed at its lower end with a blade 118 adapted to engage the wrapping material a and force it downwardly to engage clamping members 119 which .have a sliding bearing in the forked element 120, which is rigidly secured to the plate 8 of the carrier A the plate being provided with open ings 121 through which the plunger acts.

The clamping members 119 are yieldingly held in contact with -aeh other by means of the springs 122, abutting against the pins 123 projecting from the forked element 120. Pins 124, limit the movement of the clamping members, to insure an approximate central position of the clamping faces relative to the axis of the plunger 118.

The action of this device is as follows hen the section of wrapping material is fed to the carrier A. and severed, the end 125 of the rod 11() is operated by the trimming unit F and the bell crank 93 is rocked. The blade 118 engages the wrapping material a pressing` it downward and between the clamping members 119, which have wedge shaped faces which enable the blade 118 to separate them and force a fold of the wrapping material between the ends in 11` igure 21.

The slotted bushing 100 rests on the plate segment 8 and when the blade is withdrawn, acts as a stripper to prevent the withdrawal of the wrapping material which is thus clamped at or near the center of the section, by the members 119 (Figure 22).

The yielding pressure exerted by the springs 122 is slight, but sufficient to clamp the wrapping material during succeeding' operations, yet to allow a release of the finished package with slight resistance. In the succeeding cycle the carrier A is rotated to bring the section of wrapping material to station D where portion of the product to be packaged, is deposited at or near the center of the section.

1n the particular machine illustrated we have shown a device for delivering a predetermined portion of tea to each section of wrapping material, when it arrives at station D. 1t is evident however that other products may be deposited by suitable devices. The device for depositing tea and the like is constructed as follows z- A hopper 130 is rigidly supported above the carrier it., its aXis being substantially central with the section of i-.vrapping material when it is at station D. rllhis hopper is supplied in any suitable manner with the product to be packaged, and may have within, a breaker of suitable design to prepare the product for delivery.

As herein shown this breaker consists of a series of mutilated discs 131 secured to a r0- tating shaft 132 and spaced to alternate with fixed projections 133 which form a comb like member secured to the hopper. As the shaft 132 is rotated by means of the belt 134 (Fig ure 3) and pulleys 135-136 from the mai shaft 5, the product is comminuted and falls through the nozzle into a n'ieasuring device. lihis may be of any suitable construction but we prefer to use the following:

Secured to the lower end 131 of the hopper 130 is a casing 138, with a passage therethrough in substantial alignment with the lower op ning of the hopper. lfransverse openings are adapted to receive the headers 139 140 which are mounted on the shaft 141.

rlhe header 139 is provided with an exteni hub 142 j ournaled in the cap 143 which is secured to the casing 138. rfhe header 139 igid with the shaft 141 but the header s ble thereon and is provided with is lida an extension hub 144 slotted to permit of a clamping action on the shaft through the mezlium of a clamping nut 145.

The headers are slotted to receive blades 146 which are secured to the header 139 but i e slidable in the header 140. These blades 'e adapted to form compartments 147 into which the contents of the hopper fall, as the sha'l 141 is rotated. r1`he slidable header 14() a means for changing' the amount contained in the compartments as Figures 10-12. 'i ino transverse openings thus form bearings for the

headers

139 and 140 as the shaft 141 is rotated.

r1 ne shaft 141 together with the compartformed as above, is intermittently ro- :ated through the medium of the ratchet 150 secured to the shaft 141. A pawl 151 is swiveled at 152 on the pawl arm 153, a spring 154 insuring a constant bearing on the ratchet face. This pawl arm is rigid with the pinion 155 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 141, endwise movement being limited by the collar 156, rigid with the shaft 141.

Meshing with t-he pinion 155 is the segment 157 (Figure 8) swiveled at 158 on a stud projecting from the casing 138. r1`his segment is provided with a slotted arm 159, pitman 160 is swivelled to the stud 161 which may be adjusted in the slot. The object of this adjustment to provide a means o regulate the angular oscillation of the pawl arm to insure that the compartments shall register with the opening in the hopper. rfhe lower end of the pitman 16() is swiveled to the lover 162 and the lever is rigid with shaft 163 journaled at 164-165 in the bed 1 (Figure 6).

Rigid with the shaft 163 is the cam lever 166 to which is swiveiled the roll 167, adapted to engage the periphery of the cam 168 secured to the shaft 5.

this shaft rotates an intermittent oscillation is imparted to the pawl arm 153, by means of which the compartments 147 are rotated (Figure 11). `When the compartment 147 is aligned relative to the opening cap 143 to limit rotation.

169 inthe casing-"138m at o, the portion to be deposited fills the compartment, which is rotated to position 0 inthe next cycle of the machine and to d in the succeeding cycle,

at which time the contents are dumped upon the sectionof wrapping material a, through the opening 170 in the casing. yToprevent the functioning of this device attimes when the machine is being adjusted fora run, we have provided a finger lever -171 vwhich is swivelled on the stud 172 projecting from the casing 138. 1n normal position this lever is in the position shown in full (Figure 13) an extension 17 8 engaging the hub 174 of the llVhen it is requirec that this device should cease to func tion, the-finger lever 171 is rocked to engage the under side of the pawl arm 153 as shown in broken lines (Figure 13). The effect is to interrupt the operation of the cam lever 166 the device is locked in such position that the periphery of the cam 168 engages the roll 167 only at its greatest radius. A spring 27 5 abutting the head of the stud 172 and the side of the lever 171 furnishes sufficient frictional resistance to retain the level' 171 in either operating or nonoperating position.

As the shaft 5 rotates, the carrier A transfers the section of wrappingmaterial together withV the superimposed portion of product, from station Dto station E and it is during this movement of the carrier that the material a is wrapped about the portion to form sack shaped package. Asheretoforo stated the package forming units B are secured to the under sides of the segment plates 8 of the carrierl A. Each unit consists of three sets of

fingers

175, 177, 179 (Figures 15 to 18) hinged respectively in forked

members

176, 178, 120.y

The forked

members

176, 178 are mounted on the stud 180 which is shouldered at 181 and threaded at 182 to screw into member 120 which is secured to one of the segment plates 8. When the stud tightened, the shoulder 181 engages the forked member 176 and clamps it and member 178 against meinber 120. Preferably all the fingers are provided near their extremities with projections which insure a broadersurface to engage the wrapping material a. Slidably mounted on the stud 180 is a cup 183 adapted to engage at` 184 with a cam track 1860 suitably and rigidly mounted, on the bed 1. The rim of the cup is adapted to engage the

fingers

175, 177 and the cam track is so formed that as the cup rides thereon, itis moved upward on the stud 180 transmitting a movement tothe fingers, which swing on their respectiveV hinges.-

These t-wo sets of' fingers swingsubstan# tially in unison, and operate through slots 1850 formed in the segment plates 8. Normally the extremities of all the fingersare below the surfaceof the plate on which rests the section of wrappingmateriall a, symmetrically disposed relative to the finger groups beneath. y

Asy the cup rises the extremities `

ofthe'ngers

175 and 177 engage the wrapping material nea-r the edges,"forming it into anapproximate saucer shape yin theniiddle 0f which reposes the portion ofv product to be f package y The normal position ofthe fingers is shown atG Figure 17. Y Itwill be noted that fingers 179 are not engagedV by the cup `183,",which may be explained as follows z-#Asthesaucer shape of thewrapping material becomes more pronounced wavesare formed between 'contiguous klingers as shown diagrammatically in Figure 14a. The wave formation increases as the fingerscontinue their upward `swing and the waves become vfolds unless theten dency is corrected, which is the ofiicelof the fingers 17 9. It is essential that the extremities of these fingers engage the waves thus formed and push them within the finger ends 185, 186. To accomplishthisrwerhave provided means for swinging these fingers through a larger arc and ina shorterperiod than that of the

fingers

175, 177. Projecting on both sides from one set of fingers which we have assumed as 177', are the extensions .187.' These extensions are adapted to engage the' outer edges of the fingers 179 after the rother iingershave formed the wrapping materialk into` a saucer shape. When the wrapping materialhas assumed substantially the shape shown atl-1,- Figure 17, the wave formation is marked and the crests are engaged by the extremities 188of the fingers 17 9., At about this point it is esi sential that the material be pushed within the

grouping extremities

185, 186`of`th'elfingers 17 5-177 and the further yaction of theprojections 187 on the fingers 17 9v cause them to function as shown at d Figure 18'and the' edges of the wrapping material are crimped' within the extremities of the three sets of fingers. The continued action swings l'the fingers 179 ahead of the other-sets which have' by this time accomplished rtheir particular function, and at the extreme travel of the. fingers as shown in Figures 14, -`15 andat K Figure 18, the open folds of the formed package have been compressed within the extremities 188 and are held in position until the superfluous wrapping material is severed from the completed package at station F.

With thin and flimsy wrapping material `it is advisable to provide `guides 190-191 Fig``

v ure

4,30, 31 to assist the lingers in forming the package. For clearness these guides are omitted in `other figures Their action is toV raise the outer and inner edges of the section of wrapping material, being lformed to cos operate with the nnits'B.` y

at station E, at which station a metal wire is secured about the crimped neck of the package to form a closure thereto.

It is essential that the neck of the package immediately above the linger ends, be free from all overhanging ends of wrapping ma` terial in order that the wire closure may be properly applied by the mechanism presently to be described.

To insure this condition we employ a de'- vice for brushing up the overhanging ends, constructed as follows -Referring to Figures 24, 25, 26 the shaft 195 is mounted in

bearings

196 and 197 and is adapted to rotate therein.

Secured to this shaft is the arm 198 to which is fastened the blade 199 of sole leather or other similarly flexible material. The shaft is oscillated by means of a pinion 200 secured thereto and meshing with the rack 201, an eX- tension of the rack which operates the wire feeding mechanism which will be presently described.

The position of this device is such that, the plane of oscillation of the center line of the blade 199 is substantially tangential to the path of travel of the axes of the packaging units B. Relative to the station E, the position of this device is such, that when one of the units B approaches this station, the blade 199 may be oscillated to follow and brush up- Wardly the overhanging ends of the wrapping material, and to retain them after the unit B has come to rest at station E. An auxiliary vlever 202 swivelled at 203 on the segment 92 coacts with the brushing blade 199 to firmly hold the neck of the package while the wire closure is applied thereto, and is constructed as follows The pinion 204 is rigidly secured `to theshaft 195 and fis adapted to mesh with the segment 205 which isrigid with the stud 206 journalled at 207 on the segment 92. To this shaft is rigidly secured the segment 208 meshing with idler pinion 209 swivelled on the stud 210 projecting from the segment 92. Integral with the hub of the arm 202 is the segment 211 adapted toengage the idler pinion 209. As the carrier A is rotated from station D to station Ethe package is formed as above explained. Surplus wrapping material projecting beyond the linger extremities of a unit B has a tendency to lag, due to the frictional resistance of the guides 19o, 191.

This is especially the case as the -neckof the package approaches the contracted area 212 formed by the guides. Figures 30, 81, k24.

The brushing-device described is adapted to operate to follow the unit Bk and brush upwardly the dependent surplus wrapping material, completing .its action substantially at the moment the unit B comes'to rest'at station E, at which station the neck of the package engages the socket 2120 formed inthe `lever 2.13. The arm` 202 in turn follows closely after the brushing blade but in a horizontal plane, the end of the arm being bifurcated at 2130 (Figures 24, 26, 30, 31) to clamp the neck of the package into the socket, above and below the wire closure to be subsequently applied. Figure 26a is a diagrammatic view of the action of this device showing in full lines the positions of parts at the beginning of the action and in broken lines the conditions at the time the closure is about to be applied. The device for yforming a closure about the neck of the package may for descriptive purposes be divided into two parts, the wire feeding and forming mechanisn'x and the clinching mechanism. These are correlated and function as a complete device to feed and cut the wire used; to form a staple about the neck of the package; and to clinch the ends of the staple about the neck.

The wire is fed from a source of supply and cut to suitable length by any suitable method but in this particular case we prefer to employ the .following construction Referring to Figures 8, 25, 26.

The stand 215 is rigidly mounted on the bed 1, at station E and serves as a support for the several elements required in the forma(- tion of the staple above noted. Secured. to the top of the stand 215 is the holder 216 in which is journaled the shaft 217. Integral with this shaftis the grooved disc 218 (Figure 24). .Secured to the other end of this shaft is the pinion 219 adapted to mesh with the gear 220. This gear is rigidly secured to the shaft 221, journaled in the arm 222 which is hinged at 228 to projecting ears 224 formed on the holder 216 (Figures 25, 31).

Secured to the other end of the shaft 221 and adapted to co-act with the disc 218 is the disc 225 milled on its periphery.

As these discs arel rotated by means to be described the wire 226 is fed forward.

It is essential that there shall be sufficient pressure of the discs on the wire to insure that there be no slippage, and it is for this reason that the hinged arm is used for supporting the shaft 221. An extension 227 of this arm is yieldingly pressed from beneathy by the spring (Figure 3) the stud 228 rigid relative to the holder serving as an arbor for the spring. This arbor is threaded and a nut 229 provides a means for adjusting the tension of the spring, and the pressure through the arm 222 and the disc 225 on the wire 226.

At times when adjusting' the machine as a whole, it is advisable that the feedingof the wire be temporarily interrupted, and to secure this result without disconnection of parts, we have slotted the upper end of the stud 228 and have swiveled therein the cam lever 2280 which is adapted to depress the extension 227 and raise the milled disc from contact with the wire. This is particularly shown in Figure 25a.

Mounted on the shaft 221 and adapted to ing from which is the stud 1228 on which is swiveled the pawl 1229. adapted to engage the ratchet 230 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 221. The spring 231 serves to exert a.

yielding pressure to maintain engagementof the pawl1229 with the peripl'iery ot theV ratchet 230. rThe pawl 1227 is provided with an extension hub to which is secured.l the gear 232 which is adapted to engage the rack 201. It will be noted that this rack simultaneously operates the brushing device already described, and when these movements are completed the wire is fed readyA to be cut, and the neck of the package is clamped in position to have the staple `lorined aboutit.

To the lower end of the rack is swiveled at 233 one end ol. the pitman 234 (Figures 1, 3) the lower end ot which. is swiveled to the bell crank 235, journaled on the stud 236, projecting from the bed 1. From. the other arm of the bell crank projects thestud 237, on which is journalled the roll 238, adapted to engage the periphery ot the cam 239 rigid with the main shaft 5.

The spring24f0 is secured to the bell crank and exerts 4tension thereon to retain the roll 238 in contact'with the cani 239. Swivelled on the stud 236 and similarly operated from the cam 241 rigid with shatt 5, is the lever 2412 connected by a pitrnan 243 with one end of the bell. crank 241i., journaled at 241.5 between the 24.1.6, integral with the stand 215. To the other aii'm ot the bell crank is swiveled the carrier 24,17 adapted to slide in the holder 216.

Caps

248 and 249 secured to this holder complete a slide bearing` for the carrier. lt has been `found convenient to make. the bearing .196 for the shatt 1.95 integral with the cap 2413 and to provide at 250 a retaining bearing for the rack 201. Secured to the carrier 247 is the plate 251 (Figures 30 to 42).

This plate is oi? hardened steel and 'is adapted to slide against the hardened liner 2510 which. is pierced at 252 to permit the passage oit the wire 226. The couni'ersink 254. and the bushing 225 serve as guides to assist in threading the wire and in aligning it with. the

feed discs

218 and 225. The wire,

ted forward as already described., projects` across the path of the plate 251. and as the carrier 247 is operated as above described, the advancing edge 256 of the plate 251 shears the wire.

As the wire is sheared there isa tendency for it to spring outwardly at its end, and as the shearing is completed to similarly react at the line of shearing, and we have provided yielding

blades

257 and 258 secured respectively by the

caps

248, 249, to control this tendency and retain the severed wire in place.

lntegral with the plate 251. is the shoulder 259 adapted to support the lwire, near its severed end and secure-to theunder lside ot' the plate is a plate 260 which serves as a, .support for the other end ofthe wire and is biturcated at 261 to engage and further compress and hold the neck of the package asthe staple is formed. f As thus described, the wire rests in an inclined position in front of and advancing with the plate1251`, and Vthel staple is formed in an inclined posit-ion about the neck ofV the package in order that the ends may be clinched without interfering.

The plate 251 is slotted at 262 the slot being central'with aline passing through the axis of the package to be closured. Slidable in this slot is an element 263 which is normally withdrawn as shown in Figure 36.

A plate 264 is hinged at 265 to the caps 24S,

249 (Figures 24, 26) the spring 266 exerting a yielding pressure'on the plate to retain it in a normally low position. The socket 2120 is Jformed near the free end of this plate, and projecting downwardly from the plate and beyond the socket 2120 is the stud 267, Figures so, se, to se.

This stud is so disposed that the inner side ot' the neck ot the bag engages ythe stud when held in the. ,socket 2120 as described. The purpose of this stud is to torni an abutment for the neck of the package as the staple is formed. As the plate 251 is advanced, the wire engages midway of its length, with the neck of the packaga'and the continued advance of the plate forms the staple about the bag, (Figure 36), the edges of the slot 268 serving as a die, and the neck of the package supported by the stud 267 serving as an arbor, the loop ofthe staple being pressed into the slot.

When the staple has been thus formed, y

plate 264 is swung upwardly by means presently to be described and the continued ad- Vance ot the plate forces the staple into a posi.- tion in which the ends may be clinched as will be presently described. This final movement of the plate is utilized to advance the element 263, theiorwardy end of which 269 is formed to approximate the arc of the staple.

swiveled at 270 on the carrier 2117 is a lever, one end of which, 271, engages a slot 272 in t-he element 263. The other end of the lever 273 projects beyond the side of the carrier 24.7, the guide way being relieved at 274; to permit free sliding movement of the carrier.

As the carrier approaches its extreme inward travel, the staple being formed. and the abutment stud raised, the end ot the lever 273 engages the abutment 2750, formed on the guide way and the lever is swiveled on its stud 270, acting to slide the element 263 forward, to engage the staple and press it tore ward, at the same time acting in conjunction with elements already described to further compress the neck of the package, tothe end that when the clinching operation is completed, the wire shall be tightly wound about the neck and form a positive closure.

The clinching operation which immediately succeeds the formation of the staple, ils performed by the device which will now be described.

J ournaled in the segment 92 is the quill 275 to the lower end of which is secured a hub 27 6, and to the upper end of which is secured the pinion 277 (Figure 27). To the under surface of the hub 27 6 is rigidly fastened the segment plate 278 (Figures 27, 86 to 11). Journalled in the quill 275 ils the shaft 279 to the lower end of which is secured a plate 280 similar to the plate 278, a pinion 281 like pinion 277 being secured to its upper end. The edges of

plates

278, 280 are concentric with the aXis of the shaft and quill, and of like radius.

rfhese plates are beveled from their contiguous faces, abutments being formed at in plate 278 and at 288 in plate 280.

l/Vhen the staple is forced forward forme-l in an inclined position, the ends engage respectively the beveled edges of the plates one end being guided upward, and the other downward, and the neck ofthe package is pressed and held against the feather et" s the

segment plates

278, 280. v'llhe segvginent plates are oscillated in opposite directions and the

abutments

282, 288 bend the ends of the staple about the neck of the pac forming a complete closure. rlhe progres. action of the staple is shown in Figures 86 to 41. In Figures 88, 87 the staple being formed, and about to be pressed for-wa "l a partial oscillation of the

plates

278 and 280 causes the wedge 285, rigid with the upper face of the plate 278, to engage the outer end of the hinged plate 215 and to raise it, thus withdrawing the stud 267 and permitting the advance of the staple as shown in Figures 88, 89 the completed closure being shown in Figures 4:0, 41.

The oscillation of the clinching plates is accomplished as followsz-'l`he yoke 286 is provided with

rack sides

287, 288 adapted to mesh respectively with the

pinions

277 and 281. These racks are slidable in a bearing formed on the-segment 92, the yoke members being rigidly secured to form a single element. An extension 290 of the yoke, is swiveled to the upper end ofthe lever 291 (Figures 1, 8, 6,) which has a bearing in the bracket 292 rigidly secured to the bed 1. The lower end of the lever is swiveled at 298 to the yoke connection 294, constructed and operating in a manner similar to the description of the yoke 40, the roll 295 on the projectie stud 296 engaging the cam 297 which operates through the mechanism described, to clinch the ends of the wire to form the closure of the package.

When this operation is completed the clinching mechanism dwells until the staple forming and brushing devices have returned to their initial positions, and the carrier A has moved the package beyond the stud 267, at which time the clinching device returns to normal position while the closured package is transferred to the station F where the surplus wrapping material is sheared from the package.

On account of the original shape of the section of wrapping material a, there will be a more or less uneven projection of material above the closure wire and at station F this is sheared by a rotating cutter 800 secured to the rotatable shaft 801 journalled on the end of an arm 802 which is secured to one end of a shaft 808 (Figures 1, 2, 6). This shaft is journaled in the bracket 804, secured to the bed plate 1. To the lower end of this shaft 808 is secured the lever 805 which is oscillated by means of the yoke connection 806 and roll 807 from the cam 808 secured to the shaft 5, all in manner similar to that already described. ylfhe rotating cutter is ydriven by means of the pulley 810, secured to the upper end of the shaft 808, the belt 811 running over the idlers 812, 818 (Figures 1, 2, e, G) to the pulley 8111 journaled ron the stud 815 projecting from the bracket 804. The pulley 814- is integral with a second pulley 8150 which is driven by the belt 817 from a pulley 8170 secured to the main shaft 5.

fr tightener pulley 818 is journalled on a stud projecting from the arm 819, which is ournaled on the stud 820 projecting from bracket 804. Tension on the belt 811 is provided by means of a spring 821 which eX- erts a yielding pressure to swing the roll against the belt, thus insuring traction.

It has been found advisable to employ means for brushing trailing wrapping material from the path of the rotary cutter as the package 'approaches station F and this is done in like manner to that above described, the flexible blade 825 Figures 24, 26 being oscillated through the medium of the shaft 826 journaled at 827, 828 on the segment 92, the pinion 829 being secured to the inner end of the shaft and adapted to mesh with the segment gear 205. As the formed package comes to rest at station F the arm 802 carrying the rotating cutter is oscillated to cause the axis of the cutter to swing toward the anis of the formed package. As this movement starts, the rotating cutter engages the blade 880 yieldingly supported in a recess formed in the under side of segment 92. This blade acts as a shear blade to insure a clean cut of the surplus wrapping material projecting above the closure.

As the rotating shear operates in conjunction with the blade 880, the cutter guard 881 presses closure it against the abutment 882 which is rigidly secured to the segment 92. This segment is positioned so that it is engaged by the free ends of the closure which is more iirmly clinched and the ends embedded in the neck of the package.

"While this is not an essential requirement, it insures against projecting ends of the wire. As the rotating cutter swings back to normal position, the carrier A transfers the finished package to station I, during whichmovement the fingers of the forming unitB are released, the cup 183 dropping from the cam track 180 at 333, to the position shown in broken lines Figure 14, the sleeve end 33a of the'cup 183 engaging the abutment 335 formed on tlie stud 180 which thus limits `the downward movement. The package thus resting at station I on the piate 8 and unsupported by the unit B, is brushed from the supporting sui'- face by means of the flexible blade 336 secured to the arm 337, which is rigid with the shaft 338, journaled in the overhanging bracket 339. This flexible blade is oscillatedin unison with, but in the opposite direction to the blade 325 depending 'from the shaft 326, the lever 340 rigid therewith, being connected by the pitman 341 to a similar lever e412 secured to the shaft 338.

As the blade oscillates, it engages the finished package and releases it from the clamping members 119, also releasing any of the fingers ofthe unit B which have perchance failed to drop to normal position. On the return oscillation, the package is brushed from the carrier A, and the segment together with the preceding one is clear, which permits the removal of any fragments which may re.- main, before the particular segment rotates to station C in readiness to receive another section of wrapping material.

d rom the foregoing it will be evident when the machine is in operation, every revolution of the shaft rotates the carrier through one space from station to station.

The operations above described are performed. simultaneously on the packages at the several stations, acting successively and progressively on each package, each operation being governed by the respective cams and pulleys secured to and rotating with the main shaft 5, the cams being correlated and coordinated with the mechanism employed for rotating the carrier A. We do not confine ourselves to the exact yform of machine hereinbefore illustrated and described, as the details of construction and the operative mechanism may be varied without departing from the essential features of our invention.

Having described our claim 1. A packaging machine, comprising a movable carrier; means for supplying a section of wrapping material to the carrier; means for depositing the product to be wrapped on the wrapping material; means for forming the `wrapping' material about the product, to form a sack like package; means for securing a wire Vor band about the free ends of the package, to serve as a closure thereto; and means for coordinating the acinvention, we

tion of the several devices with the carrier for the purpose of Vperforming the several operations on each package.

AQ. A packaging `machine, comprising a movable carrier; means for supplying a section of wrapping material to the carrier; means for depositing the product to be wrapped on the wrapping material; means for varying the size of the portion; means' tion of the several devices with the carrier for Y the purpose of performing the several operations on each package. e

3. In a packaging machine, a carrier table; means for supplyingwrappng material' thereto; an element movably supported and adapted to depress a portion of the wrapping material Within an opening in the carrier plate; yielding members adapted .to engagetne depressed portion and to retain the ywrapping material in position relative to the carrier plate; and means. for operating the depressing element. f

4. In a packaging machine, a wrapping de vice comprising a plurality of finger elements adapted to engage a section of wrapping material, and to rform a sack like package about a portion of a comminuted product deposited thereon; means kfor operating the fingers;

means for securing the neck ofy the package by means of 'a wire or metal clip to form a sole closure.

5. In a packaging machine a wrapping device'comprising a plurality'of fingers hinged about a common axis, and adapted to swing in radially fixed relation thereto, for the purpose of engagingwrapping material, forming a sack like package about a product deposited thereon; means for swinging thefingers on their hinges; and means forA retaining the package in kformto'enclose the product, and meansfor applying a wire or clip tothe free edges of the wrapping material to serve as a closure. i 1 .r

6. In a packaging machine a wrapping device comprising a plurality of fingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adaptedV to engage wrapping material, and to form a sac k like package about a product deposited thereon; a plurality of secondary ngers similarly hinged, and adapted to swing for the purpose of cooperating with the primary fingers by pressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primary fingers; means for swinging the secondary fingers; and means for retaining the package in form to enclose the product.

7 In a packaging machine a wrapping device comprising a plurality of fingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engage wrapping material, to form a llOV 'fingers by pressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primary fingers means tor swinging the secondary lingers; means forretainingthe package'k in form to enclose the product. p

8.- I-n apackaging machine ay wrapping device comprising a lplurality of lingers hinged,

about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engage wrapping material,.and toform af sack like package about a product deposited thereon; pluralityof secondaryy fingers similarly hinged, and adapted to swing for the purpose of cooperating with the primary fingers by pressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primary fingers; independent means for swinging the secondaryqfingers; and means for retaining the package in form to enclose the product.

9. In a packaging machine a wrapping device comprising a plurality of fingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engage wrapping material, and to formV a sack like package about a product deposited thereon; a plurality of secondary fingers similarly hinged, and: adaptedv to swing for the purpose of cooperating with the primary fingers by pressing inwardly the'folds 4that may 'form between the primary fingers; means whereby the secondary fingers may be swung by the action thereonof the primary lingers; means for retaining the package in form to enclose the product.

lO. in a' packaging machinea wrapping-device comprising a plurality of fingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engage wrapping material; and kto form a sack like package about a product deposited thereon; a plurality of secondary fingers similarly hinged, and adapted to swing for the lpurpose'otcooperating with the primary fingers by pressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primary lingers means for swinging the secondary fingers through an arc greater than that of the primary fingers, for the purpose of engaging and pressing inward the folds formed between the primary fingers; means for swinging the primary fingers; and means for retaining the package in 'form to enclose the product.

l1. In a packaging machine, a wrapping device comprising a plurality of lingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engage wrapping material for the purpose of 'forming a sack like package; projections near the tree ends of the fingers adapted to provide a broader area of contact with the wrapping' material; means for swinging the fingers on their hinges for the purpose set forth; and means for retaining the package in form to enclose the product.

l2. ln a packaging machine a movable table adapted to support a section of wrapping material, means for moving the table step by step to coordinate with other means for depositing a portion of product upon the section of wrapping material; with independent means for enclosing the product within the wrapping material; and with means for applying a closure to the opening on the package, so formed. n

13. A packaging machine, comprising a movable carrier; means ior supplying a section of wrapping material to the carrier; means for deposition on the wrapping material, a portion of a product to be packaged; means for varying the size of the portion; means for forming the wrapping material about the product to form a sack like package; means for securing a wire or band about the free end of the package to serve as aclosure thereto; means for trimming surplus wrapping material from the package; and means for coordinating the action of the several devices with the carrier for the purpose of performing the several operations on each packg HAROLD C., SLOCOMB, Administrator of the Estate of Elmer E. Sloeomb, Deceased.

FRED W. MCARDLE.