US1734362A

US1734362A - Bread-wrapping machine

Info

Publication number: US1734362A
Application number: US127979A
Authority: US
Inventors: Brownell Charles Owen
Original assignee: WRAP RITE CORP
Current assignee: WRAP RITE CORP; WRAP-RITE Corp
Priority date: 1926-08-09
Filing date: 1926-08-09
Publication date: 1929-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 1946-11-05

Description

Nav. 5,

C.l O. BROWNELL BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE.

Filed Aug. 9. 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 5, 1929. c. o. BRowNELL 1,734,362

BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Nov. 5, 1929. c. o. sRowNELL BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9. 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 'lnvenor Ghowwf Omen rowne Nov. 5, 1929.

C. O. BROWNELL BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 5, 1929.

C. 0. BROWNELL BREAD WRAPPING MACH'INE Filed Aug. 9, 1926 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nav. s, 1929. c. o. BRowNELL BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9. 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 M mw mw Q I m w lm. m d O b u m\ a AWM 1 v 6% nm O6 OQ O .Nm v .wc m n ww l lll) Y 3 A *um am r: lm.. m Um MP W mh o e l f e o i J s S wf 2A? a 5 /mbv Nov. 5, 1929.

c. o. BRowNELL 1,734,362

BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 q l* ,n lo G` o o o f' o .o zvz Q0 tf) o o o 0 N 'o o o m n s N o o r o 1 o o d'l w l m m 1 H ff J f4 0 N e J a b. o 4 u N o o o zr .3 S

lo 3 'N E@ o P 0 P *n FH -9 2 OIE d o `c N o P z: Q i N s J s o lImwnjor 0 'n Shades e n Lmm; N v. s l... p a Aorvn;

C. O. BROWNELL BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1926 Nov. 5, 1929.

. 65 A l en 6| 6b I ez 6s O I 6\ 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 bl so l Iggunfog (maas Owaurowng LL n ffm .olwMwq NOV. 5, 1929. Q BRQWNELL 1,734,362

BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 mi@ l G Marks Omznrownt lzo 11 JW of Nov. 5, 1929 c. o. BRowNl-:LL

BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9. 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 'Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES OWEN BROWNELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, BY' DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE WRAP-RITE CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

CORPORATION F ILLINOIS BREAD-WRAPPING MACHINE Application iled August 9, 1926. Serial No. 127,979.

This invention relates to bread wrapping machines of the type shown and described by my copending patent application filed Feb- .ruary 21, 1925, Serial No. 10,826, and it is a 6 modification and improvement of certain parts of the machine disclosed by said application. The particular object of this invention is to simplify the construction and operation of the loaf gripping and conveying mechanism and the cooling device and to improve the end flap folding device. The machine is also provided with an improved pressing member to hold the wrapper loaf firmly against the heating plate, the end folding members are improved and simplified, the initial loaf feeding device is simplified and various other novel features of construction and arrangement are provided whereby the machine may be more simply 2G and cheaply made and operated. The invention is hereafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which i5 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bread wrapping machine embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with a part of the mechanism, including the loaf gripping and conveying devices, removed.

LJ Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the same taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation with parts broken away showing details of the mechanism for obtaining an intermittent movement of the loaf gripping and conveying mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken substantiallv through the longitudinal center of the machine showing the rear portion thereof.

Fig. 6 is a continuation of Fig. 5 showing the front portion of the machine on substantially the same sectional plane.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail showlng a part of the presser arm and the cam for operating the same.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectlonal elevation of the upper tpart of the machine taken on the line 8-8 o Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevationy of thatv portion of the machine which pcrforms the initial wra per folding operation showing the loaf witli the wrapper over it raised to fold the wrapper over the sides and to make the first end fold.

Fig. 10 shows the same parts moved to er- 55 form the next step of the folding operatlon.

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation substantially the same as Fig. 6 showing the loaves in the act of being moved by the gripping and conveying mechanism.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary plan with parts broken away, of one end of the' loaf gripping and conveying mechanism and also showing the end folding devices and parts of the presser arm and associated mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of one of the yieldable gripping fingers.

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of one of the adjustable ripping fingers.

Fi 15 is a p an View of the end flap fold- 70 lng evlce.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the same adjusted for folding the end flap downward and against the bottom of the loaf.

Fig. 17 is the same adjusted for folding the 75 endf Hap upward and against the end of the Fi 18 is a partial transverse section of the end flap folding device on the line 18-18 of Fig. 16 showing the end flap folded down- 8o ward preparatory to being folded against the bottom of the loaf.

Fig. 19 is a partial transverse section of the same on the line 19*19 of Fig. 16 showing the end flap nearing the completion of its fold against the bottom of the loaf.

Fig. 20 is a partial transverse section of the end flap folding device on the line 20--20 of Fig. 17 showing the end flap partially folded upward preparatory to folding against the end of the loaf.

Fig. 21 is a partial section of the same on the line 21--21 of Fig. 17 showing the end flap folded upward against the end of the loaf.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the end flap folding device showing the throat therein and the removable closure by means of which the device may wo be adjusted to fold the end flap either upward or downward.

Figs. 23 to 27, inclusive, are pers ective views of the loaf and wrapper illustratln the successive steps of folding the wrapper a out the loaf with the end flaps folded against the bottom of the loaf, and

Fig. 28 is a erspective view of the completely wrapped) loaf with the end flap folded against the ends of the loaf.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The main frame of the machine, which in the present disclosure is constructed of various angle iron members, comprises the four vertical legs 1, the top horizontal members 2, the bottom horizontal members 3 and the middle horizontal members 4. Different parts of the mechanism are mounted at the three different levels on the

horizontal members

2, 3 and 4.

The motor 5 which drives the machine is mounted on the lower cross members 3 and a belt 6 passes over a pulley on the motor shaft and over a main driving pulley 7 fixed to a shaft 8 journaled in bearings on the intermediate cross members 4. From this shaft 8 the

shafts

9 and 10 are driven through a train of gears 11. The shaft 9 has a sprocket 12 over which a chain 13 passes which drives the cooling conveyer to be hereafter described. The shaft 10 has a sprocket 14 which drives the elevator cam sha t 15 by the chain 16. The shaft 10 also has a sprocket 17 which drives the initial loaf feed mechanism by the chain 18.A The shaft 10 is provided near its opposite or rear end with a sprocket over which the chain 19 passes which drives the shaft 20 and at this end the shaft 10 is also provided with a. crank arm 21 which actuates the intermittent loaf conveying mechanism hereafter described.

The shaft 20 is journaled in bearin s on the intermediate cross members 4 an has fixed to it, near its respective ends, the cams 22 which actuate the slidingtable which is a part of the folding mechanism hereafter described. This shaft 20 also has a sprocket to drive the chain 23 which actuates the paper feed and cutoff mechanism from a countershaft 24 which is journaled in bearings on the intermediate cross members 4 and a sprocket to drive the chain 25 which actuates the cross feed device throu h gears in a box 26. The parts heretofore escribed are best shown 1n Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

The initial loaf feeding device comprises an endless belt conveyer 27 which passes over drums 28, one of which is rotated b means of the chain 18 before mentioned. veyer is located at the front side of the machine in a plane below the top cross members 2 thereof. Loaves laced upon this conveyer will be moved stea ily toward the cross feed conveyer which comprises a slotted table 29 his con.-

along which a chain 30 travels bein driven by gears in the box 26, before descri ed, and in a direction to move the loaves into the machine. The conveyer chain 30 is provided with lugs 31 spaced at intervals, two of which are shown in the present machine, and as the loaves of bread are deposited on the table 29 they are caught b the lu and moved into the machine and eposite upon the elevator 32. The cross feed conve er of this machine is identical with that disc osed in my copending application referred to.

The elevator 35 is mounted at the upper end of a bar 33 which slides in a guide 34. A periodic vertical movement is imparted to the elevator by the elevator cam 35 mounted on the shaft 15, previously described. The cam actuates a lever 36 pivoted at one end at 37 and a connecting rod 38 attached to its other end is connected to the bar 33. The cam 35 is so designed that it will move the elevator upward after a loaf has been deposited on it and will then pause and later return and dwell at the lower position to co-act with the movements of other parts of the machine to be hereafter described, and in a manner identical with the corresponding parts disclosed in my copending y application referred to.

The paper with which the loaf is to be wrapped is taken from a roll 39 and passes through the paper feed and cutoff mechanism which periodically operates to measure and cut off a predetermined length of paper and feed it onto supports 40 so that it will lie over a loaf on the elevator in its lowest position. The paper feed and cutoff mechanism forms no part of the present invention and is identical with that shown in my copending application referred to and therefore it will not be necessary to describe this mechanism in detail. In general the paper feed and cut-off mechanism is driven by the chain 41 from the countershaft 24, previously described, the chain 41 constantly rotating a clutch member 42, and the clutch is tripped into engagement by a loaf as it passes into the machine on the cross feed conveyer and engages a trip arm 43. Engagement of the clutch causes the paper feed and cutoff mechanism to actuate through a single cycle of operations whereat it automatically disengages, and durin this cycle of operations the paper is drawn rom the roll 39 bythe feed rollers 44 and past a knife 5() and cut off at the desired length and this cut off length of paper is fed by constantly rotating belts 51 to the above mentioned position over the loaf on the elevator.

When the loaf is carried u yward by the elevator it engages the under si e of the paper wrapper at its middle portion with arts of the wrapper extending at both si es and ends of the loaf and continued upward movement of the loaf causes the side portions of the wrapper to be folded downward by engagement of the wrapper at one side with a bar 52 and at the other side with the forward edge of the sliding table 53, andthe loaf with-the wrapper is moved upwardly into one of the gripping devices of the intermittent conveying mechanism overhead and at the same time the overlapping end portions `of the wrapper are engaged by the end folding Wings 54 which partially fold the wrapper against the respective ends of the loaf.

The intermittent loaf conveying mechanism is mounted over the top cross member 2 of the frame on

brackets

55 and 56. The respective pairs of

brackets

55 and 56 have journal bearings for

shafts

57 and,58 which extend horizontally over the frame of the machine and on each shaft near its respective ends are mounted sprockets 59 over which two endless chains 60 pass which have their greater length or run in a horizontal plane. These chains 60 carry a plurality of groups of gripping lingers 61 and 62 which are mounted onA shafts 63 journaled at their respective ends to blocks 64 attached to the chains. Each group of gripping fingers preferably comprises two yieldable fingers and two adjustable fingers which are longitudinally movable upon the shaft 63 to be adjusted for loaves of different lengths. The yieldable fingers are each provided at their extremities with spring actuated pads 65 pivoted to the ngers 62 and yieldably swung toward the opposite fingers 61 of the group. The adjustable fingers 61 are sldably mounted upon brackets 66 to which they are clamped by screws 67 and may be adjusted toward or away from the opposlte iin er 62 of the group to accommodate loaves o different widths. The fingers are clamped in their adjustable position longitudinally of the shafts 63 by the set screws 68.

An upper and a

lower track

69 and 70, respectively, is rovided at each side of the machine carriedp by the

brackets

55 and 56, each track being of channel shape and located to receiveguide rollers 71 which are carried b arms 72 fixed to the respective ends of t e shafts 63. These guide rollers traverse the tracks while their respective shafts 63 are moved along the horizontal runs of the chain to steady the shafts 63 and retain the grippirrlig fingers thereon in the desired position. e rollers leave the tracks as their respective shafts pass over the sprockets 59 and enter in the other tracks as the opposite run of the chain is traversed.

The end folding wings'54 are mounted on a shaft 73 located directly over the elevator, the said wings being'longitudinally adjustable on said shaft to accommodate loaves of different lengths and being clamped inv adjusted positions by the set screws 7 4. The shaft 73 1s caused to rotate in synchronism with the intermittent movement of the conveyer by a 1chain 75 which passes over a sprocket 76 on theI shaft 73 and` a sprocket 77 on the shaft 57. The shaft 73 is journaled in bearings 78 attached to the

tracks

69 and 70.

A presser arm 79 is provided for the purpose of engaging the top of the loaf when the loaf is located on the 'heating plate, hereafter described, to cause the loaf to bear rmly on said late. This arm extends in a longitudinal irection between the upper and lower shafts 63 and has one of its ends pivotally connected to the shaft 57 the end of the arm being fastened to a block 8O through which the shaft 57 passes. The movable end of the presser arm is turned downward and adapted to engage and press against the to of a loaf, downward pressure being exerted y atransversely extending spring 81 which bears agaist the arm between its ends, the spring 81 being fastened to the respective upper tracks 69. As it is desirable to relieve the ressure on the loaves as they are advanced y the conveyor and as the free end of the pressure arm, when in operative position, lies in the path of the conveyor shafts 63, the pressure arm is lifted during the intermittent forward movement of the lower reach of the conveyor. For this purpose a cam 82 is provided on the'shaft 73 which engages the underl side of the arm 79 and as the shaft 73 rotates in unison with the intermittent movement of the conveyerthe cam 82 will raise the swinging end of the arm 79 to permit the shaft 63 to ass under it. l

n intermittent or ste by step movement of the loaf gripping and conveying mechanism .is obtained by mechanism actuated by the crank arm 21 on the shaft 10, as follows: The shaft 83 is journaled in bearings mounted on the intermediate cross members 4 of the frame and has a sprocket 84 around which the chain 85 passes, this chain extending upward and passing over a sprocket on the shaft 58 of the conve er mechanism. .A gear 86 is loose] mounted7 on the shaft 83 and a drum 87 is fbcated adjacent said gear and fixed to the shaft. The drum 87 is provided on its inner surface with a notch 88 into which a pawl 89 enters, said pawl being attached to the face of the gear 86 and a spring 90 is attached to the pawl to cause it to move into said notch. A rack bar 91 has a sliding bearing 92 fixed to the frame of the machine and is located to mesh with the gear 86 and a connecting rod 93 connects the rack bar with the crank arm 21 whereby rotation of the crank imparts a reciprocating movement to the rack bar. As the rack bar is reciprocated the gear 86 oscillates and when turning in one direction the drum 87 will be rotated to rotate the shaft 83 but when the reverse oscillation of the gear occurs the pawl 89 will release fromthe notch 88 and the shaft and drum will remain stationary. This mechanism is substantially Aidentical with that shown in my copending application referred to, the only difference vbeing that the crank arm 21 is substituted for the slotted disc shown and the mechanism is llocated on the opposite side of the shaft 10 for the ypurpose of bringing it more directly over the drrven shaft in the mechanism above.

After the loaf and its wrapper have been raised into one of the groups of gripping fingers and the wrapper folded downward over the sides of the loaf and partially folded at the ends of the loaf, as heretofore described, the elevator 32 descends leavngthe loaf and wrapper supported by the gripping fingers and a sliding table 53 is next caused to advance under the loaf, its forward edge engaging one side of the wrapper folding it against the bottom of the loaf. At thesame time the end folding plates 94 which are fixed to the sliding table 53, engage the overlapping ends of the wrapper at one side and fold them over the wings 54. The completion of this movement is illustrated in Fig. |10. Near'the end of the advance movement of the slid-ing table the table is caused to rise slightly due to the shape of the tracks 95 on which it rides, thus insuring-the close contact of the wrapper with the bottom of the loaf and the smooth folding thereof. The sliding table is 'actuated by the cams 22, previously mentioned, these cams acting upon levers 96, the swinging ends of which are connected with the sliding table by connecting links 97. Thecenstruction and action of the sliding `table and its actuating mechanism is identical `with-that shown in my copending application 'referred to.

The next movement of the machine is the advance of the gripping and conveying mechanism which moves the partially wrapped loaf forward from the sliding table on to the table 98 of the end folding device and -this movement causes the opposite side of "the wrapper to be folded against the bottom` 0f the loaf and to overlap the edge of the wrapper which has previously been' folded against the bottom of the loaf. As soon as the conveying mechanism begins to move the shaft h'.73 rotates and the end folding wings 54 fixed to said shaft also rotate and move upward in their rotation out ofthe fold of the wrapper and are disengaged therefrom. As the move-l ment of the loaf continues through tjheend folding device the advance overlapping edges of the wrapper at the ends of the loaf are engaged by the end folding dies l99 and fold these portions against the ends of the 'loaf overlapping the portions which have already been folded, this folding causing amendflap at the lQwer edge of each end to extend outwardly in a substantially horizontal planeand these end flaps are caught under the dewn' wardly inclined lower edges 100 of the diesv 99 and folded downward and than inward: and

upward against the bottom of the loaf, this fold beingcaused by 'the shape of the dies 99, the lower edges 100 of which merge into an inturned surface 101. The table 98 is cut away fat its rear portion to permit the flaps to move upward and engage the bottom of the loaf or more accurately, that portion of the wrappervwhich has been folded against the bottom ofthe'loaf. So much of the end folding dies as has been described is identical with that shown in my copending application referred to.

F o'r'the purpose of-folding the end flaps of the wrapper-upwardly against the ends of the loaf instead of downwardly and back against the bottom of the loaf the end folding dies 99 are each provided with an upturned slot 102, the throatof which opens`intothe edge 10Q in substantially 'the same plane as the table :98. A removable clip 103 is provided which may be applied to close the throat and causethe end aps to bend downwardly for the bottom fold, as heretofore described, or these vclips may be 'removed and reversed to project at a downwardi'inclination from the lower edge of the-slot wherebyrthe end flaps are'caught and directed upwardly into said slots and as the loaf is moved through the device the end fiazpsare caused to be folded upwardly andas they emerge from'the slots, are pressed against' the ends of the loaf. The clips 103 are preferably of channel construction and'made of spring steel so that they willv snap into place, small indentations 104 being provided in' the end folding dies 99 and corresponding depressions 105 being formed inthe clipsto snap into said indentations.

The'wrapping paper used is wax or parain coated. After the wrapping of the loaf has been completed it is carried onto a heating plate 106 and between heating pads 107 where it is held` duringthe pausey of the conveying mechanism. The heating plate and Yheating pads are preferably heated by electric heating units of any suitable kind and the heat applied to the wrapper is sulicient to melt or partially -melt the wax coating thereof so that they different folds will adhere to each other when the wax cools.

Further-A movement of the loaf by the conveyer carries it from the heating unit onto the cooling conveyer'iand at this poi-nt the grip ping fingers'pass over the sprocket of the shafts 58 and release the loaf. The cooling conveyer comprises two endless belts 108 passing over drums 109 mounted on the

shafts

110 and 111 which are respectively journaled in bearingsfastened to theframe of the machine. The belts are spaoedapart and a chain 112 having l'ugs 1113 located at intervals thereon is arranged in the' space between the belts'and passes over sprockets 114 which are mounted respectively` on 'the

shafts

110 and 111. A table 115 is located under the upper run of the belts and 'chain' to support llo them with the weight of the loaves thereon. Side boards 116, preferably made of a plurality of slats, ext'end longitudinally of the belts and are arranged to engage the respective ends of the wrapped loaf to hold the wrapper tightly in place as the loaf is passed between them. Thls conveyer has a continuous slow movement and the loaves de osited upon it are caught by the lugs 113 whic cause them to move slowly between the side boards 116 and by the time the loaf has traversed the length of the conveyer the wax of the wrapper has had time to cool and congeal.

T is completes the wrapping operation and the loaves are then deposited by the cooling conveyer into a suitable receptacle for carrying away.

A rsum of the operation of the machine is as follows: The loaves L to be wrapped are placed u on the initial feeding conveyer belt 27 whicli carries them with a continuous movement to the cross feed conveyer and they are consecutively deposited upon the table 29 thereof. As a loaf is carried forward into the machine on the cross feed conveyer by a lug 31 of thechain 30 the next loaf is deposited on the table 29 by the conveyer belt 27. As the loaf moves into the machine it engages the trip arm 43 which trips the paper feed and cutoff mechanism clutch into engagement and the paper wrapper W is then fed and cut oil' to the proper length and deposited on the supports 40 in a position to be engaged by the top of the loaf as it is moved upward. The loaf is deposited by the cross `feed conveyer onto the elevator 32 and the elevator is then wrap ed by 'action of the cam 35 and its associate members, raising the loaf and engaging its top with the approximate center of the wrapper and carrying the wrapper u ward with it. The upward movement of tlie loaf and wrap er carry them between the bar 52 and the orward edge of the sliding table 53 which folds the respective sides of the wrapper downwardly and the loaf and wrapper in this condition enter a group of gripping

fingers

61 and 62 which at this time are stationary. As the loaf and wrapper are moved into position between the gripping lingers the wrapper is drawn snugly against the top and sides of the loaves and this action is aided by the springpressed pads or members 65 which, together with the fingers 61, securely grip the wrappers and loaves and hold the wrap` pers against displacement during the foldving and sealing, operations. Also as the loaf is lifted the overlapping ends of the wrapper at the top are engaged by the end folding wings 54 which at this` time are stationary and extend downwardly at the respective ends of'the loaf and perform the initial step of the end fold of the Wrapper. This stage of the operation is illustrated in Fig. 9 and the condition of the wrapper at this stage is shown in Fig. 23. To insure the proper break of. the paper while this end fold is being made folding fingers 117 are provided which extend inwardly from the brackets 55 and are adjustable to engage the edge of the wrapper opposite the center of the loaf as it moves upward.

While the gripping and conveying mechanism remains stationary the elevator 32 descends leaving the loaf and Wrapper suspended between the gripping lingers and the sliding table 53 is moved forward by means of the cams 22 and the levers and connecting rods, previously described, and the side of the wrapper adjacent the sliding table is folded under and against the bottom of the loaf and at the end of the slidin movement the t-able 53 is caused to rise there y insuring the firm and smooth engagement of the wrapper with the loaf. At the same time this bottom fold occurs the end folding plates 94 mounted on the sliding table enga e the overlapping vertical end portions of t e wrapper at the side adjacent them and fold them toward respective ends of the loaf, these folding portions of the wrapper overlapping the end folding wings 54 in making this fold. The completion of this operation is shown in Fig. 10 and the loaf and wrapper in Fig. 24.

At this stage of the operation the gripping and conveying fingers start their forward movement and at the same time the end folding wings 54 commence to rotate and the loaf and wrapper are moved forward -and the wings 54 swing upward out of the fold of the wrapper and out of the path of movement of the loaf. The gripping and conveying fingers are moved forward through one com lete rotation of the

shafts

57 and 58, and t e shaft 73 also completing one rotation, brings the wings 54 to a downwardly extending position` where they will remain during the pause of this mechanism to receive and act upon the succeeding loaf which is fed between the following group of gripping fingers. The loaf which has been partially Wrapped as described, is carried onto the table 98 of the end folding device and between the end folding dies 99 thereof and this movement causes the depending side of the wrappei` to be folded upwardly against the bottom of the loaf and overlapping the opposite side of the wrapper which has previously been folded a ainst the bottom of the loaf, and the vertica overla ping ends of the wrapper are folded bac ward hgainst the ends of the loaf causin horizontal projecting end flaps to extendg from the lower edges of each respective end. Assuming that the clips 103 are placed to close the throats of the slots 102, these end flaps are directed downwardly and follow the curved surfaces 101 to be folded inwardly and upwardly against the bottom of the loaf. If the clips 103 are reversed and extend outwardly from the throats of the slots 102 the end flaps will be caught and directed upwardly into said slots and eventually folded against the respective ends of the loaf as it is carried through this part of the mechanism, as previously described.

As this machine is constructed there is a pause of the loaf in the end folding mechanism just described but the pause at this point is not essential to the proper operation of the machine. After pausingv in this mechanism the loaf is then carried on through it and onto the heating plate 106 and between the heating pads 107 where it again pauses for a sufficient period to permit the wax coating of the wrapper to melt or partially melt, this period corresponding to the time necessary for the mechanism to be stationary at the loaf receiving position. While the loaf is pausing on the heating plate 106 the presser arm 7 9 engages its upper side to insure a positive and firm contact of its bottom with the heating plate. The neXt movement of the gripping and conveying fingers carries the loaf forward and onto the cooling conveyer and during each movement of the gripping and conveying fingers the presser arm 79 is raised by the cam 82 on the shaft 73 to permit the shafts 63 to pass under it.

As the loaf is moved onto the cooling conveyer the shaft 63 carrying the gripping fingers 62 commences its movement around the sprockets 59 on the shaft 58 and these gripping fingers are raised upwardly out of the path of the loaf which is then carried forward by the lugs 113 on the chain 112 and also by frictional engagement with the belts 108, on which it is supported. The slow movement of the loaf on the cooling conveyer with the folds of the wrapper at its ends pressed tightly together by engagement with the side boards 116, permits the wax on the wrapper to cool and congeal and the completely wrapped and sealed loaf is finally discharged at the end of the cooling conveyer.

The construction, operation and various adjustments of this machine are greatly simplified by this invention. The intermittent moving loaf gripping and conveying mechanism is considerably shorter than that shown by my previous application referred to, reducing the number of the parts and the end folding wings 54 are now arranged so that one set of them acts upon all of the loaves passing through the machine. The presser arm is a decided improvement over that previously used. It has been found that a presser bar which has a sliding engagement with the wrapper will accumulate wax from the wrapper until its surface is so covered with wax that the wrapper will stick and tear upon Vit while in the present machine the presser arm has no sliding contact with tha-wrapper and drops upon it when the loaf is stationary and rises from it as as soon as the loaf begins to move. With this construction wax is not as apt to accumulate upon the presser arm and if it does the coating of wax will not interfere with the proper functioning of the arm and will not tear or wrinkle the wrapper. The improvement of the end folding dies by the addition of the slot 102 with its detachable clip 103 enables the machine to be almost instantly changed to fold the end flaps of the wrapper either downward against the bottom of the loaf or upward against the ends of the loaf. It has been found that with different kinds of bread or with loaves baked in different ways, resulting in some cases with a smooth regular loaf or in other cases with a rough or irregular loaf, it is some times more practical to fold the end fiaps one way than the other. As has been said this improved feature permits the machine to be almost instantly adapted to the requirements of the w-ork being done.

I claim:

1. In a bread wrapping machine having meansfor positioning a wrapper over a loaf and an elevator for lifting the loaf and wrapper, end folding wings movably mounted on the machine frame and arranged to engage and fold the overlapping end portions of the wrapper downwardly as the loaf and wrapper are lifted, means for conveying the loaf sidewise after it has been elevated, and means actuated in synchronism with said conveying means for moving the end folding wings away from the loaf and wrapper when it is moved sidewise and for moving them back into position to operate upon a succeeding loaf.

2. In a bread wrapping machine having an elevator to lift a loaf and wrapper, end folding win s rotatably mounted and located to engage t e respective overlapping ends of the wra per and folding them downwardly as the oaf and wrapper are lifted, means for conveying the loaf and wrapper sidewise after they have been moved upward, and means actuated in synchronism with said conveyer for rotating said end folding wings away from said loaf and wrapper w en it is moved sidewise and for returning said end folding wings to position to operate upon a succeedin loaf.

3. In a read wrap ing machine having an elevator to lift a loaf and wrapper, an intermittently moving gripping and conveying device adapted, in its rest pos'ition to'receive the lifted loaf and wrapper and by its movement to convey the same laterally, end folding wings movably mounted on the machine frame and arranged to engage and fold theJ respective overlapping end portions of the wrapper downwardly as the loaf is lifted, and means actuated in synchronism with said gripping and conveying means to move the said end folding wings away from the loaf and wrapper when the latter are moved by said gripping and conveying device and to return said end folding wings to position to operate upon a succeeding loaf.

4. In a bread wrapping machine having an elevator to lift a' loaf and wrapper, a loaf gripping and conveying device to grip the loaf and wrapper and move them sidewise after their upward movement, rotatably mounted end folding wings arranged to engage the respective overlapping portions of the wrapper to fold the same downwardly as the loaf and Wrapper are lifted, and means actuated in synchronism with the loaf gripping and conveying device for rotating the said end folding wings away from said loaf and wrapper w en thev are moved sidewise and toA return said end folding wings to position to operate upon a succeeding loaf.

5. In a bread wrapping machine, movably mounted end folding wings, means for moving a loaf and wrapper between said end folding wings while the latter remain stationary whereby the overlapping end portions of the wrapper are engaged by said wings and folded against the said loaf, means for conveying the loaf and wrapper through the machine, and means for moving said end folding wings out of engagement with the loaf and wrapper and for returning said end folding wings to position to operate upon a succeeding loaf.

6. In a bread wrapping machine, means for positioning a wrapper over a loaf, an elevator for lifting the loaf and wrapper to an initial folding position, means for engaging and folding the overlapping sides of the wrapper downwardly as the loaf is lifted, movable end folding wings arranged while held stationary in operative position to engage and fold the respective overlap ing end portions downwardly as the loaf) and wrapper are lifted, movable means for folding one side of the wrapper against the bottom and ends of the loaf while the latter is held in initial folding position, means for conveying the loaf laterally from such position, means for moving said end folding wings away from said loaf and wrapper as the latter are moved laterally and for returning the end folding wings to' position to operate upon a succeeding loaf, and stationary means past which the loaf and wrapper are moved by said conveying means for completing the folding of the wrapper.

7. In a bread wrapping machine having means for folding a wrapper around a loaf leaving end flaps projecting outwardly from the respective ends thereof, means past which the loaf and wrapper are moved which may be adjusted either to fold said end flaps downwardly and inwardly against the bottomof the loaf or upwarly against the respective ends of the loaf.

8. In a bread wrapping machine having means for folding a wrapper around a loaf leaving end flaps projecting outwardly from the respective ends thereof, spaced apart dies between which the loaf is moved, each die havin a downwardly inclined edge to engage one osaid end flaps to turn it downwardly and each die having an upwardly inclined slot arranged to receive and bend the end flap upwardly, and a removable closure for the throat of said slot.

9. In a bread -wrapping machine having means for folding a wrapper around a loaf leaving end flaps projecting outwardly from the respective ends thereof, spaced apart dies between which the loaf is moved, each die havin a downwardly inclined edge to engage one o said end flaps to turn it downwardly and each die having an upwardly inclined slot arranged to receive and bend the end flap upwardl and a removable 'closure for the throat o said slot, said closure, when in place, forming a continuation of said downwardly inclined edge of the die.

10. In a bread wrapping machine having means for folding a wrapper around a loaf leaving end flaps projecting outwardly from the respective ends thereof, spaced apart dies between which the loaf is moved, each die having a downwardly inclined edge to engage one of said end flaps and turn it downwardly and each die having an upwardly inclined slot for receiving and bending the end flap upwardly, and a removable and reversible part for each die which may be applied to close the throat of said-slot or to extend from the lower edge of the die in alignment with the lower edge of said slot.

11. A die for folding the end flaps of a wrapper comprising a table over which the article and wrapper are moved, spaced apart vertical members at the respective sides of the table between which the article and wrapper are moved, said vertical members having downwardly inclined edges and upwardly inclined slots open at their forward ends at said downwardly inclined edges, and detachable closures adapted to be applied to said members to close the openings of the slots therein.

12. A die for folding the end flaps of a wrapper comprising a table over which the article and wrapper are moved, spaced apart.

vertical members at the respective sides of the table betweenwhich the article and wrapper are moved, Said vertical members having downwardly inclined edges and upwardly inclined slots open at their forward ends at said downwardly inclined edges, a reversible closure for each member adapted to be a plied to close the opening of the slot therein or to extend from the said inclined edge in alignment with the lower edge of said slot.

13. In a bread wrapping machine having an elevator to move a loaf and wrapper upward and conveying device 'to move the loaf sidewise from its raised position, a shaft above said elevator, end folding wings fixed to said shaft and adapted to engage the respective overlapping end portions of the Wrapper as it is moved upward to fold them downward, a cam on said shaft, a presser member yieldably pressed downward to engage each loaf at a predeterminedpoint of the wrapping operation, and means for rotating the said shaft in synchronism withthe conveying device whereby the end folding wings are rotated away from said loaf and wrapper and return to position tol operate upon a succeeding loaf, and the presser membei' is raised out of engagement with one loaf and released to engage the next succeeding loaf.

14. In a bread wrapping machine, a rotatable shaft, end folding wings mounted in spaced apart relation on said shaft, means for moving a loaf and wrapper into engagement with said wings whereby overlapping portions of the wrapper are folded against the loaf, a spring pressed presser member adapted to bear against each loaf at a predetermined point of the wrapping operation, a cam on said rotatable shaft to raise said presser member, a conveyer to move the loaves through the machine, and means for rotating said shaft in synchronism withthe movement of said conveyer whereby the end folding wings are moved out of engagement with the loaf and wrapper as they are moved by the conveyer and brought back to position to operate upon a succeeding loaf and the presser member is raised out of engagement with the loaf by said cam and released to engage the next succeeding loaf.

15. In a bread wrapping machine, a conveying mechanism including horizontally spaced apart shafts, two spaced apart sprockets on each shaft, an endless chain running around the sprockets at each respective en of the opposite shafts, a plurality of groups of gripping devices fixed to said chains, a rotatable shaft driven from one of said first named shafts, end foldin wings fixed to and spaced apart upon sai rotatable shaft, means for moving loaves and wrappers successively into said gripping devices at a certain location in the machine Vand at the same time between said end folding wings, and means for rotating said first named shafts whereby the conveyer is actuated to move the loaves and the end folding wings are rotated out of engagement with the loaf and wrapper and brought to position to operate upon a succeeding oaf and wrapper.

16. In a bread wrapping machine, a conveying mechanism including horizontally spaced apart shafts, two spaced apart sprockets on each shaft, an endless chain running around the sprockets at each respective end of the opposite shafts, a plurality ofagroups of gripping devices fixed to said chains, a rotatable shaft driven from one of said first named shafts, end folding wings fixed to and spaced apart upon said rotatable shaft, a cam on said rotatable shaft, the presser arm y-ieldably pressed against each loaf at a predetermined point 1n themachine and arranged to be raised out of engagement with the loaf by said cam, means for moving loaves and wrappers successively into said grip ing devices at a certain location in the maciiine and at the same time between said end folding wings, and means for rotating said first named shafts whereby the conveyer is actuated to move the loaves and the end folding Wings are rotated out of engagement with the loaf and wrapper and brought to osition to operate upon the next succeeding oaf and wrapper, and the presser arm is raised from one loaf and lowered onto the next succeeding loaf.

17. In combination 1n a bread-wrapping machine, a conveyer way, meansfor conveying the loaves and wrappers laterally through said way, wings mounted on the machine frame at the entrance of said conveyer way and arranged to form the initial end folds by turning portions of the wrapper downwardly, mechanism for intermittently operating said conveying means and for simultaneously moving said folding wings out of and back to operative position, and means for lifting the loaves and superposed wrappers to the entrance of said conveyer way and into operative relation with said folding wings while the latter and said conveying means are stationary.

18. In combination in a bread-wrapping machine, a conveyer way, a conveyer for moving the loaves and wrappers laterall and forwardly through said way, wings for orming the initial end folds mounted on the machine frame at the entrance of said conveyer way to rotate substantially in the planes of the ends of the loaves, means for intermittently operating said conveyer and for simultaneously rotating said folding wings out of and back to their stationary operative position, and means for lifting the loaves and wrappers tothe entrance of said conveyer way and into operative relation with said folding wings while the latter and said conveyer are at rest.

19. In 'combination in a bread-wrapping machine, an intermittently operating conveyer having depending airs of grippers for receiving the loaves and) wrappers and for moving the saine forwardly and laterally, an elevator mechanism for lifting each loaf and wrapper to said rippers to thereby drape the wrapper over t e top and sides of the loaf, top end folders mounted on the machine frame independently of said conveyer for turning the central end portions of the wrap- ,per downwardly against the ends of the loaf as the latter is lifted, movable folders for turning ortions of one side of the wrapper against t e bottom and ends of the loaf and over said top end folders while the conveyer