US1751157A - Automatic packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

March 18, 1930. 1 T. A. HILL 1,751,157

AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE -March 18, 1930.

T. A.. HILL AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :March 1s, 1930.A A T. A. HILL 1,751,157

AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE FledAug. 8, 1924 3 Shee'os--Sheet4 3 Syvum/ttm Patented Mar. 18, 1930 FFicE THOMAS A. HILL, F MANHATTAN BEACH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 LION MATCH COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE Application led August 8, 1924. Serial No. 730,829.

application to a match-book making machine.

In such machines heretofore it has been customary to use endless conveyors moved intermittently for receiving and holding the cover blanks and the matches thereon and for conveying the same while the blanks are folded over the matches and secured thereto. In some cases the matches which are formed in cards are provided with shoulders at the ends so as to centralize the matches Within the cover, and in cases where these shoulders are not provided, the matches usually are not properly centralized and the machine does not produce a uniform looking book, with the result that the sulphur of the matches frequently projects laterally beyond the side of the coverl where upon coming in contact with the sulphur of other matches, is liable to ignite and cause trouble. In the present machine the cards of matches are not necessarily provided with shoulders, but are centralized in the cover blanks and are retained in'their central position until secured therein.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated in Fig. 1 in perspective, parts being broken away, and parts being omitted, a suitable form of match-book making machine, embodying an application of my .invention. F ig.' 2 illustrates in perspective, upon an enlargedscale, parts being broken away, a portion of said machine where the cover blanks and match cards are cut and assembled. Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective on an enlarged scale, parts being broken away, the conveying, folding, stitching, and tumbling mechanism, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing a suitable form of pin feed for the match strips.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1,

15 to 17 inclusive indicate the legs or supports of the machine, and 18 the drive shaft thereof. Any suitable form of driving mechanism such as an electric motor and suitable transmission may be employed for driving the drive shaft 18, such suitable mechanism being shown in the co-pending patent application of Greenbaum, et al., S. N.

660,781. The paper or card 23 from which the match book cover blanks are-to be cut may lbe passed into the machine from the left end and may be provided in' a suitable roll as customary in such machines. Likewise a roll of double wound match card or two rolls of such match card may be fed into the machine also from the left end, the same passing through the chute 24 to the cutters hereafter to be referred to. The feed of the paper is intermittent and may be such as shown in the said (zo-pending Greenbaum, et al. application referred to, but the feed of the match card, though intermittent, is slightly different as hereinafter stated.

As the strip of cover blank 23 is fed rightwardly into the machine between the guides 25, 25, ofthe chute 23 it passes beneath the bridge v26 secured at opposite ends to the block 27 as indicated at 28. This block is provided with a passage 29 large enough to admit the strip of blank 23 which passes entirely through the block 27 andv on to brackets or shelvessuch as 30 between guides such as 31 where it is cut by the knife 32.V The two strips of match card passing down through the chute 24 are also, fed through the block 27. For feeding the match cards 33 a suitable lever 34 is pivoted at 35 and the lower end rides upon a cam upon the drive shaft` 18 causing the forked upper end to move right and left llooking at Fig. 1. 36

(see Fig. 4) indicates a suitable block adapt* ly and is provided with a laterally projecting,` f pin bearing 40 to hold the upper block 41'..

The forked lever 34 engages the pin 40 and in moving rightwardly depresses the pin 39 connected thereto into the match strips, thereby depressing the spring 41 and, as the pin feed a moves rightwardly, the offset 41 passes beneath the projection 42 from the block 27 (sce Fig. 4). This pin feed brings the strip of matches to the proper position for the knife 43 to sever the same, and before the c knife 43 descends, the presser-foot 44 descends squeezing the two thicknesses of match strip 33 upon the top of the bridge 26 securely holding the same while the end of the strip is cut away as indicated at 47. rlhe presser'- foot 44 then lifts slightly allowing the pin feedl to push the cutoff strip rightwardlyV through the block 27 and upon the end of the cover blank resting between the guides 31 upon the shelves 30. l'lhe pin feed then recedes leftwardly slightly to bring the strips of matches 33 in position beneath the knife 43 to cut the next sections, which matches are held in that position by the presser-foot 44, the block 27 being cut away at 48 to allow clearance for the lateral projection 44 of the ypresser-foot 44 thereunder, from which it will be seen that the match strip is held at both sides of the knife 43.

- 49 indicates a plunger which passes through the base of the block 27, the upper surface being level with the bottom'of the groove 29 serving as a continuation of the floor of the "chute 23 for the strip of cover blank. A

ufiicient amount of the cover -blank strip now having been passed on to the shelves- 30, and cut off strips of matches such as r45 having been pushed thereon and centralized by the open frame 50, the cover blank is now ready to be cut, the plunger 49 having liftedv against the top of the groove 29 to hold the same in position. Simultaneously with the move- `ment of the plunger 49, the plunger 51 moves gers such as 54 carry the partly folded cover blank 23 and matches 45 rightwardly into` Vthe next zone of the machine.

While these are moving rightwa'rdly, the presser-foot'52 being lifted, the 'cover blank strip 23 again feeds beneath the frame 50v and other cutoff strips of match cards are fed into the frame 50 upon the end of the cover blank strip and vthe same set of operations again takes place.

In the next Zone the partly formed matchbook passes over the plunger 55 and a slide 56 pivotally connected to the lever'57 moves inwardly, throwing the larger` fiap of the blank over the matches, the presser-foot 58 lifting to clear the end of the flap. An-

l other slide 59 pivote'd to the lever 60 then moves inwardly laying over the smaller flap or scratch end 53 of the match-book andthe plunger'58 returns pressing the same lightly in position preliminary lto the next feed of the partly formed book. The levers 57 and 6() are pivoted at 61, and the lower ends are operated by cams by the drive shaft 18. From v this point, the partly formed book is' now moved rightwardly in the direction of the stitcher 209 by fingers 62 and is again moved rightwardly beneath the center of the stitcher by fingers 63 where the usual form of wire stitching is passed through., the lower end of the book and matches` From this point, the fingers 64 move thevstitched book to the rend of the line of feed from whence it is delivered either'out of the machine or to a suitable stacker mechanism, indicated atV 65, by an ejector 66 which engages the formed book during the next operation of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 it will ybe observed that the fingers referred to are mounted upon a rod67 and that similar fingers at theback of the machine arefV mounted on a similar rod 68 Vso that the book in being fed through the machine is pushed rightwardly at each end' of the left side simultaneously.` It will also be noticed that said fingers have lateral projections such yas 69'which pass beyond they edges of the cover blank and engage the sides of the match strips, so that the match strips are fed' centrally of the cover blanks. Other fingers such as 70 are also mounted upon rods such at -71 and a similar set of rods being also provided at the'opposite side of the machine and having similar fingers such as 72, said rods such as 71 being slidably mounted in said rods such as 68 as indicated bythe grooves 68. These fingersy it will also beV observed have lateral projections such as 7 3 V'which yproject beyond the opposite edge ofthe cover blank the same as the projections 69 of fingers such as 54. The rods such as 71 are connected across beneath the line of feed by a'suitable and falls, the fingers such as 62, 7 3 will come together and separate, and it is intended that when the'fingers such as 62, 73 come together that they will rise between the books and then separate while feeding the books rightwardly through the machine, then comeV together again so as to pass downwardly between the books without interference, move leftwardly Vabout an inch and a half and rise while toas follows: A pair of vertical imembers 8l, j V82 are connected across at the bottom and ride upon a cam upon a drive shaft 18 which imparts vertical movement thereto. In the lateral portions of these members are mounted triangular members such as 83 having rods such as 84 which are also connected at the bottom and ride upon a cam upon the drive shaft 18, said cam being very similar in shape to the cam upon which the members 81, 82 ride, eXcept that the latter' cam is adapted to lift the members 88 slightly higher than the members 81, 82. Upon the outer ends of the pin 77 suitable sleeves or tubes 84; are provided and adapted to ride in grooves such as 85 so that when the members 81, 82 have lifted the fingers to a level with the books, the additional slight rise of the pin 77 will throw the fingers apart, thereby centralizing -the matches within the covers and keeping them thus while the same are being fed. This is due to the flattening out of the links such as 76, 78 by the rise of the pin 77.

Intermediate the ends of the pin 77 is pivotally mounted a suitable link such as 86, said lever sweeping backwardly beneath the feed of the machine, the right end of the link 86 being pivotally mounted in the top end of the lever 88, and the lower end of the lever 88 being adapted to be engaged by the cam 89 to provide the necessary longitudinal feed motion. As guide and support for the books in passing through the machine, suitable channels such as 90, 91 are provided. The left ends of these channels are preferably half cut away at the top for the obvious reason that clearance must be provided for the upwardly extending free ends of the cover blanks such as 53, 53 until they are laid over. This laying over is done at the second zone after the blanks have dropped from the first position, and `after that Zone the channels are closed on three sides as shown. At the several points of the channels between where the books stand during the different periods of the feed, suitable light flat springs such as 92 are provided, and rectangular holes such as 98 are provided through the centers of the channels to allow an angular portion such as 94: to project through said holes into said channels as separators to keep the books properly separated and in position while the fingers pass downwardly and leftwardly to begin the neXt period of feed operation. In this way any slight shifting of the matches or books during the feed and due to vibration of the machine or other cause, is prevented. At the extreme end of the line of feed the formed book is fed either out of the machine or to suitable stacker mechanism indicated generally bythe reference character 65.

The cut off length of splint as it appears when ready to be enclosed in the cover blank, is frequently termed the comb and is thus referred to in certain of the appended claims.

Of course it will be understood that various modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. l

I claim a 1. In a match-book making machine, means for supporting a superimposed cover blank and comb, means for centralizing said comb upon said blank, means for partly folding said blank aroundsaid comb, means for continuing the centralizing of said comb upon said blank while the same is completely folded and secured thereupon, and means for intermittently moving said blank and comb between the match-book forming operations, said means for intermittently moving said blank and comb comprising reciprocating racks between which the same are engaged.l

2. In a match-book making` machine, means for supporting superimposed cover blanke` and combs, means for centralizing said combs upon said blanks, means for partly folding said blank around said combs, means for continuing the centralizing of said combs upon said blanks while the sameare completely foldedand secured thereupon, means for intermittently moving said blanks and combs between the match-book forming operations, said means for intermittently moving lsaid blanks and combs comprising reciprocating racksY between which the same are engaged, and guides through which said blanks and combsare moved kby said racks.

3. In a match-book making machine, means for supporting superimposed cover blanks and combs, means for centralizing said combs upon said blanks,means for partly folding said blanks around said combs, means for continuing the centralizing of'said combs upon said blanks while the same are completely folded and secured thereupon,-means for intermittently moving said blanks and combs between the match-book forming operations, said means for intermittently moving said blanks and combs comprising reciprocating-1; racks between which the same are engaged,l guides through which said blanks and combs are moved by said racks, and separating mem# bers adjacent said guides for separating said associated blanks and combs as the same arc intermittently moving said blanks and combsilfiz between the match-book forming operations, said means for intermittently moving said blanks and combs comprising reciprocating racks between which the same are engaged, means for moving said racks oppositely .for-` the covers, means for partly folding the cov-.

ers around the combs, means for completing the folding of said covers, means forsecuring the covers to the combs, means .for continuing the centralizing of the combs on the covers While the covers areV completely folded and secured to the combs, and means for intermittently moving the` covers and combs between the match book forming operations, said means for intermittently moving the covers and combs comprising reciprocating racks between Which the covers and combs are periodically positioned. f

7. In a match book making machine, means for supporting superimposed covers and combs, means for centralizing the combs on the covers, means for partly foldingV the covers around the combs, means for completing the folding of said covers, means forsecuringV the covers to vthe combs, means forcentinuing the centralizing of the combs'on the covers While the covers are completely folded and secured to the combs, means for intermittently moving the covers and combs between the match book forming operations, said.V

means for intermittently moving the covers and combs comprising reciprocating racks between which the covers and rcombs are periodically positioned, guides throughY Which thecovers and combs are moved by said racks, and separating members adjacent the guides for separating the cover and Comb assemblies vas they are successively `moved along the guides.

8. In a match book making machine, means for centralizing combs on covers, means for partly folding the covers around the combs, meansrforv completing the folding of said covers, means for securing the covers to the combs, means for continuing the centralizing Yof the combs on the covers While the covers are completely folded and secured to the combs, means for intermittently moving the covers and combs between the match book forming operations, said means for intermittently moving the covers andcombs comprising reciprocatingracks, means formov ing the racks oppositely 4to yengage with opposite edges of the cover and comb assen blies-to centralize thecombs with respect .to

the covers, and means for also moving the racks together rectilinearly to advance the cover and comb assemblies throughl chine.

9. In a book match assembling machine,

means for supporting a comb in superimposed relation to a cover, means for folding the cover to enclose the comb therein, and means .blank to enclose the comb, means for permanently securing the comb Within the thus completed cover, and means for centralizing the comb Within the coverdnring the operations of folding .the cover blank and securing the cover and comb together. j

1l. In a book match assembling machine, means for moving a cover blank With a superimposed comb along a predetermined path, with a cover in partially folded' condition, means arranged along such lpath to complete the folding of the cover and to thereafter attach the cover tothe comb enclosed therein, and means for centering the comb Within'the cover While the folding of the latter is completed and also duringv the operation of securing the comb Within the completely folded cover. I

l2. In a bock match assembling machine, means for supporting aconrb and azcover, folding mechanism for thereafter partially folding the cover, additional folding mechai nism for thereafter completing rthe folding of the cover, securing mechanism for thereafter securing the comb Within the kfully folded cover, and means for periodically centering the comb Withiny the cover,'said periods of centering operation being timed to occur While the cover is being folded and While the comb is being attached to the cover.

13. In a book match assembling machine,

,means for supporting a superimposed comb and cover, means for completely foldingxthe cover tov house the comb therein', ,means vfor thereafter securing the comb Within `the cover, and means for periodically centering the comb Within the cover, said periods of centering operation being timed to occur during .the foldinid ofthe comb to thecover.

le. In a book match assemblingmachine,

Vspaced from Vsaid means, mechanism forV the ma-V ofthe cover and during the securing transporting the partially folded cover from said means to said foldino` device, and means for centralizing the comb within the cover after they have left the first folding means and before the second folding operation is completed by the folding device.

16. In a book mat-ch `assembling machine, means for periodically feeding a cover blank and a superimposed match comb along a predetermined path, devices arranged along said path for successively forming the comb and cover assembly into a completed book match, and means for periodically centralizing the comb within the cover blank .as they are moved along such predetermined path.

17. In a book match making machine, means for partially folding a cover blank around a superimposed comb, means for completing the folding of the cover blank, means for securing the comb within the completely folded blank, and means for centralizing the comb with respect to the blank, while the blank is completely folded and secured thereto.

18. In a book match making machine, means for partially folding a blank around a superimposed comb, means for completing the folding of the cover blank, means for securing the comb within the completely folded blank, and means for periodically centralizing the comb with respect to the blank, while the blank is completely folded and secured thereto.

19. In a book match assembling machine, means for periodically feeding a cover blank and a superimposed comb of less transverse width than the cover blank along a predetermined path, devices arranged along said path for successively forming the comb and associated cover blank into a completed book l match, and means for centralizing the comb on the cover blank while it is fed through a plurality of assembling operations.

20. In a match assembling machine, a suitable table, devices arranged along the table for successively forming a comb and associated cover blank into a completed book match, and means for feeding a cover blank with a superimposed comb of less transverse width than the cover blank along the table into cooperation with the several forming devices in succession, said feeding means comprising reciprocating racks between .which the covers and combs are periodically positioned and which racks are provided with hook shaped fingers adapted to engage the opposite edges of both the cover and comb to centralize the combs with respect to the covers.

2l. In a match book making machine, a plurality of match book forming devices, and means for feeding a cover blank with a super-imposed comb of less width than the cover blank to said devices in succession, said feeding means comprising a pair of racks, each having thereon hook shaped fingers with the hook shaped fingers of the racks facing in opposite directions, means for moving said racks into position wherein the hook shaped fingers of the respective racks are positioned forwardly and rearwardly of the cover blank and comb, means for thereupon moving the racks oppositely with respect to one another to bring the hook shaped fingers into engagement with the front and rear edges of both the cover blank and comb to centralize the comb with respect to the cover blank and to thereupon move the racks rectilinearly in the same direction to simultaneously feed the comb and cover blank, the means for manipulating the racks being thereafter operable to return the racks to initial positions. v

22. In a book match assembling machine, means for periodically feeding a cover blank and a superimposed comb of less transverse Width than the cover blank along a predetermined path, said means embodying a reciprocating rack having thereon hook shaped fingers, a portion of each of which is adapted to engage with the edge of the'co-ver blank and another portion of each of which is adapted tov engage with the superimposedy comb, whereby the comb and cover blank are each directly engaged by the hook shaped lingers which are so proportioned as to thereby centralize the comb withv respect to the blank.

23. In a book match assembling machine, means for periodically feeding a cover blank and a superimposed combv of less transverse width than the cover blank along a predetermined path, said means embodying movable abutments engaging with the rear edge of the cover blank to push the blank along said` path and also additional 'abutments movable with the first mentioned abutments and positioned to engage with the rear edge of the comb and extending sufliciently forward of the first mentioned abutments to centralize the comb with respect to the cover bl`ank,'both 0f said abutments being` movable simultaneouslyin a direction of feed of the blank and comb to simultaneously feed such ,blank and comb along said predetermined path. v

24. In a book match assembling machine, means for guiding a cover blank and a superimposed comb of less transverse widththan the cover blank along a predeterminedpath, and means for simultaneously propelling both the blank andcomb, comprising a reciprocating'rack having thereon abutments to engage with and propel Vthe cover blank and also abutments to engage'with and propel the comb, said abutments being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the comb and blank a sufficient distance to thereby-.effect the centralizing of the comb on the blank.

25. In abook match assembling machine, means forV guiding a cover blank and a y Se mmap? superimposed oomb of loss tfonsvoroo Width thanthe cover blank along a predetermined path, and moans for poriodoally moving the comb and coverk blank along said path comprising a rack having thereon hooked shaped lingers, said lingers providing abutments to engage the cover blank andadditional abutments to engage the comb with the latter aloopmopts positioned Suloopply llorwalol of the former abutments `to effect the centralzing of the comb with respect to theblank, and means to operate lthe rack forV the Pllf -pose Vof simultaneously feeding 4the combs Vand cover blanks in lsnp.erlmposed relation.

, 2 6. InV a book match assembling machine, means for guiding a cover blank and a superimposed comb of less transverse'width than `the cover blank along a predetermined path,

and means for yp:erodically movng'the co-nb comb, means to continue the centralizing of the comb Withrespect to the blank during such latter folding of the blank, and means to .secure the folded blank and `comb together.

In testlmony whereof I hereunto afix my signature.

' THOMAS A. HILL.

and cover .blank along said path comprising a rack having thereon hooked shaped lingers, said lingers providing abutmonts to enses@ the cover blank and. additional'abntments'to engage the'comb withY thelatter abutments positioned suiciently forward of the former abutments to eiect the'centralzing .O the comb with respect to the blank, and means for reciprocating the rackV forwardly While the ng'fersl arey 'engaging with the cover vblanks and oombstol ppol said blanks and combs along said path xfor a predetermined assembly through the successive` blankjolb.

ing operations, and means to continue, the

centralizing of the comb with respect to the 5.9: blank and match comb, means for centralizmeans for supporting@ superimposed pover' cover blank during such `successive-folding operailons..v s

'28. In a match book making machine, `neans for supporting asuperimposed cover ing the comb 0.11. bhejblan'k, means for proerosslvoly folding pho blank. toA opolos'o 'the Comb, moans for intermittently moving the blank and Comb assembly through tho'suor oosslvo blank, foldpgoporetons; appl means tof oopvonuotho oo'npralizipg of pho. Comb with rospeot. to' tho oo vor. blank during snob` suoooLSlSiYo. folding operations' 2.9-, la a platjoh book mobilio,

blpplkapfl match comb, moans vfor oootralpf ing the comb yon the blank, means for parta-Hy ololpgthe. blank, moans for @boralloo izo;

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