US2052717A

US2052717A - Combined wrapping and slicing machine

Info

Publication number: US2052717A
Application number: US713677A
Authority: US
Inventors: Littlefield Carl
Original assignee: Battle Creek Bread Wrapping Machine Co
Current assignee: Battle Creek Bread Wrapping Machine Co
Priority date: 1934-03-02
Filing date: 1934-03-02
Publication date: 1936-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1953-09-01

Description

Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNHTED STAT ES? ENE? GFFI CiEi r r zgosa'ns momFoR'cnAmmEos, Otto n Kistemaclier, Oklahoma Git-y; onus.- AmalicatibmNovemben-ZS, 1 9 3 5 Serial;, l\lo.51,195.-

3Claiins (01 1 55 77) My: invention" relates; to an attachable; foot: for. the. bottoms of. chair legs,. and: particularly? for use on chairs which are likely to be tilted duningi the; use; .of; the.- chairs-.. V

The. objects of: my invention areatoiprovide a device; of. this class Lwhichizis new novel practical and: of. utility;. which may be manufactured at the. time of thexmanufacturelofthe chain; which may bemanufactured as a separatewattachment adapted .to beattachedito'zalchair after its manu facture;. which "is. simple; which is compact; which camber: quicklyand easily: attached and installed; whichtis comparatively cheap in manu facture;; which: will prevent. the free endsof the? legs:of: a: chair from injuring ands defacing the. floor; carpet, linoleum; ors oth'enfi'oor: coveringwhich will permit: the easy tilting and: positions ing10f a' chair for comfortzwithoutiinjum to the: floor or floor: coverings; whicha willeprevent the:- frequent.v breakingmof. the-rear legs of a chair by tilting, and their adhering to the linoleum or other floor covering; which will furnish a greater and a curved seating surface for contacting the floor or floor covering; which will furnish many differently angled seating surfaces for the rear legs of a chair thereby resting the occupant of such chairs during long occupation of the chair at one sitting; and, which will be efiicient in accomplishing all the purposes for which it is intended.

The free ends of the legs of a chair, and particularly the two rear ones, as they are at the present time ordinarily made, are comparatively small and although usually round, have nevertheless sharp angles. During the period of time during. which they are ordinarily used this might be of no marked disadvantage. But during long sessions, or periods of use in the same chair, such as during usual card games, dominoes and the like, and around waiting rooms in offices, depots and the like, the occupants become tired and are apt to change their positions, and to tilt the chairs. During such use the linoleum and other coverings become out and partially perforated, from contact with the chair legs.

In a short time the general surfaces of such coverings become so cut up as to require new floor coverings, and before such replacement is made, present anything but a smooth surface.

The use of my device obviates all of the disadvantages above enumerated, and in addition furnish much comfort to the occupant by giving him many positions in which to use the chair in comfort.

. With these and other objects in view as will morefully-appeanhereinbelow, ,my invention consistsimthe construction; noveLfeatures, and come bination of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed,- out in the claims. hereto appended, and

illustratediinsthe. accompanying, one-sheet draw- 5 ing,, of, which,,

Figure-Lie adperspeetive view showing a.table,,

and an-occunant.of a. chair: ina tilted, position' with two of". the. devices installed on the freeends of the rearJl'egs of *the chair and the free 101 ends of the front? legs" raised off of the floor; and,

Figure 2' is a perspective View of" thedeviceshowingthe'openingfor the installation of thefree end of one of the= lgsa- 5:

characters of reference designate like parts in all th'e' figures:v It understood that; various; changes. in the form proportion; size,v weight and: other:

of: construction, within; the scopeofi invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or broad principle of my invention and without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof; and it is also understood that the drawing is to be interpreted as being illustrative and not restrictive.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions one of which, for the purpose of illustrating the invention, is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:-

The numeral 1 shown in Fig. 1 designates a portion of a table at which a man 2 is seated in a'tilted position on a chair 3 playing a game of dominoes 4; the position of the mans body and especially his feet 5 indicate one position assumed while the chair is tilted; numerals 6 and '1 indicate as a whole two of the devices installed on the free ends of the two rear legs 2| and 22 of the chair, and the relative position of such 40 devices on the floor or floor covering while the chair is tilted in that position. It will be observed that many other tilted positions will be permitted by the curved lower surface I5 of said devices as shown by numerals 6 and I.

It is deemed sufficient to describe one of the devices as they are practically identical, though they are used in pairs. The device, one of which has already been hereinbefore referred to by the numeral 1, has preferably a flat top surface 8; a front end 9 having a semi-cylindrical surface ID; a rear end II also having a semi-cylindrical surface I 2; right and left surfaces l3 and I4, respectively, the surface I3 being clearly in View; 55

C. LITTLEFIELD COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Sept. 1, 1936.

Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 SQ N M mm N/ Sept. 1, 1936.

C. LELTTLEFIELD COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2-, 1934 v a iwygk/d 6% v ATToRNEY s Sept. l, 1936. c. LITTLEFIELD COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 o3 a T 3 m5 E aw $8 Q Q:

m m wh wwa miwwmww xx u i I /ll J: v I... 1 n m I v Sept. 1, 1936- c. LlTTLEFlELD COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1954 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 i a X E E m o Q2 Q: YM m an: E :3: E kg m /u giY Sept. 1,1936. c. LITTLEFIELD v COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV ENTOR dag? A/f//ff/ r/0 95% 95M? ATTORNEYS COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 Ill J III A Il J lil

w an E o J My P 1, 1936- c. LITTLEFIELD 2,052,717

COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLIC ING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Shegt 8 Q o m 0 w- \l O o Q- Q i INVENTOR Sept. 1, 1936. c. LITTLEFIELD COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR Kar/ Lf/f/c f/k/d I B p 1936- c. LITTLEFIELD COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 p 1936. c. LITTLEFIELD 2,052,717

COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934.- l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 a 5 I s:

l 0 ms" IIIIHI is INVENTOR ATTORNEYS p 1936- I c. LITTLEFIELD 2,952,717

COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 INVENTOR ATTORN EY3 Patented Sept. 1, 1936 m'rao STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 2,052,717 COMBINED WRAPPING AND SLICING MACHINE Application March 2, 1934, Serial No. 713,677

64 Claims.

The main objects of this inventionare:

First, to provide a combined wrapping and slicing machine which may be readily adapted for use as a machine for slicing and wrapping sliced loaves of bread or for the wrapping of unsliced loaves of bread.

Second, to provide an improved conveyor means for the handling of sliced loaves of bread.

Third, to provide an improved means for sealing wrapped articles, particularly irregular articles such as loaves of bread.

Fourth, to provide improved means for sealing the ends of wrapped articles which is highly efficient and does not tendto distort or displace the wrapper as it is conveyed through the sealing station.

Fifth, to provide an improved wrapping and conveying means.

Sixth, to provide an improved means for transferring sliced loaves and controlling the feeding of loaves to the slicing mechanism.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the de-. scription to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A machine which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the wrapping and slicing portion of the machine looking from the right of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the feed portion of I the machine for conveying the articles to be sliced and/or wrapped into the machine and also delivering the wrapped articles, this view being .complementary to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my improved slicing and wrapping machine with the slicing unit in inoperative position, a portion of the conveyor for the work into the machine and for its delivery from the machine being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal section throiigh the paper feed and wrapping and sealing portion of the machine.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the sealing mechanism partially in horizontal section on line 55 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line 6--6 of Figs. 5 and 7.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section corresponding to that of Fig. 4 showing details of the sealing mechanism taken on line showing details of the bottom sealing means in tion on line 9-9 of Fig. 10 showing details ofthe loaf feed and feed control mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on line ll-H of Figs. 10 and 12. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view partially in .transverse section on line I2l2 of Fig. 11, the view being taken with the feed members in advanced position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line I l-l4 of Fig. 15 showing details of the driving and timing means. I

Fig. 14--A is a fragmentary view complementary to Fig. 14.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in section on line l5-l5 of Fig. 14 showing 6 details of the gearing.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the wrapping mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of sealing means.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view of the sealing means of Fig. 1'! taken on line l8-I8 of that figure.

The machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings is a highly practical embodiment of a machine adapted for the slicing and wrapping of loaves of bread or for the wrapping of unsliced loaves. While certain features are especially designed for embodiment in,such a machine, others are highly desirable for use without the combination feature and for wrapping articles other than bread.

The main frame I of the machine is of suitable form and dimensions to support various operating parts and is provided with a forwardly projecting top portion 2 which overhangs a part of the adjustable frame 3. The base 4 for the main frame I is provided with a lateral extension 5, this lateral extension and the main frame having tracks or ways 6 thereon disposed transversely of the machine and on which the slicing machine designated generally by the numeral I is mounted.

The slicing machine is provided with rollers or carrying wheels 8 traveling on the track or way 6 so that the slicing machine may be moved into operative position and the bread passing into the machine is delivered thereto. The slicing machine is shown in operative position in Fig. 1 and in inoperative position in Fig. 3.

The adjustable frame 3 is slidably supported at its inner end on the pedestals 9 and at its forward or outer end on the pedestals or uprights l0 which have slide bearings ll coacting with the slides l2 on the frame. The frame has slides 13 coacting with the slide bearings I4 on the pedestals 9.

The overhanging top portion 2 of the main frame is supported by the side rails or extensions l5 mounted on the upper ends of the pedestals ill, see Fig. 2. The adjustable frame is mounted for adjustment so that when in one position the slicing machine unit may be adjusted to operative position, and, when the slicing machine unit is withdrawn or in inoperative position as shown in Fig. 2, this frame may be adjusted to its inner position into cooperation with other parts of the feeding mechanism.

In this description I have treated the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2 as the front end of the machine, inasmuch as the loaves or articles to be wrapped are fed into the machine from that end. It will be understood, however, that the articles are also discharged in wrapped condition from the same end of the machine. The unwrapped articles are designated by the numeral it while the wrapped articles are designated by the numeral ll.

I'will first describe the path of the articles through the machine and then describe the several mechanisms in detail.

The loaves of bread or other articles 'to be wrapped or operated upon are placed by hand or delivered automatically upon a feed conveyor mechanism designated generally by the letter A.

This-feed conveyor A delivers to the slicing table l8 (Fig. 3) of the slicer i when the slicer is in operative position or to the reciprocating transfer conveyor mechanism designated generally by the letter B, see Fig. 11. This transfer conveyor mechanism B delivers the loaves or articles to be wrapped to a conveyor designated by the letter C, see Figs. 4 and 11, by which conveyor the loaves are delivered to the elevator D, Fig. 4. This mechanism delivers the loaves to the wrapping mechanism designated generally by the letter E, Fig. 4, from which they are delivered to the sealing mechanism designated generally by the letter F, Fig. 4. The sealing mechanism delivers the articles to the delivery conveyor designated generally by the letter G, see Figs. 2 and 3.

The feed conveyor mechanism comprises a feed table IS on which the loaves may be placed, a side or positioning bar 25 being arranged at the rear of this table. The bottom conveyor belt 22 is supported at its forward or outer end by the pulley 23 and at its inner end by the pulley 25. This bottom conveyor belt 22 transfers the loaves from the feed table l9 between the side conveyor belts 25 which engage the ends of the leaf and it is carried forward quite positively by the friction of these belts. When the slicing machine is in operative position the loaves are fed across the slicing table and into the knives of the slicing machineby the pressure of succeeding loaves. This slicing machine unit is not described and illustrated in detail as it preferably embodies the features of my application for Letters Patent generally by the numeral 3! is provided for each feed conveyor side belt.

The pulley 23 is driven from the shaft 32, and

the shaft 33 is connected to the shaft. 32 by a variable speed transmission gearing designated generally by the numeral 34, see Fig. 2.v The shaft 33 is provided with universal joints 35. The shaft 33 is connected to the pulley through a suitable gearing, the gear box 36 of which is shown in Fig. 2. The pulleys 31 of the side conveyor-belts are the driven pulleys and these pulleys are mounted on the vertical shafts 38.

The shafts 38 have beveled gears 39 on their upper ends meshing with the gears 40 on the transverse shaft 4 l This transverse shaft is connected by the sprocket chain 42 and suitable sprockets to a beveled gear 43 which meshes with a beveled gear 45 on the end of the shaft 33 which projects from the variable speed transmission gear box. This feed mechanism, when operatively associated with the slicing machine, is substantially that of my application for Letters Patent Serial No. 654,481, filed January 31, 1933.

As stated, the feed conveyor may be adjusted to cooperate with the slicing machine or with certain of the conveyor features when the slicing mechanism is in inoperative position. This adthe loaves are delivered from the slicing machine on to the delivery table 52. When the slicer is in inoperative position the loaves are driven.directly by the feed conveyor to this delivery table 52.

The loaves, either sliced or Whole as the case may be, are delivered from this table 52 to the conveyor slideway 53 of the conveyor C by means of transfer jaws 5G engaging the ends of the loaf at the position shown by full lines in Figs. 9 and 11, carrying the loaf forwardly on to the conveyor slideway 53. These jaws 54 are carried by arms 55 pivoted at 56 on the reciprocating carriage 51 which is mounted on the slideway 58 disposed centrally above the path of the loaves. This carriage includes a crosspiece 59.

The carriage is reciprocated by means of the arms 60 on the rockshaft til, the arms being connected to the cross piece 59 on the carriage by means of the links 62. The jaw arms are pivotally mounted on the outer ends of the jaw supporting bars 53 which are slidably mounted on the carriage for longitudinal adjustment. These bars are provided with racks 55 coacting with a pinion having a shaft 65 provided with a handpiece 5? by means of which the jaw supporting bars may be adjusted to adjust the jaws to the length of the particular article to be wrapped.

When the frame 3 is retracted the- The opening and closing of the jaws is controlled by the reciprocation of the carriage. The closing of the jaws is timed by the article that is advanced either from the feed conveyor or through the slicer to position to be engaged by the jaws, a loaf of bread being indicated at I6, Fig. 9.

A trip 68 projects through a slot in the table 52. This trip is mounted on a rockshaft 69 having an arm I thereon connected by the link II to a latch lever I2 pivoted at I3. This latch lever coacts with the trip lever I4 pivoted at 15 and actuated by means of the spring 16. The latch lever and the trip lever have coacting engaging parts as shown in Figs. 9 and 14, the parts being shown in engagement in Fig. 14 and in disengaged position in Fig. 9. A weighted arm IT on the rockshaft 69, see Fig. 14, returns the trip and connected parts to initial position.

The trip lever I4 is connected by a link 18 to an arm I9 on the rockshaft 8-0. Each jaw supporting bar 63 is provided with a head or bracket 8I at its outer end and carrying the pivot 56 for the jaw arm and also slidably supporting a jaw controlling cam member 82 having a cam recess 83 therein into which the roller 84 on the arm drops under the action of the spring 85, thereby opening the jaws. The flat side of the cam member coacts with the roller to close the jaws. At the end of each forward stroke of the carriage the cam member engages the bumper 86, see Fig. 9, and on the return stroke of the carriage engages with the actuating tappet 81 providing that that tappet is in its actuated position.

The tappets 81 are mounted on a rockshaft 88 provided with a weighted arm 89 acting to swing the tappets to inoperative position. The tappet is shown in operative position in Fig. 9 and in inoperative position in Fig. 11. The tappet is controlled through the trip lever mechanism described, the rockshaft having arms 90 projecting forwardly therefrom to be engaged by the spring extensions 9I on the arms 92 carried by the rockshaft 8-0.

Referring to Fig. 9, it should be pointed out that the tappet is shown in actuated position by full lines and in normal or initial position by dotted lines, while the lever 92 is shown in its unactuated position, being held in this position by the detent 93 on the rockshaft 94. The detent 93 is tripped by the resetting dog 95 which is pivoted at 96 on the head 8|. This resetting dog is controlled by the cam member 82 which has a recess 91 into which the roller 98 on the resetting dog drops when the cam member is actuated by coming into contact with the abutment 86, see the dotted position at the right of Fig. 9.

The resetting dog on the forward stroke of the carriage comes into contact with the trip arm 99 on the rockshaft 94, swinging the detent 93 out of engagement or into coacting relation with the lever I9, allowing the lever to move upwardly to the dotted position under the action of the spring I6 and swinging the arm 92 downwardly to actuate the tappet to cam actuating position. The actuation of the cam member 82 by the tappet to close the jaws also lifts the resetting dog 95, which is designed to engage an arm I00 on the rockshaft 80, resetting or forcing the arm I9 downwardly to be re-engaged by the detent The driving shaft 32 for the feed conveyor is also controlled through this article controlled trip mechanism. The rockshaft I has anarm engages a peripheral gear on the planetary drum I09 carrying the planetary gears IIO. These planetary gears coact with a gear I I I keyed to the shaft H2 and with the gear II 3 rotatable on the shaft but pinned to the driven gear II 4 meshing with the gear II5 on the shaft 32. It will be noted that this shaft is provided with a universal joint IIS.

With this arrangement of the parts the feed conveyor is driven continuously through the mechanism described so long as the pawl I04 remains in engagement through the connections described, preventing the rotation of the planetary drum. However, when the pawl is disengaged, the planetary drum is free to rotate and this results in the stopping of thegear I I3 of the planetary gearing and consequently the feed conveyor. This control. ashas been pointed out, is from the trip 68 so that the feed conveyor is synchronized, either to feed the loaves to the slicing unit or directly to the table 52 in proper timed relation to be engaged by the jaws 54. These feed or transfer jaws 54 deliver to the conveyor way 53 of the conveyor C in timed relation so that the articles are picked up by the flights I II on the conveyor chain H8. The transfer jaws gripping the ends of the loaf deliver it between the side bars II9 of the conveyor C between which it is carried along by the flights and delivered on to the feed plunger or elevator I20 by which the loaves are delivered to the wrapping mechanism E. A stop plate I 2| is provided to position the articles on the elevator, the elevator having holders I22.

As the article to be wrapped is lifted by the elevator it is carried against the under side of the wrapper and delivered with the wrapper to the wrapping mechanism E. The wrapper, indicated at I23, is fed from the end of the machine, the roll being shown at I24. Feed rollers I25 and I26 deliver the-paper to the cutter, the roller I25 being a friction roller and the roller I26 being preferably tubular to receive a chilling fluid, the connection being shown at I21, Fig. 1, so that the waxed paper may be cooled or chilled where the machine is operating in such temperature as would soften the wax or paraflin. This prevents the machine from becoming clogged or gummed by the wax. The cutter I28 is of the rotary type.

The paper is delivered from the feed rolls to the wrapper conveyor belt I29 and by it projected or fed on to the reciprocating table I30. This wrapper supporting table is designed when in its actuated or forward position to receive the wrapper from the conveyor belt and effectively support it, preventing its sagging into the space above the elevator. The wrapper supportingtable or slide reciprocates in the slideways I3I and is operated from a lever I32 pivoted at I33 and connected by the link I34 to the arm' I35 on the rockshaft I36 which is actuated from the arm I31 coacting with a suitable cam, not shown. This rockshaft carries an arm I38 connected to the slide bar I39 of the elevator. This bar-like slide of the elevator reciprocates in guides I40 carried by cross rods I4I on the frame.

With this arrangement of parts the elevator and this paper receiving table or slide are actuated in timed relation as the supporting slide must be withdrawn to permit the elevator to deliver the article to be wrapped to the wrapping mechanism.

To position the paper as it is delivered from the paper feed belt I provide a stop I52 carried by the cross bar I65, this cross bar being mounted on slides I45 provided with a rack I55 coacting with pinions M5. These pinions are provided with a handwheel I iI. This provides means for rapid adjustment of the stop to properly position the wrapper and prevent overthrow thereof. The paper is held against the feed belt I25 to insure effective frictional engagement by means of the roller I55 carried by the pivoted am it. The arm I59 of this friction roller is carried by the adiustable'hanger I50 provided with a pivot IbI having an adjusting arm I52 thereon operatively associated with an indicia segment I53.

By manipulation of this adjusting arm. I52 the arm I55 may be swims, thereby positioning the roller use relative to the feed belt and determining the point at which the frictional engagement of the paper with the feed belt terminates, stopping the feed of the paper.

The loaf or article to .be wrapped is delivered by the article feed conveyor or elevator between the pusher I545 and the holder jaw I55 opposed thereto, see Fig. 4. The pusher is adjustably mounted on the carriage designated generally by the numeral I55. vided for securing the pusher tothis carriage. The opposed holding jawI55 is pivoted at I58 on the frame and is adapted to be swung upwardly out of the way of the article as it is carried forr the wrapper carr age. li'l ie i a ottom flap folder is indicated at I59, the front end flap folders at I60, the top end flap folder at I5I and the front end flap folders at I52. These folders form no part of my present invention and are not described with further detail. It will be understood, however, that the bottom folder I59 is actuated in proper relation to the movement of the feed plunger so that it serves as a support for the article when the plunger is a te T hg g ipper I55 is actuated in timed relation to the movement of the carriage so that it is swung upwardly out of the path of the article to be wrapped but keeps a holding engagement with the front side thereof until the front portion of the wrapper is engaged by the front edge of the alin wa I55. Frol n th final end flap folders I62 the article is delivered between the end sealers which. in the preferred embodiment of my invention comprise a plurality of sealing bars I65 disposed in paralllel relation and mounted on double eccentrics I55 and I57, see Figs. 5 and 6. It will be noted that alternating bars are mounted on the eccentric straps I65. The eccentrics are carried by vertical spindles I'III having parts III at their lower ends slidably mounted on'the shaft H2 and the cross rod IIS on the frame so that the sealer units may be adjusted to and from each other. The

spindles are connected at their upper ends by the housings or guards I13 mounted upon the reduced upper ends of the spindles and secured thereto by the nuts Hit.

The eccentrics I55 have sleeve-like extensions I15 at their lower ends provided with beveled gears I76 meshing with the gear ill on the shaft I72. The double eccentrics are so disposed that one set of sealer bars is advanced into loaf-engaging position when the other ie retracted. The

A clamping means I5? is prosealer bars are given an orbital movement, that of the sets of bars alternating so that the loaf or article being sealed is constantly engaged by sealer bars and moved forwardly owing to this alternate engagement of thesets of bars, the forward motion being substantially continuous.

With this arrangement there. is no sliding engagement of the wrapper with the sealers, the motion of the sealer bars being such that a substantial period of contact is maintained but without wiping or sliding engagement. The sealer bars are electrically heated by heating elements designated generally by the numeral I19.

The bottom seal is effected in a similar manner, that is, the finger-like bottom sealers I80 are pivotally or rockingly mounted on the rod I8I carried by the arms I82 on the cross rod I83. This cross rod is mounted on the carriers I86 slotted at I85 to engage the support I86 and supported at the other end by the eccentrics I81 fixed to the shaft H2 and engaging a suitable bearing I89 on the supports, see Fig. 5. The sealer members I80 are independently pivoted on the rod I8I and are urged yieldingly upward by means of the springs I90 secured at one end to the pin I9I on the stop arm I92 and at the other end to pins I93 provided therefor on the rod I83. The stop arm is adapted to coact with the cross rod I83 to limit the upward movement of these sealer members. The shaft II is a. tubular shaft, the heating element I8 I being arranged therein as shown in Figs. 5 and 8.

With this arrangement the sealing fingers I80 are given an orbital motion, their forward movement taking place while they are at the upper reach of their stroke, so they travel with the article being sealed. The sealing fingers yield so that they conform to an irregular or yielding surface. such as a loaf of bread, and supply sufficient pressure to maintain contact for such period as will insure effective sealing.

During its passage through the sealing mechanism the bread or other article being wrapped is urged downwardly by means of the pressure bars I95 which are pivoted at I95 on. the hanger arm's I95, which are in turn pivoted at I91 on the housings I13. The adjustable rests I98 in the form of screws are threaded through suitable bosses or enlargements I99 on these arms, the screws resting on the top of the housings. This limits the downward movement of the pressure bars so that the article can be wrapped and later pass under the forward ends of the bars which are preferably upturned as indicated in Fig. 5.

The housings I13 serve as guards for the sprocket chains 200 which coact with the sprocket wheels 2M which are secured to the eccentrics I56and I61.

By this arrangement the sealing both at the ends and bottom is effected by means which, in effect, travel with the article being sealed so that there is no tendency for displacement of the folds for the wrapper or to displace the wrapper on the wrapped article.

These sealingelements deliver the wrapped sealed article to the delivery conveyor G, which comprises the slideway 202 and side conveyor belts 255 and 2%, there being a pair of these side conveyor belts at each side of the way. These side conveyor belts are continuously driven,

and the pulleys 205 mounted on vertical shafts the feed conveyor belt is driven by the mechanism previously described.

The

delivery conveyor belts

203 and 204 are provided with suitable belt tighteners designated generally by the numeral 2| I, see Fig. 2, the purpose of this being to secure the desired tension to engage the upper and lower portions of a wrapped loaf of bread, the upper portion of which may be bulged or enlarged relative to the lower portion.

The pulleys at the outer ends of the

belts

203 and 204 are driven through the shafts 2I2 connected to the upper ends of the shafts 206 through suitable gearing, designated generally by the numeral 2-I3, housed within a gear box as illustrated. The shafts 212 are connected to the shafts 2 I4 for these outer pulleys through gearing designated generally by the numeral 2I5. This arrangement permits the inner reaches of the belts to be kept taut and in supporting driving engagement with the ends of the sealed artithe brackets or supports carrying the side bars cles.

nected by the sprocket chain 222 to the adjusting screw 223 for the folders I60 and I6I and the grippers I55, and to the screw shaft 226 for N9 of the conveyor C.

The rear flap folders I62 are mounted on forwardly projecting bracket-like arms on the housing members I13 to be adjusted with the side sealers. This adjustment is effected through the shaft I86.

The forward ends of the side bars H9 are carried by the hangers 225which are bracket extensions on the side sealer supports. The shaft I86 performs the double function of slidably supporting the ends of the carrier I, see Fig. '7,

and has an adjusting screw, portions only of the shaft being threaded.

Through this arrangement of parts the mechanism is adjusted for difierent lengths of loaves through three adjustments, the feed conveyor through the handwheel 30, the transfer jaws through the adjusting member 61 and the parts just described through the handwheel 22L To accommodate loaves of difierent widths the abutment plate I2! is adjusted, this plate being carried by a sliding bracket 228 mounted on the slide 221 and provided with an adjusting lever 22B pivoted at 229 and having a slotted segment 232 and coacting locking screw 23L The supporting slide for the abutment I2I is provided with a pointer 232 coacting with a gage 238.

The feeding of the paper is controlled from the trip 2% pivoted at 235 and provided with a return counterweight 286, see Fig. 1. This trip is connected by the link 23'! to the clutch mechanism 238. The clutch mechanism drivesthe paper feed rolls through the shaft 239 which is connected by the chain 240 and suitable sprockets to the shaft 2M of the lower cutter roll 222, which coacts with the cutter roll I 28. These cutter rolls are connected by the gears 243 and 248, while the feed mils I25 and I26 are connected to the cutter roll I28 by a suitable variable speed gearing designated generally by the numeral 245. The purpose of this variable speed'gearing is to vary the speed of the feed rolls and thereby vary the size of the wrapper.

The driving pulley or roller 248 for the paper feed belt I29, which is preferably a plurality of belts in the form of coiled springs, is connected to the gear 243 by means of the gear 241. The paper feed belt is thus driven only through the wrapper feed control clutch, the object being to stop the paper feed belts when the paper feed is stopped and thus prevent the wear on the wrapper or the distortion of the wrapper which would result from continuous driving of the paper feed belts with the paper feed rollers at rest.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 16 that the bottom flap folder I59 is the full width of the wrapper and that the first bottom fold is folded or wrapped-over the plunger I20, the movement of which is timed so that .the wrapper is drawn around the edge thereof as shown in Fig. 16. This acts to maintain the wrapper smooth throughout the width thereof and secures a highly desirable fold and close wrapping, which is of advantage particularly in sliced loaves of bread where close wrapping serves to maintain the shape of the loaf, notwithstanding its sliced condition.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 17 and 18 the sealer members 248 are in the form of rollers or disks disposed in interlapping relation so as to present a fairly continuous forwardly moving surface to the article to be sealed. The shafts 249 of these rollers are provided with plnions 250 meshing with the worm gears 2H on the driving shafts 252 so that the sealer members are all driven in the same direction and at uniform speeds. This results in translating the articles to be sealed through the sealing mechanism without wiping contact, as has been the practice heretofore so far as I am aware, which results in more or less distortion and displacement of the wrapper and considerable irregularity in sealing.

With my sealing mechanism the heated sealer elements travel with the article when in engagement therewith and serve as driving elements. This results in a very effective and uniform sealing of a plurality of superimposed or overlapped flaps and, as stated, without distortion or displacement thereof.

My combined slicing, wrapping and sealing machine is highly efficient and may be quickly adjusted for the combined functions of slicing, wrapping and sealing, or for wrapping and sealing, thus adapting the machine for use in bakeries where bread is sold-in both forms, which is in fact the common practice.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications and adaptations of my invention as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same asmay be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I- inoperative position at the side thereof, a table' within said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said slicing unit, driving means for said conveyor including a variable speed unit, a second feed conveyor disposed at the rear of said table, a transfer conveyor comprising a carriage, jaws pivotally mounted on said carriage to engage an article on said table and transfer the same to said second feed conveyor, means for opening and closing said jaws at the ends of the stroke of the carriage, a'control means for said jaw closing means including an article controlled trip operatively associated with said table, a control means for said first feed conveyor driving means dis posed in advance of said variable speed unit thereof and operatively associated with said article controlled trip to be controlled thereby, a wrapping unit, a reciprocating plunger to which said second feed conveyor delivers delivering to said wrapping unit, a sealingunit to which the 7 articles are delivered by said wrapping unit, said sealing unit comprising sealer elements acting to translate the articles through the sealing unit.

2. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame said main frame being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a table within said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, driving means for said conveyor, a second feed conveyor disposed at the rear of said table, a transfer conveyor comprising a carriage, jaws pivotally mounted on said carriage to engage an article on said table and transfer the same to said second feed conveyor, means for opening and closing said jaws at the ends of the stroke of the carrage, a control means for said jaw closing means including an article controlled trip operatively associated with said table, a control means for said first feed conveyor driving means operatively associated with said article controlled trip to be controlled thereby, a wrapping unit, a reciprocating plunger to which said second feed conveyor delivers delivering to said wrapping unit, and a sealing unit to which the articles are delivered by said wrapping unit, said sealing unit comprising sealer elements acting to translate the articles through the sealing unit.

3. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, an'

auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a table within said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit fer the same to said second feed conveyor, means for opening and closing said jaws at the ends of the stroke'of the carriage, a control means for said jaw closing means including an article controlled trip operatively associated with said table, 5 a control means for said first feed conveyor driving means operatively associated with said article controlled trip to be controlled thereby, a wrapping unit, a reciprocating plunger to which said second feed conveyor delivers delivering to said wrapping unit, a sealing unit to which the articles are delivered by said wrapping unit, said sealing unit comprising sealer elements acting to translate the articles through the sealing unit, and a discharge conveyor to which said sealing unit delivers comprising a conveyor way and a plurality of driven feed belts at each side provided with individual belt tighteners, said wrapping and sealing units and said conveyor being disposed above said feed and transfer conveyors and above said 20 slicing unit when it is in operative position relative to said feed and transfer conveyors.

4. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a table within said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, driving means for said feed conveyor including a variable speed unit, a second feed conveyor comprising a carriage, jaws pivotally mounted on said carriage to engage an article on said table and transfer the same to said second feed conveyor, means for opening and closing said jaws at the ends of the stroke of the carriage, a control means for said jaw opening and closing means including an article controlled trip operatively associated with said table, and a control means for said first feed tudinally of said main frame, said main frame be- 5,

ing provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a table within said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, driving means for said feed conveyor, a second feed conveyor disposed at the rear of said table, a transfer conveyor comprising a carriage, jaws pivotally mounted on said carriage to engage an article on said table and transfer the same to said second feed conveyor, means for opening and closing said jaws at the ends of the stroke of the carriage, a control means for said jaw opening and closing means including an article controlled trip operatively associated with said table, and a control means for said first conveyor driving means operatively associated feed trip to be controlled v main frame and adapted to be'adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a table a control means for said translating means including an article actuated trip operatively asso-- within said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, a screw adjusting means for said auxiliary frame, means for driving said feed conveyor, a second feed'conveyor comprising a carriage, jaws pivotally mounted on said carriage to engage an article on said table and transfer the same to said second feed conveyor, means for opening and closing said jaws at the ends of the stroke of the carriage, a control means for said jaw opening and closing means including an article controlled trip operatively associated with said table, and a control means for said first feed conveyor driving means operatively associated with said article controlled trip to be controlled thereby.

.7. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, of an' auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame 'being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the sidethereof, a table on said iary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit", driving means for said conveyor including a variable speed unit, a wrapping unit, means for translating articles to be wrapped from said table to said wrapping unit,

ciated with said table, a control means for said feed conveyor driving means disposed in advance of said variable speed unit thereof and operatively associated with said article actuated trip, asealing unit to which the articles are delivered by said wrapping unit, said sealing unit comprising a sealing elements adapted to translate the articles through the sealing unit, and a discharge conveyor to which said sealing unit delivers comprising a conveyor way and a plurality of driven feed belts provided with individual belt tighteners.

8. In a combined wrapping and sliclng ma chine, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame' being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and'adapted to be adjusted to operative positionwithin said main frame or 'to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a table .on said main frame, a feedconveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by' the adjustment of main frame, a. feed conveyor on said auxilslicing unit into operative position and into, position to deliver to said slicing unit, driving means for said conveyorincluding a variable-speed unit, a wrapping unit, means for translating articles to be wrapped from said table to said wrapping unit, a control means forsaid translating means including an article actuated trip operatively associated with said table, and a control means for said feed conveyor driving means disposed in advance of said variable speed unit thereof and operatively associated with said article actuated trip.

9. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame mounted for adiustrnent longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to opera-. tive position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof; a table on said main frame, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or topermit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit. driving means for said conveyor including a variable speed unit, a wrapping unit, means for translating articles to be wrapped from said table to said wrapping unit, said means acting to support the articles at the ends thereof throughout the i. translating movement, a control means for said translating means including an article actuated trip operatively associated with said table, and a control means for said feed conveyor driving means disposed in advance of said variable speed unit thereof and operatively associated with said article actuated trip.

10. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit adjustable-on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a feed conveyoron said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to-permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative posi-' tion and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, a wrapping unit, means for translating articles to be wrapped from said table to said wrapping unit, a sealing unit to which the articles are delivered by said wrapping unit, said sealing unit comprising sealing elements adapted to translate the articles through the sealing unit, and

ative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the,-sidethereof, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, a wrapping unit, and means for translating articles to be wrapped from said table to said wrapping unit.

12. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame mounted for adjustment longitudinally of said main frame, said main frame being provided with a transverse way, a slicing unit "adjustable on said way transversely of said main frame and adapted to be adjusted to operative position within said main frame or to an inoperative position at the side thereof, a feed conveyor on said auxiliary frame adapted by the adjustment of said frame to be brought into position to deliver to said table or to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative position and into position to deliver to said slicing unit, a screw adjusting means for said auxiliary frame, a wrapping unit, and means for translating articles to be wrapped from said table to said wrapping unit. I

13. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame provided with article conveying means, of a slicing unit adapted to be adjusted into and out ofoperative relation to said article conveying means, a longitudinally adjustable feed conveyor adapted to be adjusted into operative relation to said article conveying means on said main frame or into position to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative relation thereto and to deliver to said slicing unit, and wrapping and sealing means to which said conveying means on said main frame delivers disposed above such conveying means and said slicing unit when in its operative position.

14. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination with a main frame provided with article conveying means, of a slicing unit adapted to be adjusted into and out of operative relation to said article conveying means, and a longitudinally adjustable feed conveyor adapted to be adjusted into operative relation to said article conveying means on said main frame or into position to permit the adjustment of said slicing unit into operative relation thereto and to deliver to said slicing unit.

15. In a combined wrapping and slicing machine, the combination of wrapping means. sealing means to which the wrapping means delivers, a conveying means delivering to said wrapping means, a slicing unit adjustable into and out of operative relation to said conveying means,

' ing unit when it is in operative relation or to said conveying means when the slicing unit is in inoperative position.

17. A combined wrapping and slicing machine comprising a wrapping means, a conveying means operatively associated therewith, a slicing unit adjustable into and out of operative relation to such conveying means, and a feed means adjust- Qflbfifii'? able to deliver to said conveying means or to said slicing unit.

18. The combination with a slicing machine, of a table to which the slicing machine delivers, a reciprocating transfer means acting to engage the ends of the loaves on said table, a feed conveyor for said slicing machine, a driving means for said feed conveyor including a variable speed unit, and control means for said conveyor drive means actuated by the articles at the rear of the slicing machine.

19. The combination with a slicing machine, of a table to which the slicing machine delivers, a reciprocating transfer means acting to engage the ends of the loaves on said table, a feed conveyor for said slicing machine, a driving means for said feed conveyor, and control means for said conveyor drive means actuated by the articles at the rear of the slicing machine.

20. Inan apparatus of the class described, the combination with a feed conveyor, driving means therefor including a variable speed unit, a table to which said feed conveyor delivers, and-a control means for said feed conveyor disposed in advance of said variable speed unit, said control means including a trip operatively associated with said table to be actuated by the articles translated across the table.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table, a reciprocating carriage, article engaging jaws on said carriage, means for closing the jaws at the rear end of the stroke of the carriage and for opening them at the forward end of its stroke, the means for closing the jaws being controlled by the delivery of an article upon said table, a feed means operatively associated with said table, and control means for said feed means operatively associated with the table to be controlled by an article thereon.

22. In a machine of the class described the combination with wrapping means including a reciprocating carriage, of a conveyor way to which said wrapping means delivers, said wrapping means including end fiap folders operative as the article is translated along said way, end sealers to which the articles are delivered from said end flap folders operatively associated with said way and comprising sets of bar-like sealer members arranged in parallel relation with each other and with the way, the sealer members of the sets being arranged in alternating relation, eccentrics on which said sets of sealer members are mounted disposed in opposed relation so that the sets of sealer members are alternately projected to article engaging position and retracted and so that the sealer members travel in orbital paths and are in projected article engaging position on their forward stroke, a series of upwardly curved bottom sealer members, said way having a transverse opening through which said bottom sealer members may engage an article, a support on which said bottom sealer members are pivotally mounted, springs yieldingly supporting said botsealer member support, an eccentric for support-