US2060986A - Wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1936. R. J. GAUBERT 2,060,986

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l M A /0M/..

' INVENTOR. 16V7 J. fiauber/ ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1936.

v R. J. GAUBERT WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 R O T N E V m Fe/7e J. (iauber/ ATTORNEY.

NOV, 17, 1936. J, GAUBERT 2,060,986

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Far/e J. Gan/bar ATTORNEY.

Nov. 17, ,1936. R. J. GAUBERT v 2,060,986

WRAPPING MACHINE v Filed July 2, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 5 46 W 50 J7 J5 J9 INVENTOR.

fer/e .J. Gaub er) ,I.I W

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,060,986 WRAPPING MACHINE Rene J. Gaubert, Oakland, Calif.

Application July 2, 1934, Serial No. 733,393

15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to machines for wrapping various articles, as for example for applying Cellophane wrappers about cakes or boxes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine of the above character which will afford a relatively high capacity but which will be relatively compact as to size.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which will not cause injury to readily crushable articles, and which therefore can be successfully employed in the wrapping of cakes or pies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which will take articles practically as fast as they can be supplied by an operator and which will deliver the articles completely wrapped. As will be presently made clear, the invention is characterized by the fact that 9 after inserting into the machine an article to be wrapped, various wrapping operations proceed while additional articles are being supplied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which can be readily adjusted to 0perate upon articles of a variety of sizes and shapes.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been 30 described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a machine constructed in accordance with the present inven- 5 tiOn.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssection, illustrating the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

40 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating the provision for securing an intermittent drive.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 45 line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a plan view, partly in cross-section, showing one of the wrapper-applying headassemblies.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional detail taken along 5 the line 88 of Fig. 7.

My machine as illustrated in the drawings consists generallyof a base structure l0 (Figs. 1 and. 2), which serves to carry the operating parts of the machine. The operating parts consist main- 55 ly of a plurality of wrapper-applying head assemblies II which embrace the articles to be wrapped and which carry members for disposing each wrapper in its final desired position. In conjunction with the head assemblies ll, there are tables l2 for initially supporting the articles 5 to be wrapped, and also elevating mechanisms I3 associated with the tables. The articles are introduced into the front of the machine on one of the tables I2 (see the table on the left-hand side of Fig. 1) and are automatically discharged 10 from the machine over the inclined conveyor I l. The source of power is an electric motor l6, or like motive device.

Before explaining the parts of my machine in greater detail, it may be explained that the mo- 5 tor l6 drives a single rotatable member, and this rotatable member transmits motion to other parts to secure the desired cycle of operation. The rotatable part is a hollow shaft H, which surrounds an upright stationary shaft or standard IS. The lower end of standard I8 is fixed to the upper plate H! of the base 10.

While the driving connection between the shaft l1 and the motor l6 may vary in construction, I have illustrated an electric motor l6 provided with a gear reduction box 2|. Extending from the gear box there is a drive shaft 22 carrying the driving pinion 23. This pinion engages a gear 24 which is secured to the lower end of shaft H. The electrical circuit to motor I6 is such that the drive is intermittent; that is, so that when a switch is closed to energize the motor, the motor operates for a predetermined length of time to rotate shaft I! a predetermined angular distance, after which the motor is automatically -de-energized. A simple manner of accomplishing this result is to provide a motor switch in conjunction with certain of the parts driven by the motor, whereby the motor circuit is automatically opened after a predetermined 4O angular rotation of shaft l1. Thus, referring to Fig. 5, I have shown such an automatic switch associated with the pinion shaft 22. Pivotally mounted adjacent this shaft there is a lever 25, which is urged in one direction by the compression of spring 26. The free end of this lever carries an electrical contact 21, co-operating with a stationary electrical contact 28. These contacts are connected in series with the electrical circuit to the motor, and can be shunted out by a manually-operated switch. Mounted upon the upper end of shaft 22 there is a roller 29 which is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of shaft 22. As shaft 22 rotates, for each revolution roller 29 engages lever 25 and effects sufficient movement to open the contacts 21 and 28. Preferably, the motor is provided with a magnetic brake to effect quick stopping when the energizing circuit is de-energized.

A suitable detailed construction for the head assemblies I I can be best understood by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. As illustrated, each head assembly consists of an annular ring 32 secured to a projecting arm 33. The inner end of this arm is fixed to a flange 34, whichin turn is secured to the upper end of shaft I1. Overlying the ring 32, and secured thereto, there is a cover ring 36.

For the purpose of aifording an opening 40 through the head assembly, which will conform substantially to the size and shape of the article being wrapped, I provide an article-receiving member 31 which is likewise annular in outer contour. Assuming that this member is made.

of sheet metal, as illustrated, its upper and outwardly-extending flange 38 is removably secured to the cover ring 36 by means of lugs :39andcap screw nuts 4I'. The inner depending flange portion 42 extends-substantially the depth of the head and affords the opening which is proportioned in accordance with the sizezand shapeof the article being wrapped.

At this point it may be explained'that in wrapping an article, the wrapper is first laid across the top of the article, and then the article is forced upwardly into a position within a head assembly, whereby the wrapper extends downwardly along, the sides of the article. For the purpose of folding or positioning the depending edges of 'thewrapper laterally over the bottom of the article, I provide movable folding members These members are formed of relatively thin sheet metal and underlie the other .parts of the assembly. In order to carry the members 44 and 46 for sliding movements toward and away from each other, I provide a pair of rods 49 and which aresubstantially parallel and which are slidably mounted in'oppositesides of the ring' 32'. One end portion 52 of member 44 is secured to the rod49, while the end portion 53 of member 46 is secured to the rod 5-I. ;While the sliding movement of rods 4-9 and BI is limited, sufiicient movement is afforded so that members 44 and 48 canbe retracted beyond the edges of opening 40, or can be moved together substantially to the position illustratedin Fig. 7. The mounting just described preferably permits replacement of folding members 44 and 46, in accordance with the character of articles being wrapped.

The folding member 41, as illustrated, is also- -formed of sheet metal, but instead of having its wrapper-engaging edge 56 straight, as inthe case of members 44 and"46, this edge is cut to a substantially V contour. One corner portion: 51 of this member is securedto a'rod 58, whichisdisposed at right angles .to the rods-49 and 5I- and which is likewise slidably carried by the ring 32. Rod 58-ispermi-tted sufiicien-t slidingmovement so that member 41 can be slid either to sub stantiallythe'position shown in Fig; '1 onto, a retracted position beyond one side of opening).

Inorder to more adequately support the members 44; 46 and 41, there is a relatively flat ring 59'underlying the assembly, which. isrspaced with respect to thelower faceof ring 32 and secured thereto by screws 60; Thefree ends 6| and 62 of members 44 and 46 project intoithe spacethus afforded, so that these members are in part supported by the ring 59. A guide groove 64 is also formed on ring 59, to receive the free edge .portion 66 of member 41. r

fingers19 and BI. r

As a part of actuating means for the members 44, 46 and 41, I provide two relatively rotatable rings 68 and 69 which are loosely assembled upon the ring 32 immediately below the cover ring 36. Ring 68 is provided with a pair of lugs H which in turn are provided with slots 12 to receive pins 13. Pins 13 are in turn fixed to the rods 49 and 5|. Likewise mounted upon and projecting from ring 68 is a finger 14, by means of which the ring 68 may be rotated in one direction (clockwise as viewed in Fig. '1) to effect closing" movement of folding members 44 and 46. Ring 69 is likewise provided with a slotted lug 16 which engages pin when the head assembly is swung through a circular path, fingers:14 and 18 are-engaged and moved by trip. members, to.'eifect closing move- -ment of the folding; members;

To'provide for opening movement of the folding members, rings 68v and 6.9 are-also provided withaprojecting-ifingers 19 and 8| respectively; These fingers are likewise adapt'ed to successively engage a trip'member, to effect rotation of. ringse'68: and 69 in; a directionto effect retraction-f:the;folding members; a

. Positions of fingers 14 and 18E-(relative to. the

head assembly) correspondingv toopen position of folding members 44 and 46, are indicated at 14a and 18a;v The-corresponding: positions of fingers 19'and18I are: indicated at 19a:and.8Ia;

The trip means-forco-operating. with thehead I assemblies can. be constructed-"as follows:The

top casting I9 of the base- I0 is provided with a lateral projection 8-3;'which'ca1'ries the lower end of an upright; standard 84. The-upper' end of this standardcarriesa bracket 86 whichservesas a mounting for a plurality of'adjustable trip members 81, and 89. These trip members serve to-successively engage and actuate thefingers 14 and 18; in a manner to be presently explained. Secured to the upper end of standard I1 there is' also a laterally extending arm 9-I-, the outer end of which carries a roller 92- (Fig. 1).

This roller is interposed in the path of. movement of the The particular form of supporting the article to-be wrappedpreliminary to transpos-ing the article into one of; the head assemblies II, consistsof a flattopped casting 96 carried by a bracket 91 which in turn is formed upon the shaft I1. In order-to properly center the articleto be wrapped each casting 96 is provided with slots 98 adapted: to accommodate adjustable blocks 99.

;.- The elevatingmeans associated'with each table consists of a rod or plunger IOI' which is slidably carried by-the corresponding casting 99.. Each plunger IOI is alignediwithacorresponding overlying head assembly II, and aplate I02. secured to its upper end serves to provide an adequate supporting area for thearticle- ,Inorder to secure the desired cyclic lifting and lowering movements of plunger IOI, I preferably I provide cam means constructed. as follows. Radi- L-levers I04. Mounted upon the'fixedgear train housing I06 there is a cam I01 having a contour substantially. as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably a vcertainamount of accurate adjustment .is affordtable I2 employed, for

ed for this cam, for example, by securing it to the,

gear housing I06 with screws I08 engaging through slots I09. The inner depending arm of each L-lever I04 is provided with a spherical surface roller III, serving to engage the surface of cam llll. The outwardly extending arm I I2 of each L-lever extends through a slot formed in the lower portion of the corresponding plunger IIlI. In order to minimize friction, rollers I I3 are provided above and below the arm I I2. It is evident that with the arrangement just described, particularly with the cam having a contour such as shown in Fig. 4, as each table I2 makes one complete revolution about the standard I8, each plunger IN is raised to an elevated position to transpose an article into the overlying head assembly II, after which it is lowered back to its initial position.

In Fig. 2, an article I I6 to be wrapped has been indicated in dotted lines, as it is introduced into the machine by an operator. Overlying this article a wrapper II! is also indicated, such as a sheet of Cellophane. In introducing such a wrapper it is desirable to provide gauge and retaining means so that the Wrapper is properly centered and retained upon the article until engaged by a head assembly. The gauge means in this instance consists of a pair of members I I8, each carrying rollers H9 and I I9a to receive the edge of the wrapper. The uppermost rollers I I9a are loosely mounted so that when the edge of a wrapper is thrust between the upper and lower rollers, a light grip is afforded. Members IIB are pivotally carried by the ends of links I2I which in turn are pivotally carried by a collar I22. Extending between the two members I I8 there is a spacer bar I23 which, by the manipulation of a wing nut I24, may be employed to determine the distance between the members I I8, in accordance with the width of the wrapper being employed.

Collar I22, instead of rotating in unison with the head assemblies, is journaled to the upper portion of shaft II. By means of a tension spring I26, the collar I22 and the parts carried by the same are urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, to normally assume a position at the front of the machine. Interposed between the collar I22 and the shaft I1, I provide a releasable drive means whereby, when shaft I1 is rotated, collar I 22 is carried with it for a certain angular distance, after which it is released and permitted to return to an initial position under the urge of spring I26. Thus, shaft I I (Fig. 2) is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures I2I which serve to receive balls A set screw I29 is fitted in collar I22, and its inner end is adapted to engage balls I28. The stationary standard I8 is provided with a flattened place I3! whereby a ball passing over the same is permitted to move inwardly. The operation of this mechanism is briefly as follows: Assuming that shaft I! is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the left-hand ball I28 first engages the inner end of set screw I29 whereby collar I22 and the elements supported by the same are likewise rotated. When the ball engaged by the inner end of the set screw passes upon the flattened place I 3! it moves inwardly sufliciently far to disengage itself from the set screw I29, thus permitting the collar I22 to return to its initial position under the urge of spring I26.

At a proper point in the sequence of operations of the machine, it is desirable to transfer the article being wrapped to a shelf or supporting platform which in turn leads to the discharge conveyor I4. For this purpose I have shown an arcuate shaped shelf or platform I33 (Figs. 1 and 6) which is disposed at a level immediately below the level of the head assembly I I (Fig. 2). This shelf can be supported by suitable means, such as standards I34, which in turn are carried by the top casting I9 of base Ill. The entrant end of shelf I33that is, the end which first passes beneath the article being wrapped-is preferably cut to a V-shaped contour, as indicated at I36 in Fig. 1. A portion of shelf I 33, namely, that section indicated at I31, is preferably electrically heated, to effect sealing of the folded portions of the wrapper. overlying the heated section I3! I preferably provide a presser roller I38, made of some suitable resilient material such as soft rubber. This roller is shown j ournaled upon the end of an arm I39 which in turn is adjustably secured to the upper end of standard I8.

As has been previously mentioned, that part of the machine appearing in the left-hand portions of Figs. 1 and 2, is the front of the machine into which articles are introduced by the operator. To facilitate the picking-up of wrappers by the operator, a sheet rack I 4| is provided which has its forward end curved upwardly.

Operation of the machine can now be reviewed as follo-ws:Assuming that the machine has been properly adjusted, the operator introduces the article II 6 to be wrapped, upon the front table I2. At that time the plunger I [II of this table will be in a lowered position. The operator then places a wrapper, such as a sheet of Cellophane, over the article substantially as indicated in Fig. 2, and during this operation elements II8 are utilized to ensure proper centering. The opertor then closes a switch to start motor I 6 in operation. The head assemblies II, and also the tables I2, now rotate in unison, and during the initial part of such rotation the plunger IOI underlying the article is elevated to transpose the article into the overlying head assembly. Such transposition bends the wrapper down along the sides of the article in proper position to be properly folded inwardly. Immediately after the plunger I (II has reached the upper limit of its movement, trip member 89 engages finger I4 to cause a limited amount of angular rotation of ring 68. Such rotation causes folding members 44 and I6 to be moved inwardly toward each other and beneath the bottom of the article, although not to the full limit as shown in Fig. 7. The plunger IElI which up to this time has been supporting the article, is now dropped, whereby the article rests upon the folding members 44 and 46. Thereafter, finger I4 engages trip member 88, to effect a further angular movement of ring 68 and thus effect substantially complete closing of the folding members 44 and 46. About the time this operation is completed, finger I8 is engaged by trip member 81, to effect an angular movement of ring 69 to move the folding member 41 inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1. Likewise, as the folding member 41 is moving (relative to the head) to its inward position, the head is progressing over the entrant end of shelf I33, so that this end of the shelf likewise co-operates with the folding member ll to effect a final and complete folding of the wrapper.

When the above operations have occurred and the head carrying the article has moved substantially one-third of a revolution (120), the

motor circuit is automatically disrupted, whereby the head assemblies come to rest substantially in the position shown in Fig; 1. Another head assembly and supporting table l2 are now before the operator, for receiving a. succeeding article.

Tracing the first article through the complete cycle of operation, when the operator again initiates operation of the motor, the head assembly carrying the first article moves through a position wherein the fingers 19. and BI are engaged and actuated by roller 92, to retract all of the folding members 44, 46 and 41. The article is now adequately supported by the shelf I33, over which it slides until the head assembly again comes to rest substantially 240 from its initial starting position. In such position of the head assembly corresponding to the lower right-hand position of Fig. 1, the article is being pressed down upon the heated section I31 by the roller l38. Assuming that a self-sealing type of Cellophane wrapper is employed, the folds of the wrapper are thereby heated and sealed together. While the wrapper is in such position, the operator is again introducing an article into the next head assembly, which is now at the front of the machine. When the operator again closes the motor circuit, the head assembly, as illustrated in the lower right-hand part of Fig. 1, swings back to'the front of the machine, and the wrapped article drops down through the assembly upon theinclined conveyor M.

It will be evident from the above that my machine has many desirable characteristics. Although it occupies a relatively small space, it has a high capacity because it will take articles practically as fast as supplied byan operator. Since no parts press tightly against the article during the wrapping operation, and since the articles are not inverted, no injury will be caused to readily crushable articles such as cakes. A relatively small amount of power is required for operation of the machine, and the drive is relatively simple in character; with all parts driven from a single motor. The machine is also fiexible in its application to articles of different sizes and shapes. If it is desired to re-adjust the machine for taking an article of a different size, the members 37 are replaced with members having different sized openings 40. For round articles the opening 40 is circular, as illustrated in the drawings, but for articles of other shapes the opening 49 can be otherwise contoured, as for example rectangular or square. In setting up the machine for different types of articles, the. lugs 99 on tables l2 are of course adjusted, so that upon introducing the article upon a, table it is properly centered with respect to the overhead assembly. Likewise, the gauging elements H8 are adjusted so that the wrapper can be quickly introduced by the operator in a proper centered position.

I claim:

1. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving to embrace an article to be wrapped, means extending laterally from the standard serving to rotatably support the assembly for rotation about the standard, said assembly including movable wrapper-folding members, means co-operating with the assembly for transposing into the assembly an article to be wrapped, said last means being likewise carried by the standard below the head assembly and rotatable together with said assembly, and means including stationary trip fingers for actuating said folding members of the assembly during rotation of the. assembly about the standard.

2. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving to embrace an article to be wrapped, means extending laterally from the standard serving to rotatably support the assembly for rotation about the standard, an article-supporting table disposed below the assembly and being likewise supported by the standard for rotation together with:

the assembly, elevating means carried by the table for transposing an article into said assembly, and means actuated by rotation of the assembly and the table about said standard for actuating said elevated means.

3'. In a wrapping: machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying head assembly adapted to receive an article to be wrapped, means extending laterally from the standard serving to support the assembly for rotation about the standard, a table disposed below the assembly and likewise carried by the standard for rotation together with the assembly, article-elevating means associated with the table for elevating an article. into the assembly, drive means for effecting rotation of the assembly together with the table and the elevating means about said standard, and cam means for effecting operation of said elevating means in response to such rotation.

l. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying head assembly carried by the standard for rotation about the same, said assembly in its rotation moving from a position in which an article is presented to the same, about the arc of a circle back to said position, article-elevating means disposed below said assembly for lifting into the same an article to be wrapped, said elevating means being likewise r0- tatable about said standard together with the assembly, and means forming a receiving shelf for the article and adapted to underlie said assembly for a portion of its circular movement, the cycle of operation being such that the elevating means first lifts the article into the assembly asthe assembly moves from the position of presentation, then the edges of the wrapper are folded beneath the article, then the article is transposed upon the receiving shelf, and finally the assembly is returned to the initial position.

5. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a plurality of wrapper-applying head assemblies carried by said standard and adapted to rotate as a group about the same, said head assemblies being aligned with radii disposed equal angular distances apart, drive means for effecting rotation of the assemblies about the standard, means for arresting the rotating movement of the assemblies after an angular movement equal to the angular spacing between said radii, a wrapper gauge carried by the standard at an elevation below said head assemblies, and means for causing oscillatory movement of said wrapper gauge in response to continual intermittent rotation of the head assemblies, the extent of such oscillatory movement being substantially equal to the angular spacing between said radii.

6. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an article to be wrapped, said assembly including wrapper folding members adapted to be projected beneath the article, rings for effecting projection and retraction. of the folding members, means for bodily swinging the head assembly in an arc of a circle, and trip aoo eee.

tion of the rings. I 7. In a wrapping machine, an upright stand- 3 ard, a wrapper applying head assembly carried by the standard for rotation about the same, saidassembly including movable wrapper-folding members, said assembly in its rotation moving from a position in which an article is presented to the same, about the arc of a circle back to said position, article-elevating means disposed below said assembly for lifting into the same an article to be wrapped, said elevating means being like-- wise rotatable about said standard together with the assemb1y, means forming a receiving shelf for the article and adapted to underlie the as sembly for a portion of its circular movement, and means including stationary trip members for effecting selective operation of said folding members.

8. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving to embrace an article to be wrapped, means extending laterally from the standard serving to rotatably support the assembly for rotation about the standard, said assembly including wrapperfolding members, trip means for actuating said folding members during rotation of the assembly about the standard, and stationary supplemental wrapper-folding means disposed to underlie the path of movement of the assembly.

9. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a plurality of wrapper-applying head assemblies carried by said standard and adapted to rotate as a group about the same, said heads being aligned with radii disposed equal angular distances apart, drive means for effecting rotation of the assemblies about the standard, means for arresting rotating movement of the assemblies after an angular movement equal to the angular spacing between said radii, said assemblies including movable wrapper-applying members, means serving to actuate said wrapper-applying members during rotation of the assemblies, and a supplemental stationary wrapperfolding means adapted to co-operate with all said assemblies.

10. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a plurality of. wrapper-applying head assemblies carried by said standard and adapted to rotate as a group about the same, said assemblies being aligned with radii disposed equal angular distances apart, wrapper-folding elements carried by the assemblies, elevating means disposed below said head assemblies and adapted to elevate articles into the same, means for effecting rotation of the assemblies about the standard, means for arresting rotating movement of the assemblies after an angular movement equal to the angular spacing between said radii, means for actuating said elevating means during said rotation, and means including stationary trip fingers for effecting operation of the folding elements of. all said assemblies during rotation of the same.

11. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an article to be wrapped, means for progressing the assembly through a cycle of movement from a position in which it receives an article to be wrapped and then back to such position, said assembly including wrapper-folding means adapted to be projected beneath said article, an article-receiving shelf disposed to underlie said assembly forionly a portion of its movement, 'an inclined conveyor communicating with one end of said shelf for discharging articles from said head assembly, means for actuating said wrapper-folding means to project the same beneath said article before said article is positioned-tooverlie .said shelf, and means for retracting said wrapper-folding means while said assembly overlies said shell".

12. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an article to be wrapped with a wrapper disposed over the article, drive means serving to swing the assembly through substantially a horizontal plane and in an arc of a circle from a position in which it receives an article to be wrapped and then back to such position, said assembly including wrapper-folding means actuated during the course of such swinging movement, said Wrapper folding means serving to fold edge portions of the wrapper beneath the article, and leaving a portion of the wrapper unfolded on one side of the article, and an article-receiving shelf disposed to overlie said assembly for only a portion of its circular movement, one edge of said shelf forming means for folding said portion of the wrapper beneath the article. I

13. In a Wrapping machine, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving to receive an article to be wrapped with a wrapper disposed over the article, means for transposing upwardly into said assembly an article to be wrapped, means for progressing the assembly together with said transposing means through a cycle of movement from a position in which an article can be presented to said transposing means and then back to such position, said assembly including wrapper-folding means actuated during the course of said movement for folding edge portions of the wrapper beneath the article, said folding means leaving a portion of the wrapper unfolded on one side of the article, an article-receiving shelf disposed to underlie said assembly for only a portion of its circular movement, one edge portion of said shelf forming means for folding said portion of the wrapper beneath the article, and means for lowering the article from said assembly and from one end of said shelf.

14. In a wrapping machine, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving to receive an article to be wrapped with a wrapper disposed over the article, means serving to transpose an article to be wrapped into a position within said assembly, a standard serving to support both said assembly and said means, said standard having an axis offset with respect to the assembly, drive means serving to swing the assembly together with said transposing means about the axis of said shaft, said assembly including wrapper-folding means actuated during the course of its movement about the axis of said standard for folding the wrapper beneath the article, said folding means leaving a portion of the wrapper unfolded on one side of the article, and a stationary article-supporting shelf, adapted to receive the article after wrapping of the same, one edge of said shelf forming supplemental wrapper-folding means for folding said portion of the wrapper beneath the article.

15. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an article to be wrapped, means for progressing the assembly through a cycle of movement from a position in which it receives an article to be wrapped and then back to such po- 6 spams-ea sition, said assembly including wrapper-folding means adapted to vhe projected beneath safid article, an article-receiving shelf disposed :to underlie said assembly for only-aportion .of its;mo.vement, an inclined conveyor communicating with one vend of Said shelf for discharging articles from said head assembly, means for actuating said wrapper-growing means to project the same beneath isaid article before said article is -.pos1- tioned to overlie said shelf, and means for retracting said wrapper-folding means while said assembly overlies said shelf, a portion of said 45 shelf being heated toefiect a sealing operation. RENE J. GAUBERT.

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