US2350244A

US2350244A - Feeding mechanism for wrapping machines

Info

Publication number: US2350244A
Application number: US367813A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence J Malhiot
Original assignee: Redington Co F B
Current assignee: F B REDINGTON Co; Redington Co F B
Priority date: 1940-11-29
Filing date: 1940-11-29
Publication date: 1944-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1961-05-30

Description

y 1944- c. J. MALHIOT 2,350,244 I FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Nov. 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 M y 30, 1944- c. J. MALI-110T 0,2

FEEDING MECHANISM F011 WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Nov. 29, .1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 1944- c. J. MALHIOT 2,350,244

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Nov. 29, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 3 y 1944.- c. J. MALHIOT" I FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES I Filed Nov. 29, 1940 s Sheets- Sheet 4 .Igg 22.

May 30, 1944. c. J. MALHIOT 2,350,244

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Nov. 29, 1940' 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented mi, 30, 1944- Clarence J. Malhiot, Oak Park, 111., asslgnor to F. B. Redington 00., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application November 29, 1940, Serial No. 367,813

21 Claims. (Cl. 93-1) This invention relates to feeding mechanism for wrapping machines in general, and more particularly for wrapping machines which wrap a Cellophane wrapper about a cigarette package.

' More specifically, the invention relates to feeding mechanism for a wrapping machine of the type disclosed in applicant's co-pending application tiled concurrently herewith, Serial No. 367,- 812, and assigned to the present assignee.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of new and improved means for continuously feeding wrapping material and tape material to proper position with respect to a con-' tinuously moving package about which the wrapping material and tape is to be wrapped.

Another important object of the invention consists in feeding wrapping material continuously and applying tape material to the wrapping material and feeding the taped wrapper to a package-moving conveyor which moves a package through the taped wrapping material.

A further object of the invention is the pro- ,vision of new and improved feeding means for feeding wrapping material and tape material along a predetermined path and then into convergent paths and into contacting engagement.

there being a glue or solvent applied to the tape' material prior to the time it comes into physical contact with the-wrapping material, whereby the wrapping material with the tape applied thereto is fed in the form of a sheet to a predetermined position to be engaged by an on-coming continuously moving package.

Still another object of the invention is the pro. vision of new and improved feeding means which feeds wrapping material at a predetermined speed prior to the cutting thereof and then advancing the speed of the cut wrapper, whereby the sheets and applied to the severed sheets and connecting the sheets, whereby an opening tab of a length equal to the distance of the space between the severed sheets will be provided as the tape material is out along an edge coextensive with an edge of the wrapping material.

Other specific cbiects of the invention consist in the provision at new and improved feeding means which has means for feeding a web of wrapping material to a predetermined position,

which is provided with continuously operatingv cutting means for cutting the wrapper when it arrives at a predetermined position, which is provided with means for feeding opening tape to a predetermined position and applying the tape to the continuously moving wrapper in a predetermined manner, which is provided with imin proper timed relationship.

of wrapping material will be spaced apart a predetermined distance .upon arriving at a predeterminedposition, there being tape'feeding means operating at a predetermined rate of speed so as to feed tape material along the entire surfaces of the sheets and between the sheets to connect the sheets, whereby a tab will be provided'on each cut wrapper of a length equal to the distance between sheets after the tape is out along an edge coincident with aside or edge of the wrapping material. .a

A more'specific object oi the invention resides in the provision oi feeding and cutting means for continuouslyfeeding wrapping and tape material, the wrapper material being fed at different speeds to eflect spacing of sheets, when severed, and the tape being fer. at a predetermined speed the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

the material and is pushed through the material,

and which is provided with new and novel means for operating the various parts synchronously and Still another object of the invention resides in the location and arrangement of the various parts and the particular construction of the parts to provide for the greatest emciency of the feeding means.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevational view of the feeding mechanism as applied to a wrapping machine;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view at right angles to Fig. 1 and looking from the left toward the right;

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view on th line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line d% of Fig. 1; n

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse sectional view on Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal sectional view on the line 6-45 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic -or schematic view to severed successive wrappers; and V Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a package after the same ha been moved through the feeding means. i

The specific feeding mechanism herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention is adapted to be applied to the wrapping machine disclosed and'claimed in applicant's co-pending application, Serial No. 367,812, filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the present assignee.

The wrapping machine comprise a. supporting frame I which includes longitudinal rails or side bars 2, spaced cross bars or posts 3 rigidly connecting the side bars or rails 2, and supporting legs, not shown. A conveyor Ii is operatively supported to appropriate parts of the frame i and conveys a package to be wrapped to and partly through the wrapping mechanism. Endless chains 8 are trained over sprockets mounted -on suitable shafts on the frame, and these chains are operatively connected together by spaced transverse bars i3 which are adapted to act as carriers or pushers for the packages i4 to be wrapped. The transverse bars I3 are arranged a predetermined distance above the conveyor bed 2,350,344 showing the 'maner in which the tape is applied guides 24 are arranged on the opposite side of the web material and co-operate with the guides 23 to guide the wrapping material from the reel 21, which is revolubly supported on a part of the I5, and are adapted to engage a package on a longitudinal side thereof between its lower and upper surfaces and convey packages successively along a predetermined path to the wrapping mechanism. A magazine (not shown) is arranged adjacent one end of the conveyor 5 and carries a supply of packages l4 to be conveyed .to wrapping position. The magazine has an open bottom to permit the lowermost package of a stack to be engaged by a cross bar 13 and fed toward wrapping position during operation of the conveyor. The cross bars l3 on the conveyor 5 move successive packages through a sheet of wrapping material which is fed downwardly by the wrapper feeding means, indicated generally by the numeral It. The conveyor and means for operating the conveyor are disclosed and claimed in applicant's aforesaid co-pending application, and co-operate with the feeding mechanism "to cause a wrapper to be applied about the package. The machine proper is disclosed and claimed in the co-pending application and forms no part of the present application, except insofar as is on a stud 2i carried by a part 22 fixed to the supporting frame I, and then between pairs of spaced fingers or

guides

23 and 24 to guide, the web of material in its downward movement to package wrapping position. The fingers 23 each comprise a rigid member having a hook-shaped end 24 removably mounted on a post 24 extends ing from a part of the supporting framestruc ture'22. The hook-shaped end 2! of each member- '23 slips over the post I! and conforms substantially to the shape thereof so as to be rigidly supported, the post 24 and the end 2! being pro vided with interengl ins or limiting means to prevent longitudinal displacement. The spaced 7s pended from the stud 2i.

toward the driving roller 28 and in contacting relationship therewith by means of a spring 3.

arranged between an arm 31 and a bracket 39 rigidly mounted on the stud 2!, Figs. 1 and 3. A set screw 40 extends through each bracket arm 39 for the purpose of adjusting the spring tension with respect to the arm 31, whereby the roller 2Q may have greater or less pressure against the roller 2|, depending upon the adjustment of the spring 38 by the set screw 40, Figs. 2 and 3. The

feed rollers

28 and 29 therefore feed the web of material from the roll tothe cutters I0 and II.

The cutter 30 is mounted on a shaft 4! which carries a gear 42 meshing with the gear 34 and is driven thereby. The cutter element 40 includes a blade 43 which is adapted to have cutting relationship with the blade 44 of the cutter II. The cutter 3| is stationary and is mounted in a block 4!, Fig. 3. rigidly fixed to a part of the supporting superstructure 12. Therefore, as the rotary cutter 30 operates, the blade 43 will come into cutting relationship with the stationary blade 44 to sever the web into successively cut sheets of wrapping material ll.

Tape 48 is fed from a roll 41, Fig. 1, to position to be secured to the successively cut wrappers, the tape, after leaving its supporting reel, passing over a heating element 4. to iron the tape to take out any kinks or wrinkles to render it flat and smooth. After the tape leaves the ironer 48, it passes over a roller 49, suitably mounted in a part secured to the frame, and then about a roller 50 which is mounted on a stud shaft SI. From the roller ll the tape passes before, the specific adhesive material used hereinis solvent. However, if waxine paper or other material is used as the wrapper, then the adhesive material will be glue or other materialto cause the tape to adhere to the wrapper. The roller 82 is the solvent applying roller ,which receives a proper amount of solvent by means of a wick ll having one end in contactin relationship with the roller I2 and its other end immersed in the solvent I! in the container 81. The solvent container II has one of its end:

supported on a stationary stud II and may be locked thereto by means cf 1:. thumb nut ll; One end of the container is adapted to rest against and be supported by a bracket ll fixed to a part of the frame structure 22. The container 51 also carries a pair of lugs I which support the shaft C2 upon which the solvent roller 42 is mounted. The tape 44, as it passes over the roller II, has solvent applied thereto so that the tape'may be stuck to the wrapper II as it passes between the roller 48- and a presser roller 99. The presser roller 99 is mounted on a shaft 99 carried by arms 99 suspended from studs 99. A spring 91, "engaging the bracket arms 99 and arms 99 rigid with the studs 99, presses the roller 89 toward the roller 53. Therefore, the tape with the solvent applied thereto is forced against and stuck to successively cut wrappers II. Set screws 69 in the arm of the brackets 98 are adapted to adjust the tension of the springs 91 to create more or less pressure of the roller 98 against the roller 59. The roller 59 is adapted to be driven by a gear 19 on the stud II, Fig. 3, the gear 18 meshing with a gear I2 carried by the shaft I3 upon which the roller 59 is mounted.

The gear I9 is driven by a driven gear II mpunted on the shaft 15. The shaft I5 also carries rotary cutting mechanism I9 which co-operates with stationary cuttingmechanism TI to cut the tape at the upper marginal edge of the wrappers II, as indicated at I8, Fig. '7, whereby there will be provided a projecting part of the tape to provide an openin tab I9.

The cutter I6 carries a cutting blade 88 which is adapted to co-operate .with a stationary cutter blade 8I mounted in the block II. The cutters 99 and 8| are synchronized and operate in proper timed relationship with the feeding mechanism so that when the blades-99 and 9I come into proper cutting relationship, the tape will be cut from the wrapper at the upper marginal edge thereof, leaving the projecting tab I9. The pro- Thetape is later severed from the spaced sheets by the cutting knives 99 and 9|, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8.

After the cutting mechanism I9 and II has caused the tape to be severed at the point indi-- cated at I8, Fig. 7, the wrapper, with the tape applied thereto, and its extending tab, will be engaged by oppositely disposed

feed rollers

98 and 94. The roller 99 may be provided with a circumferential groove 99" near one end thereof to prevent roller contact with the tape in cases where thetab is at the top instead of at the bottom, as shown, so that the tape will not be further fed independently, but will be fed only by its physical adhesion with the wrapper, Fig. 5.

The tab I9, therefore, is free to be drawn through the roller as the package engages the wrapper during the first partial wrapping operation.

The feed roller 88 is mounted on a transverse shaft 95 and carries a gear 99 which meshes with an idler gear 91 mounted on a shaft 99. The gear 91 is driven by the gear 19 on the shaft'li.

- Each successive severed sheet, with the tape ap-' plied thereto and the tab extending therefrom,

is thus fed to proper position with respect to the conveyor 5 so that a cross bar or strap I9 on the conveyor 5 will move the package through. the sheet in the manner described in the aforesaid application, and as indicated at 89, Fig. 8, with the upper and lower parts 99 and 9| extending rearwardly from the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the package I4. 4

As the sheet I1 is fed between

mllers

88 and 94 75 to position, solvent applying means 92 applies a predetermined amount of solvent across the in, side of the lower edge 9I,-as indicated at 99, Fig. 8.

The roller 99 is adapted to be spring urged against the roller 99 by means of a spring 99 arranged between the hanger arms 99 and a rigid arm 98 rigidly secured to a part of the stationary knife cutting means 11, whereby tension of the roller 99 against the roller 93 may be increased or decreased as desired, by operating the set screw 91, Fig. 3.

The solvent applying means 92 comprises the solvent applicating member 99 co-operating with a backing member 99, as clearly shown and de: scribed in the aforesaid co-pending application.

The applicators 99 and 99 are mounted on shafts -Hi9 and I 8|, respectively, being driven by an idler gear I92 mounted on a shaft I99. The gear I92 is adapted to mesh with the gear 99 mounted on the aforesaid shaft 85.

As the package I9 is pushed through the wrapper IT in the manner described in the aforesaid application and as shown in Fig. 6 herein, the wrapper will be bent around the edge I99 of a block I95. The block I99 is positioned so as to cause proper bending of the wrapper with the underside I99 of the block relatively parallel to the top of the package and in close relationship therewith.

To facilitate tearing of the wrapper by the pulling of the tab 19, the wrapper is provided with spaced slits II", which are formed at the marginal edge of the wrapper, is shown in Fig.

/ 8. These slits are applied to the'wrapping material by cutting or slitting'means, I99 carried by the roller 29. The rotary roller 29 is provided with spaced grooves to receive the spaced slitters carried by the roller 29, whereby a slit III! will be formed in the marginal edge of the wrapper on each side of the tab 19, as indicated in Fig. 8.

Supporting guides II9 are. arranged beneath the cutters 89 and II to guide the severed wrapping sheets II, andthese guides comprise spaced front and rear members III and H2 which are provided with spaced relatively triangularly shaped 'ends, positioned as shown in Fig. 5, so as to put a slight bend in the edge of the wrapper II to render the wrapper less flexible and permit it to be fed in relatively rigid form. so as to maintain the sheet in proper position, allowing the same to be fed more properly. After a sheet has been fedto lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 1,. the on-coming package, which is moved by the conveyor 9, will be pushed through the wrapper in the mannershown in Fig. 8, and then carried forwardly by the pusher arms or bars I9, Fig. l, to further wrapping position.

The feeding mechanism may be driven by a chain I29 which may drive the other driving parts of the wrapping machine, as defined in the aforesaid co-pending application. The chain I29, which is operated by a sprocket on a motor shaft, not shown, passes over an idler sprocket on the shaft II and then over a sprocket on the shaft 99. The chain then extends downwardly, Fig. 3, and drives a sprocket fixed on 3 the shaft I9. From this latter shaft, the chain I29 extends longitudinally of the machine to drive other operating parts as disclosed in said aforementioned application.

Operation The feed means I8 causes'the' continuous sheet or web of wrapping-material to be continuously the tape.

fed from the reel 21 by the

feed rollers

28 and 29 to a position to be cut by the cutter blades 43 and M 'on the cutting elements 30 and 3|, respectively. The opening tape 46 is fed from a roll of tape 41, Fig. l, to position between the

rollers

52 and 53 where solvent is applied to one side of The tape then passes over the roller until with a cut web of material which passes between the

rollers

53 and 63. The

feed rollers

53 and 63 operate faster than the

web feed rollers

28 and 29, whereby a space is provided between adjacent sheets, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. However, the tape material operates at a faster speed than the feeding movement of the,

- to proper position, the tape is caused to be out along a marginal edge of the wrapper so as to provide an opening tab I9 substantially the same,

length as the distance between sheets. After the tape has been severed, the sheet with the tape applied thereto, and the tab extending therefrom,

will be fed to position where it will be engaged it comes into contacting relationship 1.- A wrapping machine comprising means to feed a web of wrapping material continuously to a predetermined position, means for cutting the web of material into sheets, meansto apply a continuous strip of tape to a plurality of said cut sheets, and means to cut the tape along a marginal line of each sheet. 2. A wrapping machine comprising means t feed a web of wrapping material continuously to a predetermined position, means for cutting the web of material into sheets, means for feeding sheet. a

3. Feeding mechanism for wrapping machines comprising means for feeding a continuous web of wrapping material continuously from a roll of by an on-coming package which is forced ing conveyor 5.

The invention provides positively operating, relatively simple feed means comprising a plurality of parts and mechanisms all properly correlated and synchronized so that the proper feeding and cutting steps occur at precisely the proper time. Moreover, the feed mechanism is driven by the same driving means which operates the other operating parts of the wrapping machine, whereby the feed means operates in proper timed relationship with respect to other operating parts of the machine. However, as soon as the wrapper is arranged in position to be engaged by an on-coming package, the overhanging lower end of the wrapper is provided with solvent so that the wrapper may be secured to the package. means for effecting continuous feed operation of both the web of material as well as the tape material, so as to cause the web to be cut at the proper time interval and then spaced from the next succeeding sheet a predetermined distance. The cut sheets then have applied thereto the continuously moving tape material, so as to interconnect all the sheets. The tape is then later disconnected by severing it along a marginal edgeof a sheet to provide a tab of the proper length. The feed mechanism is strong and durable in construction, emcient in operation, and is adapted to be readily and economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in theform, construction and arrangementof the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriflcing any of its advantages, and the right is.

claims.

, The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

wrapping material, means to cut the web of material into sheets, means to space the sheets apart, and means to apply a continuous strip of tape material to a plurality of said spaced sheets to connect said sheets.

4. Feeding mechanism for wrapping machines comprising means for feeding a continuous web of mapping material continuously from a roll of wrapping material, means to cut the web of material into sheets, "means to space the sheets apart, means to apply a continuous strip of tape material to a plurality of said spaced sheets to connect said plurality of sheets, and means to cut the tape along a marginal edge of said' sheets to provide a tab on each sheet.

5. Feeding mechanism for wrapping machines comprising means for feeding a continuous web of wrapping material continuously from a roll of wrapping material, means to cut the web of mate'rial into-sheets, means to space the sheets apart, means to apply a continuous strip of tape material to a plurality of said spaced sheets to connect said sheets, and means to sever the tape between spaced sheets to provide a tab extending from an end of each sheet.

6,. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising means for feeding a web of wrapping material continuously at a predetermined speed from a roll of material, means for severing said web into sheets, means for feeding the sheets at a The invention also provides faster speed than the feeding speed of the web to space the sheets apart, means to feed tape continuously to said sheets and stick the tape to said sheets and thereby connect the sheets together, and means for severing the tape beinto sheets,'means for feeding the sheets at a faster speed thanthe feeding speed of the web to, space'the sheets apart, means to feed tape continuously to said sheets and stick the tape to said sheets and thereby-connect the sheets togethen and means for severing the tape along a marginal edge of each sheet to provide a wrapper having an opening tape with an extending opening tab.

' 8. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising means for feeding a web of wrapping material continuously at a predetermined speed from a roll of material, means for severing said web into sheets, means for feeding the sheets at a j faster speed than the feeding speed of the web to space the sheets apart, means to feed tape consheet with an etxending tab substantially as long I as the space between sheets.

tinuously to said sheets and stick the tape to said sheets and thereby connect the sheets together, means for severing the tape along a marginal' edge of each sheet to provide a wrapper having an opening tape with an extending opening tab, and means to feed said last named wrapper to a predetermined position.

9. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising means for feeding a web-of wrapping material continuously at a predetermined speed from.

having an opening tape with an extending opening tab, rotary feed means for receiving said last named wrapper with opening tape and tab attached and feeding it to.a predetermined package receiving position, and means to apply a sticking substance along an edge of thewrapper when at .said predetermined position.

10. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising means for feeding a web of wrapping material continuously at a predetermined speed from a roll of material, means for severing said web into sheets, means for feeding the sheets at' a faster speed than the feeding speed of the web to space the sheets apart-means to feed tape continuously to said sheets and stick the tape to said sheets and thereby connect the sheets together, means for severing the tape along a marginal edge of each sheet to provide a wrapper having an opening tape with an extending opening tab, rotary feed means for receiving said last named wrapper with opening tape and tab attached and feeding it to a predetermined package receiving position, means to apply a stickin substance along an edge of the wrapper when at said predetermined position, and means to push a package through said wrapper when the wrapper is at said last named position.

11. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising means for feeding a web of wrapping material continuously at a predetermined speed from a roll of material, means for severing said web into sheets, means for feeding the sheets at a faster speed than the feeding speed of the web to space the sheets apart, ta e feed means to feed tape continuously to said sheets and stick the sheets together with the tape, means for feed n the tape at the same speed as the cut sheets. and means to cut the tape between sheets at a marginal edge to provide each sheet with an ex tending tab substantially along as the space between sheets:

12. Wrapping machine feed mechanism co prising means for feeding a web of wrappina' material continuously at a predetermined speed from a roll of material, means for forming spaced slits means'for severing said web into -sheets.- means for feeding the sheets at a faster speed than the feeding speed of the web to space the sheets apart. tape feed means to feed tape continuously to said sheets and stick the sheets together with the tape, means for. feeding the tape at the same speed as the cut sheets, and means to cut the tape between sheets at a marginal edge to provide each 13. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising an upright supporting framework, feed means including contacting rollers for feedin a web of wrapping material continuously, slitter means carried by said feed means to form short longitudinal spaced slits near a marginal side edge of the web at predetermined intervals, means for severing sheets from the web at one end of the slits, means for spacing said sheets when severed, means for applying a continuous strip of tape to a plurality of successive spaced sheets between said slits, and means for cutting the tape between spaced sheets.

14. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising means to feed a web of wrapping material, means for forming spaced slits in the web at predetermined spaced intervals, means for cutting the web at the ends of the slits to form sheets, means for spacing the sheets, means for applying a continuous strip'of tape to a plurality 1 of the spaced sheets between the slits, and means forcutting the tape between sheets.

15. Wrapping machine feed mechanism comprising tape feed means, means for feeding wrapping material in a downward direction, a feed roller for assisting in such feeding movement, a

'pretermined distance apart while continuously second feed roller spring pressed against the first named'feed roller, said tape feed means providing for feeding the tape in a downward direction and then in an upward direction, and means for applying an adhesive substance to the tape, said tape passing over the first feed roller to be fed in a downward direction between both said rollers and into adhering contact with the wrapping material. 1

'16. An apparatus for applying tearing tabs to package wrappers before, applying the wrappers to packages comprising means for feeding a pluralitypf sheets of wrapping material, means in said feed means for spacing successive sheets a feeding the sheets forward, means for feeding a continuous strip of tape to a plurality of said sheets to stick the tape to said sheets and thereby connect the sheets together while still in sheet form and prior to application of the sheets to articles to be wrapped therein, and means for rlaLmeans in said feed means for spacing sheets ,a predetermined distance apart while continuousin the web at predetermined spaced intervals.

severing the tape between said connected sheets,

before applying the sheets to said articles.

17. An apparatus for applying to packages comprising means for continuously feeding a plurality of sheets of wrapping mately feeding the sheets forward, means for continuously feeding a continuous strip of tape, means for applying said continuous strip of tape to a plurality of said sheets while still in sheet form and prior to application of the sheets to articles to be wrapped therein to stick the tape to said .sheets and thereby connect the sheets together.

and means for severing the tape between said connected sheets before applyingthe sheets to said articles.

18. The method of applying opening tapes to package wrappers by extending the tape beyond an edge of the wrappers before the wrappers are applied to packages, which comprises feeding a" continuous web of wrapping material continu ously from a roll, cutting the web of materialinto sheets, spacing the sheets apart while continuously feeding the sheets forward, applying a continutearing tabs to package wrappers before applying the wrappers ous strip of tape material to a plurality of said spaced sheets while still in sheet form and prior to application of the sheets to articles to be wrapped therein thereby to connect said sheets together, and then severing the tape between spaced sheets before applying the sheets to said articles to provide a tab extending from each sheet.

19. .A method for wrapping packages whichv comprises feeding a web of wrapping material continuously at a predetermined speed from a roll of material, severing said web into sheets, feeding the sheets at a faster speed than the feeding speed of the web to space the sheets apart, feeding tape continuously to said sheets and sticking the tape to said sheets to thereby connect the sheets together, and thereafter severing the tape between sheets.

20. A method for applying tearing tabs to package wrappers before applying the wrappers to packages which comprises continuously feeding a plurality of wrapping sheets, spacing said sheets a predetermined distance apart while continuously feeding the sheets forward, continuously feeding a continuous strip of tape to a plurality of said sheets to stick the tape to said sheets and thereby connect the sheets together while still in sheet form and prior to application 01' the sheets to articles to be wrapped therein, and then severing the tape between said connected sheets before applying the sheets to said articles.

21. The method of making wrappers for wrapping packages and having opening tabs on the wrappers whereby the wrappers on the packages may be opened by pulling the opening tab, which consists in feeding a continuous web of wrapping material continuously, feeding a continuous web of tape material continuously, then cutting the wrapping materialpto form sheets, then accelerating the movement of the cut sheets to. provide spaces between adjacent sheets, then applying the moving tape to the cut moving sheets and between the spacedsheets to connect the spaced sheets together by the tape, and finally severing the-tape between the sheets to provide a tab projecting from an edge of the sheet.

cmmmca J. MALI-HOT.