US2389812A - Means of packaging sliced loaves - Google Patents

Description

Original Filed April 3, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gustav C- PQpenJ//f, Oeceased EZzja belfl Paend/rLA fxecuirvk,

Gum M Nov. 27, 1945. G. c. PAPENDICK 2,389,812

MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Original Filed April 3, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .5 3 Iumuwk Gustav pendl/r De ce use d EL/ZABETI'I Pap n-d A',

* fxecuir lx,

Nov. 27, 1945. a. c. PAPENDICK 2,389,812

MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LQAVES Original FiledApril 3, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 2?, 1945. G. c. PAPENDICK MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Original FiledApril 3, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I gwue/wfo'p Gusfav C'. papendfcK,

- Deceased 5 flijazifi Papendic/f, fxepuln;

Nov. 27, 1945. G. c. PAPENDICK 3 9 MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Original Filed April 5, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 27, 1945 MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Gustav C. Papendick, deceased, late of University City, Mo., by Elizabeth Papendick, executrix,

University, City, Mo., assignor to Elizabeth Papendick, University City, Mo.

Original application April 3, 1941, Serial No. 386,628, which is a division of application Serial No. 269,809, April 24, 1939.

Divided and this application August 16, 1943, Serial No. 498,806

7 Claims. ('01. 198-3 This invention has to do with certain new and useful means for handling and packaging sliced bread loaves, is related to the subjects-matter of Letters Patent No. 2,211,433, of August 13, 1940, and Nos, 2,247,401, 2,247,692, 2,247,693, 2,247,694, and 2,247,695, all of July 1, 1941, and is a division of co-pending application, Serial N 0. 386,628, filed April 3, 1941, which is, in turn, a division of application Serial No. 269,809, filed April 24, 1939 (now U. S. Patent No. 2,247,401, issued July 1, 1941).

It has been discovered that it is commercially desirable to recombine or assemble individually wrapped loaf fractions for further wrapping in a composite or multiple package. Such a multiple packaged fractionated loaf will remain fresh for a longer period of time, inasmuch as the housewife may open the outer wrap and remove a single separately wrapped fraction, leaving the remainder of the loaf in substantially double-wrapped approximately or substantially airtight condition until the first fraction has been completely consumed.

In addition, it has also been discovered that such a multiple wrapped fractionated package effectively solves the rather difiicult and annoying problem encountered in merchandising composite packaged loaves, that is to say, loaves in which the fractions are of diiferent kinds of bread, such as whole wheat, raisin, and white bread. Experience has demonstrated that the small family appreciates having a variety of different types of bread in the same package. Unfortunately, however, there is a tendency on the part of certain kinds of bread to absorb the flavor of other types of bread. White bread, for instance, when packaged compositely with whole wheat bread, will absorb a considerable amount of the whole Wheat flavor and acquire a slightly modified taste, which, though not greatly objectionable, is nevertheless unsatisfactory to the more or less discriminating and particular housewife. By separately wrapping the individual fractions, such absorption by the one of the flavor of another is obviated when such separated or individual fractions are assembled as a composite loaf in an outer Wrapper.

It is evident, however, that since the price of bread is relatively low and the margin of profit small, composite and multiple wrapped sliced bread packaging must be accomplished at relatively high speed and low expense and Without appreciably affecting the total cost of production or manufacture. I

The invention hence has for its primary objects the provision of unique means for preparing and handling multiple and composite wrapped sliced bread packages efliciently, economically, and conveniently, which do not add materially to the cost of production of the bread loaves, and which are high-speed in operation and require a minimum of manual labor.

And with the above and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (4 sheets)- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view, partly broken awayfi-of breadhandling mechanism uniquely constructed and arranged for practicing a preferred form of bread-[packaging embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the bread-handling and packaging machine arrangement of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are schematic views of unique machine arrangements for practicing modified methods of bread-handling and packaging of the invention;

Figures 8 and 9 are plan and side elevational views, respectively, of an additional unique machine arrangement for practicing a further modified method of bread-handling and packaging of the invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of still another unique machine arrangement for practicing particularly a modified method of composite loaf-handling and packaging of the invention;

Figures 11 and 12 are fragmentary views of the method of practicing machine arrangement of Figure 10; and

Figure 13 is a top plan view of an article handling mechanism constructed in accordance with and embodying my present invention;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the mechanism;

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view of the mechanism taken approximately along the line l5-l5, Figure 13; and

Figure 16 is a fragmentary top plan view of the article handling mechanism, illustrating the side guides in a modified [position of adjustment.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, A designates a bread loaf slicing and fractionating machine which includes a loaf conveyer, a slicing-mechanism 2, and a fractionating transfer conveyer 3, all preferably constructed in accordance with the disclosures of said previously mentioned co-pending application and Letters Patent.

At the discharge end of the transfer conveyer 3, is a so-called dead plate 4 bridging the gap between the transfer conveyer 3 a d a longitudinally disposed rearwardly extending intake conveyer 5 of a substantially conventional first wrapping machine B having a discharge conveyer 6 disposed in spaced relation, and extending forwardly over the intake conveyer 5 and transfer conveyer 3.

By way of explanation, it may be pointed out that the interposition of a dead plate between the transfer conveyer 3 and the intake conveyer 5 permits the ends of the two conveyers to be spaced from each other for mechanical convenience in construction. ,Since belt conveyers must be trained over end pulleys, there is a trough-like valley formed between them at their ends and sliced loaves would be upset and disrupted if this valley were not bridged by a flat plate.

Operatively mounted on the same plane as, and disposed at the forws rd end of, the discharge conveyer 6, is a switching mechanism C, for guiding the forwardly traveling wrapped bread loaf fractions first to one side and then to the other side of a discharging dead plate I0, which serves primarily the same function as the dead plate 4.

The switching mechanism C comprises a table I04 operatively provided along its opposed longitudinal margins with channel-shaped side rails I 05, I06, in turn operatively held together by transversely extending brace rods I01, I08. At their forward end, the side rails I05, I06, are supported from the floor by leg members I09 and at their rearward end connected by means of connector blocks or the like I I0, I III, in forwardly and upwardly spaced relationship to the forward end of the intake conveyor II of a secondary wrapping machine D having a plurality of conventionally supported and driven parallel flight bars d.

Journaled at its ends in the side rails' I05, I06, and extending horizontally beneath the forward end of the conveyer table I04, is an idler shaft H2 provided with a pair of sprockets H3 respectively positioned inwardly of and adjacent to the inner faces of the side rails I05, I06. Extending horizontally beneath the rearward extremity of the conveyer table I04 and journaled at its one end in the side rail I06 and adjacent block H and at its other end journaled in and projecting through both the side rail I and the opposite block H0, is a drive shaft H4 provided on its projecting end with a pair of axially spaced sprockets H5, H6. Intermediate its journaled ends, the shaft H4 is provided with a pair of sprockets H1 respectively positioned in peripheral alignment with the sprockets H3. Trained over the peripherally aligned pairs of sprockets H3, H1, is a pair of endless conveyor chains I I8, each having an upper rearwardly traveling run H9 extending over the upper face of the conveyer table I04 and a lower return run I20 extending beneath the conveyer table I04. Conventionally mounted at their ends on, and extending transversely between, the conveyer chains H8, is a plurality of spaced parallel flight bars n, all as best seen in Figure 13 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

The intake conveyer II of the secondary wrapping machine D is provided with a conventional conveyer shaft I2I extending horizontally beneath, and projecting outwardly on either side of, the forward end thereof. On its one projecting end, the shaft I2I is provided with a pair of freely rotating sprockets I22, I23, positioned in peripheral alignment respectively with the sprockets H5, H6, and connected thereto by drive chains I24, I25. The sprockets I22, I23, are provided with juxtaposed hubs I26, I21, each having an annular series of recesses for conventional pin clutch engagement with the pin member I28 of a clutch disk I29 slidably keyed upon the shaft I2I. The tooth ratio between the sprockets I22 and H5 is two to one, whereas the tooth ratio between the sprockets H0 and I23 is "one to one." It will be clear, therefore, that, when the pin clutch disk I20 is shifted into engagement with the hub I26 of the sprocket I22, the drive shaft H4 will be driven at twice the speed of the shaft I2 I, while when the clutch member I2I is engaged with the hub I21 of the sprocket I23, the shafts H4 and I2I will be driven at the same speed. On its opposite projecting end, the shaft I2I is provided with a freely rotating sprocket I30, which is driv ingly connected to the shaft I2I by means of a conventional pin clutch and indexing mechanism I3I, all as best seen in Figure 13 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Extending transversely across the forward end of the conveyor tabl I04, is a so-called deadplate I32 provided with a pair of longitudinal slots I34 for adjustably accommodating threaded studs I33 mounted on a stationary dead-plate I32 suitably supported over the table I04 on channels I05, I06. Likewise mounted on, and extending horizontally across, the forward end of the intake conveyer I I, is a second so-called dead plate I35, all as best seen in Figure 14 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Bolted or otherwise rigidly secured upon the outwardly presented faces of, and projecting upwardly from, the opposite side rails I05, I08, is a pair of parallel bracket members I36 each formed with an upper flanged portion provided centrally with a threaded vertical recess I31 for receiving a knurled thumb screw I38 for securing thereupon a clamping plate I39. Shiftably held between the bracket I36 and the clamping plate I39 on opposite sides of the screw I38, is a pair of parallel supporting rods I40. Similarly bolted or otherwise rigidly secured upon the outwardly presented faces of, and projecting upwardly from, the opposite side rails I05, I06, is a pair of parallelbracket members I4I each likewise formed with an upper flanged portion provided centrally with a threaded vertical recess I42 for receiving a knurled thumb screw I43 for securing thereupon a clamping plate I44. Shiftably held between the bracket HI and the clamping plate I44 on opposite sides of the screw I43, is a pair of parallel supporting rods I45, all as best seen in Figure 14 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Welded or otherwise rigidly secured upon the inner ends of the supporting rods I40, are opposed parallel loaf guides I46 extending longitudinally over the conveyer tabl I04 to a point spaced from the rearward margin of the dead plate I32 by a distance substantially greater than the width of a single loaf fraction.

At their rearward extremities, the guide members I46 are each provided with a pair of vertically spaced registering pivot eyes I41, suitably journaled in which is a pintle I48, and pinned on a projecting end of the pintle I48, is a crank arm I49 provided with a longitudinal slot I50.

Similarly pinned or otherwise fixed upon each of the pintles I48 intermediate the pivot eyes I41, are rotary hinge members I5I each preferably integrally provided with swingable or socalled "switching guide members I52. It should be noted in this connection that the guide members I52 are not parallel, but are angularly disposed with respect to each other by a small angular departure, as indicated in Figure 13 by the angle for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Bolted or otherwise fixed upon the outer faces of the side rails I05, I06, is a pair of transversely aligned members I53 each preferably integrally provided with a downwardly projecting extensionbracket I 54 having the shape generally of an in verted L and provided in its vertical leg I55 with a fixed bearing bushing I56. Mounted in, and extending through, the horizontal leg I51 of the bracket I54 and supported along its side face against the member I 53, is a vertically extending elongated bearing sleeve I58 projecting upwardly substantially beyond the upper margin of the side rails I05, I06, all as best seen in Figur 15 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Journaled at its ends in the bushings I56 and extending horizontally beneath the return run I20 of the conveyer chains H8, is a shaft I59 provided on its outwardly extended end with a sprocket I80 connected by means of a chain I6I to the sprocket I30. Pinned or otherwise fixed to the shaft I59 just inwardly of the bracket legs I55, are bevel gears I62, all as best seen in Figure ligand for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Rotatively mounted in, and extending through,

the sleeves I58, is a pair of stub-shafts I63 provided at their lower extremities with bevel gears I64 having meshing engagement with the bevel gears I62 and at their upper extremities provided with crank members I65, which latter are, in turn, provided with apertures I66 for rotatively receiving connector blocks I61. Mounted in the connector blocks I61 for longitudinally shiftable adjustment and secured in adjusted position by means of set screws I68, are pitmans or connecting rods I69 each provided at its inner end with a flattened and apertured bearing eye I10 for rotatively receiving a bearing stud I1I having a flat retaining head I12 and a downwardly extending threaded shank I13 projecting through the slot I50 of the switching guide crank arm I49 and provided on its lower end with a knurled tightening nut I 14, all as best seen in Figure 15 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Welded or otherwise fixed upon the inner ends of the rods I45, is a pair of opposed parallel straight guides I15 extending from a point just rearwardly of the arc of swing of the switching guides I52 to a point above the rear dead plate I35, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2 and for purposes presently more fully appearing. As will later more fully appear, it is preferable in adjusting the straight guides I15 to provide a space greater than the combined length of the loaf fractions to be aligned therebetween. It is hence desirable to provide a pair of adjustable auxiliary guides I16 associated with th intake conveyer I I of the wrapping machine D, which are in registration at their forward ends with the ends of the guides I15 and are inclined obliquely inwardly toward each other to compensate for the free distance between the loaf fractions due to the adjustment of the guides I15 and, accordingly, shift the loaf fractions into endwise abutment.

If, in use, it is desired to align two fractions in full-length loaf fcrmation, the guides I15 and I16 are suitably adjusted, as above described, to accommodate the full-length loaf therebetween. The forward guides I46 are similarly adjusted to accommodate a single fraction therebetween. The pitmans I69 are adjusted for length in the connecting blocks I68 and for amplitude of arc, or so-called throw, by shifting the bearing studs I1I along the slots I50 of the switch guide crank arms I49. The pin clutch disk I 29 is shifted into engagement with the hub I26 of the sprocket I22, so that the flight rods 12 will be driven at twice the speed of the flight rods d. Similarly the pin clutch I3I is engaged with th sprocket I30.

As the mechanism is started in operation, the loaf fraction 1, l, are delivered in consecutive alignment across the dead-plates I32 and I32 to to the conveyer table I04 between the guides I46. As a loaf fraction 1 is deposited on the conveyer table I04, it is progressed rearwardly by one of the flight bars 12. At the same time, the switch guides I52 are swung over to the position shown in full lines in Figure 13, thus shifting the loaf fraction Z over against the one straight guide I15, as shown, whence it is further progressed by the flight bar n and finally delivered upon one side of the rear dead plate I35. Since the switch guides I52 are non-parallel, flaring angularly outwardly from each other on the angle as above pointed out, there will be sufficient increasing space between said guides I52 to freely accommodate the diagonal dimension of the successive traveling loaf fractions Z, as best seen in Figure 13.

The succeeding fraction 1' is meanwhile progressed by a succeeding flight bar n and is shifted "to the opposite side of the conveyer table I04 against the other straight guide I15, being finally delivered upon the rear dead plate I35 in axially spaced alignment with the companion loaf fraction Z. Since the flight bars d of the intake conveyor II are moving at one-half the speed of the flight bars n, the next succeeding loaf fractions Z Z, upon being progressed to the dead plate I35, will push both of the previous fraction 1, 1', off the dead plate I35 in front of one of the flight bars d of the intake conveyer II for delivery to the wrapping machine D. As the aligned loaf fractions 1, l', are moved into the intake conveyer II, they are shifted toward each other into end- \lvise abutment by the oblique auxiliary guides In case it becomes necessary to accommodate loaves or loaf fractions of a different length, the switching conveyer C may be readily re-adjusted by shifting the guides I15, the guide I46, and changing the length and throw of the pitmans I69, as above described. If desired, the driving mechanism for the shifting guides may be disconnected by shifting the pin clutch I3I out of engagement with the sprocket I30 and adjusting the guides I46, I52, and I15 into alignment, as shown in Figure 1 in the provision of a simple, nonhifting transfer conveyer.

Thus the movement of the shiftable guides I52 is entirely automatic and in timed relation with the propelled loaf-fractions, the guides I52 being also readily relatively adjusted to accommodate loaf-fractions of different length.

Operatively disposed forwardly of the dead plate I0, is an intake-conveyer II of a second wrapping machine D constructed and adapted for wrapping a package having a length equal to the combined length of two loaf fractions, the machine D having, in turn, a discharge conveyer I2 extending longitudinally rearwardly over, and in spaced relation from, the switching mechanism C and provided at its rear or discharge end with a flat receiving shell or platform I3, upon which the successive multiple wrapped packages may accumulate for suitable removal and shipment, all as best seen in Figures 1 and 2.

The dead plate I0 allows the second or trailing section to catch up with the first or leading section, so that the loaf sections will be brought into realignment. Actually each of these realigned sections is separately pushed oil the dead plate III by the next on-coming loaf-fraction, but the conveyors are so timed that this happens to both fractions before they are picked up by one of the flights of the intake conveyer so that the fractions are moved into the wrapper D in realigned "full-loaf relation so to speak.

In use and practice, the unwrapped and unsliced full length bread loaves'L are suitably disposed upon the feed conveyer I of the slicing machine A and progressed through the slicing mechanism 2 to the fractionating transfer conveyer 3, which operates to first divide the successive sliced loaves into, in the present instance, two equal fractions 1 and to then deliver such fractions in a consecutive series across the dead plate 4 to the intake conveyer 5 of the wrapping machine B.

In the machine B, the individual fractions Z.

are wrapped and delivered by the discharge conveye 6 to the switching mechanism C,-which latter operates and functions to re-align every successive two loaf fractions into end to end or axial pair-relation.

The so re-aligned pairs of loaf fractions Z are successively delivered across the dead plate In to the intake conveyer ll of the second wrapping machine D, by which the each successively delivered loaf-fraction pair is wrapped as a unit in a double-section multiple wrapped package and the packages P delivered, in turn, by the conveyer |2 upon the platform or plate l3 for removal.

With reference now to the method of practicing arrangement of Figures '3 and 4, A is a slicing machine having a feed conveyer |4, slicing mechanism l5, and a fractionating transfer conveyer l6, all preferably constructed in accordance with the disclosures of said previously filed copending patent application and letters patent. Operatively disposed at the rear or discharge end of the transfer conveyer I6, is the laterally presented intake conveyer I1 of a first or so-called primary wrapping machine B, which, at its forward or discharge end, is provided with a discharge conveyer l8 longitudinally extending forwardly over and in upwardly spaced relation from the slicing machine A, as shown.

Operatively mounted in the plane, and at the forward or discharge end, of the conveyer I8, is a switching mechanism C, a dead plate l9, and an intake conveyer 20 of a second or so-called secondary wrapping machine D, all operatively associated in a manner fully and particularly described in Letters Patent No. 2,289,943, issued on July 14, 1942, to Walter A. Thum for Article handling machinery.

The initially unsliced loaves L, on being passed through the slicing means l5, are each divided .into, in the present instance, two fractions 1, l,

which are shifted axially away from each other and disposed into consecutive alignment by the fractionating transfer conveyer l6 and consecutively discharged into the pockets of the conveyer I! for delivery into the primary wrapping machine B', by which each of said fractions is individually or separately wrapped. The so wrapped fractions 1, l, are then conveyed in consecutive order by the discharge conveyer l8 to the switching mechanism C, by which each successive two fractions are shifted again into axial alignment or normal loaf-forming relationship and in such re-aligned relation conveyed by the intatke conveyer 20 into the second wrapping machine D, by which each succeeding pair of separately wrapped fractions is wrapped in an outer wrap in the formation substantially of a double wrapped fractionally divided full loaf, and the packages P delivered, in turn, by the conveyer l2 upon the platform or plate l3 for removal.

Again, with reference now to Figures 5 and 6, A is a. slicing machine having a feed conveyer 2 I, slicing means 22, and a fractionating transfe conveyer 23. The whole or unsliced loaves L, on being fed through the slicing means 22, are each subdivided into a pair of fractions 1, f, and delivered upon the conveyer 23 and by which some of such fractions, as the fractions f, are successively discharged first on to a dead plate 23 and then upon a straight-run forwardly extending and upwardly inclined carry-over conveyer 24 to a second dead plate 24' and then delivered to the intake conveyer 25 of a so-called secondary wrapping machine D Meanwhile the other loaf fractions 1' are successively shifted axially away from the fractions f and delivered by the conveyer 23 upon the laterally extending intake conveyer 26 of a so-called primary wrapping machine B, by which such fractions f are successively separately wrapped and then delivered by a forwardly extending discharge conveyer 21 upon a second laterally extending conveyer 28 and by the latter conveyed successively to and upon a dead plate 28 and then upon the conveyer 25 and into re-coaxial alignment with the separate, and as yet unwrapped, fraction f. I The successive pairs of so re-aligned or end-to-end disposed fractions, each pair nOW comprising an unwrapped fraction f and a wrapped fraction f, are now by the conveyer 25 fed into .the wrapping machine D and by such machine wrapped as a single full length loaf. From the machine D the successive packages, each now including an outer wrap enclosing one unwrapped loaf fraction 1 and one wrapped loaf fraction 1, are, in turn, conveyed for removal by a conveyer 28' upon a discharge table, or the like, 28", as shown.

Figure '7 illustrates a spaced economizing and compact method practicing machine arrangement, which includes a slicing machine A having a rearwardly extending feed conveyer 29, slicing means 30, and a rearwardly extending transfer conveyer 3|. Operativel mounted at the discharge end of the transfer conveyer 3|, is an elevating mechanism 32 comprising a pair of spaced pulleys 33, 34, reeved about which is an endless conveyer belt 35 provided with a series of swingable plates 36 each having an inwardly projecting foot 3'! for engagement during upward loaf-elevating movement of the belt 35 with a guide track 38. Operativel mounted in juxtaposition to the upper limit of travel of the elevating plates 36, is a, reciprocatory push or pull off arm 39 actuable in timed relation with the elevating mechanism 32, all as best seen in Figure 7.

Also operatively mounted adjacent the upper limit of travel of the elevating conveyer 35 and longitudinally extending forwardly over the slicing machine A is a straight-line conveyer 40 for successively delivering the sliced bread loaves or loaf fractions, as the case may be, into the intake conveyer 4| of a wrapping machine B for delivery, in turn, by a conveyer 4| onto a discharge plate 4| for removal.

In Figures 8 and 9, A is a loaf-slicing machine having an intake conveyer 42, slicing means 43, and a rearwardly extending fractionating transfer conveyer 44 adapted for simultaneously shifting the loaf fractions in co-axial pair alignment along separate paths, as at p, p, Figure 8. The loaf fraction p moving along one of the paths will directly discharge onto a longitudinally rearwardly extending intake conveyer 45 of a socalled primary wrapping machine B while the loaf fractions p moving along the other path will be shifted onto a laterally extending auxiliary transfer conveyer 46 for discharge by mechanical means 46' onto the intake conveyer 41 of another so-called primary wrapping machine B the conveyer 47, as best seen in Figure 8, longitudinally extending rearwardly in spaced parallel relation to the conveyer 45 of the machine B The wrapping machine 13* has a forwardly extending discharge conveyer 48 for delivering the wrapped loaf fractions p to one side of the intake conveyer 49 of a so-called secondary wrapping machine D, while the other primary wrapping machine B has a similar forwardly extending discharge conveyer 50 for delivering the wrapped loaf fractions 1) to a laterally extending auxiliary discharge conveyer 5|, by which latter the loaf fractions p are shifted to and upon the dead plate 5| and then to the other side of the intake conveyer 49 into respective co-axial full loafforming alignment with the loaf fractions p which have been delivered upon the intake conveyer 49 by the other discharge conveyer 48, each pair of wrapped fractions p, p, being again by the machine D wrapped endwise together in single loaf relation and delivered by a conveyer 5| upon a discharge plate 5| for removal.

In the multiple composite loaf package machine arrangement shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, A is a loaf slicing machine which includes a feed conveyer 52, slicing mechanism 53, and a fractionating rearwardly extending transfer conveyer 54. Disposed horizontally over the conveyer 54 and extending transversel across the discharge side of the slicing mechanism 53, is a delivery plate 55 having a rearwardly projecting tongue or hold-back portion 56 extending longitudinally outwardly over the transfer conveyer 54 and having a transverse dimension substantially the same as half the length of the deliveryplate 55 so as to extend substantially from the mid point to one side margin thereof, all as best seen in Figure 10. Operatively mounted on the framework of the slicing mechanism 53, is an outwardly projecting lug 53 for swingably supporting a conventional hold-down plate h, also as best seen in Figure 10.

The transfer conveyer 54 is further provided with a pair of side guides 51 each having an inwardly extending oblique portion 58. Also supported over the transverse conveyer 54 intermediate the side guides 51, is a center guide having a rearwardly extending free-swingin switch guide 59, the transfer conveyer 54 being also provided with a pluralit of conventional chain- 'driven flight bars 60, all as best seen in Figure and for purposes presentl fully appearing.

Operatively mounted at the discharge end of the transfer conveyer 54, is the conventional laterally extending intake conveyer 6| of an initial or so-called primar wrapping machine B adapted for wrapping loaf fractions and provided at its discharge end with a delivery conveyer 62 longitudinall extending forwardly in spaced parallel relation to the conveyers 52, 54.

Operatively mounted at the discharge end of the conveyer 62, is a fraction re-aligning mechanism C a dead plate 63, and an intake conveyer 64 operatively associated with a secondary wrapping machine D preferably constructed and Operatively associated in a manner more fully disclosed and described in said Thum Letters Patent No. 2,289,943.

fraction of whole wheat bread and a half fraction of white bread, a plurality of full unsliced white loaves X may be placed upon the slicing machine feed conveyer 52 in alternate sequence with full unsliced whole wheat loaves Y. The loaves X, Y, are successively fed through the slicing mechanism 53 and issue upon th delivery plate 55 and each loaf divided into component fractions .12, :c', and y, y' respectively. As will be seen by reference to Figures 10 and 11, the one fraction :1: of the first White loaf X will move directly down upon the transfer conveyer 54 in front of an oncoming flight rod 60. This fraction a: is manually removed, so that the first loaf fraction to be deposited upon the transfer conveyer 54 will be the succeeding whole wheat fraction 11 Meanwhile the white fraction ac will have moved forwardly over the tongue or hold-back plate 56 and will be deposited in front of the next succeeding flight rod 60.

Following the deposition of the fraction :r', a subsequent white fraction as and thereafter a subsequent whole wheat fraction y will be successively deposited for the ultimate formation of a second composite loaf.

As will also be seen in'Figure 10, this operates so as to feed the white loaf fractions at, as, into the pockets of the intake conveyer 6| in heel to heel relationship. Similarly the whole wheat loaf fractions 11, 'y, are also fed to the intake conveyer in heel to heel relationship. Thus, in every instance, the two loaf fractions which follow each other consecutively with their respective or open soft ends in adjacent proximity will always be a pair consisting of one white fraction :1: and one whole wheat fraction 11 or conversely on white fraction as and one whole wheat fraction y. The fractions as, as, J, y, are separately wrapped in the primary wrapping machine B and are fed by the delivery mecha nism 62, to the switching mechanism C by which latter the loaf fractions are deposited upon first one side and then the other side of the dead plate 63, each loaf fraction being, in turn, pushed from the dead plate 63 to the intake conveyer 64 of the secondary wrapping machine D by an oncoming loaf fraction. The switching mechanism C is so timed with relation to,.the movement of the intake conveyer 64, so that a loaf fraction 0: and a loaf fraction y or a loaf fraction x or a loaf fraction y, as the case may be, are deposited in axially aligned or end-to-end loaf-forming relationship upon the intake conveyer 64 for ultimate disposition by the machine D Within an outer wrapping in the formation of an outer wrapped and packaged composite loaf comprising a pair of also separately Wrapped different loaf fractions.

If it is desired to omit the elongated tongue 56 of the delivery plate 55 and operate the transfer conveyer 54 for simple loaf fractionation, then composite packaging may be achieved simply by removing the first loaf fraction cc, for instance, as it i delivered into the switching mechanism C and, at the same time, retarding for one half cycle the forward movement of the intake conveyer 64 of the secondary wrapping machine D Under such circumstances, it will be seen that initially a white fraction :0 will be deposited on one side of the dead plate 63 and then a whole wheat fraction 11 will .be deposited on the other side of the dead plate 63, forming a composite loaf. The two fractions 3;, y, will be successively pushed off the dead plate 63 into the delayed intake conveyer 84 for disposition in an outer wrapper, as above described.

Thus the baker is enabled to most economically, conveniently, and speedily wrap and double wrap loaf fractions for commerciaidelivery by the baker to consumers in a manner conserving the freshness and tastiness of the loaf, and it should b understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the method practicing machine arrangements may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters ,Patent is:.

1. An article handling machine comprising a table, a conveyer for progressing the articles over the table in a consecutive series one behind the other in which the axes of the respective articles are in spaced parallel relation, a dead plate extending across the end of the conveyer in forwardly spaced relation thereto, means for shifting the progressed articles transversely to their initial path of travel for arrangement upon the dead plate in consecutive groups of axially aligned articles, and a second conveyor operable in timed relation to the first conveyer for progressing the series of axially aligned groups.

2. In bread-handling mechanism, first, second, and third conveyers arranged in successive order, an intake plate between the first and second conveyers, and a discharge plate between the second and third conveyers, said first conveyer including means for depositing a single loaf-fraction on the intake plate in such manner that each such fraction will push the previously deposited fraction upon the second conveyer, said second conveyer including fraction-progressing means and fraction-shifting means co-operably associated for depositing a plurality of fractions upon the discharge plate in an axially aligned group in such manner that each such group will push the previously deposited group upon thethird'conveyer,

and said third conveyer including means for progressing the deposited fraction groups away from the point of deposition prior to the deposition of a succeeding group.

3. In bread-handling mechanism, first, second, and third conveyers arranged in successive order, an intake plate between the first and second conveyers, and a discharge plate between the second and third conveyers, said first conveyer including means for depositing a single loaf-fraction on the intake plate in such manner that each such fraction will push the previously deposited fraction upon the second conveyer, said second conveyer including fraction-progressing means and fraction-shifting means co-operably associated for depositing a plurality of fractions upon the discharge plate in an axially aligned group in such manner that each such group will push the previously deposited group upon the third conveyer, and said third conveyer including means for progressing the deposited fraction groups away from the point of deposition in timed relation to the operation of the fraction-progressing means of the second conveyer.

4. In bread-handling mechanism, first, second, and third conveyers arranged in successive order, an intake plate between the first and second conveyers, a discharge plate between the second and third conveyers, said first conveyer including means for depositing a single loaf-fraction on the intake plate in such manner that each such fraction will push the previously deposited fraction upon the second conveyer, said second conveyer including fraction-progressing means and fraction-shifting means co-operably associated for depositing a plurality of fractions upon the discharge plate in an axially aligned endwise spaced group in such manner that each such group will push the previously deposited group upon the third conveyer, and said third conveyer including means for progressing the deposited fraction groups away from the point of deposition prior to the deposition of a succeeding group, and means co-operable with the third conveyer for shifting the fractions of each group axially toward each other into endwise abutment.

5. In article handling mechanism, a transfer conveyer, a wrapping machine intake conveyer extending forwardly from the transfer conveyer as a continuation thereof, a dead plate interpo'sed between thetwo conveyers, a pair of spaced parallel chains provided with spaced parallel flight rods extending therebetween, said chains being operatively mounted on and movable along the transfer conveyer for engaging a group of consecutively aligned articles, switching means co-operable with the transfer conveyer for depositing said articles in spaced axial alignment upon the dead plate for transference as a group to the intake conveyer, and chain-driven flight rods and converging side guides associated with the intake conveyer for shifting the spaced axially aligned articles into endwise abutment.

6. In article handling mechanism, a first table and means for progressing articles thereacross, a second table and means for progressing articles thereacross, said second table being disposed in endwise alignment with the first table, a dead plate interposed between the first and second tables, a pair of spaced parallel chains provided with spaced parallel flight rods extending therebetween, said chains being operatively mounted on and movable along the first table for receiving a group of consecutively aligned articles,

switching means co-operable with the flight rods for depositing said articles in spaced axial alignment upon the dead plate for transference as a group to the second table, chain-driven flight rods and converging side guide members associated with the second table for shifting the spaced axially aligned articles into endwise abutment, and means for driving the article-progressing means of the first and second tables in timed relationship.

7. In article handling mechanism, a transfer conveyer having means for engaging and progressing a grou of consecutively aligned articles, a wrapping machine intake conveyer extending forwardly from the transfer conveyer as a continuation thereof, a dead plate interposed between the two conveyers, switching means cooperable with the transfer conveyer for depositing said articles in spaced axial alignment upon the dead plate for transference as a group to the intake conveyer, article-progressing means operatively associated with the intake conveyer, and converging side guides mounted on the intake conveyer for co-operation with the article-progressing means thereof for shifting the spaced axially aligned articles into endwise abutment.

ELIZABETH PAPENDICK, Ercecutria: and Residuary Heir of the Estate of Gustav C'. Papendiclc, Deceased.

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