US2624994A

US2624994A - Wrapping machine for flexible articles

Info

Publication number: US2624994A
Application number: US205590A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis C Crescenzo
Original assignee: Package Machinery Co
Current assignee: Package Machinery Co
Priority date: 1951-01-11
Filing date: 1951-01-11
Publication date: 1953-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-13

Description

Jan. 13, 1953 F. c. CRESCENZO 2,624,994

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 11, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR hulk/562605505020 BY dyalwfia ATTORN EYS Jan. 13, 1953 F. CRESCENZO WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 11, 1951 Jan. 13, 1953 F. c. CRESCENZO WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed Jan. 11, 1951 Jan. 13, 1953 F. c. CRESCENZO 2,624,994

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 11,, 1951 s shee ts sheet 4 I Emu/s 6'. (R556 [#20 ATTORNEYS ?atented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT ()FFICE WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Application January 11, 1951, Serial No. 205,590

. 8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improvement in machines for wrapping relatively thin flexible articles such as decorated shelf paper, folded paper table cloths, table mats, and similar articles.

The principal and general object of the invention is the provision of a' machine for the purpose which will enclose objects of the above character in a wrapper and seal the wrapper in a rapid and efiicient manner without damage to the article in its passage through the wrapping and sealing instrumentalitics.

A more specific object is the provision in a machine of this character of improved wrapping and sealing instrumentalities capable of operating on relatively thin' flexible articles at high speed to produce a uniform package without wrinkling or otherwise damaging the article or wrapper.

A further specific object is the provision of means for advancing the articles in the course of the wrapping and sealing operations, which will cooperate with the wrapping and sealing instrumentalities to maintain the article fiat and in register with the wrapper during the operation of the machine.

Other and further objects relating to details of construction will be made apparent in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the infeed end of the machine, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the'central portion of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the discharge end of the machine; 7

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5-5of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4; I V

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view of the'trirnming mechanism substantially on line l''? of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 6, showing the action of the package feed control cam. v

As shown inFig; 1, flat thin" articles a are fed into themachinef'in any suitable manner as by a constantly driven conveyor l'carrying a plurality ofpu er w i hadva pe t arti l over uide. i s- 3 ani n c. a ie erator. generally in i t ate, when'the latterisinits-lowerposition, shown in dotted lines. The elevator is formed in rear and forwardsections 5 and 6 supported on the upper ends of respective vertical slides i and 8, moving in bearings It. Elevators of this type are well known and a detailed description thereof is believed unnecessary, other than to say that the slides l and 8 are reciprocated by respective levers H and i2, so timed that the two sections are aligned in the lower position and moved together to their upper position but, as shown in Fig. l, the rear section 5 retreats in advance of section 6 to permit the rear wrapper fold to be made as later referred to. I

As the articles are raised by the elevator they encounter a wrapper w which is fed into the path of the article in any suitable manner as by belts l3 and friction wheels Hi.

The article and wrapper are elevated to the level of the table [5, the rear and forward exten sionsof the wrapper being bent downwardly by engagement with stationary folders l6 and H.

The rear elevator section 5 isthen lowered as shown in full line in Fig. 1 and a rear folder blade I8 is advanced to fold the downwardly extending rear wrapper extension beneath the article. The folder blade is connected by a link 2i.) to one end of a lever 2| which is actuated by a cam; not shown, to reciprocate the folder blade. Upon completion of the rear fold by blade IB-a. pusher 22 is advanced to move the article and wrapper from the elevator onto the table, the downwardly extending forward extension ofthe Wrapper being folded beneath the article and into overlapping relation with the rear fold as the article passes over the edge of the table. The pusher 22 is carried at the forward end of a slide 23 which is connected by a link 24 to a lever 25 which is actuated by a cam, not shown, to reciprocate the pusher 22 in timed relation with the blade l8 and the elevator. I

The blade i8, elevator section B, and the adjacent portion of table 15 are grooved as at 26 to receive fingers 27 extending downwardly from the pusher 22. As the package is advanced by the pusher 22, it is held in place by overly'ing spring mounted plates 29 carried by bars 30' and" spaced to permit'passage of fingers 21. I Bars 30 are suspended by rods 3| from a bridge member 32 sup ported at the sidesof the table.

The pusher 22 advances to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, leaving the package with its rear portion resting on a portion of the table whichicarries a heater which acts to heat seal theioverl'apping ,por'tionsof the rear and forward under-folds ofthe wrapper. As shown in Fig. 1,

the forward portion of the package freely overlies a constantly traveling belt which passes around a rear idle pulley 36 and a forward pulley 31 (Fig. 3) secured to a shaft 38 which is constantly driven, as later described. The package is pressed against the heated table surface by the spring plates 29 with sufiicient firmness so that the belt 35 does not advance the package. After an interval sufficient to effect the sealing of the underfolds, the upper surface of the forward edge portion of the package is engaged, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, by one pair of a series of pairs of continuously traveling pulling fingers 39, which press the package against the belt 35 and, with the belt, draw the package forwardly.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the fingers 39, which are preferably formed of rubber or other yielding anti-friction material, are fixed in transverse bars 40 which are connected by arms M to pivot shafts 42. The shafts 42 are connected at 43 to a normally constantly traveling chain 44 trained around a rear sprocket 45 (Fig. 1) and a forward sprocket 45, Fig. 3, the latter sprocket being fixed to a shaft 41 which is driven as later described. The ends of the pivot shafts 42 are provided with wheels 48 which ride on upper tracks 50 through the upper run of the chain and in lower tracks 5| through the lower run of the chain. Tracks 50 and 5I are formed in side plates 52 which are supported at their rear ends by cross rods 53 mounted in standards 54, and at their forward ends by cross rods 55 and shaft 41, mounted in frame brackets 56.

As shown in Fig. 1 and at the right in Fig. 4, the arms are provided with extensions 51 which carry cam rolls 58. The extensions terminate in stop members 59 which are normally held in engagement with cross rods 60, fixed to the chain 44, by springs 6| connected between

pins

63 and 64 carried respectively by rods and cross member 65 extending between the arms 4|. Rods 60 carry guide wheels 66 which travel on tracks 505I advance of wheels 48. As the arms round the rear sprocket 45 (Fig. 1), the cam rolls 58 engage cams 81 which are adjustably supported by bolts 68 extending through slots 69 in side plates 52. The earns 61 swing arms 4I upwardly as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and maintain them in raised position until the arms reach the dotted line position in the latter figure, when rolls 58 run off of the cams permitting the fingers 39 to engage the forward edge portions of the package under the action of spring 6| to press the package against the belt 35 and .pull the article forwardly as previously described.

Any tendency of the chain 44 to buckle under the pull of springs BI is resisted by a center rail 10, which is bolted to the rods 1I (Figs. 4 and 8), and beneath which the chain 44 rides. The belt 35 runs over spaced longitudinally directed bars 12, Fig. 6, which rest on a plate 13 supported on suitable cross members 14 extending between side frame members generally indicated at 15.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the sides of the article extend outwardly at each side of the belt 35. The side edge portions of the package ride on stationary bars 16 which are supported by brackets 11 from the frame members 15. Upper bars 18 are carried by pins 19 which extend through brackets 80, carried by the frame members 15, springs 8| pressing the bars lightly against the article.

As the partially wrapped article is drawn forwardly, the portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article are engaged between pairs of crimping rolls, Figs. 2, 4 and 6, positioned at opposite sides of the path of the article. The upper crimping roll 83 of each pair is mounted on the inner end of a short shaft 84 journaled in a yoke 85 pivotally mounted in brackets 88 carried by frame members or carriages 81. The carriages 81 are slidably mounted on

shafts

89 and 89 journaled in brackets 90 (Fig. 4) carried by the machine frame. The lower crimping rolls 9| are splined on shaft 88 to which are also splined gears 92 which mesh with gears 93 fixed on the outer ends of the short shafts 84 which carry the upper crimping rolls. The members 81 are provided with vertical pins 95 which extend through the yokes 85. Springs 98 surround the pins 95 and are compressed between the yokes and washers 91, held on the pins by nuts 98, to yieldingly press the upper crimping rolls against the lower crimping rolls. Shaft 88 carries a sprocket 99 driven by a chain I00 from a sprocket IOI secured to a constantly rotating, power driven shaft I92, later described.

The lower crimping rolls rotate in contact with blocks I03 carried by members 81 and heated by any suitable electrical heating units as indicated at I05. The lower heating rolls are thus maintained at a temperature to heat seal the wrapper extensions together as they are crimped. The upper crimping rolls operate through opening I08 (Figs. 6 and 8) formed in shoes I01 which press the upper and lower wrapper extensions together as they pass between the crimping rolls.

The crimping of the side extensions of the wrapper tends to shorten the extensions longitudinally with the result that the wrapper tends to shift slightly over the face of the article. To permit this adjustment to take place uniformly and without wrinkling, the pulling fingers are raised to permit the package to be advanced freely by the crimping rolls. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 8, as the wrapper extensions are engaged by the crimping rolls, the cam rolls 58 engage fixed cams I08 which raise the fingers clear of the package, thus releasing the package from the pull of the fingers and belt 35. The cams I08 are supported at the ends of crossbars I09 which are carried by a longitudinal bar III! which is adjustably secured to rail 10 by bolts II I extending through slots I I2 in the bar I Ill. The adjustable mounting of cams I08 and of cams 61 previously described permit the timing of the operation of the cams to be shifted to accommodate packages of different longitudinal extent.

In order to secure a neat appearance the rotary cutters II5 are mounted forwardly of the crimping rolls and positioned to trim the sidewise wrapper extension adjacent the outer edge of the crimped zone of the extensions. As best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and '1, the cutters II5 are adjustably fixed at IIS on sleeve II1 which are splined at I I8 to the shaft 89 and journaled in suitable anti-friction bearings H9 in the frame members 81. The cutters II5 act against platen rolls I20 between which the wrapper extensions are initially advanced by the crimping rolls. Just before the articles leave the crimping rolls, the pull fingers are released by cams I08 to again draw the article forwardly. The platen rolls I20 are mounted by means of anti-friction bearings I 2I (Fig. '1) on the ends of studs I22 pivoted at I23 in frame members 81. Screws I 24 hearing against the studs I22 intermediate their pivots and the platen rolls, adjustably hold the platen rolls in operative relation with the cutters. The relative transverse position of the platens and cutters is established by adjusting the cutters on their sleeves H1. The frame members 31, and the crimpers and cutters carried thereby, may be moved toward and from each other on the supporting

shafts

88 and 89, to which they are splined, by a shaft I reversely threaded, as atv I2-6, at its opposite ends in the adjacent frame members 81. By rotation of shaft I25 the cutter and crimper assemblies may be adjusted to accommodate articles of different width. For convenience, and as shown, the adjusting rotation of shaft I25 is effected by a chain I28 passing around sprockets I29 and I30 carried respectively by shafts I25 and a shaft I3I (Fig. 3), later referred to, and which carries a hand Wheel I32. Cutter shaft 89 is constantly driven by a chain I33 passing around sprockets I 34 and I35 carried byshafts 89 and I02 respectively.

From the cutters the articles are drawn between side folders I38', Figs. 2 and 4, which are adjustably secured by brackets I39 to posts I40 carried by side frame members MI. The rear ends of side frame members I4I are adjustably bolted at I42 to the frame members 81 and at their forward ends are supported by shaft I36 secured at its ends in. frame brackets I31, Figs. 3 and 4. The ends of shaft I3I are reversely threaded, as indicated at I44 in Fig. 5, in the forward ends of frame members I4I so that the latter with the parts carried thereby may be adjusted toward and from each other simultaneously with frame members 81, the frame members 8! and I 4| making up the side members previously generally referred to as 75. The folders I38 by their engagement with the wrapper extensions fold the extensions downwardly at right angles to the plane of the articles. Continued movement of the articles brings the downwardly folded extensions into engagement with folders I43 which fold the wrapper extensions beneath the article and against the under side thereof. The folders I43 are secured by brackets I to the frame members I4I.

Forwardly of the folder I43 suitable heating members, indicated at I46, Figs. 3 and 5,, are pro w vided to seal the underfolded wrapper extensions to the under face of the package.

The completely wrapped and sealed articles are discharged onto a suitable conveyor such as belt I41 trained around a pulley I48 fixed to a shaft I49.

The shaft 4''! from which chain 44 is driven is provided with a sprocket I50 connected by a sprocket chain I5I to a sprocket I52 fixed to one end of a cross shaft I53, Figs. 3 and 5, the opposite end of which carries a sprocket I54. A sprocket chain I55 passes over sprocket I54, an idler tightening sprocket I55, a sprocket I51 on shaft I49, 3, sprocket I58 on shaft 38 and around a sprocket I59 (Fig. 2) on shaft I02 which is driven by a chain I (Fig. 1) from shaft I66 driven by an electric motor or other source of power, not shown. Chain 44 is driven at the same lineal speed as, belt 35. Previously mentioned conveyor I is constantly driven from sprocket I61 fixed to the shaft I66.

Preferably, additional pressure is applied to the underturned edges of the wrapper. For this purpose, see Figs. 3 and 5, arms IBI pivoted on pins I62 are provided with rolls I 63 which ride on the packages as the latter are discharged from the machine.

As the forward edge of the articles reaches the end of belt 35, the fingers 39 are raised, to

release the articles, by cams i'68,,1 igs.3 and 5, which are engaged by the cam rolls 58 previously described. The cams I69 are secured to the side plates 52.

The above described arrangement of a constantly traveling belt and pulling fingers between which the forward edge of the articles are gripped in combination with means for releasing the pulling fingers during the time the articles are under the control of the crimping fingers makes possible the wrapping of extremely thin articles. Further, such arrangement with the arrangement by which the articles are held closely adjacent the side edges at which the crimping, trimming and folding operations take place makes possible the wrapping of articles which are not only extremely thin, but also extremely limp and flexible.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means to fold a Wrapper around an article to leave portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; constantly traveling means to releasably clamp the forward edge portion of the article to pull the article forwardly, constantly driven crimping rolls at the side of the path of movement of the article and positioned to engage the said extendin portions of the wrapper between them and means to release the article from said clamping means during the period that the wrapper extensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freely advance the article during the crimping operation.

2. In a machine for wrapping thin fiat articles which includes means to fold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; constantly traveling clamping means to releasably clamp the forward edge portion of the article to pull the article forwardly, crimping rolls at the side of the path of movement of the article and positioned to engage the said extending portions of the article between them, means to heat said crimping rolls, means acting on said clamping means to release the article therefrom as the wrapper extensions enter the crimping rolls, means to drive the crimping rolls to advance the article and simultaneously crimp the upper and lower portions of the wrapper extensions together, and' means, acting on said clamping means to cause the latter to again clamp the forward edge portion of the article as the wrapper extensions are released by the crimping rolls.

3. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means to fold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the. sides of the article; constantly traveling means including means to releasably clamp the forward edge portion of the article to said constantly traveling means to pull the article forwardly, crimping rolls at the side of the path of movement of the article and positioned to engage the said extending portions of the article between them, means to heat said crimping rolls, means acting on said clamping means to release the article from said constantly traveling means as the wrapper extensions enter the crimping rolls, means to drive the crimping rolls to advance the article and simultaneously crimp the upper and lower portions of the wrapper extensions together, means forwardly of the crimping rolls to trim the edge portions of the crimped wrapper extensions to predetermined width, and means acting on said clamping means to again olampthe forward edge portion of the article to said constantly traveling means as the wrapper extensions are released by the crimping rolls.

4. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means to fold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article, a constantly traveling belt, means to advance the forward edge portion of the sopartially wrapped article into overlying relation with said belt, means to press the forward edge portion of the article into clamped engagement with said belt to draw the article forwardly, constantly driven pairs of crimping rolls spaced from the side of the belt and in the path of said extending portion of the wrapper, means to release the article from the belt during the passage of the wrapper extensions through the crimping rolls, means to trim the crimped wrapper extensions to predetermined width, and means to fold the trimmed wrapper extensions against one face of the article.

5. In a machine for wrapping thin fiat articles which includes means to fold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; a folding channel, an endless belt extending longitudinally of the folding channel, the upper run of said belt forming the floor of said channel, means to constantly drive said belt, means to advance the forward edge portion of successive, so-partially wrapped articles into overlying relation with said belt, an endless chain conveyor positioned above the belt, means to constantly drive said conveyor at the same lineal speed as the belt, and a series of spaced spring pressed fingers carried by the chain and positioned to engage with the said forwardly advanced edge portion only of the articles presented to the belt to clamp said portion of the articles to the belt to pull the articles through the folding channel.

6. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means to fold a wrapper around :an article to leave upper and lower portions of the Wrapper extending outwardly from the sides -.of the article; a folding channel, an endless belt (extending longitudinally of the folding channel, the upper run of said belt forming the floor of said channel, means to constantly drive said belt, means to advance the forward edge portion of successive, so-partially wrapped articles into overlying relation with said belt, an endless chain conveyor positioned above the belt, means to constantly drive said conveyor at the same lineal speed as the belt, a series of spaced spring pressed fingers carried by the chain and engageable with the said forward edge portion of the articles presented to the belt to clamp the articles to the belt to pull the articles through the folding channel, two pairs of crimping rolls positioned one pair at each side of the folding channel and positioned in the path of the said extending portions of the wrapper to receive said extending portions between them, means to heat one roll of each pair,

means to constantly drive said crimping rolls, and cam means to raise said fingers from the articles during the period that the wrapper extensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freely advance the article during the crimping operation.

7. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means to fold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; a folding channel, an endless belt extending longitudinally of the folding channel, the upper run of said belt forming the floor of said channel, means to constantly drive said belt, means to advance the forward edge portion of successive, so-partially' wrapped articles into overlying relation with said belt, an endless chain conveyor positioned above the belt, means to constantly drive said conveyor at the same lineal speed as the belt, a series of spaced spring pressed fingers carried by the chain and engageable with the said forward edge portion of the articles presented to the belt to clamp the articles to the belt to pull the articlesthrough the folding channel, two pairs of crimping rolls positioned one pair at each side of the folding channel and positioned in the path of the said extending portions of the wrapper to receive said extending portions'between them, means to heat one roll of each pair, means to constantly drive said crimping rolls, cam means to raise said fingers from the articles during the period that the wrapper extensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freely advance the article during the crimping operation, stationary folders positioned at the sides of the channel to fold the crimped wrapper extension against one face of the article, and means intermediate the crimping rolls and said stationary folders to trim the edge portions of the crimped wrapper extensions to predetermined width.

8. In a wrapping machine which includes means to fold a wrapper around an article to leave portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; a constantly traveling conveyor, means carried by the conveyor for releasably engaging the article to move it forwardly, constantly driven crimping rolls at the sides of the path of movement of the article and positioned to engage the said extending portions of the wrapper between them, and means to release said article engaging means during the period that the wrapper extensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freely advance the article during the crimping operation.

FRANCIS C. CRESCENZO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 996,187 Wilson June 2'7, 1911 2,283,097 Sandberg May 12, 1942