US2661583A - Machine for wrapping garment hangers - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ET AL 2,661,

MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS Filed Jan. 12. 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS HARRY M.S|MMONS y ROBERT M. SIMMONS yATTORNEY H. M. SIMMONS ETAL 2,661,583 MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS Dec. 8, 1953 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 12. 1951 AN V EN TORS HARRY M. SIMMONS ROBERTM.SIMMONS 33 WNW ATTOR NE Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ETAL MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS l3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 12. 1951 FATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ET AL 2,661,583

MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS Filed Jan. 12. 1951 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 p5: FR r: j u Q v M I;\ P

l: P '-I\ r53 5 0 IO A- INVENTOR HARRY M.SIMMONS BY ROBERT M.SIMMONS r ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ETAL MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 12. 1951 FIGJO.

F! G INVENTORS HARRY M.SIMMONS ROBERT'NLSIMMONS g ATTORNEY H. M. SIMMONS ETAL MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS Dec. 8, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 12. 1951 INVENTORS HARRY msmmows y ROBERT M.S|MMONS fi/KTTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1953 H- M. SIMMONS ET AL 2,661,533

MACHINE FOR WRAFPiNG GARMENT HANGERS Fl SJ 9.

I46 INVENTORS \BFIG-IB. BY zszm'smwozs 5% I44 3 2mm; N EYWX Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ETAL 2,651,583

I MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS Filed Jan. 12. 1951 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG.2|.

To CU RRENT SOURCE INVENTORS HARRY M.SIMMONS BY ROBERT M.SIMMONS a ATToRNEY Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ETI'AL 2,651,583

- MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS Filed Jan. 12. 1951 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 HA RRY M. SIMMONS ROBERT NLSIMMONS Flam? Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ETAL MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS l3 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 12. 1951 IN V EN TORS HARRY M. SIMMONS BY ROBERT M.S|MMONS A 5. 7 ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS EI'AL MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS l3 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Jan. 12. 1951 INVENTORS HAHHY msmmws BY ROBERT MSIMMONS fiTTOR Y Dec. 8, 1953 H. M. SIMMONS ET AL MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS l5 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Jan. 12, 1951 S Y SN E MNO N TO R mm MMM m n31 4 Ym J RE R8 AO HR Patented Dec. 8, 1953 U N- -l-T ED STATES MACHINE FOR WRAPPING GARMENT HANGERS.-

Michigan Application January 12, 1951;Serial No; 205,818

Claims;

Thisinvention relates to wrapping machines an'd' particularlymachines for wrapping garment hangers. It has become fairly commonto manuany appl-ypaper covers-towire garment hangers, the' coveredhangers 1 being 1 less likely to become soiled-prior to use; and safeguarding garments againstany dirt, oil, or grease picked up by-the hanger: duringmanufacture or subsequenthandlin'gz Suohcovers'moreover improve the ap' peara'n'ce of wire hangers, are useful as an advertisingmedium; and add materially to load capacity-5' Amobjeot of 'theinvention is'to provide a-ma chine that wil1' rapid1yapp1y paper covers to Wire garment hangers ,--saving muchtime and labor as comparecl to amanual-operation.

Another object is to adapt the machin'eto seal the covers, asv applied, aifordingrthe wrapped hangers at least such permanency as their customary-use requires.

Another object is to provide for' mechanically deliveringlgarment hangers toa" wrapping mechani'sm: at a predetermined rate, and for aut'o maticallyi ejecting the wrapped hangersand con veyin'g themfrom such :mechanism at the same rate;-

A'nother: object is 1 to equip the described ma-- chine with a table on which a -largesupplyof hangerfcovers may-bestacked; to "successively d'epositLWire. hangers on the stacked covers;- to shift each: hanger an'd the top m'ost cover; in unison to a wrapping. table, to: then-mechanically eifeet wrapping and. sealing operation; and to finally discharge?thewrapped -hanger; effecting all said operations in rapid sequence.

Another object is to adapta carriage to eject a wrapped hanger'from the wrapping table, while delivering-3. anothershanger. and .its cover to such table.

Anothenobject is. to.. .adapt the cover supply tableto be" automatically and: gradually raised 1 and thus-.1maintain: aadesired top level of the stacked covers, whereby a picloupmechanism mayproperly :takeeffect. on the uppermost cover and-a superposed hanger, despite progressive de pletion of the stack;

Another object is to accuratelyguide andposition hangers, as individually deposited on,a stack of covers; sothat-flapportions of'the covers will suitably projectbeyondr-corresponding hanger spans,v

Anot-her'object =iSttO adapt one. or 'moreelectro magnets to assist inproperly positioning a: hanger on the stackof covers.

Another-t object is: to; use electromagnets establishing-whe proper'-- position of i hangers onthe' wra pping tablez- Another object is to adapt electromagnets on a carriageto pick up hangers at' the cover stack andretain them during transfer tothe wrappingtable;

Another object is to adapta suction device or devices on the carriage to-pick up the topmost cover at tl-ie stack" and transfer it inunison "with" a hanger to the wrappingtable;

Another object is to prov-ide'm'echanism ford' livering and applying sealing-stickers to the covers, and for automatically severing such stickers from -=apaper strip-preliminary to such delivery.

Another object is to adapt a suctiondevice-to automatically pickup stick'ers as severed" from the strip and I deliver and accurately apply them to the wrapped hangers.

Another obj ect- -is-to establish-a certain sequential relation-betweenmechanisms "for folding the several flaps of each cover whereby such-naps" will properly la'p eaoh other without interference.

Another object is to employ reciprocation of'a" carriage for-j transferring hangers and covers from= a coverst'ack-to a wrappingtable; to guide the carriage in a suitabltraek, an'dto mechani=- cally raise and lower the track in its reciprocation, for clearance-purposes;

Another" object is to provide for accurately timing energization periods of electromagnets and-suction devices, ando'f other" operation's'iine cidentto -perf0rmance-of*themachine;

These and various other objects are attained b y -theconstruction hereinafter describedand illustrated m I the accompanying drawings; where'- m:

Fig. l -is a rear elevationalviewof a garment hanger as: wrapped by the described machine.

Fig. -2-'shows the paper sheet employed as a Wrapper:

Fig. 3'=is'-a top plan viewof-"the'main portion of the machine, omitting the'reciprocatorycarriage for clearness. v

Fig; 4 1s a'vertical sectionaldetail'on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 0i oneof apair of hanger positioning fingersi Fig. 5 is-== a view of one side .ofthe machine, showing the lowered position offthe' carriage. track! Fig. 6 shows the other sideiof themachine,

with' the track raised}- Fig. 7 is a iragmentary'top' plan"'view,.dup1icatmg to an enlargedscale; the showing in.Fi"g.-. 3 of a raokhar-mechanism.

Fig. 8 is-atop plan view *orth'eforward exten- 3 sion of the machine frame, and associated mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of said extension and mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line HJI0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational View of a rear extension of the frame and associated mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional detail on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 11, primarily showing a shaft support.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the carriage, cover supply table, and wrapping table, showingfront and rear limiting positions of the carriage, respectively in full and dash lines.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical cross section, on the line l4-i4 of Fig. 13, primarily showing one of the suction nozzles and magnets on the carriage.

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectiona1 detail on the line l5l5 of Fig. 13, showing a provision on the carriage for removing hangers from the wrapping table.

Fig. 16 is a vertical section on the line l6l6 of Fig. 3, detailing a mechanism for feeding a gummed tape to severing means, moistening stickers severed from the tape, and delivering the stickers to a. point of use, the parts being in their position of sticker delivery to said point of use.

Fig. 17 is a section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 16, showing a pair of tape-feeding rollers.

Fig. 18 is a cross section on the line !8--l8 of Fig. 16, showing two adjoined rock arms.

Fig. 19 shows in vertical section a cutter for severing the tape.

Fig. 20 is a View similar to Fig. 16, but showing the mechanism as positioned immediately after a severing operation.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary top plan view of said adjoined arms and their shaft, as positioned in Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is an end view of 'a suction head on one of said arms.

Fig. 23 is a sectional elevation on the line 2323 of Fig. 3, showing the cover supply table, and parts of a mechanism for vertically adjusting such table.

Fig. 24 is a horizontal sectional detail on the line 24-24 of Fig. 23, further illustrating said mechanism.

Fig. 25 is a vertical section on the line 25-25 of Fig. 3, showing another portion of said mechamsm.

Fig. 26 is a vertical sectional detail on the line 2626 of Fig. 3, showing an automatic switch controlling said mechanism.

Fig. 27 is a vertical sectional View of the machine on the line 21-21 of Fig. 6 and primarily showing the main cam shaft and its cams.

Fig. 28 is a vertical section on the line 28-28 of Fig. 6 and primarily showing the main rock shaft and parts thereon.

Fig. 29 is a vertical section on theline 29-29 of Fig. 27, showing a cam operable actuating mechanism for a suction control valve.

Fig. 30 is a cross section of said valve and its mounting, on the line 30-30 of Fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a vertical section on the line 3l-3| of Fig. 27, showing a cam operable electric switch, controlling the magnet circuits.

Fig. 32 is a top plan view of the wrapping table and its wrapping mechanism.

Fig. 33 is a rear view of the same.

Fig."34 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the same ,on the line 3fl34 of Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is an end view of a rockshaft employed in the mechanism for folding over the long cover flap.

Fig. 36 is a vertical section on the line 36-36 of Fig. 27 and showing two cam mechanisms for respectively effecting carriage reciprocation and folding over one of the shorter cover flaps.

Fig. 37 is a vertical section on the line 31-31 of Fig. 27 and showing a cam mechanism for fold= ing the other short cover flap.

Fig. 38 is a diagram of electrical connections.

Fig. 39 is a rear view, as indicated by the line 33-39 of Fig. 5, particularly showing one of a pair of stops engageable by hangers as they are fed to the machine.

Product of the machine With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the purpose of the machine is to apply a paper cover I to a wire garment hanger 2. The hanger comprises the usual triangular body and a shank 3 integrally upstanding from the body and forming a supporting hook 4. The cover I is of a size and shape to form a long flap 5 foldable over the lower span of the lower span of the hanger and duplicate shorter flaps 6 to fold over the hanger sides. One of the flaps 5 slightly overlaps the other at i, centrally of the hanger body, and both of the short flaps marginally overlap the flap 5. A rectangular sticker 8 elongated lengthwise of the hanger overlaps and interconnects.

all three flaps, thus sealing the cover, such sticker preferably registering fully with the lower flap, midway of its length. The three flaps are proportioned to jointly form a rear cover face of substantially the same area as the triangular front face of the cover.

Frame of the machine The frame comprises a pair of horizontally spaced parallel sills 9, rigidly interconnected at their ends by cross beams Hi. Rigidly surmounting said ends are uprights I I, bridged lengthwise of the frame by beams l2 and rigidly and terminally interconnected by front and rear cross bars I3 and 14. The sills 9 are bridged across their front portions by a shelf I5 and their midportions carry cross bars 16 and IT. The sills further carry forward and rearward extensions of the frame, designated respectively 18 and I9, such extensions terminally mounting posts 20 and 22a. The front portions of the beams l2 carry a shelf 2|, and a vertically disposed plate 22 is disposed between and rigidly interconnects the mid-portions of such beams.

Drive to main shafts The shelf I5 carries an electric motor 23, whose shaft 24 has a speed-reducing drive to a shaft 25 through front and rear pulleys 26 and 26a and a belt 21. A cam shaft 28, spaced rearwardly from the shaft 25, is driven from the latter, at a considerable speed reduction, through a pinion 29 and gear 29a. Spaced rearwardly from the cam shaft is a rockshaft 38, driven as hereinafter appears. Bearings for the shafts 25, 28, and 30 surmount the sills 9.

Track and its rocking mechanism Surmounting and extended lengthwise of the frame is a track comprising a pair of channel bars 3| having their rear ends coaxially pivoted on a pair of brackets 32 positioned on the ends of the cross bar l4. Bridged across the mid-portions of, said bars is ashelf 33 and a rock shaft aeensea;

3:4fiszspacediorwardlycottsaidfishelf andijournaled:v aaciitcular-rheadifizzunderlyingiithe table: Screws-1 inzbearings 34assurmountingzsaid.;'bars;.. 52l'zi'orithe'rlike secureethetable to saidzheada Thea Thei'track isirequired atzcertainintervalsinthe; rack bar slides in abearing 53 carried by; a:

machinecycleto. rock upxand-down on itstbrackets; cross bar 54 of theirame. Meshed with the rack 32;. Togeiiecttthis movementaa rock-shaft 35 vis bar is a pinion55jfixedonashaft 5'6'-jcurna1ed journaledzinthesbeamsyI2v andzterminallygrig-idlyt in the framez. Said: shaftl iszrdriven', at';ant end carries a pair of; forwardly-projecting;;armsr3'B: thereof-,;(F.ig; 24)1throughvanwoizmxfilsandiworme= adiacen'titherouter:faces;of. saidibeams-n Lifter wheel; 511a and;thenwormzshaftiflb is drivem links ,3]; inwardly; adjacent said beams; connect; through hes/e15. pinionsio 551:: from; one: end. of; as thegfrontzendsi'of theiarms 1361130 theatrack. The:101shaittfiaiextendingiacrossttheirame. Snchashaft; beams areverticallmslotted :at 3.8 toaccommodat'e: neanzitsiz other; end ziEig; 25);. rigidly? carriessar the shaft; 38a" interconnecting said links and" ratchet wheel;- G11; andifurther;carriesz a: crank: arms; 7 The rack shaft :rigidly carries adowna diskrfi l inexterior :proximity tQ-theJframeL': Said: wardly; extending arm: 39: having a roller 39a; ratchet-L Vi hefiljsf actuablezby-az= pawl: SZxfixed: (Fig- 6) :on its lowerzend seated againsta camz dll 15A on; an:uprightrleversfiiawpivotedzat anoint-62b fixed on; theeshaft 28; said cam-being; designed; between. its .ends: on a:substantial1'y transverse. to :raise iand lcwer the frametwice v per revolution lever 631.; The latter: is: terminally 'pivoted some: (or. cycle) distance'forward'; of the: point" 625 on Jtheiframe: and? extends a much greaterrdistance rearwardly 203- of: saidapointzto zrest; freely;oni.-the. shait-u38aa hav+ Mounted for forward andubacli. travel in th ing lifterrlinkecomiectionsi-3]:ztc thetrack; For: describedtrack is-a. ,carriage (F'ig. 13). comprising; m bl -t pawl against thesratchet; a hollow cross bar M ofsquarecrcss section supe wheelva-l cgjledfsprjng 55; t effect, Orb t portedby a pair of. rollers, 4-2.- journaledon the lower iendhcfltherleveri 52 banends and.fittediinvtheehannelsf of the bars. ASJ so v describecth t t. t tr ,t a of tubes 43 a have threaded Shams 8a;-..when raised twice in each operating;

Carriage and-its drive" mechanisrm front endsinsertediin. tha -bar 4 an mp d cyclewill correspcndingly, raise; the: rear: end; there nt yi nu l44, the r rn s f the tubes cf theleverr63iand' williliftrth'e ,leverz szai 130E351 b gt theyrend p r q a cylindrimuch smaller; extent, whereby; the pawl: fiiqmayu, cal barv45 and'clampedito such bar byrnutseaugggeffecta s1ight kpredetelrmjned d a e.- f the The-band? is suppor edfl its en d elevar ratchet wheel; The:arrangementriszdesignedgtor; tio by, J'Ou fi d in i the p a efiecta quite-gradual periodic upward-adjusts. p ir f l gll k rm li iand fi h v ngv w r ment of. the stable ';\.suchvadjustment;being; ends fixed 0n the Shaft 39- further. greatly retarded bypits: transmission:

p c ticn 0fth'ecarriage-is effected by asithrcug'hthe worm.EliandwcrmwheelE-la; o The Ca r (Fig; 6) fixed. onythe shaft 2 and crank diskifi lrpermits:armuch:mcre rapid adjusts, formed with a circular. groove; 47a eccentric 0: merit; of thea-tableg eitheri umvard oradownwards said-ws fth groove iv ro ler 48 whendesired; TherpaWlGZ. is: held, clear of;

i u n the -p t n of 'an-up i htr ck: the ratchet Wheel: duringi1use of the crank idisk:

arm andnconnected; atits upper end a. totdrive; thisbei-ng; permittedmbyj extendingmithe at n th r. The arrangement s hesitoz in'such shelf. Aisliglit forward actuation-iof the tozconsiderablyr multiplythe forw ard and back 1' projecting; portion. of; the 16V6E'.Wl:11; shift the;

travel cf thei rollero lgflas transmitted tothecare pawl clear, of. the-wratchet: wheel as shown;. inn

riage, The primaryvfunctionofthe carriage is! d h linesfin Fi 25; I

to successively rearwardly transfer. hangers 2, I1; wouldzbe very djffigult if ti ibl rt each paired with acoven I rom altablereceiving. perfectly synchronize-..-;the #upward; feed/sci. the: a. stack of thehcoversrto a wrappingwmechanism tableuwith the rate of; depletion of the stack coverwsuppzytablewzmd its adjustments of: covers; and; i tishence; desirable:.to auto V, t 50.maticallydiscontinne the;automat1cvupward feed.

In rearward proximity to the she1fi2i and at. h th t l l f th t k isrsuited t0 prom,

the a p i l l of n ff mereis ,i erly: coactwithpick-upmechanism;(hereinafter"' stalled a table 51] (Fig! 13) receivmg'ia stack of described) ontheacarriage; Tmsecurethisjljew the covers i. Frontiand 'rear pairs of arms 50w. Sum. a: solenoid; c611, swig; fixedionalat and 5% (Figs 3) carry uprightham which 55 bracket 67a, rigidly 'dep endingiromothe lever 63,:

engage the edges Qf'thestacked'cwers assuring rearwardlygofthe lever 6 2agithe-s plunger 6113501 verticalregistration .andcorrect positioning of. the: solenoid: being; pivot-editor the Iowal porn.

the o y mechanism hereinafter tion of.-theupright-lever; V The selenoid circuit-saw scribedgtn'e carriage is adaptedtor successixjely isflontrouedvbyiarmicrmswimh fiaa l fau tand Withdraw covers from this stack, and replen1sh-.- 6O narditypej) can-1951b}; andbeneathfithe mammal-gm;

ment' is manually efie'ctediwhenevennecessary. f th h lf zl (Fig? 26); Said? switchlhgjs the described COnfOrmS the fl i'ble conisrdl arnver h p pp g in Itislnecessary. frcrn' the; switch and rearwardly be-ypndtsaid;

to, adapt the table to be. automaticallyv lifted m t carry, 111 59 spaceda bovggthe ata V 'TL graduaT-Iate v maintain Vthetop level 5 iforwa-rd margin of the table 563.: Whenthestaclia of thestackisubstan i y co n despite-gradeof covers on the table encounters andslightly ualcliminution Ofiih ta i wiseipick raises saidroll'er, the'switchfiiid is closed with up; mech ni m lh c rri sew uld vary in-itsresultant energizationcftheszsolenoidlcoilwfil. operative relation .tothe stack. Also itiis neces- There-, resultsiatretracticn ofzthexhplunger 61b;-

yos l a more i id iu m nt 0f mtserving torswing the;lever:62amountemclockwise the table, ,whendesired. Thus, for example, a (with referencecioxfig; 25), wherebythe pawl Sa maximum downw rd adjustment isaa necess ryr is. withdrawnircmtheiratchetiiiwheeln Uponna'ar preliminary to substitutionof afullj-staclg forlan slight diminutionin: heightof the mover-stack;

exhausted one. The table is centrall p-carriedrby therswitchfim willautomatically,open;;,al1owing:; a verticalrackf-ibarfii (Fiat/2 3;) su rmountediby;75..,therpawlwtov-againiengage the .fratchetzwneelirew 7. sponsive to the spring 65. Thus it is impossible for the automatic feed mechanism to excessively raise or lower the table 50.

Hanger delivery to stack of cooers (Figs. 8, 9 and 10.) Housed in the post 2!? surmounting the front extension l8 of the frame is a chain in transmitting a drive from a shaft H journaled in said extension to a shaft 12 having its front end journaled in said post. The drive shaft H extends the full length of the machine, being driven'from the shaft 28 through a pair of spiral gears 33 (Fig. 27). The shaft 12 extends rearwardly to a point overlying the table 50, and is formed with a shallow spiral groove 14 to receive the hooks of hangers 2 hung on said shaft, the drive to said shaft being such as to feed the hangers gradually rearwardly in said groove. The elevation of said shaft is such as to afford the hangers adequate clearance from the shelf 21. Underlying and supporting the rear portion of the described feed shaft is an arm 75, laterally extended to clear the bodies of the hangers and then downwardly extended and bolted to the frame at 75a. In approaching the rear or discharge end of the feed shaft, the hangers travel between parallel upright guide plates 16 (Fig. 3) fixed at lfia on the shelf 21 and occupying a proximity to the hanger ends preventing lateral hanger sway and assuring substantial centering of the hangers relative to their supporting shaft. Said plates carry stops Tl extending sufiiciently into the rearward path of the hangers to limit advance of the hanger ends just prior to escape of the hanger hooks from the ccned rear end of the feed shaft. Consequently each hanger, upon its discharge, falls in a predetermined manner and path such that the lower hanger span will be received in the notches 18a of a pair of positioning fingers l3, coaxially pivoted on and rearwardly projecting from the shell 2!, and resting at their free rear ends on the cover stack. This assures an accurately transverse relation of said span to the machine and a correct space interval between such span and the forward edge of the cover stack. As a hanger encounters the fingers 18, it has a material'rearward inclination from bottom to top. Hence, in completing its fall, it swings about the definitely positioned lower span as an axis, such span largely predetermining the final flat position of the hanger on the stack. vIt is preferred to dispose two adjacent electromagnets 19 in rearward proximity to the table with their pole faces at the stack top level and centered in the medial vertical plane of the table, as a further contribution to an accurate disposal of hangers. These magnets take effect respectively on the base of the hanger shank 3 and on the hook, assuring a medial relation of the shank to the ends of the underlying cover. A provision for energizing and deenergizing these magnets at required intervals is hereinafter described. It is preferred to mount the magnets on a bracket 19a, fixed on and rearwardly projecting from the slide bearing 53 (see Fig. 23).

.Piclc-up mechanism on carriage 8. a'nd'the other twd'magnets are disposed above the hanger ends at the forward limit of carriage travel (see Fig. 13). Said magnets are mounted respectively on arms 8| fixed on and suitably projecting from the bar 4|. A provision for energizing and deenergizing such magnets at proper time intervals is hereinafter described.

As each hanger is rearwardly transferred from the cover stack, the carriage also transfers the topmost cover 1 of the stack. This is accomplished by a pair of suction devices (Figs. 13 and 14) respectively comprising approximately'semicircular suction nozzles 82 and 82a, of tubular form, each having'a partially flattened suction' end 82b rearward of the bar 4| for applying suction, and each being arched above said bar and pivoted at its flattened and fully closed front end on the head 83 of a pin 83a inserted in said bar. A set screw 83b is set into said bar above each pin 83a, holding the latter properly adjusted. A hose c4 interconnects the two nozzles, maintaining the some air conditions in both, and a hose 85 forms a suction connection from the nozzle 82 to the front end of the tube 43. The suction ends 822) are disposed to lie above the rear margins of the stacked covers and equidistant from the medial vertical plane of the stack, when the carriage is at its forward limit. Thus in rearward transfer of a cover, it is dragged by its rear margin, hanging free at its front margin. Pivoting of the nozzles at their front ends permits swinging them forwardly, when desired, for ready access to their suction ends and the screws 83b.

Wrapping table and wrapping mechanism The wrapping table is formed by a plate 86 preferably of brass or other non-magnetic metal. Said table is triangular, conforming substantially in shape and size of the body of the wire hanger 2, and is located sufiiciently rearwardly of the table 59 to avoid interference and is centered, like the table 59, in the medial longitudinal vertical plane of the machine. The wrapping table is fixed on the machine frame in any suitable manner, as by three screws 86a respectively engaging the respective table apexes. The two end screws fasten to angle brackets 3'! on the beams 12, and the third screw fastens to an arm 88 fixed on and rearwardly projecting from the plate 22. Two front magnets 38a and a rear magnet 88b are associated with said table.

Describing now a provision for folding over the long flap 5 of a cover occupying the table 85 (Figs. 32-35) a rockshaft 89 is horizontally journaled on the frame plate 22 in bearings 890. adjoining the top edge of said plate. Said shaft terminally carries a pair of aligned crankpins 89b which journal rollers 890 set into the upper portions of a pair of duplicate upright levers 90, having their lower ends set into angle brackets 96a, fixed on the plate 22 at its lower margin. Such brackets afford the described levers a combined reciprocating and rocking travel of small amplitude. Carried jointly by the upper ends of said levers is a folder bar SI of slightly less length than the flap 5, the upper margin of such bar being rearwardly flanged at am. Said flange is flush with the wrapping table in a lowered position of the folder bar and overlaps said table in a raised position of the bar as is clear from Figs. 34 and 34A. As the bar rises the flap 5 assumes an upstandin position and it is folded down by rearward actuation of the bar. To rock the shaft 89 for actuating the folder bar, a sprocket wheel 92 on such shaft is engaged by a chain 93 downaz'ccnese .9 wardly- 'extending' from said "wheel, 'its K ends respectively engaging alever 94 and a' substantially vertical and relatively weak coilspring 95- an- -'chored to the'frame bar I6. Said-lever is pivoted at 94a on the plate 2'2 and is downwardly stressed by a relatively strong can springe lb anchored to the frame bar It. J'ournaledonthe'mid-por- 'tion of the lever'li l is a rollertfi stressed by the spring Mb against a cam 96a fixed on the shaft '-28,such camduring substantially a quarter turn holding the lever'raisedand affording-a lowered position of the lever-duringan opposite-quarter turn. 'The intervening quarter turns respectively rapidly raise andlower-thelever. "Such arrangement maintains theupper and lower positions of the folding bar each fora quarter cycle and afiords a rapid shift fromeither such position 'to the other.

Duplicate mechanisms for folding the cover flaps-"6 comprise "shaftsfll and 91a extending along the two short edges of the table 8-6,and projecting oppositely beyond such table to rock =.in bearings 98 and"9Ba,a pair of which-are fixed :on each angle-bracket i 31. Said shafts are of reduced cross section in extending adjacent to the "wrapping table and carry a pair or folder rplatesrfie and 99a;.actuable through substantially one hundred and eighty :degrees. Thus in exercisingtheir. function, the folder plates swin'gfrorn a flush 'relation' to "the table 86 a to positions overlapping "suchtable. Fixed on'the outer end portions of .thei'shaftsfil and 97a. are sprocket wheels .Ififland I'OIlwover whichtrideichains'lfli and Iilia. Corresponding. ends of said chains are anchored respectively to front ends :ofsubstantially horizontal .levers :I02 and 102a; downwardly urged "by coil springs =I02c and having their 'rear'ends "respectively;pivoted.on" the?rock-arms t6 and "4 5a near'the pivotal lowerfends of such arms. .The iother'fchain extremitiesFare downwardly stressed :by'elongated andfrelatively weak springs Hi3 and -iI03utbothzanchored'to ftheframe cross bar'Ifi. Journaled "on the levers I 02 and 102a are rollers on opposite endportionsof the shaft 28.

Travel of thechains inducedby either upward or downward camming of the levers I32 and I 02a "is such as to effect the desired One'hundred and --eighty degree rocking ofthe folder plates. "The Sticker tape feed and severing and sticker -.applyz'ng means 'The-track-surmoun'ting shelf 33 rigidly carries an upright plate TITS havingfixed on and projecting'from its upper end a pm In? onwhich a "roll-ofglue'd paper tape I08 is rotatable. From -said roll the tape feeds downward to a guide "roller T09, and from the latter to and between paired feed rollers i090: and IO'Qb. The roller 199a is'fixed'on a shaft W90 journaled in said plate, andrig'idly mountinga ratchet wheel I I6, engaged by an elongated pawl =II I pivoted on a having flush bottom faces. "slides acutter-Ift having a shearing coaction "with the block II5. -A pin I I"! fixed on the lower end of an arm 'I-I'8'is inserted in a slightly overto impose an upward pressure-on-thelatter.

l0 collar I I2 fixed on the shaft'l3'4. One end of the shaft 34 -(Fig. 6) rigidly carries a driven crank arm H3 to which a connecting rod flea extends from a driving crank arm II l having its stub shaft I I4a journaledin a bracket I-Mbupstanding'on one of the track bars 3!. -The arm H4 extends'downwardly beyond the-connecting rod to engage a pin I-I lc fixed on the upper end of the long ro'ck armlfi. The described mechanism is 'such as to rock'the shaftttbackand forth through substantially a-ninety degree angle once per cycle of operation; efiectinga-desired slight advance of the tape. From the paired feed rollers,-the tapedescendsthrough a narrow slot between front and rear guide blocksI I5 and I I5a Against such faces sized socket inthe cutter, said arm projecting rigidly-downward from a'lever H 9. The' latte'r 'ispivoted'at its juncture with said arm on'a pin I28 fixed in the'plate I06, a sleeve IZI on the pin-holding the lever so spaced from said plate as to clear-the feed rollers. A vertically elongated sheet metal spring I22 has forwardly bent ends snapped on the sleeve IZI and cutter IIE A coiled spring I23 rearwardlyextending from the arm H8 to a post IZA'maintains-the 'cutternormally retracted against-a stop piece I 25. "The lever H8 extends rearwardly of its pivot to form a handle serving occasionally for test operation of the cutter, and has a lesser 'extent' forward of said pivot to carry apivotal dependingthrust pin "I26. The positionof the cutter following severing of the tape 'and'corresponding position of the actuating parts appears in Fig.20.

Immediately "on severing of a'sticker 8 from the tape I t8,'the sticker isdelivered, as will'presently appear, to 'amoi'st'ening'roller I2 1 partially immersed in water h'eldby a'tank I23 fixed on the she1'f 33. To'keep the roller I21 moist, it is rotated, about one turn .in each operating cycle of the machine. 'Thus said roller isfixed on a shaft I29 extending to an end portion of the shelf 33 and journaled in spaced lugs I30 .on such -.end .portion. Between:suoh lugs, the shaftcarries a pinion :I-3I, and arack-bar I32 meshed with the;pinioncis guided-bysaidlugs. 'Aith-rust head I321; on the front end of the rack-bar is-engageable by a roller I 33 on the carriage during the rear portion of "the carriage stroke, said roller :he'ing mountedion'ithe-upper end'of a bracketd'33a upstanding'from the'cross bar ll The-'rack-b'ar is heldengaged'with the pinionand guided horizontally by an overlying bar I as fixed between the lugs [30. The forward limiting position of the rack bar is reestablished after each rearward actuation by a coiled spring 335 interconnecting pins I36 and I36a respectively carried by the guidebar and rack bar, the pin I361; being guided *in a slot I3? of the guide bar.

Loosely mounted on the midportion of the rockshaftd l is'a'suction arm I38 separatedby a spacer collar I39 from the collar H2. The free end 'of'said arm is'enlarged to form a hollow rectangular head E40" formed in its-end face'with a "considerable number of small suction apertures M5311. An air "passage I-Mlb extends from said he'ad within the arm to communicate with one end of afiex'i'ele air hose I'l 'fixed atits other end on the end portion of the shaft fi l'remote from the 'cran k arm I I3. Said-end portion has a central air passage I42 in communication with the hose and extending from the latter to the adjacent shaft extremity, and opening into an air hose I43 carried by and leading downward from said extremity. A provision for withdrawing air from the suction head through the line comprising the passage I451), hose I4I, passage I42, and hose I43 is hereinafter described.

It is evident from Fig. that the arm I38 is so mounted and proportioned that in a raised and substantially horizontal position thereof, it will extend rearwardly from its supporting shaft, upwardly abutting the block H5 and presenting its suction head to an end portion of the tape projecting below said block. Immediately after this position is established, an arm I44 fixed on the shaft 34 closely adjacent the arm I38 upwardly actuates the thrust pin I26, slightly rocking the lever H9 and sliding the cutter II6 forwardly to sever a sticker 8 from the tape. sticker is promptly drawn to the suction head and upon lowering of the arm I38 to a vertical position (Fig. 16), the sticker will be brushed over the moistening roller I21 and then positioned accurately above its point of proper application to a wrapped hanger occupying the table 86.

As best appears in Fig. 21, the arm I44 has a reduced free end I44a to engage the pin I26.

Two lugs I45 and I46 fixed on said arm extend f in a straddling relation to the adjacent suction arm, while affording a material relative angular play between the two arms. This play, however, is normally taken up by a coiled spring I41 interposed between the lug I46 and the suction arm and set slightly into the latter. It is the described interconnection of the arms that adapts the shaft 34 to rock the suction arm, since such arm is loose on such shaft. In abutting the block I I5, the suction arm completes its upward travelslightly prior to completion of the corresponding rocking actuation of the shaft 34. Being fixed on said shaft, the arm I44 travels upwardly beyond the suction arm, this being permitted by the coil spring I41, which then undergoes compre sion. It is this final upward actuation of the arm I44, carrying it higher than the suction arm, that accomplishes severing of the paper tape by lifting the thrust pin I26. As the two arms are lowered, expansion of the coiled spring I41 again establishes the normal parallel relation of such arms.

Control of suction devices As best appears in Fig. 29, a cam operated valve applies an automatic control whereby suction is applied during one half the operating cycle to the carriage-mounted nozzles 82 and 82a, and during the other half to the suction arm I38. Said valve comprises a rectangular plate I 48 bolted at I 4801. to one of the frame beams I2 and depending therefrom. Upper and lower horizontal passages I49 and I iila in said plate are jointly controlled by a slide I50 straddling a vertical edge of the plate. The hose I43 which leads down from an end of the shaft 34 and is a part of the air line leading to the suction arm I38, is connected to the passage I49, and a hose I5I opening from the passage I490, connects with the rear end of the carriage tube 43, a part of the suction line for the nozzles 82 and 82a. A port I52 in the slide I50 registers at the upper and lower travel limits of the slide with the passages I49 and I490; and is connected by a hose I53 with a suction pump I54 installed on the shelf Such 12 I5. Built into the casing of said pump and driving the latter is an electric motor (not shown). A pair of coiled springs I55 installed on opposite sides of the plate I48 maintain a sealing pressure of the slide against the plate.

The slide is actuable through a swinging link I56 from one end of an approximately horizontal lever I51 pivoted at its other end on bracket arm I58, upstanding from the frame. A coil spring I59 acting on said lever holds a roller Hi0, journaled on the lever, downwardly pressed against a cam I60a fixed on the shaft 28. The design of this cam is such as to maintain the valve slide raised during substantially a half turn of the shaft, while permitting the spring to lower the slide during the other half turn. The timing is such that suction at the pick-up nozzles is applied just as the carriage reaches its forward position and is transferred to the suction arm I38 as the carriage completes rearward travel.

Control of magnets As best appears from the diagram (Fig. 38) the three carriage-mounted electromagnets 80, 80a, and 801) are connected in parallel in a circuit I6I, while the magnets for retaining and positioning hangers on the two tables are in an alternative circuit IE2. Ihe switch I63, under control of the cam I54 (see Fig. 31) is adapted to break each of said circuits upon closing the other, the arrangement being such that the carriage magnets become energized during the short interval that the carriage occupies its forward position, the table magnets being at the same time deenergized. Thus as the carriage magnets pick up a hanger, the latter is released by the magnets fixed adjacent the cover supply table. As the carriage is momentarily stationary above the wrapping table, the carriage magnets are deenergized and the magnets adjoining such table receive current to retain the hanger in wrapping position. While the carriage travels forward without load the magnets 19 adjoining the supply table assist in properly positioning a hanger on the covers stacked on such table.

Discharge of wrapped hangers Fixed centrally on the rear bar 45 of the carriage is a collar I (Fig. 15) whereon a hook I66 is pivoted beneath said bar. Said hook is maintained in a forwardly projecting position by a slight extension Itfia from its pivotal end, preventing downward swinging beyond the position illustrated but afiording a slight upward swinging. As the carriage arrives at its forward limit of travel the hook I66 rides over the rearwardly projecting hook 4 of a wrapped hanger, being lifted slightly in so riding, and dropping after clearing the hanger hook. Hence when the carriage recedes a moment later, the completed hanger is pulled from the wrapping table and travels rearwardly with the carriage. As the carriage pauses at its rearward limit, the hanger slides off the'hook I66 and the hanger hook drops on the forward portion of a shaft I61 which conveys the wrapped hangers rearwardly. The shaft I61 is driven from the rear end of the shaft 1I through a chain I59 housed in the post 20a, and is spirally grooved to apply a rearward feed to the wrapped hangers, while spacing them predeterminedly. It is preferred to incline the shaft I51 slightly downward from front to rear to facilitate the desired feed. As a support for the forward portion of the shaft I61, a bracket I10 (Fig. 12) is secured to and .in close proximity to said level. renewing the stack as need arises, the operator .need not resort to measurements as to height 'beneath'the rear cross bar [4 of the frame, such bracket extending only .sufficiently beneath the shaft to seat the latter without blocking travel of the hangers.

Operation of the machine Hangers to be Wrapped maybe deposited on the rotating feed shaft '12 either manually or by any suitable automatic conveyor (not shown). The rate of hanger advance to the dischargeend of such shaft is accurately timed to assure re- .moval of each hanger from the stack of covers ,prior to depositing another on such stack. It

is vital to accurately deposit each hanger on the stack in a proper wrapping relation to the topmost cover, since the pick-up mechanism on .the carriage is designed to maintain an undisturbed relation between a cover and hanger in transferring them to the wrapping table. Vital also is the automatic vertical adjustment of the table 58, achieving a substantially constant top level of the stacked covers, since the pick-up mechanism operates at maximum efiiciency only Upon manually of the renewal stack, since the table may bequite lrapidly adjusted by the crank disk 6| to bring the new stack to a proper level. The up and down rocking actuation of the track is so timed relative to carriage travel, that at least a slight lift of the track at either carriage limit precedes shifting of the carriage from such limit. This assures adequate initial clearance for the carriage, and continued lift of the track as the :momentarily held down by the folder .bar 9| and folder plates 99 and 98a. Productivity of the described machine is increased materially by the fact that it concurrently operates on three hangers, all at different stages of progress through the "machine. Thus a fully wrapped hanger is ejected by the carriage in course of its retraction, and another hanger is deposited on the cover stack as soon as such retraction permits. Wrapping of a third hanger occurs during forward carriage travel, proceeding as fast as the carriage clears the wrapping table. Removal of wrapped hangers from'the'ejection shaft l6? may be effected manually or by mechanism not shown.

The described machine requires only slight skill to operate and needs only occasional attention.

What we claim is:

1. A machine for wrapping garment hangers, comprising a wrapping table for receiving a cover :offiflexible sheet material and a superposed substantially triangular garment hanger,-'said cover having three flaps to be folded over the sides of the hanger, mechanism for folding the flaps over the hanger in substantial unison, :means for maintaining substantially definite positions of the hanger on the cover and of the cover on the table during such folding, means for sealing comprising-a cover supply'tableto receivea stack 1 cof covers formed of flexible sheet material, *each cover having flaps to be folded over a hanger, means for continuously advancing hangers toward the supply table, means for periodically delivering such hangers individually upon said .stack, a wrapping table, a carriage for delivering the topmost cover of the stackand the hanger superposed on such cover in unison to the wrapping table, a track guiding the carriage, an actuating mechanism for the carriage, mechanism associated with the'wrapping table for folding the flaps over the hanger in substantial unison, means for maintaining a substantially definite position of each hanger on its cover during such folding, means for sealing thefiaps in their folded position, and means for relatively timing the several specified operations.

3. In a wrapping mechanism, a wrapping table, .means including a suction device for individually (delivering to the table covers to be wrapped on articles, means including a suction device for rdelivering stickers individually to the tablei'for sealing the covers when wrapped on the articles, a suction pump, a valve for connecting the pump selectively to said suction devices, and an actuating mechanism for said valve, energizing each of said devices as needed.

4. In a cyclic machine for wrapping magnetizablearticles, a wrapping table, means including an electromagnet for periodically delivering said articles to the table, means including an electromagnet for properly positioning the articles on the table for wrapping, two circuits respectively including the respective electromagnets, a switch adapted to selectively close said circuits, and means for periodically operating the switch in timed relation to said delivery means to energize and deenergize the magnets during predetermined portions of the cycle.

5. In a machine for wrapping hooked garment hangers, a hanger delivery shaft having a discharge end and formed with a spiral groove receiving the hooks of hangers hung on such shaft, means for rotating the shaft to advance the hangers in said groove toward said discharge end,

'means laterally confining the hangers as they approach said discharge end, a table beneath :said :discharge end receiving a stack of hanger covers, and means for guiding the hangers in their discharge from the shaft to a predeter- .mined position on the stacked covers.

6. In a machine for wrapping hooked garment hangers, a table receiving a hanger cover,'means :for :feeding hangers to the table including an .elongated support for the hanger hooks, whereby the hangers are suspended from and beneath .said support in approaching said table, said'support having 'a discharge end substantially above the table, and means laterally confining the hangers as they approach said discharge end.

7. In a machine for'wrapping hooked garment hangers, as set forth in claim 6, an obstruction encountered by the lower portions of the suspended hangers as they approach said discharge :end, whereby the hangers are tilted, preliminary to their discharge from the support. I

In a machine for wrapping hooked garment .hangeraa table receiving a hanger cover, means for feeding hangers to the table, including an elongated support for the hanger hooks, whereby the hangers are suspended from and beneath said support in approaching said table, said support having a discharge end substantially above the table; and an obstruction encountered by the lower portions of the suspended hangers as they ap-

Images