US2699022A

US2699022A - Sandwich wrapping machine

Info

Publication number: US2699022A
Application number: US61841A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wollett Ernest Sigsbee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-11-24
Filing date: 1948-11-24
Publication date: 1955-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1972-01-11

Description

Jam.` 11,' 1955 s. woLLETT SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 24, 1948 frnes S. VoEe miam/reg Jan. l1, 1955 E. s. woLLETT 2,699,022

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Jan. l11, 1955 E. s. woLLETT SANDWICH wRAPPING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 24, 1948 Jan. 11, 1955 E, WOLLETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING `MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1948 f 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fui, J f |35' l IM |39 I '43' IIILIII lllV g '36 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Jan. 1l, 1955 Filed Nov'. 24, 1948 Jan. ll, 1955 E. s. wo| ETT 2,699,022

V SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan. 1l, 1955 E. s'. WOLLETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Filled Nov. 24, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 Jan. 11, 1955 E. s. WQLLETT SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE:

16 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Nov. 24, 1948 o o o wua/MM Ernet. "fallait Qttouq Jan. 1l, 1955 E. s. wo| ETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH wRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, A1948 v 16 sheets-sheet 1o E. s. wo1 1 ETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Jan. 1l, 1955 Filed Nov. 24, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet ll Jan. l1, 1955 E. s. woLLETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1948 1e sheets-sheet 12 Ernest 5. nllelt WW im Jan. 11, 1955 i E. s. woLLETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24; 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 TIQZ l 54;

Jan. 11, 1955 E. s. woLLETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE FiledNov'. 24, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheetl 14 Ernesi hzllelt Jan. 1l, 1955 E s, WQLLETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1948 16 sheets-sheet 15 rui, 5i

Ernest j. Wollelt Jan. 1l, 1955 E, WO| ETT 2,699,022

SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 22 2|a 22| 2 224 222 22.8.- 2 36 2 32 233 229 al/ 2|5 r *"L "n 2m,l 5 als LI: l 4 l ,l /0 l /l 2|9 257 f 22|' 20s 209 23| I l C 250| G 'l /f 228 I3 i -5 257 FQ .233 2 255 22| 226 j 222 221' Ernest 5. fallait United States Patent @thee 2,699,022 Patented Jan. 11, 1955 SANDWICH WRAPPING MACHINE Ernest Sigsbee Wollett, Washington, D. C.

Application November 24, 1948, Serial No. 61,841

35 Claims. (Cl. 53-131) The present invention relates to improvements in article or package wrapping machines and is directed primarily to improvements in machines for wrapping bodies of a particular foirn, more especially sandwiches.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic wrapping machine designed to completely wrap and seal bodies of material of substantially triangular or wedge form.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic machine designed to completely wrap and seal bodies of material of a soft yieldable character, without the use of a supporting backing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated for wrapping bodies of triangular form, especially sandwiches.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a machine of the character set forth, a novel automatic wrapper feeding mechanism whereby the required length of wrapping material is withdrawn and cut from aroll and wherein the length of the wrapping material may be increased or decreased by shifting the feeding mechanism with respect to a constantly rotating actuator element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for wrapping triangular cut sandwiches whereby the sandwiches are handled individually throughout the Wrapping steps and are delivered in rapid sequence but spaced apart so that there is no crowding and mashing together of the sandwiches at any time.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic wrapping machine of the character stated for wrapping bodies of triangular form which are made up of a number of layers, such as sandwiches, with means for lightly gripping the body preliminarily to applying the wrapping sheet,'to hold the layers together while the iirst step of applying and folding the wrapping sheet is being performed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic wrapping machine of the character stated designed to completely wrap and seal soft, yieldable bodies of the form described in slightly varying sizes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic wrapping machine for folding and sealing bodies of the character stated, in a thermoplastic wrapper in a manner to prevent the wrappers of successive bodies from adhering together.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic wrapping machine for bodies, particularly sandwiches, with novel means for transferring the body from a carriage to a wrapper folding position without damage to the body.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic machine for wrapping bodies, particularly sandwiches, with novel means for transferring the body from a carriage to a wrapper folding position without damage to the body, and subsequently folding a wrapper around the body and sealing the wrapper, without the use of a backing or stiffening means for maintaining the shape of the body.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for wrapping bodies of a soft character, such as sandwiches, with novel means for transferring the body from a carriage to a wrapper folding position, without damaging or deforming the body, and for locating and holding the body in the said position to which it is transferred, while the transferring means is withdrawn, to permit the subsequent operation of a folder element which functions to turn a part of the wrapper around a part of the body.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic machine for wrapping bodies of substantially triangular form such as sandwiches, with means for transferring the body from a carriage to a wrapper folding position and means for automatically positioning a wrapper sheet in the path of travel of the transferring means whereby the wrapper is picked up and carried with the body, and partlyfolded about the body, to the said wrapper folding position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated for performing the operations set forth in the preceding paragraph with automatically operating means for withholding the placement of a wrapper sheet in the path of travel of the said body transferring means upon the failure of the carriage to present a body for transfer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic machine for wrapping bodies of the character stated, particularly sandwiches, with novel means for folding a wrapper sheet over the body and for drawing the sheet smoothly and tightly about the body without deforming the body, while the edges of the wrapper sheet are folded in one over the other and sealed to form an air-tight package.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a machine of the character stated, a novel means for automatically drawing-olf and cutting from a roll, a wrapping sheet of desired size and locating the sheet in predetermined position to be picked up by the body as the body is moved into a wrapping position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic wrapping machine for bodies of substantially triangular form, particularly sandwiches cut diagonally in two parts and placed one part upon the other to form a triangular body, with a carriage means for moving the triangular bodies in successive steps to a prescribed position with the point formed by the intersecting perpendicular edges directed downwardly, means for positioning a rectangular wrapping sheet over the upperwardly directed edge of the body, means for gripping the body and moving it against the wrapper and then moving the body and wrapper together between spaced members to fold the wrapper down against the sides of the body, and means for then folding over and sealing the edges of the wrapper to form the completed package.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a View in top plan of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the rear or back end of the machine.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the left side of the machine upon which side the paper feed mechanism,

which is deleted from this View, is located.

Figure 4 is a View in elevation of the right hand side of the machine with some of the baskets of `the rotary carriage removed.

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, with certain of the parts omitted for clarity.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 with certain of the parts omitted.

Figure 7 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 7 -7 of Figure l.

Figure 8 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Figure 7 showing the elevator and grippers in the basket.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale corresponding to Figure 7 but showing the parts advanced through the basket.

Figure l() is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure ll is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 11-11 of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 7 showing the relative positions of the elevator and gripper after the sandwich has been delivered into the receiver.

Figure 13 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 12 but showing the preliminary advance of the slidable folder to maintain the sandwich in position when the elevator retreats.

Figure 14 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale through a press plate and the supporting bar therefor.

Figure 15 is a sectional View corresponding to Figure 13 but showing the wrapper folding plate in fully extended position.

Figure 16 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 15 but showing the sandwich being shifted from the receiver and the under folding of the remaining portion of the wrapper.

Figure 17 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 17--17 of Figure 7.

Figure 18 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 18-18 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 19-19 of Figure 17.

Figure 20 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line Ztl-2) of Figure 12.

Figure 21 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 21-21 of Figure 7.

Figure 22 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 22-22 of Figure 7.

Figure 23 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 23--23 of Figure 7.

Figure 24 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 24-24 of Figure 7.

Figure 25 is a view in plan of the basket carriage rotating mechanism, the basket plate and baskets being removed.

Figure 26 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 26-26 of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a detail View partly in plan and partly in horizontal section of a portion of the carriage plate supporting elements and the rotating mechanism therefor.

Figure 28 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 28-23 of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 29-29 of Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a View in side elevation of a sandwich basket.

Figure 31 is a view in end elevation of the same.

Figure 32 is a view in top plan of the basket.

Figure 33 is a transverse section on the line 33-33 of Figure 32.

Figure 34 is a longitudinal section on the line 34-34 of Figure 32.

Figure 35 is a view in top plan of the wrapper cutter unit per se.

Figure 36 is a view in elevation of one side of the wrapper cutter.

Figure 37 is a view in elevation of the opposite side of the wrapper cutter.

Figure 38 is a view in elevation of the knife or cutter end of the wrapper cutter.

Figure 39 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 39-39 of Figure 35.

Figure 40 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 40-40 of Figure 35.

Figure 4l is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 41-41 of Figure 6 showing the driving connections for the wrapper cutting and feeding unit.

Figure 42 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 42-42 of Figure 3, through the yielding pitman coupling.

Figure 43 is a horizontal section on the line 43--43 of Figure 5.

Figure 44 is a Vertical transverse section taken on the line 44-44 of Figure 9.

Figure 45 is a detail view partly broken away of electromagnet control unit for the wrapper feed.

Figure 46 is a view in perspective of a sandwich wrapped by the machine, showing the one of the two right angle sides thereof against which the tail end of the wrapper is folded.

Figure 47 is a view corresponding to Figure 46 but showing the other one of the two right angle sides.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings reference will first be made to the frame structure of the machine together with the power mechanism supported thereby.

The numeral 10 generally designates the frame minus the major portion of the covering or housing which, in the completed machine, will be employed for covering or protecting the working or moving parts of the mechanism. Such frame comprises front uprights or posts 11 and rear posts 12. The front posts are connected to the rear posts by the horizontal side beams 13 and transverse front and rear end beams 14.

The numeral 15 generally designates the horizontal top frame structure which with its associated parts will be hereinafter more fully described.

Suitably supported or mounted in the lower part ol the structure as, for example, upon the hanger 16, is an electric motor 17 and adjacent thereto is a suitable speed reduction mechanism 18 of standard construction, with the shaft 19 of which the motor 17 is connected. The numeral 2O designates the power delivering shaft of the speed reduction unit.

Disposed transversely of the machine at the rear end thereof and above the motor 17 is a counter shaft 2i. which is rotatably supported in suitably mounted bearings 22. This counter shaft is in driving connection with the shaft 20 by a chain and sprocket coupling 23. Adjacent to the vertical central plane of the machine are the two cams 24. Also secured to the shaft adjacent to the left side thereof is a cam 25.

Adjacent to the opposite side of the machine the shaft carries the two sprocket gears 26 and 27.

Supported upon a suitable mount, here designated as a plate 28, located at an elevation below the counter shaft 21 is a rocker arm supporting shaft 29 which is carried in suitable spaced bearings 36. This shaft is parallel with the counter shaft 21 and upon it are oscillatably supported the rocker sleeves 31 to each of which is rigidly secured an end of a vertically swingable lift or roclfcr arm which extends to the front of the machine as shown in Figure 3.

Also rigidly secured to each of the bearing or rocker sleeves 31 and extending upwardly at substantially right angles to the arms 32, is a cam follower arm 33, which has rotatably mounted upon its upper end the cam follower roller 34 which bears against the back edge of an adjacent cam 24. Accordingly it will be seen that the tendency of the arms, which are of substantial length, to swing downwardly maintains the carsl follower rollers 34 constantly in engagement with the periphery of an adjacent cam Z4.

The numeral 35 designates a short shaft which is in parallel relation with the countershaft and is mounted between bearings 36 suitably secured to and supported by a horizontal side rail upon the right hand side of the machine. This short shaft 35 has oscillatably supported thereon a bell crank having a long upwardly extending arm 37 and the short forwardly and downwardly extending cam follower arm 38 upon which is rotatably mounted the cam follower roller 39 which bears against the forward side of the cam 2S as clearly shown in Figure 6. The short arm 38 has connected therewith one end of a spring 40 which extends downwardly and has its other end secured to an adjacent part of the frame, whereby the bell crank is constantly pulled in a direction to maintain the cam follower roller 39 in contact with the adjacent cam 25 and to maintain the long arm 37 thrust forwardly when the roller 39 is at the low point of the cam.

At the right hand side of the machine and adjacent to the front thereof, there is mounted the horizontal plate 41 upon which is mounted and secured a gear unit which is generally designated 42, the details of which e best seen in Figures 25 to 29 inclusive. By means of this unit operating power is transmitted in two directions for the operation of the hereinafter described rotary and intermittently moved carriage structure and the wrapping material feeder and cutter unit.

As shown in Figure 26 this unit 42 comprises vertical housing 43, preferably of cylindrical or r form, having the radially directed integral collars and 45 which are spaced apart in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 25, approximately tion of this unit the collar 44 is directed s 'ght ouf.- wardly toward the right side of the machine and accordingly it will be seen upon reference to Figures 4 and 6 that the other collar 45 is directed obliouely across the machine toward the front end thereof. The purpose for this arrangement will become apparent as the description of the operation of the wrapping material feeder and cutter unit is given.

Mounted in the upper and lower ends of the housing 43 are bearings 46 in which are rotatably mounted the vertical shaft 47. This shaft has secured thereto in spaced opposed relation, the upper and lower bevel or mitre gears 48 and 49 respectively.

Fixed upon the upper end of the shaft 47 is a sleeve 50, the top end of which is formed to provide the circular head 51 which has formed therein the deep radially directed recess 52. This head functions as a lock for the hereinafter described carriage structure.

Integral with the top of the head 51 is a crank arm 53 which turns or rotates in a horizontal plane and the outer end of this arm, which extends beyond the periphery of the head 51, carries an anti-friction roller 54 for the purpose hereinafter described.

Collar 44 has rotatably mounted therein as shown in Figure 26, the stub shaft 55 on the inner end of which is secured the mitre gear 56 which is positioned within the housing 43 and is in toothed connection with the lower mitre gear 49.

Upon the outer end of the stub shaft 55 is a sprocket gear 57 which has connected therearound the sprocket chain 58 which passes around the sprocket gear 27 r6nounted upon the counter shaft 21 as shown in Figure The numeral 59 designates an idler gear which is mounted upon an adjacent part of the machine frame as shown in Figure 4.

Upon a cross bar 60 which supports the forward ends of the two spaced beams 22 which carry the counter shaft bearings 22, is mounted an upright 61. Secured to the upright 61 is an arm 62 which extends obliquely across the machine toward the front left hand side as shown in Figure 6. This arm 62 supports an end of a platform 63 the opposite end of which is mounted upon a top side beam 13 of the frame. From the under side of this platform is hung a plate 63 upon the underside of which are suspended in inverted position, spaced bearings 64 which support a short counter shaft 65, as shown in Figure 4l.

The shaft 65 carries three sprocket gears 66, 67 and 68, see Figure 4l.

The shaft 65 is positioned to extend in a direction oblique to the length of the machine and in parallel relation with this shaft is the stub shaft 69 which is rotatably supported in suitable bearings in the collar 45 of the housing 43. This stub shaft carries upon its inner end the mitre gear 70 which is disposed within the housing 43 and is in toothed connection with the upper one of the two gears in the housing, that is, the gear 48.

Upon its outer end the shaft 69 has secured thereto the sprocket gear 71 and this gear is in driving connection with the gear 66, by means of the sprocket chain 72.

From the description as thus far given it will be seen that upon rotation of the counter shaft 21 through the medium of the sprocket and gear connection 23, the cams 24 will effect the vertical oscillationof the arms 32 and the cam 25 will effect the oscillation of the bell crank arm 37, for the purposes hereinafter described. Also power will be transmitted by way of the sprocket chain 58, to the gear 57 of the distributing unit 42 to effect the rotation of the vertical shaft 47 of such unit. This will impart rotary motion to the crank 53 for the intermittent or stepby-step rotation of the carriage structure about to be described and it will also effect rotation of the stub shaft 69 to transmit rotary motion to the shaft 65 for the operation of the hereinafter described wrapping material feeder and cutter unit.

Rotary carriage structure Adjacent to the front right hand corner of the frame structure there is mounted upon the plate 41 and held in vertical position between such plate and the overlying plate member 73 which is connected to the adjacent corner post of the frame, the tubular housing 74. In the upper and lower ends of this housing are secured, as shown in Figure 5,

suitable bearings

75 and 76 respectively which support the vertical spindle 77. The upper end of this spindle has secured thereto the rotary carriage structure which is generally designated 78.

The rotary carriage, in the form here illustrated, comprises three superposed plates designated 79, and 81. For purposes of differentiation the plate 79 will be referred to as the basket plate, the plate 8i) as the crank plate and the plate 81 as the lock plate.

As shown in Figure 25 the peripheries of the

plates

80 and 81 pass over the axial center of the vertical shaft 47. The lock plate is formed with a scalloped edge so that there are provided, as shown in Figure 25, the adjacent semi-circular recess 82 which are separated by points 83. These recesses are of a radius corresponding to the radius of the circular head 51 and the positioning of the lock plate with respect to the head 51 is such that in the stepby-step rotation of the carriage the head 51 will move into and rotate in succeeding recesses, shifting from one recess to the next by receiving in the head recess 52 the point S3 which separates the recess 82 in which the head 51 has just been located, from the recess 82 into which the head is moving.

The plate 80 is of approximately the same or slightly greater diameter than the plate 81 and secured tot or formed integral with the under face of this plate 80 are the spaced wedge shaped blocks 84. The spacing of these blocks 84 provides a plurality of straight crank slots 85, the sides of which are in spaced parallel relation and the radial center of each of which slots passes through the radial center of the spindle 77 as shown in Figure 25. The width of each crank slot 85 is substantially the same or only slightly greater than the diameter of the crank roller 54 which the slot receives. Also the

plates

80 and 81 are fixed so that the center of each point 83 of the lock plate 81 lies exactly in the center of a crank slot 85 as is clearly shown in Figures 25 and 27. Accordingly it will be understood that when the crank arm 53 is directed radially inwardly as shown in Figure 27, it will be at its innermost position in a slot 85 and the point 83 underlying such slot will be directly in the center of the recess 52 of the head 51 as shown in Figure 29 so that the head is ready to turn into the next recess 82 in which it will fit to hold the carriage against movement after the crank roller 54 has left the slot 85 and during the period that the crank is passing through the major portion of its rotary movement.

As shown in Figure 5 the top or basket plate 79, which is secured to the underlying plate 8l), extends a slight distance beyond the periphery of the crank plate 86. This extended peripheral portion of the basket plate 79 facilitates the attachment to such plate of a plurality of radially disposed rectangular baskets, each of which is generally designated 86 and one of which is shown in detail in Figures 30 to 34 inclusive. As illustrated in the above stated figures the basket, which is designed to receive a triangular cut sandwich with the point of the triangle directed downwardly and the base facing upwardly and disposed in a horizontal plane, comprises the rectangular frame 87 across one end of which is formed the mounting flange or lip 88. This flange or lip, as best seen in Figure 5, engages under the peripheral portion 0f the plate 79 and is secured thereto by a pair-of bolts 89 which are threaded into suitable apertures in the plate 79 and pass through the apertures 9i) in the flange.

Disposed vertically against the inner sides of the frame 87 are the vertical wall strips 91. These strips are mounted against the longitudinal sides of the frame in such a manner as to stand inwardly a substantial distance therefrom. In addition to the strips 91 on each side of the frame being spaced apart as illustrated, each is spaced a substantial distance from the transverse end portion of the frame so that there are provided vertical guide passages at each side of the basket as indicated at 92 The upper ends of the wall strips 91 are curved outwardly slightly as indicated at 93 to facilitate the placing of a sandwich in the basket.

Thev inner faces of the strips 91 have formed lengthwise thereof below the out-curved upper ends 93, the ribs 94. These ribs facilitate the placing and maintenance in the basket of sandwiches which may be of varying thickness according tothe filling which the same carry.

At each end of the frame 87 is an upwardly and outwardly inclined rest plate 95, each side of each plate having the upwardly and outwardly curving wings 96. As will be readily apparent these rest plates 95 have the under inclined edge of the sandwich bearing or resting thereon and the wings 96 cooperate with the out-turned ends 93 to support the adjacent sides of the sandwich.

The baskets are secured in side-by-side relation as clearly shown in Figure l to extend radially of the carriage plates and with each rotary step of the carriage structure a basket will be brought into a prescribed position on a line extending transversely of the machine where it will be held for a ,desired period of time by the engagement of the head 52 in a recess 82. When the basket is in such prescribed position its transverse center will be on the longitudinal center line of the machine as shown in Figure 1.

For the purpose of protecting operators of users or the machine and to prevent damage to the baskets, a circular guard rail 97 is secured horizontally to the frame of the machine substantially in the horizontal plane of the top edges of the baskets.

Elevating mechanism and wrapper table ln the longitudinal center of the machine and in line transversely thereof with the center of the carriage spindle '77 or, in other words, with the plane of the axis of rotation for the carriage structure is located the elevating mechanism by means of which each sandwich is removed from its basket as it is brought into the said predetermined position.

At the front end of the machine there are secured to two vertically spaced cross beams or rails 14, inwardly extending bracket arms 99. These bracket arms support upper and

lower guide plates

100 and 101 respectively which are connected together by vertical tie bolts 102. These guide plates and 101 have guide openings 103 which are in vertical alignment as best shown in Figure 5. ln addition to these vertically aligned openings 103, the upper guide plate 100 has formed therethrough the spaced openings 104, as shown in Figure 8.

Secured upon an adjacent part 105 of the frame, as shown in Figure 7, in a horizontal plane lying just above the horizontal plane of the tops of the baskets, is a perforated wrapper sheet supporting table 106 which has therein a rectangular opening 107, the length of which extends transversely of the machine as shown in Figures 1 and 6 and the longitudinal center of which is in a vertical plane transversely of the machine and to one side of the rotary center of the basket carriage structure. As is also clearly shown in Figure 6 the center of this table opening 107 is directly in line with the aligned openings 103 of the upper and lower guide plates 100-101- Disposed vertically through two of the aligned openings 103 is a rod 109 and through the other pair of vertically spaced and aligned openings 103 is a similar or corresponding rod 110. The rod 109 constitutes what may be termed the gripper rod and the rod 110 the elevator rod. These rods, as shown in Figure 8, are of hexagonal cross section and mounted upon the top side of each of the

guide plates

100 and 101 is a group of three rollers which are equi-distantly spaced around the rod 109 and bear against one of the faces thereof. Likewise, in

association with the rod 110 there is a group of three rolly ers 112 secured to the under side of each of the guide plates 100-101 which are disposed around the rod so as to bear against three faces thereof. By these means each of the rods is properly centered for free smooth reciprocation through the openings of the guide plates.

While there have been shown and described rods of hexagonal cross sectional form it will be apparent that the invention is not necessarily limited to a rod of this construction but that use may be made of any form of rod where spaced guide rollers may be employed for maintaining the rods properly centered.

The gripper rod 109 carries upon its upper end, at a substantial elevation above the guide plate 100, a head block 113 which carries the two spaced parallel pivot pins 114 which extend in a direction transversely of the f' At one end of the head block 113, each of the jaws has connected or attached thereto one of a pair of downwardly extending cam rods 117. These cam rods pass downwardly through the openings 104 of the upper guide plate as shown in Figure 8.

As is clearly shown in Figures 7, 9 and 12 the cam rods 117 have the relatively long outwardly diverging portions a which terminate in the oppositely directed high points b. From these high points there are the downwardly converging portions c which terminate at the oppositely and outwardly directed low points d. From these low points d the rods 117 again gradually diverge throughout the terminal portions e. The spacing between the free ends of the terminal portions e is not, however, as great as that between the high points b.

Supported from the under side of the top guide plate are the two spaced gripper operating rollers 118 between which the cam rods 117 pass and against each of which the outer side of one rod bears. These rollers 118 are fixed against any movement except rotary movement and accordingly as will be readily seen upon reference to the figures above mentioned, when the head 113 moves up and down the angularly related outer surfaces of the rods 117 will pass over the rollers and effect oscillation of the rods and relative movement of the sandwich gripping jaws 115.

Above the head block 113 the jaws are connected together by springs 119 which constantly tend to swing the jaws together and at the same time maintain the cam rods 117 in firm contact at all times with the opposing rollers 118.

The rod is slidably extended at its upper end through the head block 113 of the gripper as shown in Figure 43 and supports upon its upper end above the head block, the V-shaped elevator cradle 120. This cradle 120 is open at its sides and the length of the cradle extends in the same direction as the length of the opening 107 of the wrapper sheet supporting table, through which the elevator cradle and gripper jaws pass in the operation of removing a sandwich from a basket and extending it upwardly through the table opening 107.

It is believed that it will also be apparent at this point that the gripper jaws and also the elevator cradle move upwardly through the sandwich carrying basket and also that the spaces or passages 92 at the sides of each basket receive the fingers 116 of the gripper jaws so that such jaws may easily slide in across the sides of the sandwich in the basket and move together to secure the sandwich.

Each of the

rods

109 and 110 has secured thereto between the

guide plates

100 and 101, a. yoke 121 and each yoke is connected with a rocker arm 32 by means of a pin 122 which is slidably connected in a slot 123 formed in the end of the arm. Thus it will be seen that the rotation of the cams 24 will effect the up and down movement of the

rods

109 and 110 and the contour form of the cams is designed to give the gripper unit and the elevator cradle a prescribed relative movement during their vertical reciprocation.

Receiver, folding and conveying means The previously referred to horizontal top frame which is generally designated 15 comprises the spaced parallel side rails 124 which extend longitudinally of the machine and the cross connecting front end rail 125 and the transverse rear end rail 126. The transverse rail 126 is secured between the upper ends of the rear end standards 12 of the frame structure and the side rails 124 rest upon the top of this transverse rail 126 as shown in Figure 2 while at the opposite or front end of the machine the horizontal top frame 15 is supported by a vertical standard 127 which is at the left hand side of the frame or opposite from the rotary carriage.

The transverse rear end rail 126 has an upwardly opening V-shaped recess 128 formed therein as is clearly shown in Figure 2 for the purpose hereinafter described.

The rails 124 are preferably of angle formation and positioned with one flange disposed horizontally and directed inwardly toward the longitudinal center of the machine and with the other flange extending upwardly therefrom. By this arrangement means is provided for rotatably supporting the transverse front and rear

endless conveyor shafts

129 and 130 respectively.

The shaft 129 extends beyond the outside of the left hand rail 124 and carries on this extended end a sprocket gear 131.

The rear or back end shaft 130 likewise extends through the side rail 124 at the right hand side of the frame and carries a sprocket wheel or gear 132 as shown in Figure 4. This sprocket gear 132 has trained thereover the driving chain 133 which passes downwardly and around the sprocket gear 26 on the counter shaft 21 and upon one side runs across an idler sprocket wheel 131 which is mounted upon the inner side of the adjacent corner post or upright 12 as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

Within the space between the rails 12d the

shafts

129 and 130 carry at their ends, the sprocket wheels 135' and the sprocket wheels or gears 135 upon one shaft are connected with those upon the other shaft by the endless chains 136.

Extending transversely of the frame and connecting the sprocket chains 136 are a number of flat bars 137, to