US2884750A

US2884750A - Machine for folding and sealing packages

Info

Publication number: US2884750A
Application number: US649694A
Authority: US
Inventors: Owe M Toennies
Original assignee: Grove Research and Development Co
Current assignee: Grove Research and Development Co
Priority date: 1957-04-01
Filing date: 1957-04-01
Publication date: 1959-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1976-05-05

Description

O. M. TOENNIES MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND SEALING PACKAGES Filed April l, 1957 May 5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l mvENToR. owE M. ToENNIEs Aiqs.

May 5, 1959 o.l M. ToENNlEs' 884350 MACHINE FOR'FOLDING AND SEALING PACKAGES v Filed April l, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. OWE M. TOENNIES May 5, 1959` y o, M'I ToENNll-:s 2,884,750

MACHINE FOR FOLDING AD SEALING PACKAGES Filed April 1,'195'7 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. OWE M. TOENNIES May 5, 1959 o. M.'ToENN|Es MACHINE FOR FOLDING ND SEALING PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 1, 1957 INVENTOR. OWE M. TOENNIESA Cel 2,884,750 MACHINE FOR FOLDNG AND SEALING PACKAGES Give M. Toennies, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Grove Research and Development Co., Cincinnati, hio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 1, 1957, Serial No. 4649,694 7 Claims. (Cl. 53-196) This invention relates to a machine for folding a wrapper around a food package and sealing the wrapper shut.

Many food products, such as sliced meats and the like, are packaged in transparent packages from which all air is removed. Each of these packages is preferably provided with an outer wrapper which may be formed of cardboard, or the like, and which surrounds or protects the edges of the package. The wrapper may be provided with an opening or window through which a portion of the transparent package is exposed. Such wrappers are folded about a meat package and the edges of the wrapper are sealed together around the inner package.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine which automatically folds a wrapper around a package of this type and heat seals the edges thereof.

A further object of this invention is toprovide a machine of this type in which a package and wrapper are advanced on a continuously moving conveyor past folding mechanism which folds ends of a wrapper inwardly to close the wrapper, a turning mechanism which turns the package and wrapper to proper position for heat sealing the edges of the wrapper, and a heat sealing mechanism which heats and seals the side edges of the wrapper.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of this type in which a package and a wrapper are mounted in an open-topped package holder which is mounted on and moves with the conveyor, the package holder being attached to a crank having a crank pin which is guided by a track having a portion between the folding and heat sealing means which turns the package holder suiciently to bring the package and wrapper into proper position for sealing.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from the following detailed description and the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a somewhat schematic plan view showing a portion of a machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention, parts of the machine being broken away to reveal interior details, some of the frame members being omitted for clarity, package wrappers being shown in dot-dash lines;

Fig. 1A is a somewhat schematic plan view showing the remainder of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat schematic view in side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 2A is a somewhat schematic view in side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in section taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a lfragmentary perspective view of a wrapper feeding apparatus which forms a part of the device;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, somewhat schematic plan view of the wrapper feeding apparatus with a solenoid thereof de-energized;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, somewhat schematic plan view of the wrapper feeding apparatus with the solenoid en- Parent ergized and a vacuum impressed on vacuum cups thereof;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, somewhat schematic plan view of the wrapper feeding apparatus with the solenoid energized and the vacuum released;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a.` portion of the main conveyor, conveyor-supporting members and track, one package holder being shown mountedv thereon, a portion of the side of the package holder being broken away to reveal details of construction of a crank which forms a part thereof;

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective View showing a package, a wrapper, and a package holder;

Fig. ll is a perspective View showing a fragmentary portion of the machine including a first portion of the folding mechanism thereof together with a partly folded wrapper and package;

Fig. l2. is a perspective View showing a fragmentary portion of the machine including a second portion of the folding mechanism; and

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of a completed wrapped package.

In the following detailed description, and the drawings, like reference characters indicate like parts. In Figs. l, lA, 2, and 2A is illustrated a machine 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The machine 10 includes a framework indicated generally at 12. The framework supports transverse shafts 13` (Fig. 2') and 14 (Fig. 2A). As shown, sprocket wheels 16 (only one of which is shown, see Fig. 2) are mounted on shaft 13, and sprocket wheels 1S (only one of which is shown, see Fig. 2A) are mounted on shaft 14. The shaft 13 is driven by a motor 21 which drives appropriate belting and gearing (not shown in detail) enclosed in a housing 22 and connected to the shaft 13.

Main conveyor chains

23 and 24 run on the sprocket wheels 16 and 18. The upper courses of the conveyor chains run on

appropriate supports

26 and 27, as indicated in Fig. 3. The conveyor supports 26 and 27 are mounted on

frame members

28 and 29, respectively. Appropriate guides 30 mounted on the frame members 28 and 29' guide the edges of the main conveyor chains.

The main conveyor chains 23 and -24 are connected by transverse bars 31 (Figs. l and 9). Each transverse bar 31 supports a hollow, upwardly opening, box-like package holder 32, as indicated in Fig. 9. The package holder is mounted on a shaft 33 which extends through an opening in the transverse bar 31 and is attached to a crank 34'. As shown most clearly in Fig. 9, a crank pin 36 at one end of the crank 34 runs in a channel-shaped', continuous track 37. The track 37, in turn, is mounted on transverse members 38 which span and are attached to the chain-supporting

members

26 and 27. Sufficient track-supporting members are provided to rigidly support the track.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 2A, the track includes an upper course 39 and a lower course 40. As shown in Fig. l, the upper course has a first portion 41 which is parallel to the direction of advance of the main conveyor chains, a second portion 42 which extends diagonally thereto, a thirdportion 43 which is parallel to the direction of chain advance, a fourth portion 44 which extends diagonally in an opposite direction, and. a fifth portion 45 which is parallel to the direction of chain advance. The lower course connects the ends ofthe first and fifth portions of the upper course. As the package holder advances along the machine from the position indicated: at 32a (Fig. l) through the positions indicatedv at 32h, 32C, 32d, 32e, 32f and 32g (Fig. lA), the package holder rst travels along the machine without turning. Then,

patented May 5, 1959` 3 as the crank pin follows the diagonal portion 42 of the track, the package holder swings approximately 15 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 1,

advances without turning along section 43 of the track,

swings clockwise to a position 90 degrees from that of the original position as the pin follows diagonal section 44 of the track and then continues to advance without turning. Finally, the package holder swings around the right hand end of the machine and returns with the crank pin in engagement with the lower course of the track which returns the package holder to its original position. As the package holder approaches the position indicated at 32a, a Wrapper 48, of the type shown in Fig. l0, is fed to the package holder by wrapper feeding apparatus 49 (Figs. 1 and 2). Details of construction of the wrapper feeding apparatus are shown in Figs. l, 2, and -8 inclusive. The Wrapper feeding apparatus includes a box 51 which is supported on the framework of the machine with the bottom 52 of the box sloping downwardly and toward the conveyor chains. The box has open ends and a plurality of wrappers 48 are mounted in the box. A Weight 53, which slides on the bottom of the box, holds the wrappers with ends thereof engaging inwardly directed flanges 54 of angle members which are mounted on the edges of

side wall panels

56 and 57. A U-shaped solenoid frame 58 is mounted on the box and supports a solenoid 59. The solenoid core is attached to a transverse bar 60 which moves longitudinally from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 7 when the solenoid 59 is energized. Springs 61 and 62 (Figs. l, 2 and 5) return the transverse bar 60 to the position shown in Fig. 6 when the solenoid is deenergized.

The transverse bar 60 carries suction tubes 63 and 64 (Fig. 5). The

suction tubes

63 and 64 carry

suction cups

65 and 66, respectively, at the free ends thereof. When the solenoid is released, the suction tubes engage the wrapper which engages the anges 54. Next, a vacuum is impressed on the suction tubes through a suction line 67 (Fig. 5). Then, when the solenoid is energized, the wrapper engaged by the suction cups is drawn to the position shown in Fig. 7 at 48a, and the edges of the Wrapper 48a come free of the flanges 54. Then, the vacuum is released, and the wrapper falls downwardly and is caught by quarter-round guides 69 (Figs. 2 and 5) which guide the wrapper to a position above one of the holders as the holder advances from the position shown at 32h in Fig. 2 to that indicated at 32a. At this point, the ends of the Wrapper rest upon a. table 70 (Fig. 1) which is supported by the framework of the machine. The vacuum to the vacuum line may be controlled by an appropriate electrically operated valve, not shown. The vacuum may be supplied by any suitable source of vacuum. The power to the solenoid and power to the electrically operated valve may be controlled by switches 71 and 72 (Fig. 2) which are operated by switch operating ribs 73 of one of the sprocket Wheels 16.

The wrapper is initially advanced in alignment with one of the holders by pusher members 76. The pusher mem- 4bers 76 are mounted on chains 77 and 78 (Fig. 1) which extend generally parallel to the main conveyor chains.

vThe chains 77 and 78 run on sprocket Wheels 79 and 80, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown, the sprocket wheels I 'age holders by means of an appropriate drive (not shown).

As the package holder advances in alignment with the wrapper, a meat package 81 (Fig. 10) is loaded into the wrapper by the operator of the machine with the meat package extending through the wrapper and into one of the package holders.

As shown in Fig. 10, the wrapper includes a central portion 82 and aps 83 and 84 which are integral with the central portion, and connected thereto by

score lines

85 and 86, respectively. The wrapper may be formed of paperboard or the like and may be provided with a coating which, when heated, seals the heated portions together. The central portion 82 of the wrapper is provided with an opening 89 in which the meat package is received.

As shown in Fig. l0, the meat package 81 includes an envelope of transparent plastic material, such as cellophane or the like, having a main portion 90 inside which slices of meat, or the like (not shown), are received. Edges of the envelope project outwardly in a flange 91. When the package and wrapper are loaded in the package holder 32, the central portion of the packlage extends through the opening of the wrapper into the hollow of the package holder 32 with the ange 91 resting on top of the wrapper. Then, as indicated in Figs. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A, the package holder and the package pass to a folding area indicated generally at 92 in Figs. 1 and 2.

As the holder, package and wrapper approach the folding area, they pass beneath a roll 96 which holds the package and wrapper in place in the holder as the folding operation starts. The roll 96 is rotatably mounted in a yoke member 97. The yoke member 97 is mounted on a shaft 9S which is pivotally mounted in supports 99. The supports 99 are mounted on the framework of the machine. The roll 96 engages the upper surface of each package as the package enters the folding area to hold the package in place in its holder. The roll can turn on its axis as the package passes under the roll, and the roll can swing up and down around the axis of the shaft 98 to accommodate variations in thickness of the package. An appropriate stop (not shown) may be provided to limit the downward swing of the roll, so that, when released, the roll stops at the position shown in Fig. 2.

The roll 96 holds a package and Wrapper in place in one of the holders as the wrapper enters the first stage of folding. The rst stage of folding is illustrated most clearly in Figs. 1 and ll. While the package is engaged by the roll 96, the end flap S3 of the wrapper engages an upwardly extending triangular llange 101 which is attached to the machine. The ange 101 bends the ilap 83 upwardly while the package is held down by the roll 96 (Figs. l and 2). The flap 83 then passes beneath a horizontal lange 102 of a Z-shaped folding member 103. The member 103 is mounted on the machine just past but spaced from the ange 101. As the wrapper comes into engagement with the Z-shaped member 103, the package moves free of the roll 96 (Figs. l and 2) and the package and its holder start to turn in the direction indicated by the curved arrow in Fig. 1l, with the end ap 83 being caught and turned down by the flange 102 of the Z-shaped member 103. As the holder turns further, the flap 83 comes into contact with a rst hood member 104. The rst hood member 104 includes an upwardly sloping flange 106 which is engaged by the ap 83 to hold the ap 83 substantially ilatwise against the top of the package 81. In addition, the first hood member includes a horizontal main portion beneath which the flap 83 is held as the holder and package advance to the second folding stage.

Details of the second folding stage are shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and l2. As the package holder and package approach the second folding stage, the holder turns with its wrapper and package in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 1, from the position 32d to the position 32e. Then the end flap 84 engages a second hood member 107. As shown in Fig. 11, the end ap 84 is bent or raised out of the plane of the top of the holder before it reaches the folding stages. The

'bending or raising of the flap 84 may be done by the assays@ operator as the meat package is mounted on the holder. As shown in Fig. l2, the raised flap 84 engages a forwardly projecting flange 1153, which forms a part of the second hood member. As the package holder and package swing in the direction of the curved arrow in Fig. l2 and advance in the direction of the straight arrow, the flap 84 is folded over and into engagement with the top of the package. The flap 84 engages and is folded by the flange 108. When the ap 84 has been folded, the package advances beneath a main horizontal portion 112 of the second hoodl member 107. As the holder, package and wrapper advance beneath the second hood member 167, the holder turns to the position indicated at 321, at which the holder and Wrapper have turned through an angle of 90 degrees upon the axis of the shaft of the holder from the position at which the wrapper was supplied to the holder.

When the package holder and package cornes from beneath the second hood member, side edges or

margins

114 and 116 of the wrapper are exposed on opposite sides of the package holder. Then the package and wrapper enter heat sealing mechanism indicated generally at 117 in Figs. 1A and 2A.

Details of construction of the heat sealing mechanism are shown most clearly in Figs. 1A, 2A, and 3.

As shown in Fig. 3, each of the

side margins

114 and 116 of the wrapper passes between an upper heating block 118 and a lower heating block 119. In addition, a central heating block 121 engages the central portion of the wrapper. The heating blocks contain appropriate heating elements (not shown) which heat the blocks to a suicient temperature to cause the coating of the wrapper to seal the wrapper closed. Appropriate temperature responsive elements, as indicated at 122, may be attached to one or more of the heating blocks to record the temperature thereof.

The wrapper passes from the heating blocks to cooling blocks 123 (Fig. 2) which are arranged in the same manner as the heating blocks. The cooling blocks are unheated and are formed of heat conducting metal which conducts heat away from the heated portions of the wrapper to cool them and cause the coating to set.

Each of the lower blocks is supported on bar members 124 (see Fig. 3) which are supported on the framework of the machine.

The upper blocks are hung from the inverted

U-shaped frames

125 and 126, which are mounted on the framework of the machine and extend above the main conveyors and the heating and cooling blocks. The frames 126 support lengthwise support bars 127 which are attached thereto, as by welding. The flengthwise support bars, togther with a transverse support bar 12S, which forms part of the frame 125, in turn, support the upper heating and cooling bars.

Each support bar is provided with a plurality of openings 133 (Fig. 3) through which support bolts 134 extend. The lower end of each support bolt 134 is received in a threaded socket 135 in one of the upper blocks. A compression spring 136 is mounted on the shank of each support bolt to engage the support bar and the upper block associated therewith to urge the upper block downwardly. The limit of downward advance of the upper blocks is determined by nuts 137 threaded to the support bolts and engaging the upper faces of the support bars.

The package and wrapper are drawn between the heating and cooling blocks by

auxiliary conveyor chains

138 and 139. The auxiliary conveyor chains travel on sprocket wheels 141. The sprocket wheels 141 are mounted on

shafts

143 and 144 which are rotatably mounted in appropriate supports 146 (see Fig. 1). The shaft 144 also carries a driven pulley 147 (Fig. 2A). Driven pulley 147 is driven by a belt 148. The belt 148, in turn is driven by a pulley 149, which is mounted on a shaft 151. The shaft 151 is rotatably mounted in appropriate bearings 152 (Fig.4 1A) and is driven by a sprocket wheel 153 mounted thereon and meshing with the main conveyor chain 23. The auxiliary conveyor chains are driven at the same speed as the main conveyor chains, and, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, engage the upper side of the wrapper to draw the wrapper between the heating and cooling blocks.

As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 144 also carries a printing rwheel 154, which turns therewith. The printing wheely carries a printing strip 156 which engages each wrapper and prints an appropriate date or the like thereon. An inking roller 157 is rotatably mounted on one of the support bars and inks the printing strip.

When the machine is in use, packages of meat 81 may be brought to the machine by an appropriate conveyor (not shown). Wrappers are fed to the machine by the wrapper feeding apparatus 49 (Fig. l). One meat package S1 is mounted in each wrapper with the meat package extending through the opening S9 of the wrapper into one of the package holders. As the meat package is inserted, the end flap 84 of the wrapper may be bent upwardly to the position shown in Fig. ll. The package holder travels fromv the point indicated at 32a in Fig. 1 past the folding stations at which the end iiaps of the wrapper are folded inwardly as indicated in Figs. ll and l2. The package holder passes under the hood members which hold down the aps as the package holder is turned until it is in the position shown at 32 in Fig. l and at an angle of degrees relative to the conveyor chains to that at which the wrapper and meat package were loaded in the package holder. Then the edges of the package are received between the heating blocks and heated so that the edges are sealed. The package then passes through the cooling blocks where the coating of the Wrapper sets. The package is dated by the printing wheel 154. Finally, as the package holder reaches the point indicated at 32g in Figs. 1A and 2A, the wrapped package falls onto a discharge conveyor 162. When discharged, the package has the appearance shown in Fig. 8 with the margins of the end aps 33 and 84 sealed to the central portion 82 of the wrapper.

ln the drawings, only a Ilimited number of package holders has been shown, but it is to be understood that there may be any suitable number of regularly spaced package holders mounted on the main conveyor chains.

The machine illustrated in the drawings and described above is subject to structural modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I clairn as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine for folding a wrapper around a food package and for sealing the same, which comprises a main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, open-topped package holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor to travel therewith, a crank attached to the under side of each package holder, a track adjacent the conveyor, each crank having a crank pin guided by said track, means for folding the wrapper around the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded portion of the wrapper to hold the wrapper in folded condition as the wrapper leaves the folding means, and sealing means mounted adjacent and beyond the hood member, the sealing means being adapted to receive and seal edges of the wrapper as the package holder and package move free of the hood member.

2. A machine for folding a heat sealing wrapper around a food package and for sealing the sarne, which comprises a main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, opentopped package holders pivotally mounted on said main conveyor to travel therewith, a crank attached to the under side of each package holder, a track adjacent the main conveyor, each crank having a crank pin guided by said track, means for folding the wrapper around the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded portion of the wrapper to hold the wrapper in folded condition as the wrapper leaves the folding means, the track having a diagonally extending portion opposite the hood member for swinging the package holder with the wrapper and package therein below the hood member, spaced heating members mounted adjacent and beyond the hood member, the heating members being adapted to receive and heat edges of the wrapper as the package holder and package move -free of the hood member to seal the edges of the wrapper, and a second conveyor mounted above the main conveyor, the second conveyor having a course moving parallel to and spaced above the main conveyor, said course of the second conveyorengaging the package between the heating members to draw the package through the heating members.

3. A machine for folding a heat sealing wrapper around a food package and for sealing the same, Which comprises a main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, opentopped package holders pivotally mounted on said main conveyor to travel therewith, means for folding the wrapper around the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded portion of the Wrapper to hold the wrapper in folded condition as the wrapper leaves the folding means, means opposite the hood member for swinging the package holder with the wrapper and package thereon below the hood member, spaced heating members mounted adjacent and beyond the hood member, the heating members being adapted to receive and heat edges of the wrapper as the package holder and package move free of the hood member to seal the edges of the wrapper, and a second conveyor mounted above the main conveyor, the second conveyor having a course moving parallel to and spaced above the main conveyor, said course of the second conveyor engaging the package between the heating members to draw the package through the heating members.

4. A machine for folding a wrapper having end aps around a food package and for sealing the same, which comprises a main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, opentopped package holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor to travel therewith, a crank attached to the under side of each package holder, a track adjacent the conveyor, each crank having a crank pin guided by said track, means for folding the end aps of the wrapper inwardly and against the top of the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded flaps of the wrapper to hold the flaps in folded position as the wrapper leaves the folding means, the track having a diagonally extending portion opposite the hood member for swinging the package holder with the wrapper and package thereon below the hook member through an angle of ninety degrees and sealing means for receiving the side edges of the wrapper as the package holder and package move free of the hood member to seal the edges of the wrapper.

5. A machine for folding heat sealing wrappers having end flaps around food packages and for sealing the same, which comprises a main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, open-topped package holders pivotally mounted on said main conveyor to travel therewith, each of said package holders being adapted to hold one of the food packages and one of the wrappers with the end flaps and side margins of the wrapper projecting outwardly of the package holder, a crank attached to the under side of each package holder, a track adjacent the main conveyor, each crank having a crankpin guided by said track, wrapper folding members on opposite sides of the track engageable with the end aps to fold the end flaps inwardly against the top of the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded end flaps of the wrapper to hold the end aps in folded position as the wrapper leaves the folding members, the track having a diagonally extending portion opposite the hood member for swinging the package holder with the wrapper and package thereon below the hood member through an angle of ninety degrees, and spaced heating members mounted adjacent and beyond the hood member, the heating members being adapted to receive and heat the side margins of the wrapper as the package holder and package move free of the hood member to seal the edges of the wrapper.

6. A machine for folding heat sealing wrappers having end aps around food packages and for sealing the same, which comprises a continuous main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, open-topped package holders pivotally mounted on said main conveyor to travel therewith, each of said package holders being adapted to hold one of the food packages and one of the wrappers with the end aps and side margins of the wrapper projecting outwardly of the package holder, a crank attached to the under side of each package holder, a track adjacent the main conveyor, each crank having a crank pin guided by said track, wrapper folding members on opposite sides of the track engageable with the end flaps to fold the end flaps inwardly against the top of the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded end flaps of the wrapper to hold the end aps in folded position as the Wrapper leaves the folding members, the track having a diagonally extending portion opposite the hood member for swinging the package holder with the wrapper and package thereon below the hood member through an angle of ninety degrees, spaced heating members mounted adjacent and beyond the hood member, the heating members being adapted to receive and heat the side margins of the wrapper as the package holder and package move free of the hood member to seal the edges of the wrapper, and a second continuous conveyor mounted above the main conveyor, the second conveyor having a lower course moving parallel to and spaced above the main conveyor, the lower course of the second conveyor engaging the package between the heating members to draw the package through the heating members.

7. A machine for folding a heat sealing wrapper around a food package and for sealing the same, which comprises a main conveyor, a plurality of hollow, open-topped package holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor to travel therewith, a crank attached to the under side of each package holder, a track adjacent the conveyor, each crank having a crank pin guided by said track, means for folding the wrapper around the package when the package and wrapper are mounted on one of the package holders on the conveyor as the conveyor advances the package holder, a hood member overlying the conveyor for engaging the folded portion of the wrapper to hold the wrapper in folded condition as the wrapper leaves the folding means, the track having a diagonally extending portion opposite the hood member for swinging the package holder with the wrapper and package thereon below the hood member, and heating members mounted adjacent and beyond the hood member, the heating members being adapted to receive and heat edges of the wrapper as the package holder and package move free of the hood member to seal the edges of the wrapper.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,935,269 Jones Nov. 14, 1932