US2977735A - Wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1961 c. F. HYRNE WRAPPING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1959 FiG.3.

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WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. CLARENCE F. HYRNE .4 TTORNEY llllllltuznm United This invention relates to wrapping machines broadly and particularly of a type wherein articles are initially encased in a covering material, such for instance as relatively thin plastics.

The invention contemplates an elevated fiat work surface, mounting and shifting means for a roll of thin plastics that is to be extended over a predetermined area of the work surface and upon which a garment or other article is disposed to be subsequently covered by the sheet of plastics upon a return movement when the shifting means is reversed and to encase the article in substantially a tubular covering.

The invention contemplates shiftable members disposed upon the work surface to initially hold the leading edge of the covering and whereby the shifting device may area.

The invention also contemplates means, at the extent' of the shifting movement of the roll whereby to hold the covering against shifting when the shifting device is reversed to its initial position. 7

The invention also contemplates control mechanism for the holding means that is actuated upon the return movement of the shifting device whereby the covering is disposed in overlying relation to the leading end that has been initially held against movement and means operable to simultaneously sever the overlying sheet and to seal the sheet along one marginal edge adjacent to its point of severance.

The invention also contemplates novel forms of clip devices that grip the initial leading edge of the roll of material and that are actuated to a release position when the roll is returned by the shifting mechanism to then be shifted into clipping engagement with both the leading edge of the overlying area of the material and sealing means adapted to seal the severed edges of the material simultaneous with the severing action.

The invention contemplates the forming of a tubular package into which has been placed an article to be covered and with the package to be subsequently sealed by separate means along its end portions to fully encase the article.

' The invention also contemplates novel means for actuating the clip devices 'to and from their clipping engagement with the covering.

In the drawings, wherein has been illustrated broadly means to encase articles, such as garments and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures,

Figure 1 is aplan view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure2 is a view similar to Figure l, but with a carriage device and a supported roll of plastics film is shifted to extend the. film over the working surface,

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the device with the carriage being returned to its initial position, b

Figure 4' is a fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3 r Patent ually disposed rod 37, that is extended across the'table 'Patented Apr. 2, 1961 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the formed envelope,

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 66 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6, parts being omitted and illustrating clip devices for holding the envelope'forming film during the severing and sealing action and,

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Figure 7.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a Work table having a fiat surface. The Work table may be formed of any desirable material and is generally rectangular in form and supported by suitable legs, not shown. Overlying the table 5, is a carriage device, indicated by the numeral 6. The carriage device embodies a forward forked end 7 and a rearwardly extending arm 8. The fork 7 at its forward ends are provided with journals for the rotatable support of a shaft 9, carrying a roll of relatively thin plastics material 10. The roll 10 normally lies upon the surface of the table 5 for rolling engagement therewith. The arm 8 and the carriage 6 is reciprocated by any desirable mechanism, not shown.

Iournaled upon the underside of the table 5", as shown in Figure 7 is a flat crank 11, carried upon a vertically disposed shaft 12 that is journaled in a suitable bearing carried by a bracket 13 that is fixed to the underside of the table substantially intermediate its width. The crank 11 is oscillatory in a horizontal plane. The means for oscillating the crank 11, comprises a roller 13' that is rotatably supported at 14 upon one end portion of the crank 11. The roller is engaged by a cam flange 15, carried by an intermittently operated cam wheel 16, controllable by the operator of the device in any desirable manner. Pivotally connected at 17 to the opposite ends of the crank 11 are links 18. The links 18 are forked at their opposite ends to have pivotal connection with offset flanges 19, carried by clips 20 that are disposed upon and overlie the surface of the table. The clips 20 have depending arms 21, that extend downwardly through slots 22 formedin the table. The arms 21 are pivotally connected at 23, to fixed brackets 24, carried upon the underside of the table. The clips 20'are offset with respect to the crank 11 and the links 18 in a manner whereby the clips 20 will be disposed in transverse alignment with respect to the table. Each of the clips 20 are provided with resilient pads 25. The crank 11 is biased in a direction to actuate the clips in a direction toward the table, by a spring 26. The spring 26 is connected at one end to a bracket 27, carried at one end of the crank 11 and its opposite end is connected at 28 to a fixed bracket 29 carried by the table. I

The table 5, forwardly of the clips 20 and closely adjacent thereto is recessed transversely at 29, to receive the metallic plate 30, that extends for the major width of the table. The plate 30 is provided with a longitudinal slot 31 having its edges sharpened for cooperative cutting engagement with a knife 32. The knife 32 is connected upon aheater bar 33, that is operative in a vertical direction upon upstanding rods 34. The knife 32 and the heater element 33 are actuated in any desirable manner to be shiftable downwardly for a simultaneous cutting and sealing engagement with the package that has been formed when the carriage 6 and the roll 10 have been returned to their initial position.

Since the package to be formed is tubular, it follows that means'must be provided at the end of the extending movement of the carriage 6 to hold the sheet of film against dragging forwardly when the carriage is re turned. For this purpose, there has been provided upon opposite sides of the table 5, a pair of brackets 35, notched upon their rear edges, as at 36. The brackets 35 are adapted to be simultaneously engaged by a manto rest in the notches 36 to hold the film against a reverse movement. After the carriage 6 has been returned to its initial position, forming the package illustrated in Figure 5 and with the garment or other article disposed therein and, upon the completion of the reverse movement of the carriage 6 and the roll 10, the rod 37 is manually removed.

The mechanism disclosed is believed to be basic in the forming of a plastics envelope and any suitable mechanism is employed to oscillate the carriage 6 and to also actaute the clips 20 and the knife 32 and sealing element 33, such mechanisms being well within the knowledge of the mechanic.

In the use of the device, a roll of thin plastics material is journaled in the ends of the fork 7. The loading end of the film is then engaged beneath the clips 20, where it will be held against shifting. The pads'25 only engage the marginal edges of the film. Now, when the machine is placed in operation, it performs an initial cycle, causing the carriage 6 to shift rearwardly upon the table, carrying with it the roll of film 10 and, since the film is held by the clips 20, a sheet of the film will be disposed upon the surface of the table and, upon a complete rearward movement of the carriage 6, the roll will be disposed slightly rearwardly of the brackets 35 at which time, the rod 37 is extended across the table to engage within the notches 36. At the rearmost movement of the carriage 6, it is stopped in its motion, permitting the insertion of the rod 37 and to also permit the operator to dispose a garment or other article upon the surface of the film that is overlying the table. Mechanism is then actuated to cause a reverse movement of the carriage 6, and, since the sheet of film will be held against reverse movement by the rod 37, a second layer of film will then be extended over the article, completely covering the article and, when the roll 10 approaches its initial starting position, mechanism is actuated to cause the cam wheel 16 to make one complete revolution, actuating the clips 20 to a release position and, when the roll is disposed in its initial position, the clips will swing downwardly to clamp the two sheets together at which time, the cycle is completed by a movement of the knife 32 and heater element 33 downwardly to engage the plate 30, simultaneously severing the two sheets and sealing the marginal edges of those portions of the sheets that overlie the plate 30. When this has been accomplished, the package with the article therein is removed from the table manually by first withdrawing the rod 37, substantially forming an envelope that is open at its opposite ends and sealed along its marginal edges. The envelope and its encased article is then sealed at its ends in any desirable manner upon the severing of the underlying and overlying sheets by the knife 32, one end of the film from the roller 10 will at all times be maintained in clipped engagement with respect to the table by the clips 25.

While the device has been illustrated in a manner that requires the manual removal of the formed package from the machine after sealing and cutting, it is also contemplated that the table may be provided with an endless conveyor belt that traverses its surface longitudinally and that is operated in a predetermined cycle to shift the formed package away from the area of forming. Also, while the rod 37 has been described as being manually engaged with the brackets 35, it is also contemplated that automatic means may be employed to pregressively drop a rod into position when the carriage and the roll have been shifted in its initial movement to extend the film over the table for the reception of the article to be encased. It is believed however that mechanical mechanism capable of performing these acts in timed sequence is well within the expected skill of the mechanic and possibly may be presented in a separate application for patent.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of packaging device has been provided, the-means are simple and provide novel clipping devices that are simultaneously actuated to and from a clipping engagement with the film both at the beginning of the carriage movement and upon the return of the carriage, thus always maintaining the free end of the film in clipped engagement for subsequent operations. The device extends the film over the table, as inactivated to permit the insertion of the rod 37 and to permit the depositing of a garment or other article upon the extended film after which, the carriage is returned to completely overlie and encase the article to be subsequently severed and sealed.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

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

1. A packaging device of the character described that is adapted to form a tubular envelope from a continuous section of thermoplastic material for receiving articles to be encased, the device comprising a rectangular work table having a flat surface, a carriage device that is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the table a predetermined distance in accordance with the dimensions of the envelope to be formed and in a predetermined timed cycle, the carriage at one end rotatably supporting a roll of thermoplastic material that rests upon the surface of the table to be rolled thereover under the influence of the carriage, the carriage when moved in one direction extending a sheet of thermoplastic material over the table to receive the article to be packaged, movable clip devices that are disposed adjacent each side of the table for clipping engagement with the opposite marginal edges of a free end of the thermoplastic material whereby to hold the material at the end when the roll is moved along the table, a rod that is deposited across the table to overlie the extended sheet and to be disposed in front of the roll of material whereby to hold the material against shifting in an opposite direction when the carriage and the roll are returned to the initial starting position, the carriage in its return movement shifting the roll of material in a reverse direction to override the article deposited upon the sheet, the said clip devices being actuated out of the line of movement of the returning roller so that the overlying sheet over' lies the initial free end of the material, the said clip devices being actuated to clip the two sheets together against movement, a cutting device and a heat sealing device that is disposed forwardly of the clip devices and that is movable in a vertical plane, the said knife and the heating device simultaneously cutting the two sheets apart transversely and sealing the two sheets together, the said clip devices being L-shaped and with the clip devices extending downwardly through slots formed in the table, bracket devices upon the underside of the table for pivotally supporting the clip devices, a flat crank that is rotatable in a horizontal plane and that is supported upon the underside of the table intermediate its width, link means at the opposite end of the crank that have connection with depending arms of the clips, a roller carried by the crank at one end, a cam wheel and a cam flange carried by the wheel, the said roller being in the line of movement of the cam flange and whereby the crank is oscillated in one direction under the rotative influence of the cam wheel and spring means for biasing the cam in a direction to actuate the links to shift the clips into clipped engagement with the thermoplastic material.

2. A packaging device of the character described that is adapted to form a tubular envelope from a continuous section of thermoplastic material for receiving articles to be encased, the device comprising a rectangular work table having a flat surface, a carriage device that is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the table a predetermined distance in accordance with the dimensions of the envelope to be formed and in a predetermined timed cycle, the carriage at one end rotatably supporting a roll of thermoplastic material that rests upon the surface of the table to be rolled thereover under the influence of the carriage, the carriage when moved in one direction extending a sheet of thermoplastic material over the table to receive the article to be packaged, movable clip devices that are disposed adjacent each side of the table for clipping engagement with the opposite marginal edges of a free end of the thermoplastic material whereby to hold the material at the end when the roll is moved along the table, a rod that is deposited across the table to overlie the extended sheet and to be disposed in front of the roll of material whereby to hold the material against shifting in an opposite direction when the carriage and the roll are returned to the initial starting position, the carriage in its return movement shifting the roll of material in a reverse direction to override the article deposited upon the sheet, the said clip devices being actuated out of the line of movement of the returning roller so that the overlying sheet overlies the initial free end of the material, the said clip devices being actuated to clip the two sheets together against movement, a cutting device and a heat sealing device that is disposed forwardly of the clip devices and that is movable in a vertical plane, the said knife and the heating device simultaneously cutting the two sheets apart transversely and sealing the two sheets together, the said table at opposite sides at a point adjacent to the maximum forward movement of the roll of material being provided with a pair of bracket plates that are notched upon their forward edges, the said rod adapted to extend across the table and with its ends projecting beyond the brackets and to be seated within the notches whereby the rod is held against movement and to hold the material against shift-ing when the carriage shifts the roll of material to its initial position, the said rod being removable after the forming of the envelope and the sealing and cutting of the two sheets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 137,041 Worth Mar. 18, 1873 1,343,339 Rosenblum June 15, 1920 2,690,633 Denton Oct. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,994 Great Britain July 10. 1897

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