US3078626A - Means and method of wrapping - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26, 1963 R. G. DEXTER MEANS AND METHOD oF WRAPPING 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5. 1960 Feb. 26, 1963 R. G. DEXTER MEANS AND METHOD oF WRAPPING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1960 PMQZNTOR.

2,4%, l' n l ATTORNEYS Feb. 26, 1963 R. G. DEXTER 3,078,626

MEANS AND METHOD oF WRAPPING Filed Aug. 5, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m In Q Q l N Q l E# E" A TORNEYS FIGB Feb., 26, 1963 R. G. DEXTER MEANS AND METHOD oF WRAPPING 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 5, 1960 FIGA A. WSAWA 2 ATTOR N EYS R. G. DEXTER MEANS AND METHOD OF WRAPPING Feb. 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENNToR.

BY f I ATTORNEYS Filed Aug. 5. 1960 3,678,626 MEANS AND METHGD F WRAPPENG Robert G. Dexter, Harvard, Mass., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Emile Bernat & Sons Company, Jamaica Plain, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Aug. 5, 1960, Ser. No. 47,636 35 Claims. (Cl. 53-3) The present invention relates to a means and method of labelling or wrapping. More particularly it relates primarily to a means and method of labelling or wrapping easily deformable products such as skeins of yarn with a wrap around wrapper. While the present invention will be described primarily in connection with a machine specically constructed for labelling skeins of yarn with a wrap around label, it should be understood that the invention may be utilized for other similar purposes, including for example, the application of plain tubular or partially tubular Wrappers to malleable or deformable products.

A skein of yarn is an elongated length of yarn Wound ovally about itself as an elongated loose bundle. A iinished commercial skein is normally Wrapped with a tubular wrapper or label about its center with the wrapper or label formed of a rectangular paper with its opposite ends sealed together.

These skeins of yarn are normally wrapped by hand. In such a process the operator lays a skein of yarn on a suitably gummed label. The wrapper or label is there- `after rolled about the skein and sealed at its ends. This procedure is time consuming and expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel means and method for automatically wrapping skeins of yarn rapidly and more eliiciently than heretofore possible by manual methods heretofore known.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wrapping machine which is relatively simple in construction, certain of operation and easy to maintain, and which may effectively reduce the cost of Wrapping or labelling deformable products.

=In the present invention there is provided a label or wrapper transport assembly which picks up individual labels or wrappers, gums one edge and tubularly forms .the label or Wrapper' about a thin tubular mandrel. Simultaneously, an individual skein of yarn is fed into the mandrel. This individual skein of yarn and the label or wrapper wrapped about the mandrel are then simultaneously pulled from the mandrel in the same direction. ln this step the formed tubular label or wrapper slides from the mandrel onto the body of the skein. The labelled or Wrapped skein is then ejected from the machine.

The yarn wrapping machine is formed with a number of operatively related components which include the label transport assembly, the label gumming mechanism, the label sealer mechanism for sealing the label in a tubular form, the mandrel assembly on which the tubular label is formed and within which the skein is positioned, ram assembly for moving the skeins and labels from the mandrel, a vacuum system for feeding labels and a high velocity air vacuum and pressure system for forming labels and feeding and ejecting the product. Each of these major components is operatively and synchronously related to the other mechanisms.

The label transport assembly, as previously stated, moves individual labels from a stack through the gumming mechanism Which automatically gums one edge of each label to an intermediate waiting station and from there to a position over the tubular mandril in the mandril assembly. The gummed label is thereafter wrapped about and sealed on itself to form a tube coaxial with the 3,078,626 Patented Feb. 26, 1953 mandrel. This is effected by high velocity Vacuum and the label sealer mechanism. Wherupon, an individual skein of yarn is vacuum drawn into the tubular mandrel by the operation of the vacuum from the high velocity vacuum system through the ram assembly. The mandrel is closed by a guillotine type closing device to cut off air flow while the label is tubularly wrapped about the mandrel by vacuum and sealed by the label sealing mechanism. The ram assembly then removes the skein and the tubularly formed label in the same direction, sliding the label off the mandrel and onto the skein. The ram is then moved rearwardly by the drive mechanism to a selected point at which the labelled skein is ejected from the machine by high velocity air pressure.

While this device is primarily intended for use in labelling yarn, it is obviously adapted for skeins or similar articles with unlabelled wrappers. Therefore, reference herein to labels is applicable to wrappers also.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a cross sectioned fragmentary side elevation of the yarn labelling machine,

FIG 2 is a top plan View of the yarn labelling machine omitting certain portions of the machine for clarity,

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the machine taken from the side opposite FIG. l,

FIG. 4 is a perspective fragmentary detail of a portion of the drive mechanism and associated mechanism of the machine in detail,

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2, and,

FlG. 6 is a schematic illustration of certain cams.

ln the present invention there is an operative relation between a number of mechanisms including a label transport assembly titl (FIGS. l and 3), which moves individual labels from a table ll through a gumming machine assembly 9 (FIGS. 2 and 5), for gumming an edge of the label to a standby table l2. `From this table l2 the gummed label is transported in a sequential operation to a position over a mandrel i3 (FIGS. l and 3). When the label is positioned over perforated mandrel 13, the liow of high velocity air inward through the mandrel perforations causes the label to Iwrap itself around mandrel 13. The label thus seals the mandrel perforations causing an increased vacuum in the mandrel which is suicient to draw a skein into mandrel 13 from chute ld. The high velocity vacuum is supplied to mandrel 13 through ram assembly 15. This ram assembly includes a tubular ram i6 amounted on a reciprocable carriage 17 for movement to and away from the mandrel with the ram aligned with the end of the mandrel. Means for sucking high velocity air through the ram 16 are controlled to form the label and suck a skein of yarn into the mandrel 13 and partially into the end of tubular ram 16 While the ram is engaged with mandrel at the end of its forward movement. A label sealing means 18 (FIGS. 1 and 3) seals the glued portion of the label once it is wrapped around mandrel 13. A screen or perforated baie in the tubular end of mandrel 16 positions the skein and prevents its being sucked in too far. On the rearward movement of the ram 16 fingers 19 on the ram draw the tubular label ot the mandrel onto the skein which is also being drawn from the mandrel by air suction through the ram. At a selected point the completely labelled skein is ejected from the machine by a reversal of air ow in the ram. The labelled or wrapped skein then drops through a collecting chute. Substantially all of these mechanisms are synchronously and operatively controlled by cam and lever arrange-` envases 3 ments through motor and gear transmission 24 and a main drive shaft 21.

For purposes of clarity the driver mechanism and associate components will be described initially with the mechanisms operated thereby described subsequently in their operative relationships.

The frame 2.9 formed with substantially rectangular sidewalls, front, rear and top, supports the main drive shaft 21 suitably journalled at its ends in bearings 23. The motor and gear transmission 24 (FIG. l) drives the main shaft 21 through chain coupling 26 which interconnects sprockets 27 and 23 keyed respectively to the transmission 24 and shaft 21. As shown in FIG. 5 the cams 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 are also successively keyed to the shaft 21. Cam 35 may be secured externally of the frame while cams 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 may be secured internallyof the frame.

Also secured to the frame 29 is a cam follower lever support shaft 36 (FIGS. l and 5). This shaft 36 is suitably supported by journals parallel to shaft 21 and in turn supports a plurality of cam follower levers. These levers include the cam follower lever 38 adapted to follow the cam 30, cam follower lever assembly 40, adapted to follow cam 33 and cam follower lever 41 adapted to follow cam 35.

Lever 33and cam 30 control the air flow inthe ram 16. Lever 39 and cam 31 control the forward and reverse movement of the ram 16 and operation of fingers 19. Lever assembly 40 and cam 33 control the forward and reverse movement of the label transport assembly 1).

Lever 41 and cam 35 control the air pressure to the lagl transport vacuum pickup means and label standby tal e.

Cam 32 actuates lever 42, which, through a lever linkage system controls the label sealing means 18. Cam 34 actuates lever 43 which in turn is adapted to raise and lower the label transport assembly 10.

The label or wrapper transport assembly lil is moved forwardly, downwardly, upwardly and rearwardly in sequence. This transport assembly 10 comprises a horizontal support 44 adapted to support various air tubes. The support 44 is formed with two parallel transport legs 45. Sleeves 46 are coaxial with these transport legs 45 and are adapted to support legs 45 for vertical movement. A plurality of air conduit tubes 47 are secured to the transport assembly 1() with one end of each connected through the rigid tubes 48 at the rear of the assembly 10 to individual pickers 49. The pickers 49 or suction cups are adapted to be engaged with the top label of a stack of labels positioned on label stack table 11. This label stack table 11 is suitably supported by I beams 50 on the frame. The table 11 may have suitable conventional means for alignment of a stack of labels or wrappers. If desired, the label or wrapper separator means 51 comprising a small reversely bent tube through which air is blown may be used to assure the separation of the top label from the labels under it. Such separator means 51 are commonly used in the printing industry. The air tubes 47 are connected through a suitable master air tube 52 to the air cylinder valve 53. Additional llexible air tubes 54 are connected to pickers 55 through the rigid tube 48 at the forward end of the assembly 10. These tubes 54 are also connected to the master air tube 52. The rigid tubes 48 which support pickers 49 and 55 are adapted to be resiliently displaced on downward movement of the transport. These tubes 48 are slidably positioned within supports 56 but are downwardly tensioned by means of helical springs 57 coaxial with the tubes and engaging flanges of the tubes at one end and the support 56 at the other ends.

A vacuum or standby table 12 having 4a plurality of perforations 58 is supported on suitably arranged legs on the frame 20. This table 12 is hollow and has a plurality of perforations 5S. The hollow interior forms a manifold-like member from which vacuum is adapted to be drawn to hold the gummed label in registered position while adhesive is -becoming tacky during the operation of the device. Air is supplied to the interior of the table 12 by a vacuum 59 connected at one end to the valve 53.

The label transport assembly 10 is moved forwardly and rearwardly by the assembly best illustrated in FiG. 4. In this assembly the fore and rear movement of the transport is effected through the lever assembly 4G. This lever assembly 4i? which includes lever extensions 6ft and the integral lever extension 61 is supported on the shaft 36. it is reciprccated back and forth by means of the cam 33. The lever extension 65 follows the cam 33 through the cam follower roller 62. The upper end of the lever extension d1 engages the transport carriage 63 through a linkage lever 64. The carriage 63 is formed of a plate having four wheels 65 mounted at its corners. These wheels 65 engage the rails 66 and 67. These rails 66 and 67 are parallelly secured by suitable means such as frames 63 to the side of the frame 20. Rotation of cam 33 actuates the lever assembly 4t) to reciprocably move the carriage 63 on the rails 66 and 67 in a sequence hereinafter described.

Simultaneously with this reciprocal movement, an up and down movement of the legs 45 carrying the support 44 is effected. Cam 34 controls this vertical movement of the support 44 of the label transport assembly 10. This cam 34 engages the cam follower 43 which is suitably pivotally supported on the frame by an extension 69. The cam follower 43 comprises an angular lever having a cam follower roller 7i) on one leg. The other leg of the lever 43 pivotally engages the transverse bar 71. This transverse bar 71 is supported for parallel vertical displacement by a second lever 72 suitably pivotally secured parallel to the said one leg of lever 43.

The legs 45' are provided with a pair of roller shafts and rolls io (FlG. 5), which project through vertical` slots 73 formed in the carriage 63 and in the sleeves 46 which sleeves are fixed to the carriage and are aligned with the lower ends of the legs 45. These roller assemblies formed as part of the legs 45 engage the slot in transverse bar 71 so that they are free to roll lengthwise in this slot as the carriage 63 moves, but will cause legs 45 to move up and down together with transverse bar 71. Springs 74 (FiG. 3) connected at one end of the legs 45 and at the other to sleeves 46 normally downwardly tension the support 44. Thus on vertical movement of the transverse bar 71, on rotation of cams 34, the roller assemblies cause corresponding movement of the legs 45.

Air suction in the pickers 55 and 49 is synchronously controlled with the transverse vertical movement of the transport assembly 1 by means of the lever assembly shown in FIG. 3. The cam 35 on shaft 21 engages lever 41 mounted on shaft 36 to control its pivotal movement. The lever 41 is connected by a pivotally interengaged connectinly rod 75 to the piston of the vacuum valve 53. Spring 76 interengages the lever 41 and the air cylinder 53, thereby causing the lever 41 to bear against the cam 35. The vacuum valve 53 is connected between the vacuum pump (not shown) and the pickers 49 and 55 through the tube 52 and thereby controls the on-ot air suction to the pickers 49, and 55. A suction through the pickers is created on the upward and forward movement of the transport assembly 1). The air is shut ofi as the pickers are about to move in their rearward direction, so that the labels are moved in the forward direction and released when the pickers have reached their foremost position. The pickers 49 are moved from a rearward position over the label stack tables 11 to a position directly over the table 12 while the pickers 55 are moved from a rearward position over the table 12 to a position over the mandrel 13. Thus labels picked up from table 11 are transported to the table 12 and then sequentially to the mandrel 13.

interposed between table 11 and table 5G is a gumming device generally illustrated at 9. This device 9 issuitably aorsae supported on the frame 20. The device includes a glue pot 77 for an adhesive medium. Gumming rolls 73 are journalled to pick up adhesive from the glue pot 77. Drive rolls 79 which frictionally engage the rolls 78 are positioned on -drive shafts 80. These drive shafts are in turn connected through the gear transmission box 81 and drive belt 82 to the motor 83 which causes constant rotation of the rolls 7S and 79. rThe rolls 7S and 79 are positioned with their line of tangency common to the plane in which labels or wrappers moved from table 11 to 12 will pass. One edge of such labels are passed between the rolls 78 and 70 for gumming so that the label positioned on table 12 is normally gummed along one side edge.

The labels carried forwardly by pickers 55 are released directly over the mandrel 13 after the label transport assembly moves downwardly to a point at which the pickers 55' are substantially horizontally aligned with the mandrel. The pickers 55 are non-symmetrically arranged on either side of the mandrel 13 so that a greater part of the label is positioned on the side of the mandrel closer to the gumming machine 9.

Air suction through the holes 85 in the mandrel effected in a sequential operation hereafter described, causes the label released by pickers 5S to be wrapped tubularly about the mandrel. Opposite edges of this label including the previously gummed edge are sealed together by the label sealing means 13. This means 1S includes a pressure bar 6 mounted transversely on one end of the angular lever 37. This lever 87 is in turn pivotally supported intermediate its end in the bracket S in turn mounted on the frame 20. The other end of the lever 87 is pivotally interengaged through a linkage system 89 with a cam follower 90. This cam follower is interengaged with cam 92 mounted 0n shaft 21. Lever linkage 89' may be suitably journalled in a support 91 mounted on the frame 20.

Immediately after with the positioning and forming of a tubular wrapper or label about the mandrel 13, a skein of yarn is drawn from an end to end row of skeins in the chute 1d into the mandrel 13. This is one function of the ram assembly 15. In this assembly the ram 16 is a tubular elongated member having a forward end formed with an external shoulder 93 and a screen mesh 9d, inwardly recessed. The ram 16 is mounted in a carriage 17 having side walls, top and bottom. The carriage 17 has eight wheels 95 arranged in pairs, with two pairs on each side. These wheels 95 slidably engage rails 96, 97 for reciprocal movement of the carriage and the ram between stops 98 on the rails. The rails 96, 97 are suitably mounted on the frame 20 as illustrated at 99. A flexible air tube 100 is connected to the rear end of the tubular ram 16 (FlG. l). This air tube 100 is connected at its other end to an air valve indicated at 101. The valve 101 is tubularly connected to a suitable source of air so that air may be drawn or blown through th ram 16 depending on the position of the valve 101.

An air flow controlling piston in the valve 101 is connected to the connecting rod 102. This rod in turn is connected through a linkage 103 to the upper end of the lever 3S. A helical spring 104 connected at one end to frame 20 and at other to upper end of lever 3S tensions lever 38 forwardly so that its cam follower roller 105 will bear against the cam surface 30.

The forward and reverse movement 'of the ram 16 is effected by the forward and rear movement of the lever 39 about the shaft 36. The upper end of the lever 39 is formed with a yoke 106. This yoke 106 engages the sides of the ram as illustrated at 107. IIn this arrangement the upper ends of the legs forming the yoke 106 are connected by connecting rods 107 to a sleeve 103. The sleeve 108 extends aroundl and frictionally engages the ram 16. The sleeve 108 may be formed of several arcuate sectors adjustably screwed together. The sleeve will move itin a forward or reverse directionand carries the `ram with it over a distance dened between stops 98 on the rails 96, 97. The sleeve 108 however will move over a greater distance and will continue to move forwardly and rearwardly even after the ram 16 and carriage 17 have been stopped by stops 9S. The difference in longitudinal movement of the sleeve and the ram is utilized to effect control of fingers 19 as hereafter described.

The ram 16 moves forwardly and rearwardly once with each cycle of revolution of the shaft 21. At the same time, the forward and rearward movement of lever 38 causes the air valve 101 to effect a suction in the ram on its forward movement, its forward dwell, and part of its rearward movement. This causes a skein of yarn to be drawn from the chute 14 into the mandrel 13 and sequentially draws the skein from the mandrel with the label wrapped about it. When the ram reaches a selected point, in its rearward movement, the air suction is reversed and air is blown forward through the ram. A chute positioned below the ram directs the falling, but wrapped, skein from the machine (not shown).

The sleeve 108 which frictionally engages the ram 16 (FIG. l) has secured to it four forwardly projecting fingers 19. These lingers are radially arranged, preferably apart about the sleeve. Each finger 19 is pivotally secured at one end 109 to the sleeve and is also provided with a conventional spring means, not shown, tensioning the fingers inwardly so that all four fingers are tensioned toward a converging axial center. Each finger 19 has a cam roller 110 mounted intermediate its ends. These cam rollers 110 are adapted to bear against the ram 16. The ram is formed with an annular narrowed shoulder 93 at its forward end. The forward ends of the fingers have frictional engaging tips 111. These tips are adapted to engage the sides o-f the mandrel at the forward position of the ram and sleeve.

The ram may be moved forward to engagement withl the mandrel 13 by the forward movement of the lever 39, and the frictional interengagement of the sleeve 108 and the ram 16. At this position of engagement of the ram 16 and mandrel 13, the rams forward movement is stopped. However, the lever 39 continues to move the sleeve 10S forwardly as there is but a frictional interengagement between the sleeve 108 and the ram 16. During this continued forward movement, the lingers 19, which are initially spread apart are moved forward and close or clamp about the mandrel 13 when the cam rollers 110 are moved over the narrowed shoulder 93. On the rearward movement of the ram 16, the lingers 19 are spring clamped about the mandrel and thereby draw or slide a label positioned on the mandrel rearwardly. This label is drawn onto the skein which is also drawn out from the mandrel by suction through the ram. The fingers 19 are spread when the ram reaches its rearmost position and the sleeve continues to move rearwardly. This spreading occurs when the rear of the ram engages stops 93 on the rails 96, and 97. At this point the ram remains stationary, but the sleeve because of its frictional interengagement continues to move rearwardly causing the cam rollers 110 to move upwardly over the shoulder 93 and thereby open and release the fingers from their interengagement with the wrapped skein.

in order to properly wrap the wrapper tightly about the mandrel for the proper formation and sealing of the wrapper as a tube, and to properly position a skein within the mandrel for a time interval, the end of the mandrel through which the skein was originally introduced must be closed. For this purpose a gate assembly illustrated generally at 112 is positioned immediately adjacent the open end of the mandrel. This gate comprises a pair of parallel vertical channels 113 and 114 adapted to support for sliding vertical movement gate 115. This gate 115 is designed to close the outer end of the mandrel in its down position and open it in its up position. The mandrel is outwardly flaredl as illustrated at 116. The

upper end of the gate 115 has a pair of parallel rings.

117 and 115 between which the tongue 119v is pivotally supported by suitable means. The tongue 139 has slots 12d formed in it adapted to receive a key 121. Such key 12JL carried by the transport assembly 10 has a pin 122 adapted to engage the slot 121i` when the transport assembly is in its foremost position. The cam arrangement is such that the transport assembly moves downwardly in its forward position. Thus in its forward dynamic state the key on the transport will engage the gate slot and move it downwardly therewith.

What is claimed is:

1. In a wrapping machine the combination of means forming an open ended hollow mandrel adapted to receive internally through one end thereof a deformable product having a finite length, a wrapper transport assembly and wrapper forming means for positioning and forming a wrapper in tubular form having discretely formed ends about said mandrel, reciprocal means for drawing said product individually into said mandrel and for subsequent individual removal of said product from said mandrel, and means operatively associated with said lmt mentioned means for sliding said formed wrapper off said mandrel onto said product after said product is' at least partially withdrawn from said mandrel.

2. In a wrapping machine the combination of means forming a hollow mandrel adapted to receive internally thereof a deformable' product, a wrapper transport assembly and wrapper forming means' for positioning and forming a wrapper in tubular form about said mandrel, a ram, means mounting said ram for reciprocal movement in longitudinal alignment with said mandrel, means associated with said ram for drawing said products individually and successively into said mandrel in a selected location of said movement of said ram, means associated with said ram for drawing said product from said mandrel at a second location of said movement of said ram, and means associated with said ram for sliding said tubularly formed wrapper onto said removed product.

3. In a wrapping machine the combination of means forming a hollow mandrel adapted to receive internally thereof a deformable product, a wrapper transport assembly and wrapper forming means for positioning and forming a wrapper in tubular form about said mandrel, a tubular ram, means mounting said ram for reciprocal movement in longitudinal alignment with said mandrel, suction means associated with said ram for creating air suction through said ram and mandrel whereby said products may be drawn individually and successively into said mandrel through one end when said ram is adjacent the other end of said mandrel, means for reciprocating said ram to and from said adjacent position, means for drawing said product from said mandrel at a second position of said ram and means for positioning said tubularlyV formed wrapper over said removed product.

4. In a wrapping machine the combination of means forming a hollow mandrel adapted to receive internally thereof a deformable product, a wrapper transport assembly and wrapper forming means for positioning and forming a wrapper in tubular form about said mandrel, a tubular ram, means mounting said ram for reciprocal movement in longitudinal alignment with said mandrel, means comprising an air pressure system operatively connected to said ram for alternately creating a blow pressure or suction at the forward end of said ram, means for reciprocation of said ram to and from a position wherein said forward end engages an open end of said mandrel, means including a control means for sequentially operating said air pressure system whereby an individual product will be drawn into said mandrel when said forward end of said ram engages said mandrel and said ram draws said product from said mandrel as said ram is moved away from said mandrel, and means for positioning said tubularly formed wrapper over said removed product.

5. In a wrapping machine the combination of means forming a hollow mandrel adapted to receive internally thereof a deformable product, means for feeding said product into said mandrel, a wrapper transport assembly and wrapper forming means for positioning a wrapper in tubular form about said mandrel, and means for removing said product from said mandrel comprising reciprocally moveable means having means for engaging and drawing said product from said mandrel on movement of said moveable means from said mandrel, means for moving said moveable means reciprocally to and from said mandrel, and finger means carried by said moveable means adapted to engage said tubular wrapper and draw it from said mandrel onto said product on movement of said moveable means from said mandrel.

6. In a wrapping machine the combination of a hollow open ended mandrel adapted to receive a deformable product, reciprocal means adapted to move to and from said mandrel and having means adapted on movement from said mandrel to engage and draw said product therefrom, means for reciprocating said reciprocal means, and means associated with said reciprocal means for sliding a tubularly formed wrapper positioned about said mandrel onto said product drawn from said mandrel.

7. In a labeling machine the combination of a hollow open ended mandrel adapted to receive a deformable product, a ram reciprocally moveable to and from an open end of said mandrel and having product engaging means adapted to draw said product from said mandrel on movement therefrom and finger means carried by said ram adapted to engage a tubularly formed wrapper positioned about said mandrel and slide it therefrom onto said product drawn from said mandrel on movement of said ram from said mandrel.

8. In a labeling machine the combination of a hollow open ended mandrel adapted to receive a deformable product and support a tubularly formed wrapper about its outer surface, a ram reciprocally moveable to and from an open end of said mandrel and having product engaging means adapted to draw said product from said mandrel on movement therefrom, means for reciprocally moving said ram to and from a position adjacent one end of said mandrel, finger means mounted on said ram, means urging said finger means toward engagement with said mandrel when said ram and mandrel are adjacent whereby said flnger means will frictionally engage said tubularly formed wrapper positioned about said mandrel and slide it therefrom onto said product drawn from said mandrel on movement of said ram from said mandrel.

9. A device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said finger means comprise a plurality of parallelly arranged elongated fingers, means pivotally engaging and supporting said fingers at one end on said ram with the other ends of said fingers projecting beyond an end of said ram, means for maintaining said fingers spread apart when said fingers are positioned over said mandrel and means for tensioning said fingers toward each other as said ram moves from said mandrel whereby said fingers may frictionally engage said tubularly formed wrapper positioned on said mandrel.

l0. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said ram is formed as an elongated tubular member having a. narrowed section at the end closest said mandrel, means for moving said ram in longitudinal alignment to and from said mandrel, said means pivotally engaging and supporting said fingers comprising a sleeve longitudinally slidably mounted on said ram and adapted on sliding to longitudinally move said fingers relative to said ram, means mounted on said fingers remote from said pivoted end maintaining said fingers spread apart as said fingers move relative to said ram until said last mentioned means engage said narrowed section whereupon said fingers move toward each other.

11.,Ay device asset forth in claim 9, wherein said ram* is formed as an elongate-d tubular member having a narrowed section at the end closest said mandrel, means for moving said ram in longitudinal alignment to and from said mandrel, said means pivotally engaging and supporting said fingers comprising a sleeve longitudinally slidably mounted on Said ram and adapted on sliding to longitudinally move said fingers relative to said ram, spring means tensioning said fingers toward one another, bearings secured to and supporting said fingers at positions remote from said pivoted ends, said bearings adapted to securely bear against the longitudinal surface of said ram and said narrowed sectio-n as said fingers move, whereby said fingers will remain apart at a uniform distance until said bearings engage said narrowed section whereupon said fingers will move toward one another.

12. In a labeling machine the combination of a hollow open ended mandrel adapted to receive a deformable product, a ram reciprocally moveable to and from an open end of said mandrel and having product engaging means adapted to draw said product from said mandrel on movement therefrom, label'engaging meansl comprising a plurality of elongated-fingers, a sleeve member slidably engaging said rarnan-d pivotally mounting said fingers, means for reciprocally moving said sleeve memberV with respect to said ram, and means for selectively varying the spacing between said fingers at distances remote from said pivoted mounting at different positions of said reciprocal movement of said sleeve with respect to said ram.

13. A -device as set forth in claim l2, wherein said means for varying the spacing between said fingers cornprise bearings secured to andsupporting said fingers, said bearings adapted to bear against the surface of said ram, said ram having surfaces over which each of said bearings move at uniform distances apart, said ram also having'a narrowed section adjacent the ends of said surfaces and'over which said bearings also move, and spring means tensioning said fingers together whereby said fingers will move together from a selected distance apart when said bearings engage said narrowed section.

14. In a Wrapping machine the combination of a tubular open ended' mandrel adapted to successively receive deformable products, and means including an air pressure system adapted to successively d raw one of said products adjacent one end of said mandrel sequentially into and then after a time interval, out of said mandrel, comprising means for applying anair suction force at the open end of said mandrel and means for closing said one end of said mandrel for a selected intermediate period during application-of said suction force at the other end of said mandrel.

15. In a wrapping machine the Combination of a tubular open ended mandrel adapted to successively receive deformable products and means for drawing one of said products adjacent one end of said mandrel sequentially into and then after a time interval out of the other end of said mandrel comprising a rigid air tube, means for moving said mandrel and air tube to and away from a position with said air tube aligned and adjacent said other end, means for closing said one end of said mandrel during said time interval, and means for effecting air suction through said tube.

16. In a wrapping machine the combination of a tubular open ended mandrel adapted to successively receive deformable products and means for drawing one of said products adjacent one end of said mandrel sequentially into and then after a time interval out of the other end of said mandrel comprising a rigid air tube, means mounting said air tube in longitudinal alignment with said mandrel for relative movement to and away from said other end, means for moving said air tube to and from an aligned adjacent position with respect to said other end, and means for drawing air through said air tube and means for closing said one end of said mandrel during said time interval.

17. In a wrapping machine the combination of a hollow tubular mandrel having open ends and a plurality of air holes through the wall thereof, means for intermittent closure of said ends, means for application of air suction in said mandrel when said ends are closed, and means for appiying a wrapper about said mandrel and over said holes whereby said wrapper will be held on said mandrel by said air suction.

18. In a wrapping machine the combination of a hollow tubular mandrel having open ends and a plurality of air holes through the wall thereof, means for intermittent closure of one of said ends, means for application of air suction at the other of said ends, and means for placing a wrapper about said mandrel over said air holes whereby said wrapper will be secured on said mandrel by said air suction.

19. A device as set forth in claim 17 wherein said means for applying a wrapper includes means for inter1 engaging opposite ends of said wrapper when said wrapper has been positioned on said mandrel thereby forming said Wrapper as a tube about said mandrel.

2O. lA device as set forth in claim 18 having a chute aligned with said one end adapted to support in series a plurality of deformable products for successive feeding through said one end into said mandrel.

21. A device as set forth in claim 17 wherein said mandrel is horizontally disposed and said means for applying a wrapper includes label transport means for positioning a wrapper immediately above said mandrel with ends of said wrapper on opposite sides of said mandrel, and means for subsequent interengaging said ends of said wrapper about said mandrel whereby said wrapper is tubularly formed.

22. A device as set forth in claim 21 wherein said means for subsequent interengagement of said wrapper ends includes a pressure bar and means for pressing said bar against said mandrel whereby wrappers having overlapping ends on said mandrel coated with adhesive will be sealed together.

23. A device as set forth in claim 18 wh-erein said means for intermittent closure of said one end comprises a gate, means slidably supporting said gate for movement to and from a position across said one end, and means for sliding said gate in synchronism with said means for placing a wrapper about said mandrel.

24. In a wrapping machine the combination of first and second wrapper support means in spaced relation, a wrapper transport assembly having first and second spaced vupper engaging means for simultaneous engagement of Wrappers respectively positioned on said first and second support means, means for reciprocal forward and rearward movement of said transport assembly, whereby said first engaging means reciprocally moves from a rearward wrapper engaging position at said first support means to a forward Wrapper release position at said second support means and said second engaging means reciprocally moves from a rearward wrapper engaging position at said second support means to a forward wrapper release position, and means for releasing said wrapper engaging means at said forward wrapper release positions.

25. IIn a device as set forth in claim 24 having an adhesive applicator intermediate said first and second support, means for applying adhesive to said wrappers -as said wrappers are moved from said first to said second support means.

26. A device as set forth in clai-m 24 wherein said transport assembly includes Vertical leg means, a carriage supporting said legs, horizontally disposed rails slidably supporting said carriage, and means for reciprocally moving said carriage.

27. A device as set forth in claim 24 with said transport assembly having vertical leg means, sleeves supporting said leg means for vertical movement, a carriage supporting said sleeves, horizontally disposed rails supporting said carriage for horizontal slidable movement,

means for vertically moving said leg means in said sleeves `and means for horizontally moving said carriage.

28. A wrapping machine for wrapping a deformable product with a tubular wrapper comprising a hollow tubular open ended mandrel having holes in the walls thereof adapted to receive said product and support said wrapper, a ram having an elongated tubular member for passage of air therethrough, means supporting said ram for reciprocal longitudinal aligned movement of said tubular member to and from one end of said mandrel, means for sucking air through said tubular member, means for positioning wrappers over said mandrel, means for feeding said products into the other end of said mandrel, means for selectively closing said other end of said mandrel, means for reciprocally moving said tubular member to and from said one end of said mandrel, means for engaging and slidably removing a tubularly formed wrapper on said mandrel, and means for synchronously operating each of said means whereby a product is fed into said mandrel, a wrapper is formed about said ymandrel as a tubular wrapper and thereafter said product is withdrawn from said one end of said mandrel and said wrapper is slid from said mandrel onto said product.

29. A device as set forth in claim 28 wherein said means for engaging and slidably removing a tubularly formed wrapper on said mandrel comprises a sleeve slidably positioned on said tubular member for movement therewith and further movement in longitudinal relation thereto, fingers pivotally supported on said sleeve and projecting beyond the end of said tubular member toward said mandrel, and means for selectively spreading and closing said ngers.

30. A device as set forth in claim 29 wherein said means for positioning wrappers over said mandrel cornprises first and second wrapper support means in spaced relation, a wrapper transport assembly having first and second spaced upper engaging means for simultaneous engagement of Wrappers respectively positioned on said first and second support means, means for reciprocal forward and rearward movement of said transport assembly, whereby said first engaging means reciprocally moves from a rearward wrapper engaging position at said first support means to a forward wrapper release position at said second support means and said second engaging means reciprocally moves from a rearward wrapper engaging position at said second support means to a forward wrapper release position, and means for releasing said wrapper engaging means 4at said forward wrapper release positions.

3l. A device as set forth in claim 30 wherein said means for selectively closing said other end of said manflow.

drel comprises a gate, means slidably supporting said gate for movement to and from `a position across said one end of said mandrel, and means carried by said wrapper transport assembly for synchronous sliding operation of said gate.

32. A device as set forth in claim 28, wherein said means for synchronous operation of each of said means comprises a shaft having a plurality of cams mounted thereon, means for rotating said shaft, a plurality of cam follower levers interengaging said cams, means supporting said levers, and means operatively interconnecting a different one of said levers with control means for said air sucking means, said means for reciprocally moving said tubular member, and said means for positioning wrappers over said mandrel.

33. In a method of forming a wrapper into tubular shape for subsequent wrapping about a deformable product the steps of positioning aI wrapper over a tubular mandrel having a plurality of perforations in the wall thereof and creating a vacuum in said mandrel and thereby causing air to ilow into said mandrel through said perfora tions, said wrapper being wrapper about said mandrel by the reduced-pressure about said mandrel caused by s'aid 34. A method of individually wrapping deformable products comprising the stepsv of positioning a wrapper over a tubular mandrel having a plurality of perforations in the wall thereof, creating a vacuum in said mandrel and thereby causing air to flow into said mandrel through said perforations, said wrapper being wrapper about said mandrel by the reduced pressure about said mandrel- References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,642,894 Rober Sept. 20, 1927 1,986,422 Zwoyer Ian. 1, 19.35 2,057,121 Trevellyan Oct. 13, 1936 2,113,636 Zogt Apr. 12, 1938 2,685,770 Conti Aug. 10, 1954 2,737,000 McCargar Mar.v 6, 1956 i l i

Claims (1)

1. IN A WRAPPING MACHINE THE COMBINATION OF MEANS FORMING AN OPEN ENDED HOLLOW MANDREL ADAPTED TO RECEIVE INTERNALLY THROUGH ONE END THEREOF A DEFORMABLE PRODUCT HAVING A FINITE LENGTH, A WRAPPER TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY AND WRAPPER FORMING MEANS FOR POSITIONING AND FORMING A WRAPPER IN TUBULAR FORM HAVING DISCRETELY FORMED ENDS ABOUT SAID MANDREL, RECIPROCAL MEANS FOR DRAWING SAID PRODUCT INDIVIDUALLY INTO SAID MANDREL AND FOR SUBSEQUENT INDIVIDUAL REMOVAL OF SAID PRODUCT FROM SAID MANDREL, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS FOR SLIDING SAID FORMED WRAPPER

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