US3110144A - Wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

.1. v. JOHANSEN ETAL 3,110,144

Nov. 12, 1963 WRAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1961 Nov. 12, 1963 WRAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 50. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 12, 1963 J. v. JOHANSEN ETAL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1961 mg FL N mQw m m 3w T 1963 J. v. JOHANSEN ETAL 3,

WRAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 30, 1961 1963 J. v. JOHANSEN ETAL 3;1 1-0,144

WRAPPING MACHINE Flied March so, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,110,144 WRAPPENG MAIJEEQE .iohn V. Johansen, deceased, late of Winnetlra, ill, by City National Bank lrust (Company of Chicago, executor, and Peter P. Stanley, River Forest, 111., assignors to Reichel & Brews, Inc, Chicago, irL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 36, 1961, Ser. No. 113,573 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-224) This invention relates to wrapping machines and more particularly to automatically operable wrapping machines for applying and sealing a protective sheet about an object in the shape of a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped or about a stack or group of articles comprising such a shape to form a neatly folded package.

In our copending application Serial No. 834,696, filed August 19, 1959, now US. Patent No. 3,005,298, issued October 24, 1961, we have described and claimed such a wrapping machine in which the articles or objects being wrapped are moved in a generally U-shaped path comprising three interconnected conveyor sections. As the object traverses the first conveyor section comprising one leg of the U, the protective sheet is disposed across the bottom and one side of the object and is partially wrapped across the top and ends of the object. In the second conveyor section comprising the cross portion or bight of the U, the sheet is wrapped around the other side of the object and is adhesively secured at the top of the object to complete the wrapping at e top thereof. in the third conveyor section comprising the other leg of the U, the Wrapping at the ends of the object is completed with adhesive bonding to produce the final wrapped object.

Although the aforementioned U-shaped machine is highly useful and convenient, it is sometimes desirable to have an automatic machine with a different over-all configuration to conform to varying available fioor space and to meet different desired paths of movement of the final wrapped objects. For example, it may frequently happen that the floor layout of a given plant or the shipping facilities thereof are such that the final wrapped objects must be discharged from the machine in the same general "motion as the objects being fed to the machine rather than in the opposite direction as is the case with the U-shaped machine constituting the subject matter of our above-mentioned patent. To accomplish this objective, certain modifications and improvements over our earlier machine have now been devised, including a novel folding shoe structure for efiecting the necessary wrapping steps at the ends of the pacakage as described hereinafter.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved automatic wrapping machine of the character described wherein the objects being wrapped are fed into the machine and discharged from the machine in the same general direction of movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of the character described wherein the objects being wrapped are conveyed in a generally Z-shaped path.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of the character described wherein the objects to be wrapped enter the machine along a first path of movement, are conveyed along a second path extending laterally relative to said first path, and are finally discharged from the machine along a third path parallel to said first path and in the same general direction of movement as said first path.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved folding shoe means for a Wrapping machine of the character described, said shoe means being espeaterrted Nov. 12, 163

"ice

cially adapted to effect wrapping of the ends of the package.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the path of movement through the machine and the various stages of folding and gluing;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one portion of a wrapping machine comprising one specific embodiment of the present invention and including the novel folding shoe structure constituting a principal feature of the invention;

FlG. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view with portions in section, as seen along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modified form of the folding shoe structure; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 7.

In our prior invention, as set forth in our US. Patent No. 3,005,298, the conveyor mechanism with its associated folding and gluing devices has a generally U-shaped configuration so that the objects passing through the machine undergo a complete reversal in direction of movement, the inlet and outlet ends of the machine being located in the same general area at laterally spaced points. In accordance with the present invention, the machine has a generally Z-shaped configuration so that the objects enter and leave the machine in the same general direction of movement, the inlet and outlet ends of the machine being spaced apart both laterally and also in the direction of movement of the objects. Thus, it will be understood that both our prior machine and the present machine each involve three interconnected conveyor sections and wrapping stages corresponding to the individual portions of the U-shaped or Z-shaped paths, but the present invention differs from our prior invention primarily in the third or final conveyor section and wrapping stage. Accordingly, for the sake of simplicity and convenience, we will refer to our US. Patent No. 3,005,298 for the details of the first and second conveyor sections and Wrapping stages and will describe in detail only the third or final portion of the apparatus and its mode of operation.

The automatic wrapping machine embodying the features of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1 of the drawings and comprises a conveyor mechanism arranged in a generally Z-shaped configuration. An object in the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, such as a stack of shingles 22 to be wrapped, enters the machine at the entry zone illustrated at stage A at the outer end of one leg of the Z and passes along the conveyor in the direction of the arrows until it is in alignment with the lateral part of the 2, as indicated at stage D. When so aligned, the stack is then moved laterally in a right angle turn by the conveyor in the direction of the arrows until it becomes aligned with the inner end of the other leg of the 2, as indicated at stage P. At this point it again changes direction by a substantially right angle turn and passes in the direction of the arrows to the outer end of the leg to the exit zone illustrated at stage I. As the stack of shingles passes through the machine, a protective sheet 23 of wrapping paper or the like is Wrapped and securely sealed about the stack in various folding and gluing stages, this Wrapping operation being completed when the stack reaches the exit zone.

During movement of the stack 22 through stages A to F, inclusive, as shown in FIG. 1, the structure and operation of the machine are the same as illustrated and described in complete detail in our US. Patent No. 3,005,298. Thus, as the stack 22 is conveyed from stage A to stage B the leading or forward side of the stack engages the stationary sheet 23 above the center portion of the sheet, and pressure rollers (not shown) mounted above the stack 22 cause the upper portion 23a of the sheet to be folded rearwardly on top of the stack, as at stage B. At the same time the lower portion 23b of the sheet is drawn rearwardly across the bottom of the stack and extends a considerable distance beyond the trailing or rear side of the stack. As. the stack is conveyed beyond stage B, a pair of fixed folding shoes (not shown) at opposite sides of the conveyor engage the projecting end portions 23:: of the sheet at the leading side of the stack and tuck these end portions rearwardly and inwardly against the opposite ends of the stack, as shown at stage C, whiie leaving upper and lower flaps 23d and 23e projecting endwise from the stack. At stage D the partially wrapped stack changes its direction of movement by 90, and as the stack is conveyed to stage E glue is applied to the horizontal sheet portion 23b by means of a spray gun and the glue coated portion is folded vertically upwardly over the rear side of the stack, as indicated at 231', by means of a curved folding plate (not shown) mounted alongside the conveyor. Just before the stack reaches stage F a reciprocating shoe (not shown) folds the upright glue coated sheet portion 23i inwardly across the top of the stack so as to overlie and adhere to the sheet portion 23a, as seen at stage F. Reference is made to our aforementioned patent for a complete description of the foregoing steps.

Stages F to I of the present operation differ in certain respects from our prior invention and will first be described generally. At stage P of the wrapping operation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the package again changes its direction of movement by 90 but continues to move in the same general direction as in the first leg of the Z- shaped path. However, before the package begins to travel away from stage F the upright projecting end portion 23 of the sheet at the trailing side of the stack and at the right-hand end of the stack, as viewed in FIG. 1, is tucked forwardly and inwardly against the end of the stack by means of a pivotal tucking shoe or blade 300, as more fully described below. When the package reaches stage G, the corresponding sheet portion 23k at the opposite end of the stack is tucked forwardly and inwardly and folding of the sheet portion 23 is completed by means of a pair of rotating shoe devices 400, as also described more fully below. The shoe devices 4490 also effect permanent creasing of the sheet so as to leave upper and lower flaps 23m and 23m projecting endwise from the stack alongside the corresponding upper an lower flaps 23d and 23e. As the package moves beyond stage G upper folding plates (not shown in FIG. I) mounted alongside the conveyor engage the upper flaps 23m and 23d whereby to fold the latter downwardly against the ends of the stack as shown at stage H. At the same time glue is applied to the upper surfaces of the lower flaps 231i and 23e by means of spray guns 246. Finally, the package moves beyond stage H and lower folding plates (not shown in FIG. 1) mounted alongside the conveyor engage the glue coated lower flaps 231i and 23e thereby folding the latter upwardly against the ends of the stack and overlying the downturned flaps 23m and 23d as shown at stage I. Thereafter, pressure is maintained against the superimposed flaps by suitable pressure applying means (not shown) to complete the glue bond, and the completely Wrapped package is discharged from the outlet end of the machine.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, inclusive, the details of the pivotal tucking shoe operation at stage F and the rotary folding shoe operation at stage G will now be described.

The frame of the final leg of the machine comprises upper and lower side frame members T189 and 3.81 which are secured together by transverse tie bars 182 and supported on vertical legs 183. The conveying apparatus comprises a plurality of elongated spaced roller units 184 having rollers 11% and being supported on the transverse tie bars 182 of the frame. The roller unitsis i extend from substantially one end of the final leg of the conveyor to the other end. The conveyor apparatus also comprises two spaced chains 18 which extend over spaced sprockets 183 fixed on a cross shaft 189 journalled in bearing blocks 19% on the side frame members 189. The chains 187 extend to the left as viewed in FTGS. 2 and 3 and engage additional sprockets (not shown) fixed on a driving shaft (not shown) which is mounted at the opposite end of the frame. A sprocket (not shown) on the driving shaft is driven by a chain 1% extending along the outside of the conveyor system into engagement with a sprocket 196 fixed on the outer end of a transverse shaft 197, the latter being journalled in bearing blocks 191 (FIG. 4) mounted on the lower side frame members 181 on each side of the conveyor. The cross shaft 197 inwardly of the sprocket has a sprocket 199 fixed thereto which is connected by a chain 2% to the main drive shaft (not shown) of the machine. Thus, by the.fore going arrangement, upon rotation of the main drive shaft, the conveyor chains 187 having package engaging lugs 262 fixed thereon at spaced intervals are caused to move continuously along this leg of the machine.

A plurality of power driven rollers 2&3 and idler rollers 2% are journalled in a cross frame comprising parallel spaced side members 21%- supported from the upper frame members 180. The rollers 203 are power driven by an auxiliary electric motor (not shown). The

upper peripheries of the driving rollers 203 form a paclo age supporting platform which is in a plane slightly above the plane of the roller units 184 and the chains 187. The chain lugs 2432, however, project above the plane of the rollers 2% and 205 so as to engage a package conveyed thereon and force the package forwardly along the roller units 184.

Extending transversely adjacent the rollers 203 is a vertical guide plate 256 carried on horizontally adjustable supporting members 267 mounted on the upper side frame members 180. The guide plate 2% is in alignment with a guide plate (not shown) of the communicating conveyor section of the machine constituting the cross portion of the 2 so that a package may readily pass from a conveyor belt 131 (FIG. 4) onto a set of freely rotating rollers 2% and thence onto the power driven rollers 203, the side of the package designated at 23 being outermost and the opposite side of the package being in engagement with the guide plate 206. The connecting con veyor section for moving the package from stages D to F is shown fragmentarily in FIG. 4 and includes a pulley 133 for the belt 131 with a shaft 136 which is drivingly connected through means including a sprocket 142 and a chain 143 to the main drive shaft (not shown) of the machine.

It is to be noted from FIG. 2. that the rollers 2638, 2% and 2&5 are mounted on horizontal axes which are disposed angularly and non-perpendicularly with respect to the side frames 284 of the roller carriage and with respect'to the direction of movement of the incoming package. This angular mounting of the rollers 20%, 203 and 2E5 causes a package when it passes thereon from the conveyor belt 131 to be forced against the guide plate 2% because the rotative action of the rollers is angularly towards the guide plate 2&6. The foregoing arrangement of the rollers insures that the package will be properly positioned in the final leg of the conveying apparatus of the wrapping machine so that the subsequent wrapping and gluing functions may be properiy performed.

A bundle stop 3% (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) is supported from a pair of bars 355?. extending laterally from an upright plate 3%, the latter being secured to an angle section 3&4 supported between the frame members 204.

The bundle stop 38?. serves to stop the package at the end of its lateral run on the rollers 2% and 2&5. As seen in FIG. 2, the dimenscns and position of the bundle stop 301 are such that it extends in between the upper and lower end extending flaps of the partially wrapped bundle and abuts the end of the stack 22. As also seen in HS. 2, the stop Sill is positioned somewhat closer to the outermost side 23] of the package so as to provide clearance for operation of the pivotal tucking shoe 3%, as described below.

Vvhen the package is at stage F and is in engagement with the plate 2% and the bundle stop Still, as seen in FIG. 2, it will be recognized that although the end flap portions 230 at the leading side of the package have already been tucked in against the ends of the stack 22 during a previous stage of the operation, nevertheless the upright sheet portions 215i and 23k are still unfolded and extend endwise from the package. in particular, the portion 231' (as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2) projects endwise beyond the bundle stop 31. Consequently, before the package can be moved to stage G (ie. to the left as viewed in FIG. 2) it is necessary to tuck the portion 23j inwardly against the end of the stack 22 so that the bundle can move freely past the bundle stop 391 without interference. This action is effected by means of the pivotal shoe device 3% hereinbefore briefly mentioned.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the package has been omitted for clarity, the device 39% comprises an upright blade or shoe 3% rigidly carried by a holder 397 having upper and lower arms 3% and 369, respectively. The holder 3G7 is swingably mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of a pivot pin 311 which depends rigidly from the arm 3t and is journaled in a pair of upper and lower bosses 312 and 313, respectively, on a bracket 3M, the latter being mounted on one of the cross frame members 294. A retainer 316 is secured to the pin 311 below the boss 312. The device 3t3i9 is disposed adjacent an opening 317 in the guide plate 296 and is so arranged that when the holder Sit-7 is in retracted position (as shown in solid lines in F168. 5 and 6), the shoe Silt; fills the opening 327 in continuous aligment with the oppositely disposed portions of the guide plate 2% so as to receive the sheet portion 23 thereagainst. However, when the holder 337 is swung outwardly to its projecting position with the shoe 395 extending at right angles to the guide plate 236 (as seen in broken lines in FIGS. 5 and 6), it will be seen that the sheet portion 23j is thereby tucked inwardly against the end of the stack 22. As previously mentioned, the bundle stop 36?; is positioned somewhat to the left of center at the package end (FI 2) so that there is ample clearance to accommodate swinging movement of the shoe 3% and inward folding of the sheet portion 231', the free edge of file shoe 3% being closely adjacent the corresponding end of the bundle stop 331 when the shoe 3% is in projecting position.

For effecting pivotal movement of the shoe 365 in proper timed relation with respect to the other operations of the machine, an elongated link 3213 is provided having a swivel connection 319 with the upper arm 383 of the carrier 3&7 and a similar swivel connection 321 with the free upper end of a lever arm 322. The lower end of the lever arm 32?. is pivotally supported in a bearing block 323 (FIG. 3) mounted on the frame of the machine. A cam follower 324 is rotatably mounted on the arm 32-2. and is resiliently held by means of a tension spring 327 in operating engagement with a cam element 326 adjustably keyed to the shaft 189. One end of the spring 3'27 is connected to the arm 32?. by means of a link 328 and the other end of the spring 327 is anchored by an eye bolt 329 to a bracket 331 rigidly secured to the tie bar r82. By adjustment of the I bolt 329, the tension of the spring 327 can be regulated.

When the partially wrapped package is transferred from conveyor onto the rollers 2G8, 293, and 205 with the trailing side of the package against the guide plate 266 and the end of the stack 22 engaging the bundle stop 3&1, i.e. the stage P position, the pivoted shoe ass is initially in its retracted position as previously described. However, the cam 326 is so arranged with respect to the spacing of the lugs 2% on the conveyor chains 187 that the shoe 3% is pivoted outwardly to tuck the sheet portion 23, against the end of the stack before the lugs 232 engage the package. As shown in FIG. 2, the shoe 306 has been pivoted to tucking position just before the lugs 202 reach the trailing side of the package. Promptly there after, the trailing side of the package is engaged by the lugs 2G2 on the conveyor chains 187 and the package is moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, onto the roller units 184. The shoe 3% has tapered or sloping upper and lower edges 332 and 333 (FIG. 6) and the adjacent end of the bundle stop 36?. has oppositely tapered or sloping edges 334 and 335. Thus, the sheet portion 23 as initially tucked inwardly has a shape corresponding substantially to the shape of the shoe 3%. However, as the package is moved by the conveyor lugs 2%2, the tapered end portion of the bundle stop .391 eifects gradual spreading of the tuck flap and thereby facilitates easy passage of the end of the package along and away from the bundle stop.

As shown in F338. 2 and 3 of the drawings, a heavy rubber pressure roller 2&9 engages the upper surface of the package as the package is conveyed therebeneath after leaving the rollers 233. The pressure roller 239 is pro vided with a shaft 21s: having its ends journalled in bearings 211 which are pivotally supported, as at 212 (FIG. 3) on upright posts 214 secured to the side frame members 38 For adjusting the elevation of the I011 209, an adjustable stop screw 213 is mounted on a supporting flange 2.16 at each pivotal bearing support 211, the upper end of each screw 213 being engageable with the bearing support at a point spaced from the pivot 212.

As the package is moved from stage P by the conveyor chains 187 and lugs 292 and passes beneath the upper pressure roller 269, it then reaches stage G where the retatable shoe devices, designated generally at 46th in FIG. 1, act on the flap portions 23 and 231:. Each rotatable shoe device 4% comprises a hollow curved shoe member 401 (FIG. 4) mounted at the end of an arm 492 having a tubular mounting portion 463 which is rigidly supported at the lower end of an upright driven shaft 404 for rotation therewith. The driven shaft 4% is suspended from and journalled in an outer bearing portion 466 (FIG. 3) of a horizontal pivot arm 497. The opposite end of the arm 4-97 has a bearing portion 4% which is supported on and rotatably receives the upper end of a driving shaft 4&9 parallel to the driven shaft 404-. The driving shaft 499 extends downwardly through the frame of the machine and is journalled in upper and lower bearings 411 and 412 (FIG. 4) fixed to the frame side members 139 and 181, respectively. The lower end of the driving shaft $89 carries a bevel gear 413 which engages a cooperating bevel gear 414 fixed to the cross shaft 197. Thus, the shaft 443? of each rotatable shoe device is rotated through the cross shaft 197 and gears 413, 41 i simultaneously with the operation of the conveyor chains 187 through the main drive shaft (not shown) of the machine.

As viewed in plan (FIG. 2), the arms 402 and shoe members 461 of the respective devices 460 are caused to rotate in opposite directions by means of chain drives 416 connected between sprockets 417 and 418 mounted at the upper ends of the driven shaft 4%- and the driving shaft 409, respectively. (The chain drive and sprockets have been omitted from the rotating shoe device at the bottom of FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.) Thus, each curved shoe member 4-01 is continuously rotated so as to move its leading tapered end, designated at 401a, in the same general direction as the direction of movement of the package "on the conveyor chains 87, and the outer surface of each shoe member dbl engages the upstanding sheet portions 23 and 23k at the corresponding ends of the package. The flap 23 has already been tucked in to a preliminary extent by the pivotal shoe means 369, but this fold is now completed and enlarged by one rotating shoe member 4 51. The flap 23k is, of course, folded inwardly against the other package end by the other to tating shoe member 4-01. The speed of the conveyor chains 187 and the rotary speed of the shoe mem-ers 491 are correlated so that the shoe members 481 arrive at their inner flap-folding positions when the leading side 23 of the package has passed slightly beyond the shoe members thereby insuring engagement of the shoe members with the sheet portions 23 and 23!: at the trailing side of the package.

Cooperating with each rotating shoe member 44)} is a pair of upper and lower creasing rollers 419 and 423i (FIGS. 3 and 4) for engagement with the projecting upper and lower flaps 23m and 23, respectively. Each upper roller 419 is mounted for free rotation on a stub shaft 422 carried at the outer end of one arm portion 423 of a crank arm which is centrally pivoted at 324 it an upright support 425 secured to the frame side member 180. The crank arm also has a depending arm portion 426 engageable by an adjustable stop screw 427 carried in a bracket 423 projecting rigidly from the crank arm support 425. Thus, each roller 419 is urged downwardly by gravity for coaction with the corresponding shoe memher 401 but its position is limited by adjustment of the screw 427. Each lower roller is mounted for free rotation on a stub shaft 429 carried at one end of an arm 4-31 which is pivotally supported intermediate its ends, as at 432 (FIG. 3), on the side frame member 139. The opposite end of the arm 431 is connected to a tension spring 4-33 having a fixed connection (not shown) to the frame of the machine. Thus, each roller .21 is resiliently held under spring pressure for coaction with the corresponding shoe member 481. As the shoes dill rotate, the flaps 23 and 23k are pressed inwardly and the upper and lower flaps 23m and 2311 are formed by creasing between each rotating shoe and its respective uppe and lower rollers 419 and 421. t

The pivot arms 4'67 of the rotating shoe devices are resiliently urged inwardly toward each other about their pivotal supports on the driving shafts 489 by means of a pair of links 435 (FIG. 4) connected to the arms 4137 and a tension spring 435a interconnecting the two links. Thus, the revolving shoes dill are spring pressed against the ends of the package to insure snug folding contact. The inward pivotal position of each rotating shoe 491 is limited by means of an adjustable stop screw 4 34 (FIG. 2) carried by a lug 436 projecting from the bearing portion 498 of the arm 4%)7, the end of the screw being engageable with an upright flange 437 on the post 214 for limiting the extent of inward swinging movement of the arm .07. Thus, by adjustment of the respective stop screws 434, the lateral spacing between the rotating shoes 401 may be regulated to accommodate packages of different lengths.

Following stage G of the operation as herein described, the remaining steps are carried out in the same manner and with the same apparatus shown and described in our U.S. Patent No. 3,005,298. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, immediately following the end tucking step accomplished by the rotatable shoe devices at stage G, the package is conveyed by the chains 137 and lugs 262 into engagement with a pair of upper folding plates 231 on each side of the conveyor having upwardly curved free inlet ends 231a and mounted in alignment with the ends of the package for folding down the flaps 23d and 23m. The folding plates 231 have horizontal portions 23112 and vertical portions 23 1c, the portions 23h) being supported from horizontal spaced rods 232 slidably carried by fittings 235 and urged inwardly of the conveyor by springs 23 The fittings 235 are slidably mounted on vertical supporting posts 233 secured to the upper side frame members 18%), and sprirgs 235 carried on the posts 233 urge the fittings 235 downwardly. Thus, the folding plates23l are spring urged inwardly and downwardly so as to maintain a tight folding contact of the plate portions 231:; and 2310 with the paper sheet and the package as the upper projecting flaps 23d and 23m are being folded down. The folding plates 231 are substantially horizontal and in substantially one plane at their entry points 231a but gradually change in form to the angular horizontal and vertical plate portions 231i) and 2310 disposed at substantially to each other. Thus, as the projecting flaps 23a and 23m first engage the elevated entry ends 231a of the folding plates 231 they are in horizontal position but as the package is conveyed further along the final leg of the conveyor and further into the folding plates 231, they become folded down at right angles to the top of the package along the ends of the stack in the manner shown by the package indicated by the letter H in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In folded down position, the upper horizontal portions 251i; of the plates 231 press downwardly on the top end edges or" the package and the vertical portions 231s of the plates 2311 press inwardly against the folded down flaps 23d and 23m.

As the package continues along the final leg of the machine, glue is applied by the spray guns 246 (FIG. 1) to the lower flaps 2311 and 23e, the package is then conveyed between spring-pressed lower folding plates (not shown) similar to the upper plates 231 for folding the glue coated lower flaps upwardly and inwardly over the downturned flaps 23:6 and 23m, and finally the package passes between elongated spring-pressed belts (not shown) disposed along the sides of the conveyor for maintaining pressure on the glued end flaps until the completed package is discharged from the machine at stage I.

As described above, the sheet portion 23 is tucked or folded first by the action of the pivotal shoe means 3% and thereafter by the rotating shoe means 4%, whereas the sheet portion 23k is folded solely by the action of the rotating shoe means dill). Although not necessary, it is within tle scope of the invention to provide a similar pivotal shoe means for coaction with the sheet portion 23k.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown a modified form of the rotatshoe device to be used at stage G of the machine in place of the devices 4% heretofore described. In the machine described above the end flaps 230 at the leading side of the package and the end flaps 23 and 23k at the trailing side of the package are tucked inwardly by separate instrumentalities operable at stages C and G, respectively, of e operating sequence of the machine. At stage C the leadin tuck flaps 230 are folded rearwardly relative to the direction of movementof the package by the action of the conveyor in moving the package past a pair of folding shoes (not shown) mounted in fixed relation at the sides of the conveyor. At stage G the trailing tuck flaps 23 and 23k are folded forwardly relative to the direction of movement of the package by means of the pivotal shoe means 3% and the continuously rotating shoe devices 499. In the modified embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, the flap folding step at stage C is omitted and double flap folding operation is conducted at a stage G corresponding to stage G of PEG. 1.

in place of the rotating shoe devices 4% of FIGS. 1-4, a double rotating shoe device 5% is provided at each side of the conveyor chains 18! immediately following the pressure roller Each such device sea comprises a pair of hollow curved shoe members dill and 5b?- (sirnilar to the members dill) mounted for rotation with a pair of upright driven shafts 5&3 and 5%, respectively, having the upper ends journalled in and suspended from an elongated pivot arm 5% which is supported on and rotatably receives the upper end of an upright driving shaft 5 37. The driving shaft 56*? is similar to the shaft ass previously described and has similar gear means and other driving connections (not shown) to the main drive mechanism of the machine. The arms at each side of the machine are spring tensioned toward each other, as in the previously described embodiment, and a stop screw adjustment 5&8 is likewise provided for regulating the pivotal position of each double shoe device 505 relative to the corresponding package end. Upper and lower rollers Sit-9 and S11, mounted in the same manner as the rollers 419 and 421, are provided for cooperation with each rotary shoe member 561 and 5152 in the manner already described. Sprockets 512 and 513 are secured to the upper ends of the shafts Stld and 597, respectively, and are connected by a chain drive 514 for driving the shaft 504. The shafts 5&3 and 5&4 are drivingly interconnected by a gear train comprising a pair of main gears 516 and 517 mounted on the shafts 503 and 534, respectively, with a pair of spur gears 513 and 519 interposed therebetween, the spur gears being supported on stub shafts 521 and 522. journalled in the arm 5%. By means of the gear train just described the shoes Still and 5% at each end of the package are caused to rotate toward each other, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7, thereby simultaneously folding the tuck flaps 23c and 23j-23k at each end of the package while the latter is being conveyed by the chains 187.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain specific structural embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications and equivalent structures may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a wrapping machine of the character described wherein an object is wrapped with a protective sheet during movement along a predetermined path, means for folding projecting vertically disposed portions of the sheet against the opposite ends of the object comprising a pair of upright rotary shafts disposed at opposite sides of said path, a pair of folding shoes secured to said shafts for rotation in a horizontal plane and adapted to engage said projecting portions of the sheet during rotation thereof, means supporting said shafts in adjustable swingable relation for positioning said shoes in operable relation adjacent the ends of the object, and drive means connected to said shafts for efiecting rotation of said shoes in opposite directions whereby to fold said sheet portions inwardly against the ends of the object.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by the provision of resilient means operably coacting with said shafts for urging said shoes inwardly toward each other and against the ends of the object.

3. in a wrapping machine of the character described wherein an object is wrapped with a protective sheet during movement along a predetermined path, for folding projecting vertically disposed portions of the sheet against the opposite ends of the object comprising a pair of upright drive shafts journalled at opposite sides of said path and extending above and below said path, a pair of horizontal pivot arms swingably mounted at the upper ends of said drive shafts, a pair of driven shafts depending from said pivot arms and having driving connections with said drive shafts, a pair of folding shoes mounted at the lower ends of said driven shafts for rotation in a horizontal plane and adapted to engage said projecting portions of the sheet during rotation thereof, resilient means coacting with said pivot arms for urging said shoes inwardly toward each other and against the ends of the object, means for adjusting the extent of inward pivoting of said arms, and drive means connected to the lower ends of said drive shafts for effecting rotation of said shoes in opposite directions whereby to fold said sheet portions inwardly against the ends of the object.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in 19 that said resilient means comprises spring means extending between and connected to said pivot arms.

5. A wrapping machine for wrapping an object having generally the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with a protective sheet corn rising conveyor means for supporting and moving the object during the wrapping operations in a first path of movement in one direction, thence in a second path of movement extending generally laterally relative to said first path, and finally in a third path of movement extending in the same general direction as said first path; means for folding said sheet across the bottom and one side of said object and partially across the top of the object during movement of the object along said first path, said sheet projecting beyond the opposite ends of the object; means for folding said sheet across the opposite side and across the remaining top portion of the object during movement of the object along said second path; and means operable during movement of the object along said third path for completing the wrapping operation at the ends of the object, said last-named means comprising four rotatable folding shoes arranged in opposed pairs at each side of said third path and adapted to engage said projecting end portions of said sheet at said one side and at said opposite side of the object, and means for rotating the shoes of each pair in opposite directions whereby to fold the projecting end portions of the sheet at said one side of the object rearwardly relative to the direction of movement of the object and against the ends of the object and whereby to fold the projecting end portions of the sheet at said opposite side of the obect forwardly in the direction of movement of the object and against the ends of the object.

for wrapping an object with a protective sheet wherein a partially wrapped object is moved in a predetermined path, said partially wrapped object having a leading side, a trailing side, and oppositely disposed ends with the sheet having unfolded, vertically disposed, projecting end portions at both the leading and trailing sides of the object; the improvement comprising four upright driven shafts mounted in opposed pairs along both sides of said path, folding shoes mounted on said shafts for rotation in a horizontal plane for engaging the leading and trail ing end portions of said sheet during rotation thereof; means supporting said shafts in adjustable swingable relation at the sides of said path for positioning said shoes in operable relation adjacent the ends of the object; and drive means connected to said shafts for rotating the shoes of each pair in opposite directions for folding said leading end portions rearwardly against the ends of the object and also folding said trailing end portions forwardly against the ends of the object.

7. The device of claim 6 further characterized by the provision of a pair of upright drive shafts journalled at opposite sides of said path and extending above and below said path, a pair of horizontal pivot arms swingably mounted at the upper ends of said drive shafts with a pair of said driven shafts depending from each of said pivot arms and having said shoes mounted at the lower ends thereof for rotation in a horizontal plane, driving connections between the drive shaft and the driven shafts associated with each of said pivot arms, and said drive means being connected to the lower ends of said drive shafts for simultaneously rotating said shoes.

8. In a wrapping machine of the character described wherein an object is wrapped with a protective sheet, the combination of: elongated conveyor means for moving in a predetermined direction a partially wrapped object having a leading side, a trailing side, and oppositely disposed ends with the sheet having unfolded, vertically dis posed, projecting end portions on at least the trailing side of the object; stop means positioned adjacent one side of said conveyor means and adapted to be engaged by one end of the partially wrapped object, said stop means being disposed forwardly of and in the path of movement 0. in a wrapping machine of the character described of one projecting'end portion of the sheet at the trailing side and said one end of tire object; shoe means pivotally supported adacent said stop means for folding engagement with said one projecting end portion of the sheet; and actuating means operatively connected to said shoe means for efiecting intermittent pivotal movement of said shoe means in timed relation to movement of said conveyor means, whereby said one projecting end portion of the sheet is displaced inwardly against said one end or" the object prior to movement of the object past said stop means by said conveyor means.

9. The combination of claim 8 further characterized by the provision of rotating shoe meansat opposite sides of said conveyor means and forwardly of said stop means 'for engaging and folding said projecting end portions of the sheet inwardly against the opposite ends of the object.

10. In a wrapping machine of the character described wherein an object is Wrapped with a protective sheet, the

combination of: elon ated conveyor means for movin in a predetermined direction a partially Wrapped object 7 having a leading side, a trailing side, and oppositely disposed ends with the sheet having unfolded, vertically disposed, projecting end portions on at least the trailing side of the object; a guide plate positioned transversely of said conveyor means for initially receiving the object on said conveyor means with the trailing side of the object engaging said guide plate, said guide plate having an opening therethrongh adjacent one end portion thereof; stop means positioned along one side of said coveyor means adjacent said one end portion of said guide plate,

said stop means being adapted to be engaged by one end of the partially Wrapped object with the stop means being disposed forwardly of and in the path of movement of one projecting end portion of the sheet at the trailing side and said one end of the object; shoe means pivotally supported adjacent said opening in said guide plate for movement between a retracted position bridging the opening in said guide plate and an outwardly pivoted position wherein said shoe means engages said one projecting end portion of the sheet for folding the same inwardly against said one end of the object; and actuating means operatively connected to said shoe means for eifecting intermittent pivotal movement of said shoe means in timed relation to movement of said conveyor means, whereby said one projecting end portion of the sheet is folded inwardly prior to movement of the object past said stop means by said conveyor means.

11. The combination of claim 10 further characterized by the provision or" rotating shoe means at opposite sides f said conveyor means and forwardly of said stop means for engaging and folding said projecting end portions of the sheet inwardly against the opposite ends of the object. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,069,119 Fischer Aug. 5, 1913 1,350,608 Harriss Aug. 24, 1920 2,332,316 Hexter Oct. 19, 1943 2,378,457 Arelt June 19, 1945 2,625,778 Wood Jan. 20, 1953 3,005,298 Johansen Oct. 24, 1961

Claims (1)

1. IN A WRAPPING MACHINE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED WHEREIN AN OBJECT IS WRAPPED WITH A PROTECTIVE SHEET DURING MOVEMENT ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH, MEANS FOR FOLDING PROJECTING VERTICALLY DISPOSED PORTIONS OF THE SHEET AGAINST THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE OBJECT COMPRISING A PAIR OF UPRIGHT ROTARY SHAFTS DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PATH, A PAIR OF FOLDING SHOES SECURED TO SAID SHAFTS FOR ROTATION IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID PROJECTING PORTIONS OF THE SHEET DURING ROTATION THEREOF, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SHAFTS IN ADJUSTABLE SWINGABLE RELATION FOR POSITIONING SAID SHOES IN OPERABLE RELATION ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE OBJECT, AND DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SHAFTS FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID SHOES IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WHEREBY TO FOLD SAID SHEET PORTIONS INWARDLY AGAINST THE ENDS OF THE OBJECT.

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