US3188782A

US3188782A - Film packaging machine

Info

Publication number: US3188782A
Application number: US129124A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lapides Ezra
Original assignee: VERSAPAK FILM AND PACKAGING MACHINERY CORP
Current assignee: VERSAPAK FILM AND PACKAGING MACHINERY CORP
Priority date: 1961-08-03
Filing date: 1961-08-03
Publication date: 1965-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-15
Also published as: DE1411483A1; SE305410B; GB929080A; BE610795A; CH378775A

Description

E. LAPIDES FILM PACKAGING MACHINE June 15, 1965 Filed Aug. 5. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOR Y Y Ana/055' E. LAPIDE'S FILM PACKAGING MACHINE June 135, 1965' Filed Aug. 3. I961 INVENTOR. E264 ZAP/05.5

. ATTORNEY June 15, 1965 v 8 Filed Aug. 3, 1961 I E. LAPIDES' FILM PACKAGING MACHINE' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTOR Y S-Shee'tS-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 3, 1961 mvmon. 5294 44 /055 ATTO E. L-APIDES 3,188,782

FILM PACKAGING MACHINE June 15, 1965 Filed Aug. 3, 1961 ,5-.Sh'e'et's*Sheet 5 BY v v r 7%,

ATTO EY 3,188,782 FILM PACKAGING MACHINE Ezra Lapides, New York, N.Y., assignor to Versapak Film and Packaging Machinery Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 129,124 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-229) My present invention relates to the packaging art and more particularly to a novel method and machine for packaging articles in a heat sealable film.

The principal object of the present invention is to provideja novel method and means for automatically and rapidly wrapping articles in a heat scalable film. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and means for wrapping articles in shrinkable film.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging items of different sizes and shapes in heat scalable film with a minimum of readily made adjustments. j

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and means for wrapping articles in a heat sealable film in the form of either a sleeve wrapper or a complete perimeter seal.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for packaging articles in a film of heat scalable material which is comparatively simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantages and features in view my invention consists of a novel method and a novel machine more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a machine for packaging in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the rear end of the machine.

FIG. 2A is a side elevation of the front end of the machine.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 on FIG. 2. FIG. 4is a section taken on line 44 on FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 55 on FIG. 2A. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the front pusher assembly. It has been found desirable to package items in a heat scalable film. A great deal of this packaging is done by hand especially where the shapes and sizes of the various articles vary, considerably. Recently heat scalable films have been made in the form of shrinkable, biaxially oriented plastic films such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene. These. films can be produced to provide up to approximately a fifty percent shrinkage when heat is applied thereto. Such film permit an article to be initially loosely wrapped and then shrunk so that the film is reduced into intimate contact with the article. All these films have been used manually. The present invention is designed to produce a novel method and apparatus for rapidly packaging materials in a heat scalable film of any type including the shrinkable film.

The basic principle of the present invention provides for the feeding of the film from two separate sources positioned above and below the path of movement of the article being packaged. The two ends of film are heat sealed to each other to form a wall of film in vertical position in the path of movement of the article. Now when the article is pushed against this wall of film it will tend to drag sufiicient film with it to form a sleeve around the article. The forward end is already sealed. Now a conventional cut off device is used in back of the article Patent 0 we I which accomplishes three things. It seals the back end of the package, it severs the wrapped package from the film supply and it reseals the two free ends to reform the vertical wall of film for the next article. It is thus neces sary for the successful practice of this method that the film be heat scalable. However, the separation of the film can be done with a conventional hot wire cut off device which both seals and cuts the film simultaneously, or it can be done mechanically with a knife or cold wire.

At this point the article has been wrapped in a sleeve of film open at each side. Many items such as fruits and vegetables should have a circulation of fresh air and no further sealing would be required. Where shrink film is used the article with its sleeve is passed through a hot air oven or tunnel for the required time, usually a matter of seconds. If it is desired to completely seal the package, the sides are heat sealed and the excess film is trimmed off. This can also be passed through the heat tunnel where shrink film is used.

FIG. 1 is a generally diagrammatic view of a machine for carrying out the method of the present invention. A roll of film 10 is mounted adjacent the rear of the machine in raised position above the level of the table 11 upon which the articles are placed. At a lower level a second roll of film 12 is mounted. The film from the roll 10 is passed through suitable tensioning devices and rollers to a point 13 positioned at the front of the table 11. The

film from the roll 12 is passed beneath the table 11 to a. point 14 also at the front end of the table 11. The points 13 and 14 are substantially in vertical alignment at a station 15 in the machine. To start the operation the two ends of film 10 and 12 are brought in contact with each other and heat sealed. There is now a vertical wall of film at the front end of the table 11. An article placed on the table 11 either manually or automatically is pushed forwardly through the station 15 to the position 16 on the other side of the station 15. The article itself will drag sufiicient film with it for wrapping. A transverse sealer and cutter is mounted in the station 15 and this severs the two layers of film while simultaneously sealing both sides of the cut so that the article is now wrapped in a sleeve and the wall of film has been rejoined ready for the next article. After the conclusion of this operation the package is moved from the position 16 to position 17 which includes a pair of heat sealing devices for sealing and trimming the side edges. This station 17 can be omitted where only a sleeve is desired. The items is now properly wrapped. However, where shrinkable film is used a heat tunnel 18 may be mounted on a base 19 at the front end of the machine. Movement of the package progressively through the various stations and the heat tunnel may be provided by belts, retractable pushers or any other means. Also, the length of time for stopping at each station may be controlled mechanically or electronically.

The above method permits the packaging of varying sizes of articles with very little adjustment. The table 11- provides that the pusher move the rear portion of the article through the station 15. The larger the article the more film it will drag with it. No adjustment is necessary at this point. The stopping point 16 may be vertically adjusted to compensate for different thicknesses of articles. The side sealers 17 may be adjusted inwardly for different widths of articles. This simple method and apparatus therefore permits a great variety of articles to be rapidly packaged in either a sleeve or a complete perimeter seal and with either regular or shrinkable film. The only requirement is that the film be heat scalable.

A machine for carrying out the above described method is disclosed in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 5 inclusive. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the left end of the machine shown in FIG. 2 is actually the rear of the machine. It

This serves to locate the article comprises a' tableorbase 2'0which may be'suitably mount for the various rollers and drives for feeding the upper roll of film 22. Adjacent the top rear edge of the supporting plates 21 are a pair of spaced parallel rollers 23 and 24. The roll of film is mounted for support on the rollers 23 and 24 and is not otherwise supported. The rear roller 23 is motor driven to form a positive feed for the film 22.

A third roller 25. is mounted in substantially horizontal. alignment with the rollers 23 and 24 but forwardly thereof.

Where a static eliminator is desirable, it may be located in the area of the roller 25. Mounted below the rollers 23 and 24 is a transverse bar 26 upon which a pair of levers 27 are pivotally mounted. Also mounted on bars 26 are counter balancing weights 28 which are angularly adjustable. The elongated front ends of the levers 27 support a roller 29. This pivoted construction provides a dancing bar for adjustably controlling the tension on the film. As the film leaves its roll 22 it passes forwardly and over the roller 25, then downwardly and around the dancing roller 29 then back upwardly and over'a fixed roller 30 which is mounted on a pair of forwardly extending arms 31 which extend from the side plates 21. From this point the film 22 is fed horizontally to the first stage of the apparatus.

The second roll of film 32 is mounted rearwardly and below the first roll of film as shown in FIG; 2. The feeding of the film 32 is accomplished in a manner identical with the feeding of the film 22. Theroll of film 32 is positioned on a pair of spaced rollers 33 and 34, with the roller 33 being driven. The roller 35 is mounted forwardly of the roller 34. A second static eliminator may -be positioned in this area. A lever 36 is pivotally mounted at 37 to support the dancing roller 38. The film 32 is fed j v t 4 of the supports 52 are provided with arms 53 supporting a roller 54 over which the upper film 22 passes. The lower film 32 passes around the,roller 55 mounted forwardly of the table member 40 and below its upper edge. The films 22 and 32 extend towards each other and their edges are heat sealed to provide a substantially vertical unitary film in the path of horizontal movement as shown in dotted lines at 56 in FIG. 2. Now mounted between the supports 52 is a lower fixed roller 57 in horizontal alignment with the top of the table 40. Mounted'vertically to the roller 57 is a vertically adjustable roller 58. The distance between rollers 57 and 58 is adjusted to accommodatethe height of the package to be wrapped Mounted between the supports 52 and just forwardly of the roller 57 is the lower element 59 of a heat sealing and cut off device. While any type of mechanism may be employed the illustrated form shows a thermal impulse type of sealer. The element 59 has an upper surfacedesigned to withstand heat and to prevent the film "from sticking to it. The upper portion of the unit comprises a transverse heat sealing and cutting portion 60 which is mounted on a vertical shaft 61 attached to the operating piston of a cylinder 62. At the front portion of the supports 52 are a pair of vertical rods 63 at the lower end of which are pivotallymounted a friction braking member 64 designed to ride the top of the package and to prevent its displacement.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a package 65 hadbeen positioned on the table ,40 and tripped the actuating switch 41- Operation of the cylinder 50 has now caused the pusher arm 44 and plate 43 to push the article 50 through the wall of film 56 into the position shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the article 65 has dragged the film between the rollers 57 and 58. This film is pulled from the reserover the rollers 34 and 35, down and under the roller 38 and up and over the roller 39 mounted just below the table level 20. The film 32 then passes horizontally forwardly to the first stage of the apparatus.

Mounted on the base 20 forwardly of the film feeds is a table 40. Adjustably mounted belowthe Upper level of the table is a microswitch 41'having an operating arm 42 extending above the level of the table. -An adjustable pusher plate 43 is mounted on an arm 44 which extends upwardly through a slot 45 longitudinally of the table The arm 44 is mounted on a horizontal bar 46 extending laterally to the side of the device as shown in FIG. 3. The outer end of the bar 46 is attached toa slide member 47 which is longitudinally slidable on vertically spaced horizontal shafts 48 and 49 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. An air or hydraulic cylinder 50 is mounted in the rear portion between the shafts 48 and 49 with its piston 51 attached to the slide member 47. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the slide member is in its extreme forward position. When the cylinder 50 is actuated so that the piston 51 moves to the left the slide member 47 is pulled rearwardly and the arm 44 and pusher plate 43 are also moved to the rear portion of the table 40. When an article to be wrapped is placed on the table 40, either manually or with an automatic feed, it will deflect the operating arm 42 of th microswitch 41 to start the cycling of the machine and cause the cylinder 50 and piston 51 to move forwardly moving the pusher arm 44 and plate 43 into the position Volt of film between the rollers 25 and '30 and dancing roller 29 on the upper film and the rollers 35and 39 and the dancingroller 38 on the lower film. As the dancing rollers are pulled upwardly to releasethe film they will contact microswitches to operate the rollers 23 and 33 to feed additional film and allow the rollers to drop back to the positions shown in FIG. 2 ready for the next operation. By adjusting the angular position of the weights 28, the

tension on the film can be adjusted to the optimum'level.

The lower film is over the top edge of the die'member 59. The cylinder 62 is now actuated and the cutting and sealing unit 60 now comes downwardly and contacts the upper film 22 first and pushesiit against thelower film shown in FIG. 2. The stroke of the cylinder is always the same regardless of the size of the article to be wrapped.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the first operating station comprises a pair of vertical supports 52'mounted at each side edge of the table-20. The upper rear portion 32 and on top of the. die member 59. An electrical impulse through the upper element 60 now does three things. It seals the upper and lower films to the right, thus sealing the package at the rear edge. It seals the upper and lower films to the left thus reforming the wall of film 56 for the next package. It cuts' through the films between the two seals severing the package from the films. At this point a sleeve has been formed longitudinally around the package 65. In many instances this may be all that is required. If the film is ashrink film then the package with the sleeve must be passed through the shrink tunnel illustrated in FIG. 2A. However if the package is to be provided with a perimeter seal then it must be passed through the portion of the'apparatus illustrated to the right in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 5. f

The package is supported in the positionshown in FIG. 2 on spaced strips 66 which are normally mounted with their upper edges in horizontal alignment with the top of the table 40. Th s'means that the seal and'cut off will. be made at the bottom rear edge of each package. However, if the package is relatively thick it may be desirable to form the seal closer to the center of its height. In such cases the supporting strips 66' are dropped a sufficient distance as shown in FIG. 2. Each supporting strip 66 is supported on each end by a vertical shaft 67 which is pivotally attached to an Lrshaped rocker arm 68 pivoted at 69. The other leg of the rocker arm 68 is attached to a shaft 70 having its end in threaded engagement with an adjustment bolt 71 having a crank wheel 72.

Rotation of the wheel 72 moves the shaft 70 axially. This pivots the rocker arm 68 and moves the shaft 67 vertically to make the proper adjustment.

On each side edge, is a vertical supporting post 73 having an inwardly extending ledge 74 on which a cutoff die member 75 is mounted. The members 75 areidentical I with the member 59. Above each member 75 is a thermal simultaneously complete the perimeter seal of the package.

The package 65 has now been scaled on four sides and where standard film is used the package is complete. Where shrink film is used it must be passed through the shrink tunnel.

The cut off and sealing units at each side edge must be adjusted to the width of the package. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, each supporting post 73 is mounted on a pair of spaced horizontal guide bars 81 at the bottom edge. A shaft 82 is mounted transversely of the machine be tween the guide bars 81 and is provided with oppositely pitched threads on each side. The shaft 82 threadedly engages the bottom of each support 73. An operating handle 83 extends from one end of the shaft 82 and rotation of the handle 83 will cause the supports 73 to move towards or away from each other. The strips 66 are supported on collars 84 through which a similar shaft 85 extends so that rotation of the shaft 85 moves the collars 84 toward and away from each other. This is done to ensure a support for a narrow package. A sprocket chain 86 connects the center of the

shafts

82 and 85 so that when the shaft 82 is rotated to adjust the posts 73, the shaft 85 will also rotate to adjust the strips 66 a corresponding amount.

Movement of the package 65 from the table 40 to the position shown in FIG. 2 is accomplished by the pusher ,plate 43 powered by the cylinder 50 and piston 51. Each package must be moved in timed sequence from the position shown in FIG. 2 to a position between the supports 73 for the sealing and cut off operation by the units 76. Then the package must be cleared off the front end of the machine. The last two movements of the package are accomplished by the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6.

' A pair of spaced parallel guide bars 87 are mounted below the strips 66, passing on the inside of the collars 84 as shown in FIG. 5. A plate 88'is slidably mounted on each guide bar 87. A pair of lever arms 89 and 90 are pivotally mounted on each plate 88 and extend in opposite directions horizontally from the plate 88. endsof the lever 89 and 90 are provided with interengaging gear teeth 91. The lever 90 is provided with a dcpending arm 92 which forms a bell crank arrangement. The outer ends of the levers 89 and 90 are provided with vertical pusher arms 93 and 94. The bottom end of each arm 92 is pivotally connected to a push rod 95. The rear end of each push rod 95 is connected to a support 96 mounted on a transverse arm 97 which is connected to the slide member 47, see FIG. 3.

Now, when the slide member 47 has been moved forwardly into the position shown in FIG. 2, the push rods 95 will have pushed the arms 92 forwardly until they abut stops 98 in the plates 88. This movement of the arms 92 causes the interengaged ends 91 of the levers 89 and 90 to move downwardly, thus lifting the outer ends and the pusher arms 93 and 94. On the return stroke, the rods 95 will pull the arms 92 to the left (FIG. 6) until they abut the stops 99. This will raisethe ends 91 hf the levers 89 and 90 and will drop the outer ends below the level of the strips 66. The levers .89 and 90 are of The inner such length that in retracted position the pusher arms 93 on the levers 89 will be located below and between the rear end of the package 65 and the member 59 (FIG. 2), and the pusher arms 94 on the levers will be below and behind the package proviously pushed between the supports 73. As the rods start forwardly, the levers 89 and 90 are lifted. The pushers arms 93 swings'upwardlybehind the package 65 (FIG. 2) and push it between the supports 73. At the same time, the pusher arms 94 swing upwardly behind the package previously pushed between the supports 73, and push the package from the front of the machine.

The above described machine can be used for both sleeve and perimeter packaging by merely deactivating the members 76 when only a sleeve is required. In either case where a shrink film is used a shrink tunnel is coupled with the machine as shown in FIG. 2A. The various shrinkfilms require approximately three or four seconds in hot air to affect the desired shrinkage. The shrink tunnel is therefore merely a support 100 having a plurality of individually driven rollers 101, driven by a chain 102 from a motor 103. The rollers 101 are driven at the proper speed to retain the package the desired time in the tunnel 104. The tunnel 104 straddles the rollers 101 at one end and is provided with a flexible curtain (not shown) to allow the package to enter and leave without losing the hot air. These shrink tunnels can be purchased in different convenient constructions to accomplish the same end. The rear end of the support 100 is connected by auxiliary strips 105 with the strips 66 so that there is a continuous smooth movement of the package.

Operation of the machine is simple. The rolls of film 22 and 32 are threaded through the various rollers'as shown in FIG. 2 and their ends are heat sealed to form the curtain of film 56. An article is placed on the table 40, either manually or by any conventional feed mechanism. The switch 41 is activated by the article and the pusher plate 43 pushes the article into the position shown in FIG. 2, dragging sutficient film with it to wrap the article. The plate 43 starts to retract, and as soon as it has cleared the supports 52, the member 60 descends and severs the films while simultaneously sealing the sleeve around the article and rescaling the cut ends of the film to-. reform the curtain of film 56. The plate 43 now starts a second stroke with another article. Simultaneously, the pusher arms 93 engage the article with the sleeve and also push it between the supports 73. Now as the second article is being sealed at the first position (FIG. 2), the first article is being side sealed by the members 76. On

the third and succeeding strokes of the piston 51, the pusher plate 43 will move an article into the position shown in FIG. 2, the arms 93 will push an article from this position to between the supports 73, and the arms 94 will push the completely sealed article from the front of the machine and onto the shrink tunnel rollers where required. i

When adjustments are made for the height of the package, the vertical strokes of the

cylinders

62 and 78 are also adjusted to minimize the cycle time of the machine. Also, where shrink film is used with a perimeter seal, it is desirable to perforate the package to permit the entrapped air to escape during shrinking. For this purpose any conventional hole punching device may be positioned adjacent either or both rolls of film.

The movement of the cylinder 50 which operates the pushing devices, the operation of the cylinder 62 which handles the cut off and seal and the operation of the cylinders 78 which handle the side out off and seal must be in timed sequence. For this purpose any type of mechanical or electronic control mechanism may be used. For

' example in FIG. 2 the pushing plate 43 is illustrated at its tracted before the cylinder 62 is actuated for the first cut extreme forward thrust. This means that it must be reoff and seal. In other words the pushing mechanism must be moved out of the way before the seal descends.

The action is rapid, the machines made in accordance with this invention being capable of producing packages at speeds in excess of 2000 per hour.

The mechanism thus provides for a controlled feed of an upper and lower supply of film joined to form a vertical continuous wallof film. The forward motion of the package through this wall is designed to pick up sutficient film to wrap the package. By sealing, cutting and reforming the wall of film the machine can be readied for the next package and the sleeve formed on the origirial package can be left open or sealed at the sides. The shrink tunnel can be easily attached in cases where shrink film is used. I

The machine is versatile. No dies are-required to fit particular packages. Adjustment is readily made to accommodate different widths and heights and the same machine will handle a virtually unlimited variety of articles. It is simple and relatively inexpensive. It provides a low cost machine with'a great deal of .fiexibility as to package size and shape at a relatively high speed normally provided only by complex machines costing much more. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said severing said sleeve wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, said pushing means comprising a plate slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at one side of said support, a bar mounted on said plate and extending transversely beneath said table, said table having a longitudinal slot, a pusher arm extending vertically from said bar through said slot, and an adjustable'pusher plate mounted on said pusher arm, a pair of vertically spaced parallel shafts mounted at one side of said support, said slidable plate being mounted on said shafts, a pneumatic cylinder mounted behind said slidable plate, and a piston rod extending from said cylinder and engaging said slidable plate.

2. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of 'film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby thearticle will drag sufi'icient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve w'rapper around named pushing means comprising a pair of plates slidably mounted in spaced parallel relation on said support, a pair of ,leve'rs pivotally mounted on each ,of said plates and-extending longitudinally opposite directions beneath said support, the inner ends of said levers having interengaging gear teeth, one of said levers having a depending arm, a push rod connecting said arm to said table pushing means, and a vertically extending pushing arm mounted at the outer end of each ollsaid levers.

3. A machine for Wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in' front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film wherebythe article will drag sutficient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted trans versely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the" severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, spaced parallel strips for supporting the article from in front of said table to the front of said support, and means for adjusting the height of said supporting strips, said height adjusting means comprising a vertical support adjacent each end of each of said strips, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted beneath each of said supports, one arm of said lever engaging the bottom of said support, a shaft extending beneath each strip in spaced parallel relation thereto, the other arm of each lever being in threaded engagement with said shaft, and a manually engageable wheel at one end of said shaft for rotating said shaft.

4. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sutficient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleevewrapper from said films, andheat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, spaced parallel strips for supporting the article from in front of said table to the front of said support, and means for transversely adjusting said -strips and-said side edge sealing means, said transverse 5. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable i film comprising a support, a table mountedon said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support 'for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sufficient film with it'to Wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, and means for applying heat to said sealed article to shrink said film around the article,

and means for pushing said article from said transverse;

sealing means to said side edge sealing means and from said side edge sealing means to said heat applying means, said upper and lower dispensing means each including a pair of spaced parallel rollers for supporting a roll of for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sulficient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve Wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, said pushing means comprising a plate slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at one side of said support, a bar mounted on said plate and extending transversely beneath said table, said table having a longitudinal slot, a pusher arm extending vertically from said bar through said slot, and an adjustable pusher plate mounted on said pusher arm, a pair of vertically spaced parallel shafts mounted at one side of said support, said slidable plate being mounted on said shafts, a pneumatic cylinder mounted behind said slidable plate, and a piston rod extending from said cylinder and engaging said slidable plate, and means for film, one of said rollers being motor driven, and means heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article.

7. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said film being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sufficient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, said pushing means comprising a plate slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at one side of said support, a bar mounted on said plate and extending transversely beneath said table, said table having a longitudinal slot, a pusher arm extending vertically from said bar through said slot, and an adjustable pusher plate mounted on said pusher arm, a pair of vertically spaced parallel shafts mounted at one side of said support, said slidable platebeing mounted on said shafts, a pneumatic cylinder mounted behind said slidable plate, and a piston rod extending from said cylinder and engaging said slidable plate, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, and means for applying heat to said sealed article to shrink said film around the article, and means for .pushing said article from said transverse sealing means to said side edge sealing means and from said side edge sealing means to said heat applying means,

said last named pushing means comprising a pair of plates slidably mounted in spaced parallel relation on said support, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on leach of said plates and extending longitudinally in opposite directions beneath-said support, the inner ends of said levers having interengaging gear teeth, one of said levers having a depending arm, a push r'od connecting said arm to said table pushing means, and a vertically extending pushing arm mounted at the outer end of each of said levers.

8. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sufficient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, spaced parallel strips for supporting the article from in front of said table to the front of said support, and means for transversely adjusting said strips and said side edge sealing means, and means for adjusting the height of said supporting strips.

9,. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sufiicient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve wrapper from said films, and heat sealing the severed ends of said films to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, spaced parallel strips for supporting the article from in front of said table to the front of said support, and means for transversely adjusting said strips and said side edge sealing means, and means for adjusting the height of said supporting strips, said height adjusting means comprising a vertical support adjacent each end of each of said strips, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted beneath each of said supports, one arm of said lever engaging the bottom of said support, a shaft extending beneath each strip in spaced parallel relation thereto, the other arm of each lever being in threaded engagement with said shaft, and a manually engageable wheel at one end of said shaft for rotating said shaft.

10. A machine for wrapping articles in heat sealable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensing a continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, spaced parallel strips 'for supporting the article from in front of said table to the front of said support, and means for transversely adjusting said strips and said side edge sealing means, and means for adjusting the height of said supporting strips, said transverse adjusting means comprising a shaft mounted transversely of said support, said shaft having oppositely pitched threads from the center outwardly, a collar threadedly engaging said shaft at each end, said strips being mounted on said collars, a second shaft mounted in spaced parallel relation to said first shaft, said second shaft having oppositely pitched threads from the center outwardly, said side edge heat sealing means engaging the threads of said second shaft, a sprocket chain connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation, and means for manually rotat ing said second shaft.

11. A machine for wrapping articles in heat scalable film comprising a support, a table mounted on said support, means on said support for dispensinga continuous length of film above said table, means on said support for dispensing a second continuous length of film below said table, the free ends of said films being initially joined to form a curtain of film extending vertically in front of said table, means for pushing an article from'said table against said curtain of film whereby the article will drag sufficient film with it to wrap the article, and means mounted transversely on said support for simultaneously heat sealing said films to form a sleeve wrapper around the article, severing said sleeve wrapper from said films,

and heat sealing the severed ends of said'films .to reconstitute the curtain of film, and means for heat sealing the side edges of said sleeve to form a perimeter seal around the article, spaced parallel strips for supporting the article from in front of said table to the,front of said support, andmeans for transversely adjusting said strips and said side edge sealing means, and'means for adjusting the height of said supporting strips, said height adjusting means comprising asvertical supportadjacent each end of each of said strips, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted beneath each of said supports, one arm of said lever engaging the bottom of said support, a shaft extending beneath each strip in spaced parallel relation thereto, 1 the other arm of each lever being in threaded engagement with said shaft, and a manually engageable wheel at one end of said shaft for rotating said shaft, said transverse adjusting means comprising a shaft mounted transversely of said support, said shaft having oppositely pitched threads from the center outwardly, a. collar threadedly engaging said shaft at each end, said strips being mounted on said collars, a second shaft mounted in spaced parallel relation to said first shaft, said second shaft having oppositely pitched threads from the center outwardly, saidside edge heat sealing means engaging the threads of said second shaft, a sprocket chain connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation, and means for manually rotating said second shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. ROBERT A. LEIGHEY, Examiner.

Claims

8. A MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES IN HEAT SEALABLE FILM COMPRISING A SUPPORT, A TABLE MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT, MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT FOR DISPENSING A CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF FILM ABOVE SAID TABLE, MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT FOR DISPENSING A SECOND CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF FILM BELOW SAID TABLE, THE FREE ENDS OF SAID FILMS INITIALLY JOINED TO FORM A CURTAIN OF FILM EXTENDING VERTICALLY IN FRONT OF SAID TABLE, MEANS FOR PUSHING AN ARTICLE FROM SAID TABLE AGAINST SAID CURTAIN OF FILM WHEREBY THE ARTICEL WILL DRAG SUFFICIENT FILM WITH IT TO WRAP THE ARTICLE, AND MEANS MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY ON SAID SUPPORT FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY HEAT SEALING SAID FILMS TO FORM A SLEEVE WRAPPER AROUND THE ARTICLE, SEVERING SAID SLEEVE WRAPPER FROM SAID FILMS, AND HEAT SEALING THE SEVERED WRAPPER FROM SAID FILMS, CONSTITUTE THE CURTAIN OF FILM, AND MEANS FOR HEATING SEALING THE SIDE EDGES OF SAID SLEEVE TO FORM A PERIMETER SEAL AROUND THE ARTICLE, SPACED PARALLEL STRIPS FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTICLE FROM IN FRONT OF SAID TABLE TO THE FRONT OF SAID SUPPORT, AND MEANS FOR TRANSVERSELY ADJUSTING SAID STRIPS AND SAID SIDE EDGE SEALING MEANS, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF SAID SUPPORTING STRIPS.