US3733774A - Apparatus for packaging stacks of flat articles into packages - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging stacks of flat articles into packages, wherein the mechanism for wrapping the stack into a package having its vertical face ends open comprises an endless roller conveyor adapted to support thereon a stack to be packaged, and an openable frame mounted on a vertically closed conveyor, this frame being adapted to wrap the stack along the top side and two opposite vertical sides thereof into wrapping material, as the frame is put onto this stack. The bottom side of the stack has the wrapping material folded thereupon by means of the said endless roller conveyor.

Description

United States Patent 1 Duchinsky et al.

[54] APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STACKS OF FLAT ARTICLES INTO PACKAGES lnventors: Yakov Efimovich Duchinsky, Tbiliss- Filed:

Mar. 4, 1971 Appl. No.: 120,842

US. Cl ..53/232, 53/228 Int. Cl ..B65b 11/12, B65b 41/14 Field of Search ..53/l24 A, 124 C,

[ 1 May 22, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,338,026 8/1967 Billi ..53/209 X Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Assistant ExaminerNeil Abrams Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen ABSTRACT An apparatus for packaging stacks of flat articles into packages, wherein the mechanism for wrapping the stack into a package having its vertical face ends open comprises an endless roller conveyor adapted to support thereon a stack to be packaged, and an openable frame mounted on a vertically closed conveyor, this frame being adapted to wrap the stack along the top side and two opposite vertical sides thereof into wrapping material, as the frame is put onto this stack. The bottom side of the stack has the wrapping material folded thereupon by means of the said endless roller conveyor.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEL :44? 2 .1175

SHEET 2 OF 2 APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STACKS OF FLAT ARTICLES INTO PACKAGES such as books, magazines, as well as of stacks of various flat articles: boxes of candies, of pencils, etc.

At present, there are known apparatus for packaging of stacks of flat articles, comprising a device for wrapping the stack with wrapping material into a package with open face ends and a device for closing these open face ends of the open-ended package, so as to form a finished package. The known device for wrapping the stack with wrapping material into an openended package comprises two spaced stationary side walls and a vertically reciprocable table for pushing the stack with a length of the wrapping material overlying it through the space between these walls, the wrapping material being held to the top side of the stack by a movable clamp; a pusher member adapted to be introduced between the bottommost article in the stack and the top side of the table, in order to fold the free end of the length of the wrapping material under the stack; and a stationary abutment means in the form of a plate onto which the stack is transferred, whereby the other, previously severed free end of the length of the wrapping material is folded upon the bottom side of the stack, in which manner an open-ended package is formed. Besides, the abovespecified known apparatus comprises a device for wrapping up the stack to be packaged with a wrapping material (see, for example, the GFR Pat. No. 1,114,433, 01.81 a, 7/01 The provision of the vertically reciprocable table curtails the capacity of the known apparatus, because the next successive stack to be packaged can be placed onto this. table only after the previous stack has been transferred unto the abutment plate, and the table itself has been lowered into the initial loading position thereof.

Moreover, the necessity of performing the wrapping up operation involves an excessive use of the wrapping material, and, furthermore, involves the employment of additional wrapping up mechanisms, whereby the structure of the apparatus becomes more complicated.

The known apparatus is capable of packaging stacks within a relatively limited range of their heights, because a pusher used for the packaging of relatively low stacks should itself be low, least it would abut'against the movable clamp. On the other hand, a low pusher cannot be used for packaging high stack, because in this case in might effect deformation of the stack and might even make the stack collapse.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

The present invention has for its aim the creation of an apparatus for packaging stack of flat articles into packages, which should be efficient in operation and which should be capable of packaging stacks within awide range of their heights, without the necessity of wrapping up the stacks prior to the packaging operation.

This aim is attached in an apparatus, comprising a device for wrapping a stack with wrapping material into a package with open face ends and a device for folding said open face ends of said package, so as to form a tinished package, in accordance with the present invention, said device for wrapping a stack with wrapping material into a package with open face ends including an intermittently driven roller conveyor adapted to support thereon a stack to be packaged an openable frame carried by a closed conveyor intermittently driven in a vertical plane, said frame being adapted to be put about said stack and thus to wrap said stack along the top side and two vertical sides thereof with wrapping material positioned intermediate of said frame and said stack; a pusher member adapted to enter periodically the space between an adjacent pair of the rollers of said roller conveyor, so as to introduce the free end of the length of said wrapping material into said space, said free end being folded under the bottom side of said stack, as said roller conveyor is driven to pull said free end under said stack. This structure of the apparatus steps up the capacity thereof and provides for doing without preliminary wrapping up of the stack, since the provision of the vertically stationary roller conveyor makes it possible to advance the next successive stack to be packaged onto this conveyor, immediately following the previous stack already packaged thereon, as well as to roll the free end of the wrapping material under the bottom side of a stack of practically any height; moreover, the herein disclosed apparatus does not need pushers for transferring the packaged stack toward subsequent treatment. On the other hand, the provision of the frame adapted to be put about the stack prevents displacement of the wrapping material relative to the stack during the packaging operation, which provides for high-quality packaging.

It is advisable for said frame to be mounted on said vertically closed conveyor by means of pivoted rods and to be associated with rollers adapted to engage stationary guides mounted along the two vertical and the horizontal work portions of said closed conveyor.

The provision of these guides brings about accurate indexing of the frame in relation to the stack, as the frame is being put thereabout; it also ensures that the frame travels at a permanent lever in relation to the mechanisms of the apparatus.

The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, with reference being had to the accompanying set of drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows schematically the general view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a gripper for feeding the wrapping material;

FIG. 3 shows a device forfolding the face ends of a package, incorporated in the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows the same-device in the working position thereof.

The present invention will be described in connection with the embodiment thereof in an apparatus for frame 4 mounted by means of pivoted rods 5 on a closed conveyor 6 running in a vertical plane. The last mentioned conveyor is intermittently driven by an electric motor (not shown in the drawings), the two vertical and the horizontal working runs of this conveyor having mounted adjacent thereto stationary guides 7 adapted to engage rollers 8 mounted for rotation on the frame 4 and on the rods 5. The guides 7 are provided to accurately index the frame 4 relative to the stack 3, as the frame is put onto the stack.

The conveyor 1 is intermittently driven by an electric motor (not shown) and includes a pair of parallel identical chains 9 running each in a vertical plane, each chain 9 carrying a plurality of journals l0 spaced therealong, the journals 10 of the two chains being arranged in opposing pairs, each pair supporting therebetween a freely rotatable roller 11.

A reciprocable pusher member 12 is provided for introducing one of the free ends of the length of wrapping material 13 into the space between the adjacent pair of the rollers 11. v

The pusher member 12 is reciprocated by means of a toothed rack 14 made integral therewith and meshing with a toothed segment 15 mounted on a pivotable spring-returned arm 16 operatively connected with an electromagnet 17. 1

The wrapping paper 13 is supplied in the form of a web unwound from a supply reel and advanced by a chain conveyor 18 including two parallel chains (of which only one is shown in the drawings), each chain carrying a plurality of grippers 19 (FIG. 2) spaced longitudinally therealong.

Each gripper 19 has a stationary jaw 20 secured to the chain 18 and a pivotable jaw 21 normally urged toward the stationary jaw 20 by a spring 22. The leg of the pivotable jaw 21 is bent and adapted to be engaged by a stationary camplate 23 positioned adjacent to the zone where the paper web 13-is to be gripped by the grippers l9.

The leg of the stationary jaw 21 of each gripper 19 is further adapted to engage either one of two abutments 24 and 25 (FIG. 1), the abutment 24 being a stationary one and the abutment 25 being vertically reciprocable by the interaction of a rack 26 integral with the abutment 25, and a toothed segment 27 meshing with the rack. The segment 27 is carried by 'a springreturned pivoted arm 28 operatively connected with an electromagnet 29.

When high stacks of newspapers are who packaged, 1

the length of the wrapping paper 13 should be greater, and in this case the bent leg of the jaw 21 is made to engage the reciprocable abutment 25.

When the stacks to be packaged are low, the bent leg of the jaw 21 is made to engage the stationary abutment 24.

The paper web 13 is guided through the nip between a pair of unidirectional clutches 30 mounted on a movable support 31 and is further guided about a roller 32 also mounted on this support. I

The support 32 is actuated by a rack 33 secured thereto, the rack meshing with a pinion 34 rotated by an electric motor 35. it is necessary to raise the support 31 together with the roller 32, in order to position the paper web 13 above the stack 3 supported by the conveyor l. I

The unidirectional clutches 30 are provided to prevent any motion of the paper web 13 in the direction opposite-to that in which the web is normally advanced.

In order to effect severing of successive lengths of the wrapping paper from the web 13, there is provided a pair of severing blades 36 of which one is stationary and the other one is reciprocable by a reversible motor 37 through a pinion 38 meshing with a rack 39 carried by this reciprocable blade.

- Pasting together of the free ends of the severed length of the wrapping paper, folded under the bottom side of the stack 3, is effected with the help of a glueing device including a train of rollers 40 of which one is immersed in a glue bath 41 and another one is carried by a spring-returned arm 42 mounted for pivoting motion about a pivot axis 43. The arm is pivoted to effect engagement of the roller 40 with the paper web 13 under the action of an electromagnet 44.

Positioned at the same level with the stacksupporting run of the roller conveyor 1 is a rollerway 45 assisting in folding of the severed end of the paper web 13 under the bottom side of the stack 3 and also serving as means for conveying this stack, when it is wrapped into an open-ended package, toward a device for closing, or folding the open face ends of this package.

The last-mentioned device for folding the open face ends of an open-ended package comprises a set of punches 46 and 47 (FlG. 3 and 4) and dies 48.

The last-mentioned device for folding the open face ends of an open-ended package comprises a set of punches 46 and 47 (FIG. 3 and 4) and dies 48.

The punches 46 aremounted on a common U-shaped support 49 and are reciprocated by a motor 50 associated with a pinion 51 meshing with a toothed rack 52 secured to the support. Also meshing with the pinion 51 is another pinion 52 non-rotatably mounted on a shaft 54 carrying a radial arm 55 on one of the two end portions thereof. The arm 55 is adapted to be rocked between a pair of limit switches 56 for operating the same, the switches being wired into the energization control circuit of the. motor 50.

The punches 47 are likewise mounted on a U-shaped support 57 actuated in a manner similar to that in which the support 49 is actuated. The disc 48 are associated with stapling mechanisms 58.

However, the herein disclosed apparatus may be operated in association with any other known device for folding the open face ends of a package of a rectangular shape. a

The face ends of a package are folded with the stack 3 (FIG. 1) being supported on a vertically reciprocable table 59 actuated by a motor 50 through a pinion 61 meshing with a toothed rack 62 secured to the table 59.

Theframe 4 includes a plate 63 for pressing the wrapping paper 13 against the top side of the package 3 in the course of the wrapping operation.

The. herein disclosedapparatus operates, as follows.

In the initial stage of the wrapping operation the support 31 (FIG. 1) is in its lowered position, the blades 36 are spaced, the electromagnets 17, 29 and 44 are deenergized, the support table 59 is also in its lowered position, and the punches 46 and 47 are spaced from the dies 48, as is shown in FIG. 3.

The operating cycle begins with the conveyor 2 placing a stack 3 onto the roller conveyor 1, whereafter the conveyor 2 is stopped. Then the conveyor 18 is actuated, and the electric motor 35 is energized for rotation in a forward direction. The bent leg of the jaw 21 is driven past the camplate 23, whereby the paper web 13 is gripped between the jaws and 21, and a length of the web is unwound from the supply reel. The electric motor 35 raises the support 31 together with the roller 32 (into a position shown in dotted lines in the FIG. 1), and thus the paper web 13, forwarded by the conveyor 18, is brought to overlie the stack 3. Depending on the height of the stack 3 to be packaged, an appropriate one of two possible lengths of the paper web 3 is unwound from the reel and severed, the selection being performed by the appropriate positioning of the abutments 24 and 25. When the greater length is to be obtained, the bent leg of the jaw engages the stationary abutment 24 at the corresponding point of the progress of the gripper 19 together with the chain conveyor 18, the abutment 24 being always in the path of the bent leg. As a result of this engagement, the movable jaw 21 is pivoted away from the stationary jaw 20, whereby the gripper 19 releases the paper web 13 it has been advancing. When the shorter length of the paper web-is to be severed, the electromagnet 29 is energized to lower the movable abutment into the path of the bent leg of the jaw 21. Thus, the latter first engages the abutment 25 which is positioned in its path forwardly of the abutment 24, and therefore, the paper web is released at an earlier point of the operating cycle.

Thereafter the drive of the conveyor 6 is energized, and the frame 4 is put about the stack 3, its rollers 8 being guided by the guides 7.

When the clamping plate 63 of the frame 4 engages the stack 3, the electric motor is energized in the reverse direction, and the support 31 together with the roller 32 is lowered into its initial position.

As the frame 4 is put about the stack 3 with the paper web 13 overlying the latter and positioned intermediate the stack and the frame, the paper web wraps the stack along the top side and two vertical sides thereof.

Then the drive of the conveyor 6 is deenergized, and

the electromagnet 17 is energized.

The electromagnet-l7 being energized, it drives the pusher 12 for the downward stroke thereof, and the pusher introduces the adjacent free end of the length of the paper web 13 into the space between an adjacent pair of the rollers 11 of the conveyor 1. Then the electromagnet 17 is deenergized, and the pusher 12 is spring-returned into its initial position, whereafter the electric drive of the conveyor 1 is energized. The conveyor 1 being driven, it pulls the end of the paper gripped between the pair of its rollers under the bottom side of the stack 3.

Then the electromagnets 37 and 44 are energized. Consequently, the movable blade 36 is driven to sever the length of the paper web 13, and the arm 42 carries the roller toward the web 13, whereby a strip of glue is applied onto the internal side of the end portion of the severed length of the web. Simultaneously with the operations of severing and glue application the drive of the conveyor 6 is energized. After the severing operation and the application of the glue have been completed, the motor 37 and the electromagnet 44 are deenergized.

The conveyor 6 being driven, it transmits the stack 3 with the first free end of the length of the web 13 folded thereunder onto the rollerway 43, whereby the other free end of the length of the web, which has been severed and has received the strip of glue, is rolled under the stack 3, overlaps the first end and is pasted thereto.

' too. Consequently, the next successive stack 3 is placed onto the conveyor 1, and the paper web 13 is advanced to overlie this stack.

At the moment when the open-ended package with the previous stack 3 thereinside is transferred onto the support table 59, the conveyor 6 puts the next successive frame 4 onto the stack on the conveyor 1, and the operating cycle of forming an open-ended package about the stack is repeated.

With the package on the support table 59, the electric motors and 50 are energized. Thus, the support table 59 and the punches 46, 47 are raised into their upper position pre-set by means of the respective one of the limit switches 56.

Upon having reached their topmost position, the punches 47 stop, while the punches 46 are raised further on and enter the respective dies 48, as is shown in FIG. 4.

In this manner the open ends of the package are folded onto the face ends of the stack, whereafter mechanism 58 of any known structure secure the closed ends with staples.

Then the motors 50 and 60 are energized in the re verse direction, whereby the punches 46, 47 and the table are lowered into their initial position.

When the conveyor 6 is energized for the next successive period, it removes the frame 4 off the now finished package, and the following frame with the stack therein pushes this finished package off the table 59, when this following frame is driven onto the table.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for packaging stacks of flat articles into packages, comprising: an endless roller conveyor adapted to support thereon a stack to be packaged and associated with a drive means for periodically driving said conveyor in a horizontal plane; another closed conveyor disposed in a vertical plane, associated with independent drive means for periodically driving said closed conveyor; an openable frame carried by said closed conveyor and adapted to be put about said stack and thus to wrap said stack along the top side and two opposite vertical sides thereof with a length of wrapping material; means for advancing said wrapping material-into a position intermediate of said stack and said frame; a pusher member associated with drive means for periodically introducing said pusher member into the space between an adjacent pair of the rollers of said roller conveyor, together with the free end of said length of said wrapping material, whereby said free end is pulled under the bottom side of said stack, as said roller conveyor is driven by said drive means thereof, in which way an open-ended package is formed; and means for folding the open face ends of said openended package to form a closed package.

2. An apparatus according to the claim 1 wherein said frame is mounted on said closed conveyor by means of pivoted rods and is associated with a plurality of rollers adapted to be engaged "by stationary guide means mounted along the two vertical and the horizontal work portions of said closed conveyor, said engagement providing for accurate indexing of said frame in relation to said stack, as said frame is put about said stack, and further providing for the travel of said frame at a permanent horizontal level in relation to the mechanisms of said apparatus.

Claims (2)

1. An apparatus for packaging stacks of flat articles into packages, comprising: an endless roller conveyor adapted to support thereon a stack to be packaged and associated with a drive means for periodically driving said conveyor in a horizontal plane; another closed conveyor disposed in a vertical plane, associated with independent drive means for periodically driving said closed conveyor; an openable frame carried by said closed conveyor and adapted to be put about said stack and thus to wrap said stack along the top side and two opposite vertical sides thereof with a length of wrapping material; means for advancing said wrapping material into a position intermediate of said stack and said frame; a pusher member associated with drive means for periodically introducing said pusher member into the space between an adjacent pair of the rollers of said roller conveyor, together with the free end of said length of said wrapping material, whereby said free end is pulled under the bottom side of said stack, as said roller conveyor is driven by said drive means thereof, in which way an open-ended package is formed; and means for folding the open face ends of said openended package to form a closed package.

2. An apparatus according to the claim 1 wherein said frame is mounted on said closed conveyor by means of pivoted rods and is associated with a plurality of rollers adapted to be engaged by stationary guide means mounted along the two vertical and the horizontal work portions of said closed conveyor, said engagement providing for accurate indexing of said frame in relation to said stack, as said frame is put about said stack, and further providing for the travel of said frame at a permanent horizontal level in relation to the mechanisms of said apparatus.

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