US602915A - prichabd - Google Patents

Description

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G. S. PRICHARDKB J. W. TAYLOR.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

V vb 8 a George SPrzldz arw Patented Apr. 26

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G. S. 1?BIOHARD & J. W. TAYLOR.

" BAG STRINGINGVMAGHINE.

N0. 602,915. Patented Apr. 26, 1898.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

GEORGE S. PRlOl-IARD AND JAMES W. TAYLOR, OF GOLDSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-FIFTEENTH TO JAMES EDGAR SMITH, OF- lVASlIINGTQN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BAG-STRINGING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,915, dated April 26, 1898.

Application filed July 7, 1897. fierial No. 648,711. (No model.)

To a. whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE S. PRICHARD and Janus W. TAYLOR, citizens of the United States,residing at Goldsborough,in the county of Wayne and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Bag-Stringing Machine; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of our invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

Tobacco-bags, salt-bags, flour-bags, and the like are provided at their months with shirring or puckering strings, which when drawn taut close the bags and retain their contents. These shirring-strings are usually inclosed in a hem formed at the mouth of the bag by turning over the edge of the bag material and stitching or otherwise fastening the same. Two strings having their knotted ends extending from opposite sides of the bag-mouth are generally used, and the bag is closed by pulling upon these free ends in opposite directions. At the present time these strings are inserted by hand, a bodkin serving to draw the strings through the circular loop or hem at the mouth of the bag.

This invention is an improvement in bagstringing machines, and has for its objects to provide a machine which will string bags rapidly, accurately, and cheaply, and yet be simple in its structure, easily operated, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these objects in view the invention resides in the various novel details of construction, in the combinations of the parts, and in the machine as an entirety.

In the accompanying drawings, to which.

reference is made and in which like letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a view showing the machine in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a view showing in plan a portion only of the machine. Figs. 3, 4:, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are views showing in perspective certain parts of the machine, giving them more in detail than as elsewhere shown. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 show in plan one of the details of arrangement of the parts, illustrating the manner in which the bags are strung. Fig.

13 shows a modification of one of the parts, and Fig. let shows how the string is dropped from the needles and a new one inserted.

In the drawings the letter A indicates a frame supporting the machine, B a powershaft for communicating motion to it, and C and D the main divisions of the apparatus itself, G designating the needle mechanism and D a wheel for presenting bags to the needles one after another, the two devices being operated from the main power-shaft and so synchronized that a bag is presented to the needles for each complete forward-an l-backward movement of them, another bag following in time for their next reciprocation.

The power-shaft is supported by the standards b or in any suitable manner and is driven by means of the pulley b or otherwise, as may be convenient. A wheel orthe like B is secured upon the shaft at one end and carries a grooved way 11 across its center, wherein one end of the crank-arm b is secured by a pivot-pin, the stroke of the said crank-arm 12 being regulated by adjustment in the said grooved way Zr. The power-shaft carries also a cylinder 13 secured upon it, and this cylinder has a cam-groove b in its face.

The needle mechanism 0 consists of ways 0, bolted to the frame, spaced from each other at their tops and bottoms, and these Ways riage is regulated by adjusting the stroke of the crank-shaft b Taking the parts as shown in Fig. 1, each revolution of the power-shaft are usually rather blunt and are held with their spring-eyes uppermost for ease in inserting the string. The ways 0 have a crosspiece 0 between their forward ends, which serves to space them and also as a bed for the spring-catch 0 which is adapted to engage depressions in the rim of the wheel D and hold the same from accidental movement. This spring-catch c has a rounded head, as shown in Fig. 6, and the depressions it engages have gentle slopes, so that force exerted upon the wheel will release it from the action of this detent, the purpose to be accomplished by which is merely to steady the wheel when not caused to revolve by the mechanism to be described.

The wheel D is suitably mounted in a horizontal position upon the frame A by the axle d, so that its axis lies in avertical plane passing through an imaginary line formed by a point midway between the needles during the reciprocation of the needle-carriage a. This wheel consists of a hub 61', spokes (1 which extend therefrom,-and a rim or periphery d secured to the outer ends of the spokes. These spokes are bent at right angles to themselves near their outer ends, and the rim is secured to them in any suitable manner, such as by the brackets (2 so that the rim is raised above the plane of the main body of the spokes and is approximately in the horizontal plane of reciprocation of the needle-carriage c',nearly touching the cross-piece c in the ways which support said carriage. The rim d is an annular plate of metal or the like and has indentations d radially opposite each other in its inner and outer edges, and each pair of these indentations corresponds in radial position with a spoke, so that a plane passed vertically through any pair of them would also pass through the axis of the wheel and thelongitudinal center of a spoke.

The indentations 61 upon the outer edge of the rim are adapted to receive the detent or spring-catch 0 mounted in the cross-piece c of the ways cof the needle mechanism, thereby maintaining the alinement of the spokes d with the central line of reciprocation of the needle-carriage.

A rigid standard cl (seen best in Fig. 5) is secured to the upper face of the rim between each pair of indentations, and a spring-standard (Z is adj usta-bly secured upon each spoke, so that it-may be placed at any required distance from the inner edge of the rim, the inner indentations 61 allowing the spring-standard d to approach close to at. These two standards form the bag-holding device, the bag X, after manufacture, beingplaced mouth downward upon them, the spring-standard d stretching the bag, so that its sides lie nearly parallel to each other. Stops (Z may be placed upon the standards to regulate the position of the bag, so that the hem w of the bag will lie on either side of the standards in direct lines with the lines of reciprocation of the needles 0 It is to be noted in this connection that the thickness of the standard d is somewhat less than the distance between the needles 0, whereas the width of the springstandard d is nearly or quite equal to this distance.

To insure the entry of the needles 0 into the hem w as they move forward to the bag, eccentrically-mounted gripping-hooks d are provided, their function being to catch the outer webs of the hem on either side of the standard 61 stretch the same away from the inner webs, and guide the needles to the points in the material punctured by them. These hooks have grooves al which are adapted to guide the needles, and they are pivoted eccentrically upon the rim d by means of the camlevers d. Each cam-lever consists of a slotted arm c1 which straddles a guide-pin 01 an enlarged head (Z inclosing a disk revolving upon a pivot 61 away from its center and having a pin or lug d projecting through an opening in the rim d The curve described by the hooks d can be regulated as to its length and angle by adjustment of the pin (Z so that the hooks may be moved first toward the bag-hem to catch the outer web thereof, and thenaway from it to stretch this outer web from the inner web, thereby opening channels in the hem for the passage of the needles. This is the movement illustrated in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, where the action of the gripping-hook is exaggerated the more clearly to show the same.

To move each pair of eccentrically-mounted gripping-hooks at the same time, the lever d is used. This lever consists of a handle (Z from which extend forked arms d which are pivoted on either side of the wheel-spoke (Z whence they are bent upwardly to form bellcranks and have their extremities extended laterally as slotted arms (Z These laterallyextending slotted arms (1 loosely engage within them the lugs or pins d of the eccentricallymounted cam-levers d A spring (Z normally presses the handle 61 upward from the spoke d forcing the lever to assume the position indicated in Fig. 3, while a springcatch (Z secured to the spoke, is adapted to hold the lever when depressed. Every depression of the lever 61 causes the grippinghooks to go through the positions shown successively in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, and when the hem of the bag has been stretched, as shown in Fig. 12, the spring-catch (1 holds the lever d", and therefore the gripping-hooks d, in position until released by hand. It will be observed that the wheel D carries a number of bag-holding and hem-opening devices corresponding to the number of spokes in the wheel. These devices are all alike, and the object of this multiplication of similar parts is to enable one operator to place the bags upon the standards and set the grippinghooks in the bag-hem at one part of the wheel while the needles, fed with string by another operator, are stringing the bag on the part of the wheel in line with the reciprocating needle-carriage.

The wheel D is rotated in one direction by intermitting impulses received from the main power-shaft through the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the surface of the cylinder 13 is cut a cam-groove 19 which is adapted to receive a loose pulley b attached to one end of a lever I), which is bent at an angle to itself and pivoted vertically at b to the frame A, between which and the spokes of the wheel D it is extended horizontally in the arm 12 At the extremity of this arm a spring-pressed latch b extends upwardly far enough to en-' counter the spokes d the beveled face of the latch easily passing the spokes-11.6. ,the latchspring being weaker than the spring of the detent c and the flat or rounded side of the latch impinging against the said spokes when the lever moves in the opposite direction. The wheel may be caused to revolve either toward the right or toward the left by means of this spring-pressed latch, the cylinder B being capable of longitudinal movement along the power-shaft by means of a spline or the like.

The cam-groove b is so cut as to cause the lever 12 to oscillate through the paths shown in Fig. 2, and the curves of this groove are so timed with the revolutionof the crank-wheel B that the bag-wheel D is moved spoke by spoke between the time when the needles recede from the guides d in the gripping-hooks (1 the wheel D being at rest during the time the needles complete their forward movement and accomplish so much of their backward movement as carries them out of the range of the said gripping-hooks. As shown in Fig. 2, when the arm 19 is in the position indicated by the solid lines the needles, which are not shown, have just receded from the grippinghooks d", and the lever, guided by the cam-' groove, is about to begin an oscillation to the right, carrying with it the particular spoke of the wheel against which the flat or rounded side of its sprin g-pressed latch is pressed. In this movement the force exerted by the lever upon the wheel is sufficient to drive the detent 0 back against its spring, andthe movement is continued until the said detent presses forward into the next indentation (1 when the lever occupies the position indicated in dotted lines in the said Fig. 2. By this time the needles have completed their backward movement and have accomplished so much of their forward movement as will bring them in close juxtaposition to the gripping-hooks cl". A reverse curve in the cam-groove now carries the oscillating lever back again to the position shown in solid lines, while the needles advance forward and then retract, the spring-pressed latch 12* passing under the next spoke of the wheel to the left without moving it. This operation continues indefinitely, the needles reciprocating over one half of their course zI. a, that'portion thereof within the outer edge of the rim of the wheel Dwhile the wheel is at rest and reciprocating over the other half of their con rse-i. e. that lying without the outer rim of the wheel D-while the wheel moves over anangle equal to that measured between each pair of spokes.

,Instead of using a pair of eccentricallymounted gripping-hooks d secured to the rim (1 near each rigid standard (1 and operating the same by means of levers d the device indicated in Fig. 13 may be used. This figure is merely a diagram, and some of the parts essential to its operation are omitted. As here shown, a single pair of grippinghooks d are eccentrically pivoted on the under side of a plate (not shown) secured to the needle mechanism above the path of reciprocation of the needles. Cam-levers d, similar to those already described, control the paths of these gripping-hooks, and these cam-levers are moved either by hand or by machinery to grip each bag immediately the detent c has engaged the indentation 61 As shown in Fig. 13, this is accomplished by means of camwheels y, secured on an auxiliary shaft 'y,

and springs 11 press the cam-levers 02 backward, thus releasing the bag whenever the force exerted by the cam-wheels is released.

The operation of the device is as follows: Bags are placed with their mouths downward upon the standards secured to the wheel D, the hems of all the bags lying in one plane. The gripping-hooks are moved forward to grip the outer webs of the bags on either side of each rigid standard and 'then stretch the same by moving apart from each other, a single depression of the lever (Z accomplishing this movement, the spring-catch 61 holding the lever depressed. All of the standards being now provided with bags properly adjusted to receive the needles, the powershaft is caused to revolve. As the needles 0 move forward an operator standing at the side of tinue to advance and presently enter the hem 0;, being guided thereto by the grooves c1 in the gripping-hooks 02 As the advance continues the portion of the string between the two needles is caught by the rigid standard (1 and the needles still going forward the string is finally dropped from their eyes, as indicated in Fig. let. The needles now have completed their forward movement, have dropped one ofthe shirring-strings, laying it within" the hem at the mouth of the bag, and are ready. to begin the backward movement. Another string similar in length to the one just described is now inserted in their springeyes 0 in a manner similar to that just described, and as they are retracted through the bag the second string is laid within .the hem. As the needles recede from the outer edge of the wheel D the said wheel is given a portion of a revolution and presents another bag before the needle mechanism 7 by the means and in the manner heretofore de scribed. As the bags are strung an operator standing on the side of the needle mechanism toward which the wheel is caused to revolve removes the strung bags and replaces them by those which are yet to receive 'shirringstrings.

It will be observed that, as described, two operators are contemplated as feeding the machine, one placing the bags upon the wheel and another threading the needles; I but the number of operators needed with this machine is entirely dependent upon the rapidity with which it is driven.

It is to be noted that while gripping-hooks are provided to guide the needles into the hem at the mouth of the bag no device is provided to guide them in their exit at the other ends of the hem, and this is so for the reason that while it would be possible for the needles to make a false entry into the hems or to miss them altogether, still when once within these hems the hems themselves are guides to the blunt needles, and the needles are forced to puncture the outer web of the heme when they reach the spring standards (1 Having once punctured the bags at or near the standard (:1 the needles when retracted merely retrace the forward movement and lay the second string in the same channels which received the first. The bags which are now provided with shirring-strings are finished by knotting the corresponding loose free ends of these strings.

In Fig. 9 is shown a needle-guide cflwhich may be secured at any point on the ways 0. This guide may or may not be used, but if used is to be placed just Within the point of farthest retraction of the needles, so that the eyes 0 will project beyond it.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a bag-stringing machine the combination with a frame, of a needle-carriage, needles, a wheel, bag-standards secured to said wheel on its rim in line with the spokes thereof, a power-shaft connected with the needlecarriage by a crank-shaft, a lever pivoted to the frame having one leg engaged by a camgroove on the power-shaft and having its other leg provided with a spring-latch, the said spring-latch extending into the path of the wheel-spokes and being adapted to pass said spokes when oscillated in one direction and to'move said spokes with it when oscillated in the other direction, indentations upon the wheel in line with the standards and spokes thereof, and a spring-detent adapted to engage the said indentations and hold the bag-standards nearest thereto in line with the central line of reciprocation between the needles.

2. In a bag-stringing machine, a frame, ways secured to said frame, a needle-carriage adapted to reciprocate within said ways, needles secured to said carriage, a power-shaft,

a crank-shaft pivoted to and connecting the said power-shaft and the needle-carriage, a wheel mounted upon the frame with its rim nearly touching the aforesaid ways, the said rim lying approximately in the plane of reciprocation of the needles, and within about one-half of their forward thrust, the said rim having indentations on its outer edge which are in radial alinement with the spokes of the wheel and have adjacent to them also in alinement with said spokes bag-holdin g stan dards, a spring-detent secured to the needleways and adapted to engage the indentations in the rim of the wheel, a cylinder secured upon the power-shaft, a cam-groove in the said cylinder having its points of lateral departure lying within a plane approximately at a right angle to a plane passed through that diameter of the power-shaft which coincides with a line connecting the center of said shaft with the center of the crank-pin when the crank is at its greatest thrust, a lever pivoted to the frame having one end engaged by the said cam-groove, and having a springlatch upon its other end, the said spring'latch projecting into the path of the spokes of the wheel, and adapted to move the wheel by said spokes in one direction through an are equal to that measured between said spokes.

3. In a bag-stringing machine, a needlecarriage, needles secured thereto, means for reciprocating the same, in combination with a Wheel mounted approximately in the plane of reciprocation of the said needles and within the path thereof, the said wheel being provided with bag-holding standards, grippinghooks on either side of said standards, and means for revolving the said wheel by intermittent impulses through arcs equal to the distance between said bag-holding devices.

4:. In a bag-stringing machine the combination with standards adapted to receive and hold the bags, of gripping-hooks adapted to enter the hem of the bag and stretch the same away from the said standards.

5. In a bag-stringing machine,the combination with bag-holding standards, of grippinghooks pivoted eccentrically on both sides of said standards and adapted to move in a curve approaching the said standards until they nearly touch it and then to recede therefrom.

6,. In,a bag-stringing machine the combination with. bag-holding standards of grippinghooks pivoted on either side thereof, the said gripping-hooks being provided with needleguides.

7. In a bag-stringing machine the combination with eccentrically mounted grippinghooks, one on eitherside of a bag-standard, of means adapted to move the said hooks toward the said standard at the same time.

8. In a bag-stringing machine the combination with a wheel, a power-shaft and a pair of reciprocating needles, of bag-standards secured upon the rim of the said Wheel having eccentrically mounted gripping hooks on either side of them, means for holding the tool i z a Z said standards in line between the said nee- In testimony whereof we have hereunto Set dles as they are thrust forward and retracted our hands in the presence of two subscribing 10 within the outer edge of the rim of the wheel, witnesses.

and means for moving said wheel over an arc GEORGE S. PRICHARD. equal to the distance between the standards JAMES W. TAYLOR.

upen it when the needles retract from the Witnesses:

outer edge of its rim and before they enter it WV. H. HUGGINS,

again. Joe. H. PRIGHARD.

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